DSLR – Pentax Body

If you think finding inspiration for complete strangers is hard, try thinking of something new to do with your kids! It would be easy if we went somewhere new every day (or even every week) like the zoo or theme parks but let’s fact it – most of our lives are spent in our town. Same old park, same old beach, same old playground. Here are some photos taken in the same location and my inspiration to go there with my camera AGAIN when my brain is telling me “been there, done that”.

We live one street from the beach. Pretty cool when we first moved here but there’s only so much you can do at the beach.

1. Typical – Naturally when you first meet a location, you’ll take the typical photos of enjoying that spot. This is a pretty typical beach shot from when we first started going there, but you can only take so many before it all starts feeling like deja vu!

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2. Props – After I’d gotten sick of the typical beachy photos, I started making sure to bring props with me when we went down there. First it started with props that had something to do with the location but then I started getting sick of that, too!

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3. Abstract – So after #3 got old, I started taking props that had nothing to do with the location along on our outings. In this instance, I just said ’sit down’ and handed him a pile of old cameras to explore and it worked a treat! Kept him happy for a long time, too!

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4. Surroundings – There’s so much more to the beach then the water. When your location starts feeling hopelessly blah, look for little spots surrounding your location to photograph. This wall faces the sea. If your usual spot is a park, how about areas just outside the park? Is there a tractor in the parking lot? A rugged looking fence? Keep your eyes out for things you’ve gotten so used to that you never considered them to be good locations.

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5. Feelings – Finally, start playing with your old shots again and see if you can give them a different feel from your first time around. Or better yet, take those old, boring same-old-same-old shots and edit them with a totally new feel. Exe: the beach doesn’t have to be soft, dreamy and ethereal. On this one, I went for dark and edgy.

We’d love to see what you can come up with after reading our posts. Did you know that you can post photos in the comments? So go out, try what you’ve read and come back and show us!

Post from: Digital Photography School – Photography Tips.

5 Tips for Parents – Same Old Location. New Inspiration.

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I’d really looked forward to getting my mitts on this camera. The reviews have been tantalising: Imaging Resource said: ‘the Pentax Kx has enormous value, thanks to its remarkable image and print quality, fine build, and class-leading burst speed, all combining to make one impressive digital SLR camera.’

The boys at DP Review were no less effusive: ‘Pentax has managed to squeeze what is … an impressive feature set into the camera’s minuscule, rather inconspicuous, body and the image quality, especially in low light, is the best we have seen so far in the entry-level bracket of the DSLR market. To put some icing on the cake, all of this comes at a currently, compared to the closest rivals, very attractive price point.’

The camera also made Editor’s Choice at my favourite photo magazine. And I’d seen the sensor tested at DxO labs a week or two ago and that really made me curious.

A word on my methodology

I should make clear that I don’t test or review cameras the way DP Review or Steve’s Digicams do. I test cameras as a user, just as I’ve tested PC programs and operating systems for years. Good design is about a great user experience, something very few companies are good at Technoledge. So I don’t read the manual at first because I want to know how easy the product is to use, and how intuitive the controls and navigation are. Would anyone actually read the 300 page manual? Not unless she’s stuck on a dessert island with nothing else to do.

First Impressions

The test camera wasn’t a nice red one as I’d imagined (yes, it comes in white and navy blue as well), but a dull black unit. The K-x is a fraction bigger than my old Nikon D40, which I’ll use as a benchmark since it was entry-level DSLR champ 3 years ago. The Pentax is a bit heavier with 4 standard NMH rechargeable batteries in its handgrip. The second dull note comes from the ordinary viewfinder and the vital shooting data on the bottom row, which is hard to read in bright light. By contrast, the screen on the back is bright and the info pretty clear. The autofocus is snappy if noisy, and response to the trigger is immediate. No complaints about the handling.

Take some test shots in the evening light, I struck another dull note as Aperture Priority mode seemed to worked to a dark priority of its own. Switching to manual turned off auto ISO, which I didn’t realise at the time, so I still wasn’t hearing music. I couldn’t read the tiny exposure number in the viewfinder either and ended up using the shoot-and-check-the-screen method.

