To celebrate the New Year 2011, my Statcounter has recorded the 2-million pageviews milestone in the morning of this New Year Eve, which is surely a nice new year gift for me! ;-)
Let's see what will happen for Pentax and for me in 2011~ Stay tuned!
Related:-
4th Anniversary of My Blog
(Alexa) Traffic Ranking of Pentax-Theme Websites
Site Traffic of My Blog Matches 30% of that of the Dpreview on Pentax Contents
RiceHigh's Pentax Blog - 1,000,000 Page-Views
Updating of Blog Editing Direction
Why This Blog?
Friday, December 31, 2010
645D Vs M9 Vs 5D II Vs K-5 Vs K10D Resolution Comparison
via http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1036&thread=37318586
and http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=37324270
For easy comparison, I've direct linked the samples. Note that the 645D samples are cropped 100%, whereas all other are resized to match the same size:-
Set One:-
Set Two: (Test and resizing were re-done for the K-5 and M-9 (only) owing to the poor result of the K-5 above. A guessed reason causing which is the out-focusing of the first K-5 picture.)
Related:-
How AF Errors Can Decrease *Effective* Resolution?
Major Causes of Poor AF Reliability of Pentax DSLRs
Is the AF Accuracy of Pentax K-5/K-r Really So Bad?
and http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=37324270
For easy comparison, I've direct linked the samples. Note that the 645D samples are cropped 100%, whereas all other are resized to match the same size:-
Set One:-
| 645D + 75mm |  |
| M9 + 50mm Summilux |  |
| 5D II + 50mm L |  |
| K-5 + 35mm FA |  |
| K10D + 35mm FA |  |
Set Two: (Test and resizing were re-done for the K-5 and M-9 (only) owing to the poor result of the K-5 above. A guessed reason causing which is the out-focusing of the first K-5 picture.)
| M9 + 50mm Summilux |  |
| K-5 + 35mm FA |  |
Related:-
How AF Errors Can Decrease *Effective* Resolution?
Major Causes of Poor AF Reliability of Pentax DSLRs
Is the AF Accuracy of Pentax K-5/K-r Really So Bad?
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Yet a DA(L) 35/2.4 Review, with Crops and Samples
http://info.xitek.com/pzreview/xitektest/201011/25-54995.html
(in Chinese, English Translation Here (machine-translated))
Lens is tested at different apertures and 100% crops are shown. The lens was tested with a Pentax K-r. Bokeh are checked and wide opened shots are posted. And there are other "normal" sample shots of "real-life" as well.
In particular, look at those wide opened shots at f/2.4, and we would know why a larger aperture / faster lens is always desired if perfect bokeh is wanted:-
Note that the "circles" near the extreme boundaries of the frame (actually closer to the perimeter of the image circle) have become olive shaped owing to the blocking by the lens barrel. So, to get this effect disappeared completely, stopped down is required - typically for one to two stops, depending on the optical design. Hence, assuming that it requires 1.5 stops closed down for the aperture before perfectly round bokeh is obtained, we should not see this effect anymore at f/4, but then the DoF is greatly increased as a result.
In fact, the "blocking" effect for bokeh happens more often for zoom lenses which usually suffer more than primes, owing to a longer lens barrel for zooming which results in even more blocking for such a zooming design. It is therefore prime lenses are still required for more demanding purposes and this included, i.e., for all perfectly round bokeh for background highlights and objects. However, with small fastest apertures of many of those digital Pentax DA primes, this key prime lens advantage has been diminished, frankly speaking.
