Hin's Photo Corner

I am proud to be the photographer for my company Yahoo with the organization Women In Tech in recent conference for Career Advice from Yahoo Top Women Leaders. It was one of the best events that I have attended in Yahoo. Bravos to all of my female co-workers in Yahoo especially the wonderful staff members working behind the fine organization in Yahoo Women In Tech promoting career for women in the Tech industry.



They have the best T-shirt design that I have seen. It is all black and the wonderful logo that goes with "Code like a girl." And I got the t-shirt for my sweetie and I couldn't wait until the next model shoot with my wife on the WIT special T-shirt. The group actually hand out t-shirts for early attendants. How cool is that! Guys always show up 10 minutes late with a burritos and chips in their mouth. It was a well organized event from promotion to the final communication between the speakers and the audience. It was one of those events that you knew it was a big success when the audience couldn't stop asking questions from the guest speakers. The Yahoo Top Women Leaders included the CEO and two other executives.


The classroom 4 and 5 were full house in the event. And only my fisheye lens in Pentax DA 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 could have a complete view not losing the complete view of the audience.

Before the start of the event, I took my Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 for the entrance shooting with my flash in bounced angle working with Spectra Light Flash diffuser bouncing off from ceiling for the natural looking ambient light with the flash to lift up the shadows.





Once the interview started, I had to shoot with just ambient light without flash. I initially chose the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 but later changed with Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 for the longer reach that I could shoot in the side line.


And the DA* zoom does it beautifully in the event when I needed the extra reach to show the very engaged audience and commentator.






And the WIT committee did indeed pick the best commentator in the event with the best CTO that Yahoo has been fortunate to have hired. I took a not so good shot of Ari and I had to


to turn it to black and white to enhance the shot that had been hampered with motion blur.


Overall, it was a well organized event and we could gauge the success from the great feedback from audience requesting repetition of similar event towards the end. When I went to the meeting, I thought of my best two friends in college, Bing and Jenny, who are excellent engineers and who have excelled in their career paths to engineer lead and investment manager. And I couldn't help in thinking of my geeky niece Tati whom I admire for her super talent in building her own website in junior high school year. I am yet to call her Mom and see if I can steer her decision for business major in Accounting to some other alternatives related to technology and science. I wish I had a say and input for her career path as she is now in her junior year in Business School and she is quite talented for a science and engineering major.



And my niece Tati loves photography, animals, and many geeky interests that she is my perfect geeky niece to wear that "Code like a Girl" t-shirt. I am going to ask for another T-shirt from my good friends in Women in Tech group. I can't wait for their next event.


Related:

• All "Yahoo" Tagged Post
  
• Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8
• Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8
• Pentax DA 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5
• Pentax AF540
• Spectra Light Flash Diffuser
• Hin's Camera Gear

I always like to use my Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 as walk-around lens when my family goes out for family trip to places in weekends and holidays. It has the wide angle that I can use for landscape pictures. It has the best macro that I can ask for in a zoom with macro ratio in 1:2.3. Its range and macro capability easily rival my best zoom in that range with Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8. In terms of IQ and best for portrait, I prefer the Tamron. But in terms of usefulness for walk-around with emphasis on close up on flowers and landscape shots, the Sigma with its lighter weight is my choice to bring along. Its vari-focal apertures is a concern for others and the constant aperture f/2.8 in Tamron will make it a favor among many loyal users. But I like to share with others not to think less of the Sigma as it has a better close up ratio and its useful focal range makes it a better well rounded walk-around lens that are unique over the Tamron.










Impressions & Notes

• The close up in 1:2.3 ratio along with its 17-70mm focal range makes the Sigma an uniquely outstanding walk-around lens
• Variable focal aperture and speed is its weakness and I would prefer it for outdoor use.
  
• Weight is lighter and build is great. The zoom lock is useful.
• Focus throw is too short for manual focusing
• As far as I recall IQ and sharpness are better than Pentax FA 28-105mm f/3.2-4.5 especially when stopped down.
• I have used another good lens with Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8. Though it has better speed, I prefer the Sigma due to its good close up ratio and better focal range for walk-around.
  
• Its focal range makes it quite versatile that can be used as one single lens in a trip for landscape, close up, candid, and portraits.
• I highly recommend it for walk-around purpose

Related:

• Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 Macro
• Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 On Fireworks
• Pentax 1-lens choices
  
• Flickr Set in Phipph's Ranch
• Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 in Japanese Tea Garden
• Travel report in Emerald Bay in South Lake Tahoe
  
• Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II
  
• Pentax FA 28-105mm f/3.2-4.5
• Tamron SP 28-135mm f/3.5-4.5 adaptall-2 (28A)
  
• Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8
• Pentax 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 fisheye
• Hin's Camera Gear

This is an amazing capture in video with Pentax K-7. You can hear the sound recording from the background. It is a bit unfortunate but it does show how good the built-in microphone that is in Pentax K-7 that can pick up the distant noise in the back alley of the shooting location likely in a patio setting.

