I was browsing the PentaxForum online which in-turn spurred me to retrieve my Pentax K-5, with a HD Pentax DA 40mm f2.8 Ltd lens, from its [storage] case, install a battery and shoot this photograph!

The rose being naturally lit from a window and a straight out of camera JPEG file, which I then opened in GIMP 2.10.34. Cropping the image to retain approximately 75% of its area and framing it, as you see below, and that’s all I’ve done. Nothing more. The output results in an 8.4Mb file.

I've resolved never to sell this camera body and associated lenses, even though I rarely shoot with it nowadays and indeed, haven't for years, as I have other systems and formats which I currently use. Nevertheless, I believe the resulting evidence speaks for itself.

The fact is this camera is compact and light weight, pretty well built and with Ltd lenses has an almost Leica type vibe to it. By today's standards it would likely be considered a little pedestrian, alright then comparably slow, in operation, by most photographers, I reckon. However, with a modicum of patience and care it can still produce good quality photographs.

Ricoh-Pentax superseded the K-5 with the K-5ii [sans AA filter and better AF], though I've have never tried one. I never felt the need.

As Ricoh/Pentax produce cameras, in the era of SLTs [mirrorless or MILCs or ETVs or whatever], I wish them well as they consider possible options for new DSLRs and maybe even build SLRs [film] cameras again. Who knows, they may just carve out a unique market sector all their own. Here's hoping – with fingers crossed. Discuss...

https://i-davis.carrd.co https://snap.as/unaoculusaperta https://unaoculusaperta.weebly.com

#Pentax #PentaxK5 #ColourPhotography #Rose

Sandbay's Sand Dune System

Sandbay, Kewstoke, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, UK

This sign, informing of possible disruption due to maintenance work scheduled to take place back at the end of 2020 till the start of 2021, is still in place as of the morning 21st August 2022? The information on the sign has not been updated nor removed from the sand dunes. One assumes the work was done and the dunes do seem to have increased slightly in terms of plant and wild life. Indeed this project is deserving of both recognition and support.

From the beach shore side we can see one of the main pedestrian access points.

An issue for the system is: many people just access the beach from wherever they happen to be along the coastal road. Whilst there is a concrete path behind the dunes and adjacent to the road – albeit raised above the road and the traffic by a metre or so – walkers oftentimes walk on the flat area at the back of the dunes.

In the background of the above photograph we can see something of what the dunes system is protecting – or at least is expected to protect.

Many years ago posts were driven into the sands and twisted-wire and stave fencing was installed to protect areas, giving the system a chance to recover and, notwithstanding, keep people and animals out.

This has worked well in stablising the dunes; encouraging growth and wildlife; despite the usual ignorance and abuse the fencing sometimes suffered.

Although the preservation and enhancement of the dunes is a never ending, upward and onward struggle this a great result.

The final photograph then shows the tide on its return to the shore. With an average rise and fall of some 8.0+ metres and with the 13th/14th August 2022 tides reaching 11.6 metres the dunes need all the help they can get!

https://i-davis.carrd.co https://snap.as/unaoculusaperta https://unaoculusaperta.weebly.com https://bleadonphotographicgroup.weebly.com/ian-davis-galleries.html

#Pentax #sanddunes #beach #Sandbay #WestonSuperMare #coastal #rawtherapee

You know that thing which, from time to time, happens – because your a 'photographer' and 'know' about cameras and stuff – when someone brings you camera gear that they've not used for about ten years. They've had it from new, maybe even used it for the first few years; say around 5000 clicks worth; though it's been 'stored' ever since!

They say something such as: 'I no longer need nor want this kit, as I've a [insert an Android or Apple model here] smart phone'! Adding: 'maybe you could clean and/or use or sell it'?

When this happens I say “hold up a moment” then take a photograph – in this case a black & white photograph of a lamp taken with a mint condition Pentax K-100D[6Mp] and Schneider Kreuznach Lens – to at least show them what their outfit is capable still of producing.

Few if any people have subsequently kept their outfit! I reckon if just one ever did, for me it would be worthwhile.

PhotoInfo:- Date: 14th August 2022 Camera: Pentax K-100D Lens: Schneider Kreuznach D-Xenon f4.0-5.6 50-200mm ED Post Process: GNU-Linux – Rawtherapee/GIMP

https://snap.as/unaoculusaperta https://i-davis.carrd.co https://oneeyeopenphotography.wordpress.com https://bleadonphotographicgroup.weebly.com/ian-davis-galleries.html

#Pentax #SchneiderKreuznach #gimp #rawtherapee