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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
10-09-2013, 07:02 PM
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Are you dead set on a 40mm lens? If you are open to adding 35mm to the mix the options open up quite a bit.
Of the lenses you have listed I would agree with the others and go with the 43mm. The only reason I would hesitate is due to focus feel. The FA limiteds feel very good for an AF lens, but don't hold a candle to a traditional MF lens as far as smoothness is concered IMHO. For some this might not make much difference, but I find that using a traditional MF lens makes the entire process much more enjoyable. That being said the ring on the M 40mm is small enough to be a PITA (never used the voigtlander so I can't comment).
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
08-05-2012, 12:05 AM
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I've repainted cameras before...it is not worth the time and effort on an MX imho (or for that matter, any camera that is readily available in black paint). If you really want a black one I would suggest buying a black MX.
If you want to go ahead an paint it here is the method I used to use:
1)strip chrome off of camera in a muriatic acid bath (paint will not stick to chrome)
2)strip nickel off using a nickel stripping kit from caswell plating (this is optional - paint will stick to nickel, but if you want it to "brass" you are going to have to lose the nickel)
3)wash all the crap off the bare brass plate
4)place top in dilute phosphoric acid solution to pickle it (you want to etch it so the paint will adhere better)
5)rinse off top and scrub it using mineral spirits
6)wash off with soap and water
7)scrub it again with mineral spirits
8)scrub off the mineral spirit residue using acetone
9)airbrush it with the paint of your choice
10)bake the painted cover in and oven to cure the paint (obviously this step is dependent on what type of paint you use - some paints need it some don't)
11)before you reassemble it let the paint cure as long as possible (fresh paint will scratch much more easily)
Trust me - the process is a major PITA (it is a long drawn out affair...and if this is your first repaint there is a solid chance it will look like crap when it is done). It is really hard to get paint to stick to brass so you have to be VERY thorough with your prep. Unless you are a glutton for punishment or just really hellbent on painting your MX I would just pass.
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
05-31-2012, 04:41 PM
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
04-19-2012, 08:40 PM
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I hope so...they were really nice cameras (and both of the LXs I sold had recent overhauls performed by Pentax Colorado at the time of sale - back when they still offered comprehensive rebuilds on them). When they are working LXs are great cameras.
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
04-19-2012, 08:28 PM
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There are still a number of good techs out there that handle more exotic cameras than LXs. As long as you are willing to pay the price there will always be some talented person who would be willing to tackle the project. Where there's a will (and cash) there is a way.
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
04-19-2012, 06:53 PM
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Honestly, if Eric takes down his shingle you'll still be ok. If you have a basic pentax mechanical camera I wouldn't worry too much - I would think that any camera repair person worth their salt should be able to fix one. As far as parts are concerned, there are plenty of parts cameras out there that are sold cheap.
If you are an LX fan - I might be a bit more concerned. LX cameras are service pigs that require a very good tech. I sold my LX years ago because I saw the writing on the wall.
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Forum: Lens Sample Photo Archive
10-23-2011, 07:11 AM
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The beauty of a good soft focus lens is the fact that they are are not "out-of-focus". A quality soft focus lens will almost give a layered look (focused but with highlights diffusing into the shadows). This dual nature (sharp and soft) is why it is hard to dublicate it in photoshop. This sharpness within the veil of diffusion is also why just using a crappy lens that is extremely soft wide open cannot duplicate the look (also the reasons that vaseline on filter and other tricks fail as well). That being said, 90% of the population probably won't notice the difference because they don't take the time to really look at the photo - they just chalk it up to being soft and move on.
Quality soft focus lenses have exploded in popularity (and price) in the large format world the within the last 5-10years. I wouldn't doubt that the smaller formats will follow the LF lead and also become more popular with time. I think it is probably a backlash against the perfect/sterile look of most modern lenses (probably the same reason that lomography is thriving).
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
09-27-2011, 08:04 AM
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I love working in the darkroom (just as much if not more than taking the photos). Unfortunately the responsibility of raising small children kind of destroys the opportunity to spend large chunks of productive time in the darkroom. If I can sneak a couple of hours in there a week I consider myself lucky.
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
09-27-2011, 07:46 AM
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I've never had any hostile remarks regarding film. The remarks kind of depend on the format. If I'm shooting 35mm every once in a great while I might have somebody ask where I bought the camera (I am assuming that they figure it is digital and want one that looks like it). I get a lot more questions if I am shooting medium or 4x5 - most people have never seen a larger format camera before and they are curious. I think most people see it as quirky and fun (kind of the same reaction I have towards guys who drive around during summer in old restored model Ts).
I have never received any snarky remarks (at least not to my face). People might question "why film instead of digital?", but I consider that a valid inquiry.
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
08-05-2011, 11:54 AM
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Before picking a camera I would think about how you want to shoot. Do you want to shoot with a waist level finder (if so forget about the pentax 645). Do you want to shoot at eye level? What style of camera would you prefer (rangefinder, TLR, SLR)? Are interchangeable lenses a requirement? Does the format matter (6x4.5, 6x6, 6x7, 6x8 etc.)? Does noise matter to you (quiet leaf shutter TLRs vs Loud SLRs)?
If affordable is the top priority and you would be happy with one lens a nice old TLR is hard to beat (the minolta autocord can usually be picked up for under $300 and it is a great camera).
