Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
08-16-2018, 04:36 AM
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I think the bottom line is go try it with the specif lens and TC combination that you have. Setup on a good tripod and do a series of shots stepping down from wide open with and without the TCs, and then go do some pixel peeping.
Just in general, I find a certain satisfaction in taking a series of test shots of the same subject. e.g. front of house, neighbors chimney, etc., with different lenses, and then being able to go back and do some quick IQ comparisons on how they perform when questions come up. Of course, my girlfriend probably thinks I'm nuts as I once again head out the front door with a large tripod and camera gear in tow.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-08-2024, 07:52 PM
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I have a variety of adapters ranging from original to aftermarket, and I like removing the springs and leaving them permanently on the lenses. I basically have an adapter for every lens that just lives on the lens. I don't even use thread locker. I find just a nice snug tightening is all that is really needed. I don't have any issues with the lenses coming off or rotating in use, and it makes them very easy to use mixed in with K mount lenses and switch to whatever without really thinking about it.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-09-2024, 05:28 PM
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Give one of these a whirl. I'd even say if you feel really bold, go for a couple. I might just have to grab a few too, because you can never have too many vintage lenses ready to go. ;) K&F Concept Lens Adapter for M42 42mm Screw Mount Lens to PK Pentax K Camera US | eBay
I was thinking I'd find a box for one of my generic ones, but no luck. I think I have some K&F Concept in the mix, and they're just fine. Fotodiox is another name you'll see in adapters and specialty items that makes some surprisingly nice stuff for the price point.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-07-2024, 02:19 PM
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Forum: General Talk
03-08-2024, 02:43 PM
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It's a nice lens. Mine is at arms length. It's one of those lenses that never makes it back into the cabinet, because it's used so much.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-06-2024, 03:42 PM
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If the item is offered new, I will almost always just wait and save and purchase new versus looking for a used one for less. I like getting the warranty, and I like knowing that the purchase helps keep Pentax chugging along. If there aren't any sales, there won't be any new offerings, so no need to make the "Pentax is doomed" prophecy real by behaving that way. And even though I order online (B&H mostly), I am ordering from a store with a brick and mortar presence. I like that too. If I had a local camera shop, I'd buy there, but they all went out of business, because not enough people showed up and made a purchase....
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-06-2024, 05:15 PM
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You can leave your Y2 filter home then. :)
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
03-01-2024, 07:37 PM
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Congrats, and this is a nice setup. My first Pentax was a K1000 that I bought new in the late '70s. That and the standard 50/2 and an M series 28/2.8 gave me a ton of mileage. As others have said, I'd add a telephoto. My 3rd lens was the 75-150/4. I still have it today. That is another versatile option in a nice size I'd check out.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-01-2024, 07:13 PM
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Just take it in the shower and see what happens. :cool:
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
02-17-2024, 08:18 PM
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What camera do you have? That can affect which lenses you can use. One of the DA 55-300mm zooms might work well for you for the zoo. The PLM version is faster focusing, but needs one of the newer bodies to operate it.
Depending on what size animal and how far away will have a big impact on which lens. Knowing what other lenses you have would help quite a bit for a recommendation.
Do you have a budget?
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
02-16-2024, 10:09 AM
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I can see it now. Different bowls of colored crystal bits and uncooked macaroni pasta.
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Forum: General Talk
02-11-2024, 01:14 PM
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Not only is my LBA getting stoked, but now I've got the munchies. ;)
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
02-09-2024, 08:50 PM
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Nice run down. I think I had forgotten about ABC. Thanks!
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
02-06-2024, 07:50 PM
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I like not just seeing, "performed well", but also seeing, "Steady growth."
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Forum: General Talk
02-11-2024, 01:23 PM
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I've missed the joys of SMUs! Need to change that! I have something on the way, and it if pans out as hoped, I'll have to post a pic. Might have to make a dash to the grocery first. :lol:
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
02-09-2024, 07:04 PM
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K-1 II and Pentax A 50/1.2
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
02-09-2024, 06:56 PM
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I like reading stuff like this! Hope it continues to pan out. One of the downsides of LBA is not using some lenses enough. The other thread you have on the 16-50 got me playing with it again. Good times! :)
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
02-07-2024, 05:51 PM
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Just another data point that it is firm, but what you describe sounds too much. I am able to zoom mine using either the side of my hand.or my palm. I would definitely get another one.
