tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063079619074407721.post6814087644958734501..comments2023-07-26T04:24:52.429-07:00Comments on PENTAX DSLRs: Is technology taking our photographic creativity away? Will the Pentax K-5 allow better image compositions than the old Pentax Spotmatic?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16363645754592641317noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063079619074407721.post-85397632836716301922010-10-17T10:48:44.864-07:002010-10-17T10:48:44.864-07:00From my perspective, the biggest impediment to ful...From my perspective, the biggest impediment to fully manual operation comparably facile to earlier film SLR cameras is the lack of quick, reliable manual focus. <br /><br />We need an option for something faster and more decisive and positive, such as ground glass screen with a central split image central portion. <br /><br />Merely electronically enlarging a central area on an LCD is not sufficient but it certainly is slower. A physically longer focus range would also help precision. <br /><br />This is actually my biggest gripe about current high end cameras. We can deal with exposure issues by using the spot metering option.Joe Kashinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063079619074407721.post-34206497602294709972010-10-03T01:36:26.643-07:002010-10-03T01:36:26.643-07:00Michael Perham, I don't agree with you. What y...Michael Perham, I don't agree with you. What you writing about is really just a luck of SKILL and not some magic impact of technology. If people cannot adjust correctly exposure (to have the snow white and rocks black) or make proper composition after focusing, then they would not make any image in the old days when you had to do everything manually.<br /><br />I repeat: the real problem is not that the technology takes creativity away, but that it makes people think they can make photos while they obviously don't.<br /><br />Now we have better, more sophisticated tools, but we still have to LEARN to use them.<br /><br />Unless you are talking about the cheap point-and-shot cameras, where you can manually adjust nothing... My photography teacher told that the equipment simply must not be an obstacle in making pictures.<br /><br />And one word to Anonymous: I am happy that you liked shooting with your film camera. However, it is not true that with K10D you can simply snap 124 shots, store them in hard drive and barely see them. As a competent photographer, you still should choose 10 best ones (and in my opinion sharp and decently exposed is not enough to call the photo a really good one) and PRINT them. And trash the rest!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063079619074407721.post-16595114342642222472010-10-02T11:11:45.108-07:002010-10-02T11:11:45.108-07:00Michael Perham,
Well said.Michael Perham,<br /><br />Well said.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16363645754592641317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063079619074407721.post-83638062991311902812010-10-02T11:10:27.529-07:002010-10-02T11:10:27.529-07:00Anonymous said...
"I would like to exchange ...Anonymous said... <br />"I would like to exchange links with your site pentaxdslrs.blogspot.com<br />Is this possible?"<br /><br />It is indeed possible, but I need to check if your site complements this Pentax Blogsite. You can send me a link to it at brqyvn@gnail.comAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16363645754592641317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063079619074407721.post-81085489648181184672010-10-02T07:58:40.654-07:002010-10-02T07:58:40.654-07:00I think technology has taken away much from much o...I think technology has taken away much from much of the average shooters creativity. The late great Herbert Keppler observed that composition was lost because people used the autofocus point as their center of interest, and too many images ended up with the subject smack in the center of the image. <br /><br />The same applies to auto exposure, black rocks turn grey and white snow also. Every thing is on cruise controll and no one is really driving these days.Michael Perhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08745743450452442659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063079619074407721.post-11240769316752787662010-10-02T04:50:19.716-07:002010-10-02T04:50:19.716-07:00I would like to exchange links with your site pent...I would like to exchange links with your site pentaxdslrs.blogspot.com<br />Is this possible?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063079619074407721.post-86637645123887338722010-09-30T15:32:42.880-07:002010-09-30T15:32:42.880-07:00Yesterday, for the first time since 2002, I took p...Yesterday, for the first time since 2002, I took photographs with film.<br />I'm sat here now with the pictures on the desk feeling really pleased with myself.<br /><br />They weren't special pictures, I went out to test an old Praktica MTL50 with my favourite Helios 44-2 lens and used a cheap roll of Kodak ISO200 film, I just shot pictures for the sake of it and noted down the settings I used.<br /><br />But I enjoyed the whole experience, I had to concentrate even more that when I use a manual focus lens on my K10. I had to remember to wind the film on, and I kept trying to chimp the black leatherette back of the Praktica!<br /><br />Why do I feel so pleased with myself though? because out of a 24 exposure film I got 23 sharp, and decently exposed pictures.