|
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
08-10-2021, 01:42 PM
|
| |
If the manual lenses are wide aperture the focus peak can be "touchy", but no more than it would have been on a film camera. The apparent depth-of-field on an APSC camera is shallower than when the same lens is used on a full-frame camera, so the setting may seem to be a little more 'finicky', but that's simply a factor of the optical physics, not a problem with the camera. Personally, except where 'necessary', I use the optical viewfinder and rely on the "Green Hexagon" for focus confirmation … the "Catch-in-Focus" feature can be very helpful here, the camera simply won't make an exposure if the subject isn't in focus … not sure if that option is available in "LiveView" ;)
As for 'over-correct', the camera provides a wide range of adjustment across a gamut of settings. It's up to the photographer to decide what end result is required and choose which settings will provide that result.
In this perspective, it can be instructional to load a RAW file (or several) into the supplied Digital Camera Utility software. The program uses the same terminology for it's adjustments as the camera does, so if you regularly find yourself applying +2 this or -1 that in software, you can set your camera to these defaults and save an amount of "fiddling" later.
Personally, I'm usually content with the camera's default settings and usually work in JPG only, but if I happen upon an instance where I consider there might be opportunity for a problem, I'll save in RAW as well so I've got the opportunity for greater adjustment later ;)
Enjoy your KP :)
|
|
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
08-10-2021, 09:31 AM
|
| |
When I first got my KP, I followed advice here and dialed back "sharpness" - yes it can over-correct, but as far as I know, this doesn't affect the content of 'raw' files.
|
|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
02-13-2021, 07:18 AM
|
| |
The earlier pentacons will likely fit the Meyers. The Zebra ones are exactly the same. This one looks to be just a cosmetic refresh. I think it would be safe to say that all lenses with preset aperture rings, (so no auto pin) have interchangeable rear mounts.
|
|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
02-12-2021, 05:40 AM
|
| |
The name changed 1971 from Meyer-Optik to Pentacon, it is the same lens though.
edit: there are also Pentacon 200/4 versions with a fixed mount and only 6 aperture blades, but as the images show this is one of the original designs
|
|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
02-02-2021, 12:02 PM
|
| |
Are you meaning the ring with three screw type commonly sold on eBay? They don't work.
The topic has come up fairly frequently here on Pentax Forums and the Google link below should provide a good enough selection of threads to figure out what might be done.
exakta to m42 adapter site:www.pentaxforums.com - Google Search
Steve
|
|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
02-02-2021, 10:27 AM
|
| |
It is just a screw mount. Pentacon six is bayonet and much longer. You could look for a junk m42 Pentacon or Meyer, but those are still over priced. I think the Pentacon 200mm is overrated. The 135mm is much better.
|
|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
02-02-2021, 10:16 AM
|
| |
No. As far as I know is Pentacon 6 a medium format lens mount (I think the Meyer-Optik 300/4 is available in that mount in adition to M42 mount for FF cameras - beeing a medium format lens originally, but not the Pentacon/Meyer-Optik Görlitz 200/4)
|
|
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
01-02-2021, 10:45 AM
|
| |
KP vs K-70
Just a reminder of the some of the significant differences:
- Metering: 86K pixel vs 77 segment
- AF system: SAFOX11 (27 point) vs SAFOX 10 (11 point), plus new tracking algorithms
- Processor: Prime IV + accelerator vs Prime M II
- 3 Control wheels vs 2
- Shake Reduction: 5-axis SRII vs SR
- Ultrasonic DRII vs sensor shake DR
- Quiet shutter and motor aperture vs louder shutter and solenoid aperture.
- 7FPS vs 6FPS
- 5 user modes vs 3
- Magnesium body vs plastic.
- Electronic shutter option (1/24000s)
- External battery grip option
- Tilt screen vs flip screen
K-70 users seem to be very happy and KP users seem to be very happy.
For me $200-300 more for the KP is well worth it, but that is entirely a subjective assessment based on my own use cases. YMMV.
|
|
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
01-01-2021, 01:02 PM
|
| |
I have both K-70 and KP. My K-70 is rebuilt under warranty from a rather serious fall that cracked the case and destroyed the lens and lens mount. Did take half the COVID year to get it back due to the pandemic on top of the normal repair issues.
While I truly love the KP I certainly have no problems with the K-70. It's mainly just a little more basic with some cheaper components. Since you have a 2nd body--if old--I'd take one of the K-70 deals out there with an extended warranty in case you get hit with an aperture failure. The aperture problem is much rarer in the K-70 than it was in the K-50 and the replacement solenoid avalable now is supposed to be much better. That said, there is a reason for the price difference: build quality, materials and components, more esoteric capabilities, and handling. Your call! Both are great cameras.
Some people hate the KP handling. This was especially true when it first came out. For my part, when I was looking for a new 2nd body when I was cameraless (except for a Huawei Mate Pro 20) the second I touched the KP it sang to my hands. I started a thread about this some time back and you can see various opinions. See https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/203-pentax-kp/410870-kp-look-feel.html |
|
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
01-01-2021, 10:35 AM
|
| |
Welcome to the forum! Nice to have you with us. :)
I see from your profile that you own an 18-55, 50-200, and an M50 f1.7. I have an M50 f/1.7, and it's truly a fine lens. I had an early version of an 18-55 and it was very disappointing. It's image quality was quite poor. IMO, to do justice to your new camera, whichever you get, you'll want to upgrade to a better lens, depending on which version of the 18-55 you have. I bought a used Sigma 17-70mm DC Macro, and it was a huge improvement in IQ. I understand these lenses had big variations in quality from copy to copy though. The Pentax DA 18-135mm is highly regarded here on PF, and are sometimes bundled with new Pentax cameras at a favorable price.
