Monday, February 21, 2011

When it rains, sometimes it pours. Dear Pentax friends...

 Email: brqyvn@gmail.com

Thank you so much for your comments and the dozens of emails in this difficult time for me and my family. I do have a lot of "Cyber Friends" after all. I really appreciated it.

Hi Pentaxian friends.

When it rains, sometimes it pours. Dear Pentax friends, my mother passed away last night (Sunday Night). I am flying from Los Angeles to Montreal tomorrow (Wednesday Morning 6:00 A.M.) to be with my brother and sisters in this difficult time. I will do the best I can to introduce the new DSLR item promised last week. (I think I may have bitten more than I can chew!) I have the item with me and I am bringing my laptop with me. Hopefully I will have some time to rest at night and post (some news) what I promised. If I can’t bring the item with me, I will divulge what it is and why it will be so useful to photographers, and especially for Pentax K-7/K-5 users for now. Let's do that early next week. I will be flying back Monday. I'm so sorry, I thought I was going to be stronger, but it really hit me hard today. She has been my guiding light.

From my album on Smugmug: This is me and my daughter Marisa, last October, when we visited my mother for her 94th birthday. I will miss her terribly. Those that lost their mother will  understand. The circle of life continues...Marisa is now three months pregnant. This is the irony of life! My mother seeds of life will live through me, through my daughters (Sabrina and Marisa) and my grandchildren, I have one six years old grandaughter and one on the way.

P.S. Events, nature, landscape photography etc, are great, but a dime a dozen. Pictures of your family and friends are priceless.


Yvon Bourque

Thursday, February 17, 2011

What happens when three entrepreneurs get together? In our case, you get great DSLRs ancillary equipment and you get AlettA Photographic.

Made in the USA, Available Worldwide.

What happens when three people, (an Engineer / Photographer / Publisher, a Marketing Director / Boutique Guitar shop owner and a Custom Motorcycle fabrication shop owner) get together? You get great DSLRs ancillary equipment and you get AlettA Photographic.

Next week we will unveil our first DSLR accessory. It is going to be number one of many photographic equipment  to come. Our equipment will be top quality, using an ultra modern machine shop with CNC Plasma cutters, 3D CNC Mill, 5-axis Water Jet cutters,. This  expensive machinery will be utilized to make our High Quality Photographic Ancillary Equipment. We also anodize and powder coat  in house.

This is not going to be cheap plastic equipment. It will all be made in the USA and competitively priced. It's not that  foreign equipment is bad, it's because we live in the USA and we are proud of making a small difference in the economy by fabricating our equipment right here and hopefully creating jobs in the process.

Furthermore, as we get esablished as a Company, we will also  fabricate custom items just for your particular needs.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

#3 - Continuation...Something new is coming and it's getting closer. Pentax K-7 and K-5 get it first just because that's what we use every day.



All the speculations thus far are not what we have developed at this time. We can hardly wait to tell you all about it, but we need the final product in our hands first. Some will like it and some won't.

You know, some people are disappointed when any new camera or accessory is announced if it's not a game changer, and there cannot be game changers every time.

I think our item will be of particular interest for travel photographers, wildlife photographers, landscape photographers but can be useful for all kind of photography. Actually, studio photographers may not have much of a need for it.

We are supposed to get our finished demo product Monday. If all works as intended, we should be able to release the product shortly thereafter.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

#2 - Continuation...Something new is coming and it's getting around the corner. Pentax will be the first to get it.




WOW! We never thought so many  people would be that interested. Let me say that what's coming is not made by Pentax nor is Pentax sponsoring us. We are starting with the Pentax K-7 and K-5 because these are the cameras that we love and use everyday.

There are no software involved (except for the manufacturing) and there are no glass either, not yet anyway. It is being made right here in the U.S.A. It's not something silly and DSLR users might ask themselves how they managed without one for so long.

We will be introducing more than one item, all adaptable to Nikon, Canon, Sony and Olympus as well.
Hopefully we can let you in on it very soon.

P.S. Several people suggested that this “something new” would be another e-book.  No, it’s not another e-book although a new e-book is in the works for the Pentax K-r.

Monday, February 14, 2011

#1 - Something new is coming and it's right around the corner. Pentax will be the first to get it.