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
12-05-2010, 12:03 AM
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Pentax actually used to make a dedicated soft release to fit the Pentax LX (I ordered one from Pentax Colorado about 5 years ago). It helped a lot on the later version LX with the deep shutter lock collar - for the earlier model it was not needed. At the time I ordered it the Pentax soft releases were actually cheaper than the Abrahamsson soft releases. I don't know if they still have any stock left (from what I hear a lot has changed at Pentax Colorado over the last several years as far as repair/parts are concerned), but it might be worth a call if anybody is looking for one to fit a LX.
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
09-21-2010, 10:37 AM
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Too bad that they don't allow press cameras (busch, speed graphics, etc) as they are usually some of the best LF bargains around. I suspect that they want you to learn to use movements (press cameras have limited movements). In general you should be able to pick up an older basic monorail body for under $200. You would still have to get a lens/shutter (unless you luck out and one is included with the camera). Do they supply tripods or do you have to supply your own? In they don't supply them your going to need one (you can handhold the press cameras but your going to need a tripod for a monorail). You are also going to have to budget for film holders. I would head over to large format photography forum - they will be able to help you out as far as specific suggestions are concerned.
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
09-05-2010, 06:58 AM
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I think it is going to be really hard to compile a database for the MZ-S. It wasn't made very long - depending on where you bought it (and how many they moved in a given amount of time) you could have easily received an early model (that was sitting on the shelf) even if you bought it towards the end of it's product life. In any case, it was a relatively short-lived model so it is unlikely that there were any significant design updates/changes that would make a later model any more valuable than an earlier one (other than the age of the seals/lube etc.). IMHO I would go for one in nice condition that has been used on a regular basis and forget about stressing over the serial number.
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
08-25-2010, 05:22 AM
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Sounds like Sony just borrowed/tweaked the idea from Canon (Pellix mirror).
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
08-28-2009, 08:53 PM
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For stock solutions I will generally go with distilled water in the hopes that it will keep longer. I usually use tap water to further dilute down to a working solution (I usually toss my working solutions in short order so, for me, distilled would be overkill). Unless you have some funky/hard tap water it shouldn't really be a problem. Even if you do have hard water you can compensate by adding Calgon or EDTA.
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
08-28-2009, 06:16 PM
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I really like Photographers formulary TF-4. It is very fast, does not have a hardener in it, and does not require a stop bath (instead it requires rinsing between the developing and fixing).
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
08-24-2009, 08:15 PM
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It isn't as easy as just popping the top off and unscrewing the hotshoe. Just removing the shoe would leave you with open holes in the top plate (it has been awhile but if I remember correctly the cover bulges outward under the shoe - it is not a flat slope). Just losing the shoe would leave you w/ a not too pretty camera with light leaks. If you wanted to do a good job you would have to solder the holes shut and repaint/rechrome. This would end up being WAY more work than it is worth. If you want a shoe-less prism an LX w/ a FA-2 prism would be a better option (or an olympus om-1 if you don't mind switching systems).
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
05-22-2009, 06:38 PM
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...If you count the fancy-pants chrome LX2000 that would make 20 years.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
05-22-2009, 05:51 PM
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Considering that the K7 has only been out for a couple of days I'd say it is a bit premature to judge whether or not the K7 is the next LX:D
In all fairness I doubt that any digital SLR (regardless of maker) will acheive LX-like (or Nikon F, F2, Olympus OM, Canon F1, etc) status until digital technology matures and stabilizes a bit. As long as DSLRs have production life spans of one year or less it will hard for any digital camera model (no matter how good) to be remembered as being anything special. You can debate the pros/cons of the LX until you are blue in the face but one fact that cannot be argued is that part of the LX mystique is due to it's LONG production life (the LX was produced for 20 years in one form or another). As good as the K7 is (or isn't) I can guarantee that there will be a better Pentax model released in a year or so.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
05-06-2009, 04:42 PM
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Good work my man. Few people would actually take that literally...very thorough of you.
Very true - we would probably all be better people if we spent more time on the computer dutifully chasing every post that materialized on Pentax Forums. I'm sure our personal lives would flourish.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
05-05-2009, 02:21 PM
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
05-05-2009, 02:19 PM
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Hmmm...maybe. Next time I'll make sure I shun my family/friends/and job in order to dedicate my life to reading all 5 million posts on the k7 in an effort to guarantee that I don't make the eqregious mistake of reposting your undeniably unique observation. If I have stolen any of your thunder...I ask one thousand pardons.
seriously - lighten up man....
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
05-05-2009, 01:15 PM
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Wow...that came off as more than a bit smug.
I shoot film exclusively and, much like KonraDarnok, I personally don't understand the obsession w/ "full frame" digital cameras.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
05-05-2009, 11:54 AM
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Sorry if it has been mentioned before (it is hard to wade through all of the K7 speculation threads), but does anybody else think that Pentax drank some Olympus Koolaid when they designed the K7? The leaked K7 photos look a LOT like a Olympus E-620 to me (not that it is a bad thing - IMHO Olympus cameras are probably the best looking on the market).
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
04-26-2009, 01:29 PM
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The "whole forum".......maybe. The "whole world".......hardly. I must admit that Pentax is doing a good job building the drama on this camera, but in all reality I think the only people holding their breath are computer savvy Pentax users.
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