Sample shots with the Pentax DA*55 f1.4 & DA 35 f2.8 macro ltd


    In 2005,  after our honeymoon,  my wife and I visited some friends in NYC and I took a visit to B&H photo and found new stock of the legendary FA* 85 f1.4.  The Pentax specialist urged me to pick it up while they had them in stock,  but I stewed on it overnight,  returning the next morning to find that the 2 in stock were sold immediately after I left.  I dreaded that day over the last 4 years.  

    With the recent release of the new DA* 55 f1.4,  Pentax has essentially restored the beauty of that classic "85mm look and feel." Their new 55 mm, SDM driven, and weathersealed replacement delivers an  82.5mm field of view,  considering the conversion factor.  This new DA*55 will take the place for all the tasks that I would have normally assigned to the 85,  full frame view.

    Concurrently,  I now use the DA 35 macro limited to restore the traditional "normal" field of view that a 'fast 50' did for full frame.  The 52.5mm field of view  simulates the nostalgic look of the normal full frame 50.  

    These 2 lenses have quickly become my prime "duo of choice" for walk-around and all-purpose photography.

    All images shot handheld, raw and converted to 4-star jpeg using in-camera conversion and applying some of the creative built in filters of the Pentax K20.

    DA* 55  In-camera raw to jpeg normal setting (1/60 , f1.4, focus pt at inner corner of eyelid)

    DA* 55 using in-camera B&W conversion with sketch filter (1/250 f1.4, iso 400)

    Original in-camera B&W conversion

    DA* 55 using in-camera raw to jpeg, portrait setting (1/180 f2 iso 400) -this is image was shot while my daughter rapidly came near to the lens, AF-C and center point focus worked fine.

    DA*55  In-camera raw to jpeg "bright" setting (1/60, f1.4, iso 400)


    DA 35 ltd.  In-camera raw to jpeg, B&W setting with cool tint filter (1/250 f6.7 iso 1600)

    DA 35 ltd.  In-camera raw to jpeg B&W setting with warm tint filter (1/1000 f2.8 iso 280)

The Pentax Optio W60... a camera for everyone's pocket!

    A great outdoor camera that is rugged and shouts go outside and have fun with me.  The Pentax Optio W60 is not only a perfect point and shoot in itself,  but also a highly versatile water camera that is the gem of the surfing world.  Travelers and outdoor types are finding the camera a necessity and always finding new ways to enjoy and preserve their outdoor lives.

    Whether it be surfing alongside your mates...
    Pentax K20 + FA* 600

    Taking cool snaps while in unique locales...
    Pentax K10 + DA 10-17

    Or simply, frolicking in the pool...
    Pentax K20 + DA 10-17

    The beauty of the Pentax Optio W60 is that it is compact, extremely versatile and fully waterproof up to 13ft. 

    As an international Surf Photographer,  we are often traveling with an abundance of heavy and expensive gear.  Each item serving a unique purpose to deliver the types of images required for surf editorials.  

    Prior to each trip,  I find myself pacing the night before, wondering which gear to bring,  and how to pack it in order to bypass TSA restrictions for weight and carry-on limits.  

    Taking a moment to relax after a long flight...
    Once on site,  I have to lug around the mighty FA* 600mm f4

    If i go purely with only a water setup (laptop, housing, body, fisheye, & small telephoto),  I still need a carry-on backpack that is a bit more streamlined, but when stuffed to its maximum weighs a ton. The best for surf photographers are the Tamrac Adventure 9 or 10 series. The beauty of this setup is that it is the only pack on the market that has a large enough front pouch to safely carry your housing...

    The hassle of lugging around gear, dealing with surfer prima-donnas, airline travel, & customs tend to make my mind drift off and dream of shooting an entire surf editorial with one of Pentax's Optio W cameras.  I have shot with the entire line, from the WPi (which my wife and i used for our honeymoon,  to the W10, W30,  and most recently the W60 (my favorite of the lot).

    View of the Banzai Pipeline, North Shore Hawaii

    The following images display the feature set and were shot entirely with the highly functional Pentax Optio W60:

    1.  The Digital Panorama feature.  A composite of 3 Images stitched together in-camera.   Now you can preserve ultra-wide landscapes.
    Image shot hand held and on location, Haunama Bay, Oahu.

    Northwest Philippines

    2. the W60 has a fast start-up time and a nifty high speed burst mode feature to capture a sequence of images.

    Inter-island travel is so much easier aboard outrigger canoes, esp.  when all you have is your board and waterproof Optio...
    "Secret Spot", South China Sea
     
    burst mode:




    3. The Macro mode feature.  The following images illustrate the rugged nature of the Optio W60.  with the attached accessory silicon skin you can take photos on the beach, in and around water carefree,  knowing that the camera is protected from the elements.  The Macro feature allows you to get up close and personal with your subject...





    4. the Landscape mode adds the right amount of saturation and stops down to suitable depths of field.






    5. the "green" or "auto-pict"mode makes family snapshots easy for any novice...



    *The 28mm wide angle feature allows for handheld self portraits that look more natural,  as opposed to the "outstretched-arm appearance"


    6. The Food mode helps to preserve the memory of the delicious food you had while on vacation.  I like how the in camera help display puts it: "For capturing food. Saturation is higher to make it look appetizing."


    7. Sport mode,  this image was shot under tricky lighting conditions,  using the predictive focus and fill flash to freeze the action:


    The waterproof design allows the photographer to shoot with freedom to capture perfect moments, no matter how harsh the conditions.

    A river deep within the jungles of Subic Bay

    *I shot this image handheld while wading waist deep within a flowing river. with an extended shutter speed,  i was able to drag the shutter long enough to display the flowing water,  yet fast enough to preserve the subject in-focus.

    *This image was shot while balancing inside the pool at the basin of a waterfall.  The turbulence and intensity of the falling water created a mist that would have ruined other non-waterproofed cameras.

    The compact nature, portability, and ultra fast startup time make it a perfect walk around camera for photojournalistic use,  when needing to be discreet.

    Coconut vendor Olongapo, Philippine Islands

    To be continued to include High Def Video feature, Digital shake reduction, focal length comparisons, & all-weather versatility plus available accessories...
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