<br /><br />With the K10 I can do the same 2 hour walk and come back with 124 pictures, all stored on a hard drive and barely seen.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063079619074407721.post-35080776857380443562010-09-30T13:12:15.350-07:002010-09-30T13:12:15.350-07:00I don't think that any camera can help anyone ...I don't think that any camera can help anyone to make better image compositions. Make better exposure, focus on faces without even thinking about it, yes. It's only on who's face it will be focussing. Any camera can be used as a point and shoot in full auto mode. <br />If photography is p&s for you any camera will work. On the other hand if you want to show the world how you see it (or would want it to be) you'll have to figure out what composition is.rhermanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07241473109602974403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063079619074407721.post-38798530322605402342010-09-30T12:57:11.659-07:002010-09-30T12:57:11.659-07:00Maciek D,
So many ways to come to a conclusion on...Maciek D,<br /><br />So many ways to come to a conclusion on this. Give a brand new Nascar racing car to a person with excellent driving records and put then in a race. Do you think they will even complete the race? I would think there would be a long learning curve to that.They actually need to know a lot about mechanic so they know what to do not to ruin the engine, etc. Put a kid in front of a video car racing game. He will master it pretty quick but does he compare to a real nascar drivers?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16363645754592641317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063079619074407721.post-6174300651556578292010-09-30T09:48:38.797-07:002010-09-30T09:48:38.797-07:00If you set your camera mode on AV for example and ...If you set your camera mode on AV for example and perhaps use exposure compensation to fine tune a shot, your camera is still only adusting film speed, shutter speed or f/stop. That is all there is...no magic settings,those are the only real tools the camera has. If you use any other settings( I tend to use auto if I am shooting a birthday party) you are just adding another layer of tools. How often have you messed up a shot because you forgot that you had left your camera in some custom setting. Composition is not dependent on camera settings...only painting with light is. Yvon is correct that you should use things like "thirds" but you can do that in any mode. I recommend shooting twilight pictures with a tripod to test your "tools" and create photos with beauty and feeling.<br />Still I'm sure new photographers without the film experience of Yvon and me will learn to use their tools just fine. But I can't help thinking they will sometimes be left wondering why a shot didn't work. Maybe it was the cameras fault : )Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063079619074407721.post-76928846260183660262010-09-30T01:44:07.874-07:002010-09-30T01:44:07.874-07:00Yvon,
But look at this from the other side. An ad...Yvon,<br /><br />But look at this from the other side. An advanced camera can help non-techies to focus on the composition, capturing the decisive moment etc. Henri-Cartier Bresson was pre-adjusting his camera settings to the most universal ones (large DOF, average lighting etc.) and did not think on them while making pictures. At the same time Ansel Adams was manually controlling every single parameter of image capture and developing. Both of them were making remarkable pictures, both were astonishingly creative.<br /><br />Maybe you are right when talking about folks who are just learning. They should indeed check what they can do manually. But once one is proficient, he himself decides whether to use manual mode (like Adams) or automatic (like Bresson). But it have to be a conscious decision of the photographer.<br /><br />Luckily there is still more to photography than just aperture-exposure-iso settings. No computer will replace photographer's vision (provided he has any, but if not than he should rather go fishing instead of taking photos).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063079619074407721.post-33183209056684256242010-09-29T15:38:33.242-07:002010-09-29T15:38:33.242-07:00Maciek D:
I agree that it's just a tool, but ...Maciek D:<br /><br />I agree that it's just a tool, but a tool that can take your creativity away by automating almost the whole process. On the other hand, I don't think you could give a DSLR to a monkey and expect good images...I think, but I'm not completly sure. ;)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16363645754592641317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063079619074407721.post-51618184490830587912010-09-29T12:37:29.658-07:002010-09-29T12:37:29.658-07:00I think you are taking it wrong, i.e. you are misl...I think you are taking it wrong, i.e. you are misleading the cause with the result. The problem is not that technology is taking the creativity away, as it is just a tool. Jean Michel Jarre's music is not less creative than the one of classic composers (I you doubt it, listen to Oxygene or The Last Rumba). Similarly, photographs taken with DSLRs are no less creative than the one made with 3x5 inch large format camera.<br /><br />It's all about people and the REAL problem is that advanced equipment is far too easily accessible. In my opinion is anyone is sticking with the "green" mode and using only a kit lens, that he should not have ever buy the DSLR. On the other hand, I have seen wonderful images made with an iphone.