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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-09-2020, 03:00 PM
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@CarbonR I paid about $350 USD for my 15mm Blackstone. It was a store demo from B&H or Adorama; can't remember exactly which one now. But, the lens as received was brand new as far as I could tell. No dust, dirt, or handling marks at all. Didn't look like the lens was ever mounted. So despite the soft edges, I kept it.
It's not the best optically but it does what I need it to do. As long as you know its limitations and shoot around it, you can get some very nice pictures from it especially if you take the time to touch things up in post.
I don't use it as often as it probably deserves because much of what I photograph doesn't call for a 15mm or wider perspective. If I had to buy an ultrawide now, I'd probably purchase a Sony body first due to more choices.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-09-2020, 02:53 AM
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Yes, I saw that article. My sample is moderately sharp in the center at f2.8 but improves greatly past f5.6. I usually shoot this lens at f8 or higher. Decentering doesn't appear to be an issue with mine. The corners are still fairly soft in relation to the rest of the image irrespective of aperture size. I think it's just the particular design of this lens to be honest and not something actually wrong.
The fact that it's used on my K1-II which has a tendency to really exacerbate lens flaws makes the edge softness even more apparent. I don't take pictures to look at corners though, just wanted to point out how my particular copy behaves.
I took the below with my K1-II and the Blackstone 15mm. Sorry for the poor image quality as I'm on my phone. You can see the full size image on my website.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-08-2020, 07:13 PM
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My Irix15mm Blackstone is soft around the edges. It's only marginally better stopped down. It's an OK lens if you know how to work around it. Is it worth 500 bucks? No. I would have bought the Firefly if I had to pay retail. Luckily I didn't so soft edges but great build quality is a compromise I chose to accept.
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
07-24-2020, 11:16 PM
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After several years of ownership, I finally decided to try the astrotracer function. Taken in my back yard about an hour ago with a D-FA* 50 @ f1.4, 180 sec, ISO 400.
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
07-21-2020, 12:12 AM
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Couldn't sleep. Decided to take a photo of the milky way from my front door step. Pentax K-1 Mark II with Irix 15mm set to f2.4, 30 seconds @ ISO 12800.
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Forum: Photographic Industry and Professionals
06-26-2020, 10:00 PM
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Apart from Pentax, I own an Olympus E-M10 mark 3. It's a dumbed down version of their Mark 2 with better AF and video specs. I bought it primarily as a travel camera due to its diminutive size. It actually takes great pictures despite the m43 sensor. Sad to see the Olympus name go, but the company's mismanagement for the past 20 years didn't leave many other outcomes.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
06-11-2020, 03:53 PM
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I own a K-1 Mk.II, a KP, and a K10D. It's high ISO qualities aren't great, so I usually keep it at 800 or lower. However, maybe it's just me, but a properly exposed image with good light from the K10D feels more organic; dare I say film-like. I attribute it to its CCD sensor.
It's something I find aesthetically pleasing despite the camera's shortcomings, especially when compared to it's much more modern siblings.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
05-31-2020, 02:06 AM
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Not an ND filter, but I do use a front mounted 95mm X4 CPL from Breakthrough Photography. It's pricey but works very well. No vignetting at all.
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Forum: Repairs and Warranty Service
05-20-2020, 04:50 PM
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Kroil works wonders for seized screws.
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Forum: General Talk
03-22-2020, 04:03 AM
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Great post! I'm a huge motorsport and F1 fan myself. Nice to see a Pentax in the mix. :)
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
02-24-2020, 04:27 AM
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Yes, we've talked about it before. The 35 f2 is a an older lens design. My copy is usable wide open but in my opinion, soft. Not horribly soft, but noticeable especially after switching from DA* 50 f1.2. It's not fair to compare the two though. I usually use mine around f2.4 or higher, in which case is perfectly acceptable. It's a great little lens. I just wish it was weather sealed.
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
02-22-2020, 03:30 PM
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Forum: General Talk
01-27-2020, 02:23 PM
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Those are really nice. Congrats!
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
01-22-2020, 06:16 PM
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Nope. It's an imposter. [emoji2957]
---------- Post added 01-23-20 at 01:17 AM ----------
I would have done the same if I could find it. But it either fell off outside or the cat ate it.
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
01-21-2020, 12:41 PM
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Nah, I think the pressure from my fingers rubbing against the badge just loosened the adhesive to the point it fell off. There's a flat area on the rubberized portion of the grip where it used to be. It still had remnants of a thin double-sided adhesive stuck to it where the badge should have been.
No big deal really; just wanted to point out to the forum that they might come off unexpectedly.
---------- Post added 01-21-20 at 07:42 PM ----------
No, this is a genuine K1 Mark II.
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
01-21-2020, 12:00 PM
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Just noticed the other day that the little SR badge on the front of my K1-II disappeared. Has it happened to anyone else? I use heavy lenses on the K1 with a grip and sometimes when holding it, my fingers end up right on the spot where that badge used to be. I guess after some time, it just fell off; never to be seen again... :hmm:
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
12-25-2019, 12:10 PM
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That's very kind of you. Perhaps in the spring or so we could meet up? I'm in Shohola. Where abouts in NEPA are you located?
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
12-23-2019, 07:08 PM
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Do you remember what size JIS drivers you used?
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-21-2019, 11:10 PM
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Heavy lenses are great when you're a young man. Not so much thereafter. The days of suffering over one's artistic expression is long over.
Merry Christmas.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-21-2019, 08:21 PM
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The 50* as you say is indeed a category killer.
The 70-200 DFA*, not so much. Its IQ is on par with a well centered and calibrated Tamron. I've always wondered why it's so heavy when you have a similar amount of elements.
On a side note, I used to own the plastic-barreled Tamron branded 70-200 and felt for the price, was a very good optically. The Pentax version is a hair better. The areas where the Pentax version really excels is its weatherability (used in the pouring rain once) and focus motors. Apart from that, nothing else really stands out except its heft.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-21-2019, 08:03 PM
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I own the 50* and the 70-200. You ain't kidding...
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-21-2019, 07:28 PM
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With the lenses you're carrying, sounds like most of your photography is either sports or wildlife. In that case, there isn't much you can do except maybe go to MFT (micro 4/3).
For the vast majority of photography consumers this day and age though, an iPhone will suffice unless you're making big prints.
Honestly, when I'm traveling internationally with my family these days, I'm more inclined to grab my Olympus than I am my Pentax due to weight. When I know I have to take a good picture, then side and weight become secondary considerations.
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
12-21-2019, 05:02 PM
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Sorry to dredge up an old post again but my grip creaking is getting worse. It becomes more apparent with the vertical grip attached. Theory is that when the grip is tightened down, it's flexing the bottom plate of the camera unevenly, thus compounding the issue. The creaking practically disappears if I remove the grip which is why I mentioned it.
It's really annoying when I have my heavy Pentax 70-200 mounted.
My question is this: what size JIS drivers do I need for the screws under the battery door? I've reduced the creaking somewhat using a regular Phillips by loosening two of the screws slightly, but now I'd like to try and tighten all of them including the one at the very top of the compartment. I don't want to accidentally strip the screws in the process.
And just for giggles, here's a picture of Pentax next to my Pentax.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-14-2019, 10:10 AM
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The universal lens caps from KUVRD seem to get good reviews. They're stretchy and padded and are water tight.
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
10-12-2019, 07:59 PM
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K1 video would have been much better if mechanical shake reduction was enabled. But, the K1 is not a video camera.
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