The Pentax K-01, the second-best hybrid sensor.

Email: brqyvn@gmail.com

 Hi Photographer friends,

Check below for the full review / report from DxOMark

Friday March 30 2012

The Pentax K01, Pentax’s first serious hybrid, turns in a great performance, arriving in second place in its category. All of the results are available here:Pentax K-01.

Overall score:

2nd place among hybrids (79), 17th place across all categories.
Development of the K-01’s sensor was based the same kind of sensor technology used in the Pentax K5 and Nikon D7000 (which share the same Sony 16Mpix sensor), making this comparison relevant: K-01 Vs K5 Vs D7000. The K-01 achieves very good scores in Portrait and in Landscape.

Portrait:

2nd place among hybrids (23.7 bits), 17th place across all categories.

To derive the Portrait score, we analyze the sensor’s capacity to furnish vivid, varied, and accurate colors under good lighting conditions (i.e., studio).

The K-01’s performance is the same as the K5’s - unsurprisingly, since they basically use the same sensor.

Landscape:

2nd place among hybrids (12.9 EV), 15th across all categories.

The K-01’s performance is below that of the K5 - but then, the K-01’s sensor has 12 bits whereas the K5 has 14 bits.

Sport (Low-Light ISO score):

1st place among hybrids (1135), 20th place across all categories.

The Sport score (alias Low-Light ISO score) lets you know how far you can go with regard to ISO without compromising image quality.

The K-01 takes first place on the hybrid camera ranking thanks to its APS-C sensor, which is larger than the majority of hybrid sensors so it captures more light. We will see below just how close its results are to those of its competitors equipped with APS-C sensors.

Nikon announces their new Flagship, the D4. Only 16.2 megapixels. What's the message here?

Email: brqyvn@gmail.com

Hi Photographer friends,

Nikon just announced their new flagship DSLR, the D4.  I'm a Pentax user and why do I post this announcement about Nikon? Check the D4 on B&H Photo.

This new announcement from Nikon sends a clear message...to me anyway. They are using the FX sensor for this camera. but it's only 16.2 MP. This is a clear message that the Full Frame megapixels sensors are over-rated. Technology has come a long way and APS-C sensors are capable of taking better images than what our eyes can see. This full frame non-sense was the way manufacturers got away cheap by making the old 35mm film format the defacto standard of what full frame should be and a way to reuse the 35mm format lenses.

Every sensor is a full frame sensor, it's the lenses used that are not matching the sensor. Nikon has chosen a 16.2 megapixel CMOS sensor. 16.2 megapixels is good enough for 99% + of the time and produces file sizes easily manipulated with today's computers for post-processing.

Pentax is the smartest camera maker out there. They use APC-C sensors or Medium format like the 645D. They were ridiculed for making color camera bodies, but now the entire industry does. They designed the "Q" and once again ridiculed, but Nikon copied the concept immediately.

Long live Pentax :)

My Blogsite of the day. "The Hidden Realm".

Email: brqyvn@gmail.com

Hi Pentaxian friends.

I found this Blogsite tonight and I just had to feature it as my "Blogsite of the day". I know his name is Dave and he lives in Dorset, United Kingdom.  Some people just have an eye for photography, and I certainly think that Dave has a good eye for photography. My goodness...he's only been shooting since March of 2010.  He shoots with a modest Nikon model  (We won't hold that against him, he has talent and he would have taken equally good images with a Pentax K-5.) Dave, give up your day job and make a career switch, I believe in you. Click on the image below to visit his site and see more of his great images, and think to yourself  "This guy has only been shooting for a little over a year."

My preferred images are, and have always been, images that convey movement. These are usually taken with the camera held steady in one position while moving objects get blurry. Those images are worth a thousand words.

"I am a 42-year old Scorpio, a husband to my loving wife Eng, and a father to my beautiful daughter Ysabelle, aged 7. We live in the picturesque town of Poole, Dorset, UK. I was an avid computer gamer and DOF, F-stops and the like, were foreign to me until my wife introduced me to photography. I consider myself an accidental photographer. It all began on March 16, 2010 when my wife decided to buy herself a Nikon D5000. Due to her workload she asked me to read the camera's manual and study its functions. After a week of reading and experimenting, I found myself endlessly capturing photos. I had started to see a different perspective around me, I quickly became hooked to photography and ended up buying my own Nikon D80. I started this blog to share my journey and to learn along the way. I would like to say hello and thank you to all who have taken the time to visit. Special thanks to my wife who encouraged me and to all my friends in Blogosphere who shared their knowledge and taught me to further this craft."

