Sunday, July 30, 2006

Today's Shots: Snake and Bug

Once again, I am using the Pentax K100D body and SMCP-A* 200mm Macro lens. One of my employees found this bug last night and brought it into the studio this morning.

1/60s @ f/22; ISO 200; SR On

I also caught a Racer snake in a tree this morning. I think I'm going to keep him for the time being.

1/60s @ f/22; ISO 200; SR On

1/60s @ f/22; ISO 200; SR On

1/60s @ f/22; ISO 200; SR On

1/60s @ f/32; ISO 200; SR On

1/60s @ f/32; ISO 200; SR On

It was fun today with the bug and snake. I am enjoying the K100D and SMCP-A* 200mm Macro more and more all the time.

Lowepro Slingshot 100 AW Kit

I am setting up a kit for carrying my K100D along with some useful lenses in a Lowepro Slingshot 100 AW. The following can fit:

Pentax K100D body
SMCP-FA* 24/2.0 lens
SMCP-DA 40/2.8 Limited lens
SMCP-DA 12-24/4.0 lens
SMCP-FA 24-90/3.5-4.5 lens
Pentax AF360FGZ flash
Off camera cord
Wired Remote
Wireless Remote
2 x Lexar 2GB 133x SD cards
Small Reflector
Extra Batteries

If I am traveling, I can take this along with my Lowepro CompuDaypack which contains my SMCP-A* 200mm Macro as well as another lens or possibly the SMCP-F 1.7X AF TC. If I were planning on doing lots of available light portrait work I would also add the SMCP-FA 50/1.4 lens. I sometimes also add the SMCP-DA 50-200/4.0-5.6 lens.

Saturday, July 29, 2006

K100D and SMCP-A* 200mm Macro In the Field

Both the K100D body and the A* 200mm Macro lens arrived on Friday. I immediately set out playing with the K100D. Unfortunately, I am only shooting JPEG right now because Apple's Aperture does not yet support the K100D RAW file. So far the JPEG files are turning out to be of excellent quality. I took some shots yesterday and today that I like very much. Both shots were taken with the K100D and A* 200mm Macro lens.

1/2000s @ f/4; ISO 200; SR On

1/100s @ f/11; ISO 800; SR On

I was quite happy with the difference Shake Reduction makes for macro shots. I would never have been able to shoot a sharp macro shot with the A* 200mm and the *ist D at a shutter speed as slow as 1/100. Quite amazing! All in all a great combo. I am amazed at the difference Shake Reduction makes. I am very happy with its performance. I can't wait to get the new Pentax 10MP body when it comes out! It only gets better from here. It's especially fun to use this combo because I can use the superb optics of the Pentax A* 200mm Macro lens along with Shake Reduction when I wouldn't have Image Stabilization with the Canon EOS 20D and EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro lens.

Thursday, July 27, 2006

K100D Shipped!

I got the notification that B&H Photo had the K100D and 18-55mm kit lens in stock today. I immediately ordered it and shipped it UPS Next Day Air. It will arrive tomorrow. It turns out that my A* 200mm Macro lens will also be delivered tomorrow. Tomorrow should be interesting!

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

SMCP-A* 200mm Macro

I landed on an SMC Pentax-A* 200mm Macro lens on eBay. It should ship today and I hope to receive it in a day or two. I can't wait to finally get one of the lenses I have been trying to find for quite some time. I am hoping it will arrive tomorrow or maybe Friday at the latest.

Sunday, July 16, 2006

New Pentax Lenses

I have recently acquired several Pentax lenses. Some have been new and some have been used. I picked up an SMC Pentax-DA 40mm Limited lens, an SMC Pentax-DA 12-24mm lens, and an SMC Pentax-A* 300mm f/4.0 lens. I haven't had a chance to test all three yet but I am going to do some testing today.

Monday, July 10, 2006

Early July Shots with Pentax *ist D

These are some shots from July 2 and July 7, 2006. All four shots were taken with the Pentax *ist D camera. The lens used is listed below.

SMCP-FA 24-90/3.5-4.5 @ 87mm
1/1000s @ f/4.5; ISO 200

SMCP-FA 24-90/3.5-4.5 @ 27mm
1/60s @ f/8; ISO 200

SMCP-DA 40/2.8
1/100s @ f/4; ISO 400

SMCP-DA 40/2.8
1/125s @ f/2.8; ISO 400

Saturday, July 01, 2006

Welcome

I am finally joining the blogging world. I have setup some different options on my own server but I think this will work better for my needs. I'll use it and see what happens.