[TriniSpiderGuy]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking to purchase a Pentax K-30 or K-50 sometime in the near future. One of the main things I photograph are microorganisms. Unfortunately my current setup has me holding my Olympus TG-6 to the eyepiece and trying to film/take out images. Not the best setup but the TG-6 can capture colour really well.

Attached to this post are two images I took today of a Chrionomus Larva under epi-illumination, the first one is edited (only the lighting has been touched). Second one is unedited.

My main concern is whether the K-30/K-50 images would look comparable, if not far better than these two shots. Would they be able to handle the low light conditions of epi-illumination really well to hopefully preserve more detail? That would be helpful since some details on a creature can't really be seen in brightfield.

P.S feel free to share whatever micrographs you've taken out with these two cameras! I'm interested to see how they perform generally. Not merely for epi-illumination.

Attached Images

View Picture EXIF

File Date

 

View Picture EXIF

File Date

 

---

Last edited by TriniSpiderGuy; 10-19-2022 at 10:47 AM. Reason: Forgot to ask to see micrographs

[35mmfilmfan]

There have been issues with both of these bodies - search the Forum for details. Any reason you have chosen these two - a more up-to-date body may be a better choice ?

[TriniSpiderGuy]

There have been issues with both of these bodies - search the Forum for details. Any reason you have chosen these two - a more up-to-date body may be a better choice ?

I'm aware of the aperture solenoid issue, thankfully I know of a person who can fix that. The main reason I'm going with a K-30/K-50 instead of a K-70 is price. I can get a K-30/-50 for less than $200 on ebay along with lenses and such. The K-70 at cheapest is $450+ without anything additional.

Considering the lenses I'll need and other auxiliary gear, it seems reasonable I buy the K-30/-50 compared to the K-70.

I can always transition to the K-70 or a newer camera at a later date in any case. Then give away my K-30/-50 or even keep it as a backup.

[mlag]

If you intend connecting to microscopes, you might skip the lenses and search for direct camera body connectors for telescope or microscopes.
Like this site seems to offer new : https://www.telescopeadapters.com/for-microscopes/545-pentax-k-slr-dslr-fixe...a-adapter.html ( just an example )
Or search online for the vintage pentax solution What is AP-K75 for? - PentaxForums.com

[ramseybuckeye]

Moving from the 1/2.3" sensor on the Olympus to an APC-C sensor should be an incredible jump in quality. Of course the lenses used can make a difference too.

[JohnX]

You might wish to consider an older 'flagship' camera, like the K5, K5Ii, or even the K3.

I understand price is a consideration, but none of these models have been plagued by the aperture solenoid problem and produce great results.

You might wish to consider an older 'flagship' camera, like the K5, K5Ii, or even the K3.

I understand price is a consideration, but none of these models have been plagued by the aperture solenoid problem and produce great results.

I certainly agree with that, but if it were me, I'd want something with a lot more resolution for microphotography (in terms of mpx). Being able to enlarge the image without a lot of pixelation would be a necessity, I'd think.

[marcusBMG]

Just doing a bit of reading on photomicrography - there are some similarity of principles with digiscoping. Seems to me you have similar choices: eyepiece projection (no lens on the camera) or, as you have been doing with the Olympus, taking a picture of the exit pupil with the camera plus lens afocal coupling (knew there was a term for this thanks to @Not A Number for posting informative links below). There is some set up involved with a dslr, the larger sensor means more tinkering with distances and mounting to reduce/avoid vignetting. For afocal coupling with a scope, a favoured lens is the compact SMC-M 40mm f2.8.
I think the K30/50 is a pretty good choice of camera, it has magnified live view which I can suggest is essential, however it doesn't have an articulated lcd. The model for that would be the KS1 or KS2. Alternatively you could consider a later model G series Lumix - G5, G6, G7. The later M43 sensors have much better iq and ISO performance than the earlier ones, quite close to apsc and are similar price bracket to a K30/K50. And of course these are mirrorless so completely avoid vibrations from that source.

[RoxnDox]

I have used my K-50 with macro (Tamron 100) and focus stacking ("Focus Stacker" on my Mac) and gotten results I really like. Example below. If not already a member, I would also recommend joining up over at https://www.photomacrography.net/forum/index.php?sid=46deabe6b7b3c60b29d26760bcca80fb It's a very knowledgeable bunch!

Jim

[Not a Number]

There are different approaches to micorphotography. A couple of white papers outline the various methods:

https://microscopyofnature.com/microphotography-hybrid-eyepieces
(PDF download)
http://www.quekett.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/alan-wood-photomicrography...uekex-2019.pdf

[photogem]

I had built myself an adapter for a K30 for a microscope. Shall post same pictures next week when I find time.

Sometimes one can find the K30/50 with ABF cheap on ebay and then repair it. In a way a better option than buying it in working condition because most K30's will develop ABF at some time.
Those on ebay often have little shuttercount, weren't used a lot (that's why they are more prone for ABF)

and thus it can be an amazing deal.

The good thing with the K30 / 50 is Liveview with Focus-Peaking!