ideastoprint

Optio I-10 in black

2011-07-05T10:18:00.001+08:00

Impulse buying is not good but it is hard to resist the cute looks of the Optio I-10. The smile shutter feature is pretty cool. 5 times optical zoom with 12 megapixels is plenty already. Wished the shop had it in white but I think the all black body is pretty cool too.

It's All Good With the Pentax K-5

2010-10-19T23:39:00.000+08:00

If ever there was a time to make a snap decision this was it. Do I hold on to the workhorse Pentax K-7 or do I make the switch to the newly announced K-5? A question that raged in my mind for a few days when news broke of the new camera. The K-7 handled well, actually very well and it didn't seem clear how much of an improvement the new K-5 would offer. After a few thousand shots with the K-7 I had a better picture of it and it, a fine camera but it didn't seem like the complete package even after several firmware upgrades. Image quality was good but noise begins to intrude as the ISO goes up. While that can be countered by noise reduction during post processing, it still couldn't compete with even the entry level Pentax K-x. To compound the issue, I paid a tidy sum for it and the camera still had plenty of life left in it.

That debate on whether to go with the K-5 thankfully got resolved when I looked at a few sample images from the Pentax Japan website. The apparent dynamic range from the few samples were impressive, pointing to the 14-bit RAW files offering quite a lot more information than the 12-bit RAW files from previous Pentax DSLRs. Reports from Photokina where the cameras were first unveiled also pointed to improvements in AF and in Live View, which was promising. The sweetener to all this was my local Pentax agent offering the K-5 at a launch price that was even lower than the launch price of the K-7. It just made the decision to switch a lot easier.

A 200mm f/4: Sleeper Telephoto

2010-10-01T10:42:00.005+08:00

Some time ago I had the good fortune to stumble across a used Pentax A 200mm f/4 telephoto that someone was selling on my local photography forum. This was a lens that had always intrigued me partly because it was the last manual focus 200mm from Pentax before AF lenses became the norm. A quick ring and a short drive later to meet the seller and this manual focus classic was in my hands. Even though it was the late in the evening, the first few test shots were enough to convince me that image quality was promising. It was in excellent condition and the robust build quality didn't show it's age one bit.

Pentax made several 200mm manual focus lenses, culminating in the two versions in the A-series, the faster A* 200mm f/2.5 ED version and the regular A 200mm f/4 version that I have. Unfortunately not much gets written about this lens as it had a pretty short production run and it was certainly overshadowed by the more exotic A* 200mm f/2.5 ED, the stunning A* 200mm f/4 Macro and the A 70-210mm f/4 zoom, a popular lens with a more versatile focal range.

In use the lens performs well enough at maximum aperture though there is a hint of color fringing in tricky high contrast situations. Stopping down a little and sharpness picks up nicely. Color rendition was neutral to a little cool and there is minimal light falloff at the corners even at f/4. The lens isn't too long in size with balance and weight easily allowing shooting without a tripod. About the only thing negative is that the minimum focusing distance could have been closer and the built-in sliding lens hood is just adequate.

I took this feral dog and monkeys while spending some quiet time at Pierce Reservoir. The dog was most friendly and looked in great physical shape and was my willing test subject. Amazingly the monkeys got along fine with the dog even in close proximity. The fine detail in the fur is a good gauge of the detail this lens is capable of delivering.

This is a fine lens but in today's context it does face stiff competition against the current crop of AF lenses. Its closest rival is the DA 50-200mm (now in Weather Resistant guise) a cheap and plentiful lens that's no slouch in terms of sharpness and contrast. AF is just plain faster to use on a telephoto, and the ability to zoom with only a slight loss in maximum aperture makes the DA the more versatile option. Step up the budget and the splendid DA* 200mm f/2.8, the DA* 60-250mm f/4 and popular DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 are other options available. But photography isn't just about what's new and this classic telephoto can definitely hold it's own and deliver fine images.

Cafe Colbar Walkabout with the DA 17-70mm f/4 SDM

2010-09-14T22:06:00.055+08:00

For a time I have been using the Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 zoom as a walkabout lens for traveling. This lens has served me well as a replacement to the trusty DA 16-45mm f/4 that I had owned quite awhile back. The DA 16-45mm offers an affordable ultrawide capability with even sharpness and a good step up from the DA 18-55mm kit lens. The constant f/4 maximum aperture and the extra wide angle coverage is nice, but there were some reasons which made me decide to replace it with the Sigma.

For one, I had serious doubts on the long term durability principally because the build quality feels cheap. The zoom and focus rings are overly light and the lens design has the quirky feature of having the lens barrel extend at the widest 16mm setting, creating hopelessly obvious vignetting if one needed to use the built-in pop-up camera flash. My copy exhibited an obvious tendency towards underexposure too. But perhaps the biggest issue of the DA 16-45mm as a walkabout lens is the limited zoom range at the long end. In this regard, the 17-70mm focal range does offer somewhat better versatility, which was why I opted for the Sigma.

The Sigma is a fine lens with good center sharpness, compact size and a good close focus ability. About the only thing I didn't like about it was the rather obvious barrel distortion at the the wide end, the variable aperture when zooming and subjectively speaking the slight difference in color rendering. I'd consider these minor issues and would still recommend it. I got mine cheap and it gave me good service, being the main lens used at a recent holiday.

I like the 17-70mm zoom range and I like the color rendition of Pentax lenses. So when the opportunity arose for a trade with my DA 70mm Limited, I decided it was time to try out the DA 17-70mm f/4 SDM. It may not be a DA* lens but the obvious build quality is noticeable, certainly quite a bit better than the now discontinued DA 16-45mm. The best feature has to be the silent focusing of the SDM motor and matched with the extremely quiet shutter of the K-7, there's plenty of opportunities to shoot discreetly. Image quality is on par with other consumer zooms and it delivers colors that are punchy and contrasty. Light falloff at the corners isn't so obvious, even wide open.

The lens already focuses pretty quick due to the short focus throw from infinity to 0.28m minimum focusing distance. I got the lens just before the latest version 1.10 firmware update for the K-7. Even then focus was quick enough but the new update seemed to improve on the focus lock. The interesting thing with this lens is that it is SDM only, which means older Pentax DSLRs (K100D/K110D and earlier) that lack the SDM contacts on the lens mount can only focus manually. Tried it on my old IR-converted *istDL2 and it took awhile to mentally switch gears to get used to this. It works fine in all other respects and it is IR friendly too, showing no obvious hot spotting on my IR images.

Much as there's plenty to like with this lens, sadly I just don't see many local Pentax users locally using it, which is a pity. In the context of many other third party alternatives in this zoom range and even Pentax's own DA* 16-50mm f/2.8 which is weather sealed, there is stiff competition. One issue could be price but I rather suspect the general uncertainty that's been generated on the internet surrounding the sudden failure of a few lenses with SDM motors has got to do with it. To me the SDM motor issue has been amplified by a small minority of vocal disgruntled users than actual numbers seem to suggest. So perhaps buying an extended warranty for SDM lenses as insurance might be a good idea to dispel the cloud of uncertainty. This issue aside, there's plenty of reasons to like this lens. Not too expensive, a good zoom range, great for portraits, a constant f/4 maximum aperture and it delivers sharp pictures... all very silently of course.

The photos here were shot during our monthly Pentax user outing at the Cafe Colbar in Wessex Estate off Portsdown Road. It was simply refreshing to experience the rustic feel of a place which is so different from the urban side of Singapore. Certainly having other Pentax friends for company definitely made it a memorable outing.

A Limited Liking

2010-08-31T21:13:00.003+08:00

Recently I managed to get my hands on a DA 70mm f/2.4 Limited from a friend. I spent about two months getting acquainted with it, shooting a variety of subjects. As I already had the terrific FA 77mm Limited previously, this lens was low on my priority list of lenses to own. While this lens certainly has it's admirers, I've always wondered if it really is as good as the buzz on the internet would have me believe.

First off, it is really compact in size and is very lightweight. The original screw-on lens hood with a sliding extension is cute and adds a little length to the overall size but I seriously wonder if it is all that useful to block against flare because the hood just isn't as deep as I would have liked it to be. The lens hood is indispensable because you need it in place in order for the dedicated slip-on, felt lined metal lens cap to go on. As things go, I quickly stopped using the original lens cap for fear of losing it and thereafter used a 43mm plastic clip-on lens cap instead.

The lens does focus pretty fast and sharpness is actually very even from center to the edges of the frame, even at the maximum f/2.4 aperture. I do like the Quick Shift, a standard feature of all DA series lenses. Like other DA Limiteds, the all metal build quality is good but bettered by the FA Limiteds. Images are nice and contrasty and colors rendition is nice. So on paper it appears to check off a lot of positives. However over time there were just a few things about it that started to become niggling irritations.

Well when I first started using it, I used it for head shots as the focal length lends itself to shots of people having a natural perspective. The angle of view and perspective were just nice, with the shooting distance to the subject especially good when shooting indoors. Images were sharp even when shooting wide open but very soon it became evident that f/2.4 wasn't gonna give as smooth a background as compared to the faster and slightly longer FA 77mm Limited. With the FA 77mm's f/1.8 maximum aperture and slightly longer focal length, there's more options on hand to vary the depth of field and the smooth rendition of the bokeh. The DA 70mm always seemed to deliver backgrounds behind the subject that I often wished could have been a little less distinct.

How does it fare in non-portrait situations? To me it all boils down to whether one is used to the perspective and angle of view. It does make for a nice walkaround lens if you're just picking up specific details but the recurring wish that the maximum aperture could have been a little faster and the minimum focusing distance of 0.7m could have been a little closer for better subject isolation always seemed to come up.

Inevitably when comparing the DA 70mm to the FA 77mm Limiteds, the point in question is which lens provides more options at hand. For me the more expensive FA 77mm Limited simply offers a greater range in shooting aperture. As a caveat, the DA 70mm Limited is quite a bit cheaper and prices haven't really skyrocketed like the FA Limiteds. If your budget is limited, the DA 70mm Limited does offer good value but if money isn't the issue, the FA 77mm Limited does offer that something extra. Right now I still shoot at 70mm but only because I decided to trade the DA 70mm Limited for the DA 17-70mm f/4 SDM zoom.

Pentax Macro Outing: AMK Town Garden West

2010-08-28T09:13:00.000+08:00

Our Pentax August 2010 outing was a macro shootout at the Ang Mo Kio Town Garden West. Never had the opportunity to visit this park which is situated on a hillock. Like all our group outings, there were plenty of friendly chatter and catching-up with one another. Here's a group shot of the eager macro shooters and I'm happy to say the Pentax community here in Singapore is growing and probably one of the most close knit group of photo enthusiasts around. Maybe everyone's cheery because we all just came out of MacDonald's, our designated meeting place just a few meters away!

As it was a full macro outing, everybody had their own version of gear, from macro lenses to extension tubes to flash units and flash diffusers to light up their subjects. This was a shoot where everyone was carefully spending more time looking for the well camouflaged tiny insects and spiders than merely wandering all over the place. A lot of careful plodding and stalking to look out for our subjects while trying hard not to step on angry ants was the order of the day.

