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Forum: Sold Items
02-07-2013, 09:42 PM
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You has some pms. Everyone else, consider this your funny for the day.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
02-06-2013, 01:28 PM
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Most shooters are canikons, most of them have no idea what an SLR is even if they have one, most of them don't know anything about the non-kit lenses out there, but just picked up a trendy dslr from a local camera shop or big-box based on recs from somebody else who is influenced by the ads and whatnot whether that be a salesman or other trendy shooter buddy. Those folks don't seem to know what a Pentax is and if they should have one or not.
Of the folks that are in the advanced hobbyist and upward crowd, several of them seem surprised that Pentax isn't extinct.
I can't fault anyone... Canikons do make good cameras I'm sure, and for a average or less hobbyist the marketing hype is about all you can go on. No everyone wants to read camera forums to figure out what camera, which lens, etc. Kudos to us if that makes us happy. Kudos to them if they're shooting pics with another brand and enjoying it. I chose Pentax because it is indeed a little oddball, and because I bought into the "uses every pentax lens ever made" idea. It's nice being able to buy old and [relatively] cheap good glass and just pop it on like a new one. I think newer/better cameras and lenses are coming out at a faster rate from Pentax lately, which hopefully will bring in some market share so they can afford to develop even more/better new lenses, etc. Although at this rate I'm using mostly old glass so what do I care if they never make another pentax anything? Just kidding... sorta.
That's my 4 cents.
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Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
06-16-2011, 08:39 PM
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For what it's worth, I didn't vote for things that weren't "still." And even though I appreciate the time and work it takes to arrange some of these shots with various items, all my votes except one went to shots that at least seemed to capture items in their natural state... although arrangements that seemed be photographed such that I'd hang them on my wall also got my vote. Anyway, lots of good compositions, lots of good exposures, and a few pics that were great at both which got my votes.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
04-10-2011, 09:50 PM
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While I'm looking at this website at work, a colleague walks buy whose husband is always lugging his Nikon DSLR with him to the bar, backyard barbeques, etc... She says,
"Oh, are you a camera nut, too?"
"Sorta."
"What kind of camera do you have?"
"Pentax."
"Oh, going old school!"
I didn't bother her with any informative response... maybe I should have, but it seemed like I was started so far downhill that it was going to take longer than I had time for. Humorous anyway.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-28-2011, 08:49 PM
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Like many others, I'm asking those with bigger bags what to get next for my smaller bag so that I may one day too need a bigger bag.
I have a K100d Super and love it. Rather, I bought it for my wife and have since learned to enjoy photography and all the vast amounts of knowledge there is to gain concerning making good pictures. As some of you may have seen, I pondered getting a second body (K200d was on my list, although I considered a K10 as well) so that I could have my own, but I realized I was truly unlikely to carry a camera as much as I want to and that having one DSLR in the house is good enough for now... at least until we're ready to make the jump to the K20 or K30 (I know... speculating).
That said, I've added my lens list to my signature... wondering where to go next. Someone mentioned that we buy Pentax for the glass, so might as well buy the best... which has made me really think about jumping into the limited line of lenses. Based on reviews, I want the FA-77. Am I going to find myself sitting down the Tamron 90 if I get a 77? I.e, is this too close of FL considering my small lens collection? I love the Tammy Macro. All the lenses I've bought after the kit lenses I've planned on keeping indefinitely and not having to "step up" later. We're both sorta finding things we like to shoot based on each lens we acquire, so there isn't anything in our photography skill set that defines the next purchase. I just want something that will add to the quality of pictures we can take. As awesome as the kit lenses are, I'm slowly trying to replace them with better glass and/or add to the photographic options we have (like with the wide angle Sigma and the Macro on the Tammy). I don't feel my skills warrant a $2-4K fast zoom yet, so I'm trying to stay reasonable while also investing in something I won't replace later.
You've probably heard this before, but I'm guessing that's part of why we're here... to propagate Pentax gear. Anyway, thoughts on adding the 77 to my collection? Other suggestions that would make a good next addition? I'm obviously not opposed to 3rd party options, or buying used if there's something out of production that would be a sweet bag-mate for my lenses (or replacement... sorry guys, one of you kit lenses are eventually going to get moved to the drawer).
Don't see my lens list showing up on the post, so the [short] list is kit lenses 18-55/55-200, Sigma 10-20, Tamron 90 Macro, Takumar Fifty 1.4.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-12-2011, 05:53 PM
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Most stores here don't sell Pentax. When I've shopped around for accessories or whatnot, the conversation usually goes like this...
