Hin's Photo Corner

After getting Pentax DA 15mm f/4.0 limited and that I have used the new lens quite a bit for the ultra wide angle needs, I question myself if I need Pentax DA 21mm limited and my fisheye lens with Pentax DA 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5. Before I jump into any conclusion, I try to bring it to good use whenever I find the right scene. I am so glad to bring this lens to a group lunch in Xanh in Mountain View, a very classy Vietnamese restaurant that offer buffet lunch with great style and good taste. I was very much indulged in good food but I tried to find time for pictures. The fisheye lens really came through in the tight corners to have 180 degree view at 10mm and it does well with people shots in 16 and 17mm where the distortion is not as severe.

I was late to the table as I spent the extra few minutes of time in shooting the restaurant interior.





And I was surprised with a drink of salty plum soda and it was surprisingly refreshing and good. This place is a must visit if you ever think of lunch in Mountain View Castro street.




And when I left the restaurant, the narrow doorway leading to exit to the garage parking invites the widest angle to savory the good-bye shots to a wonderful experience in Xanh of Mountain View. I have told my boys and wife that I will bring them to this classy restaurant next time we visit Mountain View.




Related:

• Pentax DA 15mm f/4.0 limited in Traveling
• Mirchi Cafe Fremont with Pentax DA 15mm f/4.0 limited
  
• Pentax DA 21mm f/3.2 limited in Traveling
• Pentax DA 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 Test Shots
• The Tech Museum
• Hin's Camera Gear
  

My family dined out in Zpizza in Fremont last Friday. This place is a a great alternative to Round Table and Pizza Hut since they offer pizza in lighter toppings with less meat. And their variety of toppings and salad are unusually healthy as compared to other places that my family have visited.

My boys and I really enjoyed our 2nd visit to the Zpizza in Fremont and it will become one of our favorite places to go and they have take out delivery that we are yet to try out. The owner of Zpizza in Fremont allowed me to take as many pictures as I desired and after the meal, I showed them a few pictures with my Pentax K20D and Pentax DA 21mm f/3.2 limited, and they are thrilled with the results they requested me to send to them. I will do that later on. This is a small business franchise and I won't charge them for anything. I hope they link back my page if they ever use my pictures for testimonial.

I used Pentax DA 21mm f/3.2 limited for the shooting. I found few pictures off focus a bit under the tungsten lighting and I learned it from others that AF in tungsten may suffer from accuracy under tungsten lighting condition. I will take it as an important learning experience to observe the distance as well as going for manual focus when results seems off in preview.








Impressions & Notes

• Zpizza is interesting pizza place in Fremont not to be missed. Service is great and the owner are friendly to picture taking. My kids love dining out occasionally and I love food pictures. I highly recommend dinning out in Zpizza and remember to bring your camera with you and ask permission to take fun shots on your boys and the pizza.
  
  
• Always ask for permission first for courtesy as a photographer as picture taking may bother privacy of patrons and the restaurant.
  
  
• Pentax DA 21mm f/3.2 can do reasonably well in close up. Not that it is the best, but its close focusing is surprisingly good.
  
  
• AF seems to hunt a bit and under tungsten lighting, it may be better off to attempt manual focusing. A lightweight tripod may come in handy though it is more likely to bother people along your path of picture taking. Be courteous with a smile. People understand and may enjoy your enthusiasm with food on the table. With my camera, food do taste better as your visual and photo senses can enhance both the tasting and aroma with the pizza
  
  
• I forget one important adjustment in the shooting. I forgot to raise the pizza at an angle on the back to create a better view on the pizza.
  
  
• While DA 21mm is not a close focus lens, it serves the indoor purpose shot on food quite well and the wider view with good bokeh shows interesting background quite well. I leverage the street lighting on the background on some of the pizza shot
  

Related:

• Zpizza in Fremont
• Pizza with Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4
• Pentax DA 21mm f/3.2 limited In Traveling
  
• Sushi wit Pentax FA 50 f/1.4
• Pentax DA 21mm f/3.2 limited
• Cosina 55mm f/1.2 with +4 close up
• Hin's Camera Gear