At home in front of my PC, I discovered that the standard USB cable I use for my Nikon and Canon cameras didn’t fit the Pentax – a real discord as I’d lent my SD-to USB-gizmo to a friend and had no way to pull any photos out of this camera.

A mixed bag of results

More frustrations, after looking at the files coming off the Pentax’s SD card. Shots from Cremorne Point across the harbour lacked detail long before the light faded. None of the long shots I took that afternoon was any sharper, and the light and shade contrast seems exaggerated. It was a golden afternoon, not bell clear but not hazy either.

Later shots to Circular Quay across the harbour lacked detail as well, even though the sun was still above the horizon. As it got darker, I took some shots at ISO 1600 to test the sensor’s reportedly good high ISO capability but struck another sour note.

In the end, I decided to set up a comparison with the Nikon D40 on a tripod. The D40 is not a high ISO champ in anyone’s book but the results shot at ISO 3200 were a surprise. These are 100% crops, reduced a little to fit here.

To make them the same size, I reduced the K-x shot by 50% (12mp vs 6 mp) which actually makes it look better. I have no idea how this can be, but I can only tell it as it is.

In normal light, the K-x produces images with good colour depth and dynamic range, but so does the old D40 (left, different day, different hibiscus).

Looking for answers

I have a hunch that the 18-55 kit lens on the K-x isn’t much chop. The distortion at the wide end is mind-bending, which is a hint. It would explain the lack of detail in landscape shots, if not the high ISO performance. I have no other Pentax lenses, so I can check reviews online. DP Review says ‘corners have had to be cut to keep cost down.’ An article at Photo.net is more blunt: potentially adequate for outdoor photography on sunny high-contrast days.’

The review at Photoreview says: ‘… resolution only met expectations with raw files.’ In plain language: JPEGs weren’t sharp enough. The RAW photos I’ve taken with the K-x are no better but RAW gives you more room for enhancement. RAW files also take more room, period, ending up somewhere between 10 and 15mb and slowing my PC’s editing speed to a crawl. With the kit lens, all I say is that K-x takes great photos in good light – like the one below.

With some distance between the camera and the subject, things get fuzzy. Here’s an example shot in bright daylight from about 30m distance at ISO 400, 1/250, so camera shake isn’t an issue:

It’s time to try some other things and that means opening the manual, which is one of best I’ve come across. Live View works well enough. It’s not a feature I plan to use since I’m more comfortable using a viewfinder. I try video, and it’s just as easy: choose your preferred settings for quality, sound, aperture control, focus and shake reduction from the menu, switch the top dial to movie and off you go.

Video quality is similar to the Nikon D90, and audio is fair. HDR is just as easy – select it from the menu and keep your finger on the trigger. The most astonishing feature of the K-x by far is its burst-mode: Almost 5 frames/sec is a speed more commonly found in prosumer or pro cameras. The K-x should be great for action and sports.

Marketing

‘BREAK ALL THE RULES – Choose a camera that redefines the entry-level digital SLR category.’ So the Pentax website claims. ‘The PENTAX K-x offers high-end features including Live View, HD video and photographic performance that challenges higher class models.’ 

The K-x is a well-built, well-thought out DSLR. It sells at a Nikon D3000 price but offers D5000 performance, at least on paper, and I suspect the battles in the entry-level DSLR market are largely won and lost on paper since most of the buyers are upgrading from digicams with lots of smart features. Pentax has done its homework here with a winner on paper.

Most buyers at this end of the market choose cameras for their features but never use most of them, so Pentax has given them a feature-packed camera that can point and shoot with the best of them. The choice of bright body colours will also appeal to first time DSLR buyers looking for a bit of chic.

K-x is right on target

People buying their first DSLR have few reference points in the new territory but expect common digicam features like live view, video, anti-shake, lots of scene functions, digital filters and in-camera processing (which here includes correction for lens distortion and compensation for blown highlights and dark shadows).

