Your latest acquisition

Pentaxor · 06-11-2013, 06:09 AM

polk audio t300

Jean Poitiers · 06-11-2013, 08:20 AM

Another thrift store score : a Zenit EM ('80 model by serial #) with Helios 44M 58/2 with original lens cap and camera case. Everything works, even the meter, but the leather smells like old shoes ... oh well, I cannot complain too much for the pricey sum of 3€ ... yeah! Gotta buy a roll of Ilford Delta 100 at my B&M shop and test it out ... only downside is that the Helios is quite stiff ... normal bad lubricant used in these Russian lens, but I have others to substitute for it until I find the time to "CLA" it ... another into the collection, J

Docrwm · 06-11-2013, 08:32 AM

Originally posted by Jean Poitiers

Another thrift store score : a Zenit EM ('80 model by serial #) with Helios 44M 58/2 with original lens cap and camera case. Everything works, even the meter, but the leather smells like old shoes ... oh well, I cannot complain too much for the pricey sum of 3€ ... yeah! Gotta buy a roll of Ilford Delta 100 at my B&M shop and test it out ... only downside is that the Helios is quite stiff ... normal bad lubricant used in these Russian lens, but I have others to substitute for it until I find the time to "CLA" it ... another into the collection, J

Must have been made on a Wednesday.

aurele · 06-11-2013, 08:47 AM

Originally posted by Jean Poitiers

Another thrift store score : a Zenit EM ('80 model by serial #) with Helios 44M 58/2 with original lens cap and camera case. Everything works, even the meter, but the leather smells like old shoes ... oh well, I cannot complain too much for the pricey sum of 3€ ... yeah! Gotta buy a roll of Ilford Delta 100 at my B&M shop and test it out ... only downside is that the Helios is quite stiff ... normal bad lubricant used in these Russian lens, but I have others to substitute for it until I find the time to "CLA" it ... another into the collection, J

Geez ! you're B&M store always have good deals ! I'm jealous ! i should come just to check those store during summer

**Digitalis** · 06-11-2013, 08:57 AM

My latest acquisition - The Pentax SMCP-K 55mm f/1.8

I recently tested the SMCP-K 55mm f/1.8 on my K5IIs against the SMCP-K 50mm f/1.2 and the hell of it - the A series 50mm f/1.7 and the results go like this:

the 50mm f/1.2 and 55mm f/1.8 are remarkably sharp at their widest apertures in terms of detail they are basically identical. The 55mm f/1.8 suffers from PF far more than the 50mm f/1.2 does : the A series 50mm f/1.7 is sharp at the centre, although it suffers from noticeable astigmatism at the edges of the frame - it is important to note that the two K series lenses do not have visible astigmatism.

At f/5.6 the K55mm f/1.8 and the 50mm f/1.7 are slightly sharper in the centre than the 50mm f/1.2 - however at the edges of the frame the 50mm f/1.2 is sharper than the slower lenses, the A series 50mm f/1.7 still suffers from astigmatism but it isn't as noticeable as it is at wider apertures*.

The only thing the A series 50mm f/1.7 had as an advantage was lower amounts of vignetting - in this regard the 55mm f/1.8 is only marginally better than the 50mm f/1.2. The Physical construction fo the K series lenses simply beats the A series lens hands down - I'll admit i'm prejudiced when it comes to plastic lenses, I always prefer metal construction with aperture rings that have positive click stops.

*Astigmatism cannot be eliminated by simply stopping the lens down, using smaller apertures merely hides it - and if you look closely you can see its effect in OOF regions at small apertures.

scratchpaddy · 06-11-2013, 09:06 AM

Originally posted by Jean Poitiers

with Helios 44M 58/2

Okay, Jean, how many Helios lenses do you have now? Is the drawer full yet?

@Digitalis: Thanks for the comparison. It's always fun to see how your lenses stack up to each other.

Jean Poitiers · 06-11-2013, 09:21 AM

Originally posted by scratchpaddy

Okay, Jean, how many Helios lenses do you have now? Is the drawer full yet?

If I admitted to having 11 58/2's ... would that mean that I have a LBA problem ... ?!

J

( Helios 44-2 = 5 ... Helios 44M = 4 ... Helios 44M-4 = 2 )

Of course since they are Russian, divide this total by 3 in order to having the actual number of working lenses ...

Last edited by Jean Poitiers; 06-11-2013 at 10:25 AM.

aurele · 06-11-2013, 09:34 AM

i can take on me to liberate you some space, and because you are a friendly forum member, i'm willing to do it for free

Racer X 69 · 06-11-2013, 05:29 PM

Originally posted by Pentaxor

polk audio t300

Those remind me of the Speakerlab bookshelf speakers from the 1970's.

panoguy · 06-11-2013, 06:34 PM

Latest is a "new-in-box," never opened, never used, Vivitar 2x Macro-focusing Teleconverter... straight from 1988.

