New to Pentax - K30 or K500 ?

**Des** · 06-02-2014, 06:20 PM

Originally posted by haviet

Thanks, it's a manufacturer refurb, not new though.

When you have used it for 3 weeks it will be exactly the same whether new or refurb. Enjoy it.

haviet · 06-02-2014, 06:35 PM

Thanks. I agree, you just have to try it to see wether you like it or not. But, it's an expensive approach

My 35mm should be here to morrow, so I will have a chance to try it out this weekend.

---------- Post added 06-02-14 at 09:37 PM ----------

Quick question. Is there a way to find out how many shutter counts the camera has?

DSims · 06-02-2014, 07:17 PM

Originally posted by haviet

FA43?

I knew there was a post like this I'd read and forgot to answer - this must have been it!

All I meant is that you've been using 30mm on m4/3, so the FA43 is about the same FOV on APS-C, and you should be very happy with it (plus it's a high quality lens).

haviet · 06-02-2014, 07:31 PM

Lol. Thanks. I must be an idiot. Sorry, new to Pentax and still not familiar with the lens acronyms yet.

I just realized that the DA lens are made in Vietnam. How's the quality? I am used to Japanese lens coming from Olympus.

DSims · 06-02-2014, 08:04 PM

Originally posted by haviet

I just realized that the DA lens are made in Vietnam. How's the quality? I am used to Japanese lens coming from Olympus.

Actually they're quite good. There may have been a few problems when they first moved manufacturing of a given lens there, but my FA77 Ltd was the only one of my 3 FA Ltds that was Assembled in Vietnam (AIV), yet it was my favorite. It shouldn't be a big concern - they've been producing nice lenses for quite a while now.

---------- Post added 06-02-14 at 08:06 PM ----------

Originally posted by haviet

Lol. Thanks. I must be an idiot. Sorry, new to Pentax and still not familiar with the lens acronyms yet.

I just realized that the DA lens are made in Vietnam. How's the quality? I am used to Japanese lens coming from Olympus.

The K-30 (did you end up getting one?) is a very good camera, so don't be afraid to use even the best Pentax lenses on it (when you want and can afford them).

haviet · 06-02-2014, 08:40 PM

Thanks.

Yes, I did get the K-30 last week. Shot with it twice already. Still learning though.

**felixkh** · 06-03-2014, 04:19 AM

Ypu could get the DA35/2.4 or the DA50/1.8 as one of the forumers suggested. Both are great lenses or even a Sigma 30/1.4 if you can get one.

haviet · 06-03-2014, 05:59 AM

Originally posted by felixkh

Ypu could get the DA35/2.4 or the DA50/1.8 as one of the forumers suggested. Both are great lenses or even a Sigma 30/1.4 if you can get one.

I did. The 35mm f2.4 is being delivered today. I think, I will probably keep an eye out for a 70mm for 77mm for outdoor/potrait shooting.

I just don't see that much of a focal length difference between the 35mm and 50mm.

DSims · 06-03-2014, 03:16 PM

Originally posted by haviet

I did. The 35mm f2.4 is being delivered today. I think, I will probably keep an eye out for a 70mm for 77mm for outdoor/potrait shooting.

I just don't see that much of a focal length difference between the 35mm and 50mm.

Many people don't use the ~50mm focal length that much. I use 24mm and 85mm more often than those in-between.

**Des** · 06-03-2014, 10:48 PM

Originally posted by haviet

Quick question. Is there a way to find out how many shutter counts the camera has?

It is in the EXIF information of each photo. Here is an easy way to get it:
Check Shutter Count & Camera Manufacture Date Online - EXIF Reader

haviet · 06-04-2014, 07:44 AM

Thanks for the link Des.

I gave it a try, but it doesn't seem to give me the shutter count. Do I need to upload a RAW file?

**Des** · 06-04-2014, 08:27 AM

Originally posted by haviet

Thanks for the link Des.

I gave it a try, but it doesn't seem to give me the shutter count. Do I need to upload a RAW file?

No it has to be a jpg, and it should not be modified in any software (e.g. Lightroom or Silkypix). Upload a photo that has come straight from the camera's SD card.

If you prefer you can use software on your own computer. Ordinary photo viewers like Picasa will show some EXIF info but generally not the shutter count, but here are plenty of programs that do. I use Picture Information Extractor (which is free), available here:
Photography Companions - Picmeta Systems
Again just make sure you look at the unmodified jpg.

haviet · 06-04-2014, 08:36 AM

Got it. Thanks. I will upload the pic again when I get home today.

I am suprised Lightroom doesn't provide this data.

**Des** · 06-04-2014, 04:19 PM

Originally posted by haviet

I am suprised Lightroom doesn't provide this data.

AFAIK, neither does DxO Optics Pro, nor Photoshop, nor Silkypix/Pentax Digital Camera Utility, nor Picasa, nor IrfanView.

According to this article, Nikon and Pentax cameras record the shutter count in the EXIF info, but Canon, Sony and Olympus don't:
Finding Your Camera's Current Shutter Actuations - Digital Photography School

Ken Rockwell says that he could get the "shutter actuation count" for his Nikon from the Graphic Converter that is on his Mac:
EXIF Reader Software

haviet · 06-04-2014, 04:41 PM

It worked.

Camera PENTAX K-30
Manufature Date 2012:09:22
Shutter Count 344

Looks like my refurb camera came with with zero or very little shutter count. I've shot roughly 300 images the past week since I've had the camera.

