Free sample of the Pentax K-3 e-book and Free Focus Check Charts.

Email: brqyvn@gmail.com 

 Hi Photographer friends,

I received many emails telling me that the free Pentax K-3 sample e-book and the Free Auto-focus charts will not download from the e-commerce store. It appears that Paypal is blocking any free transactions although I posted them at $0.00.

I understand your frustration and I will upload the free stuff on a different server.First, I need to open another account with a provider. In the meantime, just email me at brqyvn@gmail.com and I will manually send you the file(s) you request (Samples or AF charts). I am not sitting at my computer all day, but do check periodically.  I do receive emails on my iPhone, but I can't transfer the files from my iPhone as it would take too much memory to install the files there to begin with.

The bottom line, if you haven't been able to download the free e-book samples or AF charts, email me. I will fix it.

Best Regards,

Yvon Bourque

The e-books for the Pentax K10D, K100D, K20D, K-7, K-x, K-r, K-5, K-5II, K-5II e, K-30,  K-50, K-500  and the K-3 are available here: http://www.ebooks4cameras.com

Click on the image below to see what the Ricoh Theta is capable of. I will likely want to purchase one as my brain is on overdrive thinking of the possibilities.

Email: brqyvn@gmail.com 

 Hi Photographer friends,

Jump to some examples now:

 example 1.

 example 2

example 3

Click on the image above to see what the Ricoh Theta is capable of. I will likely want to purchase one as my brain is on overdrive thinking all of the possibilities this camera offers. 

January 29, 2014

RICOH AND GOOGLE TEAM UP TO ENABLE RICOH THETA SPHERICAL IMAGES TO BE POSTED ON GOOGLE MAPS TM AND GOOGLE+TM

January 29, 2014 - Ricoh Company, Ltd. and RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD. have updated the apps for the RICOH THETA spherical image camera to allow users to post spherical images to Google Maps and Google+, two services provided by Google. Made possible through a collaboration between Ricoh Company, Ltd. and Google, the RICOH THETA apps are now compatible with Photo Sphere XMP, Google's panoramic image standard.

Released today, the RICOH THETA for AndroidTM Version 1.2.0, RICOH THETA for iPhone Version 1.5.0 and RICOH THETA for Windows®/Mac Version 1.5.0, are now able to post spherical images to Google Maps and Google+. Photos taken outdoors or even inside facilities can be shared by posting them on Google Maps and Google+. Users can also enjoy the Constellations feature, which enables them to connect spherical images to make an original Street View.

RICOH THETA owners can post spherical images to Google Maps and Google+ by downloading the new version of the app for their connected device.

*A computer is required for posting spherical images from an iPhone to Google Maps.

Pricing and Availability
The Ricoh Theta is avaialble at various online retialers for a price of $399.95.

About the New Apps

RICOH THETA for Android Version 1.2.0
Release date: January 29, 2014
Download from: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.theta
Compatible models: Android OS4.0 and later (operation is not guaranteed on all devices.)
Price: Free

RICOH THETA for iPhone Version 1.5.0
Release date: January 29, 2014
Download from: https://itunes.apple.com/en/app/ricoh-theta/id667238484?mt=8
Compatible models: iOS6 and later, iPhone4S/iPhone5/iPhone5C/iPhone5S, iPod Touch 5th generation and later
Price: Free

RICOH THETA for Windows®/Mac Version 1.5.0
Release date: January 29, 2014
Download from: https://theta360.com/en/support/download/
Compatible models: *Compatible OS: Windows: Windows 7 SP1 and later, Windows 8, Windows 8.1 /Macintosh: Mac OS X 10.6-10.8 https://theta360.com/en/support/manual/content/pc/pc_01.html
Price: Free


Details of Upgrades

RICOH THETA for Android Version 1.2.0 and RICOH THETA for iPhone Version 1.5.0
Spherical images can be uploaded to Google+ from your smartphone. You can also scroll around spherical images in Google+.