Something new is coming. DSLRs will never be the same...
Pentax K-5/ K-7 will get it first, but  Nikon, Canon, Sony and Olympus will get it next.

There's a new kid in Town...we are not Pentax, nor are we sponsored by Pentax, we just love Pentax more, hence the releases for Pentax first. We will have more than one surprise.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

The instruction manual that should have come with the Pentax K-5. Maybe this is it.

 Email: brqyvn@gmail.com

Hi Pentaxian friends.

It's a universally known fact that EOM Manuals (Pentax, Nikon, Canon and others) are complex and ambiguous. They are translated in multiple languages and the original, being in Japanese, often becomes vague in another language. The e-book presented here was written specifically for the Pentax K-5. It contains 300 pages of information pertaining to the K-5 as well as photographic “How-to”, color photographs as examples of what it being taught, lots of theory and hands-on explanation, all written in a not-so-technical way that everyone can get something out of this e-book. This is the most complete e-book in our series of e-book published for the Pentax line of DSLRs.  In addition of the demo pages below, a free and more complete sample download of the e-book is available here. You can also purchase the e-book here for the price of a few Starbucks coffees.

I am an Indie publisher, basically meaning that I am a self-publishing author, not part of the Amazon or big publishing companies. Unless you sell millions of books, there are absolutely no monetary benefits in belonging to a global publishing company. I don't ask for donations to write and maintain this blogsite nor do I post Google ads. There are no negative reasons in asking for donations or posting Google ads or being sponsored by the big camera stores like B&H or Adorama, etc. It's just not my cup-of-tea. My blogsite will never grow to the enormous sizes of some of the other sites, because I'm almost strictly PentaxPentax accounts for about 5% of global camera equipment sales.  I'm okay with that. I'm a diehard Pentax user and will stay that way.

I received many positive comments about my e-books, and that makes me feel good, and justifies the long hours it took to write my e-books. I appreciate my blog readers and e-books buyers. I hope to be able to continue this endeavor for a long time.

Thank you for reading my blog and thank you for your encouragement.

Yvon Bourque









By the way, if you have suggestion about what you would like to read on this blogsite, let me know.



Monday, February 7, 2011

LIMITED EDITION SILVER K-5

 Email: brqyvn@gmail.com

Hi Pentaxian friends.

PENTAX ANNOUNCES LIMITED EDITION SILVER K-5




Compare the K-5 Limited eDITION with  the K-7 Silver Limited Edition.

AND THREE DA LIMITED EDITION SILVER LENSES





Golden, Colorado (February 7, 2011)…PENTAX Imaging Company has announced that the popular K-5 digital SLR will be available soon in Limited Edition Silver. Available in the US in limited quantities this special-edition model of the PENTAX K-5 digital SLR camera will feature an exclusive design with an original exterior color scheme and a uniquely shaped grip.

Along with the silver K-5, PENTAX announced three popular PENTAX DA Limited Edition Silver lens models designed for use with PENTAX digital SLR cameras also which will ship in the near future. Each limited edition lens will feature a high-quality, silver finish applied to the high precision machine shaped lens barrel, hood and cap.

The three prime lenses that will be available in silver include:



• smc PENTAX-DA 21mm F3.2 AL Limited Silver

• smc PENTAX-DA 40mm F2.8 Limited Silver

• smc PENTAX-DA 70mm F2.4 Limited Silver



The special edition, silver finish K-5 will match existing PENTAX FA-Limited series lenses and the new DA Limited Silver series lenses. The camera’s mode dial, control buttons and levers all feature the elegant silver color. To improve handling, this special-edition model comes with an exclusively designed grip that is thicker than the standard K-5 model. Shock-resistant, scratchproof reinforced glass has been used to protect the LCD monitor on the camera’s back panel and the status panel on the top panel.

First announced in September 2010, the K-5 DSLR offers a true high-end, weather-resistant prosumer design and features normally found only on the most costly of professional cameras including:



• High resolution 16.3 megapixel CMOS sensor.

• Fast 7 FPS to capture fast action shots.

• A high sensitivity 80-12800 ISO range, expandable to 51200, with improved noise performance overall.

