Your latest acquisition

**ivanvernon** · 06-17-2017, 08:25 AM - **1 Like**

Just received the highly rated (9.67 on Pentax Forum) Pentax-A 645 120mm f 4.0 macro from Keh. The lens was priced at only $126 including freight, and marked as UGLY. However, as usual Keh has sent a lens that looks like new except missing front and back caps. I can't wait to try out this lens with my 645-K mount adapter on the K-1.

Racer X 69 · 06-17-2017, 08:34 AM

Originally posted by 35mmfilmfan

Have you tried street photography, or attended a political rally, with this setup yet ?

The rifle stock setup I built got me a secondary look more than once, and I haven't had it out in public for 20 years or more.

Of course I used it at raceways to shoot fast moving cars.

**ChrisPlatt** · 06-17-2017, 11:59 AM

Military surplus 50 caliber ammo cans were once quite popular for cheap crush-proof dry storage of camera gear.
So no hypervigilant numbskull gets any mistaken notions about my intentions mine remains inside my car's trunk.

Chris

photoptimist · 06-17-2017, 05:15 PM - **1 Like**

Today's garage saling found a ZX-5n with a SMC-F 35-80 f/4-5.6 in extremely good cosmetic condition (no wear except minor scuffing of the bottom plate).

The only problem is that the battery compartment door is missing the lock-screw and metal plate that completes the battery circuit. That I can fix because I have the leftover parts from a defunct ZX-50 and the battery compartment door seems identical. Then I'll just need to find some CR2 batteries to see if it still works....

The funny thing is that I don't need a ZX-5n (I don't shoot film) or a F 35-80 (I already have one of these nice kitlens zooms). So why did I buy it? Is this how GAS starts?

Racer X 69 · 06-17-2017, 05:48 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by photoptimist

Then I'll just need to find some CR2 batteries to see if it still works....

Just rig up some jumper cables from the car.

photoptimist · 06-17-2017, 06:20 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by Racer X 69

Just rig up some jumper cables from the car.

Great idea!

I'll just saw the battery in half to get it down to 6V. (Or should I use the full 12 and see how many frames-per-second the ZX-5n will do?)

bertwert · 06-17-2017, 06:21 PM

Originally posted by photoptimist

I'll just saw the battery in half to get it down to 6V. (Or should I use the full 12 and see how many frames-per-second the ZX-5n will do?)

A lot of older cars ran on 6V electrics

Racer X 69 · 06-17-2017, 08:28 PM

Originally posted by photoptimist

Great idea!

I'll just saw the battery in half to get it down to 6V. (Or should I use the full 12 and see how many frames-per-second the ZX-5n will do?)

Originally posted by bertwert

A lot of older cars ran on 6V electrics

My Ford 8N originally had a 6 volt positive ground system.

But now it happily sports an alternator and a 12 volt battery.

**gaweidert** · 06-18-2017, 05:38 AM

Originally posted by photoptimist

The funny thing is that I don't need a ZX-5n (I don't shoot film) or a F 35-80 (I already have one of these nice kitlens zooms). So why did I buy it? Is this how GAS starts?

I still have my ZX -5n. I always liked using it more that the PZ-1p. I have the battery grip for it too. A very handy combination.

What this means is that you have a latent desire to record latent images on a more permanent storage platform. I think you need to follow this desire and see what develops.

**WPRESTO** · 06-18-2017, 05:43 AM

Originally posted by gaweidert

I still have my ZX -5n. I always liked using it more that the PZ-1p. I have the battery grip for it too. A very handy combination.

What this means is that you have a latent desire to record latent images on a more permanent storage platform. I think you need to follow this desire and see what develops.

I also still have my ZX5n, Was it the last Pentax body with a real shutter speed dial? It was one of my favorites, I think it was nicer than the later *ist I used, although AF was better on that body.

**gaweidert** · 06-18-2017, 06:02 AM

Originally posted by WPRESTO

I also still have my ZX5n, Was it the last Pentax body with a real shutter speed dial? It was one of my favorites, I think it was nicer than the later *ist I used, although AF was better on that body.