For me this park is a small oasis that offers plenty of macro opportunities in an urban context. I had plenty of misses and I definitely need to look into improving my macro lighting setup. Controlling the quantity of light and diffusing it well to improve the quality of it is a challenge in any macro shooting but get it right and the subject will look beyond the ordinary.

BTW all shots were taken with the K-7 and the DFA 100mm f/2.8 Macro WR. For me it was a nice reminder that macro shooting is an exercise both in perseverance and technical perfection. Time to go shoot some more...

Pentax Optio I-10: Stylish Retro Cool

2010-08-07T09:59:00.009+08:00

About two weeks ago, our local photography forum organised ClubSNAP Live, an event that featured talks and workshops and a small flea market by different companies involved in the photographic trade. Our local Pentax agent had on hand the "oh so cute" Pentax Optio I-10, the compact digital point and shoot camera that comes in an all black and in an all white finish. This little camera's stylish design harks back to the old Pentax 110 film camera, the world smallest SLR film camera.

I'm not exactly all that excited about compact PnS cameras nowadays, after all there's a plethora of them all around, heck you can even find them in petrol stations and in convenience stores. But this little Pentax definitely has chic appeal, so who cares about the predictable PnS image quality? As things stand, PnS cameras nowadays pretty much deliver the same results, so any distinguishing feature lies in the design, easy of use and uniqueness. In this regard, this little camera does stand out quite nicely.

OK it checks off all the right specifications: 12.1 effective megapixels, an optical 5X zoom lens with approximately 28mm to 140mm coverage (equivalent in the 35mm format), a CCD-shift-type shake reduction system, movie clips at 16:9 high-definition TV proportions (30 fps), a set of digital filters (Monochrome and Sepia) including a creative Toy Camera filter (woo hoo!) and check this, a Starburst filter (yeah we all need that!) plus an advanced multi-face detection system. AF is fast, the pictures look good and there is even an ultra close macro mode..

Now to me that last face detection feature is really the key to why this little camera is a blast to use. The Smile Capture feature is just perfect for use in Facebook, use at parties and personal blogging. All you need to do is smile and the camera automatically takes the picture, you don't even have to hold down the shutter button. So taking quick snaps at parties and self portraits, not to mention kids is literally a smile away. Way cool! As you can see my friend Bernard is grinning with the results as his lovely wife looks on.

Footnote: Pentax has also released the Optio I-10 in Classic Silver. Whoa! How retro can you be in this digital age?

Bird Outing with the DA 55-300mm

2010-07-23T23:06:00.002+08:00

It's been a long time that I've been shooting birds, and I figured my DA 55-300mm needed the workout. Birding is a particularly challenging endeavour as one has to first of all find a good spot, know the best time to shoot and more importantly be able to execute when the time comes and the bird is in sight.

Well these images of the Olive-backed Sunbird were the result of the three ingredients coming together. This little bird is about 10 cm from tip to tail and fly very quickly with their short wings. With my camera on Auto ISO matched with a fast shutter speed and Quick Shift on the lens, I managed to get some nice shots when the birds made their hurried nectar hopping visit to a clump of heliconia flowers. Oblivious to my presence, I easily squeezed off frame after frame. And just as quickly they flew off. All shots uncropped on the K-7.

Orchids at Mandai Orchid Garden

2010-07-11T23:14:00.001+08:00

Our regular Pentax monthly user outing took us to Mandai Orchid Garden. This unique place and tourist attraction has been around since 1951 when the late John Laycock, a founder of the Orchid Society of Southeast Asia decided to acquire some land to keep his growing collection of orchids and later for commercial orchid cultivation. When news of a possible redevelopment with the ending of the lease for the land, it became an obvious location for a group outing to capture some of the many orchids on hand.

Shooting flowers means shooting up close and the choice I had was either to go with the DA 35mmf/2.8 Macro Limited or the DFA 100mm f/2.8 Macro WR. My instincts told me to go with the smaller lens and on-site, the DA 35mm Macro proved to be the perfect lens for the subject.

The wider field of view allowed me to move around quicker to obtain the best composition and as there was no distance limitations, it was easy enough to move up close to the flowers. AF is perfect in this situation, allowing me to shoot quickly in the warm day and take a lot of shots of the many varieties of orchids on hand.

Many traditionalists still cling on to belief that to shoot macro, it has got to be manual focus all the way and preferably with a tripod. Well there's definitely a place for this approach given the wide variation in macro gear and technique, and a lot of it has to do with the subject in hand and the magnification needed. But to steadfastly maintain that this is the only way is something I have serious reservations with. I have found the current crop of Pentax AF lenses with Quick Shift to be invaluable, even in the context of macro shooting. Obviously when shooting handheld having shake reduction built-in on the camera body makes a big difference in the number of keepers.

All-in-one Wonder

2010-07-09T16:22:00.004+08:00

Recently I decided to get two lenses that I had never used before. The two were the DA 35mm f/2.8 Macro Limited and the DA 70mm f/2.4 Limited. For the longest time I had never seriously considered these two DA Limited lenses as I had other prime lenses which were either very close in focal length or I had zoom lenses that covered the same focal length. Well I'll start off with the DA 35mm f/2.8 Macro Limited in this post.

First off like other DA Limited lenses, the build quality is reassuringly solid, perhaps not on the same quality as the FA Limiteds but nonetheless good enough. The lens is a 1:1 macro and focuses down to 0.139 m, has 9 aperture blades and covers an angle of view of 44 degrees. This ability to focus up close and coupled with the decent coverage make this a most versatile lens to use. From scenics to close-ups, this lens is a very capable all-rounder. I actually feel this lens allows anyone to come up with stunning images in a very short space of time.

There a lot to like with this lens: the bokeh from this lens is actually pretty smooth, the auto focus is by no means slow plus there's the very useful Quick Shift manual focus override. About the only thing negative I can think off about it is the slip-on metal lens cap and the short lens hood.

Some B&W Conversions

2010-06-30T10:45:00.001+08:00

Here's some shots that were converted to black an white from the June 2010 Pentax user outing.
A spiral staircase becomes a graphic element of radiating lines with the DA 10-17mm fisheye.

A close-up of overlapping palm leaves provides a nice graphic image. Sometimes just excluding other elements can lend itself to a nice photo. Added a yellowish-green tone to add a little nostalgia.

Managed to shoot this young man who was busy trying to catch butterflies with his butterfly net. He's got a nice friendly expression and was a very nice fun nature. Obviously this shot breaks the rule that you got to try to shoot at the same eye level with your subject but I think this shot has managed to grab a bit of his personality. Shot with the DA 35mm Macro Limited.

Along the way we bumped into a group of Westie owners out with their dogs and with such cute subjects, the DA 10-17mm fisheye makes for some interesting images. These dogs just can't stay still so shooting at faster shutter speeds is the way to go.

Pentax June Outing: Southern Ridges Walk

2010-06-29T10:25:00.005+08:00

Well we had a great outing for our Pentax Singapore users. Starting at Hort Park, we had a nice easy walk along the hills of Telok Blangah Hill Park and Mount Faber Park. The weather was perfect and as our visit fell on with the last Saturday of the month, the Butterfly Garden was open for us to shoot butterfly macros.

In all it was a good time of fellowship, light physical workout and the opportunity to shoot a varied range of subjects, from plant and insect macros, flowers and people. Got to try out my new DFA 100m f/2.8 Macro WR. Just lovely bokeh in the flower and butterfly shots. Shots of the millipedes and mushroom were with the DA 35mm Macro Limited.

A portrait lens used for in a non-portrait context. A lotus flower shot with the DA 70mm Limited.

And who says the DA 35mm Macro Limited can't be used for insects? A quick snapshot of pretty fierce ants crowding around a drop of sweet plant sap.

Claypot Rice Stall

2010-06-22T21:14:00.007+08:00

Singapore is a foodie paradise and one of my favorite food stalls is one that sells Claypot rice at the Beach Road Hawker Centre. Never mind the warm air and food aroma from all the stalls cooking, or the 20 to 30 minute wait before you get your food. Once you tuck in, you'll forgive all the minor inconveniences of sweating like a pig while you sit waiting. Ok this little pre-amble is just an excuse to try out my new DA 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 fisheye lens.

I got this compact wonder because I came away impressed by the one I borrowed from my friend at the recent Pentax outing that I figured that I just had to have one myself. I've come to realize this lens has pretty much held it's price amidst the recent spell of Pentax price hikes for their lenses, so I'm feeling pretty pleased about it. Build quality is very good and the 100 degree to eye-popping 180 degree coverage makes this zoom more versatile than if it were a straight up fixed focal length fisheye. Images are surprisingly sharp and flare control is good. This lens has the unique feature of being able to shoot subjects as close as 25mm from the front element. This shot was taken with the built-in B&W image finishing tone on the K-7.

The Pentax Denim Strap: YEEEEHAW!!!

2010-05-20T16:13:00.007+08:00

Looking for a nondescript camera strap is often a difficult thing. Using the stock camera strap that comes with the camera is an exercise in brand promotion with the name of the camera brand prominently stitched in bold for all to see. If like me you want to go about carrying your camera without the camera brand or manufacturer's name calling for attention, it can be a pretty hard to search out for a strap that doesn't scream brand fanatic.

One option is to use one of the old nylon camera straps popular from 35mm film camera days but these straps begin to lose their allure pretty quickly when you find the increased weight from a long lens and a battery grip starts to weigh down on your shoulder or neck and worse, the thin strap doesn't grip very well on the shoulder.

Lucky for me I got another Pentax user friend who was going to Tokyo to pick up one of the "oh, so nice" Pentax Denim Strap from one of the Japanese camera stores. Just the right shade of denim blue, no big Pentax logo emblazoned or embroided on, just a small Pentax on a red tab (shades of Levis perhaps) and there is a nice grippy textured surface on the reverse side so it doesn't slip off the shoulder. It's not boring black and isn't too pricey. I just love it.

Pentax May Outing: Helix Bridge

2010-05-16T16:02:00.003+08:00

For our May Pentax outing we went to the new Helix Bridge, a new footbridge spanning the Singapore River. The shape of the twisted metal is supposed to represent the helix structure of DNA. All very nice but unfortunately I just think it is just a vanity project to beautify the skyline and to complement the new integrated resort (read casino).

Being very warm and sunny, it was a perfect day to shoot some IR images. Took this shot of the Singapore River using the DA 21mm Limited. An IR image that was converted to black and white.

For the actual photos of the bridge, I decided to use a pseudo high contrast HDR treatment to the images. Used the DA 10-17mm fisheye and the DFA 100mm Macro WR for the close-up.

A Few From The Botanic Gardens

2010-04-17T22:42:00.007+08:00

Took timeout to do a mini outing and shoot some plant macro at the Botanic Gardens.
These were shot using a FA 135mm lens with a Kenko auto extension tube on the K-7.

