Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!

Jake · 06-12-2009, 06:09 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Here is the basic flow that I use:

Make sure the lens is set for manual aperture. On most Takumars, this means sliding the "manual/auto" switch to the manual setting. On pre-set or true manual diaphragm lenses you don't have to do anything.
Put the camera in AV mode. This is much easier than trying to do the exposure in M mode. Just stay with me and you will see...
With the lens wide open, compose and focus.
Now here comes the fun part...stop the lens down to the desired aperture. The camera will automatically adjust the shutter speed to match. Cool huh? If the exposure is not right, you can use the +/- EV exposure compensation to apply a bias. Also pretty cool. If you are interested in a particular shutter speed, simply stop down until that speed is displayed in the viewfinder.
Take the picture!
If needed, open the diaphragm back up to compose the next shot.

It really is a lot easier than it sounds and is much, much easier than green-button manual metering with "k" or "m" series k-mount lenses.

Steve

Hi everyone, I've been tracking back through this thread to pick up some tips on improving my tak photos. I got frustrated some months back when I found most of my tak photos were out of focus so returned here for inspiration. The beautiful photos have fired me up again so I'm ready to give it another go.

So a question, Steve outlines his technique in post 83 and mentions focusing while the lens is wide open, I'm going to give this a go to see if I get better results but I wonder if anyone else can offer advice on how you focus with these lenses.

Fixcinater · 06-12-2009, 07:02 PM

I usually shoot wide-open, so I just leave my camera in Av and make sure that I've got a decent shutter speed to support the 1/focal length rule (1/50th for a 50mm, 1/500th for 500mm) if I've had coffee for the day, 2/focal length if I am feeling brave and out of light.

Otherwise, it's just really concentrating on where you want the focal point to be, and then making sure you don't move forward/back if you've got limited depth of field, and finally, practice and bracketing if you've got the time and really need to nail it. f/8 and higher make this a lower priority if you've got enough light.

Or, you can just use a tripod and Live View to really assure yourself of getting the shot.

Fixcinater · 06-12-2009, 07:35 PM

Headed down to the beach today to enjoy the June Gloom and resultant clouds. Shot with my Pentax S-M-C Takumar 35mm f/3.5 on my Canon 40D. Processed in LR for mostly red filter emulation, and some output sharpening.

Fixcinater · 06-12-2009, 07:37 PM

Same setup as described above, forgot these:

Mike Cash · 06-12-2009, 08:53 PM

Jake, if you're giong to manually focus very much the best thing you can do for yourself is to install a aplit-prism focus screen. The original screens are optimized for auto focus and just don't cut it for manual focus shooting.

Pentax K20D
S-M-C Takumar 105/2.8

Jake · 06-13-2009, 01:11 AM

Originally posted by Mike Cash

Jake, if you're giong to manually focus very much the best thing you can do for yourself is to install a aplit-prism focus screen. The original screens are optimized for auto focus and just don't cut it for manual focus shooting.

Thanks for the reply Mike. I googled these and the seem relatively cheap on ebay. Do you have one installed yourself and if so can you recommend a particular brand? I'd also be interested to know whether it is actually easy to install it as I'd be a bit nervous playing around with the inside of the camera.

Thanks again,
Jake

Mike Cash · 06-13-2009, 01:21 AM

There are about a zillion threads right here on Pentax Forums about the split-prism screens where they have been discussed ad nauseum; it should be very easy to turn up one or two or twelve of the threads by merely nosing around a bit in the accessories section.

In my K100D I installed a cheap model purchased from a vendor in China via eBay.

In my K20D I installed a not-cheap Katz-Eye.

They both work fine.

Pentax K20D
S-M-C Takumar 105/2.8

Fixcinater · 06-13-2009, 11:36 AM

Some shots from my walk-about with SanDiegoPhotoForum this morning, in downtown San Diego, CA.

