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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-31-2022, 03:53 PM
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I was just packing my bags to go home to Ireland, the MZS with 43mm and 40mm and I remembered this thread. So after a year, I finally gave in and bought the 43mm, I got it with a K100D for €250, anyone want to buy a K100D Super?
On the MZS you really need lenses with aperture rings otherwise it's just a program camera, the build quality of the 43mm is a lot nicer than the 40mm XS but as mentioned previously they are similar but different. I won't be selling the 40mm anytime soon.
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
03-31-2022, 11:56 AM
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I took off the cover and moved the wheel counter around a bit, it has worked every since I discovered it a minute ago.
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
03-31-2022, 11:08 AM
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Follow up, found the solution!
Sorry for the long delay, I left the camera ignored for a few months but I got the idea to open it up again, I used an old SP500, all the cameras seem to be the same spotmatics, KM, K1000 etc... I guess until they went electronic. So I copied how it worked and fixed it, no oil needed. There was a piece (like a round washer with a nipple)that wasn't in place properly, I loosened the screw, twisted it until it lowered then when you advance it clicks back up again. If it is raised, it won't touch the piece that releases the button. You can do it manually with a screw driver between rolls if you are in a pinch. Must have messed it up when I fixed the stuck mirror.
If the mirror is stuck up you can fix it too by checking out videos online, there are a few K1000 repair vids online and putting the parts in the correct position, it's not tricky, but I wasted a lot of time observing how the mechanism worked. If the camera means a lot to you get a proper service.
---------- Post added 03-31-22 at 11:13 AM ----------
Ye I've seen oil being mentioned and also cutting a piece to correct the stuck up mirror but all yoi need to do is loosen 1 screw and make adjustments as required, it can solve the mirror and release button issue.
The screw in question is one on top of a gear, washer with nipple and a washer. I'm not a techician but it worked for me and I guess it should be ok for now. I shoot more with the MZS and a Nikon F3 these days but I like solving puzzles
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
05-10-2021, 01:45 PM
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Hello there, it's a small and light combo for an SLR, one that you will unlikely find with any other brand. It doesn't get in the way, focusing is smooth and they look good together if you have the Super A, which is black, and not the Super Program which is silver.
I actually bought a Super Program a few years ago but I didn't realise at the time that it was compatible with modern lenses. However in low light the camera seems to not know what aperture I'm shooting at so it can dip below f2 if I'm not careful, this has happened with the 35mm f2.4 and the 50mm f1.8 also so wouldn't recommend it for low light (maybe it's just my camera, I haven't really looked into it)
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
05-09-2021, 02:05 PM
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Thanks for the replies everyone. In the end, I didn't get the 43mm, it was a bit too much at €389, I had to buy a new laptop and couldn't justify the cost (yet). However it doss look like a great lens and a worthy addition to any setup.
I suppressed my G.A.S. with a Konica 40mm 1.8 and a Nikon FA in v.good condition. Now on film, some days I either shoot all Nikon (D750, F80, FM/FA) covers most Nikon prime lenses or all Pentax (MZS + Mz30) and a few primes.
That 70mm limited is looking pretty tempting to fill in the gap.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
04-27-2021, 04:14 AM
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Hello,
So I've been tempted to buy a 43mm limited but I already have the 40mm XS. Would it be worth upgrading?
I would use it mainly on an MZ-S (or Mz30, Mz6, Super A) to shoot around the garden and for general purpose photography, like a 35mm lens.
Advantages in favour of the 43mm:
Aperture ring (great for the MZ-S)
One stop faster
A limited lens so better IQ also
However it would cost me about €390
I already have the 40mm XS, it's FF compatible, I can use it on a few film cameras including the Super A. It's TINY like 50g and it does the job.
So should I give in to G.A.S. or leave it be?
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-08-2021, 04:28 PM
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So I just got my Irix 11mm back from being repaired (dodgy aperture lever), I tried it on an MZ-S, it mounted with a bit of persuasion and works in P mode.
I usually don't force mount lenses but it's a K-mount and I didn't buy it to just use it on an MZ30.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
02-19-2021, 05:31 PM
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I read in different lens reviews that some 3rd party lenses are not compatible but they didn't explain why exactly. It looks like you can take off the mount easily. I just have some screwdrivers and some sandpaper. Not enough for a decent modification
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
02-19-2021, 05:22 PM
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Thanks for answering, I will give it a try, maybe the oil will fix the problem. It didn't cost much but it is a great sturdy camera similar to the K1000.
---------- Post added 02-19-21 at 05:24 PM ----------
Thanks for your answer, ye it should pop back down but I guess it just gets stuck and won't come out unless manually released after opening the bottom plate.
---------- Post added 02-19-21 at 05:24 PM ----------
Thanks for your answer, ye it should pop back down but I guess it just gets stuck and won't come out unless manually released after opening the bottom plate.
