Pentax Digital Camera Utility 4 tryout (2)

Some more interesting conversions with a PEF RAW file:
K20D FA 77mm Limited

Silkypix give pretty pleasant colours of this indoor shot of orchids, Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) renders less colour saturated images. For practical purposes, output from DNG or PEF looks the same if processed through ACR or Silkypix respectively as each software will render according to their respective algorithms. Just for versatility I would opt to shoot with the DNG format. Interestingly, the jpeg straight from the K20D is pretty good too.


Pentax PEF RAW file converted to jpeg by Silkypix


Pentax PEF RAW file to jpeg by ACR 5.4


Pentax PEF RAW file converted to DNG to jpeg by ACR 5.4


Jpeg from RAW+Jpeg straight from K20D

Pentax Digital Camera Utility 4 tryout (1)

Tried the new Pentax Digital Camera Utility 4 on my Mac today.
The software interface is somewhat similar to Lightroom's panels and is so much better than the preceding Pentax Photo Browser and Photo Laboratory 3.

In a nutshell, it is a simple software to manage and process your images. Documentation is sparse but it is easy enough to work out the controls. But what is interesting for me is how the Silkypix processing engine manages the RAW files, especially when converted to jpegs. Control on the jpeg output is pretty basic and the conversion to jpegs is simple enough. In spite of the basic nature of the program, I kinda like the output from Silkypix. It has a nice punchy yet pleasant colour rendition akin to increasing the Vibrance slider in ACR/Lightroom/Photoshop.

Used a K20D DNG file of my chihuahua as an initial test. As I don't have a pretty model so poor Pepe will have to do. Taken with the DA 50-200mm.


DNG to jpeg conversion Pentax DCU4 (Silkypix)


DNG to jpeg conversion Adobe ACR/CS4

The software can convert PEF to DNG easily enough but I have encountered an issue in that if a jpeg is to be extracted from the converted DNG within the software (PDCU4), that new jpeg file has a problem and can't be opened up by any program, including PDCU4 itself. No problems if it is a straight conversion from an original DNG or PEF file to jpeg. My experience may be a one-off but hopefully this is not common to all and a quick software fix can be worked out.

Father's Day Weekend Macro

Went out with some fellow Pentax users to shoot some macro shots on the eve of Father's Day. Decided I didn't want to use a flash. All shots with the K20D and the FA 100mm f/2.8 Macro

Grape Life

Shot this still life with the K20D and Sigma 50mm f/2.8 Macro using available light. Obviously this was a quick shoot because the sweet grapes disappeared pretty fast!

Pentax Outing to Pulau Ubin

The Pentax group decided to shoot at a small island on the eastern tip of Singapore called Pulau Ubin. The outing provided a very welcome change of scenery from the hustle and bustle urban jungle of the city to actual rustic kampung houses, unspoilt tropical vegetation, beaches and wetlands.





It was a very warm and humid day and the bright sun and plenty of walking made for a good physical workout for the group. Nonetheless there were photographic opportunites aplenty and I managed to get some very nice shots of animals, plants, general landscapes plus IR images too.

Kampong Buangkok Pentax Outing Part 3

A few more from the walkabout. All were taken with the K20D. Lens used was the FA 135mm f/2.8 for all shot except for the bicycle seat, which was taken with the FA 50mm f/2.8 Macro.


Swing


Congkak (mancala) board


Leaves in green


Old bike seat


Old bell


Door detail

Kampong Buangkok Pentax Outing Part 2

A continuation of the earlier post of our March 2009 Pentax meet-up. One of the endearing hallmarks of the kampung (Malay village) are the animals that are kept as family pets.





I was fortunate enough to come across some of the lovely cats around the homes. The miniature rooster is no bigger than the size of a soccer ball. All were shot with the K20D with the fast focusing FA 135mm f/2.8 telephoto.

Kampong Buangkok Pentax Outing Part 1

Our monthly Pentax photographic outings have been a good opportunity to catch up with fellow Pentax users and more importantly the opportunity to take pictures together in a congenial atmosphere.





For our March 2009 meet-up, we took the opportunity to visit probably one of the few remaining Malay villages (kampung) left in Singapore. The rapid pace of urbanization of Singapore means that there are few remaining vestiges of the old left untouched. Kampung Buangkok is just one of those places.





Nestled amidst encroaching apartment blocks and private houses, the location is small by most standards but offers a varied mix of the old and eclectic, a treasure trove of photographic opportunities. We had a good turnout and the pleasant weather made for an enjoyable outing.





I have to say I really liked the shots that I took in the short time we were there. I opted for a prime lens combo of the FA 50mm f/2.8 Macro, FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited and the FA 135mm f/2.8 telephoto. I also brought along as I always do the small DA 21mm f/3.2 Limited but opted not to use it. All in a one of the best outings we've had to date.