wtlwdwgn

<p>I hesitated before responding because I'm so new at Canon cameras but here goes. I bought a 1D2N and a charger a month ago that was advertised for $850 at Adorama. It has a few marks on it but its otherwise in great shape. I don't know how many shutter trips it has and there seems to be some controversy as to getting an accurate count. It turned out the battery was dead but Adorama sent out another battery no charge. I'm a really happy camper.</p>

<p>These are terrific Robert. El Nino hasn't been to kind to the mountain west this year. You'll have plenty of water in the reservoirs this summer while we'll have major forest fires. 8~(</p>

<p>I went out yesterday and caught this BE with my 1D2N and a 40yr old Super Takumar 300mm f/4 MF lens.<br>

<img src="http://wtlwdwgn.smugmug.com/Birds/Canon-BIFs/Raptor-I-6797/785559501_qfGQ9-L.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="534" /></p>

<p><img src="http://wtlwdwgn.smugmug.com/Birds/Canon-BIFs/Raptor-III-6799/785559463_EYTMs-XL.jpg" alt="" width="512" height="768" /></p>

<p>Good start to another week. Went to the old duck pond to try some panning shots. I used my Super Tak 300 f/4. To say the least it was challenging to remember which way to turn the focusing ring. The Tak was attached to a, um, uh, um, cough, 1D2N. Hey, I got it half right!<br>

<img src="http://wtlwdwgn.smugmug.com/Birds/Canon-BIFs/BIF-III/776165956_ZRDwe-L.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="533" /></p>

<p><img src="http://wtlwdwgn.smugmug.com/Birds/Canon-BIFs/BIF-I/776165837_UGKKf-L.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="534" /></p>

<p>Lately I've been using my longer zooms.</p>

<p>Sigma 100-300 f/4 (+1.4 TC) Very sharp</p>

<p>SMC A 70-210 f/4 Macro (+1.7 TC) Beautiful color</p>

<p>DA* 50-135 (+1.7 TC) Super sharp</p>

 

<p>Sorry Haig, here's more snow. We received 9 new inches of the white stuff over the weekend and there were some cross country skiers and snow shoers (?) making tracks. K20D + A 70-210 f/4.</p>

<p><img src="http://wtlwdwgn.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Paths/Rvr-Fnt-Park-Path-VI-223878/772552093_8xF4B-L.jpg" alt="" width="449" height="600" /></p>

<p>I have this a mint copy lens now but I'm having a hard time getting the focus correct. Even with the K20D's focus confirmation it isn't always as sharp as I thought it would be. But once I get it focused it's sharp. The weather's changed just a little from the other day. This is how it looked this morning.<br>

<img src="http://wtlwdwgn.smugmug.com/Lenses/Takumars/S-M-C-Takumar-50mm-f1-4-3/771424292_GtDx2-O.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="532" /></p>

<p>100% focused on center cap.<br>

<img src="http://wtlwdwgn.smugmug.com/Lenses/Takumars/S-M-C-Takumar-50mm-f1-4-7/771431945_CGwTW-O.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="532" /></p>

<p>Inside where it's nice and warm! Available light.<br>

<img src="http://wtlwdwgn.smugmug.com/Lenses/Takumars/S-M-C-Takumar-50mm-f1-4-6/771424239_ykfif-O.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="532" /></p>

<p>With flash.<br>

<img src="http://wtlwdwgn.smugmug.com/Lenses/Takumars/S-M-C-Takumar-50mm-f1-4-5/771424261_rmF7y-O.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="532" /></p>

<p>Thanks guys. The copy I have has the 49mm filter and it is a little jewel. I purposely shot the sun through the trees to stress the lens and it handled it like the gem it is. 8~)</p>

<p>I got a mint copy of this lens today in the mail. Here are a few quick and dirty shots with in on a K20D.<br>

<img src="http://wtlwdwgn.smugmug.com/Lenses/Takumars/SMC-Takumar-28mm-f3-5-Test-1/770267811_DFjon-L.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="531" /></p>

<p><img src="http://wtlwdwgn.smugmug.com/Lenses/Takumars/SMC-Takumar-28mm-f3-5-Test-5/770267898_ptTX7-L.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="531" /></p>

<p><img src="http://wtlwdwgn.smugmug.com/Lenses/Takumars/SMC-Takumar-28mm-f3-5-Test-6/770267727_NUcDg-XL.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="768" /></p>

<p><img src="http://wtlwdwgn.smugmug.com/Lenses/Takumars/SMC-Takumar-28mm-f3-5-Test-3/770267840_BW6Wy-L.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="531" /></p>

<p>The Sigma 100-300 was a bit too long so I dug this lens out this week to take to the zoo. I've forgotten how much fun it is to shoot with a manual focus lens and how sharp this particular lens is.<br>

