Search results for query: *

  1. J

    Fuji FujiXspot $1,000 Giveaway - March 2015

    I'm in! I took this snapshot of my lovely daughter last night (March 3, 2015) with the X-Pro 1 and an adapted Russian "Jupiter 9" 85mm f/2 lens. My manual focus was off on one eye because of the shallow DOF, but I still love this image.
  2. J

    Pentax Do I want a K-01?

    The K-01 is a highly underrated camera mainly because it looks unusual and unfortunately was reviewed by most publications prior to the release of the firmware updates which have greatly improved the AF speed. I bought one just because of the price (and because I missed using the Pentax Limited...
  3. J

    Canon Canon Introduces EOS Rebel SL1 - World's Smallest, Lightest APS-C DSLR

    Interesting question. Though to say for sure. The K-01 got a lot a of bad press because of the slow AF with the original firmware and that (combined with the high MSRP at launch, the unusual looks and the simple fact it is Pentax and not Canon or Nikon) pushed many people away. I'm sure the...
  4. J

    Canon Canon Introduces EOS Rebel SL1 - World's Smallest, Lightest APS-C DSLR

    I agree the SL1 isn't as small as the OM-D but it's remarkably close for a "real" DSLR with optical viewfinder and the optical viewfinder is still important to some photographers. Don't get me wrong ... 9 of the 11 cameras I own for work and personal shooting are mirrorless cameras. Clearly I...
  5. J

    Canon Canon Introduces EOS Rebel SL1 - World's Smallest, Lightest APS-C DSLR

    I'm really surprised that Canon didn't bump the specs on the T5i and SL1 over the previous generation Rebels. The modification to the on-sensor PDAF layer isn't a major advancement (initial hands-on reports suggest the live view AF is just as slow as the T4i) and other than the new STM kit lens...
  6. J

    Last Two from the K-01 (sold) + FA77

    Great shots! The K-01 isn't perfect, but I can't part with mine. Even though I use multiple other camera brands and systems there is just something about the Pentax Limited primes. That, and the K-01 squeezes just about everything possible out of that 16mp Sony APS-C sensor.
  7. J

    Pentax K-01 and hello !

    Welcome! Gotta love the K-01 and all the Pentax Limited lenses ... I know I do. Be sure to update the firmware when your camera arrives (after the battery is charged) and enjoy shooting.
  8. J

    Pentax PENTAXians..... tell me about your favorite lenses

    Christilou, I haven't used the K-30 but I have used the FA77 with the K-7, K20D and K10D. I found that the viewfinders were "okay" but I liked them better after adding the viewfinder magnifying eyecup that is available from Pentax. That magnifier makes the viewfinder appear larger and it's...
  9. J

    Fuji Fuji X-10 Dilemma

    I have both the X10 and the OMD ... both great cameras but both are different. My opinion is that, if you want a relatively small camera for candid street shooting and you want a zoom lens then the X10 (or X20) is the better choice ... unless you have the cash to dump on a Panasonic 12-35mm...
  10. J

    Fuji Going X10

    Same here. I almost exclusively shoot in 12MP RAW with my X10.
  11. J

    Ricoh Pentax rumors

    Although it's "possible" that the rumor is accurate, I doubt that Pentax is announcing 5 new DSLRs this year. That's a lot. I suspect it's more likely they are adding 2 or 3 new DSLRs and keeping 3 or 2 of the current line (making 5 total). I won't object to 5 all new DSLRs from Pentax this...
  12. J

    Fuji Going X10

    As a X10 shooter I agree it's a great camera and certainly just as capable in terms of being a good photographic tool as it was when it was brand new and selling for full MSRP. Considering how quickly digital camera technology moves and how people get wrapped up in the latest stuff the only way...
  13. J

    Fuji X-Pert Corner X10-X20 Comparison

    I've tried the EXR modes on my X10 on multiple occasions as well as the "Advanced" filter modes that come with the latest firmware (toy camera, miniature, high key, etc.) but I personally never thought the results were better than what I can do shooting RAW 12mp mode and editing in Photoshop...
  14. J

