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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
01-30-2024, 08:21 AM
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Not strictly true. Just use a 5P cable connected to a 5P off camera shoe and works just as well as the very expensive hotshoe grip. ;)
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
01-30-2024, 08:17 AM
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First off, have you tried it with a film in? Did you fit the blanking plate when you took the film back off. I would upload a pic but the system won't let me as I can't delete old attachments. There was/is a rear cover for the rear of the camera saying to use it in place of the film insert for a functional check of the camera without film. Has to be used with the C/S dial set to C
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
01-25-2024, 10:00 AM
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Both the istD and the two 645 DSLR's (645D and 645Z) use TTL flash as do many from other makes. Not sure the 50mp sensor on the 645Z has a dynamic range which is that limited. ;)
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
01-25-2024, 06:19 AM
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TTL flash is possible and others use it. It is just that Pentax (Ricoh) have decided not to implement it in recent years. For TTL, you need quick communication which can either be wired which Pentax did with the 4P or 5P cords. Or if you want wireless TTL flash, you need to use a radio signal which others use. Users wanted wireless flash and Pentax decided to go with an optical system as did several others. P-TTL works well but to have true TTL flash, you need a sensor in the bottom of the mirror box to measure the light. Third party flashes like Godox do make a wireless system for Pentax using the 2.4G wireless system but the interface with the camera will still be P-TTL.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
01-19-2024, 09:59 AM
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I suspect it is more likely to be the latter. If they had made a decision to stay with DSLR, then why bother with the K-01? ;)
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
01-19-2024, 04:29 AM
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I think it goes further than that. They need to concentrate on just one format. Either FF OR APS. With the likes of Canikon and Sony, they will not do much in the FF market. On the other hand the only real competion in APS is Fujifilm.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
01-18-2024, 05:38 PM
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I feel rather sad reading this thread. Not least because it has clarified quite a few thoughts I have had recently especially about Pentax.
Before you shoot me down in flames, let me first say I have been a passionate Pentax user for over 50 years and in the past always defended the brand. Unfortunately I find myself drifting more and more away from Pentax other than when using film. (Not least because, I'm really enjoying the "new to me" Pentax 67ii.) This thread really highlights that. I have always been able to defend/promote Pentax on it's merits (as was). Now much of this thread is about trying to run down other makes to try to justify Pentax.
I wanted a K1iii and have waited and waited. I weakened and got the DFA 21mm as it is one of my favourite focal lengths. I regret it. It's probably a fantastic lens but the K1ii is so out of date that my FA 20/2.8 works as well. I was waiting and waiting for a 645Z upgrade but it has become just too old, slow and clunky and it is going. Why? Well the X-T5 outperforms the K1ii in every respect other than the format. Leaves the K3 in the dust.Yes as has been said, the resolution shows up flaws in weaker lenses but the fujifilm glass is a match for it in performance and a much better range. Using the GFX 100S is a revalation. The quality of the glass is superb and the new prices are must lower than the outmoded screwdrive Pentax ones. Yes, the K3 iii may be a fantastic body but the lens range is not.
I will always have Pentax in my heart and have loved owning and using the cameras all the way from the Asahiflex's. I have still to find any body which handles as well as the LX and that includes the Leica M2, M3 and M6. But in all honesty, Pentax become very much a niche market. So much so that less and less third party brands even think about the Pentax mounts. And as has been said, it is the law of diminishing returns, the less Ricoh invests to keep up, the fewer new users will join the brand. Smaller sales means more expensive developments costs and so it is a downward spiral. Perhaps part of the problem is that Pentax has tried to spread itself too thin tryin to support both formats. Most of the others support FF and all their premium glass is FF. For the APS, they only have budget lenses. Fuji on the other hand has ignored FF so all their premium glass is APS. Pentax has stumbled between the 2 and not produced a decent range for either.
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
01-18-2024, 04:24 PM
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I have used nearly all the flashes mentioned above, most with the 645n. Indeed in the process of selling all the 645 kit.
To answer a couple of questions, the 645N cannot do wireless TTL flash. I believe there are third party wireless triggers but they are for manual flash. In my view, the AF400T is the best gun. It was and maybe still is one of the most powerful. The grip battery holder is not too bad and at least the door won't break off like so many others. But for real power and cycling time, I nearly always used the TR Power pack with it. It's useful also as part of a studio setup. Used to use two AF280T's mounted on hotshoe grips with the whole lot linked by the 4P cables. You can do something similar with the later cables but the 5P cords are much shorter and the is no distributor so you need to bank up on the off camera adapters. If using the AF400T or the hotshoe grips, there was a dedicated bracket which had a wider base on it for the MF cameras.