Pentax delivers plenty, including video recording at 1280 x 720 at 24 frames a second with mono sound, for up to 11 minutes at the HQ setting. For still photography, a new cross processing mode randomly shifts photographic parameters for each exposure to create eye-catching images with unique colours. Other big features include:

• High-precision 11-point AF sensor
• In-body image stabilisation
• 4.7 frames/ second burst mode
• Dust Removal for image sensor
• High dynamic range function for creating composite images
• White balance control with new CTE mode for sunset scenes
• Automatic compensation of distortion and lateral chromatic aberration
• K-mount takes all recent Pentax lenses.

Ease of Use

Despite the feature load, the K-x is as simple to use as you want. Buttons are few, navigation is logical and menu screens are easy to read. The more detailed menu screens for finer settings are easy to get to as well.

Liveview will please those who’re used to digicams but has the usual issues common to DSLR implementation: slow contrast detect autofocus, trouble focusing in low light, and so on.

The early problems I had with the were a combination of being unfamiliar with the K-x’s workings and the Manual and AP shooting modes. I had no idea that auto ISO doesn’t work in Manual, but I can see the logic at a stretch. In the end I used scene mode settings which gave the most consistent results, and that’s probably how most users will operate this camera.

Performance

The shortcuts Pentax has made to the K-x to meet the price point won’t be obvious to buyers coming from digicams: the ordinary viewfinder and the lack of AF point illumination in it, for example, and a pretty basic LCD by DSLR standards.

It was the ‘photographic performance that challenges higher class models’ that interested me the most, and this was a claim echoed in many reviews. The camera produces photos with faithful colours and good dynamic range, but the high ISO performance was disappointing. So was sharpness, for which I blame the lens.

I got used to not seeing AF markings in the VF but metering was suspect at times, making images too dark. In Manual mode, the small exposure correction number in the bottom right of the screen was hard to read. In bright light, even the big numbers down there are hard to read.

Conclusions & Recommendations

I have no doubt that the K-x is a real hit for Pentax. It offers a long list of serious features for the money, and most of the buyers won’t be disappointed. However, I was surprised that a camera with an advanced 12mp sensor couldn’t produce pictures as sharp as the old 6mp Nikon D40, which was released late in 2006.

Nor did the on-paper dynamic range of the K-x translate to real-life images. Often, the highlights and shades in bright sunlight were too harsh without compensation on (something I’d prefer not to do as a rule).

The K-x may have a lot to offer first time DSLR buyers, but for this user its offered a strange mix of features and omissions, and there was nothing about it that really grabbed me. Lucky for Pentax, I’m not the market for the camera.

If you’re thinking of buying one, think about opting for a different lens. Pentax makes a higher quality 18-55 and a dearer 17 – 70mm, and Sigma makes a bargain 17 – 70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro lens which is offered in a K-x kit, at least in Oz, for some $200 more. Adorama lists the lens for less than $400 on its own. See the links below for more lens options and details. I suspect a decent lens may well give the K-x a fair chance to show what it can do.

Pentax K-x Buying Options at Amazon

• Pentax K-x – Digital camera – body only
• Pentax K-x with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Lens
• Pentax K-x with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL and 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED Lenses
• Pentax K-x with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL and 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED Lenses

Resources

• Very comprehensive review of all types of Pentax lenses
• List of Pentax lenses on the company’s website

Post from: Digital Photography School – Photography Tips.

Pentax K-x Review [Muscling in on Nikon and Canon]

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Visitors to this page also liked: See “Recommended Reading” on the right column. Email: brqyvn@aol.com

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Visitors to this page also liked: See “Recommended Reading” on the right column. We honor reciprocal links. Email: brqyvn@aol.com

Hi Pentaxian friends.

I didn’t want to talk about it, but I had my camera bag, with equipment, disappear the weekend of PMA 2010. In fact, I never made it to the PMA as I was so bummed out. Litle by little, I am replacing what was in it. It might take me a year or more.