All shot with Canon 40D, S-M-C 35mm f/3.5, processed in LR:

Mike Cash · 06-13-2009, 01:49 PM

Pentax K20D
S-M-C Takumar 105/2.8

**robbiec** · 06-13-2009, 04:12 PM

Some from today
Super Takumar 85 f1.9

Mike Cash · 06-13-2009, 11:06 PM

I normally don't care for flower photos, but those are incredibly appealing.

Pentax K20D
S-M-C Takumar 35/2
ND8 & Linear Polarizer

**robbiec** · 06-14-2009, 08:06 AM

Still learning the craft Mike, but thank you for the encouragement.
Lovely shot of the waterfall

Mike Cash · 06-14-2009, 11:42 AM

Pentax K20D
S-M-C Takumar 105/2.8

**eccs19** · 06-14-2009, 04:47 PM

I've been slack for not posting in here lately, so here's one. Takumar 100mm. Looks like a harry tongue.

Nesster · 06-15-2009, 03:41 AM

Originally posted by Fixcinater

All shot with Canon 40D, S-M-C 35mm f/3.5, processed in LR:

Hard to pick a favorite, these have that classic look. The 35/3.5 really is a special lens. And you sure used it well.

-------

Saturday I was out with two cameras dangling - a Nikon FE and an ES-II with the S-M-C Tak 105/2.8 mounted. This photo is with the Tak at f/4, Kodak Ultramax film.

06-12-2009, 06:09 PM	#1996
Jake New Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 8	Originally posted by stevebrot Here is the basic flow that I use: Make sure the lens is set for manual aperture. On most Takumars, this means sliding the "manual/auto" switch to the manual setting. On pre-set or true manual diaphragm lenses you don't have to do anything. Put the camera in AV mode. This is much easier than trying to do the exposure in M mode. Just stay with me and you will see... With the lens wide open, compose and focus. Now here comes the fun part...stop the lens down to the desired aperture. The camera will automatically adjust the shutter speed to match. Cool huh? If the exposure is not right, you can use the +/- EV exposure compensation to apply a bias. Also pretty cool. If you are interested in a particular shutter speed, simply stop down until that speed is displayed in the viewfinder. Take the picture! If needed, open the diaphragm back up to compose the next shot. It really is a lot easier than it sounds and is much, much easier than green-button manual metering with "k" or "m" series k-mount lenses. Steve Hi everyone, I've been tracking back through this thread to pick up some tips on improving my tak photos. I got frustrated some months back when I found most of my tak photos were out of focus so returned here for inspiration. The beautiful photos have fired me up again so I'm ready to give it another go. So a question, Steve outlines his technique in post 83 and mentions focusing while the lens is wide open, I'm going to give this a go to see if I get better results but I wonder if anyone else can offer advice on how you focus with these lenses.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
For Sale - Sold: Takumar: Super Takumar 135mm f3.5 includes case, hood and caps	Peter Zack	Sold Items	7	05-17-2010 07:12 PM
Adorama is dangerous! And so is the Takumar Club!	NaClH2O	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	23	01-24-2010 09:54 AM
For Sale - Sold: Hard Cases for Takumar 28mm/3.5 and Takumar 135mm/2.5	gabriel_bc	Sold Items	8	01-11-2010 10:17 AM
For Sale - Sold: FS: Pentax-F 28/2.8; Takumar 400/5.6; Takumar 500/4.5 - pics	thePiRaTE!!	Sold Items	5	03-06-2008 09:47 AM

06-12-2009, 07:02 PM	#1997
Fixcinater Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: San Diego, CA, USA Posts: 409	I usually shoot wide-open, so I just leave my camera in Av and make sure that I've got a decent shutter speed to support the 1/focal length rule (1/50th for a 50mm, 1/500th for 500mm) if I've had coffee for the day, 2/focal length if I am feeling brave and out of light. Otherwise, it's just really concentrating on where you want the focal point to be, and then making sure you don't move forward/back if you've got limited depth of field, and finally, practice and bracketing if you've got the time and really need to nail it. f/8 and higher make this a lower priority if you've got enough light. Or, you can just use a tripod and Live View to really assure yourself of getting the shot.