BTW, that $119.95 sticker price from 1988 is roughly equal to $200 today, and I paid less than half the original 80's price!

stormtech · 06-11-2013, 07:33 PM

Originally posted by panoguy

Latest is a "new-in-box," never opened, never used, Vivitar 2x Macro-focusing Teleconverter... straight from 1988.

Great find! Nice piece of gear to have and it looks so nice being brand new.

ryan s · 06-11-2013, 10:01 PM

Does that TC work with auto aperture on the digital cameras? Some of the Ricoh auto/PK-A labeled stuff was hit or miss...sweet deal if it works though!

Waiting on one more Gitzo package that USPS has decided to leave in Washington state, apparently. But one arrived today, absolutely like new monopod for about half sticker price...

Pic taken with the Q...so impressed with this camera

ISO 3200, lit by one 60w light bulb, f/1.9.

aurele · 06-12-2013, 02:08 AM

Originally posted by ryan s

Pic taken with the Q...so impressed with this camera ISO 3200, lit by one 60w light bulb, f/1.9.

[pixel peeping time] Wow, super clean picture for 3200 iso, specially with this 1/2.3" sensor

Docrwm · 06-12-2013, 03:47 AM

Originally posted by ryan s

Does that TC work with auto aperture on the digital cameras? Some of the Ricoh auto/PK-A labeled stuff was hit or miss...sweet deal if it works though!

Waiting on one more Gitzo package that USPS has decided to leave in Washington state, apparently. But one arrived today, absolutely like new monopod for about half sticker price...

Pic taken with the Q...so impressed with this camera

ISO 3200, lit by one 60w light bulb, f/1.9.

The little 01 is a great lens IMHO. Nice photo I just can't believe its at 3200- wow. Where did you get the monopod?

panoguy · 06-12-2013, 06:25 AM

Originally posted by ryan s

Does that TC work with auto aperture on the digital cameras? Some of the Ricoh auto/PK-A labeled stuff was hit or miss...sweet deal if it works though.

Yes, it works perfectly with my K-5 and a lovely Pentax-A 50mm/1.7 on the front. Auto-aperture and all metering modes, etc.

BTW, enjoy your Gitzo gear! They make bombproof legs.

06-11-2013, 08:57 AM	#4625
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	My latest acquisition - The Pentax SMCP-K 55mm f/1.8 I recently tested the SMCP-K 55mm f/1.8 on my K5IIs against the SMCP-K 50mm f/1.2 and the hell of it - the A series 50mm f/1.7 and the results go like this: the 50mm f/1.2 and 55mm f/1.8 are remarkably sharp at their widest apertures in terms of detail they are basically identical. The 55mm f/1.8 suffers from PF far more than the 50mm f/1.2 does : the A series 50mm f/1.7 is sharp at the centre, although it suffers from noticeable astigmatism at the edges of the frame - it is important to note that the two K series lenses do not have visible astigmatism. At f/5.6 the K55mm f/1.8 and the 50mm f/1.7 are slightly sharper in the centre than the 50mm f/1.2 - however at the edges of the frame the 50mm f/1.2 is sharper than the slower lenses, the A series 50mm f/1.7 still suffers from astigmatism but it isn't as noticeable as it is at wider apertures. The only thing the A series 50mm f/1.7 had as an advantage was lower amounts of vignetting - in this regard the 55mm f/1.8 is only marginally* better than the 50mm f/1.2. The Physical construction fo the K series lenses simply beats the A series lens hands down - I'll admit i'm prejudiced when it comes to plastic lenses, I always prefer metal construction with aperture rings that have positive click stops. Astigmatism cannot be eliminated by simply stopping the lens down, using smaller apertures merely hides it - and if you look closely you can see its effect in OOF regions at small apertures. Last edited by Digitalis; 06-11-2013 at 09:07 AM.*

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06-11-2013, 06:09 AM	#4621
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	polk audio t300

06-11-2013, 08:20 AM	#4622
Jean Poitiers Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Lost in translation ... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,076	Another thrift store score : a Zenit EM ('80 model by serial #) with Helios 44M 58/2 with original lens cap and camera case. Everything works, even the meter, but the leather smells like old shoes ... oh well, I cannot complain too much for the pricey sum of 3€ ... yeah! Gotta buy a roll of Ilford Delta 100 at my B&M shop and test it out ... only downside is that the Helios is quite stiff ... normal bad lubricant used in these Russian lens, but I have others to substitute for it until I find the time to "CLA" it ... another into the collection, J

06-11-2013, 08:32 AM	#4623
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by Jean Poitiers Another thrift store score : a Zenit EM ('80 model by serial #) with Helios 44M 58/2 with original lens cap and camera case. Everything works, even the meter, but the leather smells like old shoes ... oh well, I cannot complain too much for the pricey sum of 3€ ... yeah! Gotta buy a roll of Ilford Delta 100 at my B&M shop and test it out ... only downside is that the Helios is quite stiff ... normal bad lubricant used in these Russian lens, but I have others to substitute for it until I find the time to "CLA" it ... another into the collection, J Must have been made on a Wednesday.