    GAS GAS Explosion vs. Reality

    Archiver, those are some great images and I'm right there with you. New gear often does inspire us to get out and shoot more and in that sense it's a good thing. However, at some point we all have to just stop shopping for more gear and tell ourselves to go out and shoot with what we've got...
  15. J

    Film A bit of a scare

    In Antonio's case, I suspect he is correct and that he probably walked by a drug house or a location where other criminal activity was happening and that worried the criminals. Their first thought was probably that he was an undercover cop taking photos for evidence. Years ago I lived next to a...
  16. J

    Sony Rhinocam turns your Sony NEX into a Medium Format camera

    I guess that depends on how you look at it. I love Fotodiox products and this is VERY cool, but I look at it more as a refined photo stitching setup rather an a low-cost alternative to medium format digital. Yes, it works for landscapes, but we can't shoot portraits with this.
  17. J

    Fuji The X10 still works!

    I've purchased too many cameras after saying that I WON'T purchase them ... so I'll just say I'm not planning to purchase the X20 or X100S "at the time of this writing." However, I confess there is a perfectly reasonable probability that I will eventually own one or both of those cameras. In...
  18. J

    Fuji The X10 still works!

    I'm as excited about the new X100S and X20 as much as most of you here, but I just wanted to remind current X-users that our old cameras still work while we're debating or waiting for new X-cameras. A few recent snaps from my X10: Don't forget to spend some time taking photos when we...
  19. J

    Fuji Fuji vs. MFT?

    Given that you're asking about the X10/X20 vs m4/3, my personal experience is that the X10 (and presumably the X20) hold up very well against the older 12mp m4/3 sensors and -- to a lesser extent -- the new 16mp m4/3 image sensors. A snapshot of my son that I took with the E-PM1 (available...
  20. J

    Nikon Coolpix A Announced! APS-C Compact with 28mm Equivalent f/2.8 Lens

    Amin, so how long is it going to be before you announce your new site, NikonAtogs.com, or whatever you decide to call the new site dedicated to this camera? :wink:
  21. J

    Nikon Coolpix A Announced! APS-C Compact with 28mm Equivalent f/2.8 Lens

    Now that I see it in someone's hands in those videos it reminds me of my old Nikon Coolpix P5100 from years ago ... the retractable lens on that camera took a hit and it stopped working. This isn't for me but I can see that Nikon has packed a lot of good stuff inside this little camera.
  22. J

    Fuji X100s vs OMD decisions

    This ultimately boils down to you and how you shoot. I'm sure both cameras are excellent even though I haven't messed with the X100S in person yet. I own the OMD E-M5 in addition to several other cameras and the biggest benefit of the OMD is flexibility from the lens selection and the flash...
  23. J

    Nikon Coolpix A Announced! APS-C Compact with 28mm Equivalent f/2.8 Lens

    +1 to that comment. This camera would be appealing at a lower price point (or at this price point if it was released 2-3 years ago) but there's no way I would buy that camera today. The potential problems I'm immediately noticing are: 1. Electronic retractable lens (which will probably be a...
  24. J

    Leica Did I drink the Leica Kool-aid...

    I waited forever before I bought the OM-D because I wanted to keep my m4/3 kit small, but I found that I was using my Pen cameras more and more for work instead of my DSLRs and decided to pick up the OM-D for work and sell all the DSLRs and big lenses that I don't use. I still have some Canon...
  25. J

    Leica Did I drink the Leica Kool-aid...

    Sure. You say that now ... but what about tomorrow? :wink:
  26. J

    Feedback Another "thank you" to Amin, the moderators and our forum members.