A few weeks ago I needed to get a new camera bag to replace the stolen one. I drove to Pasadena to see what Samy’s had to offer and to check prices. I went to the store knowing that my first and last experience with Samy’s had not been a good one. The last time, the sales person was rude and would only entertain conversations about Canon and Nikon. Needless to say, I didn’t purchase anything and swore never to come back.

My experience was completely different this time around. Timothy was very friendly, and gave me all the attention I needed. We looked at several camera bags and he even walked next door to the warehouse to get a model that was not in the store. I wanted a bag that could carry a laptop plus one body, four lenses, flash and other equipment. I purchased the Tamrac 3385. He gave me the same price as B&H Photo mail order price, actually $10.00 less.

We then talked about Pentax. His experience has been mostly with Pentax U.K. He said that the store  he used to worked at had Pentax Reps coming to the store all the time. They would bring them out to lunch, and had all kind of perks for store sales people. Pentax would demonstrate all the new equipment and made sure all sales people were knowledgeable. He said that once Pentax stopped all of that and got rid of most of their sales reps, he and the other sales people gradually stopped pushing Pentax.

I suppose that other brands are still having sales reps. I also understand that Nikon and Canon have an enormous line of credit which allows stores to have bigger inventories on their shelves. On the flip side, when Ritz Camera went bankrupt, Nikon and Canon lost a lot of money because of that.In the world we live in, if your business is not part of the internet, you’re not in business. We have seen so many brick & mortar stores going out of business these past few years. Unless they have a strong presence on the internet, camera stores are doomed. Most people go to camera stores to try the equipment but turn around and purchase the equipment on the internet. I think Pentax is doing the right thing and eventually all vendors, and buyers will deal through the internet only.

As for Samy’s, they have a  presence on the internet, but they need more sales people like Timothy if they are going to stick to brick and mortar stores and succeed. Timothy took the time to show me the camera bags, and in turn I purchased it that day instead of ordering it on the internet. Keep up the good work Timothy and good luck.

Email Samy’s and let them know about Timothy. pasadena@samys.com
Thanks for reading,

Yvon Bourque

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My other hobby

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Here’s a review of the Think Tank Photo “Shape Shifter” camera bag by Jeroen Berkenbosch who is from Huizen, Netherlands and currently studying journalism with a minor in photography..

Like many photographers, I’ve developed an addiction for camera bags. Some of the bags I own are for wandering about in an urban environment (mainly in or near Amsterdam), others are for storage at home or hiking in Holland’s small patches of woods and heaths.

However, I didn’t own a bag that allowed me to take my MacBook as well as my camera gear (and several other bits an pieces like lunch, an external hard drive, a first aid kit etcetera) with me. As a result, I regularly used one of my normal backpacks as a substitute. I stuck my laptop in its sleeve and stuffed it along with some of my camera equipment, fairly unprotected and completely organized, in my backpack. Needless to say this just didn’t work.

So I was on the market for a new bag to feed my addiction. And that’s where the Think Tank Photo (TTP) Shape Shifter comes into play. But oh, the bag does so much more than I expected it to do!

The fully loaded Shape Shifter. This was just a test to see how much gear it could hold. I wouldn’t recommend carrying this much on a daily base.

Specifications

Expanded configuration accommodates:

• Laptop up to 17″, plus computer accessories
• Two Pro DSLR bodies
• 16-35, 24-70 and 70-200 (or similar) lenses
• Two strobes

Size expanded:

• 32W, 51H, 18D cm (12.5″, 20″, 7″)

Size compressed:

• 32W, 51H, 8D cm (12.5″, 20″, 3″)

Weight when empty:

• 1.73 kg (3.75 lbs)

Design and features

The main reason I chose this bag above other, similar bags, is that the Shape Shifter can incorporate my TTP Pro Speed Belt and my Skin pouches. I was also curious about the ’shape shifting’ ability. It’s possible to compress the Shape Shifter to a mere 8 centimeter (3 inches) in depth, when most of the camera equipment is removed from the pouches. While I haven’t measured its exact depth, it is a big difference when the compressing zipper is closed. Of course, if you carry a lot of stuff in the front pouches, the depth will increase. But it still is a great feature for crowded places.