As to the TTL flash mode, the way it worked was that there was a sensor in the mirror box. Once sufficient light entered, the flash was switched off in the same way it works in "auto" mode. The TTL cameras can do that on camera or through either the 4P or 5P cables..It need a direct connection. My understanding is that the Pentax wireless system does not work in the same way. It works out the flasf setting prior to the photo - hence "programmed TTL.Many more modern systems do use a radio signal to provide true TTL flash.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-16-2019, 05:55 PM
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And after the istD series. ;)
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-13-2019, 04:19 AM
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Plus the K110, KM, KR, K200, K20, K2000
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-29-2018, 07:11 PM
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The K200 will be able to do it. Needs a slightly different file on the SD card to open the debug mode but otherwise, it works much the same as the K100.
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Forum: Repairs and Warranty Service
12-16-2018, 05:55 AM
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Reading your last post again, this is my "take" on the situation. Chasing the matter further either through legal channels or consumer programs such as Watchdog might give an answer but there is no certainty of it and you could end up with next to nothing.
Most K50's on a certain auction site go for less than £200, mostly around the £150 area. Even "dealer" ones are just over. So if anything £200 is probably slightly more than the value of the camera. If you take the £200, you can get a good replacement K50 and could even be in credit.
Or you could take the money, add £200 and upgrade to a K70. A much better camera which would have 2 years warranty with Ricoh if you bought either through them or somewhere like SRS. Leave it another week or so and this option will effectively shut for you. You would effectively be getting a £200 trade in on the K50 on a camera which is on sale at the moment at £200 off list price. Looking at in in a certain way, you are using a £150 value camera to upgrade to a £600 value camera for £200. Personally, I would happily take that deal.
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Forum: Repairs and Warranty Service
12-12-2018, 04:03 PM
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With regards to the fault. From what you describe in your first post, it does seem likely it is the aperture block problem. If it is, to repair that is relatively simple and not expensive. The cost of the relevant part is likely to be less than £10 to the repair agent. But they have to cover labour and I suspect they will also service the camera so any repair warranty is not likely to cause issues. That is something you could check with them. As an aside, I have done several and as we are both in the UK, I would be happy to help you out if all else fails.
With regards to the warranty. The wording on Ricoh's website says "All PENTAX cameras purchased through authorised bona fide photographic distribution channels are guaranteed against defects of material or workmanship for a period of twelve months from date of purchase." Now in the UK it is 24 months due to EU rules and that was confirmed by the agent. BUT, there is still the first part. It is likely that at some point JL were a "bona fide photographic distribution channel" for Ricoh products. They are no longer. If the camera was old stock/end of line, it may be that you bought it after JL ceased to be Ricoh agents. That might be why they say it is not under warranty. I would talk to your local CAB. They should be able to give you the number of their specialist consumer help line who are well versed in consumer law and should be able to advise you on that.
The Pentax UK warranty page is here. Warranty policy - RICOH IMAGING EUROPE S.A.S There is no mention of "replacement" that is purely JL. But it is a simple repair. I have attached a pic of the relevant part. In many countries, the local repair agents have fixed this problem for free even out of warranty as they consider it a "design defect". If it gets to the UK agent, I think you can calculate on it being repaired rather than replaced.
As to any recourse from JL if you do not accept their decision, once again your best advice will come from the CAB advice line rather than members of a camera forum many of whom are used to US law and not English law. ;)
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Forum: Repairs and Warranty Service
12-12-2018, 08:35 AM
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Doesn't really work like that in the UK. ;)
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
12-03-2018, 09:46 AM
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$1000 is cheap compared with some of the offerings from Leica which start at $5000. But then that is quite cheap compared with their digital offerings. ;)
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Forum: Repairs and Warranty Service
12-02-2018, 06:10 PM
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6 weeks ago I would have said the same. ;)
And after 45 years of being a very loyal fan, that is a hard thing to say. I think my website is testament to that.