A Rare Gem: A 35mm f/2

2010-04-12T22:16:00.001+08:00

Recently I managed to acquire the hard to find Pentax A 35mm f/2 from my friend Fengwei. I have to say it isn't the prettiest of lenses looking from the front with the prominent front element, but you quickly forget about it when you turn the well damped focusing ring and everything snaps into sharp focus. The 35mm focal length is perfect for those looking for a prime lens with an all in one versatility. The wider angle of view compared to the 50mm and the closer minimum focusing distance of 0.3 meters makes shooting a lot of subjects a snap. The fast lens speed of f/2 makes ideal for available light shooting.

By way of comparison, this lens has a different lens construction compared to the more modern and well regarded FA 35mm f/2. The A version has 7 elements in 7 groups while the FA version has 6 elements in 5 groups. Both lenses are almost identical in size and weight and both have 6 aperture blades. Took this shot of a small stream during one of my trips to the Botanic Gardens with the K-7 on a tripod. Shot converted to B&W in Photoshop CS4.

Lunar New Year 2010

2010-03-02T05:00:00.000+08:00

This year is the Year of the Tiger according to the Chinese calendar and the Pentax gang took some time off to capture the color and the sights of Chinatown. Here's a sampling of some of my belated Lunar New Year images.

Early Morning At The Beach

2010-03-01T22:46:00.006+08:00

My son was at the beach for his triathlon training at dawn and while he was doing his swim to cycle transitions, I briefly slipped away to grab these quick shots with the DA 50-200mm WR on the K-7. Even as the sun was rising off the horizon, I can well imagine air traffic controllers busy directing planes as they made their final approach towards Changi Airport. I particularly like the colors in this shot.

Here a young mother walks hand in hand with her young kids against the backdrop of glistening golden reflections. The boat in the background adds to the depth in this telephoto shot.

My Friend Terence

2010-02-27T20:31:00.008+08:00

I don't shoot portraits too much but those times that I do pull it off reasonably well, it's often because I'm fortunate enough to come across someone who exudes a distinct personality. Among the many Pentax users who attend our monthly photo outings it is always a treat to get to shoot my friend Terence. His unique inner personality always seem to shine through whenever I look through the viewfinder.

The first shot was taken at our January outing at Fort Canning Park. I wanted a high key approach and deliberately exposed for the shadows as he was backlit by the strong morning sun. By deliberately overexposing the camera's suggested meter reading, the idea was to lighten his features which helped to highlight his expressive eyes. Shooting a tricky shot like this, it is essential to shoot in RAW to exploit the maximum dynamic range available from the camera. Used the Pentax FA 135mm telephoto on the K-7 for the shot.

The second shot was taken at our recent February outing in Chinatown. The FA 50mm macro lens that I used allowed a little separation of the subject from the background for this mid body shot. Lighting was pretty even and subdued in the open shade which provide a nice overall tonality. As I typically shoot very quickly, I was fortunate to get the shot by the second frame. Had I deliberated a little longer, the background would have been filled with bystanders exiting from the train station nearby which would have ruined the overall shot. All shots uncropped and post processed in Photoshop CS4.

Expressive eyes

2010-02-19T10:07:00.005+08:00

The DA 21mm f/3.2 Limited is a lens that made me ponder for a long time whether to get it or not. The maximum aperture isn't that much faster compared to the DA 18-55mm kit lens plus the kit lens goes quite a bit wider. Yes it is smaller and better built but it costs quite a bit more too. With the new DA 15mm f/4 Limited wide angle, the DA 21mm seems to be less prominent in the Pentax blogosphere and discussion forums.

To me it seems almost unthinkable to let go of this lens, which has become one of my favs among my lenses. It's small and compact dimensions means it's always in the bag. Because of its small size, I managed to get up close to shoot a neighbor's cat and my pet chihuahua Pepe. I wanted to catch a wideangle perspective of their expressive eyes. The images were shot with the K-7 and processed in Silver Efex Pro.

Lone Tree

2010-02-06T15:46:00.001+08:00

Shooting in the early part of the day can be rewarding as it provides very dramatic images due to the angle of the light. I took this tree at Bedok Reservoir Park just as the sun was rising over the trees by the reservoir. I particularly like the directional quality of the strong side lighting. Shot with an IR modified Pentax *istDL2 with the DA 18-55mm II kit lens.

Goodbye to the trusty FA 100mm f/2.8 Macro

2010-01-20T20:37:00.006+08:00

I finally made a tough decision to let go of this workhorse of a lens. A lens that has given me a lot of great images with its characteristic punchy colors has a tough act to follow in the footsteps of the new kid on the block, the DFA 100mm f/2.8 Macro WR.

There's a lot to like the FA version optically but the new DFA scores well in the usability area. The overall lighter weight makes extended shooting easier and the seamless transition from AF to manual focusing with Quick Shift is well worth the money. The new lens's circular aperture blades looks set for even smoother bokeh at wider apertures but it's premature to say how much of a difference until a test is done.

Orchard Road walkabout

2010-01-18T22:20:00.000+08:00

2 Jan 2010, a public holiday. What better way to usher in the New Year than an informal mini Pentax user gathering along Orchard Road. Orchard Road has undergone a transformation with new buildings cropping up or existing buildings getting a upgrade to the exterior facade. I've not really ventured much along the Orchard strip for quite a while as it is pretty hard to find time to stroll and window shop nowadays, so it really felt like I was a tourist revisiting after a long hiatus. Somehow there was a sense of familiarity but at the same time everything seemed fresh and new. The turnout for the outing was pretty good and the opportunity to meet fellow photo enthusiasts over the New Year made it a particularly rewarding experience. Shot with the K-7 with either the Sigma 50mm f/2.8 Macro or the FA 135mm f/2.8.

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Soft, Softer, Softest: the Sears 135mm f/2.8

2010-01-12T17:30:00.005+08:00

It's 2010 and I got hold of a cheap manual focus lens recently, the Sears 135mm f/2.8 (Mod No. 202). On first impressions, the lens looks no different from the many manual focus 135mm lenses that were commonplace during the reign of 35mm film. However a closer inspection reveals something different, the presence of a secondary macro ring at the front of the lens in addition to the usual manual focusing ring.

There are 3 click stop settings on the macro ring that introduces varying degrees of softness, much like using a soft focus filter. The soft effect gets more pronounced at wider apertures, the result of uncorrected spherical aberration being introduced. The overall effect is much like the images taken with the discontinued and rare Pentax F/FA Soft 85mm. My Sears was made for Ricoh's K- mount but modded to be an A lens, so shooting using auto exposure is a breeze. What a unique lens because it offers that romantic soft-focus imagery that is occasionally needed.

Normal operation with the macro ring not used.

Turn the macro ring and things start going soft. A glowing halo surrounds the subject.

At the fullest setting, the image might seem like a Gaussian blur adjustment layer was added, but the bananas still retain sharp focus.

DA 12-24mm f/4 - the Pentax wonder wide-angle

2009-12-28T09:35:00.001+08:00

When a group of friends met to see a friend off to study overseas to a US university, who would have thought it would lead to an ultra wide in my collection. As the group were keen photographers the talk quickly centered on lenses, their likes and dislikes, the respective merits of different brands and like all good discussions, the question "What would be a good ultra wide angle?" came up. For our seasoned Pentax expert who was at the gathering, the answer seemed simple enough: the Pentax DA 12-24mm f/4.

Two weeks later, and I'm in total agreement. You see that friend going overseas had to transit in Korea en route to the US and a quick phone call later, he's snapped up every copy of the 12-24mm in the airport duty free shop because it was going for a nice price. It was the DA 12-24mm but rebadged as the Samsung Schneider D-Xenon 12-24mm f/4. The name, colored ring and exterior grip pattern's a little different but essentially the same lens where it counts... the same optics and the same multi-coating.

So what exactly warrants the fine reputation of this rectilinear ultra-wide? It can't really be an obvious winner in the value stakes because it isn't exactly cheap. It doesn't go as wide as the more affordable Sigma 10-20mm in terms of angle of view. But it's a winner in my book because of it's stellar sharpness even from f/4 and distortions are well controlled. The zoom range is a little more versatile than the Sigma, especially at the long end and the overall build quality is good. To me the true test is flare performance because with that wide angle of view, one will quickly encounter having bright light sources like the sun in the viewfinder. In this area this lens really shines.

To me this lens definitely has a place in the bag for the photographer shooting scenic landscapes, architecture, documentary, street or travel. With the wide angle of view, ensuring the composition or horizon is level is crucial. This is where the K-7's built-in electronic level display comes in real handy. The lens isn't small and the large 77mm filter ring means buying filters can be pricy (I use the excellent Hoya HDs). It does provide a new way of seeing and users who haven't used it enough can be initially baffled on how to tame the wide angle of view and perspective. But spend time with it and it will deliver stunning pictures.

DA 50-200mm WR: the compact wonder

2009-12-23T18:18:00.004+08:00

I have always found the DA 50-200mm f/4-5.6 to be an interesting lens. This versatile zoom telephoto lens complements the DA 18-55mm kit lens very well, being almost similar in size and weight. I've owned the original DA 50-200mm twice, a lens that offers great value and the compact dimensions makes it handy for travel or for those times to go with a small setup.

The first copy I bought was a used one and it was an average performer. I sold it when I acquired the DA* 50-135mm, I guess it's the same story with a lot of other Pentax users who upgrade their consumer zoom to a higher grade, fixed aperture pro-grade zoom. But the DA* 50-135mm while fantastic in image quality, is also a much bigger and less discreet lens and so I picked up my second copy of the DA 50-200mm from a liquidation sale. Better image quality the second time round and again I sold it to a friend on a whim. Big mistake, buyer's remorse.

So with that for a preamble it's the third time to hunt down the DA 50-200mm and this time round there is the new Weather Resist offering from Pentax. The same compact dimensions but with a change in the grip pattern of the focus and zoom rings, a red O-ring on the lens mount and surprise, surprise, a change to a 49mm filter size.

I must say I'm very pleased with the new Weather Resist version that I am currently using. The WR version proved itself when I was on holiday on the Gold Coast. On one particular day, there was light rain and continuous strong winds that were blowing very fine sand as I was shooting. I didn't bother to use any filter and the lens' SP (Super Protect) coating proved effective.

The question that invariably comes up is how does it stack up to the DA 55-300mm and the DA 18-250mm consumer zooms. The DA-55-300mm is obviously better suited for longer telephoto applications and the optical quality at the long end is surprisingly good enough that the occasional long tele shooter should seriously consider this lens instead of the excellent but more expensive F/FA or DA* 300mm telephoto primes. But there is no escaping the fact that the DA 55-300mm is also bigger, heavier and more expensive than the DA 50-200mm. The former's longer focus throw makes it easy to hunt focus in low light. The DA 50-200mm focuses and locks focus quicker than the DA 55-300mm and on a personal note, even with Shake Reduction, hand holding at 300mm is a lot trickier than at 200mm.