"hey, can I help you?"
"well, I'm sorta looking for x, but all ya'll have is y."
"well, y is a great product. [insert some random factoids about cameras or photography meant to impress me with their knowledge base so I will buy what they recommend]."
"well, that sounds good and all, but I really want x and ya'll don't have it."
eventually they say "what do you shoot?"
"pentax"
"i've never heard of that. this works great on a Nikon though."
"ok, thanks for your help."
Which is why I continue to buy most things online... hard for me to take anyone seriously who at least doesn't know of or acknowledge Pentax. Fine if you want to choose Canikon because of your friends or local selection or marketing or whatever... but don't blindly ignore a brand that is certainly comparable (and obviously superior in many important ways) just because you don't want to admit someone might have found a better camera than you by doing a little research. Because, if you are anything like me, I didn't just stumble upon Pentax and decide this is what I wanted... took some research online about bodies and glass to convince me that this was the brand I wanted to invest in long-term with glass. In-body stabilization and complete backwards compatibility sold me.
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Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
12-11-2010, 09:49 AM
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Forum: Sold Items
05-20-2010, 07:00 PM
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-20-2008, 07:09 AM
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yes yes yes... i was in a hurry. I certainly meant f/8 to f/11, but at the time I couldn't see it move at all, so it really didn't matter. Thanks for the mathematics review though... understanding the physics of the aperture is a better way to remember that f/8 halves to f/11... better than rote memorization.
By the way, the pictures of the f/2 look very unlike the f/1.4 I took apart. Certainly helpful for someone I'm sure... but I'm certainly suprised by how unfamiliar it looks. Taking the mount off revealed a "brick wall" basically... there wasn't anywhere else to go. Just a solid black encasement, such that the barrel was made out of the same mold as the back part under the mount.
I'll give you the quick run-down of what was wrong with mine... the aperture mechanism is contained in one peice with the blades sandwiched between two rings, one of which has the pin that interacts with the pin you see on the back of the lens. The whole mechanism is held steady by 3 screws which don't actually screw into the mechanism... they screw in from the side and have sharp ends that pinch the ring in place. These screws had become lose, so that everytime the aperture was used (i.e. every time you moved the aperture ring) it shifted the mechanism a little. This reset the "open" setting to something less than open because the mechanism shifted and the blades slid out a little. So my lens started open at, say, f/2... so by the time I had the setting to f/8, it had closed all the way and turning the aperture ring anymore didn't do anything.
The way you get there is similar to the method described above for the f/2 lens. Take the name ring off (a shot glass turned upside down on rubber gripper used to open jars works great!), then start taking screws out. There's 3 for the first ring around the front element, then 3 more to get it free. Then you have to unscrew the actual lens, then you can see the aperture mechanism between it and the back lens. I also had the K-mount off from the back, but I'm not sure that would have been necessary. I did give me a better look at putting the aperture mechanism back in place to line up with the control pin though.
Sorry I didn't take any pictures, but I was trying to hurry... I was sorta on a timeline.
#1 tip, do not attempt without proper screwdrivers. Not just small electronics screwdrivers, but jewelers tools or something similar. "Small" screwdrivers and a steady hand can get you into the lens OK, but the aperture mechanism is locked in place with countersunk screws that truly require a very small flat-head to access without making a real mess.
Thanks all....
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-19-2008, 03:36 PM
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FIXED IT!
I can post details on the complete dismanteling and repair of this lens later if someone wants it.
Sorry for the heavy posting today, but I was sorta frantic. However, God is good... the lens is salvaged, in perfect working condition.
Thanks PZ for trying to help!
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-19-2008, 12:54 PM
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Alright... I'm guessing that the problem is that the mechanism for the aperture and the pin in the back is misaligned somehow. The aperture will not open all the way unless I manually move the pin with the K-mount off. The k-mount restricts me from moving the pin all the way open, and the mount under the k-mount is aligned such that the other little metal pin that interacts with the aperture ring will not move far enough to open the aperture completely. AND... at f/5.6 the aperture will not close anymore. I'm guessing that this is all part of the same problem with the misalignment of the aperture ring linking mechanism.
I hope this makes sense. I don't exactly know the names for all these parts, but I'm hoping that anyone who could help me would have enough camera knowledge to know what I'm talking about.
Anyhow... can someone tell me how to fix this? I got the K-mount off, and the screws that apparently do something with the focus ring, and decided I should wait for some instruction before going any further. I'm a pretty good DIY'er, but I just don't know jack about camera lenses. I think I could figure it out with a little help, but if someone knows what the problem is, you might can tell me if it's worth tackling or not.
