Thread: NSW 10th Anniversary - Any Pentax users?

Nikon for me

Ron have a read of this thread and see if answers your question
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/general-ch...continues.html

Ron, do you do any post processing ? most digital pics will normally need a bit of tweaking. Pentax cameras are known to be a little "soft/flat" straight from camera, if the standard settings are used.

Martyn

I still use a Pentax occasionally, but it is an ME Super SLR. The lenses are not autofocus, so even though the mount is the same, I don't think they work on a digital.

Originally Posted by THE BOOGER

Ron have a read of this thread and see if answers your question
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/general-ch...continues.html

Mongrel!

Originally Posted by Bushie

Ron, do you do any post processing ? most digital pics will normally need a bit of tweaking. Pentax cameras are known to be a little "soft/flat" straight from camera, if the standard settings are used.

Martyn

Sometimes - but they still never look like yours or Shane's, e.g., your shots from last weekend. I was thinking of asking if I could post my camera to you or Shane to play with and compare images.

It's not just an issue of 6Mp vs 12Mp nor, I think, lack of image stabilisation. It's more exposure and focus.

For example, here are some shots using the Sigma 18-200 from last weekend. No post processing has been done. These were taken in JPEG not RAW.

Would shooting with too high an ISO setting affect it?

Oh, I just noticed from the EXIF data that white balance had been moved from auto to manual. Don't know when that happened.

I've never printed any of my pix - I've only viewed them on screen so the screen may also be a limiting factor (although I've only seen your pics on the same monitor).

http://p38arover.com/images/Ackerman%20Cottage%201.JPG

http://p38arover.com/images/Beyer%20Cottage%201.JPG

http://p38arover.com/images/Hosies%201.JPG

http://p38arover.com/images/IMGP9771.JPG

Originally Posted by vnx205

I still use a Pentax occasionally, but it is an ME Super SLR. The lenses are not autofocus, so even though the mount is the same, I don't think they work on a digital.

No, unfortunately, not in auto mode. They work in manual mode (I have some, too).

I know how you feel, I'm having similiar problems coming to terms with my camera/lens combo as well. I look at the results posted by others, Bushie and Chucaro for example and marvel at the clarity of their shots .................sigh. I can only assume that my problem is either the mug behind the viewfinder or faulty equipment. Following the old adage 'A bad workman blames his tools', in my case I reckon it's the mug behind the viewfinder.
In your case I'm not so sure. The four shots you posted are certainly soft, but they may not be good examples of what your camera/lens is capable of. The first two photo's are taken at 18mm focal length which is the widest your Sigma 18-200mm will go. Generalising, I've found that zoom lenses don't give their best at their 'outer limits', in this case approaching 18mm or 200mm. For a better example of what the camera/lens is capable of I'd try for something in the mid range where I'd expect the lens to be at its best, such as the third shot which was taken at 93mm. This shot is also soft but it may be that ISO 800 is pushing your camera too far. A bit hard to say as I don't know your camera. The first three shots were taken at ISO 800 so perhaps are not good examples. The last shot was taken at 34mm, 1/180 and at ISO 200 but is very dark and shadowy so perhaps not a good example either.
Perhaps a well lit detailed subject like the brick wall (third shot) taken at say ISO200, 1/2000 and f16 instead of ISO800, 1/1000 and f11 might have been a better test ? It might be worthwhile to try the lens from your 35mm Pentax in manual mode and compare results with the Sigma lens with similiar settings. A tripod would be pretty handy here.
All is not lost though, it is still possible to do some simple post production to improve your existing photographs.



Detail from your third shot as taken.




Detail from your third shot after very basic PP (contrast/brightness and sharpening) using ACDSee photo editing software. PhotoShop is an excellent program but too dificult for me.


Hope this helps.

Deano