I've never used the DA 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 superzoom and hopefully I never will. To me the promise of being able to use such a wide range of focal lengths comes with plenty of trade-offs. Barrel distortion at the wide end moving to pincushion distortion at the long focal lengths, light falloff at the corners, obvious chromatic aberrations are the norm for a superzoom though the DA 18-250mm is one of the better ones around. I will concede those who are adverse to changing lenses or find it impractical to change lenses in the field might find a place for it but for me the "Jack of all trades, master of none" label always comes to mind.

An oldie but goodie: Rikenon 135mm f/2.8

2009-11-09T20:21:00.000+08:00

I've been tied up with work and as a result I have all but neglected posting for a while. Well I'm going to kick start with a recent lens that I happened to get for next to nothing. The lens in question is the Rikenon 135mm f/2.8, an old K-mount manual focus lens made by Ricoh. Outwardly it was in fine condition but there was a spot of fungus on one of the internal elements.

Seeing that it would be a waste to junk it and wanting to restore it, I sent it for cleaning at a photo repair shop. Just three days later, to my pleasant surprise the lens was ready for collection. They did such a fine job that not a trace of the fungus remained.

Eagerly wanting to find out how images from the Rikenon would turn out, I did a couple of quick shots with it at a park. The lens is similar to the Pentax K or M series in that it lacks the A setting on the aperture ring, so shooting in Manual mode with the Green button to determine exposure is needed. Being a manual focus lens, use of a third party focus screen like the Nikon K-3 with the split image rangefinder and microprism collar is recommended for quick and sharp focusing. Overall the lens gives a fairly cool rendition in terms of color. Sharpness is good and there are no particularly nasty lens aberrations. A good result and a bargain considering the price I got it for.

Hello K-7, Goodbye K20D

2009-10-09T21:15:00.006+08:00

Well after some months of consideration, I finally did it... I upgraded to the new K-7. The K20D had given me sterling service and it was hard to part with it considering that I had the special moulded rubber grip added on by the Pentax agent and that I had also replaced the stock focusing screen with a split image rangefinder focusing screen to aid manual focusing.

But move on we must and the catalyst for change was a meeting a few months ago with Pentax professional photographer Mark Dimalanta as he was en route for an assignment. As fate would have it he had a pre-production K-7 plus a bunch of lenses on hand including the DA* 60-250mm f/4 which had not yet been release for general sale then. Over lunch we had the opportunity to hear first hand about his exciting work plus the opportunity to try out what he had. Simply put I was sold.

To me the standout feature of this new camera was the 100% view viewfinder and the extremely silent camera shutter. Nevermind the fact that in spite of the smaller size compared to the K20D, the camera feels much more solid due to the all magnesium shell on steel chassis that's weather sealed. Much quicker AF with a a higher camera frame rate and with the inclusion of HD video, it's like having both a still and a video camera in a single package.

There are some nifty features the new camera sports like the electronic level that provides a visual indication of whether the camera is level or not as you prepare to take the picture. Then there is also the orientation sensor that automatically rotates the camera information and image. A wider exposure compensation range, AF assist light for low light focusing, Lens Correction function that adjusts for distortion and chromatic aberrations with DA series lenses, improved Live View and 77-segment metering system and a few other feature ensures the K-7 is a much improved camera over the K20D.

One significant improvement is the better white balance, particularly under incandescent lighting. Image quality is roughly on par with the K20D. Noise at high ISOs can be noticeable but this is where Pentax takes a conservative approach, opting for detail retention instead of heavy handed correction. Nothing that a dedicated noise reduction software like Nik Software's Dfine 2.0 can't handle. The larger 3 inch LCD and improved information display is the icing that makes the K-7 a lot better camera in so many little ways.

The smallest Pentax

2009-09-09T06:52:00.003+08:00

Came across a good condition Pentax 110 recently and although I'm not into collecting vintage camera gear, I was prepared to keep this one for the timeless looks and its unique place in photographic history. It is such a cute camera that I wish Pentax would re-issue a modern digital version.

Briefly the Pentax 110 was Pentax's smallest SLR camera, and the smallest interchangeable lens SLR with TTL metering ever made. The camera has a proper TTL viewfinder, split image rangefinder focusing, programmed auto exposure using a center weighted metering silicon photo diode with shutter speeds from 1 sec to 1/750th, an exposure range of EV 3 to 17 at ASA 100, with an aperture range from f/2.8 to f/13.5. There were 6 lenses available, and the 24mm f/2.8 standard lens shown here (equivalent to 50mm on 35mm film) has a very smooth focusing ring with distance scales, has 6 elements in 5 groups, focuses down to 0.35m and weighs... a mere 13 grams!

The small format means that the camera has a lot of depth of field and is almost like a modern 4/3 format digital camera with a 2x crop factor. In fact the lenses have been modified to fit some current micro 4/3 cameras. The issue of usability with this camera is hampered by the limited availability of 110 film. Nonetheless this camera continues to marvel many even today.

Never a dull moment with the Nokton

2009-08-15T20:29:00.008+08:00

I like the ubiquitous 50mm lens, once produced in prolific numbers and the starter lens that was usually bundled with the camera body until the onset of the zoom lens. Perhaps because it is supposed to be close to what we see in terms of field of view for 35mm film cameras or perhaps because it is so common, the versatility of the standard lens is undisputed.

I've had the pleasure to own several 50mm lenses including the FA 50mm f/1.4 and the A series lenses in f/1.4, f/1.7 and f/2, not counting several 50mm macro lenses, but as I already had the FA 43mm Limited, I was looking for something with a fast maximum aperture to straddle between it and the FA 77mm Limited.

The answer was the Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f/1.4 SLII. I already knew about it for quite some time, being a Cosina re-make on the renowned Topcor 58mm but I didn't really thought too much of it until recently. I had just installed a split image rangefinder focusing screen (the Nikon K3 screen) that makes manual focusing a breeze and seeing some recent stunning images taken with the lens got me to belatedly sit up and take notice.

Even though one could get an autofocus Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4 or the manual focus A 50mm f/1.4 cheaper, there is something to be said for the build quality and optical performance that makes the Voigtlander Nokton a special lens. What one gets is a big hunk of metal and glass, with a generously solid metal lens hood thrown in. Value doesn’t necessarily mean a low price: it means you’re getting a lot for what you’re paying. The Nokton may not appeal to those who want AF from their lenses but for the photographer who wants full manual focusing and takes a more deliberate approach, this lens fits the bill well.

As to how it delivers image wise, I'm thoroughly impressed with it more and more all the time. There is little chromatic aberration wide open and I'm pleased with the smooth bokeh from the 9 aperture blades. The slightly longer focal length over the standard 50mm does give a little better background separation and slightly flatter perspective when shooting portraits. The colour rendering and contrast is very good as is the overall sharpness. In all it has met my requirements perfectly and a lens I heartily recommend.

The Missing Memory Card

2009-07-23T06:52:00.009+08:00

Going through an old camera pouch, I stumbled upon an SD card with images that I had shot that I had somehow misplaced. Wondering how I could have somehow missed it, I decided to check out the images that were taken back in 2007 with the K100D. Well this was like finding an old exposed roll of film and as I paused to reflect on how I looked at subjects in the past and whether I had changed in manner and style compared to today, I just can't help feeling that I'm looking at a slice of time. The slivers of memory brings back associations of the past and my past excitement with my camera then.

I can only say that this old memory card has spurred me on to want to shoot even more, the wish for more slices of time today that I can savour in the future. It's a timely reminder that the photograph may be static for the viewer but for the photographer, it represents an encapsulation of space and time, of location and of emotion and recollections.

K100D Tokina 28-200mm

This was a shot of a worker at the back of a pickup truck. I noticed the bright gold earring that stood out against his dark complexion and by chance there was a out of focus figure in the background. Converted and toned in Photoshop CS4 and Silver Efex Pro.

K100D Tokina 70-210mm

This shot of my son with his Nikon (eek!) digital point and shoot just brings me back to the day we were out at the park. Perhaps not the best in terms of aesthetics but I like the nice colors and the natural framing of the gazebo.

New and Old

2009-07-20T18:06:00.005+08:00

Came across this mature tree during a walk through the park and was immediately struck by the contrast between the rough edges of it's bark and the small plant growing upwards towards the light using the tree as a foothold. An interplay of different stages of growth, of soft, pliable and flexible versus the old, firm and secure. Converted this image in Photoshop with Silver Efex Pro.

A is for Angry Ant, B is for Bee Bokeh

2009-07-14T22:34:00.000+08:00

Just last week I was feeling kinda low mentally so to spend time reflecting, I decided to go out and shoot with no specific agenda. Armed with my trusty macro lenses, I took a quiet stroll and shot anything that I thought looked interesting. I guess not expecting any specific subject allowed me to see things a little differently and I came away with two macro shots that I happened to like.

This angry ant was shot using the FA 100mm f/2.8 Macro with my cute little Pentax AF-200FG flash unit in fading light.

The bee bokeh was quite a difficult shot because I had to manually focus the Sigma 50mm f/2.8 Macro on the brisk moving bee perched on very tiny flowers with a hint of a breeze blowing. To top it all, I had some tourists who wanted a quick chat while I was shooting. Shot hand held using available light with the K20D.

Pink Gerbera

2009-07-11T23:32:00.000+08:00

My wife had this pink gerbera lying around and with a little time on my hands, I decided to use my K20D mated with the Sigma 50mm f/2.8 Macro to record some images of it before it started to show signs of wilting.

Pentax Digital Camera Utility 4 tryout (2)

2009-07-10T07:49:00.000+08:00

Some more interesting conversions with a PEF RAW file. Shot during the Garden Festival last year with the K20D and 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)

2009-07-09T07:42:00.000+08:00

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 the chihuahua 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

2009-06-25T09:43:00.000+08:00

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

DA 55-300mm - a nice tele zoom

2009-06-19T11:22:00.000+08:00

Quite a long time ago I asked a good friend of mine to source out a DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED, a consumer grade tele zoom that was been getting very favorable reviews from Pentax users. I had just about forgotten all about it when my I got a call to say he had one waiting for me.

I already had a DA 50-200mm, a very nice and compact tele zoom that had been around for quite some time. It's a great lens but if you need to shoot subjects at slightly longer distances like birds or stealth candids, it often felt that 200mm was just not long enough. So it was the attraction of good optical performance and that longer 300mm reach which got me to consider this lens. A price drop also made it all all the more attractive.

Physically, it is comparable to the DA 50-200mm, except when it is zoomed out to 300mm when the longer barrel extesion becomes apparent. The lens is a variable aperture zoom where the maximum aperture changes as the focal length increases. Starting a f/4 at 55 mm, it changes to f/4.5 at 107 mm, f/5.6 at 190 mm and finally to f/5.8 from 260 mm onwards. Minimum focusing distance is 1.4m.