Attraction of Nikon
Our honourable official Pentaxian of the Year, Mr. Lance Blackburn, has gone completely Nikon, even now for the APS-C format, see:-
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1034&message=37294774
via Lance B is enjoying his Nikon D7000!: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review:
This is somewhat against what was told by Lance before, as some posters in the above DPR discussion thread have already pointed out, I also wonder if Lance would use his K-7 and Pentax system anymore. At least it can be seen (in his profile page) that he posts nothing more about Pentax at the DPR forums, but just Nikon! Lance, all my best wishes to you for enjoy using your D700 plus new D7000 body with all those new beloved Nikkor lenses of yours! Hope you use them to take more great photos then! :=D
Btw, I just wonder, what "push" Lance to get the D7000 instead of the K-5? Do these ten reasons apply? :-o
Previous Related Stories:-
Mr. Pentaxian Has Decided to "Move On"
The Official Pentaxian of the Year Has Gone Nikon D700
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1034&message=37294774
via Lance B is enjoying his Nikon D7000!: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review:
This is somewhat against what was told by Lance before, as some posters in the above DPR discussion thread have already pointed out, I also wonder if Lance would use his K-7 and Pentax system anymore. At least it can be seen (in his profile page) that he posts nothing more about Pentax at the DPR forums, but just Nikon! Lance, all my best wishes to you for enjoy using your D700 plus new D7000 body with all those new beloved Nikkor lenses of yours! Hope you use them to take more great photos then! :=D
Btw, I just wonder, what "push" Lance to get the D7000 instead of the K-5? Do these ten reasons apply? :-o
Previous Related Stories:-
Mr. Pentaxian Has Decided to "Move On"
The Official Pentaxian of the Year Has Gone Nikon D700
Eliminating the Rolling Shutter Effect, via Software Editing
http://philipbloom.net/2010/10/31/imovie11/
Quite impressive.. Dunno if it also works for faster moving objects and/or more complicated scenes..
Quite impressive.. Dunno if it also works for faster moving objects and/or more complicated scenes..
Is the AF Accuracy of Pentax K-5/K-r Really So Bad?
See this recent poll at a large German Pentax forum:-
http://www.dslr-forum.de/showthread.php?t=798146
(Google English Translation Here)
At the time of writing this Blog post, there are 47+62+10+58 = 177 votes input for the poll. Amongst which 58 users do not have neither a K-5 nor a K-r. But for those who have the two latest Pentax bodies with the SAFOX IX/+, the failure rate for accurate AF is 39.5%, whilst for those users who reported that there was no problem is in 52.1% and the remaining 8.4% of the K-5/K-r users are just uncertain about the problem.
In fact, quite some new K-5 and K-r users are still complaining about the AF accuracy of their new units daily, just see two recent examples here and here. For some more previous AF issue reports for the K-5 and K-r, just search here.
Related:-
Major Causes of Poor AF Reliability of Pentax DSLRs
http://www.dslr-forum.de/showthread.php?t=798146
(Google English Translation Here)
At the time of writing this Blog post, there are 47+62+10+58 = 177 votes input for the poll. Amongst which 58 users do not have neither a K-5 nor a K-r. But for those who have the two latest Pentax bodies with the SAFOX IX/+, the failure rate for accurate AF is 39.5%, whilst for those users who reported that there was no problem is in 52.1% and the remaining 8.4% of the K-5/K-r users are just uncertain about the problem.
In fact, quite some new K-5 and K-r users are still complaining about the AF accuracy of their new units daily, just see two recent examples here and here. For some more previous AF issue reports for the K-5 and K-r, just search here.
Related:-
Major Causes of Poor AF Reliability of Pentax DSLRs
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
20 Best Selling DSLR/ILDC Models in Japan for the Year 2010
As in the last year, here is yet again the survey by the Japanese BCN, for this year:-
http://bcnranking.jp/news/1012/101228_18981.html
(in Japanese, Google English Translation Here)
As usual, I summarise the brand share and ranking as below:-
The brand share and ranking of the last year is also included. And as in the last year, Pentax has come last amongst all current "major" DSLR/ILDC brands and makers. Last year they had two models entered the Top 20, this year they have one only. But yet the good thing is that there is still a 0.4% share gain, though.
http://bcnranking.jp/news/1012/101228_18981.html
(in Japanese, Google English Translation Here)
As usual, I summarise the brand share and ranking as below:-
| Ranking | Maker | Number of Camera Models on List | Market Share | Market Share (and Ranking) Last Year in 2009 |
| 1 | Canon | 7 | 32.1% | 37.9% (1) |
| 2 | Nikon | 4 | 26.8% | 28% (2) |
| 3 | Sony | 3 | 9.5% | 4.0% (6) |
| 4 | Panasonic | 3 | 8.6% | 8.5% (3) |
| 5 | Olympus | 2 | 6.4% | 4.3% (4) |
| 6 | Pentax | 1 | 4.7% | 4.3% (5) |
| Total: | 88.1% | 87% | ||
| Remaining/Other Models: | 11.9% | 13% | ||
| Whole Market: | 100% | 100% |
The brand share and ranking of the last year is also included. And as in the last year, Pentax has come last amongst all current "major" DSLR/ILDC brands and makers. Last year they had two models entered the Top 20, this year they have one only. But yet the good thing is that there is still a 0.4% share gain, though.
