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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
1 Day Ago
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Here are my random speculation worms from the can:
The last several times recently that Pentax has upgraded a camera---K1mkII, the K-something apsc camera, and the K3mkIII----only this last was a significant upgrade. I think that K-something camera that so disappointed people was only upgraded because parts for the previous version became unavailable. The K1mkII wasn't that significant an upgrade---to the extent that they offered a board replacement(!) for K1 owners. I took advantage of that. The K3mkIII's significant upgrade, who knows how long that was in development?
It seems only the huge Sony corporation is really going with incremental upgrades in this current market. So, for Pentax they seem to be looking now only at major upgrades. I think they even mentioned something like that a couple of years ago with respect to the 645 series, noting the problems/challenges with that. And these days a major upgrade for Pentax on the K1 line may mean as significant an upgrade as in the K3 line.
I think Photoptimist, one of our most knowledgeable members, recently stated that sensor technology was starting to reach its practical limits unless some very significant technological change occurs. Perhaps this is playing into this upgrade trajectory, along with Pentax adding better video, for instance, something they did with the K3mkIII. But of course video isn't in their DNA really, and its unlikely they have the requisite video engineers in the way Panasonic, Sony, and Canon do, all of whom make video cameras and have been for decades. The other thing is the new prism technology, and perhaps that's difficult to scale up. Then there's the AF, which is fine for me but seems to bother everyone else.
All speculation of course. What I do know is that my now 10 y.o. 645Z still does a fantastic job in my line of work, cultural heritage, and for my personal artwork. And my K1mkII is a noble backup---I know if I can't use the 645Z for some reason I'm going to get superb shots with the K1mkII. And I know that I wouldn't jump into an upgrade as quickly this time as I did with those cameras unless the K1mkII was indeed a significant upgrade, and possibly the same for a new 645 camera (although here I'd also be considering the age of my trusty unit).
I'd make a quick jump to purchase if:
- the new K1mkII had much better video, and video-helpful features, like a touch screen for focus.
- the new 645 was FF 645 and/or had pixel shift and IBIS, and maybe some other internal features like focus stacking, & etc., or FF video.
- Pentax came out with a compact FF camera, ideally fixed lens
- Pentax came out with a compact crop frame 645 camera, ideally fixed lens.
Those above give you some idea of my perhaps esoteric needs, and how I sit in the camera market as a potential customer!
But one final thought on this, my most significant upgrade lately, besides lighting equipment, was my phone. I upgraded to a Samsung S24 Ultra. The reason I did so was the additional lenses on the camera, that my Note 9 was getting a little long in the tooth, but what really sealed the deal was Samsung's commitment to 7 years of major Android upgrades. I'm wondering if that's not suggestive of something they know and we don't, namely that significant tech upgrades will be slower in coming now. And it makes me speculate that this is where Pentax finds itself.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
04-14-2024, 06:38 AM
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This thread prompted me to get my M 50/2.0 out for an impromptu portrait session with Rudy.
Pentax really didn't make a bad 50 in that era.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
04-14-2024, 05:04 AM
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Wow, the rendering style of the f/2 is so much nicer than the others with warmer, richer colours and more dimensionality. It stands out a mile compared to the rest and reminds me of exactly why I got rid of the M 50mm/1.7 and kept the 2.0.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
04-13-2024, 08:33 PM
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The M 50mm f2 certainly has a place. It is very hard to objectively demonstrate this but I feel it has bought a certain charm in the bokeh and 3d pop to this image that is a little different to the 1.7 and 1.4 50s.
The f2 is definitely a little softer at focus but sharp enough to get by in the less critical genre like portraiture.
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Forum: General Photography
04-15-2024, 08:48 AM
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Hello everyone!
About 2 years ago, I created a PentaxTips YouTube video where I crowd-sourced footage of nearly every single camera model Pentax had ever produced.
This video has received generous positive feedback and was well received.
However, as an admission, I produced much of this history video while learning parts of the history myself.
Also, I have no education or real experience producing videos.
