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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
12-22-2022, 02:01 AM
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Good to hear that. All gone well then.
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Forum: General Talk
03-12-2023, 02:23 PM
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An old boy was travelling on his horse drawn cart, his dog sitting by him on the seat. It was a very hot, sunny day. Occasionally he whipped the horse lightly, just out of habit while bobbing his head on the verge of falling asleep. Things went like this for a while. After the umteenth whip the horse suddenly stopped, turned his head towards our hero and said:
- Would you stop whipping me? I have enough problem pulling your cart in this heat and yet you keep whipping as if I had to be urged.
The old boy's eyes went wide open in horror. He jumped off the cart and started running away in the fields, not far beyond his dog following him. After a while they both stopped from exhaustion, panting when the dog turned to him and said:
- Bloody hell. I almost got a heart attack when the horse started talking.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
05-10-2023, 10:56 PM
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I honestly don't see why they are not releasing WR versions instead. Not everyone needs WR Limited and "star" lenses at a price they either can not afford or justify. I have not bought a single lens from Pentax since 2017 (that is when I bought my K-1) because there is no cheaper WR compact prime an ordinary shooter needs.
We have the third incarnation (and even the DA-L) of the cheapo 18-55 weather sealed for "fox" sake (Me: Excuse me foxes... Foxes: No offence taken.)
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Forum: General Talk
04-01-2023, 05:41 AM
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That reminds me of my Scottish colleague back then when I was living in the UK. He used to say one gets the hint of how to do a Scottish accent after about 5-6 pints, and the more you have the better your Scottish is.
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Forum: General Talk
02-23-2023, 01:13 PM
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I grew up in Hungary during the 70's - 80's. It was only two state channels, not much propaganda by the mid-late 80's (surprisingly a lot better quality TV content, than you can see nowadays), and... no broadcast on Mondays at all. Some would ask: what did people do on Mondays? Well, we read books and talked to each other.
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Forum: Do-It-Yourself
06-09-2012, 02:26 AM
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About two years ago I set up one of my Pentax MZ-S cameras with a split image/microprism focusing screen. In this thread I want to share the how-to part so if someone feels they need a similar setup with their MZ-S they can do it.
What you'll need:
- a bit of courage if you have not done camera DIY before (if you feel anxious a shot of spirit /strictly one!!!!/ gets rid of shaking hand while doing fiddly jobs) :)
- a split image/microprism focusing screen of a Pentax MX (LX screen should be good as well).
- a very fine grain so called glass sand paper (at least P1000 but should be no more than P2000 as that is way too fine and takes longer to take off the excess on the edges of the screen). Do not use the spongy nail polishing thingy! Not suitable as that is soft and you need hard surface to keep the screen's edges straight.
- very-very fine nail file - (it is important that you do not use rough ones. The smoother the better as you should not carve off big bits of your focusing screen). If you do not have glass sand paper you can use the nail file for the whole process as long as it is has really fine grain.
- a tab with some water in it.
- examination gloves to handle the screen and avoid having your fingerprints all around it.
- tweezer (either the original tool for changing focusing screens as pictured or a small one that you can grab the pin of screen with).
- baby wipe and microfibre cloth to wipe and dry the edge of screen.
- a quiet half an hour and a clean desk.
And here is the process step by step:
1. For a start it is enough to put on one glove (on the hand you will hold the screen with).
2. Remove the original AF focusing screen from your MZ-S camera. Leave the screen holder open.
3. Prepare the sandpaper: put some water on it. You should only wet the paper but should not have excess water or water drops on the surface. The thumb rule is that if you lift the paper and hold it vertically there should be no water dropping from it.
The water is there to absorb fine dust so you won't need to clean the screen later (you'll only need to wipe the edges at the end).
During the process (described later) wet the paper from time to time as needed.
4. With one hand (thumb and pointing finger) hold the paper down on the desk by stretching it.
5. As pictured start filing the three edges of your focusing screen (left, right and back edge). Make sure that you count the moves on each side. That enables you to take off even amount on each edge. The back does not need much adjustment. It is the left and right edge that needs more taken off. From time to time try to fit the screen into the holder. You do not need to put it in properly, just have it measured by eye. (You cannot put it in anyway as you have not adjusted the pin on the front yet. If you wish you can start with adjusting that one first and doing the edges second.)