Conventional wisdom says to get the very best lens your budget can afford. A $5 lens on a $1000 camera will produce $5 images. I've even seen people suggest that you spend 60% of your budget on the lens and 40% on your camera. That may be a bit extreme, but you get the idea. The lens is crucial to good images.
I bought gatorguy's KP, and am very happy with it. Chock full of features and very customizable. The jpegs it produces are marvelous! Their color accuracy is very noticeable and enjoyable.
|
|
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
01-01-2021, 08:00 AM
|
| |
Personally I prefer my K-70's to the KP and find I've not lost anything of importance to me. But coming from the K-r I don't think you'd have any issue with the grip on the KP which along with one other issue was my biggest bone of contention, one I wasn't able to get past and the only reason I sold mine.
I'd agree with the above posters that if you can afford to do so go with the KP. If not then don't be afraid of the relatively rare aperture block failure, or worry that you're losing out on photo quality to the KP, or think the build quality of the K-70 is poor. None of those are much of an issue IMHO. Heck I've dropped one of mine twice this year from waist level with no damage, granted on ground cover and not concrete.
The K-70 punches far above it's weight, wonderful features for the price, and a camera I'm very comfortable carrying to a shoot alongside my K1. It's not as pretty but it serves as well as my KP did.
So either one will be a huge upgrade from what you have even if the KP is the more fully-featured camera and the one I would probably aim for if I were in your position. It's a great camera and gets attention from fellow shooters too due to its classic design.
|
|
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
01-01-2021, 07:42 AM
|
| |
The KP has several advantages, Adam mentioned a big one in it not being subject to aperture block failure. The KP also has upgrades in shake reduction, autofocus, and the imaging processor. I’ll disagree with the post above, you do not need a battery grip, but if you want one it is available, but it’s quite easy to carry an extra battery in you pocket if you are concerned with it running out. I agree with Adam on the price, I don’t see much of a drop in used while it is still in production.
|
|
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
01-01-2021, 04:44 AM
|
| |
KP has the option for grip and therefore proper battery - D-LI90. You need the grip and the battery to enjoy a full day of shooting.
|
|
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
01-01-2021, 03:46 AM
|
| |
Apart from the feature improvements, which are well-documented in our review and specs comparison, I'd say the key point to consider is durability. The KP has a sturdier body and a shutter rated for 100K actuations, whereas the K-70 doesn't carry a rating. If you've been shooting with the K-r since it came out and are looking for a long-term camera, then you should go for the KP IMO. The KP also doesn't suffer from the aperture block failure issue.
Probably not until the KP gets discontinued, which isn't directly tied to the K-3 line. There have already been some pretty crazy deals on a new KP, however.
|
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-23-2020, 05:10 AM
|
| |
Because the op was looking for primes, I omitted a possibility. The vivitar series 1 70-210/3.5 (version 1)
If you can find one it is worth it. Available in M42 and K mount (version 1 not available in KA mount)
|
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-22-2020, 05:26 PM
|
| |
As @stevebrot mentioned, the Tamron Adaptall-2 SP 70-210/3.5 (19AH) is a fine lens, and it also has a very nice close-focus capability...
 |
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-22-2020, 04:11 PM
|
| |
| |
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-22-2020, 07:24 AM
|
| |
The 55-300PLM is it least as sharp, with actually better contrast and less CA. But it is about a stop slower - the A200 f/4 is fairly usable wide open. The non-PLM version is optically completely different, but decent at 200mm as well, if I remember correctly. I can't compare it to the A200 right now - it has migrated to my daughter's bag :-)
|
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-22-2020, 08:23 AM
|
| |
| |
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-22-2020, 09:47 AM
|
| |
From personal experience, my first suggestion would be a Tamron Adaptall-2 200mm f/3.5 (model 04B) fitted with a KA adapter. The lenses change hands for relatively little money, though there is the extra expenditure for the adaptor if you don't already have one. Having "invested" in one adaptor, a whole range of good-quality auto-exposure lenses becomes available for usually reasonable prices.
The only downside might be the relatively low number of aperture blades, only 6 in the 200mm.
Just my tuppence worth ;)
|
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-22-2020, 11:17 AM
|
| |
There are lots of 200 mm lenses to pick from, for me it is the tak 200/3.5 preset. Better for CA than the later super tak and SMC tak 200/4
|
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-22-2020, 01:14 PM
|
| |
Taken with the SMC Pentax 200mm f/2.5:
 |
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-22-2020, 01:47 PM
|
| |
You may also wish to consider the Pentax-A*200mm F2.8 ED (aka Gorgeous Lady), I can certainly recommend it. ;)
|
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-22-2020, 03:23 AM
|
| |
The M/A 200/4.0 indeed gives nice and sharp results as long as you avoid situations where the strong green/purple coloration of out-of-focus contrast edges gets disturbing, i.e. avoid the with clouds behind the dark bird in the branches. I love the compactness and lightweight but sturdy build - good when you bring something 'just in case'. It nowadays sees little use because I rarely shoot film and the DA55-300PLM comes along instead.
|
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-21-2020, 11:54 PM
|
| |
I have the SMC Pentax 200mm f/2.5 and the SMC Pentax M 200mm f/4. The former is a heavy beast that needs to be tamed but it can yield very good results. Ity also rtends to be pricey. The latter is a lightweight sweetheart that will give very good results. These are quite reasonably priced. In short, get the M. AFAIK the later A is optically identical, with auto exposure as a bonus.
|
