duane_mills

I just saw the I make from the mock up on Pentax Forums. Now I feel pretty dumb after selling my FA 50 f/1.4 and FA 35 f/2 last year when getting the 3 pancake Limited lenses. I didn't see the point in keeping them after long abandoning the thought of a larger sensor Pentax. Live and learn! At least the DA 40 and 70 will work on the larger sensor without dark corners!

<p>The second is of my wife, AKA: The CHO (Chief Household Officer), while we were at boxing with our son.</p><div></div>

<p>I'm late to the party this week folks! The weather has been challenging so I have been limited to a few indoor shots. Here are two from the past week. The first photo is of my kids.</p><div></div>

<p>Last but not least...</p><div></div>

<p>Here's a second...</p><div></div>

<p>Ok folks, I guess I'll start the POTW thread this week. The weather here has been miserable all week however last Sunday was a decent day and I took my son and daughter sliding. There is a 7 year age difference between them yet the closeness they share and fun they have interacting with one another never ceases to amaze me. No landscapes this week from me; just a few photos that are memories to cherish in years to come.</p><div></div>

<p>Howard - interesting to see this creative change in style from you - I like it, especially "Through the Window".<br> Dorus - as always your unique perspective produces stunning works of contemporary art.<br> Matt - those amazing shots you keep capturing with the DA 15 are making me consider adding one to my stack of pancakes (21, 40, 70); sooner rather than later. Every time I think I've captured a landscape perfectly - I see your latest work and realize I have much to improve upon in my personal photographic journey. Your landscapes are nothing short of spectacular. Keep posting! Cheers.</p>

Too funny Doug. Ironically the big guy in the photo is Italian and the gentleman with him is from Argentina. They are "Goodfellas"; that is to say - terrific colleagues to work with. The 70 Limited is amazing. It's the best lens I have (even though the 21 Limited is used the most). The 70 replaced my FA 50 1.4. Despite how terrific the nifty fifty can be, the 70 outshines it significantly. Cheers.

<p>This has been the first real chance to use the 70mm Limited that Mrs Claus gave me for Christmas. Dynamite lens…Here's the third...</p><div></div>

<p>Here's a second...</p><div></div>

<p>Hi folks it's been a couple of months since I have posted regularly. Between Christmas, a house reno and work there hasn't been much time. The weather has been rotten as well so that hasn't helped! Great shots Doug. The second is stellar. Yuri - the bus is an interesting subject to capture. Harry - I like the monument and would really be interested in seeing it in HDR. Here are three shots of colleagues taken at dinner during a conference this past week...</p><div></div>

<p>Hi Bruce, here is a terrific article I just came across:<br> https://fstoplounge.com/2015/01/the-24-megapixels-the-world-forgot/</p>

<p>The Pentax K-3, Canon 6D and Nikon D750 are all dynamite cameras. The Canon & Nikon both boast a larger "full frame" sensor while the Pentax is APS C. If shallower depth of field is important to you the larger sensor has an advantage (along with less noise in low light). The K-3's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better than the 6D and 2 f-stops better than the D750. You could agonize over specs all day...<br> http://snapsort.com/compare/Nikon-D750-vs-Pentax-K-3<br> http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon-EOS-6D-vs-Pentax-K-3</p>

<p>After several years of shooting with a K-100 D Super (the little camera that could), I sold off almost of all my Pentax gear this past spring. I parted with the K-100 D Super, three SMC A Primes, two FA primes and two DA zooms with the intention of starting fresh.</p> <p>I had borrowed a friends 5D Mk II for a weekend to get a feel for Canon (he has upgraded to a Mk III). I found it to be a very capable photographic tool but a beast to carry all day. The bone jarring shutter clack was also unsettling but had no negative impact for image capture:-) Not quite happy with the Canon, I was able to try a Nikon D7000 for a day. The Nikon was more familiar for muscle memory (being somewhat similar in layout to a Pentax) and was dynamite to shoot with. The first thing I had noticed with the Nikon was the greater number of AF points and the size/weight were more of what I prefer.</p> <p>Then I tried a K-5 II and K-3. While the 24 MP resolution of the K-3 was stellar, the K-5 II was no slouch either. What really stood out for me was that both Pentax cameras were very comparable to the Nikon with the K-3 seeming to be a little better (but it is newer technology and therefore not a fair comparison).</p> <p>In the end, I made my choice between Pentax and Nikon based on glass. In the past 6 months I have acquired 3 HD DA Limiteds, the 21, 40 and 70. As a gear minimalist, who wants to squeeze all possible IQ out of the camera and is comfortable with the shooting discipline of carrying a kit of primes - Pentax is a solid system. Having a small, portable kit means that I'm now taking the camera out and about much more often. As for AF speed - the Limiteds are blazing fast on the K-5 II. The only advice I offer for you to consider is; "spend more on the lenses than the camera body". You'll have the lenses much longer and great glass enhances IQ much more than having the latest and greatest sensor. With the K-5 II and HD DA 21 / HD DA 40 combo I have printed several high quality 24" X 36" canvas prints without any loss in detail. Will you need larger prints? If so, you'll want a larger sensor. I'll eventually get a K-3 or a K-3 II down the road but for now the K-5 II is more than enough photographic firepower for what I shoot. Cheers.</p>

<p>The next shot is a re-shoot from earlier this evening...</p><div></div>

<p>Hi Harry, is the 77 new? Like all of the FA's it renders excellent colour - particularly on the train photo. The train shot is my fav of the 3 but the cagey tag line on the second made me chuckle. Here are two from me. I was travelling with work this week and didn't have much time...</p><div></div>

<p>Last but not least…a shot of our poodle before a trip to the groomer...</p><div></div>

<p>Here's a second...</p><div></div>

<p>Great start for this week. I'll comment on individual photos once more are posted. I didn't get out much over the past two weeks due to heavy rainfall and dense fog. We had only 1/2 a clear day and I managed to get a few outdoor shots then.</p><div></div>

<p>And here is a daytime shot of the Lower Battery at the entrance to St. John's Harbour...</p><div></div>

<p>Great kick off as usual Doug. The Kangaroos are neat. Yuri - I'll never look at the Flintstones the same way again! Dorus - I like the barcode image but family photos are always images to treasure. I haven't been out much this week. We had a visit by Hurricane Gonzalo and none of my lenses are weather sealed:-( Here are a couple of images captured last week:</p><div></div>

Dave, the photo with the old bike, chair and old clutter with blue brick didn't stand out a first glance however the different shades of blue as well as light and shadow detail have caused me to come back and view it several times. Very well done. Kudos.

<p>The best camera is…the one you have with you. The most important photographic tool is…the photographer behind the camera. The K-5II is a powerful tool but it's no different than a Martin D-28 guitar - you won't be able create something memorable without the skill to do so. That being said…better lenses are more important that the latest and greatest camera body. </p> <p> </p>

<p>Last but not least...</p><div></div>

<p>A second...</p><div></div>