Optically it is pretty good, images are mostly sharp and contrasty. There is some light fall off at maximum aperture but not very significant and nothing that can't be corrected in post processing. About the only criticism of this lens is some green color fringing when shooting backlit subjects and specular highlights. Again this can largely be corrected during post processing. The other issue is auto focusing. This lens has a long focus throw and if used in low light or low subject contrast situations, the camera's AF will occasionally hunt to lock focus. This is largely a camera body related issue but having Quick Shift does help in such situations. Aside from these niggling issues, this lens comes highly recommended.

These images were taken at a recent wakeboarding event using the K20D.

Grape Life

2009-05-31T09:56:00.000+08:00

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!

Vivitar 200mm f/3.5 first impressions

2009-05-09T02:19:00.001+08:00

Today I tried out a old lens that had intrigued me for quite awhile, the Vivitar 200mm f/3.5. This K-mount lens is fairly uncommon and it also comes in a Pentax M42 screw mount version. Got it from a friend in the US who likes collecting legacy lenses so it was interesting to find out the kind of images it could produce.

I went out to shoot some tall grass to see how the lens fares wide open and to check out the out of focus rendering and I have to say it is actually quite nice. Like many old lenses, there isn't the snappy high contrast typical of made for digital lenses today, which is probably a result of the lens coatings used then but it does exhibit good sharpness. Shooting at f/3.5 does have some corner softness but quickly improves when stopped down to a smaller aperture. Light fall off at the corners is not excessive and I kinda like the colour rendition.

This lens is probably overlooked in Pentax mount because Pentax also has the popular M 200mm f/4 telephoto that is more widely available on eBay. However some tests done on the internet pitting the two lenses head to head appear to give the Vivitar the edge optically. The lens looks pretty ordinary in appearance (I think the M 200mm looks a lot nicer) but build quality is solid but not heavy.

About the only criticism of this lens is the dinky built-in lens hood which when slid out is simply too short to be really effective. Like all legacy lenses without the benefit of an auto aperture setting, the only practical exposure mode to use is Manual, which can be a hit or miss affair as exposure readings will vary when shooting at different apertures. So plenty of use of the Green button to determine the camera's preferred exposure is needed.

If you like to try using old manual focus lenses for fun, this is a good telephoto to look out for. And it definitely won't cost too much to give it a try..

Hexagon Bokeh

2009-05-05T02:06:00.000+08:00

A shot of reflections off the sea with the K20D and DA 50-200mm with a Hoya colour polarizing filter. The specular highlights from the waves plus six sided aperture blades combine to create an interplay of interesting patterns.

Personal favs

2009-04-19T11:04:00.000+08:00

Just two images converted to black and white from my Pulau Ubin trip that I like a lot. A study in symmetry and simplicty.

*ist DL2 DA 18-55mm II

K20D DA 50-200mm

Pulau Ubin IR Images

2009-04-17T10:43:00.000+08:00

Here's a series of IR image that was taken with my *istDL2 infrared modified camera during the Pentax outing to Pulau Ubin. It was a pretty hot day, which was physically sapping on the body but perfect conditions for IR shooting. Used the DA 18-55mm II for all the shots.

We went about by foot and came across this calm pond. Just a perfect and tranquil scene.
Plenty of coconuts too... as well as the friendly dogs that shadowed us most of the way.

A sweaty 30 minute walk from the ferry jetty and we reached Chek Jawa, a natural protected wetland. Definitely a must see when on the island.

Some solitary trees amidst the flat scene...

Pentax Outing to Pulau Ubin

2009-04-15T21:18:00.000+08:00

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

2009-03-31T20:59:00.000+08:00

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

2009-03-29T14:24:00.000+08:00

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

2009-03-22T23:18:00.000+08:00

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.

Horse - Camera Raw Processing

2009-02-28T20:19:00.000+08:00

With a slew of Adobe products available to photographers, many have gravitated towards using Lightroom to manage their photo collections and to develop them non-destructively. While Lightroom 2 is really a worthwhile and excellent upgrade, it seems that using Adobe Bridge in conjunction with Adobe Photoshop CS4 and Adobe Camera Raw 5.3 seems redundant.

Well I have to say using ACR is now a breeze and actually capable of quite dramatic results on its own. The beauty of ACR is that adjustments and refinements made are non-destructive with plenty of options for effect. Here I took inspiration from the Lord of the Rings to try to depict a horse post processed as dark and evil versus good and light. Taken with a K100D with the superb Voigtlander 125mm Apo-Lanthar Macro.

Silhouette abstracts

2009-02-25T08:41:00.000+08:00

Took these close-ups of a metal sculpture that was made up of outlines of human figures. Meant were to represent different poses and expressions of the human body, they were connected into many branches to form an interlocking tree. K20D with DA 50-200mm.

Rain drops on bonsai

2009-02-23T07:31:00.000+08:00

Took this macro using the K20D and the FA 100mm f/2.8 Macro. I really like this shot and it was fortunate I could visualise the shot because the lead was pretty small to begin with.

Our Lady of Lourdes

2009-02-11T22:12:00.000+08:00

Just two images of Our Lady of Lourdes Church taken very early in the morning.

This is one of the oldest Catholic churches in Singapore. Built in 1888, it is the first Tamil Catholic church in Singapore. Architecturally, it is modelled to the original church in Lourdes, France. It has in my view an excellent facade and it is now gazetted as a national monument.

Took the opportunity to give the images a HDR like treatment. Processed in Lightroom and Photoshop CS4. Taken with the K20D and the DA 18-55mm II kit lens.

From an early morning walk

2009-02-11T00:05:00.000+08:00

Today I grabbed my K20D with my DA 18-55mm II kit lens to shoot some images by the beach at dawn. I spent a productive time there deep in thought and took these images almost by accident, shooting with no defined purpose which ordinarily is not a good thing!

Forest shadows

Coconut and leaf

Boulder at dawn

Opening the images in Adobe Bridge, a few images immediately drew my attention as being ideal in black and white. Post processed the images in Photoshop CS4 in a jiffy. What I can conclude is that even with the lowly kit lens, one can get excellent results with the K20D. The camera's dynamic range was well able to handle the strong side lighting from the morning sun, and I wasn't even shooting in RAW but jpeg. I've been pleasantly surprised by the kit lens as it makes for a very cheap wide angle lens. Just when my mind says to switch to a better performing and more expensive lens the kit lens always comes back with winners and "deliver the goods."

Pointed rock

Changi Museum Chapel

2009-02-02T21:22:00.000+08:00

Took a quick visit with my son to the Changi Museum last week. Situated just a few kilometers away from my home, the museum is a memorial to the thousands of Allied servicemen interned by the Japanese forces at Changi Prison during the Second World War. The centerpiece of the museum is a replica of the Chapel that the POWs erected during those dark days. The museum gives a good account of the harsh conditions the POWs endured. A poignant reminder of the sacrifice they made and certainly well worth a visit.

The image of the Chapel was shot with my modified for infrared Pentax *ist DL2 with a DA 18-55mm II kit lens. Image was post processed in Photoshop CS4.

Sigma 50mm f/2.8 Macro mini review

2009-01-16T14:12:00.000+08:00

Just recently I managed to get my hands on a Sigma 50mm f/2.8 Macro for a very reasonable price. This macro is a manual focus lens with the A setting on the aperture ring which according to Sigma first came out in 1990 and was the first generation of their line of 50mm macro lenses. The Sigma is a dedicated macro lens that goes to 1:1 magnification without the need of any extension tube or close-up diopter, similar to my auto focus Pentax FA 50mm f/2.8 Macro. A compact and light lens, it comes with a screw-in lens hood.

My interest in this lens was stirred because I once had the Pentax A 50mm f/2.8 Macro, another fine manual focus macro that like many macro lenses then only goes to 1:2 magnification. For life size magnification, an additional extension tube or a close-up lens was needed. Secondly I also have a similar manual focus Sigma macro lens in the Sigma 90mm f/2.8 Macro.

In the short time I have used this lens, it has given me very nice images with very nice colour and sharpness. The focusing ring is wide and smooth and being able to focus all the way to 1:1 magnification certainly gives it an edge over the Pentax A 50mm f/2.8 Macro. Focusing manually is not a handicap and certainly at the macro range, is much preferred. On balance this is one lens I can highly recommend and for the price I paid, definitely a bargain.

When comparing the two manual focus Sigma macro lenses, the Sigma 50mm macro is almost similar in size and weight with it's 90mm macro counterpart. Both lenses use a wide rubberised focusing ring and about the only complaint I have is the silk-screened distance and magnification markings look like it can be rubbed off over time.

50mm on the left, the 90mm on the right

From the front both lenses are about identical in diameter and share a common 52mm filter thread. When extended to their maximum magnification, the 50mm macro (1:1) extends a little longer than the 90mm macro (1:2). In order to reach 1:1 for the 90mm, a screw-in diopter is provided which in practice can be a little fiddly to use in the field. Nonetheless, the 90mm macro makes for a very compact lens for the focal length and is great for portraits.

Almost identical from the front

The Sigma 50mm macro uses a screw-in plastic hood while the Sigma 90mm macro uses a deeper bayonet type hood that is flocked internally. There isn't much information available on the internet regarding the manual focus Sigma macro lenses (there is also a Sigma 180mm f/5.6 macro that goes to 1:2) but suffice to say I'm happy with the image quality from the two that I have. Bokeh from both lenses are generally pleasing and the out of focus transitions is smooth.

Fully extended at maximum magnification

All shots of the Sigma lenses were taken with the K20D with the FA 50mm f/2.8 Macro.

FA 43mm random images

2009-01-08T10:15:00.000+08:00

Some images from the new FA 43mm Limited with the K20D. It is such a lovely lens and I'm always wowed by the colour rendering. It's the cheapest and most compact of the FA Limiteds and the one that I will be putting in some quality time.

Took these unusual hand railings and had it processed in Photoshop CS4. Like the colour and composition. It's important to have confidence in one's equipment and when you experience that honeymoon period where you have a succession of keepers, it's positive reinforcement to generate more confidence down the road. I've had a great time with the FA 43mm in the past and using it again brings to mind those good vibes.

The Pentax FA 43mm Limited

2009-01-03T13:31:00.000+08:00

I decided to start the new year with a new addition to the lens collection. Yes the dreaded "lens buying addiction" bug has hit me! The lens in question is the FA 43mm f/1.9 Limited. I really love the images from this lens. They have a hard to describe three dimensional like rendering that it's nearest focal length counterparts, the DA 40mm Limited and the ubiquitous FA 50mm just doesn't convey.

This is my second copy of the lens, an uncommon super cool silver version. I had previously owned a black version that a good friend had sourced for me and while I had some lovely images with this lens, the copy I had seemed to exhibit a bad case of purple fringing when shooting specular highlights. On this copy, the colour fringing was well controlled, hardly visible at f/2.8.

Now one would ask why get the FA 43mm when the FA 50mm has a wider aperture and much more affordable? The FA 50mm is indeed a fine lens but I needed a lens that was a little wider in angle of view and while the diminutive DA 40mm fit the bill, it simply is outclassed by the FA 43mm in maximum aperture, build quality and image rendering. I certainly hope to put this beauty to work in 2009.