6. File some excess off of the pin. About 1/3 on the inner side of the pin closer to the centre should be filed off.
7. When it seems that it fits the MZ-S' screen holder insert it and close the holder until it locks in place. Please note that the holder of MZ-S has flat springs/pressure plates that push up and hold the screen off the holder frame itself so you need to be careful. If you feel it still does not fit perfectly do not force it just file some excess off on the edges and on the pin. Even if it goes in a bit loose it will not fiddle around as the flat pressure spring/plates will hold the screen firm.
Obviously before placing the screen wipe the edges with baby wipe and dry it with the microfibre cloth. Make sure you only wipe the edges and avoid touching the screen. That saves you cleaning the whole screen.
Well, that is it. If you feel that this description is a bit messy just ask before attempting anything with your camera. Please only do the above process if you feel confident as I only provided this as a guideline out of experience but I will not take any blame if you mess something up with your MZ-S. You do it at your own risk (although there is not much risk if you do not force the screen).
The pictures presented here are purely for demonstration as I did this project about 2 years ago. Back then I used glass sand paper with water for the edges as described above. If you use file as pictured it is adviseable to use water as dust absorbent as I did with the paper.
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Forum: General Talk
02-19-2023, 08:41 AM
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All I can add:
You Tube
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src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3rerBnAKPn0?controls=1" allowfullscreen>
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Forum: General Talk
01-30-2023, 12:33 PM
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Chuck Norris does not take vitamins. Vitamins take Chuck Norris.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
01-01-2023, 03:06 PM
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I don't know if it has been mentioned in this post already, but Leica re-released their M6 in 2022. That should be a massive clue for Pentax that they are on a right path. Maybe there is even no need to jump into RnD, just re release some of their old cameras with lesson learned improvements and bugfixes. Leica is not for everyone pricewise, so Pentax could fill the remaining market.
I have got an M6 and also LX, MX. Great cameras. I would not want any more feature than these have in a new model.
Just my half a penny.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
12-19-2022, 08:45 AM
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What I'd like to see them keeping is the upgrade service from K-1/K-1ii to the future new model. Although I did not feel the urge to upgrade from Mk I to Mk Ii by Ricoh's swap-the-guts service, it was definitely something I appreciated in their policy.
If they bring out a considerably improved camera over the K-1 MkI I would have a serious thought about using the upgrade service as a cheaper and more eco friendly alternative.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-10-2010, 07:13 AM
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Last year I was in the search for a convenient wide angle zoom something from around 15-20 to 35-40mm. After some research I found these lenses to be the ideal purchase:
Pentax 4/20-35mm
Sigma 3.5-4.5/15-30mm
Sigma 2.8/20-40mm
Tokina AT-X 2.8/20-35mm
Tokina 3.5-4.5/20-35mm I
Tokina 3.5-4.5/20-35mm II
I ruled out these for the following reasons:
Pentax: the price is usually much too high compared to newer, better built lenses that can deliver similar, the same or even better results.
Sigma 15-30mm: I found it a bit short at the long end and a bit oversized.
Sigma 20-40mm: have not seen it for ages for sale. Maybe one day when it pops up somewhere I'll buy it. Update: I finally came across this Sigma and bought it from a fellow Pentaxian who changed system.
So the Tokinas remained. Unfortunately the AT-X 2.8/20-35mm is rarely available second hand and is discontinued so the last two were the most promising options.
Not long after having this decision made I bumped into the first version of 3.5-4.5/20-35mm Tokina which I finally picked up. I have been using this lens for some months now and I am really satisfied with it (details later in this review/comparison), although different reviews kept me thinking about the II version of this lens.
So recently when I had the opportunity I bought the II version as well because I was really bothered by reviewers stating very mixed opinions.
Now having both lenses in hand (which is the point when you can have a proper opinion) here are my findings for everyones' benefit.
The mount end of the lenses with the rear elements are identical to 100%, so are the zoom rings. The first difference is the distance scale window. While the first version has it Tokina abandoned it on the second version and used the place gained to build a wider focusing ring with a painted distance scale.
The second (or third if you consider the focus ring) difference is the filter thread. The first version has a rotating block which accommodates the front element of the lens with a filter thread of 72mm, therefore the lens has a rotating front element/filter thread. On the second version Tokina fixed the filter thread, made it bigger (77mm) and separated it from the structure that holds the front element.