    I just wanted to say "thanks" to Amin, the moderators and all our forum members who do their part to make SeriousCompacts.com a great forum community. One of the biggest reasons I visit this site and Amin's other discussion sites is that people generally stop and think for a second before...
  27. J

    Fuji Would you upgrade from x10 to x20

    Although the X20 looks like another VERY nice X-series camera, based on the Fujifilm website and the image samples we've seen on various sites so far I'm not planning to buy the X20 unless my X10 breaks. I am perfectly happy with the X10 for the times I want to travel light with a nice zoom...
  28. J

    Fuji Cant decide between X100 and Pentax K-30....

    Luke, even though many reviewers trashed "the brick" it sounds like you might have been better off with the K-01 instead of the K-30. I love shooting with the K-01 even if it doesn't have the same retro style as my X10 or the X100 that I had on loan for a while. Although they are VERY different...
  29. J

    Micro 4/3 Can you emulate JPEG colors of Olympus E-500 Kodak sensor on digital Pens or E-M5?

    I also love the 16MP Sony APS-C sensor in the K-01 and like the way the Pentax handles noise and colors but prefer RAW over JPEG. The colors are different than what I get from my old or current Olympus stuff, but that's not necessarily a bad thing:
  30. J

    Micro 4/3 Can you emulate JPEG colors of Olympus E-500 Kodak sensor on digital Pens or E-M5?

    If you Google around enough you can find multiple examples where people have come close enough with modern Olympus cameras that you cannot tell which shot came from the E-500 and which shot came from a m4/3 camera based on images resized for the web ... but there's always going to be some...
  31. J

    Leica Did I drink the Leica Kool-aid...

    Question: "Did I drink the Leica Kool-aid?" Answer: Yes. :tongue: But there is nothing inherently wrong with that. I shot with an old M-series on loan from a family member in the 90s and it was a joy to use ... I've just never found a desire to spend that kind of money on Leica gear. The...
  32. J

    Sigma Comparing the Sigma DP Merrill cameras with Sony Nex-7 equipped with Sigma lenses

    Very nice comparison. I loved the DP2S and LOVED the colors and sharp details while I had it. I ended up selling mine because of the lack of AF speed, the ISO noise at 400 and above, and the fact I found the RAW files only looked their best when I processed the files in the Sigma software and I...
  33. J

    Sony Why I don't care about full frame any more.

    As a photographer who spends a fair amount of time in forums and as someone who is a gear head (always looking for the best gear for my personal and professional needs) I can understand the desire to see laboratory-like side-by-side images taken with exacting precision for direct comparisons...
  34. J

    Sony Why I don't care about full frame any more.

    Please don't think I'm trashing FF ... again, I've used FF DSLRs off and on over the last 7 years and at the time I'm using them I've never been "unhappy" with using any of the FF cameras I've shot with (other than the weight of those cameras). I'm just saying that for what I do (both my...
  35. J

    Sony Why I don't care about full frame any more.

    Even though I had both the A99 and NEX-6 on hand during that shoot I didn't think to do a true side-by-side comparison taking the exact same shots with both cameras. Again, I rarely think that way in terms of tests. I was just using both cameras to see how the "SLR vs mirrorless" and "full frame...
  36. J

    Sony Why I don't care about full frame any more.

    Although there are brief moments that I long for a full frame Canon or Pentax (mainly just to use my best Canon and Pentax primes as originally intended), I'm actually pretty happy using good APS-C sensors. Why? Because after a couple of months of shooting cameras with both Sony full frame...
  37. J

    Pentax RIP Pentax K-01

    When the K-01 was first announced I thought it was an overpriced joke and agreed 100 percent with all the reviews that made fun of that brick of a camera. When the priced dropped to less than $350 with the 40mm lens and $299 for the body only I couldn't resist. I quickly fell in love with the...
  38. J

    Fuji Fuji X100 vs Sigma Merrill

    I absolutely LOVED the colors from the DP2s outdoors in good light and sometimes even indoors, but the horrible AF system and horrible ISO noise at 400 ISO and above made me sell it. The DP2 Merrill still suffers from ISO noise at 400+ and although the AF has improved it still struggles in low...
  39. J