<br /><br />So, the answer to the question "Is technology taking our creativity away?" is No! It only enables non-creative folks to shot pictures that have acceptable technical quality. But, if you really consider taking Photographs seriously think of image first and then use any tool you have(*) to make it. In that sense I think you conclusion is similar to mine.<br /><br />(*) I should rather say: the tool you can use best. I feel most comfortable with digital and Photoshop (Gimp actually, but it is no difference) that I can use to obtain the effect I want. However, my colleague hates this stuff and prefers film and hours spent in darkroom. But the idea is the same: to use the tool, not to be ruled by it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063079619074407721.post-13330496245866761062010-09-29T00:29:57.614-07:002010-09-29T00:29:57.614-07:00Boris:
Good luck with the MX. It was a hell of a g...Boris:<br />Good luck with the MX. It was a hell of a good camera and still is. It will rejuvenate your creativity.<br /><br />fRANK d:<br />We must be twins, we just were never told. :)<br /><br />tmt:<br />Digital is definitely cheaper per image. I don't completely agree that a Nikon D3s would make anyone with creativity take great pictures. It takes time and learning composition.<br /><br />John Taylor Gordon:<br />I agree with you completely. That is the message of this post. Use the amera in manual mode, chose the aperture, shutter speed and ISO combination to produce the image you want. Add golden rules like the rule-of-third, etc, and make the picture you planned the first time.<br /><br />I appreciate everyone's comments.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16363645754592641317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063079619074407721.post-39542849638424535662010-09-28T19:11:55.675-07:002010-09-28T19:11:55.675-07:00I also used a spotmatic for decades, now with my K...I also used a spotmatic for decades, now with my K10D ( it was the flagship when I bought it)I shoot in full manual most of the time. It just seems to make things so simple, if the shot doesn't look right for any reason I know which of the basic three things I need to change... that's it three! It's just like having a spotmatic with instant playback, a histogram and light and dark warning. It's better than yesterdays fully manual...cheating. With a tripod and a few filters and "stuff" I only need imagination.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063079619074407721.post-19658220842753122822010-09-28T06:10:06.822-07:002010-09-28T06:10:06.822-07:00Umm... It might seem like you programming your ima...Umm... It might seem like you programming your images, but personally I think the good images are far more than just good camera. Give a Nikon D3s to somebody who have no imagination, patience or spontaneity to create good pictures, she won't be able to make one.<br /><br />But if somebody have the above, but is not a technical person (like many of the girls I've met :)), it's far more easy to them to express themselves.<br /><br />I've started with analog photography. My granddad was a good photographer, and I spent a lot of time helping him in the darkroom (eeh, the bathroom, to be exact :)). I appreciate darkroom skills. Digital is more accessible, but require the same amount imagination to create art (or even good images).<br /><br />But that's my opinion :)tmthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10311719757186213607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063079619074407721.post-48000777575191976942010-09-28T05:22:59.289-07:002010-09-28T05:22:59.289-07:00We must be walking the same path as I too was musi...We must be walking the same path as I too was musician in my early years and after the temp band i was broke away I bought keyboards and Cakewalk and a home studio to add to my singing and guitar playing. <br /><br />Technology does take the organic out of creativity. There is nothing like getting together with a bunch of musician and creating music. <br /><br />I only shot film for a while before going into digital. I can say digital is cheaper, its very forgiving, but sometimes all the immediate gratification can spoil a person instead of shooting and waiting for the roll to get process and printed. <br /><br />But I think these new cameras allow for a lot more creativity and create new forms of art like HDR. For me Pentax actually accentuates my creativity because of it size. It doesn't get in the way the way a bigger heavier camera would. They also allow for more ability to capture the moment at 7 frames per second and 51000 iso. Its just getting better and who knows when it will stop.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15790033934604396443noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063079619074407721.post-87311248717033969462010-09-28T02:17:44.071-07:002010-09-28T02:17:44.071-07:00Yvon, Pentax MX is now on its way to me. I plan to...Yvon, Pentax MX is now on its way to me. I plan to mount on it my old trusty A 50/1.2, load it with the roll of Fuji Velvia 100 or Fuji Superia 100 and take it for a walk.<br /><br />I still opine that for my personal style of shooting likes of K10D are more than enough. Probably even less than K10D, something in between *istD and K10D really.Boris Libermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13492536795376346604noreply@blogger.com