I'm pretty sure a tripod was used for all of Dave's pictures. An AlettA Stabilizer would help anyone take pictures like these. AlettA Photographic.

 Email: brqyvn@gmail.com

Field trip with my Pentax K-5 & K-7, both fitted with the AlettA Stabilizer. I can't wait to ship them out to you all.

Email: brqyvn@gmail.com

Hi Pentaxian friends.

First, I have to apologize once more for not having the Stabilizers on hand for shipping. It is so frustrating having something manufactured  in our Country, that sometimes, I too think it would be cheaper and faster to have my stuff manufactured in China. I'll wait out for a few more days, maybe another week, but if I don't get my shipment, I will be forced to look somewhere else. I really don't want to. I really want to have all my equipment fabricated here in the USA, but it's so complicated. It feels like I'm doing something bad.

Fabricators and Manufacturers seem to be willing to make my equipment when their work load is slow, it seems,  or in between bigger jobs. I understand that my "less-than" one thousand units order is not enough to keep a shop in business, but that first order (Less than 100 units to get started) is just  as important to me as as the one million dollar order from a giant Corporation.

I have to confesst that I have been discouraged many times during the design, the patent application process, the Blogging (that went viral with words put in my mouth by others), and now the manufacturing stage of my Stabilizers. I have been ridiculed on many forums, I have been challenged and I have been called names.  I recall it being the same when I wrote my first book for the Pentax K10D almost four years ago. In fact, DPReview kicked me out of their site when someone else posted about my new books. It was perceived as spamming, although someone else was doing the blobbing and writing.

Oh well...I keep telling myself  "Don't ever, ever give up."...and I won't ever, ever give up, because I know that when you get one of the Stabilizer under your camera, you'll see how practical it is.

Today, being a day off from work for me, I drove to the country side to take pictures of the spring flowers and to test the Stabilizer used under certain conditions.  What I was looking for today was uneven surfaces where the Stabilizer could be used instead of a cumbersome tripod. Of course, only certain situations require stabilization, such as dim lighting, slow shutter speed, creation of intentional blurring of rushing water, etc. However, my rule-of-thumb has alway been to use a tripod whenever possible for the best blur-free image. It's not my rule-of-thumb only, as most landscape and wildlife photographers always use a tripod.

So here are some images showing how the Stabilizer can be used in the field, not just for big lenses but for any lens attached. I will show the other advantages of the Stabilizer in the days and weeks to come. Remember that your best lens...is the one you have attached to your camera.

Click images to enlarge.

This picture was taken with the camera stabilized on a mail box. See picture below.

In this picture, the camera was actually stabilized on the ground. I used the bubble level to make sure it was levelled. Normally, my face would have been in the dirt!

Stabilized on a rock.

Stabilized on the roof of my Pick-up truck.

Shown here with the back legs extended.

Shown here with the front legs extended.

Shown here with the right  legs extended.

Shown here with the all the  legs extended to conform to the uneven surface. The camera is always  in perfect alignment with the horizon, regardless of the surface irregularities.

Yes, you can use a bean bag, but it's not easily carried around with you. It's similar with a tripod...it does the same, but it's cumbersome. The Stabilizer remains attached to the camera at all times, even when stored in your camera bag. It also prevent your large lenses from tipping over, and it also protect the bottom finish of the camera.

P.S. The Stabilizer shown here is attached to a K-5 or a K-7. It has the same contour as the battery grip. Because the bottom of each cameras, or battery grips are different, this particular Stabilizer may not fit all brand of DSLRs. With time, Stabilizers will be built for each major / popular DSLRs.  "Universal" models may be available as, small, medium and large.Thank you for reading,

Yvon Bourque

Mini vacation in Palm Springs and Anza-Borrego Desert with Pentax K-5, K-7, K-x and K-r.