KEH doesn't want it. They said it's not worth the repair since 50mm lenses are so abundant. So if I can't fix it by tomorrow afternoon, I'm just going to have them send me another one. They're much more expensive than private parties, but I would like the lens by Christmas, and they can ship to me in 1 day.
I might go the takumar route if I can find a screwmount adapter in time, since their k-mount 50/1.4's are $89 + shipping... not the bargain I was looking for. It would be awesome if somebody could help me repair the lens I have.
Geez...
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-19-2008, 11:30 AM
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it's an M-50/1.4 in k-mount. I'm about to get out a phillips head and see what kind of trouble I can get into.
I bought it from a forum member, who said it came from KEH... so I only assume it been taken apart to be cleaned by them, but I also assumed it was put back together correctly.
This is... unfortunate.
EDIT: One of the screws is stripped. Woe is me. I guess I'll just have to use f/1.4-5.6 for now and hope for better luck on another lens later.
EDIT #2: Got the k-mount and aperture ring off. It looks like I could be in for a real job if I start going further without knowing what I am supposed to be looking for.
It appears that my aperture is not "wide open" even when the aperture ring is turn all the way. The ring is set all the way open, but the little pin in the back will still move some more. Also, I can see the aperture blades at 1.4. Is THIS normal?
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-19-2008, 11:22 AM
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well, it certainly appears that after f/5.6, the blades don't close anymore. The blades appear perfectly clean, no oil or dirt.
the oddest thing (perhaps), is that the pin on the back of the camera that opens and closes the aperture apppears to be at the end of it's track at f/5.6. There isn't any more room for it to move. At f/1.4 it is at the far clockwise position, then as I stop down it moves counterclockwise, but it runs out of room to move at f/5.6.
I wish I had another lens to compare. I may be making mountains out of molehills, but this seems a little odd. If it turns out to be something normal, I'd at least like to know it isn't anything to worry about.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-19-2008, 10:44 AM
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Not that I am necessarily going to try it, but how would one go about cleaning the aperture blades on a K-mount prime?
Some answers... more questions...
Intrigued.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-18-2008, 11:29 PM
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I understand the 1/2 light per stop idea... but what I'm guessing is that 1/2 of f/8 is so small that I don't notice a change to f/16. I hope that makes sense. 1/2 of f/2 is a lot, so I can see it move to f/4. Once it gets down to f/8 it all looks the same, so I'm wondering if it's because the movements are so small at those apertures, or if my lens is closing up to early (closing to f/22 when I set it to f/8).
Maybe the change should really be noticeable, and mine's just messed up. I noticed this off the camera. I haven't played with enough lenses to know what's "normal" exactly.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-18-2008, 09:48 PM
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When I have a lens with an aperture ring, and I move the ring, I can see the aperture blades move. (Hang on, this IS going somewhere.) Once the aperture is fairly narrow, I can no longer see any movement. For instance, it looks the same at f/8 and f/22. Is this normal? Maybe the movement is so subtle at these small apertures that I can't see it... or is there something else going on? I understand that the movement from f/8 to f/11 is certainly much less dramatic than the movement from f/2 to f/4... but it truly appeared to be not moving at all when I observed this later today.
Curious.
I figure someone else has some enlightening remarks about this. I also figure that asking a lot of really weird (read: dumb) questions is a good way to get involved on the forum.
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Forum: Sold Items
12-11-2008, 07:31 PM
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-08-2008, 10:05 PM
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I'm sure this has been discussed on here before. I'm newly registered, but I've read through a lot of previous threads regarding this and other topics. However, for the sake of not missing some new enlightening thoughts before I make a purchase, I thought I'd ask...
I'm new to photography. I have a K100D Super and the 2 kit lenses and have been taking pictures with them for 8 months or so. I've read about primes being all the rage to really take quality photos. I know that the equipment is not going to take good pictures without a good photographer. But, I want a lens that I know I can't "fault" while I am continuing to grow as a photographer.
I have decided that an old M 50mm 1.4 would be a good first choice. It seems that I would be forced to master some exposure basics with one of these manual lenses, which would be helpful in the long-run.
Since 50mm is not "normal" on a DSLR, and I am losing any auto capabilities, should I reconsider? Maybe choose an FA-50, or a 35mm? I'm not 100% sure that an M lens is the best idea, or that a 50mm is the best idea either. But, I've heard about this lens being one of the best, and the wide aperture certainly seems like it would allow me to take pictures otherwise impossible with my kit lenses (especially sans flash).
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