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Forum: Pentax K-70 & KF
07-22-2017, 12:45 AM
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Before considering the cable release, a couple of points wrt K70 and K3ii:
I have a Pentax K70 and a Pentax K3ii. IMHO, they are both fine cameras, but in different ways.
The K3ii provides a conventional user interface with the usual input/output connections and seems to have a quicker startup period after first pressing the shutter release button than does the K70. The K70 has some good features, particularly when used in idiot/auto modes. I suggest the the K70 is good for quick and easy use via a small carry bag on a walk, eg with the 16 to 85mm zoom and 55 to 300mm zoom.
My K3ii often sits on the back of a 150-450mm Pentax zoom lens – fantastic!
WRT the mic/cable release socket on the K70:
I reported on this some time ago.
After looking at images of the CS-310 Pentax adapter, I concluded that it was worth trying out a standard 3 terminal 2.5mm to 3.5mm adaptor. This allowed me to use a normal 3.5mm release cable on the K70 without any problems at all. The two stage operation of start up and then exposure works correctly. I did not use a 4 terminal adaptor.
The CS-310 appears to include a ferrite RF fillter ring. Perhaps this is to prevent external RF pulses/interference from effecting the electronics of the K70. I don’t know the internal circuitry of the K70, but to prevent this from happening, I wound a couple of turns of my 2.5mm to 3.5mm adaptor cable through a small ferrite toroid. The result has been a very reliable adaptor.
I agree with others that Pentax are wrong in insisting that the CS-310 is the only way to use conventional 3.5mm release cables with K70.
Regards
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Forum: Pentax DSLR and Camera Articles
01-07-2017, 07:20 AM
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GUIs available for exiftool under Linux, but command line operation is typically simpler and potentially more powerful than under Windows.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR and Camera Articles
01-05-2017, 02:06 AM
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Yes, I've just confirmed that exiftool can also find shutter count from a jpg file.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR and Camera Articles
01-05-2017, 02:04 AM
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But this link requires that you upload an image
exiftool operates directly on an image.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR and Camera Articles
01-04-2017, 04:27 AM
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Shutter count can be found very easily via 'exiftool' which is available for Windows and for Linux. I have used only the Linux version, as follows:
The command 'exiftool imgpxxxx.pef' will read a RAW/PEF file to present you with a very long list of stuff which should include a line headed "Shutter Count".
Instead of having to read through this list, use 'exiftool imgpxxxx.pef | grep "Shutter Count".
Easy!
New online tool: Check Camera Shutter Count and Manufacture Date |
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Forum: Pentax K-70 & KF
12-29-2016, 03:33 AM
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I'm confused! It seems that the CS310 remote release for the K70 is a 3.5mm 4 section device, but my copy of the K70 manual states that the microphone connection is via "Stereo mini plug (3.5mm)". Web searches define this unanimously (?) as a 3 section device.
Anyway, in ignorance I bought a standard 3 section 3.5mm male to 2.5mm female adapter and used this to connect my old/standard 2.5mm release cables to the K70. This arrangement works perfectly well to recognise part and full press operations as on my K10D and K3 II.
After reading the messages relating to this topic, I began to wonder if I was loosing the plot. I've just now re-checked that my solution does indeed work.
I did notice that the picture of the CS310 shows a moulded on RFI filter, so I provided similar protection by threading the adaptor cable twice through a small ferrite toroid.
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Forum: Welcomes and Introductions
03-29-2016, 06:40 AM
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Again, thanks for responses to my query.
Perhaps I should have thought more about this before posting.
As ukspeedtraps suggested, the best way to check is to try it out. Will do this as soon as possible.
Regards
Ken Hough
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Forum: Welcomes and Introductions
03-28-2016, 01:40 AM
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Thanks to all who responded so quickly to my query concerning use of ASTROTRACER on K3 II.
I'm not surprised that there were no positive results. My request was stretching ideas somewhat, but nothing ventured, nothing gained.
As the built-in GPS system is accurate enough to retain star images to pin-point accuracy, I guess that it should in principle also be possible to calculate and implement deviation errors from the true/required tracking arc. Given GPS coordinates, the true tracking arc can be calculated exactly.
If this were to be done, IMHO it would be a significant and probably (another?) unique selling point for the K3 II. Perhaps this could be considered for inclusion in a future firmware update for the K3 II.
Thanks again guys.
Regards
Ken Hough
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Forum: Welcomes and Introductions
03-27-2016, 07:24 AM
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Hello! I’m a long time user of Pentax cameras and have just joined this group.
I began with a Pentax MX which I still have, and progressed via SFX anf Z1 before getting an istD and then a K10D, and now a K3 II.
For a few years I also had a Canon EOS450D which because of lower digital noise levels was significantly better than the K10D for long exposure astrophotography. I recently got rid of the Canon in favour of the K3 II.
I’ve accumulated a good selection of older Pentax lenses and of the newer digital age glass. It’s good to be able to use all of these lenses on the newer cameras.
My first impressions of the K3 II are very pleasing. I have still to explore some of the features and am hoping for some help in understanding the ASTROTRACER facility on the K3 II.
Searching the Internet, I discovered that ASTROTRACER could provide stable images over periods of 90 seconds or so with a 40mm lens. That should translate to approx 9 seconds with my SMC M 400mm f5.6 lens. Given the low noise level of the K3 II, I can use ISO 1600 without any problems. So that’s looking like working out well.
I’m wondering if I could go further. I have a couple of motor driven equatorial telescope mounts (a large and very heavy EQ6 and a more portable EQ3/2). Given careful polar alignment, the EQ6 is capable of producing stable images over periods of 10 minutes or more. The EQ3/2 is less stable. To do better, I would need to set up a secondary astro camera and computer to provide autoguiding.
I don’t know how the K3 II does it’s calculations wrt GPS, but if instead of the K3 II remaining stationary, it were mounted on a motor driven equatorial mount, would it then detect small errors in tracking and correct these via ASTROTRACER?
If this were the case then this might provide a means of doing LONG exposures without exceeding the travel limits of the sensor in the K3 II.
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