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Forum: Repairs and Warranty Service
12-02-2018, 05:56 PM
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One of the branches here was a "pro" centre for Pentax and did stock the bodies and quite a few lenses. They even tried to arrange a "pro" day with demo's etc but Ricoh were not interested. Their problem was not that they didn't "push" Pentax but more a lack of demand. On the other hand, there are regular Fuji, Canon and Nikon days. Regardless of how we feel about the Pentax brand, it has become a "niche" market in the UK. None of the big chains supply Ricoh products. Online, it is almost down to Amazon only and some of their stocks are sent in from the EU.
And to be honest, after my "problem" buying a 15-30 recently. I'm not sure how much longer I will support them. Had I not recently made a very big investment in new glass, I would be looking at another brand.
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Forum: Repairs and Warranty Service
12-02-2018, 05:33 PM
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Only from the Managers of the 2 local branches of LCE. I used to order all my Pentax stuff through them but they can no longer get it even on special order. That is all I wish to say in public. If you want more details by all means PM me.
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Forum: Repairs and Warranty Service
12-02-2018, 04:48 PM
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Ricoh have "ceased" supplying their products to many retailers in the UK. They have even stopped supplying London Camera Exchange. I suspect in JL's eyes, they cannot give you a replacement if they no longer stock that brand. Also if Ricoh have stopped their supply, they may not be able to get a repair done through them directly.
Not sure how much you have been offered but SRS are still offering the K70 at £395 and Ricoh have it in their store at £399.99. A shame JL are unlikely to send the camera back if they refund because it is quite easy to fix the aperture block problem. But to be honest, if they are offering close to the current "reduced" price of the K70, you might want to upgrade. It is a better camera. You would also then have another 2 years warranty.
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
12-02-2018, 03:17 PM
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I fully understand what you say and how you feel. I don't know if it works differently in the US but in the UK any warranty for a service is only good for the person who had the service done. It can't be "sold on". So "your" CLA is only intrinsically worth something to you. When I was buying film cameras, I was buying ones with problems and then getting them serviced because then I was "sure". I have just had my MX fully serviced by Robin who is as good and as well regarded in the Europe as Eric is in the US. I know if I sold it, I would not get the cost of the service back. But then I had it done for me, not for resale value.
At the end of the day, the resale value of any item is only what someone is prepared to pay for it. The insurance or replacement value is different.
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
12-02-2018, 07:52 AM
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Then perhaps you are asking too high a price for them. ;)
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-25-2018, 08:52 AM
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It was one of the things which helped the decision. Having said that, Irix did a sale price on their 11mm lens in the UK with the Blackstone version selling at the same price as the Firestone and both reduced to about half the normal price of the Blackstone. Same with the 15mm but I do have the 15/3.5 A lens to cover that.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-24-2018, 07:20 AM
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Forum: Pentax K-01
11-22-2018, 11:42 AM
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I'm not sure that this is strictly true. The only purpose the the small battery for the RTC is to provide power when there is no other. If a laptop is kept charged or there is a mains feed to a desktop, the clock will keep time even if the onboard cell has failed. In the DSLR or mirrorless, the main battery should provide the time. However, it will be "lost" whenever the main battery is changed. So I really don't think our cameras are doomed for a repair job.
From another post by Not a number:
Many of the Pentax DSLRs use a Seiko "accumlator" (fancy name for rechargeable battery). The accumulator is soldered to the main board and is considered "not user servicable"
MS414GE | Seiko Instruments Inc. Micro Energy Division
If you do some searching on PentaxForums there were some photos posted showing the location of the battery on main board.
Replacement isn't simple due to the amount of disassembly (including un-soldering) one needs to do in order to get to the battery.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
11-22-2018, 10:24 AM
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I would be careful how you express things. No not I am not grandma but I am grandpa. Most of those images on the wall and albums are keepers, indeed quite a few of them were published. One particular print is 30 x 20. You can go up to it with a magnifying glass and still pick out more detail. It was printed from a 6x9 neg taken on an 50's folding camera. You had to manually wind the film, manually cock the shutter, manually focus without any "aids", use an exposure meter and you only had 8 shots before changing roll. No auto bracketing or auto anything else. I still have that camera, it was great grandpa's and I still use it.
If nothing else it taught you to take care and as a result most shots were keepers. ;)
But then again many of the shots taken by my mother, (great grandma) were of people with their heads half chopped off. Technology has changed as has the affordability of photography but in the end it still comes down to the skill of the photographer as to whether it is a keeper.
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