The author of the video in YouTube mentions the use of a Skymax 150 Pro along with Pentax K-7. I wish I have a picture to see the setup as I am not familiar with the equipment or whether a special adapter is needed. Is there a lens mounted on the Pentax K-7 to work with the scope or if the body is mounted directly to the scope with a special K-mount adapter? I am guessing on the former. I have the naive questions that I will hopefully post on the YouTube and ask the great author of the video. Please enjoy the great video made from Pentax K-7 and I am proud of what a camera can do with Pentax K-7


Related:

• Pentax K-7 related Videos
• Diego's Amazing video Pentax K-7 on Cambodia trip
• Nikon D90 is Tempting
• Moon Shot with Kenko 2x Pz-AF teleplus MC7
  
• Hin's Camera Gear

I find this by accident when I search for M42 topic and the video is something that I have been wanting to make to inform others on the mounting. Though portion of it is not as sharp focus as I would like, I find the instruction clear and it serves the purpose well for new users who has questions mounting M42 lens. It also talks about the preset rings in my favorite M42 lens with Jupiter 9 85mm f/2.0



Notes

• In the video, the creator uses only one finger in the dismounting, I personally find it easier to use 2 fingers to grab onto the 2 opening holes as I find it easier to dismount
  
• And remember in the dismounting, the spring plate needs to be pushed inward toward to the center of the camera. If you move the spring plate in the opposite direction, you are locking the adapter in the camera body.
  
• The video talks about the genuine adapter, you can't perform this simple operation with the 3rd party M42 adapters. I highly recommend others with the genuine adapter as it is safe and much easier to use without the need of extra dismounting tool
• I personally prefer to position the camera not lying totally flat on the horizontal position for fear of dropping the adapter into the mirror chamber
• You can search all related articles in this blog page tagged with M42 adapter
  

Related & Resources:

• Articles labeled M42 Adapter
  
• How to mount and dismount genuine adapter
  
• Pentax M42 Adapters
• Warning on 3rd party adapter
• How to convert M42 lens to K mount lens
• Custom settings on M42 lens
• Jupiter 9 85mm f/2.0 m42
  
• Hin's Camera Gear

I told my boys that I ran into the biggest number of spiders that I have ever seen. Sure enough, I took three of my macro lens to the same spot close to my workplace along a hiking path. I saw hundreds if not close to a thousand around trees and shorter bushes area scattered around the area. In quick look up for images on the web for Black Widows, those spiders that I have taken shots may be related to Black Widows. I assumed those with the big belly are the females.


I wouldn't use my Pentax DA 35mm f/2.8 1:1 macro as I would be too close to the spiders. I should have tried my Vivitar 135mm f/2.8 1:2 close focusing from Komine later when I manage to find the time to take more shots. All shots are done hand-held and post processed quickly with b&w in Picasa.






Impressions & Notes

• I really don't want to get too close to the subjects and hence I will prefer a longer minimum focusing distance.
  
• The Pentax DA 35mm f/2.8 1:1 macro limited would be suitable to get a wider view of the spider web but I would not use it up close to the Black Widows and their male counterparts
• I used manual focusing and up ISO to 400 and 640 for the shooting in late afternoon for hand-holding the shots, I would attempt tripod and an external flash to open up the DOF when time allows.
  
• My quick post processing with Picasa "I am feeling lucky" may have pushed the image and background unnatural.
  

Related:

• Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG 1:1 Macro
• Pentax DA 35mm f/2.8 1:1 macro limited
• Vivitar 135mm f/2.8 1:2 close focusing from Komine
• Picasa B&W
• Picasa "I am feeling lucky"
  
• Hin's Camera Gear

I happened to help my friend taking pictures for the graduation ceremony of Bharatanatyam Arangetram for their daugther. Bharatanatyam is a Southern Indian Classical Dance. It was my most challenged shooting where flash was not an option and fast movement of the dancer posed both excitement and difficulties in the shooting. Due to the lighting and need of speed, I took my best prime and zoom lens for the job.


Best Pentax Portrait and Event Lens

• Pentax FA 77mm f/1.8 limited -- shots on the red dress
• Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 -- shots on the green dress
• Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 -- used in family and banquet shots when I could use flash
  

Pentax FA 77mm f/1.8 limited

The lens delivered good results and I chose it for red dress in the first portion of the dance when the dance movement was faster. Unfortunately, I pushed the lens into wider aperture as in f/2.0 and f/2.2 hoping to leverage the ISO to within 400 to 800. I might have done better with f/2.8 and iso from 800 and up to 1600. And in using Av mode with f/2.0 and f/2.2 in ISO 500, I get shutter speed not quite matching the fast movement in the dance. 1/200 of a sec is a safer speed in the dance. Another difficulty comes from the fixed prime and awkward decision to make in NOT zooming with my feet as my position would block the views of audience behind me. I ended up crouching in the front row and took as much shots as I could for the faster part of the dance.

