Low light Lens or a Good Flash

[tiong78]

try to use higher iso and a good flash for fill in, make sure your setting allows u to capture the background so that it does not go black due to under exposure. usings speedlight 2 would also help even out the lighting in such a situation.alsop take note AS does not help when taking people under low light. cos they can move. you will still need to note the basic rule of shutter speed 2X the focal length for ppl.unless they are stationary.

 

[creampuff]

Actually I think your group shot is a pretty good ambient shot considering you don't have any control over the location's down lights from the ceiling. To me the best flash photography has always been how to ensure it doesn't look like it was flash photography.

 

[airconvent]

Quite impressed with the AF360 flash.
Although its not the higher end 540, its performance significanty exceeds that of the built-n flash. For one, its range is very good. I was able to illuminate my kid who was some 10-15m away very clearly. Also, the flash stremtg control is better.
The problem with the built in flash is if you stand too close, the subject becomes over exposed but for the 360, most of the shots' exposure is good meaning the flash strength's level is adjusted correctly.
My only gripe is there are so many features I do not know what to set.
Anyone can advise what are the best default settings for the flash?
Thanks

 

[fengwei]

Quite impressed with the AF360 flash.
Although its not the higher end 540, its performance significanty exceeds that of the built-n flash. For one, its range is very good. I was able to illuminate my kid who was some 10-15m away very clearly. Also, the flash stremtg control is better.
The problem with the built in flash is if you stand too close, the subject becomes over exposed but for the 360, most of the shots' exposure is good meaning the flash strength's level is adjusted correctly.
My only gripe is there are so many features I do not know what to set.
Anyone can advise what are the best default settings for the flash?
Thanks

Default setting? Well, just move the switch to the far left end for normal flashing most time, and keep it like that. Sometimes you can push the switch to the far right end for HighSpeedSync fill flash (daytime flash) ... You don't need to do anything about the flash w/ P-TTL feature in your K100D Make sure you have some kind of diffuser (like a Sto-fen OmniBounce Diffuser and etc.) on when needed.

 

[fengwei]

BTW guys, one of my friends just bought the 540 flash. He's letting go off his 360 flash plus a maching Sto-fen OmniBounce Diffuser. All in mint cond w/ original box and receipts. Pls let me know if interested ...

 

[eyespeek]

Its not that the 50 f/1.4 can't manage it well. I am saying if I took some shots without flash and default wb, then you will get the effect as shown by the 3 person photo.
Mind you, this effect cannot be achieved by my P&S camera although my Fujifilm V10 does come close to it!
But I think some people do not appreciate the "warm" feeling. They prefer a brightly lit image obtained from a flash....
I took some of my relative with this warm effect but when they saw the photos, they commented why the picture so "orange" or so "dim"....sigh...

I prefer the warm effect. Sometimes even in the wedding, the warm effect could make people feel the ambient is very comfortable.

 

[airconvent]

I prefer the warm effect. Sometimes even in the wedding, the warm effect could make people feel the ambient is very comfortable.

Although we all have our preferences, I think the intended audience also very important. for traditional aunties and uncles, they do not appreciate the artistic slant, so a typical atomic detonation flash would satisfy them better...they just want to see their faces clearly:bsmilie::bsmilie::bsmilie::bsmilie:

 

[airconvent]

Default setting? Well, just move the switch to the far left end for normal flashing most time, and keep it like that. Sometimes you can push the switch to the far right end for HighSpeedSync fill flash (daytime flash) ... You don't need to do anything about the flash w/ P-TTL feature in your K100D Make sure you have some kind of diffuser (like a Sto-fen OmniBounce Diffuser and etc.) on when needed.

thanks..it was in one of the other positions. I read the manual a few times but still can't figure out what they mean! so will keep to the far left as recommended. For the switch on the left, do I keep it up or down?
cheers

 

[fengwei]

I prefer the warm effect. Sometimes even in the wedding, the warm effect could make people feel the ambient is very comfortable.

Yeah, I agree w/ you on this one. Here is a shot I took over the weekend at a friend's wedding:

Ds+FA31 @ F1.8, 1/50s, ISO400. A flash will definitely spoil the mood

 

[fengwei]

thanks..it was in one of the other positions. I read the manual a few times but still can't figure out what they mean! so will keep to the far left as recommended. For the switch on the left, do I keep it up or down?
cheers

Sorry, didn't get what you mean. Did you mean the one on the right edge, right? The one you'd need to push it to the up position. Good luck.

 

[eyespeek]

Hi, Fengwei,

What do you think the price of pentax lense in Singapore market, comparing with those in US and HK market?

Thanks!

 

[fengwei]

Hi, Fengwei,

What do you think the price of pentax lense in Singapore market, comparing with those in US and HK market?

Thanks!

No much difference I'd say. But in US there are rebates on many Pentax lenses. HK is about the same as here, especially w/ the new DA lenses. If you are looking for old FA/F lenses, HK might be a good place

Good luck.