RICOH THETA for Android Version 1.2.0
Spherical images can be saved in the Gallery* and Google Photos (Android) and uploaded directly by selecting "Google+" from the sharing function of the Gallery or Google Photos. Spherical images saved in the Gallery and Google Photos can also be browsed in RICOH THETA app for Android Version 1.2.0.

RICOH THETA for iPhone Version 1.5.0
Spherical images can be saved in the Camera Roll (iOS and be uploaded from the Camera Roll by installing the Google+ app and using the Add Photo function. Spherical images saved in the Camera Roll can also be browsed in RICOH THETA for iPhone Version 1.5.0.

RICOH THETA for Android Version 1.2.0 only
Spherical images can be uploaded to Google Maps directly from your smartphone directly by selecting "Google Maps" from the sharing function of the Gallery or Google Photos.

*The Gallery is the original album app of the Smartphone Google Edition and the Nexus Series.

RICOH THETA for Windows®/Mac Version 1.5.0
It is possible to apply Photo Sphere XMP to captured photos saved on your computer and output them as spherical images. To do so, Open the spherical image to which you want to apply Photo Sphere XMP, select "Write" > "Write with XMP" from "File" in the menu bar and save the image. Upload the image to Google Maps or Google+ in your browser.
RICOH THETA for Windows®/Mac does not have a function for uploading spherical images directly to Google Maps or Google+.

*Spherical images uploaded to Google Maps using the above apps need to be approved by Google before being posted.



Windows is registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
iPhone, iPod  touch, Mac, Macintosh and OS X are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
IOS is a trademark or registered trademark of Cisco in the U.S. and other countries and is used under license.
Google, Google Maps, Google+, Android and Nexus are trademarks or registered trademarks of Google Inc.

**************************************

Get your K-3 e-book here:  Click on the image below. 

Rodeo in Southern Texas photographed with the Pentax K-3 and the DA 50-200mm ED WR

Email: brqyvn@gmail.com

Hi Photographer friends,

We are currently in Southern Texas with our RV. As many of you know, we are travelling the US and Canada for the next two years. Driving around in the area this past Sunday, we had breakfast in a small local restaurant  (best food are always found at these locations)  and heard about a bull riding rodeo taking place nearby. We decided to go. What a treat.

I really wasn't set up for that as the only lens I had with me was the DA 50-200mm. It's a good lens, but not as good as the more expensive Pentax zoom and telephoto lenses. You know what they say, the best lens is the one you have with you. As for the camera, that was different. I had the Pentax K-3 and that's the best cropped sensor DSLR ever produced.

I think I managed to get some good images after all. The place was dark and I had to use ISO 800 on most images. Surprisingly, they came out looking pretty good. I did crop most of the images and played with the exposure, sharpening and luminance in Lightroom afterward. I am one that believe in enhancing your images is a good thing as long as you don't change the context or add additional images that weren't there to begin with. 

So here are a few of the pictures:

Silhouettes have a pleasant impact, for me anyway. It is taken while reading the light from the brighter background, fooling the camera's metering system to think that the exposure is optimum. Pentax K-3 with the DA 50-200mm.

This ride looks like it would be worse than my Ford F350 Dually Pickup Truck. I admire these cowboys. Using the same lens, I cropped it and added some vignetting in the corners to draw the viewer's attention to the center.

Credit has to be given to these guys for diverting the bull's attention away from the bull rider while he is off the bull. Notice the rider on the bottom right corner. The bull actually threw the guy up in the air. Fortunately, he wasn't injured. Amazing! This image was cropped to get closer and the exposure was adjusted afterward. 

The above two images show the intense work effort that goes into making sure the rider is secured on the bull before the gate is open. This is an extraordinary team effort. Just think about it, a bull weighing about two thousand pounds against the rider weighing less that two hundred pounds. Which one has a better chance?  The bull does everything it can to throw the rider off. Once off, the bull often tries to trample the rider.  The images were cropped, the exposure adjusted, and the luminance adjusted. 

