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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
08-20-2021, 06:56 AM
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I think I know of a K-3 local for sale - I’ll go check it out, thanks for the idea.
In terms of lenses, I just tried what the shops had in stock, not the ones I would particularly buy. I want a fisheye (lots of those used locally actually) and a good telephoto (hence the 60-250, 200, or 50-135). The rest can wait. The 31 was just for fun because they had it in stock - I would never buy it.
The lenses I currently have are entry-level (18-50 kit, DA 50-200, FA 35-80 and FA 100-300) so they can go when new ones come.
So don’t trust the stores - I try not to but it’s hard when they put shiny things in your hands!
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
08-19-2021, 11:44 AM
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I got the chance to try out a few lenses yesterday
- 31 mm f1.8
- DA* 60-250
- DA* 200 f2.8
I was most impressed with the 60-250, then the 200 and the 31 came last.
As I chatted with the vendors (basically we have two 'major' camera stores in my city), they relayed that they have not heard anything from Pentax in the last 1.5 years. Of course, at the one shop, I got the usual, 'DSLR is dead' talk so some of what they were saying I took with a grain of salt. However, after checking this stuff out, I'm left with a few concerns:
- why is Pentax not chatting with the vendors (small sample size, I know)?
- how often do the SDM motors fail in the DA* versions? This is especially a concern for the 60-250 as there appears there is not a fix for it
- if I keep the K-S2 I wonder if I'll forever worry about the aperture block failure problem. (I looked up some videos on how to fix it and I probably could but would rather not).
- and finally, throwing all my money behind a 'new to me' system from Pentax (K-3 II or K-1) seems a bit scary (akin to doing the same with Olympus)...
At the second store, I had a look at the full-frame Canon RP. I have to say, it was pretty decent (and relatively affordable for a full-frame mirrorless). The stock 24-105 took some really good pics that rivalled what I was getting with the 60-250. So now I'm really confused what to do. I'd like to actual physically see a K-3 II and K-1 before I pick them, but seems that is likely not possible.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
08-16-2021, 09:51 PM
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I might also be able to pick up the 100 D FA macro and a 200 F4 takumar. So maybe that helps the K-1 decision a bit more…
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
08-14-2021, 05:31 PM
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Well, I think it comes down to the following options after selling my unused gear:
1. K-1 and use my FA 35-80 and FA 100-300
2. K-3 with DA* 50-135, or
3. Keep the K-S2, get the O-GPS1, and either the DA* 60-250 or a combo of the 50-135 and 10-17 (I like fisheyes)
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
08-13-2021, 09:52 AM
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Well, I suppose that the main struggle for astro is the equipment management - it's not a relaxing hobby anymore because of all the gear. I want to consolidate. And for the times that I want to take some astro pictures (which has been about 3-4 times this year, so not much), I still want that ability. The K-1 should have better low light performance.
---------- Post added 08-13-21 at 10:57 AM ----------
Hi - yes, if I got a new body, the K-S2 would go.
And just to emphasize, the astro part is a very small part of what I want the camera for (I just don't want to lose that ability).
Vintage glass is fine with me too and like you said, you don't need AF under the stars.
I guess, though likely not possible, I'd like to get to the 1 body (including paraphernalia) and one lens, and go with that for a while. The equipment is starting to bug me.
---------- Post added 08-13-21 at 10:59 AM ----------
Sorry, my mistake, you are right - the K-1 is about 50-70% more on the used market.
It's not that I have all that cash sitting around and the more expensive purchase is easy - I just have some stored in equipment I'm not using!
And it is the clutter thing that is messing up both hobbies for me - photography and astro!
---------- Post added 08-13-21 at 11:19 AM ----------
Ok, so for more background, I've been a regular astrophotographer for 5-6 years - nothing 'pro' level, but some stuff that I am proud of. (See attached for an example of a 200 mm lens on a star tracker). I've found that I can have fun with all focal lengths - fisheyes to telephoto - there is always something interesting to frame. My original star tracker setup was pretty decent though frustrating to find objects, so I got the setup I have now with the telescope and computerized equatorial mount. And it's completely taken the fun out of astro shots.
From the research I have done on astrotracer, it should fit the bill nicely as it can do decent exposure lengths even up to 200 mm (on APSC). I've heard it can foul up on wide angle shots, but that's ok as you don't real need a star tracker for fisheye stuff.
Anyway, with that out of the way, I'm not going to be a regular astrophotographer anymore, I just want to keep the ability to track the stars but get rid of all the equipment. I could stick on the 100-300 that I have now and be just fine in that range as I am not going for perfection with perfect stars edge-to-edge. I just want zero clutter.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
08-13-2021, 09:44 AM
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Great shots, thanks for sharing!
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
08-12-2021, 11:42 AM
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Yup, K-S2 is just fine - I got it a few months ago with 200 clicks and it might be at 2500 now?
Astro is definitely not the only consideration - just a minor point. Most of the photos would just be general stuff - some sports, some landscapes, nothing serious or professional, but I think I have a decent eye for a nice composition.
Sounds like K-1 would be a good bump and K-3 would only add astro, which I think is what you are getting at (OGPS would be cheaper)...
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
08-12-2021, 10:37 AM
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Thanks jatrax,
I've also used a Canon 5D mk II so I have a feeling for how much the K-1 should weigh (about 200 g more I think, though I had a heavy 24-105 L lens on that...)
Sorry, I should have been more clear - yes, the 18-50 is a DAL lens, and the 50-200 is DA. The 100-300 is the FA version I believe so that should support full frame (though quality might be a bit suspect?). Good suggestion on the 28-105...
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
08-12-2021, 10:19 AM
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Hi all,
A few months ago, I ditched the Nikon gear in favour of all the great features I found in the K-S2. I do general photography and a decent amount of astro. I have a small tracking mount for astro pics and a small astrograph that I hook the K-S2 up to. Unfortunately, I don't use that setup very much and I am thinking of ditching the mount and telescope and K-S2 and moving to a K-3 II or K-1 to keep the ability to do astro (however infrequent it is) with astrotracer, and of course, stick with Pentax. I would be consolidating to a single piece of equipment.
Used prices seem to be similar for the K-3 II and K-1. Any advice on what to switch to or just go for it? As I've only been with Pentax for a little while, I don't have a bunch of super nice crop lenses (just 18-50, 55-200, and 100-300).
Thanks for the help!
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Forum: Pentax K-S1 & K-S2
08-12-2021, 10:11 AM
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Sounds good, thanks everyone.
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Forum: Pentax K-S1 & K-S2
07-24-2021, 09:15 PM
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Thanks Kypfer for the response. I do have an IR relay so maybe I can look into something like that - I’ll need to see if one of my older phones has an IR blaster.
Is there really no other solution that doesn’t require some combination of weird parts? Maybe I’ll check online again for an IR intervalometer…
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Forum: Pentax K-S1 & K-S2
07-23-2021, 12:29 PM
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Hi all,
Has anyone had success with an intervalometer for the K-S2? My use case is for a train of exposures over 30 s. I am aware of the image sync app (bulb exposures or 30 s) and the built-in 30 s limitation. I don’t want to tether to a computer. Any options? Thanks for your help!
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
07-07-2021, 10:40 AM
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Thanks for this - it looks great!
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