 Email: brqyvn@gmail.com

Hi Pentaxian friends.

My brother and his wife visited us this past week. We took advantage of their visit and spent four days in Palm Springs and visited the Wind Farm.. While there we also drove to the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. We had a good time, although I broke my K-5 by dropping it on the ground, with the telephoto lens hitting first and tearing the k-mount completely off the camera.

I will write more about the vacation, the K-5 and pictures we took, but I thought I would just post some pictures tonight.



First morning in Palm Springs, on our way to the Wind Turbines.

© Yvon Bourque - K-5

 

The sun peeping through the clouds and dark skybehind  gave us some unique opportunities.

© Yvon Bourque - K-5

How lucky can we get, a rainbow to top it off.

© Yvon Bourque - K-5



Second day, 7:00 A.M, entering the Anza-Borrego Desert State park.

© Yvon Bourque - K-5



The cactus were in bloom.

© Yvon Bourque - K-7



And so were most of the wild flowers, however, we had to get off the paved roads.

© Yvon Bourque - K-7

Look at what we found; The famous  "Great Road Runner", roaming around for food!

© Roland Bourque - K-x

I'm not a "Birder", but this one was pretty. Anyone knows what it's called?

© Yvon Bourque - K-7
it's an adult male Bullock's Oriole. More info here:
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Bullocks_Oriole/id
Contributed b yMiserere...Thank you.

What a nice Church, in the middle of the desert.

© Roland Bourque - K-x

We were being watched. These are wild dogs that people just leave behind. We couldn't approach them.

© Roland Bourque - K-x

P.S. The AlettA DSLR Stabilizer will be available sometime early April. I have my first big order scheduled for delivery to me next week.  I won't advertize it again before I get them in my hands.

Coming soon...

Best Regards,

Yvon Bourque

Thank you for your patience and support. INTRODUCING THE "ALETTA DSLR STABILIZER".

Email: brqyvn@gmail.com

 

Hi Pentaxian friends.

 

There are numerous things that have bothered me for years when using my DSLRs.  I looked everywhere for  an all inclusive type of solution but could not find any. Eventually, I designed something to fix the problems or inconveniences. For the last year, photographer friends and family told me to patent my invention and to market it. Several Pentax employees I met at various shows told me the same. I'm finally doing it.

 

Here are the problems or inconveniences I am alluding to:

 

• 1.  When using a telephoto or long zoom lens, the camera cannot stand in the upright position when laying it down on a flat surface.  This has caused many broken or scratched lens hoods and even scratches on the camera body.

 

 



This has caused many broken or scratched lens hoods and even scratches on the camera body. While some telephotos have tripod mounts, these are mostly for distributing the weight evenly.  They are rarely tall enough to protect the camera, or the lens itself, when resting the camera/lens on a table or other surface.

The Aletta  DSLR Stabilizerresolvesthat problem. 

 

 

 

•   2. Sometimes I like a camera strap around my neck and sometimes I like a hand grip. A hand grip secures the camera in your hand and is super convenient when shooting events or in a fast pace environment. The problem with current hand grips is that the part that fits under your camera covers about half of the body preventing you from laying the camera flat. They are also very unstable when setting the camera on a tripod while keeping the hand grip installed.

 



The problem with current hand grips is that the part that fits under your camera covers half of the body preventing you from laying the camera flat.

The Aletta DSLR Stabilizer resolves that problem.



• 3. I often go on photo treks and try to keep the equipment down to a minimum, while having enough for the unexpected. I always need a tripod at some point. It's easy enough to bring, let's say...a wide angle zoom lens, a normal to medium zoom lens and a medium to extreme zoom lens. What I hate the most is carrying the tripod. It's always in my way, except when I need it and then it takes times to stabilize it, extend the legs, etc.

The Aletta DSLR Stabilizer resolves that problem.

 

 

• 4. Don't you hate it when you travel with your camera and  night time comes. You see good opportunities to take long exposures of night scenes, but you don't have your tripod with you. You try to set the camera on a tree stump or branch, a fence, a mail box, but can never stabilize the camera straight. Too often, your pictures either come out blurry or tilted.

