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JeffJS · 04-18-2010, 11:42 PM

The photos aren't really anything to write home about but for the first time ever, I put my SMC Tak 55mm f1.8 on a camera. I had actually forgotten that I had it. It was on a Spotmatic F that I bought a couple years ago and never gave it a second look.

Click to pixel peep if you like.

A crop from a larger photo..

A PF torture test.

Some close focus Bokeh (this is the full shot)

A few more here..

Impressive, to me, for such an inexpensive lens (the camera and lens cost me $25).

**Porga** · 04-19-2010, 02:35 AM

Originally posted by Mike Cash

Pentax K20D
SMC Takumar 55/1.8

This one is realy nice!

**Tall Guy** · 04-19-2010, 04:33 AM

I have used my Super Tak 50 1.4mm with my K10 many times in the past, but I recently had to do a firmware BF adjustment (V 1.30). The BF issue was solved using my F and DA series lenses. But I finally had the chance to get out with my Taks to do some "manual" shooting. ( I use the PENTAX adapter).
The results were far from acceptable with many shots out of focus on the focal points (Looks like BF in manual focus mode??).
If any one can weigh in on this problem, I would really appreciate it. I am a little baffled as to why a focusing issue would arise when focusing manually, and in manual program mode.
If this post should be in another forum, please advise.

Thanks

JeffJS · 04-19-2010, 05:20 AM

Originally posted by Tall Guy

I have used my Super Tak 50 1.4mm with my K10 many times in the past, but I recently had to do a firmware BF adjustment (V 1.30). The BF issue was solved using my F and DA series lenses. But I finally had the chance to get out with my Taks to do some "manual" shooting. ( I use the PENTAX adapter).
The results were far from acceptable with many shots out of focus on the focal points (Looks like BF in manual focus mode??).
If any one can weigh in on this problem, I would really appreciate it. I am a little baffled as to why a focusing issue would arise when focusing manually, and in manual program mode.
If this post should be in another forum, please advise.

Thanks

If I understand you correctly, You've adjusted the AF of your K10d using the menu hack and now your AF confirmation for manual focus is off. No real surprise there. The solution is simple. Forget about the AF confirmation when using your manual lenses and set your camera to MF.

That being said.. Some cameras have mis-calibrated focusing screens. It IS possible that you need to re-shim your screen if you are seeing sharp, and getting blurry. I've seen enough cases of this to suggest looking into it.

I've read of other alignment and focusing problems with the K10d (and experienced them myself) but start with the above.

By the way, you might want to ask your question in the DSLR forum. Probably get a better response.

Ira · 04-19-2010, 06:41 AM

It's not easy focusing with the manual lenses, so I always do it wide open and then stop down. But now that you (Jeff) mention it, maybe I should get out of the habit of using that focus confirmation.

**Tall Guy** · 04-19-2010, 06:44 AM

Thanks for the info.

I was using MF for this session and that is what is confusing. The focusing screen recommendation is noted and will be checked out.
The visual focusing was definately sharp with out of focus results. I did some further tests with leaving the focus the way that I see it, and then trying some shots relying on the "focus indicator" in the viewfinder with the later having better results.

I will go forward with your rcommendations as well as posting in the DSLR forum.

Thanks again.

Mike Cash · 04-19-2010, 11:18 AM

Harbor Police in Tokyo getting ready to go for a boat ride:

Pentax K20D
S-M-C Takumar 105/2.8

dfujevec · 04-19-2010, 01:05 PM

Pentax K20D and Super Takumar 55

6bender · 04-19-2010, 08:11 PM

I just saw this scene at my neighbors. Nothing real exciting in color but I liked it better when I converted to b&w.

K20D and Super-Takumar 50/1.4 at around f5.6

Neighbor's Garden

LensScribe · 04-20-2010, 01:09 AM

K200D; S-M-C Takumar 50/f1.4

J.Scott · 04-20-2010, 02:27 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Mike Cash

Harbor Police in Tokyo getting ready to go for a boat ride:

Pentax K20D
S-M-C Takumar 105/2.8

Nice shot Mike.
Great timing, too! I trust he did make it safely onto the boat.

Ira · 04-20-2010, 04:57 AM

Originally posted by 6bender

I just saw this scene at my neighbors. Nothing real exciting in color but I liked it better when I converted to b&w.
K20D and Super-Takumar 50/1.4 at around f5.6
Neighbor's Garden

That shot is stunning. And real sharp at 5.6!

Maybe I should start using mine with that as the sweet spot, instead of 8.

LensScribe · 04-20-2010, 06:07 AM

K200D; S-M-C Takumar 50/f1.4

**rparmar** · 04-20-2010, 06:21 AM

Originally posted by Mike Cash

Just me and some old guy channeling Otis Redding at Tokyo's Aomi Wharf one day.

That is the best of all of them. Even a picture of someone's back can say so much in the right hands.

Originally posted by 6bender

I just saw this scene at my neighbors. Nothing real exciting in color but I liked it better when I converted to b&w.

Wow, that is a picture postcard, though the vignetting is a bit much for my taste. Was that added? Lovely composition and sharpness! Great as black and white.

tokyoso · 04-20-2010, 06:29 AM

Originally posted by Mike Cash

Steet shots, Dearest Mel? Not a problem:

Pentax K20D
S-M-C Takumar 105/2.8

nice capture there! looks like that's in Saitama...

