All posts tagged: pentax

Pentax 645D II

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Images (not verifiable)  have now begun to appear on the internet of a new Pentax 645D II to be revealed at the CP+ Camera and Photo Imaging Show in Tokyo next week. No news of the exact sensor, but a tilt screen would suggest live view, which would mean CMOS not CCD. The Pentax K3 is arguably the best APS sensor DSLR on the market, and it looks like the new 645D will rewrite the rules for medium format digital. For Pentaxians we live in exciting times.

HD PENTAX-DA 55-300 mm F4-5.8ED WR

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While in Tokyo I though I’d test out the new telephoto zoom that Pentax has lent me for a few weeks. It’s got an impressive range from 55-300mm, HD coatings on the lens elements and a sturdy weather-proof construction. It’s also reasonably priced, it’s available from Amazon.com for around 400 dollars. As my flight back to Okinawa was from Narita Airport, I decided to take the subway from Shinjuku to Ueno, then switch to the Keisei Skyliner express train. Right next to the Keisei Ueno Station is the entrance to Ueno Zoo, and as I’d never been before, I thought I’d drop by for a couple of hours.  The zoo offered plenty of opportunities to utilize the telephoto zoom. I also tried out using burst mode, working on the theory that the shots in the middle of the burst are often sharper. The relatively small maximum aperture of f5.8 when shooting at 300mm was offset by increasing the ISO to 800 so that shutter speeds were kept fast. Ueno Zoo is Japan’s oldest zoo, and in many …

Pentax K3 in the Studio

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Four studio portraits taken with the new Pentax K3 digital SLR camera. Very pleased with the results this little camera can achieve. Alongside the Pentax K3, I used my medium format digital 645D. Although the K3 could not match the level of detail you get from 645D’s 40 megapixel sensor it produced fantastic images. When looking at the entire shoot in Lightroom the best pics were those in which the lighting or pose were just right rather than those coming from one particular camera. When you consider that the Pentax K-3 on Amazon is a fraction of the price of the 645D this is even more impressive. Like the 645D, the K3 now has dual SD lots. This is fantastic. I’m a huge fan of redundancy (insert Thatcher joke here), and being able to save the data to both cards gives me that extra level of security I want when working with a client. There are a few differences in the layout of the camera compared to its predecessor the K5. Pentaxians will have to refer to the …

Pentax K3 Studio Test Shoot – Tomoko

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The lovely Tomoko was my third model for my test shoot with the new Pentax K3. I wanted to create a more classical portrait, that would show the balance between light and dark, but still retain detail in the shadows. Model – Tomoko MUA – Summer Johnson Pentax K3 Pentax smc DA* 55mm 1:1.4 SDM Lighting – Charcoal background. Beauty dish powered by Profoto Pro-7a as the main light. Small softbox as low fill. Medium size strip softboxes on both sides adding rimlight (powered by Profoto compacts). A fifth compact aimed at the background. Strobes triggered with PocketWizards

Pentax K3 in the Studio – Brylee

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The new K3 digital SLR camera just arrived from Pentax, and I’ve been asked to shoot some images for an exhibition next year. Thought I’d start with some shots in the studio, so invited over makeup artist Summer Johnson along with Brylee, Sarah, Tomoko and Yuki to see what we could create. Camera: Pentax K3 Lens: Pentax smc DA* 55mm 1:1.4 SDM Lighting – White background. Octabox as main light, medium size softbox low as fill both powered by Profoto Pro-7a. Two profoto compacts aimed at backgound . Strobes triggered with PocketWizards. If you’d like to see a full resolution file of this image then I’ve put one up on Flickr. As you can see, you don’t have to have a full frame sensor to produce images with great detail and natural gradations in tone.

The Man from Mamona

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As you move away from a person it is more difficult to get eye contact and create a moment of connection between subject and photographer. In this photograph, however, the man stared right down the lens of the camera. At first glance this looks like an elderly frail man. Then you notice the veins on the muscles, the strength in his grip, and you realize he’s probably fitter and stronger than the guy on the other side of the camera.

On location – Shannon

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On a free day in Cairns I met up with local model Shannon for a quick shoot by the ocean. With strong midday sun, it was key to find some nice open shade that would allow me to prevent harsh shadows on the face. Luckily, sun hats, shade and sunblock are keywords for a new generation of beachgoing Australians.  A big thanks to Shannon for meeting up, and hope you love the pics.