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Forum: Pentax K-30 & K-50
04-06-2016, 11:22 AM
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You are maybe using different focusing mode (spot, 5 point, 11 point) with viewfinder. Try using spot mode in both and focus on a large enough object.
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Forum: Pentax K-30 & K-50
04-05-2016, 12:58 PM
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Try Live View focusing and use Spot mode pointed at your subject. If you get good results now and bad results with viewfinder focus, you need to AF Fine Adjust your lens.
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Forum: Pentax K-S1 & K-S2
04-03-2016, 09:59 AM
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Forum: Pentax K-S1 & K-S2
04-03-2016, 09:54 AM
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I am rather disappointed with the wifi on S2. The main use of it that I was hoping for is the transfer of pictures to my iPad. It takes literally minutes to get one single picture of highest resolution from S2 to iPad. Apart from that, I do not see any meaningful use of wifi on this camera if I can use its timer or IR remote.
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Forum: Pentax K-S1 & K-S2
04-03-2016, 09:44 AM
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The LCD is slightly better readable in sunshine than the screen on K50. As somebody mentioned, you can also tilt the screen for better reading.
I do have bunch of "heavier" lenses, but the light and retractable 18-50 kit lens is just great with this camera for the right size and weight combination. BTW, the 18-50 kit lens is very good and sharp when focused in Live View mode or if you "AF fine adjust" the focusing for normal viewfinder use. I had to go all the way up to +10 with my copy of this lens. I am using as well the "plastic fantastic" 35 and 50mm lenses and they are excellent match for the S2.
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Forum: Pentax K-S1 & K-S2
03-23-2016, 05:45 AM
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I am finding that I need on my K-S2 in average -0.5 EV compensation for all pictures and -1 on built in flash compensation in addition.
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Forum: Pentax K-30 & K-50
03-13-2016, 01:38 PM
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Yeah, there is plenty of great cameras out there, but I am not sure if mirrorless is the inevitable future. I still think that real view through viewfinder is better than looking at another in camera LCD. What I am finding however, that no matter how satisfied you are with your existing camera body, you just need something new every 3 or 4 years. New features and technology just become too irresistible. Its like with the cellphones and tablets, you always want the latest and greatest. I am old enough (69) to know that if you bought mid end camera some 40 years ago, you were OK for at least another 15 years if not more, no technology breakthroughs in between. And companies like Pentax kept making the same model for several years, the LX for a record of 20 years. These days, there are couple of new Pentax models every year. Well, lets go out and help the economy...
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Forum: Pentax K-30 & K-50
03-12-2016, 07:22 AM
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I was fighting the same dilemma for the past two months. I wanted a second camera, something smaller and lighter than K-50 with all the latest advanced features in both camera hardware and software and it would have to be a DSLR with viewfinder. I narrowed my choice down to either Olympus OM-D EM10 or better the newer EM10 Mark II and was having regrets for not buying either of these cameras when prices were down over last Christmas season. My only concern was buying a new line of lenses, as I wouldn't be happy with the kit lens only. I have been Pentax SLR user since late 1980's, K-50 is my 3rd DSLR body and I have six Pentax AF lenses and some dozen MF primes and zooms. And I wanted to keep my K-50, as I like the camera a lot.
I guess, I did not keep myself up to date on the new Pentax cameras, and a solution came when I "discovered" the K-S2. Sure, not as small and light as the EM10, but good enough, 20 Mp sensor, flip out LCD, WiFi, upgraded software, and I just love this retractable kit lens. But most important, I can use all my existing Pentax lenses. I definitely do not regret my choice of K-S2 as a second smaller camera, but I will keep my K-50 body as a backup or to use "just for a change".
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Forum: Pentax K-S1 & K-S2
03-11-2016, 01:42 PM
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So I have found, in my opinion, fairly accurate, efficient and quick method to do AF Fine Adjustment for my Pentax lenses. It is a slight variation of a method I found on dpreview.com, here it goes:
Find on the web one of those camera/lens test charts, preferably the bar graph type that has a various scale resolution patterns (I used the one attached). Use the highest resolution JPEG or PDF you can find and print it landscape on letter size paper. Tape the chart to wall or door, same level as your camera on a tripod, in a well lit space. I used distance about 5 feet between camera and chart, but feel free to experiment, depending on your lenses. On camere, I used AV mode and fixed ISO 200 for all measurements.