Posts of the Months 2010 (Major Pentax Events of the Year)
Well, it's time for me to take a review on the major Pentax events in 2010, I've selected at least one more important post per month for the whole year of 2010. Here they are~
Btw, shall we see a Pentax Full Frame DSLR and/or a Pentax ILDC in 2011? Let's wait and see! :-) If it really happens, it will be the true big events of Pentax in recent years, not only just in 2011! :-o
Last but not least, to complement my list of important Pentax events which I posted in 2010, here is Yet a Poll for the most significant (Pentax) Product(s) or Invention(s) of the Year. Your take now! (Multiple choices allowed.)
Btw, shall we see a Pentax Full Frame DSLR and/or a Pentax ILDC in 2011? Let's wait and see! :-) If it really happens, it will be the true big events of Pentax in recent years, not only just in 2011! :-o
Last but not least, to complement my list of important Pentax events which I posted in 2010, here is Yet a Poll for the most significant (Pentax) Product(s) or Invention(s) of the Year. Your take now! (Multiple choices allowed.)
Monday, December 27, 2010
K-5 Serial Numbers and Issues Summary
http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-serial-number-database/?do=viewserials&id=133
Looks neat and useful~ I think PF has done a good job this time! :-D
Looks neat and useful~ I think PF has done a good job this time! :-D
A (Late) Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!
My greetings here~ A Very Merry Christmas and A Happy and Prosperous New Year to come! :-)
Here are some recent photos to share. For measurbation purpose, I've uploaded the photos in Large size! ;-> (Click to Enlarge in a New Tab/Window)
The above photos are taken with my K-x with my FA24-90 on it; AF Adjustment via Debug Mode +130um, EXIF preserved. Btw, I used fully charged NiMH batteries last night which always shown a green battery indicator, but my K-x still hanged up for at least three times! The outdoor temperature was about 10 Deg. Celsius.
Also, two more photos taken with my NEX kit (w/ E-mount 18-55 lens):-
The NEX does not have a hotshoe, so I couldn't mount a level on it by no means and practically it does impose some accuracy problem in getting the correct level, as in the dark all those thin grid lines on the LCD monitor display are just invisible! :-( Anyway, the NEX did never hang up like what my K-x did! >:-[
Related:-
Over Hong Kong: Serious Problem of Air Pollution Caused by Industrial Over Production :-(
My K-x' Time Longevity on AF Accuracy
How to Resolve the K-x Battery Problem?
Better K-x Rechargable Solution? Is the NiZn Safe?
Season's Greetings 2009 :-)
Here are some recent photos to share. For measurbation purpose, I've uploaded the photos in Large size! ;-> (Click to Enlarge in a New Tab/Window)
The above photos are taken with my K-x with my FA24-90 on it; AF Adjustment via Debug Mode +130um, EXIF preserved. Btw, I used fully charged NiMH batteries last night which always shown a green battery indicator, but my K-x still hanged up for at least three times! The outdoor temperature was about 10 Deg. Celsius.
Also, two more photos taken with my NEX kit (w/ E-mount 18-55 lens):-
The NEX does not have a hotshoe, so I couldn't mount a level on it by no means and practically it does impose some accuracy problem in getting the correct level, as in the dark all those thin grid lines on the LCD monitor display are just invisible! :-( Anyway, the NEX did never hang up like what my K-x did! >:-[
Related:-
Over Hong Kong: Serious Problem of Air Pollution Caused by Industrial Over Production :-(
My K-x' Time Longevity on AF Accuracy
How to Resolve the K-x Battery Problem?
Better K-x Rechargable Solution? Is the NiZn Safe?
Season's Greetings 2009 :-)
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