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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-13-2024, 08:02 AM
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Yes indeed, I was wondering it it might be possible to tweak Pentax lenses using a USB dock, such as the Sigma.
From your responses, it's not looking too hopeful atm, but we'll see.
Thank you to all for the replies.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-12-2024, 07:28 AM
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I recently posted a question about modifying the Sigma lens dock to accept Pentax lenses.
It was pointed out that to use such a dock would require Pentax lenses to store firmware within the lens, as Sigma does in theirs.
Does anyone know if any Pentax lens does store firmware within the lens?
Have Pentax ever produced a dock to allow tweaking of Pentax lenses?
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
03-12-2024, 07:21 AM
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Hi all
Thank you for all the responses. Unfortunately, I'm not much further forward, so I think I need to ask my question in a different way.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
03-08-2024, 05:10 AM
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Does anyone know whether Pentax have put firmware and/or hardware in any of their lenses?
---------- Post added 03-08-24 at 12:12 PM ----------
The Sigma dock works with the 18-300mm Sigma lens. I'm not sure about any others.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
03-07-2024, 02:22 PM
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Hi
Many members will know of the Sigma USB lens dock that allows many Sigma lenses to be tweaked in various ways. There doesn't seem to be an equivalent dock made by Pentax, unless someone can advise me of one?
The Pentax variant of the Sigma dock itself is a well made platform that could hold any Pentax lens, not just Sigma lenses designed for a Pentax camera.
Can any enterprising coder give some thought to programming the Sigma dock to handle other lenses?
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Forum: General Talk
07-18-2023, 01:49 PM
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I've not seen that episode, but I'll look out for it. I'm assuming it has some Pentax cameras in it?
On a similar, but slightly different vein, I've just read "Gallows View" by Peter Robinson, in which a villain was laid out by being hit over the head with "an old, heavy Pentax camera".
Our kit still has its uses!
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
06-19-2023, 12:16 PM
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Does anyone know of a simple manual on how to use DCU version 5? I have the early manual by N McGregor on version 4 dated 2012, but I've not managed to find anything more recent.
---------- Post added 06-19-23 at 12:57 PM ----------
Does anyone know of a simple manual on how to use DCU version 5? I have the early manual by N McGregor on version 4 dated 2012, but I've not managed to find anything more recent.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 III
05-18-2023, 10:25 AM
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Although the noise reduction is only applied to the .jpg images as described above, if you leave it set to "auto" and the camera decides it needs to switch it on for a particular shot, it takes an age for it to be applied after you've taken the shot and delays you taking another shot until it's complete. So, it may be better to switch it to "off"?
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
05-02-2023, 07:01 AM
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I think you may be a bit hard on Dell. If you do buy one of their "renewed" desktops from Amazon you can get quite a good deal, but it's necessary to be careful when selecting. A lot of the second user kit available comes in what are decribed as "small form factor cases" [SFF]. These should be avoided as their size makes it difficult if not impossible to add any extras, such as hard drives, DVD drives, card readers, etc. Not only that, but there are unlikely to be spare ports on the motherboard for drives, USB and the power supply will likely be unhappy with any additional load. If you opt for a mini tower, or similar, these problems will be avoided.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 III Monochrome
04-24-2023, 02:58 PM
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Sorry, but where does the cropping come in?
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
04-01-2023, 01:33 PM
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I've had both the Tokina and the Tamron. The Tokina I had gave pretty good results, but I had the chance of the Tamron at a good price, so I went for that. I think it's better built than the Tokina and I'd say it's a tad sharper too, but my Tokina certainly wasn't a disaster. I've read other views on mirror lenses over the years and there would seem to be quite a variation in the performance of particular models of these lenses - perhaps more so than "normal" lenses - so perhaps there's a bit of luck involved when you're buying a used model as you are here. Tokina lenses seem more common, so I think it's worth buying a Tokina if you see one at a reasonable price, but as an earlier poster recommended, you could then keep an eye out for a Tamron!
Incidentally, as you may know, the Tokina lens comes in specific camera fittings, though it's possible to swap the mounts from a non-working model if needed. The Tamron has the Tamron universal fitting, so you can convert it with the appropriate adaptor as required.
Best of luck!