• Widescreen 1080p HD video at 25 FPS with sound via built-in microphone or external 3.5mm stereo microphone jack.



The unique DA Limited series of prime lenses offers incredible sharpness and image quality, and are made specifically for PENTAX DSLR cameras. These lenses are ideal for even the most discerning photographer who demands top performance in an ultra-compact package. The high-grade aluminum construction of the DA Limited series provides the utmost durability and elegant design.

Whether paired or purchased separately, the Limited Edition Silver K-5 and the smc PENTAX DA

Limited Silver lenses will offer owners a classic, high-end photography expererience. Priced at $1699.95 (body kit), the PENTAX K-5 Limited Edition Silver will be available in April 2011.

The PENTAX DA Limited Edition Silver lens pricing and availability are TBA. More information is available here: www.pentaximaging.com and product images are available here:


Preorder is available here:  http://www.pentaxwebstore.com/


PENTAX ADDS SECOND LENS FOR 645D MEDIUM FORMAT:

 Email: brqyvn@gmail.com

Hi Pentaxian friends.

PENTAX ADDS SECOND LENS FOR 645D MEDIUM FORMAT:


smc PENTAX D FA 645 25mm F4 AL [IF] SDM AW



GOLDEN, CO (February 7, 2011)…PENTAX Imaging Company announced the addition of a second lens for the 645D Medium Format digital camera. As the second model of the 645D lens series, the smc PENTAX D FA 645 25mm F4 AL [IF] SDM AW is designed as an ultra-wide-angle lens that features PENTAX-original optics optimized for high-quality digital photography to assure exceptional image- performance as well as dependable dustproof, weather-resistant construction for active outdoor photographers.

Offering a focal length of approximately 19.5mm in the 35mm format (or approximately 15.5mm when mounted on a PENTAX 645-format film SLR camera body), this new lens provides the widest perspective of all PENTAX 645 lenses. Creating visual effects unique to ultra-wide-angle lenses — such as exaggerated perspective and enhanced depth of field — this lens may be used for a wide range of subjects including spectacular landscapes and indoor shooting in confined spaces.

Priced at $4999.95 USD, the smc PENTAX D FA 645 25mm F4 AL [IF] SDM AW lens

will become available in April 2011. More information is available here: http://www.pentaximaging.com/


The lens is available for preorder on: http://www.pentaxwebstore.com/


PENTAX ANNOUNCES OPTIO WG-1 AND WG-1 GPS

Email: brqyvn@gmail.com

Hi Pentaxian friends.

PENTAX ANNOUNCES OPTIO WG-1 AND WG-1 GPS




DIGITAL CAMERAS:

Flex Your Sense Of Adventure With The Newest Generation Of

Waterproof, Shockproof, Coldproof, Dustproof Compacts

Product images are available here: http://www.pentaximaging.com/press/pressfiles.html



February 7, 2011(GOLDEN,CO)…PENTAX Imaging Company has announced its 12th generation of adventure series digital cameras – the PENTAX Optio WG-1 and PENTAX Optio WG-1 GPS. Featuring outstanding waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, coldproof, and crushproof capability, these extra-rugged models take adventure photography to new heights (and depths).

The new and improved features on the PENTAX Optio WG-1 include:

• 14 megapixel sensor.

• Waterproof to 33 feet.

• Shockproof, ruggedized design to withstand falls up to 5 feet.

• New crushproof construction* to withstand weight force up to 220 pounds (100kgf kilogram-force).

• Enhanced Digital Microscope mode that offers five macro LEDs for excellent macro lighting plus a detachable macro stand for steadier capture.

• Fast Face Detection technology, Smile Capture, and Blink Detection for portraits including a handy new Self-Portrait Assist mode perfect for facebooking and other social networking activities.

• Available with and without GPS, the WG-1 GPS functionality* tracks and records positional data recording with images for geo-tagging applications making it easy for users to check the shooting locations of captured images and link the data with PC-based maps.

*Measured under PENTAX-original testing standards.** GPS included only on the select WG-1 GPS model.

Other important WG-1 features include:

• Coldproof to sub-freezing temps of minus 10 degrees C (14 degrees F).

• Dustproof protection for dry, dusty environments.

• Wide angle 5X internal optical zoom lens (28-140mm equivalent).