Does this bull look friendly to you?  Image cropped and exposure adjusted.

The horse looks as proud as the rider. This was taken while the national Anthem was sung A Cappella. It was touching in a cowboy kind of way. This image was cropped to a square format just because I liked it better.

This must be what you feed like when riding a bull. My head was spinning just looking. This image was shot at 1/30th of a second to capture the movement. Cropped and clarity adjusted.

I took a lot more pictures, but I think that eight images do tell the story. We had a great time and will go to another rodeo when we have a chance.

Thank you for reading,

Yvon Bourque

Get your K-3 e-book here:  Click on the image below. 

You can leave comments here: brqyvn@gmail.com as there are people using the comments section to advertise other products. With your permission only, I will post your comments.

The Pentax K-3 e-book, January 26, 2014 release has been published.

Email: brqyvn@gmail.com

Click here or on the image to purchase the e-book or to download a free partial sample of the e-book.

 Hi Photographer friends,

The Pentax K-3 e-book, January 26, 2014 release has been published. I contains more information than the previous issue. I do listen to my customers and about 20 pages have been added or modified following your comments, suggestions and requests.

Of course the new update is free if you purchased a previous release. All I need is your name, email address and about when you purchased the e-book. Email me at: brqyvn@gmail.com and after verification, I will forward you the new release. 

Note: It might take several hours before you receive your updated copy as I anticipate heavy demand for the next few days.

Thank you so very much for your encouragement.

Yvon Bourque

**FREE** Pentax K-3 e-book sample. Take a peek before you buy.

Email: brqyvn@gmail.com

 Hi Photographer friends,

The Pentax K-3 "Everything you need to know...and then some" e-book can be downloaded for free. Check the table of contents and many pages of the e-book before you buy. It is the only e-book for the K-3 and it's my best and most complete e-book about a Pentax camera yet. (according to the many positive emails I received)

When you purchase my K-3 e-book, you are eligible for a free download every time  the e-book is updated. The e-book format is PFD and is compatible with all devices that read PDF files. Unlike hardback and paperback books, e-books can be updated at any time without having to reprint hundreds or thousands of copies, not to mention the hard copies that would have to be trashed.

Once you purchase any of my e-book, you get all future upgrades for free. I listen to my readers and  make revisions as needed. When Ricoh/Pentax update their firmware, I revise my e-book accordingly. The release date is posted on the front cover and on the e-commerce store.

New releases are always posted on this website. If you join this site as a follower, or a Google+ follower, or Facebook or Twitter, you will automatically receive notifications every time something is published on this site.

Click on the image below to get your free sample.

30 years of Pentax & Ricoh! - on DPReview from Phil Zucker

Email: brqyvn@gmail.com 

 Hi Photographer friends,

I was surfing the internet to see how far back Ricoh had been involved in photography before buying Pentax. In my search, I stumbled on this post on DPReview from Phil Zucker. I urged you to read the full post. It very interesting.

30 years of Pentax & Ricoh!

Right now it's almost exactly 30 years that I bought into a K mount system. Back in 1983 I didn't know that Ricoh and Pentax would be one and the same company sometime in the future. But I seemingly was very farsighted back then: My first SRL was a Ricoh XR-7 – with a SMC Pentax M50/1.7 on it! 

Thirty years later that combo still runs well, but isn't used any more. I still have it, as most stuff from the pre-digital age. Product cycles were slower back then – and we didn't have Ebay to hawk things either …

So here I present my personal 30 years of Pentax & Ricoh gear. What you see is what I (still) possess: five K mount bodies (two film, three digital), one compact (film), seven Pentax lenses (three digital, four full frame) and one Ricoh lens (full frame). To honor the occasion I had to multiply this a bit to make it more appealing:

Thirty years of Ricoh & Pentax gear in one single 360 degree view!

What you don't see on this pic is the K-01 and the DA10-17 – they were somehow needed to do it. Also you can't see a very fine Pentax lens I still own but haven't with me right now – the one of my enlarger I used doing b/w-stuff back in the film ages. 