1. Go to menu with AF Fine Adjustment and check what is your current setting. Go to ‘Apply one’ and start with initial setting 0.
2. Set lens zoom in the middle (say 35mm), open the aperture fully (lowest number) and manually put lens out of focus (say infinity). Switch the camera to AF mode and autofocus with viewfinder.
3. Turn on the Live View, hit OK and with the rear E-dial set magnification/zoom to maximum (10x). Take a mental or paper note of the LCD picture sharpness (here a defined resolution on the chart comes handy).
4. Hit OK again to step out of the zoom and autofocus again this time in Live View (either shutter release half way or AF/AE-L button). This is the correct/best focus the camera can obtain while in Live View.
5. Hit the OK again to get the magnified detail on the LCD. If the picture sharpness is about the same as per 3., your viewfinder AF is working correctly and you are done for this particular lens.
6. If the LCD picture sharpness in 5 is better than in 3 (most often the case), you have to start experimenting with the AF Fine Adjustment setting. Go back to item 1 and adjust setting tentatively by about +3 and then follow items 2 to 5. If you improved the viewfinder autofocus sharpness, your setting is in a right direction, otherwise you have to go in opposite direction.
7. Try different settings, interpolate, until your viewfinder autofocus is as good as the Live View autofocus. Repeat for all your AF lenses.
I strongly suggest to do the AF Fine Adjustments for all your lenses, you will be surprised by the results. For illustration, here are results for some of my lenses:
The kit lens DAL 18-50mm DC WR RE required the maximum +10 points adjustment. The DA 35mm AL required +7 points, the DA 18-135mm ED AL DC WR +2 points, while the DA Fish Eye 10-17mm ED required 0 setting.
On my K-50 body the settings for the same lenses were different. BTW, this method works much better with K-S2 than K-50 due to sensor resolution. As well, with K-50 you need to be in M focus mode to get the Live View zoom, with K-S2 it works in both M and AF focus modes.
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Forum: Pentax K-S1 & K-S2
03-10-2016, 03:16 PM
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I am pretty sure that even at 8x magnification on both recorded playback and live view, the live view is much sharper...
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Forum: Pentax K-S1 & K-S2
03-10-2016, 12:53 PM
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I have been playing with my new K-S2 trying to set the best AF fine adjustment for my half a dozen of AF lenses. What I have noticed, there is much better sharpness looking at LCD in Live View compared to actual recorded picture from play back. It is most noticeable when zooming in to maximum (16x) in both Live View and play back. I have noticed the same thing with my other, K-50 body. I did try to disable some of the on camera picture processing/correction features but nothing makes a difference? I would assume, if a lens itself was a culprit, it would affect Live View as well?
Has anyone else noticed this, could you comment?
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
12-22-2015, 08:05 AM
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My shutter count was rather low, about 650 actuations. I have as well a good point and shoot Canon S100 that I take with me more often (especially on bike trips) than the K-50. So I would say that the diaphragm control problem was rather due to "inactivity" than too many actuations. My first DSLR the K100D had a similar problem fixed within warranty, my second DSLR the KX was problem free for 4 years before I sold it.
The K-50 is definitely the best of all three and I love it for any serious shooting. Here in Canada they come with 2 year warranty (which I did not even know), so you have a pretty good chance that if something goes wrong, you are still covered. BTW, I had the camera back from repair in 2 weeks.
Not sure if you have already any Pentax lenses, but if you go for the K-50, buy it with a higher end lens, do not go with the usual 17-55 + 70-200 mm low end kits, you will want something better pretty quick. I opted for the kit with the 18-135 Pentax lens and I saved close to $250 CAD compared to buying body and lens separately. BTW, the 18-135 is a fantastic universal lens, I rarely use anything else.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
12-21-2015, 11:07 AM
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Lucky me, Pentax Canada fixed my K-50 under 2 year Canadian warranty, 4 months before expiry. The service record says "replaced diaphragm control block unit". Not sure what exactly it is, but sounds to me as an electronics issue (control unit ?) and not a mechanical problem, but who knows...
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
12-02-2015, 05:22 PM
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Well, I grew up with Pentaxes as well, at least four film cameras that I bought new and three digital SLR, all new as well. The film Pentaxes plus few more that I bought used are sitting behind the glass in my camera collection, I got somehow sentimental about them... Honestly, I never had a problem with the film cameras, but I had a problem with the K100d and now the K-50, I guess too much technology...