Some Macros For The New Year

2009-01-02T09:43:00.000+08:00

Took these images at the Singapore Botanic Gardens a some days ago.
I particularly like the backlighting of the flowers from the afternoon sun. The Pentax FA 100mm Macro lens that I used here gives a lovely colour rendition and out of focus bokeh. Although a macro lens, it does well as a telephoto, one of the reasons why I like the versatility offered bymacro lenses. Definitely one of my favourite shots.

K20D FA 100mm f/2.8 Macro

The flower from the common ginger plant is pretty eye catching. It's a big flower and pretty easy to shoot. The shot was taken with my manual focus Sigma 90mm macro, a lens that goes to half life size. A very compact lens and quite hard to find but one I like to use if I want to focus manually.

K20D Sigma 90mm f/2.8 Macro

The family of juvenile grasshoppers feasting on a leaf together isn't a common sight. Puts a new meaning to the phrase "family buffet." Shot straight from camera and post processed with Adobe Photoshop CS4.

K20D FA 100mm f/2.8 Macro

Some macros before the new year

2008-12-29T11:48:00.000+08:00

With the year coming to an end, just wanted to post a couple of macro shots that I had taken recently. Would have shot more if not for the maddening little gusts of wind that makes focusing macro subjects an added challenge. I like the graphical nature of this silhouette where line predominates.

K20D Sigma 90mm f/2.8 Macro

On the opposite side of things, the delicate colors make these small flowers really stand out. Just like the color rendition from the Pentax macro.

K20D FA 100mm f/2.8 Macro

New K20D Custom Grip

2008-12-26T22:38:00.000+08:00

I had the rubber hand grip changed on my K20D recently and it definitely feels much better and more secure than the original one. With the stock rubber grip, grip pressure is more or less equal for the middle, ring and small fingers on the right hand.

In with the new...

I particularly like the finger cutouts for the middle and small finger on the new grip. The changes are subtle but I can already feel the difference, especially when holding the camera vertically. Again this is my personal experience, based on my average sized hands and making a direct comparison to the original.

The replaced rubber grip

The grip just takes a few minutes to change. It is possible to revert back to the original one but it requires the removal of the base plate. The infrared receiver is a little more recessed on the new grip but it works without any obstruction. Definitely adds a unique touch to an excellent camera.

Pentax Photo Outing Macros

2008-12-26T11:12:00.000+08:00

We had our monthly Pentax photo outing just before Christmas. Being the last one for the year, it was to be a photo marathon that started in the morning at the Singapore Botanic Gardens and extending all the way to the evening at different locations around Singapore.

Unfortunately I could only join the group during the morning session of this photo blitz and managed to shoot some of these macro images. All images were shot with the Pentax K20D with a FA 100mm f/2.8 Macro either hand held or with my Mamiya carbon fiber monopod. It was a good time to catch up with my fellow Pentax shooters and to learn some of the different shooting tips and techniques used. All in all it was a thoroughly enjoyable time.

Here are some small creatures that I managed to shoot. All shots were taken with available light. For the photo of the little frog, Live View proved to be invaluable. I managed to stay clean and dry and more importantly, had I shot normally, I would have cast a shadow on the subject.

Chow Kit B&W

2008-12-22T08:07:00.000+08:00

I recently took a quick holiday trip to Kuala Lumpur with the family. Just a few minutes walk from the the hotel I stayed in there was a wet market where I took some of these shots with the K20D and the Sigma 17-70mm.

Dark alleyway

Busy, busy, busy...

Storm Light

2008-12-14T10:51:00.000+08:00

Took this image of an impending storm. A very simple shot but dramatic shot taken with the Sigma 17-70mm. This is a lens that I have found to be very versatile in focal range and the image quality is pretty good.

K20D Sigma 17-70mm

Lost in her thoughts

2008-12-13T10:43:00.000+08:00

A young lady looking intently on her mobile on the MRT train.

K20D FA 28mm

Saturday morning shots

2008-12-03T07:03:00.000+08:00

My weekends are usually quite busy but last week I had a chance to catch up with some friends over breakfast and briefly walked around a few blocks of the city on a Saturday morning taking some snaps. Managed to catch a few nice images with my infrared modded camera and the K20D with a few prime lenses.

K20D FA 135mm f/2.8

K20D FA 135mm f/2.8

Here I've used my IR camera and converted the image to a monochrome. I've used the DA 21mm as it is versatile as a location lens. Its small size attracts little attention and AF is fast that you can shoot quickly.

*ist DL2 DA 21mm f/3.2

*ist DL2 DA 21mm f/3.2

*ist DL2 DA 21mm f/3.2

Cycle of life

2008-11-28T22:45:00.000+08:00

A fading existence captured during a walk in the forest.

K20D Sigma 90mm f/2.8 Macro

Garden Exploration

2008-11-27T17:19:00.000+08:00

I had taken this shot of these small flowers some time ago at the Botanic Gardens but I didn't really have the time to sit down and decide how to best process the shot. Well today it became pretty clear to me and I only took a few minutes to achieve the look that I wanted, a light sepia tint background with the flowers standing out. All done in Photoshop with adjustment layers.

K20D with DA 21mm Limited

Zip Bokeh

2008-11-25T12:16:00.000+08:00

I was drawn by the lead in lines and the simplicity of the composition. A relatively simple shot taken with a standard lens with an extension tube.

K20D FA 50mm f/1.4 with extension tube

A one lens solution: the Sigma 17-70mm

2008-11-21T07:45:00.000+08:00

Recently I managed to snag a mint Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8~4.5 zoom from someone moving over to another system at a very reasonable price. I had used the Pentax DA 16-45mm f/4 for quite sometime and in terms of focal length the Sigma is a very close competitor. I've had very positive experiences with the DA 16-45mm but after spending some quality time with the Sigma, my preference is slowly but surely shifting towards the Sigma as being the more versatile lens.

For a start, while the Sigma loses 1mm in focal length on the wide end to the Pentax, (which is noticeable), it nonetheless more than makes up for this by extending all the way to 70mm, a focal length that's good for portraits and the occasional isolated candid.

In terms of maximum aperture, it's a toss up between the constant aperture Pentax versus the variable aperture design of the Sigma. Unless one is shooting with strobes a lot where having a constant aperture is preferred, in practice I've not really been hampered with the variable aperture, whether in normal or low light shooting. Exposure with the Sigma is spot on on my K20D but for the DA 16-45mm, there is a tendency towards a consistent 1/3 to 1/2 stop underexposure, at least on my previous copy.

Capital Tower at night

In terms of optical performance, I've known the DA 16-45mm as a lens capable of even performance from the center to the edges. The Sigma is noticeably sharper in the center but edge sharpness is still good. In terms of distortion, the two lenses are about similar. Size wise, the Pentax is longer and narrower while the Sigma is fatter but shorter. The Pentax uses 67mm filters while the Sigma uses 72mm. The Sigma is about 90 grams heavier at 455 grams. Both have petal lens hoods that seems to be the norm today.

Floating barriers

Where the Sigma edges the Pentax is in build quality. The lens is solid and has a sensible design whereby the lens barrel extends at the 70mm setting. On the Pentax, the lens barrel extends fully at the 16mm setting, making use of the on-camera flash pretty useless at the wide setting. The Pentax has the useful Quickshift where one can manually adjust focus after the camera has locked autofocus. Focus is fast for both lenses. Something I've noticed with the DA 16-45mm is whether the build can hold up long term. I've seen the zoom and focus rings on some seasoned copies to be very loose with wobbly lens barrels. With the Sigma, the primary bugbear is lens creep when the lens is pointed down. There is however a zoom lock to prevent this.

Close-ups of Pentax 50mm lenses taken with the Sigma

One useful feature is the close focusing capability of the Sigma. While the Pentax goes down to 0.28m, the Sigma can focus as close as 0.2m, which in practical terms, means the ability to shoot up close with results that are almost as good as a dedicated macro lens. Overall, the Sigma makes a compelling case if you're looking for a single lens solution for walkabout or travel.

Marina Barrage Pentax Shootout

2008-11-17T22:43:00.000+08:00

We had our latest Pentax user meet-up on 15 November at the Marina Barrage. By way of introduction, the Marina Barrage is a new dam spanning the Marina Channel, forming Singapore's first reservoir in the city. Flowing into the channel is water from the Singapore and Kallang rivers. The dam serves to control flooding, provide an additional source of water supply and offer a new waterfront experience in the area.

Sigma 17-70mm

Sigma 17-70mm

We had a healthy turnout of Pentax users and even though the area was new, there was a lot to shoot, from city skyline to water features to people enjoying themselves. The weather was largely overcast, which meant our pictures were devoid of nice blue skies. The lighting was flat, soft and diffused outdoors but we all made the best of it.

DA 21mm Limited

DA 21mm Limited

DA 21mm Limited

Posted here are just a few pictures that I took at the place with the K20D using various lenses.

FA 50mm

Tamron 70-300mm

Walkabout with the FA 100mm f/2.8 Macro

2008-11-10T06:28:00.000+08:00

Not too long ago, I had in my possession the DFA 50mm f/2.8 Macro as well as the DFA 100mm f/2.8 Macro lenses. Well these two are fine lenses, I didn't particularly like the build quality. So recently through a mutual swap with a couple of my Pentax friends, I replaced the two lenses for the FA 100mm f/2.8 Macro and FA 135mm f/2.8 telephoto lenses.

Ixora

Fern leaf unfolding

I really like the look and build quality of FA lenses and it complements well with the other FA lenses that I already own. The FA 100mm f/2.8 Macro is a much bigger and heavier lens compared to the newer DFA version. It gives excellent sharpness and colour and offers lifesize magnification without the need for additional extension tubes. The FA macros lack the Quick Shift manual focus override but there however a focus limiter to limit the focusing range for this lens.

Small mushrooms

I really like the images from this lens. Here's a couple of shots taken at the Singapore Botanic Gardens with the K20D. It is a lens I would recommend to all Pentax macro shooters.

Vanda Miss Joachim (Singapore's national flower)

Little India Pentax Outing - Monochrome

2008-11-07T23:48:00.000+08:00

Just a few more shots from the recent Little India Pentax user outing. I decided early on that the people and location shots should be in monochrome. All shots taken with the K20D using the same lenses as in the previous post.

Dunlop Street

DA 21mm f/3.2 Limited

Provision shop

FA 28-200mm f/3.5~5.6

Exhale

Sigma 90mm f/2.8 Macro

Old biker

FA 28-200mm f/3.5~5.6

General worker

DA 21mm f/3.2 Limited

Weight on my shoulder

FA 28-200mm f/3.5~5.6

Little India Pentax Outing

2008-11-01T05:54:00.001+08:00

Last month, we had our October Pentax user outing to shoot the area known as Little India, a predominantly Indian area that has many shophouses and merchants. We had a good turnout and as usual friendly banter as we slowly made our way among the shops, shooting the people and the many objects of interest.