I will also agree with you that it's a very nice lens. When I first learned about it, I thought that a 20-40mm zoom range sounded pretty minimal and wondered why people love it so much. Well, it's one of my most used lenses now. Turns out there was something to it. ;)
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
02-05-2024, 03:35 PM
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I think we can safely surmise that the author of that article was not a fan! :lol:
But I wonder if he's had his plate of crow after writing this?
"Anyone with a serious interest in photography knows it ain't the megapixels, it's the sensor -- which is why no blinkin' mobile phone will ever replace a camera."
Perhaps not for those of us with more stringent expectations, but certainly for the masses it has.
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
02-04-2024, 05:43 PM
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Yes, yes, I agree! No accounting for the why! Adds to the mystery. And was this a one off for the exhibition someone put together, and who actually displayed it? I did a quick search here, and didn't find any reports of this camera at the show. Doesn't mean I didn't miss something, but it wasn't popping up for me. I'd think one of our senior Pentaxians might know more. And let's just say you had infinite money and that wasn't an issue, would you, just because? :D:eek:
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
02-02-2024, 07:59 PM
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I think you might be surprised by how much you can use a telephoto. I look back at taking photos many years ago and often feeling like my attempts at landscape photos shot with wide angle lenses just didn't capture the feel of what I was seeing. This was often traveling and big vista types of views. I started using longer focal lengths, and to my surprise, discovered my photos were much improved for conveying the scale of the scene. I'd say it's definitely worth getting at least one and start checking them out. It would even make sense to start with something like the 55-300 PLM and then add the 150-450. I have them both, and depending on what I am doing, will pick the one I feel is most suited. Plus a great reason to my some more lenses. Long live LBA!
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
02-02-2024, 05:47 PM
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Yep. As mentioned suffering from chronic LBA, I have lots of choices, but this trio really is a great combination. The fact that we have two limiteds to take care of the wider end of the range is very nice, and the 55-300 PLM is just hard to beat. I know some talk about a falling off of sharpness at 300mm, but my copy seems sharp all the way through, and it's so quick to focus. My walk includes sitting on a bench looking over a river and chasing birds, and it is perfect for that.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
02-02-2024, 10:14 AM
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Going small can be a really good thing. I have an acute case of LBA and can lug around a ton in theory, but find the reality is I want a smaller kit, not a bigger one. My daily dog walking shoulder holster bag has my K3 II, 15 Limited, 20-40 Limited, and 55-300 PLM in it. That covers pretty much anything I can want, and does it in a size I can throw over my shoulder and not throw out my back. Being able to easily grab it and go makes all the difference on it coming along.
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Forum: General Talk
02-02-2024, 09:11 AM
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Yes, I will, and it is! :lol:
It's a pretty amazing little camera, and it really is little. I've been trying to find something I could stick in a pocket for years now, and just never hitting the mark. I picked up a QS-1 and assorted lenses a few years ago, and while I really like it, it is not really a pocketable solution, and I'd find myself going out and not having it at hand. This little Sony is small enough it actually can slide into a front jeans pocket, and the IQ is impressive, and the 24-200mm zoom range covers a ton, and the lens is sharp. The thing I do notice though is the layout of Pentax controls and what is where just makes more sense to me, and I think it's beyond just what I'm used to. A good example is the little wheel on the back comes from the factory with a mode for adjusting the flash, but not ISO. Well, I adjust ISO all the time and rarely touch the flash. Luckily, you can remap pretty much everything you want on this camera, so it is now doing what I want it to when I press that. And it also opens up a world of video that I've never even thought about before. The stabilization and tracking is pretty amazing, and 4K to boot. Sony says it's basically the A9 for capabilities in a pocket zoom, and it looks like they've pulled it off.
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Forum: General Talk
02-01-2024, 07:21 PM
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I feel some guilt. It's like I've committed a betrayal. In pursuit of something I really could put in my pocket to always have a camera, I didn't buy a Pentax, but a Sony RX100 VII. So far, pretty impressive and very small. It won't replace any of my beloved Pentax gear, but happily have a spot next to it.
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