04-19-2010, 04:33 AM	#3708
Tall Guy Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Manilla, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 96	Manual focus I have used my Super Tak 50 1.4mm with my K10 many times in the past, but I recently had to do a firmware BF adjustment (V 1.30). The BF issue was solved using my F and DA series lenses. But I finally had the chance to get out with my Taks to do some "manual" shooting. ( I use the PENTAX adapter). The results were far from acceptable with many shots out of focus on the focal points (Looks like BF in manual focus mode??). If any one can weigh in on this problem, I would really appreciate it. I am a little baffled as to why a focusing issue would arise when focusing manually, and in manual program mode. If this post should be in another forum, please advise. Thanks

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04-18-2010, 11:42 PM	#3706
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	The photos aren't really anything to write home about but for the first time ever, I put my SMC Tak 55mm f1.8 on a camera. I had actually forgotten that I had it. It was on a Spotmatic F that I bought a couple years ago and never gave it a second look. Click to pixel peep if you like. A crop from a larger photo.. A PF torture test. Some close focus Bokeh (this is the full shot) A few more here.. Impressive, to me, for such an inexpensive lens (the camera and lens cost me $25).

04-19-2010, 02:35 AM	#3707
Porga Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Photos: Albums Posts: 476	Originally posted by Mike Cash Pentax K20D SMC Takumar 55/1.8 This one is realy nice!

04-19-2010, 05:20 AM	#3709
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Originally posted by Tall Guy I have used my Super Tak 50 1.4mm with my K10 many times in the past, but I recently had to do a firmware BF adjustment (V 1.30). The BF issue was solved using my F and DA series lenses. But I finally had the chance to get out with my Taks to do some "manual" shooting. ( I use the PENTAX adapter). The results were far from acceptable with many shots out of focus on the focal points (Looks like BF in manual focus mode??). If any one can weigh in on this problem, I would really appreciate it. I am a little baffled as to why a focusing issue would arise when focusing manually, and in manual program mode. If this post should be in another forum, please advise. Thanks If I understand you correctly, You've adjusted the AF of your K10d using the menu hack and now your AF confirmation for manual focus is off. No real surprise there. The solution is simple. Forget about the AF confirmation when using your manual lenses and set your camera to MF. That being said.. Some cameras have mis-calibrated focusing screens. It IS possible that you need to re-shim your screen if you are seeing sharp, and getting blurry. I've seen enough cases of this to suggest looking into it. I've read of other alignment and focusing problems with the K10d (and experienced them myself) but start with the above. By the way, you might want to ask your question in the DSLR forum. Probably get a better response.

04-19-2010, 06:41 AM	#3710
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	It's not easy focusing with the manual lenses, so I always do it wide open and then stop down. But now that you (Jeff) mention it, maybe I should get out of the habit of using that focus confirmation.

04-19-2010, 06:44 AM	#3711
Tall Guy Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Manilla, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 96	Thanks for the info. I was using MF for this session and that is what is confusing. The focusing screen recommendation is noted and will be checked out. The visual focusing was definately sharp with out of focus results. I did some further tests with leaving the focus the way that I see it, and then trying some shots relying on the "focus indicator" in the viewfinder with the later having better results. I will go forward with your rcommendations as well as posting in the DSLR forum. Thanks again.

04-19-2010, 11:18 AM	#3712
Mike Cash Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,950	Harbor Police in Tokyo getting ready to go for a boat ride: Pentax K20D S-M-C Takumar 105/2.8

04-19-2010, 01:05 PM	#3713
dfujevec Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Slovenija Photos: Gallery Posts: 145	Pentax K20D and Super Takumar 55

04-19-2010, 08:11 PM	#3714
6bender Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Southwest PA, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 53	I just saw this scene at my neighbors. Nothing real exciting in color but I liked it better when I converted to b&w. K20D and Super-Takumar 50/1.4 at around f5.6 Neighbor's Garden

04-20-2010, 01:09 AM	#3715
LensScribe Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Johannesburg, South Africa Photos: Gallery Posts: 316	K200D; S-M-C Takumar 50/f1.4

04-20-2010, 02:27 AM - 1 Like	#3716
J.Scott Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,675	Originally posted by Mike Cash Harbor Police in Tokyo getting ready to go for a boat ride: Pentax K20D S-M-C Takumar 105/2.8 Nice shot Mike. Great timing, too! I trust he did make it safely onto the boat.

04-20-2010, 04:57 AM	#3717
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	Originally posted by 6bender I just saw this scene at my neighbors. Nothing real exciting in color but I liked it better when I converted to b&w. K20D and Super-Takumar 50/1.4 at around f5.6 Neighbor's Garden That shot is stunning. And real sharp at 5.6! Maybe I should start using mine with that as the sweet spot, instead of 8.

04-20-2010, 06:07 AM	#3718
LensScribe Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Johannesburg, South Africa Photos: Gallery Posts: 316	K200D; S-M-C Takumar 50/f1.4

04-20-2010, 06:21 AM	#3719
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,824	Originally posted by Mike Cash Just me and some old guy channeling Otis Redding at Tokyo's Aomi Wharf one day. That is the best of all of them. Even a picture of someone's back can say so much in the right hands. Originally posted by 6bender I just saw this scene at my neighbors. Nothing real exciting in color but I liked it better when I converted to b&w. Wow, that is a picture postcard, though the vignetting is a bit much for my taste. Was that added? Lovely composition and sharpness! Great as black and white.

04-20-2010, 06:29 AM	#3720
tokyoso Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Tokyo Photos: Albums Posts: 723	Originally posted by Mike Cash Steet shots, Dearest Mel? Not a problem: Pentax K20D S-M-C Takumar 105/2.8 nice capture there! looks like that's in Saitama...

Takumar club

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