<img src="http://wtlwdwgn.smugmug.com/Animals/ZooMontana-0110/Eagle-VIII-223666/769482067_i5zPS-L.jpg" alt="" width="764" height="600" /></p>

<p><img src="http://wtlwdwgn.smugmug.com/Animals/ZooMontana-0110/Eagle-II-223621/769483446_TQjjM-L.jpg" alt="" width="764" height="600" /></p>

<p><img src="http://wtlwdwgn.smugmug.com/Animals/ZooMontana-0110/Peacock-II-223504/769482510_piQsp-L.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="531" /></p>

<p><img src="http://wtlwdwgn.smugmug.com/Animals/ZooMontana-0110/Peacock-I-223512/769482537_mXYju-XL.jpg" alt="" width="604" height="768" /></p>

<p>Thanks Scott. I emailed Adorama and they're send a new battery free of charge. 8~)</p>

<p>The battery doesn't respond to the refresh button. The charge and refresh lights just continually flash.</p>

<p>I applied some NR in the 2nd image and I think the background is much smoother now.</p>

<p>Thanks for the info Scott. I'll try the other lead and then a refresh and then a call to Adorama.</p>

<p>I received a used 1D Mk II N today and I'm trying to charge the battery. When I first connect the battery to the charger the charging light is red. After a short while both the charging and reset lights begin to do a fast blink. The body does not turn on with the battery installed and the empty battery symbol blinks. Is the battery dead, need resetting, or just need more time to charge?</p>

<p>As these are near 100% crops I don't expect them to print large very well. I'll go into LR and adjust the color. I just did a quick PP in PSE7 on my laptop to post them up. I'll spend more time on them in LR and CS4. Thanks for the comments.</p>

<p>From my trip to the zoo the other day. This shot was at ISO 1600 and is a near 100% crop. In the 2nd image I boosted the contrast and sharpening a bit and also tried some NR. What do you think?<br>

<img src="http://wtlwdwgn.smugmug.com/Animals/ZooMontana-0110/Eagle-7-800/765855341_o6Dwq-O.jpg" alt="" width="804" height="582" /></p>

<p><img src="http://wtlwdwgn.smugmug.com/Animals/ZooMontana-0110/Eagle-7-800-NR/767517716_wvy89-O.jpg" alt="" width="804" height="582" /></p>

<p>No worries, all contributions gratefully accepted. The whole point is how the Pentax's handle ISO 1600 performance. I think it's pretty darn good. I haven't any qualms using it any time. Even at that I exceeded the DR of the sensor. There's a bit of noise in the darker shadows and the brighter highlights are slightly blown. Still I'm very pleased with the results.</p>

<p>I know, but that Noctilux. What a lens!</p>

<p>Thanks Javier. I thought the K7's sensor was supposed to be improved?</p>

<p>Thanks for the nice comments. The zoo is ZooMontana in Billings. I'm a getting a little shaky hand holding any lens these days. It might be too much coffee or just getting older (it must be the coffee!).</p>

<p>I went to the zoo yesterday and shot in TAv mode at 1/2000 @ f/5.6 (I'm a bit shaky hand holding). This caused the ISO to jump to 1600 on occasion. Near 100% crops. K20D + Sigma 100-300 f/4. C&C always welcome.<br>

<img src="http://wtlwdwgn.smugmug.com/Animals/ZooMontana-0110/Eagle-6-800/765855465_vKXW8-O.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="586" /></p>

<p><img src="http://wtlwdwgn.smugmug.com/Animals/ZooMontana-0110/Eagle-4-800/765855455_KdYMV-O.jpg" alt="" width="813" height="598" /></p>

<p><img src="http://wtlwdwgn.smugmug.com/Animals/ZooMontana-0110/Eagle-7-800/765855341_o6Dwq-O.jpg" alt="" width="804" height="582" /></p>

<p>That's some beautiful work. Love to see some more.</p>

<p>I seem to have a hankering for SMC Taks lately. I just got a 50 f/1.4 and I hope a 28 f/3.5. I'm sure I paid too much (I'm not saying!) but I like the qualities of these lenses. I now have 6 lenses for my SV. The nice thing is I can still use them all on any body (I have 5!). I need to be locked away in a padded cell lest I go broke (go for broke I always say!). Yikes!</p>

<p>I agree with Mr. Atkins on this one. I believe the original intent by the lens manufacturer designing an f/1, f/1.2, f/1.4, etc., was to provide a brighter viewfinder for use in low light conditions. I don't think they meant for the maximum aperture to be used except perhaps creatively. The old rule of thumb for most any lens' best performance is 2 stops from the maximum or minimum aperture. Just my ¢¢.</p>