06-11-2013, 08:47 AM	#4624
aurele Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Paris, France Photos: Albums Posts: 3,217	Originally posted by Jean Poitiers Another thrift store score : a Zenit EM ('80 model by serial #) with Helios 44M 58/2 with original lens cap and camera case. Everything works, even the meter, but the leather smells like old shoes ... oh well, I cannot complain too much for the pricey sum of 3€ ... yeah! Gotta buy a roll of Ilford Delta 100 at my B&M shop and test it out ... only downside is that the Helios is quite stiff ... normal bad lubricant used in these Russian lens, but I have others to substitute for it until I find the time to "CLA" it ... another into the collection, J Geez ! you're B&M store always have good deals ! I'm jealous ! i should come just to check those store during summer

06-11-2013, 09:06 AM	#4626
scratchpaddy Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Phoenix Posts: 3,361	Originally posted by Jean Poitiers with Helios 44M 58/2 Okay, Jean, how many Helios lenses do you have now? Is the drawer full yet? @Digitalis: Thanks for the comparison. It's always fun to see how your lenses stack up to each other.

06-11-2013, 09:21 AM	#4627
Jean Poitiers Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Lost in translation ... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,076	Originally posted by scratchpaddy Okay, Jean, how many Helios lenses do you have now? Is the drawer full yet? If I admitted to having 11 58/2's ... would that mean that I have a LBA problem ... ?! J ( Helios 44-2 = 5 ... Helios 44M = 4 ... Helios 44M-4 = 2 ) Of course since they are Russian, divide this total by 3 in order to having the actual number of working lenses ... Last edited by Jean Poitiers; 06-11-2013 at 10:25 AM.

06-11-2013, 09:34 AM	#4628
aurele Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Paris, France Photos: Albums Posts: 3,217	i can take on me to liberate you some space, and because you are a friendly forum member, i'm willing to do it for free

06-11-2013, 05:29 PM	#4629
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: 28,065	Originally posted by Pentaxor polk audio t300 Those remind me of the Speakerlab bookshelf speakers from the 1970's.

06-11-2013, 06:34 PM	#4630
panoguy Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Washington, D.C. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,327	Latest is a "new-in-box," never opened, never used, Vivitar 2x Macro-focusing Teleconverter... straight from 1988. BTW, that $119.95 sticker price from 1988 is roughly equal to $200 today, and I paid less than half the original 80's price!

06-11-2013, 07:33 PM	#4631
stormtech Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: In the boonies (NW Penna) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,744	Originally posted by panoguy Latest is a "new-in-box," never opened, never used, Vivitar 2x Macro-focusing Teleconverter... straight from 1988. Great find! Nice piece of gear to have and it looks so nice being brand new.

06-11-2013, 10:01 PM	#4632
ryan s Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Madison, WI Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,383	Does that TC work with auto aperture on the digital cameras? Some of the Ricoh auto/PK-A labeled stuff was hit or miss...sweet deal if it works though! Waiting on one more Gitzo package that USPS has decided to leave in Washington state, apparently. But one arrived today, absolutely like new monopod for about half sticker price... Pic taken with the Q...so impressed with this camera ISO 3200, lit by one 60w light bulb, f/1.9.

06-12-2013, 02:08 AM	#4633
aurele Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Paris, France Photos: Albums Posts: 3,217	Originally posted by ryan s Pic taken with the Q...so impressed with this camera ISO 3200, lit by one 60w light bulb, f/1.9. [pixel peeping time] Wow, super clean picture for 3200 iso, specially with this 1/2.3" sensor

06-12-2013, 03:47 AM	#4634
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by ryan s Does that TC work with auto aperture on the digital cameras? Some of the Ricoh auto/PK-A labeled stuff was hit or miss...sweet deal if it works though! Waiting on one more Gitzo package that USPS has decided to leave in Washington state, apparently. But one arrived today, absolutely like new monopod for about half sticker price... Pic taken with the Q...so impressed with this camera ISO 3200, lit by one 60w light bulb, f/1.9. The little 01 is a great lens IMHO. Nice photo I just can't believe its at 3200- wow. Where did you get the monopod?

06-12-2013, 06:25 AM	#4635
panoguy Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Washington, D.C. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,327	Originally posted by ryan s Does that TC work with auto aperture on the digital cameras? Some of the Ricoh auto/PK-A labeled stuff was hit or miss...sweet deal if it works though. Yes, it works perfectly with my K-5 and a lovely Pentax-A 50mm/1.7 on the front. Auto-aperture and all metering modes, etc. BTW, enjoy your Gitzo gear! They make bombproof legs.