    Pentax PENTAXians..... tell me about your favorite lenses

    My favorite Pentax lenses (other than the FA77) are as follows ... and all of these can be found on the used market most of the time for reasonable prices if you want to build a solid kit of quality primes. DA 40mm f/2.8 Limited pancake ... surprisingly small and surprisingly stellar: DA*...
  40. J

    Pentax K-01 and FA77

    The DA70 used to be much cheaper but since Pentax increased some of the lens prices a while back the price for a new DA70 isn't that much less than the price of a new FA77. When I bought back into the Pentax system a while ago I was going to buy the DA70 (which I used to own back in the K10D...
  41. J

    Fuji Fujifilm x20 external microphone?

    I assume one of the USB to 3.5 mm cable adapters will work, but don't know for sure since only people working for Fujifilm have access to the X20 so far. Fujifilm did announce there own microphone for the X20 and the X100s if the USB to 3.5mm adapter doesn't work.
  42. J

    Fuji What is the role of an “enthusiast” compact camera?

    Answer: Whatever the photographer wants it to be. An "enthusiast compact camera" can be a point-and-shoot for family vacation photos or a serious tool used in a studio setting to craft images for publication. Heck, a few years ago some of the photographers for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit...
  43. J

    Fuji X20: I am happy with my gear, I am happy with my gear, I am happy with my gear...

    I use a variety of gear including m4/3 and the X10. I bought the X10 because I liked the compact size of my m4/3 cameras with a short prime lens but I felt they were just a little too big with a zoom lens attached ... and the smaller zoom lenses all had slow apertures. The X10 with its f/2-2.8...
  44. J

    Pentax K-01 and FA77

    Heck, I bought a K-01 a short time ago when the price dropped to $299 and fell completely in love with it. People (mainly camera review editors) let the unusual design of the K-01 blind them to a really great camera. I like the K-01 so much that I bought a second one just to have a backup since...
  45. J

    Fuji Multi system user, and Loving it

    Not only am I a multi system user, but the systems I use are constantly changing (more or less). Right now I shoot m4/3, 4/3 DLSRs, Canon APS-C DSLRs, Pentax APS-C DSLRs and my trusty Fujifilm X10. A few weeks ago Pentax wasn't in that list but Nikon was. A few months prior to that Nikon...
  46. J

    Pentax Couldn't resist (the K-01 is surprisingly awesome)

    It is indeed a very comfortable way to shoot from the hip and to relax and compose the shot while using the LCD viewfinder. I just remembered this is also similar to how Giulio Sciorio from SmallCameraBigPicture.com holds and shoots the Olympus Pen cameras (check out this video at about 2:50)...
  47. J

    Pentax Couldn't resist (the K-01 is surprisingly awesome)

    This is a remarkably comfortable way for me to shoot with the K-01 (although I do have large man hands). It's "similar" to how I used to shoot with an old beat-up Hasselblad 500C back in college. I found this image of a Hassy shooter after a quick Google search. Hold fast to dreams |...
  48. J

    Pentax Couldn't resist (the K-01 is surprisingly awesome)

    Armanius, you only thought I had a K-01 already because I have 100 other cameras. I have a disease. ;) ... :( On a brighter note, I recently sold 4 cameras and six lenses that I don't use anymore and I'll probably sell a few more of my older cameras and lenses before the end of the year so...
  49. J

    Pentax Couldn't resist (the K-01 is surprisingly awesome)

    The bargain prices for the K-01 are just too good for this ex-Pentaxian to pass up even though I think the K-01 looks hideous and it is known to have slower AF than my E-M5. The reason that I couldn't resist is that I still have fond memories of using the Pentax Limited primes and some of my...
  50. J

    Fuji Why do you love your Fuji?

    I can pretty much just say "+1" to all your comments. I usually don't use my X10 "right next to" one of my DSLRs or m43 cameras, but I agree that the results from the X10 are surprisingly close to older-sensor DSLR quality and I'm never self-conscious about using it. I might even try using the...
Back
Top