The laptop compartment, placed on the back of the bag, holds laptops up to 17″. The compartment is still accessible when the compressing zipper is closed. The inside of the compartment is covered with a fleece-like material.

Another unique feature of the Shape Shifter is the use of sewn-in neoprene pouches for the storage of your lenses and (D)SLR bodies. I was a bit skeptical about these pouches at first, but they work really well. Keep in mind that they aren’t removable like the dividers in most camera bags. But they can accommodate a wide range of lenses.

The two front pockets offer plenty of room for pens, business cards, CF-cards (I store mine in a TTP Pixel Pocket Rocket), a Moleskine notebook, snacks, sunglasses, first aid kit, a 0.5 litre water bottle, my Leatherman tool and so on. TTP really paid attention to details here. There are dozens of useful compartments inside the front pockets.

The upper front-pocket. The Pixel Pocket Rocket isn’t included.

One of the downsides for me is its appearance. I don’t think it’s a very good looking bag, but then again: I have never seen a good looking camera backpack. But this is just my opinion. I’m sure other people will think otherwise. And truth be told: it’s better looking in real life than on any photos I have seen.

What’s more important though, is that the Shape Shifter is very inconspicuous. Most people won’t recognize it as a camera bag (if you don’t carry a tripod), which is a huge plus since it’s less likely you’ll get robbed of your expensive gear.

I was able to fit this inside the Shape Shifter (tripod on the outside), plus a gripped Canon 400D I used to take this photo. It weighs 15kg (33 lbs) and does make the bag a lot less comfortable.

Build quality

The quality of the bag is just amazing. I’m a sucker for good quality products, and this is one of the best build bags I ever owned. The fabric is very light and supple, yet super strong.

In my experience, one of the weakest points of bags are the zippers. But as expected, Think Tank Photo used the well-known, high-quality YKK-zippers. I have never ever had a YKK-zipper fail, so I’m very confident they will stand up to some abuse.

The harness is very comfortable. The shoulder straps are slightly curved for a better fit and they’re made out of the right amount of padding.

While the bag is fairly waterproof, they also included a rain cover. Which will undoubtedly be useful for the many Dutch downpours.

Another plus point for me is the fact that TTP chose to use environment-friendly materials. Think Tank Photo made the choice to use PU and silicone in stead of PVC for the labels and clear laminated mesh on the inside of the bag. While it wouldn’t be a deal breaker if they did use PVC, it’s good to know it’s an ecological bag too!

Pro Speed Belt and Skin pouches

While I love the Pro Speed Belt and the Skin pouches, it isn’t the perfect solution. First and foremost, it was impossible to use the belt system together with a normal (or photo) backpack. The belt is placed too high for a normal-sized backpack to fit comfortably. When I saw the specifications of the Shape Shifter for the first time, I was attracted by its ability to replace the regular belt with the Pro Speed Belt.

I wasn’t completely convinced however. On most backpacks that I have used, the waist belt was placed too high for me to wear comfortably: the belt was placed over my belly rather than my hipbones. And I’m not even that tall (180 cm or 5.9 ft).

The way I place my gear in the neoprene pouches. Below my gripped Canon 5D mark II fits another similar sized body.

To my surprise, the Pro Speed Belt is placed exactly on my hipbones. The weight is spread on my shoulders and hips, making it super comfortable to wear. There is a lot less strain on my body when hiking around with too much weight for a sane person to carry around for some photos.

I know this won’t count for everyone, since not everyone is the same height as I am, but I thought it was worth to mention.

One of the tags attached to the Shape Shifter says: “Equipment can be kept in Skin pouches and still fit into the interior pockets”. A very useful feature, but it isn’t completely true. While it’s easy to fit my Canon 35L or 17-40L inside the Skin 50, it’s impossible to fit the Skin Chimp Cage inside the neoprene pouch designed for the bodies.

The way I carry the Chimp Cage.

A minor inconvenience though, since there’s plenty of room to fit an empty Chimp Cage inside the gear compartment.