The Aletta DSLR Stabilizer resolves that problem.

 

• 5. Most newer DSLRs now have video capabilities. This opens up a whole new world. Wouldn't it be nice to have reasonably priced supports for taking videos? Wouldn't it be nice if all types of supports could be made to work together, again at a reasonable price?

The Aletta DSLR Stabilizer will have that capability as we grow.

 

• 6. While some of the newer DSLRs have an electronic level built in, it would be nice to have a bubble level with your DSLR at all time.

The Aletta DSLR Stabilizer resolves that problem.

 

 

SO HERE IT IS: "ALETTA DSLR STABILIZER".

 

• It protects your camera from scratches.

• It stabilizes the camera even when a long Zoom or Telephoto is attached. While some telephotos have tripod mounts, these are mostly for distributing the weight evenly.  They are rarely tall enough to protect the camera, or the lens itself, when resting the camera/lens on a table or other surface. (See the first picture above)



Never damage your long lenses anymore.



Overall view

• It incorporates a bubble level, slightly offset for better reading.

 

Easy to see bubble level.

• It has a 1/4" threaded hole underneath if you want to install the whole camera system on a tripod for studio work.

 

It has (3) sets of screw-in extending legs, (four in each set, 1/2" long, 1" long and 1-1/2" long), allowing levelling of the camera on a rock, mail box, fence, or just about any uneven surface for night photography or simply to replace your cumbersome tripod. It's great for field trips and wild life or landscape photography.

 

Four different sized of screw-in legs are supplied. - 1/2", 1" and 1 1/2".

• We use genuine non-slip "egrips" on the top surface to prevent camera shifting.

A hand grip is included for secure camera holding. (A genuine leather hand grip will be available at extra cost.)

Underside view.

 

 

• S-biners are supplied so that you can install your neck strap when needed or remove it quickly when not needed.

 



Camera strap in use.



The S-Biners makes installing and removing the neck strap simple and quick.

• It is made of aircraft aluminum, CNC machined for durability and quality. (No cheap plastic here)

The overall finish is black velvety powder coating, matching the look and durability of your camera finish.

 

It is made of Aircraft Aluminum,  CNC machined. You paid a lot for your DSLR, don't you want quality products to match it? It weights a little over 12 ounces, but most tripods are weighing around 4 pounds.

 



 

The K-5 stabilized on a car roof and hood. You can see the adjustable legs in use. These "screw-in "legs can be adjusted to most shapes, (tree trunks, mail boxes, benches, fences, etc, You will appreciate that capability when traveling or when you are without a tripod. Once attached to the camera, you never have to take it off. It fits in your camera bag.



 

It works without the Battery grip, but doesn't conform to the smaller footprint perfectly. For that matter, it will fit on any DSLR. We are contemplating making three different sizes, accommodating most DSLRs. However, custom cut for a particular DSLR always looks better. You can let us know.

For all the other peripherals it replaces, incorporated in one unit, we are introducing our "DSLR Stabilizer" at a target price of $149.95 U.S. We will have a finite price once we calculate the exact manufacturing cost.

 

We Will start shipping in April, and you will be able to pre-order in a few days. You can also send us an email,  brqyvn@gmail.com  and request to be informed when the Aletta DSLR Stabilizer is available for shipping.

 

Be prepared to answer questions from other photographers everywhere you go. They are intrigued by it.

 

More photos and videos to be released in the next few days.

UPDATE: Pentax Friends and fellow photographers, all is back to normal and I will introduce my "Gizmo"Friday afternoon@ 2:00 P.M. California time.

UPDATE:

Pentax Friends and fellow photographers, all is back to normal and I will introduce my "Gizmo"Friday afternoon@ 2:00 P.M. California time. I received it tonight and it's just a matter of taking pictures of it, and post them.


Email: brqyvn@gmail.com

Hi Pentaxian friends.

I know many of you are disappointed with the tardiness of the introduction of my new "Gizmo". First, I never imagined that my humble Blog post about "Something new is coming and it's getting around the corner. Pentax will be the first to get it" would go viral so quickly.