And this is where the myth disappears. I read in some reviews that the II version has a non-rotating front element so the use of polar filters and petal type lens hood is possible. This is partly true. The front element still ROTATES!!!! It is even the same size on both lenses and have the same rings that keep and fix the elements in place. It is only the filter thread that is fixed, non-rotating.
So as far as it goes Tokina only mechanically upgraded the first version of the lens, but they did not change anything else. Therefore talking about better picture quality in regards of the II version (or some say I version) is a false statement. I dare say that the two versions have the same optics built into them which is also proven by the fact that I have not discovered any difference between the pictures taken with the two lenses (under the same conditions, settings etc.). Only Tokina and some formal test could tell the truth though.
So... if you consider buying one of these lenses you might want to consider the following:
I. version:
Advantages:
smaller, comfortable size (72mm filter) at the end of lens
distance scale window (if this is and advantage at all)
Disadvantage:
rotating filter thread
narrower focusing ring
II. version
Advantages:
non-rotating filter thread
Disadvantages:
bigger in size (77mm filter)
Some people say the II version is better in regards of vignetting when a filter is used, because the filter ring does not cause vignetting, while it does on the first version, but I cannot comment on that. I tested both lenses on digital, but only the first version on film and without filter, although I put it on my LX to see if it has visible vignetting with a filter fitted but I did not notice it by eye.
At the end I still owe you my opinion. I would give both lenses a 8/10. They are very well built, have a very handy focal range (even on digital) and a decent picture quality. If you are on a short budget and want a good lens buy one of these.
P.S.: Please note, that both lenses have the same colour of reflection on the elements in reality. The pictures show some difference but it is due the light reaching the lenses from a slightly different angle.
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Forum: Lens Clubs
10-08-2018, 07:50 AM
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Not exactly macro, but taken with this lens (non DG version) used as a plain telephoto. We wedged some monkey nuts into the tree in our garden for our regular visitors. I did not need to wait for long to get a few shots as they tried to force the nuts. Camera was a K-1 with Natural colour pattern. Shot through window.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
01-12-2022, 12:51 PM
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I was out in the fields meanwhile shooting my K-1. TLDR. Have I missed anything? :lol:
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
05-27-2021, 10:10 PM
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Any plan to extend their offering of compact, weather sealed primes (DA, D FA)? Current offerings are huge, especially for FF.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 III
04-23-2021, 02:31 AM
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I am not Nostredamus to see what is coming, but I can confidently predict neglected wifes in the Pentax community for the near future.
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Forum: Lens Clubs
09-09-2019, 04:48 AM
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Ducks on the lake. Non-DG version on K-1.
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Forum: Lens Clubs
09-09-2019, 04:45 AM
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Moor frog. Handheld non-DG version on a K-1.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 III
04-03-2021, 04:40 AM
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Forum: Repairs and Warranty Service
05-13-2020, 09:19 AM
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-18-2019, 01:40 PM
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Making fun... K-1 with 43mm Limited.
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
12-30-2019, 12:22 PM
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
12-30-2019, 01:23 PM
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Indeed, the second one has a bad link even on Sigma's website from their listing page. But the first one was made in K-mount, it clearly says on the bottom of page. Just need to scroll all the way down.
Also:
https://lens-db.com/sigma-800mm-f56-apo-ex-hsm-1999/ |
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
12-24-2019, 03:06 AM
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Now, you would consider images like this not worth the K-1 to use for. Out of focus, underexposed, blurred... Still my favourite of my miss telling me the dinner was ready while I was playing with my camera in the living room. That is what men do while waiting to be fed... LOL
For those who want to check it out the picture hanging on the wall is from photographer Francis Meadow Sutcliffe. I like his works, have a few prints hanging on our walls.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Meadow_Sutcliffe |
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
12-30-2019, 03:07 PM
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-19-2019, 09:57 AM
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Hi,
I do not know about others, but I found this article helpIful:
How to optimize focusing accuracy with large-aperture lenses / explore | RICOH IMAGING
I have fine tuned most of my lenses to my K-1 including the FA43 according to their recommendation. For me at least it made a big difference in AF accuracy and keeper rates, especially with the FA77, but the FA43 improved a lot as well.
So because you will have limited time with the lens it is probably a good idea to start with the steps described in the article to avoid disappointment.
I hope it helps.
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