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Forum: General Talk
03-10-2023, 09:06 AM
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Typically, the boxes at each end of these systems have ethernet connectors, to which you connect your cat5 [or better cat6] cable. This cable is only used for your video, so there shouldn't be any risk of damage to equipment. I had mixed results when I tried it.
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Forum: Vintage Cameras and Equipment
02-28-2023, 06:17 AM
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Nice lens and camera, but isn't this a Pentax forum?.....
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
02-25-2023, 03:36 PM
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I bought a Takumar 50mm f1.4 that wouldn't focus anywhere near infinity, even when using a genuine Pentax 42mm to PK adapter. I took the lens apart and found that someone had "been there before" - there were scratch marks on the screws that locked the focus ring - presumably to use the lens on a Nikon or Canon body. Loosening the screws and adjusting the focus ring fixed the problem.
Can a knowledgeable forum member advise the OP how to dismantle this lens sufficiently to check the focus ring screws?
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
01-09-2023, 12:19 PM
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That's great, thank you for all the effort.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
11-09-2022, 03:31 PM
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SRS Microsystems in the UK are advertising the KF for pre-order at £849 body only.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
08-29-2022, 12:05 AM
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Reading the last two inputs, it appears that the 1.50 firmware update may remove the greyed out GPS entry. I'm on 1.41, so I'll update when I'm home again. This must be one of the miscellaneous changes not documented in the firmware update blurb?
---------- Post added 08-29-22 at 12:07 AM ----------
Reading my entry above, I'm not sure why, but on my android tablet the word "blurb" has become a hyperlink to somewhere. That wasn't my intention.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
08-26-2022, 08:04 PM
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Thanks to all for your submissions. GPS now working OK despite the greyed out entry in the menu. I can holiday in relaxed mode, knowing that I'll know where every shot was taken when I'm back home! I also know how to avoid charges on my mobile phone! What a great forum this is.😎
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
08-26-2022, 07:12 AM
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Thank you cpobuttons, spot on! I did as you saId and after waiting what seemed like a while, the satellite icon at the top of the screen went from grey to white and taking a photo recorded the coords!
Presumably, there's a bug in the firmware that's causing the tools menu item to be greyed out?
I need not risk turning my phone on now! I can't remember what the tools menu "GPS settings" was supposed to display. If I can remember how to do it, I'll raise the query with Pentax and hope for a firmware update.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
08-26-2022, 06:00 AM
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Thanks Uncle Vanya. Yes that definitely does work, I've used it at home and you get the GPS coords when you use Imagesync.
I try to avoid turning my phone on when I'm somewhere like India, to avoid unnecessary roaming charges when I get unwanted calls or texts!
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
08-26-2022, 05:45 AM
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Thanks. I can definitely try the GPS with another camera, but not until I get home. I don't have access to another GPS, so unless I'm lucky enough to meet a fellow Pentaxian on my travels, I'm stuck atm.
I had just hoped there was something daft that I was missing - it would be annoying to get home and I could have had it working, if only!
It begins to look as though there's nothing I can do at the moment. I'm on firmware 1.41 - can anyone confirm that the GPS definitely works with a K3-3 with that firmware version, please?
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
08-26-2022, 03:31 AM
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Yes, as far as I can tell. I've taken it on and off and reseated it several times, with no effect.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
08-26-2022, 03:06 AM
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Hi thanks for the replies.
Yes, Slartibartfast01 is right, I just wanted the GPS function so I know the locations of my shots when I get home with hundreds.
The menu does allow me to select any of the astrotracer options, but of course only the final option, which doesn't require GPS, would work. The other options say "enable GPS", so I'm assuming the camera expects to work with GPS if required.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
08-26-2022, 01:28 AM
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I'm on holiday in India - first long trip since the Covid lock-down - so I took my GPS unit with me. When I fitted it to my K3-3 the camera didn't recognise that it was fitted. I've switched things on and off, fitted a new battery in the GPS, but no response. The GPS seems to be working - when I turn it on, the blue light blinks for a while, then goes solid blue.
The GPS menu item under Setup in the camera menu is greyed out.
I can't test the GPS till I get home, but in the meantime, am I missing something simple? Has anyone else had any problem using the GPS with a K3-3? [I'm not sure I've ever used my GPS with my K3-3 before, since Covid stopped me going anywhere with it!]
Any help appreciated.
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