Pros and Cons of the Think Tank Photo Shape Shifter Camera Bag

Pros

• Build quality;
• Comfort;
• Ability to replace the regular belt with the Skin or Pro Speed Belt;
• Very inconspicuous;
• Light weight;
• Versatile.

Cons

Conclusion

Although the Think Tank Photo Shape Shifter is a bit pricey and has some minor downsides, it is the best bag I have owned. The build quality is amazing, and it’s really comfortable and versatile.

If you’re looking for a inconspicuous bag to carry a select amount of lenses, a laptop and miscellaneous gear, this bag is one of the best choices out there. The Shape Shifter really comes to life when using it alongside their Skin Belt System.

Check out the price of Think Tank PHoto Shape Shifter Camera Bag on Amazon.

Post from: Digital Photography School – Photography Tips.

Review: Think Tank Photo Shape Shifter Camera Bag

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Weekly Assignment

This week we asked you to show off your advertising savvy in our Product Photography Assignment. There were so many different products advertised, and in some very creative ways. We put a lot of thought into picking our winners, and there were a few really stand out shots in the assignment. Our winner this week was syphlix’s image of the businessman holding a briefcase. This one really stood out to the judges. It demonstrated the meaning of the product by including the context, but with careful composition, he made sure that the background subject (the businessman) didn’t compete with the product. The lighting was excellent as it just skimmed over everything, ensuring that the deep blacks were still captured, but didn’t loose the detail Well done! Our first runner up was Camellia’s jewelry shot, and they’re her own designs! What a way to combine two hobbies into one great photo. What we liked about this one was the simplicity of it. It was straightforward and elegant, and could be used in an ad as it is. And last, but not least was Obijuan’s Harley potato photo. If you’re like me and didn’t quite get the reference, apparently the sound of Harley’s V-twin engine sounds like: potato, potato, potato. In this one, we really liked the light and the way it fell off the subject, and the application of the sticker / logo, whether digital or not was done really well. Congrats to this week’s winners!

We also started our newest assignment this week, Tell Me a Story. For this week’s assignment, we want you to look for something meaningful in your life. It may be an object, it may be a place, but we want you to photograph something wt. a special meaning to you, and if you’d like, we’d love to get a few short lines about it’s background and what makes it special. As usual, a quick rundown of the rules. First, your photo must have been taken between 17-31 March 2010. Second, your post must include the words “Assignment: Tell me a story” and the date the photo was taken. And last, but not least, your EXIF should be intact, and it’s helpful if you can include some of the main details, like camera, lens, shutter speed, aperture, etc. Next week’s assignment will be Spring/Fall. So show us what the change of seasons brings in your area of the world.

Hot Threads

• Children Photography Tips?: They run around a lot, they don’t always cooperate, but yet, they’re one of the subjects that every parent wants photos of. So the big question is, what kind of tips do you have for someone starting out photographing children? Come share your hints, tips, do’s and don’ts for photographing children, over in the forum.
• Tips for Canyon Photography?: What if you were taking a once in a lifetime trip to some canyons? How would you photograph them? What tips do you have for someone who is in just this situation? Come share your hints about how to photograph these natural wonders.
• What Got You Into Photography?: When it comes to photography, we all had to start somewhere. So, where did you get your start? What got you into photography? Come share your story with the rest of the forum.
• Have We Reached the End of the Era of “Iconic Photojournalism”?: With billions of photos posted on Flickr, Facebook, and elsewhere on the internet, there are, well… a lot of photos out there. While the photos that stand out in our mind are few and far between, it raises the question: will it be even harder to find such iconic photojournalism in the future? Or will these sort of photos become almost unattainable? Come share your opinions over in the forum.
• What Would You Do: Almost every week we have a thread dedicated to the challenge of fixing another forum member’s photo. Whether you’re new to post-processing or you could photoshop in an old hat, you’re welcome to participate in our What Would You Do threads.

Post from: Digital Photography School – Photography Tips.

This Week in the Digital Photography School Forums (21-27 Mar ‘10)

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