---------- Post added 02-19-21 at 05:26 PM ----------
Thanks for the tip, let's hope it doesn't come to that, I can do some basic repairs but I don't trust myself to disassemble too many parts just in case something gets broken
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
02-19-2021, 05:12 PM
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Ok, I think I get what you mean now, the coupler sticks out a bit too much and might be stopping it from mounting and when I mount it then it is forcing it in. I shot a roll on the KM + 15mm but I used an external meter, since ultra wide angles are tricky to meter anyway.
So would filing it down a bit negatively affect its function and would it solve the problem? Basically my end goal is to mount the lens on the cameras, metering is not necessary.
---------- Post added 02-19-21 at 05:16 PM ----------
I'm guessing they just tested it on DSLRs and called it a day. I doubt they considered film users ( a pity because it has an aperture ring)
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
02-19-2021, 04:54 PM
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I added some photos to onedrive with the lens mounted on the KM, it doesn't touch the prism housing. After the first time that I forced it on the KM, it mounts with some resistance and it can be tricky to dismount but it's still useable and doesn't seem to have damaged the camera mount.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
02-19-2021, 04:26 PM
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60 lenses? That's a fair amount, well they always say invest in glass. I have a good selection of film cameras and lenses, nothing fancy though. The only Leica I have is a broken M4P. I assumed Pentax lenses offered the same compatibility as Nikon, I can use VR/SR and AF on my F80 and nearly all the lenses mount on all the F-mount cameras with few exceptions. Old lenses on new cameras and new lenses on old cameras.
Here is a link to the camera mounts and the Laowa lens mount.
Microsoft OneDrive - Access files anywhere. Create docs with free Office Online.
---------- Post added 02-19-21 at 04:39 PM ----------
The thing is that Pentax shooters are probably in the minority concerning their customer base and Pentax film shooters who use Laowa and Irix are more than likely few and far between so getting them to modify their future mounts may be a tall order. But yes they should be informed.
Having read what you said I checked the mounts of the MZ6 and 30. I believe the aperture coupler reduces the amount of room for the lens to rotate and that's why it can't mount (but it will mount if forced as I did on the KM, no damage as far as I can see, the lens aperture still stops down as it should on other lenses)
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
02-19-2021, 03:22 PM
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Hello Steve, thanks for answering.
I have all the cameras on the table, an MZS, KM (film), MZ6 and a (new) Super A.
From what I can see they all look physically the same (ignoring contacts). They are in good condition all 4.
I don't have the Irix 11mm with me now but it is a crippled mount too, it also couldn't be mounted on the MZ6.
I can use the aperture rings on these cameras. (the ones with contacts show aperture correctly).
I see nothing on the Laowa mount that could obstruct mounting, I confess that I may have been able to mount it on the KM because I forced it on (I was like a K-mount is a K-mount, therefore it should fit on and it did, with considerable effort) but the KM cost me €20 vs €250 for the MZS so that's why I ask the question for future reference.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
02-19-2021, 03:11 PM
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Thank you for checking, when I insert the lens, it won't twist so it won't mount at all, I don't care about metering but I would like to be able to use it on all K-mount cameras, it is a K-mount after all in it's simplest form, so no aperture lever or contacts which surprises me because surely nothing should get in the way of mounting.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
02-18-2021, 05:45 PM
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Hello all,
So I have 2 modern wide angle lenses, a Laowa 15mm f4 (with aperture ring but no eletronic contacts, aperture lever or aperture guard- that little piece beside where the aperture lever would be) and an Irix 11mm f4 with electronic contacts but no aperture ring or aperture guard.
Anyway, I can mount the Laowa on an old Pentax KM and take photos with it but I can't mount it on the MZ-S or MZ6 (just the MZ30, crippled mount FTW). So my question is why can't it be mounted on the MZS but it can mount on the KM? The camera mount looks the same, I don't get it
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
02-18-2021, 05:38 PM
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If you plan on getting an MZ-S in the future (great camera) then the aperture ring will come in handy
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
02-11-2021, 02:53 PM
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I don't have Pentax 67 but I have tried it in a Fujica G690BL, just popped a roll in and taped the film leader to the spool, no adapters and it worked fine. You don't have much to lose trying
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
01-30-2021, 03:52 PM
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Yes, it can be tricky getting one that works and even then it might not last. I got a tired of manual focusing that's why I got these. I bought a Super Ikonta last year at a good price, it mostly works but it has light leaks that I haven't been bothered to fix (because I found a cheap Fujica G690BL, for less than €100). I love that it has a rangefinder window for focusing, not many folding cameras have one from that era (1930's).
---------- Post added 01-30-21 at 03:56 PM ----------
Thank you! They wouldn't be my first recommendation for film cameras, not so pretty, not very reliable (the black sheep of the Pentax family dare I say) but they get the job done and work well with the newer cheap APSC primes (35, 40, 50 and 100mm). Does the SFX have any stand out features?