Tomatoes 90 cents

FA 28-200mm f/3.5~5.6

Fruit shop

Sigma 90mm f/2.8 Macro

String of bananas

Sigma 90mm f/2.8 Macro

Unfortunately this post comes up only now as it has been a little hectic on the work and domestic front, so I've neglected post processing and writing on this blog. I had to run off a little early but still managed to take a couple of interesting images. Definitely a place that has a lot of captivating images waiting to be shot.

Squash

Sigma 90mm f/2.8 Macro

Carrots and radishes

FA 28-200mm f/3.5~5.6

Radishes and bitter gourds

FA 28-200mm f/3.5~5.6

Anyway about the outing, I've always liked shooting Little India simply because there is much to shoot. As it was going to be a street shoot, I packed my K20D with three lenses, the lowly FA 28-200mm superzoom, the DA 21mm Limited pancake and the Sigma 90mm Macro.

Lotus

Sigma 90mm f/2.8 Macro

Hibiscus in a pot

DA 21mm f/3.2 Limited

The FA 28-200 is essentially a rebadged Tamron. I picked it up at a used computer shop awhile back. Optical quality is decent but it makes up for it with a wide range of focal lengths. I needed a compact wideangle in the DA 21mm and used a macro to pick out and isolate interesting subjects.

Folded leaves

Sigma 90mm f/2.8 Macro

Parasols

FA 28-200mm f/3.5~5.6

DA* 200mm f/2.8 Tryout

2008-10-28T22:23:00.000+08:00

I've been quite busy with work and have not had the opportunity to shoot too much. I'll nevertheless begin to post those images that I've taken over the last couple of weeks.

Just recently I managed to get my hands on the DA* 200mm f/2.8 ED telephoto courtesy of the local Pentax agents here. This is a lens that doesn't really get too much attention as many photographers usually favour the focal range versatility of the DA* 50-135 f/2.8 zoom or opt for the longer focal length offered by the DA* 300mm f/4. Being weather and dust resistant, it makes a perfect companion to the weather sealed K20D.

Optically the 200mm delivers sharp and contrasty images straight from the camera. Focusing is a tad faster than the DA* 50-135mm and during my brief encounter with it, I've grown to like it a lot, perhaps even more than the excellent DA* 50-135mm. For many, perhaps the only bugbear of the 50-135mm is the feeling that it could have gone all the way to 200mm.

With a minimum focusing disrance of 1.2m, this is a lens that can deliver a respectable close-up. The lens uses internal focusing, which allows the lens barrel to remain the same length. AF is simply quick and silent.

In terms of what this lens can do, I'm suitably impressed to seriously consider putting this excellent lens on my wish list.

Spiral

2008-10-10T21:53:00.000+08:00

Something from awhile back. My wife's hair thingy in black and white.
I was fascinated by the effect of the lines.

K100D Sigma 90mm f/2.8 Macro

More From MacRitchie Reservoir

2008-10-05T12:49:00.000+08:00

A few more infrared images with the DA 18-55mm II kit lens. These were taken near the Singapore Island Country Club.

Some Images From MacRitchie Reservoir

2008-10-01T21:52:00.000+08:00

About two weeks ago we had our September Pentax users outing at the MacRitchie Reservoir. We had quite a good turnout as well as workout walking through the park and forest trail. Took more shots with my infrared modified *ist DL2 than with my K20D.

Been really busy with work that I've just not been able to upload the images that I took. Here's a selection, all with the DA 18-55mm II kit lens, truly a very useful lens for IR photography.

Along the forest trail, the light was diffused and light levels were pretty low, making shooting a challenge.

Particularly liked the shots under a bright intense sun with water in the foreground.

Training Alone

2008-09-26T03:04:00.000+08:00

Took a walk around a park with my Pentax *ist DL2 when I came across this wheelchair bound person doing his workout. He was approaching very fast and was a picture of pure determination. Thought about shooting him as he approached but as I saw the road markings I knew it would make a strong composition, and made the shot as he passed by.

Pentax *ist DL2 DA 14mm f/2.8

Kids & Dogs

2008-09-18T23:02:00.000+08:00

Took these IR shots of kids with their dogs at the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Particularly like the sensitive expression of the girl with her dog. In contrast, the three boys were pretty rough and tumble in their play. All taken with the Pentax *ist DL2 with the FA 28-200mm zoom.

DA 14mm Tryout

2008-09-15T10:06:00.000+08:00

Just a couple of days ago I was at the office of Shriro, the local Pentax agent here in Singapore. The friendly folks there offered to let me try out the DA 14mm f/2.8 wide angle for a couple of days. Since I let go of my DA 16-45mm f/4 a few months back, I don't have a rectilinear wide angle that goes wider than the DA 18-55mm II. So I welcomed the opportunity to satisfy my curiousity and get acquainted with this lens.

In making a choice between the current crop of Pentax wide angle lenses, it's a toss-up between the DA 14mm prime and the DA 12-24mm f/4 that Pentax jointly developed with Tokina. The prime has the edge in maximum aperture while the zoom has the versatility of having a range of focal lengths and it also goes wider. It is also more expensive than the DA 14mm.

Looking at specifications alone isn't enough as wide angles offer a dramatic perspective that one needs to appreciate first hand at the viewfinder. I opted to try out the DA 14mm. My reasons were threefold: to see if the f/2.8 really made a big difference, to find out if the angle of view was wide enough and to see if the lens was IR friendly (no hot spots). The answers to all three questions were a resounding yes.

I'm sure I would like the DA 12-24mm for the focal length versatility, but I've been told it hot spots when taking IR images, which is unfortunate to say the least. The DA 14mm is very solidly made, is optically sharp to my estimation, controls flare quite well and focuses very fast. I've enjoyed my brief tryout with it and this will certainly be one lens that I'll definitely be on the lookout in the near future.

Here I've taken a few images using my IR modified Pentax *ist DL2 at a reservoir near my home. I've managed to enjoy the camera more and have gotten the hang of fine tuning the post processing the IR images. Post processing was done with Photoshop.

Getting Familiar With Shooting IR

2008-09-13T08:16:00.000+08:00

A few more IR explorations. Took these scenic landscapes with the *ist DL2 with the DA 21mm Limited. As I mentioned awhile back, digital IR photography is essentially a 2 step process: capturing the IR image on camera and secondly, post processing the images.

In the short period that I've been shooting digital IR, I've found that I've needed to pay attention to a few areas prior to shooting. First order of the day is to establish the baseline white balance of the camera. This applies to both modded IR cameras or a DSLR with an IR filter attached. Taking a manual white balance reading from something that reflects a lot of IR light like a patch of green grass/leaves in bright light is the proven method. The key issue here is taking the WB reading in bright sunlight. Take a WB reading on an overcast day and you're likely to get a somewhat different result when post-processing later.

IR images look best when there is good contrast in the scene. That said, it is pretty important to get the exposure right to reduce subsequent post processing issues. Because only a fraction of the light spectrum is recorded on the camera's sensor, I tend to think the camera's dynamic range is reduced a little.

Underexpose and you're likely to have flat or noisy images. Blow the highlights and you lose detail. The best aid in exposure determination is using the camera's histogram on the LCD as it can be difficult to eyeball the reddish brown images captured on-camera. As exposure can vary according to the scene, it is a good idea to bracket. It is also a good practice to delete those images that for want of a better word, "cannot make it".

Shooting in Manual mode offers the best control but shooting in Aperture priority with +EV compensation is another workable method. Focusing wise, autofocus is definitely useful. To compensate for the slight shift in wavelength, some tweaking of the AF in the debug menu (for a modded IR camera) is good, but if you're using a standard DSLR with screw-in IR filters, stopping down will cover the slight focus shift. Use the lowest ISO setting possible.

The images here were taken just a few days after I got the modded camera. They aren't perfect in my opinion. The WB wasn't really spot on and I was a little rusty in the post processing department, but these so-so shots provide good feedback on small details that need to be worked on to get one's personal look in IR lanscapes. I'll post some information on the post processing that I use in a later post.

Going Ga-Ga Over Infraread

2008-09-06T23:17:00.000+08:00

Yesterday, my Pentax pal dropped me a text message that he had a Pentax ist DL2 that had been converted for infrared (IR) photography available. Decision time, so without hesitation I immediately jumped on the offer.

Pentax *ist DL2 with the DA 14mm f/2.8

The *ist DL2 was the last iteration of the Pentax *ist series DSLRs and was introduced just a few months before the K100D. Pretty much identical in specification to the K100D with the exception of in-camera Shake Reduction and fewer AF focusing points.

The *ist like the K100D series uses the excellent 6.1 megapixel CCD sensor. It's favored for IR because the sensor is particularly receptive which allows exposure times to be relatively short. On an IR modified camera, the camera simply has it's sensor's low pass filter removed. In it's place a very thin infra-red filter is installed. In this case wavelengths lower than 720 μm are filtered out.

Well you may be asking what's the practical benefits of having a IR modified camera as opposed to a conventional DSLR with a R72 IR or equivalent filter mounted? Basically there two. Firstly, as there is no IR filter in front of the mounted lens, the view in the viewfinder is clear, just like a normal DSLR. This greatly speeds up the process of picture taking.

The second obvious advantage is in exposure times. The IR filter mounted at the sensor is much thinner than a conventional screw-in filter. This allows exposure times to be reduced well within the limits of hand holdability. Roughly speaking, depending on the subject, exposure is typically between +0.7 to +2.0 EV over what the camera's TTL meter suggests. The shorter exposure opens up a wider realm of picture taking opportunities.

Shooting people is always a challenge because of the exposure times but the examples of a wedding couple that I shot show the capabilities of a modded camera. Skin tones take on a ghostly shade of white, but after all that's the fun of shooting IR. Lens used was the FA 28-200mm zoom.

With newer DSLRs with larger megapixel count being introduced, the generation of 6.1 megapixel cameras of the *ist and K100D series now seem to be overshadowed. The option to convert these cameras to be dedicated IR only cameras is an option I would recommend for those of use contemplating buying the newer crop of DSLRs. IR photography is fun, and a converted camera definitely brings the fun back.

Rock and Reeds

2008-09-03T19:26:00.001+08:00

Took this image a couple of weeks ago but just didn't have the time to go through it. I like the idea of the hard rock juxtaposed against the flexible and pliable water plants.

K20D DFA 100mm f/2.8 Macro

Lotus Macros

2008-08-29T15:01:00.000+08:00

Recently I took my son to a nearby park and managed to shoot these images of the lotus plant using the K20D mated to the DFA 100mm f/2.8 Macro.

The 100mm macro is one that I feel many should consider as a versatile walkaround lens. It serves well enough as a fast telephoto and the ability to get up close and photograph objects at up to life-size magnification is pretty useful. It's like having two different lenses rolled into one.

The DFA 100mm is a pretty light and compact lens but the nice feature it has over previous Pentax macro lenses is the Quick Shift that allows manual override once the camera's AF has locked focus. This is a good feature as the point of focus may not always be on any of the 11 AF focus points when composing, and there is also no need to switch completely to manual focus on the camera body.