Two years later now, I have learned more about the history of Pentax and also recognized mistakes in the published video. I have also become much better (I like to think) at editing videos. I have such a strong appreciation for Pentax and providing this content to the photographic community, that these errors have become egregious to me and even glancing at the video has become a bit of a nail on a chalkboard...
Depending on the feedback I receive here, I may decide to reissue the video and enhance or correct the parts that have been identified as wanting. I managed to locate my old project file and remapped a bunch of videos that have been lost or moved around. I believe I now have the entire raw video ready to be edited…
In this endeavor, I am turning once again to the Pentax community to request crowd-sourcing for suggestions or improvements for an updated History of Pentax video. If I move forward with the project, I cannot guarantee that every suggestion will be included, but all comments and feedback will be considered.
The old video will remain on YouTube. I will simply set the video as unlisted so that if links exist on the web they will still point to the old video. However, it won’t be searchable once the new video is released.
Here are the current desired changes:
- The video should have breaks using title sections (decades/years).
- Correct ME-F where it’s stated the camera uses AA batteries not AAA batteries.
- The EI-200 is not the same as the EI-2000/ EI-3000? (also need footage?)
- Schneider-Kreuznach on display is a 50-200mm, not 55-200mm
- I sound like I’m saying Takima instead of Takumar…? People have said my voice over is crud throughout so I’ll try to redo the harsh parts..
- Re-shoot audio where the mic is popping
- Add in note that Pentax S3 was used by David Bailey to shoot a Vogue cover for Jean Shrimpton
- Include MX-1?
- Correct credits for spaceman_lou, not spacemanlou
- Sears isn’t a supplier – it’s a vendor or retailer…
- K-01 uses same sensor as K-5, not K-30
I wouldn’t be surprised if there were many more issues to correct along the way…
I also plan to update the video with footage of the Pentax KF and Pentax K-3 Mark III Monochrome (let me know if you are willing to contribute)!
It seems there’s a good chance to include the new half-frame film camera (released this summer)!
I might aim to get un updated version ready in time for their November anniversary?...
Here’s a link to the video:
Youtu.be
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src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H0dWWybo0Nk?controls=1" allowfullscreen>
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Let me know what you think!
Thanks :)
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
04-13-2024, 04:39 PM
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There was a discussion nearby about M series lenses including the M 50mm f2 having it's virtues so I thought I would do a comparison.
Of course a depressingly expected outcome! The cheapest and the fastest compete for the worst performance wide open. And the more glass the better @ f4.
The background rendering is very similar once the varying dofs are taken into account.
Noticeable vignetting on the K 1.2 and to a lesser degree on the M50mm2. All lenses had the same hood length but the 50mm2 has a slightly recessed front element which may account for a difference. EDIT in fact it is the 50mm1.7 that stands out as having less vignetting. Note these are after-market metal hoods that are similar to the Takumar 50mm hoods.
Saved to raw, developed in Darktable - base curve and a slight correction of exposure to match each other. No sharpening - no denoise.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
04-13-2024, 02:52 PM
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I doubt there was anything wrong with the 20-40 you sent back. It sounds like the two electrical "prong" contacts just inside the camera's lens mount may be dirty or damaged, or there's a problem with the camera's focusing electronics for non-screw-drive lenses.
It's not common, that's for sure.
No, the new stuff certainly ain't "junk". Quite the opposite, IMHO. Inspect those two contacts just inside the mount and clean them, then try again. If problems persist, see if you can find someone locally with a fairly recent Pentax camera and try your lenses on that, to confirm if it's a camera or lens issue. My money's on the camera.