Framing of the shots became a difficulty in the shooting. WB and color was also an issue with the strong stage lighting along with the reflective golden stripes in the clothing. My Pentax gear are not the best in dealing with red color, I shot all in jpg. In hindsight, I should have shot that portion in raw but I could not afford the time in post processing 1K+ pictures after the shooting.








Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8

In the second half of the dance, I used the DA* zoom and the dance was slower in the greeen dress. I used TAv mode throughout 1st and 2nd half of the dance, the mode really helps me to freeze the motion when speed is critical in the 1/125 to 1/200 sec range. Though the dance was slower, I did the right thing to shoot more in ISO 800 to ISO 1600. Though heavier, the DA* zoom surprises me with the performance that seem to rival squarely with the prime lens. The ability to zoom also help tremendously in framing the shot in place.


Impressions and Notes

• Both lens really help me in the difficult shooting. I call them the best event and portrait lens that I have used.
• Though it is not a fair comparison, I prefer the results and consistency from Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 in the shooting. The IQ of the DA* zoom rivals the quality of my insanely good Pentax prime in the 77mm. It is simply amazing.
• The 77 limited is much easier to use for long duration due to its small size and lightweight. I felt sore arms half way in the shooting with the DA* zoom that I found myself crouching in the seat to find the needed extra support for my arms in framing.
  
• The FA 77mm f/1.8 did allow me to have pristine shots in extremely dark scene in the intermission where I could comfortably take pictures of the musicians and backstage.
• It was a lesson to be reminded to trust the higher iso in Pentax to work with faster movement.
  
• TAv mode is found invaluable when shutter speed is critical in making the shot
• The quiet SDM in the DA* zoom is suitable in stage shooting. If I had the Pentax K-7 with quiet shutter noise, I would have the least chance of disturbing the audience
  

Related:

• Pentax FA 77mm f/1.8 limited Insanely Good with K-x
• Bharatanatyam Rehearsal with Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8
• Pentax DA 70mm f/2.4 limited Test Shots
  
• Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8
• Pentax FA 77mm f/1.8 limited
• Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8
• Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4
• Cosina 55mm f/1.2
• Pentax K-7
  
• Hin's Camera Gear

I am quite happy in using the white panel as a reflector when the ceiling is black in color not serving well for the bounced flash. I normally prefer to use the transparent panel as it acts both as a reflector and partial light goes through it to ceiling for the diffused lighting for the subject.


Impressions & Notes:

• I use the solid white panel when the ceiling is not appropriate for bouncing light from the flash.
  
• I find the solid white panel more effective than the built in bounce card in Pentax AF540. For one it is much bigger in size and the most important enhancement is the angle that I can set in relation to the flash head.
  
• I can also slide the Velcro strap up and down the flash head to make minor adjustment to the distance between the flash head and the reflector
• I did try out the golden panel but I think I used it wrongly for indoor as shots come out too warm with a golden touch on faces in the dark. Perhaps, I would try the golden panel another time in outdoor setting for portraits.
  

Related

• Spectra Light Diffuser Review
• Spectra Light Diffuser on direct flash
  
• Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8
  
• Pentax AF540 flash
• Sunpak 422D auto thyristor flash
• Hin's Camera Gear

I happen to have a chance to use the Spectra Light Diffuser with my bounce flash in a direct position. I normally use my flash in a bounce position in an angle but I happen to take photos for my family in a church program at night with very tall ceiling, And I just want to try out the effectiveness of Spectra Light as a diffuser over the flash in a direct position



I actually snatch on the Velcro side way to give more diffused surface than what is shown in the picture. I need to find a spacer to align the transparent panel to center the panel over the flash head.

Results are pretty decent but I used it in the church in a good distance of 10 to 20 feet and effectively the longer distance may have already diffused the flash light. When time allows, I will try it on closer distance as in 5 to 10 feet away from objects. The first shot was taken at a closer distance to 6 feet. I used Pentax FA 77mm f/1.8 along with the spectra light diffuser for all shots in the church



The second shot above is in a good 15 to 20 feet away. The light is diffused enough so I can't really conclude how effective the Spectra light works as a diffuser. I will do more shots similar to #1 shot where the subjects are in closer distance. So far, I don't see the flash lighting that is overwhelming in the resulting shots.



The third and fourth shots are in a medium distance, roughly 8 to 12 feet away from my shooting position. It comes out quite alright to me. The shadow in #3 on the back is not as distracting as I would hope for.


Impressions & Notes

• Though I would prefer to use the Spectra light used with a bounced flash, I find that it helps a bit as a diffuser when the flash is in a direct position
• I need a spacer to center the transparent panel to the center of the flash head
• When used as a diffuser, I find the shots less flashy as compared to other shots when I use my flash in a direct position aiming straight onto the subject

Related

• Spectra Light Diffuser Review
• Spectra Flash Light Diffuser as Reflector
  
• Pentax FA 77mm f/1.8
• Pentax AF540 flash
• Sunpak 422D auto thyristor flash
• Hin's Camera Gear