06-12-2009, 07:35 PM	#1998
Fixcinater Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: San Diego, CA, USA Posts: 409	Headed down to the beach today to enjoy the June Gloom and resultant clouds. Shot with my Pentax S-M-C Takumar 35mm f/3.5 on my Canon 40D. Processed in LR for mostly red filter emulation, and some output sharpening.

06-12-2009, 07:37 PM	#1999
Fixcinater Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: San Diego, CA, USA Posts: 409	Same setup as described above, forgot these:

06-12-2009, 08:53 PM	#2000
Mike Cash Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,950	Jake, if you're giong to manually focus very much the best thing you can do for yourself is to install a aplit-prism focus screen. The original screens are optimized for auto focus and just don't cut it for manual focus shooting. Pentax K20D S-M-C Takumar 105/2.8

06-13-2009, 01:11 AM	#2001
Jake New Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 8	Originally posted by Mike Cash Jake, if you're giong to manually focus very much the best thing you can do for yourself is to install a aplit-prism focus screen. The original screens are optimized for auto focus and just don't cut it for manual focus shooting. Thanks for the reply Mike. I googled these and the seem relatively cheap on ebay. Do you have one installed yourself and if so can you recommend a particular brand? I'd also be interested to know whether it is actually easy to install it as I'd be a bit nervous playing around with the inside of the camera. Thanks again, Jake

06-13-2009, 01:21 AM	#2002
Mike Cash Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,950	There are about a zillion threads right here on Pentax Forums about the split-prism screens where they have been discussed ad nauseum; it should be very easy to turn up one or two or twelve of the threads by merely nosing around a bit in the accessories section. In my K100D I installed a cheap model purchased from a vendor in China via eBay. In my K20D I installed a not-cheap Katz-Eye. They both work fine. Pentax K20D S-M-C Takumar 105/2.8

06-13-2009, 11:36 AM	#2003
Fixcinater Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: San Diego, CA, USA Posts: 409	Some shots from my walk-about with SanDiegoPhotoForum this morning, in downtown San Diego, CA. All shot with Canon 40D, S-M-C 35mm f/3.5, processed in LR:

06-13-2009, 01:49 PM	#2004
Mike Cash Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,950	Pentax K20D S-M-C Takumar 105/2.8

06-13-2009, 04:12 PM	#2005
robbiec Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cork Photos: Albums Posts: 1,882	Some from today Super Takumar 85 f1.9

06-13-2009, 11:06 PM	#2006
Mike Cash Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,950	I normally don't care for flower photos, but those are incredibly appealing. Pentax K20D S-M-C Takumar 35/2 ND8 & Linear Polarizer

06-14-2009, 08:06 AM	#2007
robbiec Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cork Photos: Albums Posts: 1,882	Still learning the craft Mike, but thank you for the encouragement. Lovely shot of the waterfall

06-14-2009, 11:42 AM	#2008
Mike Cash Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,950	Pentax K20D S-M-C Takumar 105/2.8

06-14-2009, 04:47 PM	#2009
eccs19 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lisle, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,510	I've been slack for not posting in here lately, so here's one. Takumar 100mm. Looks like a harry tongue.

06-15-2009, 03:41 AM	#2010
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072 Original Poster	Originally posted by Fixcinater All shot with Canon 40D, S-M-C 35mm f/3.5, processed in LR: Hard to pick a favorite, these have that classic look. The 35/3.5 really is a special lens. And you sure used it well. ------- Saturday I was out with two cameras dangling - a Nikon FE and an ES-II with the S-M-C Tak 105/2.8 mounted. This photo is with the Tak at f/4, Kodak Ultramax film.

Takumar club

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!