Read the complete post and the numerous replies here: http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/51538143

Best Regards,

Yvon Bourque

Get your 300+ page Pentax K-3 e-book here. Click on the image below.

The Pentax K-3 will also be available in French. Le Pentax K-3 sera également disponible en français.

Email: brqyvn@gmail.com 

Hi Photographer friends,

There is such a demand for the Pentax K-3 e-book that I decided to translate it to French as well. I am French after all. It will not be completed before at least one Month. However, if someone purchased the English version and would prefer the French version, I will gladly send a free copy in French.

*****************

Salut mes amis photographes.

Il ya une telle demande pour le livre électronique du K-3 que j'ai décidé de le traduire en français aussi. Je parle français, après tout. Il ne sera pas terminé avant au moins un mois. Cependant, si quelqu'un achete la version anglaise et préférerait la version française, il me fera plaisir de vous envoyer un exemplaire gratuit en français.

By the way, this is where I currently live. The backyard is really big and changes constantly.

En passant, c'est là où je vis actuellement. La cour arrière est vraiment grande et change constamment. 

This is my office, where I wrote the e-book for the K-3. Life is good.

C'est mon bureau, où j'ai écrit le livre électronique pour le K-3. La vie est belle.

Best Regards,

Cordialement,

Yvon Bourque

The Pentax K-3 is bar-none the best cropped sensor DSLR of 2013.

Email: brqyvn@gmail.com 

Hi Photographer friends,

The Camera Store of Calgary, Alberta, Canada is a well respected camera store. Their camera reviews are broadcasted all over the world. I would say that their reviews on various camera models are comparable to DPReview here in the U.S. except that I believe theirs are more credible. Their tests are more "hands-on" and not as scientific. At the end of the day, it's how the camera, as an instrument, performs in the hands of the photographer.

In their recent video, Chris Niccolls is showing the three best and worst  DSLR cameras of 2013.

The Pentax K-3 is, in his words, " bar-none, the best cropped sensor camera I have ever used.in a DSLR format. It is rugged, it is dependable, it is well designed... "

Click on the link below to see the video. You should all be proud of being a Pentax user, especially if you own a Pentax K-3. The Pentax portion starts at 5:00 minutes in the sequence, but you can replay it to its full length.

The Pentax K-3 is the best DSLR cropped sensor of 2013 

I applaud The Camera store and Chris Niccolls for all the good information and reviews  through the years. We love you guys.

************************

Ricoh/Pentax have produced a real winning DSLR with the K-3. It is, in my opinion,  a  Pro-Camera even though it's not labelled as such. Its weather sealed magnesium-alloy body and overall features are comparable to much more expensive  DSLRs. Maybe the very reasonable price of the K-3, and its advanced features have created an avalanche of buyers, from entry-level to professional photographers. 

Some have reported difficulty in understanding the OEM operating manual. The OEM operating manual, like most OEM manuals, was written in a technical way, to show the buyer the various operating instructions, and  includes a nomenclature, safety warnings, warranty information, etc. It is not intended to be a guide in the craft of photography.  It assumes that the buyer already knows photography  well.

This is what prompted me to write e-books about the Pentax line of cameras almost seven years ago. I since wrote e-books from the K-100-D to today's K-3. Judging from my client's feedback, my e-books are written in a non-technical way and are easy to understand. The "What, Where, When, Why, and How" are the basis of my e-books. Entry-level to professional photographers have found useful information, illustrations, photos, descriptions, and shortcuts to their respective Pentax model of DSLR. General photography techniques and examples are included in each e-book. A complete chapter is dedicated to the Pentax system and accessories. A free sample of most of my e-books are available on my e-book site and a free sample of the K-3 will  be available soon.

http://www.ebooks4cameras.com/

One week after its launch, my e-book for the Pentax K-3 has already helped hundreds of photographers. It is and always was my goal to help fellow Pentaxians.

Best Regards and I wish everyone a prosperous 2014.

Yvon Bourque

Egor