Then, the passing of my Mother stopped everything for me. For those that have lost a parent, you understand how it feels. I have been worrying about that moment since I was a little boy.

I don’t want to trouble you anymore with my grieving, and this week will be the week I finally introduce my new “Gizmo”. I received a sample unit this past weekend, used it all weekend and made a few last minute changes. The unit is back at the machine shop and I have been promised a completed unit by Wednesday. Since I know how plans can changes, I think we are going to announce the new “Gizmo” between Wednesday and the weekend, unless the end-of-the-world happens!

I received so many emails and comments from interested photographers, that I am amazed with your interest. I read all comments on various Forums, laughed at some of the suggestions, but some of you came real close to describing what the new accessory is...but not close enough. The reason I started with the Pentax K-7 and K-5 is simply because that’s what I use daily and I was able to customize my item to fit perfectly to these two DSLR models that are identical in dimensions. I might offer customization for the most popular Nikon, Canon, Sony and perhaps Olympus DSLRs as well, but my thoughts are more toward fabricating a universal product. I will request your opinions on that matter once the product is launched. Customized products do fit and look better, but cost a little more on account of the limited production. We’ll see…I’m sure you will let me know.

We have several products that will follow.

Finally, for three years, I have given away my “Auto-Focus Adjustment Chart” free for the download. It's been downloaded tens of thousands times. I know of two companies that snatched my design, changed it a little, and mass produced it. There was a lesson learned and later on, I will introduce a new highly accurate, aluminum CNC machined, “Auto-Focus Adjustment Chart” at a very reasonable price with all the attributes of current AF Adjustment products on the market…and then some. My free Chart will remain available.

Thank you again for your visits and your patience,

Yvon Bourque

Christmas time, a time to reminisce

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Email: brqyvn@gmail.com

Hi Pentaxian friends.

Christmas time, a time to reminisce

Yvon Bourque
__________________________

A few years ago, while looking for old cameras and other junk at a flea market, I came upon a photography book. I looked at it, not with the intention of purchasing it, as I knew it was old technology. I just wanted to see how they were writing about photography some fifty-plus years ago. This was an ancient book, especially when you look at today’s technology.

I just wanted to see how they were writing about photography some fifty-plus years ago.

Although the principles of photography like aperture, shutter speed and sensitivity haven’t changed much, everything else has. The digital cameras are astonishing in comparison. ISO up to 51200 are possible with the new Pentax K-5. Continuous shooting at up to 7fps with the K-5, and faster, are common with advanced amateur to professional DSLRs. Lenses are now designed by computers and with the glass used along with the multi-coating; some lenses even out-resolve some of the current sensors.

Although the principles of photography like aperture, shutter speed and sensitivity haven’t changed much, everything else has.

DSLRs are lighter, more precise, dust proof, moisture resistant, and if we convert their current prices to film cameras of fifty-plus years ago, they cost about the same or even less. Technology has no doubt brought the world’s most popular hobby to new levels. What hasn’t changed is the enthusiasm and passion photography generates.

I did purchase the old book, “How to make Good Pictures” at the flea market, not to learn how to make good pictures, but because it reminded me how photography unites family. You see, while perusing through the pages of the old book, I noticed that it was given to a “Father” on Father’s day in 1952. It read “To my “Darling Husband” on “Father’s Day”- 1952 Love, Jeanne & Boys.

I still have this book and I look at it from time to time, reminiscing on my own journey and how photography has always been a part of me, how it has and still unite my own family..

Reminiscing on my own journey and how photography has always been a part of me.

Thank you for reading,

Yvon Bourque

Topaz Labs have an exceptional Plug-in package. Look at some samples , all taken with the Pentax DSLRs.

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Hi Pentaxian friends.

During my visit to the San Diego Photo Expo last weekend, I couldn't resist buying a plug-in package from Topaz Labs. The software is increadibly easy to use and can make your images pop, or it can simply make a flat and dull picture into a good image.

The most incredible plug-in is the masking, which I can't demonstrate here. You have to look at their demo online here.

The posted flat images were modified, with some of the plug-ins, for example. It took me a total of 15 minutes to do them all and to post them here. There are about 100+ different effects. The Denoise is great. The masking is just incredible.