I didn't get my first autofocus lens until 2012. I'm still not convinced that they are better than manual focus lenses. It is certainly a hassle to have to set them up for each camera. After the I upgraded the firmware in my K1 to v1.41 I needed to do some AF tweaking. Still got a few lenses to check too. I don't even bother using autofocus on my DA 55-300 (not the current version). I don't think I have ever gotten it to lock on anything including a high contrast brick wall. Just easier to focus it manually. I really don't care as I got it new on sale for something like $260 or so. Optically it is pretty good.

**ChrisPlatt** · 06-18-2017, 06:50 AM - **1 Like**

Nice CZJ 135/3.5 lens (Sonnar?), $32 shipped on eBay.

There's no photo of the lens mount, and descripton
mentions both Praktica bayonet and M42 versions.

Either way is okay; I have cameras in both mounts.

Chris

dmr · 06-18-2017, 07:24 AM - **2 Likes**

Long story on this one, but it looks like I'm now officially in the color film processing business.

photoptimist · 06-18-2017, 03:24 PM

Originally posted by gaweidert

I still have my ZX -5n. I always liked using it more that the PZ-1p. I have the battery grip for it too. A very handy combination.

What this means is that you have a latent desire to record latent images on a more permanent storage platform. I think you need to follow this desire and see what develops.

LOL! I see you've framed the enlargement of my photographic hobby as a series of puns. The topic lens itself to to such changes in focus. But if I get into film, will the compulsion be fixed? Or will I go crazy and get locked into a dark room?

**WPRESTO** · 06-18-2017, 03:34 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by photoptimist

Or will I go crazy and get locked into a dark room?

There to breath deeply the irritating, sickening, if not dangerous miasma generated by large print-processing trays.

06-17-2017, 08:25 AM - 1 Like	#9871
ivanvernon Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Medina, OH Photos: Albums Posts: 7,224	Pentax-A 645 120mm f 4.0 macro Just received the highly rated (9.67 on Pentax Forum) Pentax-A 645 120mm f 4.0 macro from Keh. The lens was priced at only $126 including freight, and marked as UGLY. However, as usual Keh has sent a lens that looks like new except missing front and back caps. I can't wait to try out this lens with my 645-K mount adapter on the K-1.

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06-17-2017, 08:34 AM	#9872
Racer X 69 Moderator Man With A Camera Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: The Great Pacific Northwet, in the Land Between Canada and Mexico Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,073	Originally posted by 35mmfilmfan Have you tried street photography, or attended a political rally, with this setup yet ? The rifle stock setup I built got me a secondary look more than once, and I haven't had it out in public for 20 years or more. Of course I used it at raceways to shoot fast moving cars.

06-17-2017, 11:59 AM	#9873
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,696	Military surplus 50 caliber ammo cans were once quite popular for cheap crush-proof dry storage of camera gear. So no hypervigilant numbskull gets any mistaken notions about my intentions mine remains inside my car's trunk. Chris

06-17-2017, 05:15 PM - 1 Like	#9874
photoptimist Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,127	Today's garage saling found a ZX-5n with a SMC-F 35-80 f/4-5.6 in extremely good cosmetic condition (no wear except minor scuffing of the bottom plate). The only problem is that the battery compartment door is missing the lock-screw and metal plate that completes the battery circuit. That I can fix because I have the leftover parts from a defunct ZX-50 and the battery compartment door seems identical. Then I'll just need to find some CR2 batteries to see if it still works.... The funny thing is that I don't need a ZX-5n (I don't shoot film) or a F 35-80 (I already have one of these nice kitlens zooms). So why did I buy it? Is this how GAS starts?

06-17-2017, 05:48 PM - 1 Like	#9875
Racer X 69 Moderator Man With A Camera Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: The Great Pacific Northwet, in the Land Between Canada and Mexico Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,073	Originally posted by photoptimist Then I'll just need to find some CR2 batteries to see if it still works.... Just rig up some jumper cables from the car.