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
01-30-2021, 02:38 PM
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The K5 is a great camera, I bought one back in 2013 and it has been very reliable and durable (I left it out in the snow all night, no probs), I also love the ergonomics. However having used a few different cameras since then, mainly a Nikon D750 and Fuji Xh1. It really is showing its age. I found the D750 to be significantly faster regarding the processor and it focuses in and handles low light situations a lot better. The XH1 has handy ISO and SS dials and the modern Fuji lenses still have aperture rings, I really like the focus peaking for manual lenses and the compability with instax instant printers. I mainly use the Xh1 with a tiny Laowa 9mm lens and the 16-55mm but from time to time I do take out the K5 with the DA 35mm, DA 40mm Xs, DA 50mm and DFA 100mm, great primes for the money. Nowadays I choose a camera based on the feeling and experience, instead of the specs and the K5 has remained whereas many other cameras I had, got the boot.
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
01-30-2021, 01:32 PM
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So I bought a cheap Pentax KM with a mirror stuck up, it took a bit of figuring out but eventually I found a screw loose and that fixed it, however now I find that the film rewind button is getting stuck and I have to open up the bottom plate to release it, is this a common problem with Spotmatics/K1000 etc.. (I hear they have similar mechanisms) or is it just me?
FWIW I won't be sending it off for a CLA for financial reasons. It's annoying but I can live with it
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-30-2021, 01:25 PM
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So if you decide to open up and clean an old SMC Pentax M 50mm 1:2 (I got rid of some fungus, luckily easy to access and just had to disassemble the back part) and you get to the part where you have to put the ball bearing back in then you lose it - those things are so small and more annoying than putting aperture blades in place - you can use the ball in a ball point pen, not as smooth but does the job, the result is a lens with very noticeable f-stops. It might be of use to someone
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
01-28-2021, 04:41 PM
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Hello all,
Being new to the Pentax forums, I thought I would write a post about my recent experiences with the forgotten generation of Pentax film cameras. The MZ series, I rarely find these models compared so I thought it would be useful for someone who wants to get into Pentax AF film cameras on the cheap. (In the future I would like to try and compare the MZ-S.)
Some warnings.
- With the Mz series, there is a high probability that you will find one with a stuck up mirror, it is because of a small cog and it requires the complete disassembly of the camera to replace. The flash may also not work/popup. Of the 7 cameras I've had, 3 have had mirror issues and 1 had the flash problem. Firing the camera several times and in quick sucession should give you a good idea if it works ok.
-The MZ series have compatibility issues with old lenses so get the MZ6 and higher end cameras if you want to use the aperture ring on old K-mount lenses. If the lens has an A setting then it should be fine on the lower end "crippled" Mz30/50/60 models. EXCEPTIONS to the rule. The Irix 11mm and 15mm lenses WILL mount the Mz30/50/60 but NOT on the MZ6. So if you want to use these lenses be careful they won't mount on the cool MZ-S either.
All the cameras use 2xCR2 batteries, harder to find and sometimes as expensive as the camera, not ideal, try to find one with the 4xAA battery grip, it also makes them easier to grip but doesn't add extra functionality like the Canon EOS grips.
They all have a single focus point in the centre of the viewfinder, not ideal (they fall behind the Nikon F80 (5) and Canon EOS 300 (9). Viewfinder is hard to focus MF lenses.
If you're looking for bright viewfinders, you will be a bit disappointed, they are small and dim compared to the Spotmatics and information is hard to see on a sunny day.
So to start with we have the MZ-6, you can mount old and modern lenses and the AF is quite fast. It has more features and controls such as DOF previews, double exposure, a port for a K5 type shutter release cable (easy to find) and you can adjust the diopter for people who are 'visually challenged'. It has a wide and zoomed AF selection button.
MZ30, the camere that got me started in the MZ series, a simpler version of the MZ6, with diopter adjustment, proprietary shutter cable (you can use it with the MZ50 too) and double exposure. Old lenses can be mounted but light metering is down by stop down metering. No DOF preview or IR receiver. Cheap but does the job
MZ50 and MZ60.
The main differences are the button layout. The MZ50 is more intuitive, better laid out and only has the AV, TV and M options, no scene modes like the MZ 6/30. The MZ60 is a mess, you need to press buttons and use a dial to change modes and press a button to turn it on/off, unlike a switch on the other 3. My least favourite camera due to its awkwardness. Being one of the last Mz cameras, it should have been better Not recommended at all. No diopter adjustment or DOF preview on either MZ 50/60.
I hope this quick comparison and intro to MZ cameras was useful to someone and maybe it will inspire fellow Pentaxians to dust off these forgotten modern cameras and get shooting, not as satisfying as a Spotmatic but still capable enough.
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