But the good news just keeps coming, I found the original box for the K-50 and in it a Canadian warranty card valid for 2 years! So if I add my credit card extended warranty, I am covered till May 2017, yahoo !!!
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
12-01-2015, 11:07 AM
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Well, after bad news about the camera, I have a good news about the (future) repair. My credit card that I purchased the camera with carries an Extended Warranty Insurance, which in my case means till May 2016. I have already contacted Pentax Canada and made a repair claim with card provider.
Yes, I have manual Pentax lenses, but I will not even bother with testing, I will leave it with Pentax.
HOWEVER on different topic - after K100d, K-X and now K-50 I have been seriously considering another brand, but the fact that I have a bunch of AF and MF Pentax lenses hold me back. Now I see on Amazon this:
http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B008OQ0L2O?keywords=Pentax%20k&qid=144899208...r_1_15&sr=8-15
Will this simple adapter truly match Pentax lenses to Canon body with full functionality? If not, is there actually on the market something that will?
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
11-30-2015, 05:33 PM
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I posted reply to a relevant thread on K50 forum, but I thought I use this one as well.
I purchased my K50 in May 2014, so I am past warranty. Some 2 weeks ago I shot few pictures and all heavily underexposed, almost black. I started playing with exposure compensation and then all of sudden everything worked. Trying to shoot today, same problem, all dark, after dozen exposures or so, all good again. Turned off and on, still working fine. Let it sit for a while, turned on and the same problem again, all shots black. I am dreading the cost of repair and time without camera for Christmas...
Read more at: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/151-pentax-k-30-k-50/276378-k50-sensor-pr...#ixzz3t1Zk1Xtm |
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Forum: Pentax K-30 & K-50
11-30-2015, 05:25 PM
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So was this problem clearly identified, is there a way to check what is the culprit?
I purchased my K50 in May 2014, so I am past warranty. Some 2 weeks ago I shot couple of pictures and all heavily underexposed, almost black. I started playing with exposure compensation and then all of sudden everything worked. Trying to shoot today, same problem, all dark, after dozen exposures or so, all good again. Turned off and on, still working fine. Let it sit for a while, turned on and the same problem again, all shots black. I am dreading the cost of repair and time without camera for Christmas...
I recall, I had something similar long time ago with K100d, luckily during a warranty then. The symptoms were however bit different and it turned out to be faulty sensor.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
09-20-2010, 03:07 PM
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I have my camera back from warranty repair by Pentax Canada (and yes, I had to pay $50 handling fee because the camera was purchased in States). The repair bill says that they had to replace the circuit board, apparently they did not change the sensor itself. Camera works fine now.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
07-23-2010, 07:09 AM
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Well, I would argue with you opinion... First of all, I live 150 kms from the nearest city where I could buy a camera so I have lots of various stuff shipped to me by mail. Second, on a KX camera kit with two lenses I did not save pennies but about $140 including shipping compared to lowest price anywhere in Canada.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
07-23-2010, 07:03 AM
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aleonx3, I got a confirmation from Pentax Canada that I will have to pay $50 handling fee on this international warranty.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
07-23-2010, 07:00 AM
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No it doesn't cost anything, just the hassle.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
07-22-2010, 06:58 PM
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Some of the online US camera dealers like B&H or Adorama have very attractive prices for us Canadians, but be aware of the warranty issues. The Pentax cameras and other products carry one year warranty applicable in US only. US dealers do not supply the International warranty card that Pentax Canada requires for any warranty repair. You have to request the card from Pentax Imaging USA. Even with that warranty card, Pentax Canada is charging $50 handling fee for any warranty repair on a products purchased out of Canada, according to their web site.
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Forum: Ask B&H Photo!
07-22-2010, 06:33 PM
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Actually, I was able to email Pentax USA the scanned bill of sale and serial number, that was all they needed. The email address I was given is Joe.Virgil@pentax.com and he emailed me back confirming they sent the International Warranty card.
Now I am curious if I will have to pay the $50 handling fee to Pentax Canada for out of country purchased product.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
07-21-2010, 08:25 PM
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The batteries and temperature are definitely not an issue here. It is not just purple display, but the actual shots are very dark and purple as well. When I switch to LV, I see on the display exactly what the sensor is seeing and what comes out in the picture.
I think that sensor failed and my only option is warranty repair.
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