NSW 10th Anniversary - Any Pentax users?

[p38arover]

I ask if there are any other Pentax DSLR users going to the NSW 10th anniversary get-together as I'd like them to take a few shots with my lenses and to compare them with shots I take of the same scenes/items. I don't know if my camera is faulty or if it is just me.

I don't seem to get the clarity of shots cf. Bushie and Big Red (from OL forum). I wonder if my camera has a had a big drop before I bought it (second-hand). I've never been that happy with the quality of my pics (I'm not talking artistically as I'm hopeless in that regard).

[Chilly]

Nikon for me

[THE BOOGER]

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

[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

[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.

[p38arover]

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

Mongrel!

[p38arover]

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

[p38arover]

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).

[DeanoH]

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

[p38arover]

Thanks for the critique, Deano. I hadn't thought of the effect at the extremes of the lens range.


I'll try some more shots. I'd like some suggestions of test subjects. I have a tripod. I did do some lens comparisons with a brick wall at a local industrial complex (actually where my local LR indie's workshop is) but I haven't yet really examined them.

The ISO 800 setting was an oversight. It wasn't until I was talking to a bloke who was using a tripod at Hill End and he mentioned ISO that I checked mine. (I was talking to him 'cos he was driving a County with the no. plate "LANDY" )

That post processing has lifted the image of the wall and the metal brace somewhat.

I use Picasa for simple processing. I was going to buy either PS or LightRoom (as my daughter can get it with the student discount). I didn't know which to buy.

Any recommendations on either of those from anyone?

In the meantime, I'll look into ACDSee.

Thanks again and for taking the time to look and play with the images, Deano.