06-17-2017, 06:20 PM - 2 Likes	#9876
photoptimist Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,127	Originally posted by Racer X 69 Just rig up some jumper cables from the car. Great idea! I'll just saw the battery in half to get it down to 6V. (Or should I use the full 12 and see how many frames-per-second the ZX-5n will do?)

06-17-2017, 06:21 PM	#9877
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,172	Originally posted by photoptimist I'll just saw the battery in half to get it down to 6V. (Or should I use the full 12 and see how many frames-per-second the ZX-5n will do?) A lot of older cars ran on 6V electrics

06-17-2017, 08:28 PM	#9878
Racer X 69 Moderator Man With A Camera Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: The Great Pacific Northwet, in the Land Between Canada and Mexico Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,073	Originally posted by photoptimist Great idea! I'll just saw the battery in half to get it down to 6V. (Or should I use the full 12 and see how many frames-per-second the ZX-5n will do?) Originally posted by bertwert A lot of older cars ran on 6V electrics My Ford 8N originally had a 6 volt positive ground system. But now it happily sports an alternator and a 12 volt battery.

06-18-2017, 05:38 AM	#9879
gaweidert Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Rochester, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,325	Originally posted by photoptimist The funny thing is that I don't need a ZX-5n (I don't shoot film) or a F 35-80 (I already have one of these nice kitlens zooms). So why did I buy it? Is this how GAS starts? I still have my ZX -5n. I always liked using it more that the PZ-1p. I have the battery grip for it too. A very handy combination. What this means is that you have a latent desire to record latent images on a more permanent storage platform. I think you need to follow this desire and see what develops.

06-18-2017, 05:43 AM	#9880
WPRESTO Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59,137	Originally posted by gaweidert I still have my ZX -5n. I always liked using it more that the PZ-1p. I have the battery grip for it too. A very handy combination. What this means is that you have a latent desire to record latent images on a more permanent storage platform. I think you need to follow this desire and see what develops. I also still have my ZX5n, Was it the last Pentax body with a real shutter speed dial? It was one of my favorites, I think it was nicer than the later *ist I used, although AF was better on that body.

06-18-2017, 06:02 AM	#9881
gaweidert Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Rochester, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,325	Originally posted by WPRESTO I also still have my ZX5n, Was it the last Pentax body with a real shutter speed dial? It was one of my favorites, I think it was nicer than the later *ist I used, although AF was better on that body. I didn't get my first autofocus lens until 2012. I'm still not convinced that they are better than manual focus lenses. It is certainly a hassle to have to set them up for each camera. After the I upgraded the firmware in my K1 to v1.41 I needed to do some AF tweaking. Still got a few lenses to check too. I don't even bother using autofocus on my DA 55-300 (not the current version). I don't think I have ever gotten it to lock on anything including a high contrast brick wall. Just easier to focus it manually. I really don't care as I got it new on sale for something like $260 or so. Optically it is pretty good.

06-18-2017, 06:50 AM - 1 Like	#9882
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,696	Nice CZJ 135/3.5 lens (Sonnar?), $32 shipped on eBay. There's no photo of the lens mount, and descripton mentions both Praktica bayonet and M42 versions. Either way is okay; I have cameras in both mounts. Chris

06-18-2017, 07:24 AM - 2 Likes	#9883
dmr Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Somewhere in Middle America Posts: 106	Long story on this one, but it looks like I'm now officially in the color film processing business.

06-18-2017, 03:24 PM	#9884
photoptimist Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,127	Originally posted by gaweidert I still have my ZX -5n. I always liked using it more that the PZ-1p. I have the battery grip for it too. A very handy combination. What this means is that you have a latent desire to record latent images on a more permanent storage platform. I think you need to follow this desire and see what develops. LOL! I see you've framed the enlargement of my photographic hobby as a series of puns. The topic lens itself to to such changes in focus. But if I get into film, will the compulsion be fixed? Or will I go crazy and get locked into a dark room?

06-18-2017, 03:34 PM - 1 Like	#9885
WPRESTO Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59,137	Originally posted by photoptimist Or will I go crazy and get locked into a dark room? There to breath deeply the irritating, sickening, if not dangerous miasma generated by large print-processing trays.