 

[eyespeek]

I am wondering whether any body could start to list the price of Pentax lenses in Singapore here like those who did in Canon's column.

 

[fengwei]

I am wondering whether any body could start to list the price of Pentax lenses in Singapore here like those who did in Canon's column.

Well, guess we don't need a list. If you want to buy a Pentax lens, just go to Cathay Photo and get it there. Not many stores selling Pentax lenses, so no competition here

 

[airconvent]

Sorry, didn't get what you mean. Did you mean the one on the right edge, right? The one you'd need to push it to the up position. Good luck.

Hi Feng wei
Yes. the one on the right. my mistake, thanks for the info.

BTW, in a nutshell, what is the main difference between the DA and FA lenses?
I know you mentioned some technical areas but who exactly is Pentax targetting for these 2 types. Eg DA for Beginners DA and FA for more advanced users, etc?

Also, does Cathay Peninsula keep many of the lenses? I was at Cathay Marina Square and they had about 7 Pentax lenses plus one AF540 Flash available only (apart from the K100d and K10D). One of these is a limited lens (43mm, I think). They do not even stock k-mounted sigma lenses. I wanted to go to peninsula but that br closes too early...sigh...

 

[eyespeek]

Hi Feng wei
Yes. the one on the right. my mistake, thanks for the info.

BTW, in a nutshell, what is the main difference between the DA and FA lenses?
I know you mentioned some technical areas but who exactly is Pentax targetting for these 2 types. Eg DA for Beginners DA and FA for more advanced users, etc?

Also, does Cathay Peninsula keep many of the lenses? I was at Cathay Marina Square and they had about 7 Pentax lenses plus one AF540 Flash available only (apart from the K100d and K10D). One of these is a limited lens (43mm, I think). They do not even stock k-mounted sigma lenses. I wanted to go to peninsula but that br closes too early...sigh...

I think DA is specially for DSLR, and FA is for DLR and DSLR.
the lense with * or "limited" should be considered as "professional level", just like L lense in CANON.

Am I right, Fengwei?

 

[fengwei]

I think DA is specially for DSLR, and FA is for DLR and DSLR.
the lense with * or "limited" should be considered as "professional level", just like L lense in CANON.

Am I right, Fengwei?

Yes, you are right about the DA lenses, which are indeed enhanced and designed for digital SLR cameras. All FA lenses can still be used on a digital SLR camera, but they might not perform as well as they do on a film SLR camera (mostly due to the light path inside the lens, and different coatings). Base on my own experiences, most FA lenses still work very well or even better on digital SLR cameras (keep that in mind, the cropped sensor only uses the center part of the glass w/ FA lenses, not the whole), so please don't limit yourself when buying a DA or FA lens. They should all work great on your digital SLR cameras.

As to the * or LIMITED marks, it's just a way Pentax promote their products. * lenses usually have great optical quality and build quality as well, but still they are not weather sealed like Canon's L lenses. They usually cost alot more than non-star lenses, but really worth the cost imo. All FA LIMITED lenses have great optical and build quality, excellent performers, kinda waste to use them on digital SLR cameras. A film camera can show their beauties even better. As to DA LIMITED lenses, they are designed for digital SLR cameras, and suppose to replace the FA LIMITED ones. LIMITED doesn't mean they are limited in production but means Pentax put in more effort to build them so each and everyone of them should have the highest quality as possible.

If you really love Pentax, go and get one or two * and LE lenses, you'd love Pentax even more if doing so

 

[CY_OH]

Hi Feng wei
Yes. the one on the right. my mistake, thanks for the info.

BTW, in a nutshell, what is the main difference between the DA and FA lenses?
I know you mentioned some technical areas but who exactly is Pentax targetting for these 2 types. Eg DA for Beginners DA and FA for more advanced users, etc?

Also, does Cathay Peninsula keep many of the lenses? I was at Cathay Marina Square and they had about 7 Pentax lenses plus one AF540 Flash available only (apart from the K100d and K10D). One of these is a limited lens (43mm, I think). They do not even stock k-mounted sigma lenses. I wanted to go to peninsula but that br closes too early...sigh...

The main differences between FA and DA are as follows :

FA
- covers full frame 35mm and APS sensors.
- aperture ring.
- powerzoom on a few lenses.
- FA* lenses with large apertures and ED elements.

DFA
- same as FA, with additional coatings for digital sensors.

DA
- covers APS sensors only, 35mm coverage not guaranteed.
- no aperture ring.
- no powerzoom.
- upcoming DA* lenses with large apertures, ED elements and in-lens focusing motors.

I don't think Cathay sells Sigma lenses. You can try MS Colour or other stores instead.

 

[raincool2005]

i would say low light lens.. flash u can get it later mah.. :sweat:

 

[airconvent]

mm...so the bottomline is the DA line is meant for digital only and is inferior to the FA series but due to a combination of characteristics, a photographer is best served by an optimal mix of DA and FA lenses, presumably balancing money and performance?