• Large 2.7 inch LCD features a wide angle 16:9 aspect ratio with anti-reflective coating.

• Video capture in widescreen 720p HD at 30 frames per second.

• Pixel Track and Digital Shake Reduction ensure sharp, blur-free images.

• An autofocus assist lamp helps to quickly and accurately focus, even in challenging lighting.

• An HDMI port to play back beautiful, high definition images and video on HDTVs.

• Infrared remote control compatibility with the waterproof Remote Control WP, as well as other PENTAX infrared remotes.

• Designed with the look of mountaineering equipment, the new Optios includes a woven web fabric strap in complementary color accents complete with a carabiner to attach the camera to a backpack and other outdoor gear.

• Eye-Fi wireless SD memory card connectivity for built-in Wi-Fi capability to transfer photos and videos from the camera to a computer or an online sharing site (Eye-fi cards sold separately.)

Priced at $349.95 USD, Optio WG-1 will be available in a choice of Black or Purple, while the Optio WG-1 GPS will be priced at $399.95 USD and available in Black or Yellow Green. Both cameras will ship in April 2011.

A waterproof infared remote control (sold separately) for use with the PENTAX Optio WG-1 and other infrared compatible Optio models is available now for $29.95 USD. More information is available here: http://www.pentaximaging.com/

The PENTAX Optio WG-1 is available for preorder on:  http://www.pentaxwebstore.com/

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

I'm at a crossroad again. Still a Pentaxian, but post-processing platform...Mac or PC?

 Email: brqyvn@gmail.com

Hi Pentaxian friends.

I have been a user of the PC platform forever. Photoshop, Lightroom have been by tools for years and I have to admit that I have been pleased with the results. All my business work is done using Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel. All my books were written using Word. There are no questions as to the popularity of the PC world.

However, it seems that most serious or professional photographers and graphic artists have been using the Mac for their graphic work. As I understand, the iMac is  supposedly much better and easier to use for graphic, music, cinema, and most of the artsy side of computing.  I never owned a Mac and frankly always thought that they were way too expensive.



There is an Apple store I visit once in a while when I go down to Los Angeles. The screen resolution and clarity seem to pop out at you. Applications like IPhoto, IMovie and Garage Band are very impressive and tempting. It's one thing to look at an iMac at the Apple store  but the real test is likely to have one at home and work on it for a while before making a judgement as to which machine would be best for a photographer.

So.I spent $300.00 and   purchased a used iMac G5 with 1.8GHz and upgraded the RAM to 4GB right away.  It only has apple software on it and I cannot compare Lightroom on both platform. I used iPhoto and copied about 2000 of my images, both RAW and JPG, from the PC to the Imac. The iPhoto runs pretty smooth and I can't say that the images are better on it, but it is an old computer running a much slower processor The iMac does run Microsoft Office 2008 and all my usual writing tools are remaining the same. That's a good thing. The iMac is about 6 or 7 years old and the processing speed is not great compared to my current PC which only runs XP.  With Windows 7 pro on a new PC (around $800.00) I could get 64bit processing and clock speed in the 3.5 MHz or so. The newest iMac in it's simplest form, 21.5"-3.06MHz-4GB RAM, is $1,200.00 then add Microsoft office, some editing software and other necessary tools, you at $2,000.00. Buy a Mac Pro quad-core starting at $2,500.00, plus software, you way pass my budget.

I have to admit that I really like the ease of the operating system on my cheap iMAC G5. This is the way a true windows operating system should work. It is very intuitive and the applications are running very smooth. As far as I know, you rarely get any viruses when runing the Apple Platform. I suppose that the number of Apple computers worldwide is not big enough to satisfy the appetite of hackers.

So, I'm at a crossroad again. It's time to upgrade and I'm not sure what I should do. Some of you have always used a PC  and probably would tell me to go with a PC again. Some of you have always used a Mac and probably would tell me to go with a Mac again. Some of you certainly have used both platforms and have very valuable experience with both platform. I would appreciate any guidance from you guys in particular. You can post comments herein, send me an email brwyvn@gmail.com , reply on my Facebook or Twitter as well. I am posting this blog on photo-net and hope to get comments there too.

Thank you, you are the best,

Yvon Bourque