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06-02-2014, 06:20 PM	#31
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,423	Originally posted by haviet Thanks, it's a manufacturer refurb, not new though. When you have used it for 3 weeks it will be exactly the same whether new or refurb. Enjoy it.

06-02-2014, 06:35 PM	#32
haviet Forum Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 70 Original Poster	Thanks. I agree, you just have to try it to see wether you like it or not. But, it's an expensive approach My 35mm should be here to morrow, so I will have a chance to try it out this weekend. ---------- Post added 06-02-14 at 09:37 PM ---------- Quick question. Is there a way to find out how many shutter counts the camera has?

06-02-2014, 07:17 PM	#33
DSims Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,236	Originally posted by haviet FA43? I knew there was a post like this I'd read and forgot to answer - this must have been it! All I meant is that you've been using 30mm on m4/3, so the FA43 is about the same FOV on APS-C, and you should be very happy with it (plus it's a high quality lens).

06-02-2014, 07:31 PM	#34
haviet Forum Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 70 Original Poster	Lol. Thanks. I must be an idiot. Sorry, new to Pentax and still not familiar with the lens acronyms yet. I just realized that the DA lens are made in Vietnam. How's the quality? I am used to Japanese lens coming from Olympus.

06-02-2014, 08:04 PM	#35
DSims Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,236	Originally posted by haviet I just realized that the DA lens are made in Vietnam. How's the quality? I am used to Japanese lens coming from Olympus. Actually they're quite good. There may have been a few problems when they first moved manufacturing of a given lens there, but my FA77 Ltd was the only one of my 3 FA Ltds that was Assembled in Vietnam (AIV), yet it was my favorite. It shouldn't be a big concern - they've been producing nice lenses for quite a while now. ---------- Post added 06-02-14 at 08:06 PM ---------- Originally posted by haviet Lol. Thanks. I must be an idiot. Sorry, new to Pentax and still not familiar with the lens acronyms yet. I just realized that the DA lens are made in Vietnam. How's the quality? I am used to Japanese lens coming from Olympus. The K-30 (did you end up getting one?) is a very good camera, so don't be afraid to use even the best Pentax lenses on it (when you want and can afford them).

06-02-2014, 08:40 PM	#36
haviet Forum Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 70 Original Poster	Thanks. Yes, I did get the K-30 last week. Shot with it twice already. Still learning though.

06-03-2014, 04:19 AM	#37
felixkh Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,201	Ypu could get the DA35/2.4 or the DA50/1.8 as one of the forumers suggested. Both are great lenses or even a Sigma 30/1.4 if you can get one.

06-03-2014, 05:59 AM	#38
haviet Forum Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 70 Original Poster	Originally posted by felixkh Ypu could get the DA35/2.4 or the DA50/1.8 as one of the forumers suggested. Both are great lenses or even a Sigma 30/1.4 if you can get one. I did. The 35mm f2.4 is being delivered today. I think, I will probably keep an eye out for a 70mm for 77mm for outdoor/potrait shooting. I just don't see that much of a focal length difference between the 35mm and 50mm.

06-03-2014, 03:16 PM	#39
DSims Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,236	Originally posted by haviet I did. The 35mm f2.4 is being delivered today. I think, I will probably keep an eye out for a 70mm for 77mm for outdoor/potrait shooting. I just don't see that much of a focal length difference between the 35mm and 50mm. Many people don't use the ~50mm focal length that much. I use 24mm and 85mm more often than those in-between.

06-03-2014, 10:48 PM	#40
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,423	Originally posted by haviet Quick question. Is there a way to find out how many shutter counts the camera has? It is in the EXIF information of each photo. Here is an easy way to get it: Check Shutter Count & Camera Manufacture Date Online - EXIF Reader

06-04-2014, 07:44 AM	#41
haviet Forum Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 70 Original Poster	Thanks for the link Des. I gave it a try, but it doesn't seem to give me the shutter count. Do I need to upload a RAW file?

06-04-2014, 08:27 AM	#42
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,423	Originally posted by haviet Thanks for the link Des. I gave it a try, but it doesn't seem to give me the shutter count. Do I need to upload a RAW file? No it has to be a jpg, and it should not be modified in any software (e.g. Lightroom or Silkypix). Upload a photo that has come straight from the camera's SD card. If you prefer you can use software on your own computer. Ordinary photo viewers like Picasa will show some EXIF info but generally not the shutter count, but here are plenty of programs that do. I use Picture Information Extractor (which is free), available here: Photography Companions - Picmeta Systems Again just make sure you look at the unmodified jpg.

06-04-2014, 08:36 AM	#43
haviet Forum Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 70 Original Poster	Got it. Thanks. I will upload the pic again when I get home today. I am suprised Lightroom doesn't provide this data.

06-04-2014, 04:19 PM	#44
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,423	Originally posted by haviet I am suprised Lightroom doesn't provide this data. AFAIK, neither does DxO Optics Pro, nor Photoshop, nor Silkypix/Pentax Digital Camera Utility, nor Picasa, nor IrfanView. According to this article, Nikon and Pentax cameras record the shutter count in the EXIF info, but Canon, Sony and Olympus don't: Finding Your Camera's Current Shutter Actuations - Digital Photography School Ken Rockwell says that he could get the "shutter actuation count" for his Nikon from the Graphic Converter that is on his Mac: EXIF Reader Software

06-04-2014, 04:41 PM	#45
haviet Forum Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 70 Original Poster	It worked. Camera PENTAX K-30 Manufature Date 2012:09:22 Shutter Count 344 Looks like my refurb camera came with with zero or very little shutter count. I've shot roughly 300 images the past week since I've had the camera.