Radiate

2008-08-29T04:27:00.000+08:00

A plant abstract that I took recently. Just love the lines moving out from the center. Added a brown tint to accentuate the graphic quality.

K20D DFA 100mm f/2.8

Happy Kids

2008-08-27T20:23:00.000+08:00

It's fun to shoot kids at play, especially happy kids at play. Having the DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 makes shooting kids easy. The little girl was having so much fun that she was oblivious to everyone around her. The fast maximum aperture and SDM makes focusing a breeze and the focal length isn't too long that perspective doesn't get too flat.

K20D DA* 50-135mm f/2.8

Like all DA* lenses, the build quality is pretty solid, with weather sealing a big advantage in inclement weather. The lens gives a nice colour rendition and sharpness is good even wide open. Bokeh from this lens is also pretty nice. Certain;y one of the stars in Pentax's lens lineup.

K20D DA* 50-135mm f/2.8

Compact Shots

2008-08-26T15:00:00.000+08:00

Have been playing around with the Optio E40 compact a little bit more. Shooting with a PnS digital once again is a completely new experience. And that is having to readjust with the speed of operation. It's so easy to get used to the almost instant focusing and shooting with a DSLR that in comparison, the Optio takes quite some time to focus and write to the SD card.

Mini Bitter Gourds

The camera's lens coverage at the wide end is about 37mm in 35mm film format but the depth of field from a small camera sensor is pretty wide. Noise can be an issue at times but if exposed correctly, it isn't such a big problem. Naturally cameras in this category perform better with higher illumination levels. With the small size of compact digital cameras nowadays, there is really no reason not to carry one everywhere, as these two pictures show.

Novena

Changi Meet-up

2008-08-26T07:36:00.000+08:00

The Pentax user group on Clubsnap is slowly but surely growing. Evidence of this was our latest group outing to Changi Village. As the plan was to catch some sunrise shots, the meeting time was a very early 6.30am. Many of us were there to learn from night86mare who never fails to wow us with his landscapes.

Tripods galore... DA 21mm f/3.2 Limited

Unfortunately the weather was dull and dismal with the sun obscured by thick cloud. And it didn't take long for the storm clouds to prematurely end a very short photo taking session. Didn't really have the chance to use much of my gear, though I have to say it's a weight off the shoulders when carrying a Gitzo CF tripod around. Anyway here are some of the few shots that I took, all with the K20D.

DA 21mm f/3.2 Limited

DA* 50-135mm f/2.8

While the weather may have dampened the photo taking opportunities, like all good meet-ups the company was good and so was the breakfast offerings at the the food center. Pentax meet-ups are fun affairs and I'll definitely be on the look-out for the next one coming up.

DA 21mm f/3.2 Limited

DA* 50-135mm f/2.8

Pentax Optio E40 Mini Review

2008-08-18T21:06:00.000+08:00

The Pentax agent here recently had a sales promotion for their compact point-and-shoot cameras with a local electronics megastore Best Denki to tie in with Singapore's National Day celebrations.

An impulse buy at S$169...

Well yesterday was the last day for the promo and as I wandered by the Best Denki outlet in Plaza Singapura, a sales promoter asked me to look at the Pentax cameras on display. Not really wanting to buy anything, my resolve gave way when he offered to throw in a further S$30 discount from the promo price. Not wanting to spend too much, I settled upon the base model, the Pentax Optio E40.

94mm x 60mm x 24mm, 175g with batteries & SD card

This was the first time I've owned a Pentax PnS, not counting the Pentax Espio 115G compact film camera from years back. The camera is pretty compact and because I've got loads of rechargeable AA batteries from my previous K100D/K100D Super cameras, the choice to go with a camera using AA batteries was pretty easy.

2 AA sized batteries and a SD card is all you need

At first glace, this made in China camera has the usual features one can come to expect of a modern digital compact camera. 8.1 megapixels resolution, 3X optical zoom, Face-Recognition AF & AE, the usual different picture modes all wrapped in a silver plastic shell. The camera is dead easy enough to operate and I didn't have to read the camera manual to get started. Obviously with so many controls and features embedded within the menu, it makes sense to give the camera manual a thorough read.

Flash on

Load in 2 AA batteries and an SD card and the 175g camera is ready to shoot. Start-up is a leisurely 3 seconds or so, not a big deal in my book. The camera has a 6.2mm-18.6mm f/2.8~5.2 zoom lens (equivalent to 37.5-112.5mm in 35mm format), not including the 4X digital zoom capability. The lens shoots from 0.4m to infinity and 0.15m to 0.5m in macro mode. Shutter speed range is 1/2000 sec to about 4 seconds. Flash coverage is decent, though like all PnS cameras nowadays, care needs to be taken to control red-eye.

Available light

Image quality is good with quality typical of all compact PnS cameras, in other words, expect some noisy images at high ISO. The 2.4 inch TFT colour LCD is the only means to focus and view, the norm for PnS cameras today. Video and sound recording is also on hand should you need it.

Auto everything!

From the initial images that I've shot, I have little to complain about, perhaps because my expectations with such compact cameras are pretty low to begin with. Will use this camera a little more and post more images and observations later. So far I'm quite pleased with the performance and while there are many other cameras which offer more features and possibly better quality, but for much more money. Overall this camera is good value for money.

Macro mode! A close-up of my old Pentax Espio 115G film camera

Abstraction

2008-08-13T11:39:00.000+08:00

A look at some air vents from my walkabouts. Thought they made a nice pattern. One of my last shots from the kit telephoto zoom before I replaced it with the DA* 50-135mm. A very light compact lens that's great for travel.

K20D DA 50-200mm f/4~5.6

Thoughts on the DFA 50mm macro

2008-08-11T04:25:00.000+08:00

The Pentax DFA 50mm macro is a much lighter and more compact lens than the discontinued FA 50mm macro which I also use. While the FA version is better built in my opinion, from a practical standpoint, the DFA is the easier one to use, being much lighter in weight, a bigger manual focus ring and having the very useful Quick Shift feature that allows manual focus override after AF lock.

K20D DFA 50mm f/2.8 Macro

Some photographers cannot see the point of having AF for a macro lens, but I have found AF usable for magnifications up to 1:2 and for non-closeup shooting like the cat pictured here. The 50mm focal length lens has a useful field of view for a variety of subjects and AF allows quick fuss free focusing. Like the FA version, the DFA can hunt when trying to lock focus, but this is quite normal given the long focus throw of macro lenses. The DFA has a simple slide-on focus clamp when focusing manually.

K20D DFA 50mm f/2.8 Macro

Optically speaking the FA has I think a small edge in terms of sharpness and detail. Both lenses do display some colour fringing at high contrast subjects. Bokeh from both lenses are somewhat similar. The DFA has slightly snappier overall contrast but it also has a little more light falloff at maximum aperture.

The DFA has a floating element design that correct aberrations at closer focusing distances and has a deep plastic hood and given the lens barrel extension at 1:1 magnification, it needs it to protect the front element. Like the somewhat identical DFA 100mm that I also have, the lens performs well but all the Pentax macro lenses still lag behind the superlative and now out of production Voigtlander Apo-Lanthar 125mm f/2.5 SL.

Pasir Ris Park

2008-08-09T20:15:00.000+08:00

A few shots taken in and around Pasir Ris Park recently. The first image was of some solitary mangrove trees silhouetted against the partially obscured morning sun. Image was straight from the camera. I'm quite happy the K20D's dynamic range could handle the scene well.

K20D DFA 50mm f/2.8 Macro

The image straight from the camera was mainly single toned and moody as the rain clouds obscured the sun. Decided to give it a brown tint to convey the mood better.

K20D DFA 50mm f/2.8 Macro

I like this zig-zag pathway that cuts through the mangrove as it gives the feel of seclusion and solitude. Composition wise, it lends a natural lead-in line from the foreground to the background. A good place to observe the teeming animal life from the tiny mud skippers, to the little crabs and shellfish.

K20D DA* 50-135mm f/2.8

Casting his net...

2008-08-07T19:05:00.000+08:00

Took a early morning stroll near the beach and spotted this lonely fisherman casting his net to catch some small fish. Spent just a few minutes watching him and as I only had a macro lens attached, moved a little closer and captured him just as he released his weighted net.

Pentax K20D DFA 50mm f/2.8 Macro

Sleepy Dog

2008-08-07T02:20:00.000+08:00

Recently my lens line-up has seen a couple of changes. I managed to get the DA* 50-135mm at a very attractive price from a friend. In its place I decided to sell the compact DA 50-200mm as there was quite a bit of focal length overlap. My first subject with the DA* quite naturally is... my dog. Here he's having a nap and a sun tan at the same time. All images K20D with the DA* 50-135mm f/2.8

A Friendly Bus Driver

2008-08-06T01:10:00.000+08:00

A quick snap of a bus driver with the smallest lens in Pentax's lineup, the 40mm pancake. It's a small and cute lens and even smaller than the M version that I used to have due to the absence of an aperture ring. I was walking across a field when I met this driver who was taking a small break after his morning round of sending kids to school. I like the overall shade of blue and his friendly smile.

K20D DA 40mm f/2.8 Limited

People Passing By

2008-08-04T15:17:00.000+08:00

I just love the shadowy silhouettes as they add dynamic interest to the image and give a nice separation of the foreground and background. The original image already had a pretty limited tonal range but I decided it would look better with a little brown tint reminiscent of the Agfa Viradon that I used to play around in the past.

K20D FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited

A Few More From The Garden Festival

2008-08-03T22:42:00.000+08:00

A continuation of flower images that I had taken at the Singapore Garden Festival. All shot with the K20D and the FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited.

The FA 77mm is best known as a portrait lens with it's fast maximum aperture, tele perspective and nice bokeh. Well it has proven to be a nice lens for flowers too. It would have been even better if it could focus a little closer than the current minimum of 0.7m but I guess I'm asking too much from an already excellent lens. Most certainly a lens that should be in every Pentax portrait shooter's bag.

Rambutan Season

2008-08-02T21:54:00.000+08:00

Got some rambutans from a family member and also from a friend the other day. Decided to take a shot of it before it got eaten. Yummy...

K20D Sigma 90mm f/2.8 Macro

For the benefit of those who don't know what a rambutan is, it's a delicious tropical fruit that is in season right about now. The fruit has a covering of soft hair and has a thick white flesh and a seed in the center somewhat similar to the lychee or longan. Comes in bunches and has a sweet juicy taste.

Leaf Study

2008-08-01T22:10:00.000+08:00

Liked the shape of the leaf with the naturally occurring holes.
Original image converted to B&W and added my own gold tone.

K20D FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited

The Colour of Summer

2008-07-31T16:05:00.000+08:00

A warm, bright morning, a light breeze, the start of a fresh new day... Hope this still life conveys the feeling.

K20D Sigma 90mm f/2.8 Macro