I understand your disappointment, but not the conclusion you're jumping to. If multiple lenses with non-screw-drive focusing don't work correctly on the same body, the problem is more likely to be with the body, wouldn't you agree? Most camera and lens brands are generally pretty reliable, despite their complexity. Sure, a few problems crop up from time-to-time, but they're very much in the minority. Pentax is no different in this regard. The 18-135 and 20-40 lenses you mention have very good reputations and a wide user base in these forums... If there was a general problem with either, we'd know about it.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
01-31-2024, 09:59 PM
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Yes, that's true. For my cameras that support it, I usually keep them on spot center focus, that reduces some of the potential for the problem that you describe. I then focus on the desired subject centered in the viewfinder, then recompose and shoot.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-27-2024, 06:30 AM
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
01-25-2024, 10:23 AM
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Tried out my old 135mm lens on my K200D today, I found it tricky to focus at times but here are some of the photos
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-20-2024, 11:33 PM
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I will respectfully disagree with the logic as the intent of the sales guarantee isn’t to let people abuse it as a free rental service. If more people did that they would either raise rates or change the policy. The key is intent in an ethical scenario. If you intend to game the system you are on questionable ethical grounds. If you genuinely think you may like it enough to keep it - then using and returning are fine options.
But while I feel this, our systems of evaluation of this differ. I will stop blathering on about it.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-20-2024, 05:08 PM
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Although strictly speaking that’s not very ethical. Buy it, use it, resell it. Even if sold at a loss you’re probably not worse off than renting.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
01-02-2024, 08:50 AM
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To clarify: While the battery is removed.
..............and the point is that memory is not fading while the battery is removed. It is cleared when the internal controller reboots from a non-powered condition. The battery only has to be removed long enough to initiate the reboot.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
01-01-2024, 08:15 AM
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I always assumed that removing the battery for 24 hours resulted in the capacitors losing their charge and any in-camera memory being cleared.
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
12-30-2023, 03:35 PM
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Sounds pretty good, especially with the 30 day return and year warranty. I'd go for it if you are looking at sticking your big toe into the K-1 pool.
Now, to your thread title. GBA cure? Why? Are you feeling OK? Do we need to organize a PF intervention of some sort? Searching for things like GBA cures is highly alarming. Wink twice if you're being held against your will. :hmm:
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
12-30-2023, 02:47 PM
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I totally understand your concern with higher-priced used gear, but when there's a return period and warranty from a reputable dealer involved, you're pretty well covered. You're even relatively safe from "buyer's remorse" two or three months down the road, as you could probably get back what you paid (or very close to that) by selling it privately. If the K-1 is definitely still on your radar, I don't think you'll find a much better scenario than this one both for price and buyer protection...
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
12-30-2023, 05:08 AM
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Depends...
How's your FF lens collection?
:-)
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
12-30-2023, 06:52 AM
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Sounds like pretty safe by as long as it's not an individual who disappears after the sale.
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
12-30-2023, 10:28 AM
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Sounds like a good deal to me. At that price, I might be tempted myself. ;)
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
12-30-2023, 11:42 AM
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
12-30-2023, 12:19 PM
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I agree with the others, go for it, low risk for you and if it is in your budget , why not. Also to ensure no bias you could ask in canon forums.com and see what they say .....joking
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
12-30-2023, 12:46 PM
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It sounds like a good deal to me too. But how's this going to cure GBA?
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
12-30-2023, 05:51 AM
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I'd say that's a very decent deal if the condition is excellent. One person's "light signs of wear" can mean a few tiny marks, another's can mean scratches to the screen, paint missing in places, legends worn off buttons etc. Since you can return the camera if you're not satisfied, and since it has a year's warranty, it's a low risk proposition. Just be sure to test everything (not just the functionality you typically use) within the first couple of days of receiving it. Reset all the settings in the camera then test the functionality with modern AF lenses (both screw-drive and in-lens motors), focus accuracy, image quality at a range of ISOs, writing to both SD cards, etc. You know the score, I'm sure ;)
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
12-28-2023, 03:30 PM
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For APS-C ... good, cheap(ish), lightweight, flexible, (reasonably) wide aperture ... DA 35mm f/2.4
Slightly longer, almost as fast, very much smaller and lighter ... DA XS 40mm f/2.8
Both of the above have the potential advantage of good coverage on a full-frame camera ... I use mine on film.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
12-04-2023, 04:59 PM
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My memory has faded over time but I think that is normal when the camera has film in it.
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