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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
04-15-2014, 01:57 PM
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DSims, I forgot about the Amazon lockers. There might be one along my route but it is still a bit hit & miss at this stage.
Boris, thanks for the offer on the Giotto. The shipping timeframe is too tight though. I think I'll run with the Costco one at this time. You should list it in the forum marketplace.
Ted
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
04-14-2014, 09:27 AM
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On Wednesday I'll be leaving for a road trip to Las Vegas and I was wondering if anyone can recommend a Las Vegas store with a good selection of tripods. I've unsuccessfully searched my house from top to bottom looking for the quick release plate for my Dolica tripod. I don't want to mail order a new plate in-case it doesn't come in time so I'm looking for a store that may carry them - or else buy a complete new tripod.
When I went to the Dolica site, their list of retailers includes Best Buy, Walmart and Costco which all have many locations. The link to Costco brought up 3 models (the ZX600B103 and TX570B150DS at 79.99 and the CX600B502D/S at 199.99). I will probably go and look at these and pickup one of these (most likely one of the 79.99 models) before I leave unless anyone recommends something more compelling.
I want to take some night time shots of the strip and also some night shots of points along the way (four nights in Vegas, one in Bryce, one in Ely and one in Reno). I don't think I can cost justify a $199.99 or higher tripod at this time though.
Thanks,
Ted
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
04-08-2014, 12:50 PM
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I see from your equipment list that you have the 18-55 kit lens and the Rikenon-p 50/2.0. Are you looking specifically for another 50mm to 55mm prime lens and for manual or auto focus. It sounds like you are looking for the best compromise between image quality and price (bang for the buck).
In a week, I'm going on a road trip through Oregon, Northern California and Utah & I've been trying to work out which lenses to take. Yesterday I decided to include a fast 50 but didn't know which to take so I decided to start comparing the ones I have. One of these is a Rikenon 50/2.0 (no -p marking on it) and I ran sample shots using my K-5 with: a) Pentax-M 50/1.7, b) Pentax-M 50/1.4, c) Cosina 50/1.8, d) Chinon 50/1.8, e) Takumar 55/1.8 and f) Mamiya Sekor 55/1.8. In the initial tests I thought the Rikenon looked a bit washed out and my gut feeling is that I'll take the Pentax-M 50/1.7. I still need to upload the photos to my computer, do more detailed comparisons and double check that all the settings were as similar as possible. Also, my Rikenon may not be a good copy. This stuff takes time.
Cheers,
Ted
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
04-07-2014, 01:25 PM
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Newegg frequently has deals on various SD cards. I just received a Patriot 64G SDXC UHS-1 card that I'd ordered for 29.99 with free shipping. There is also a $10.00 mail-in rebate which means it ens up at 19.99. There are a couple of negative reviews for this card so they may be clearing them out. The mail-in rebates are a bit of a hassle though and I see this card currently has .99 cents shipping. Sign up for their email and watch for the deals on SD cards. Patriot LX 64GB Secure Digital Extended Capacity (SDXC) Flash Card Model PSF64GSDXC10 - Newegg.com |
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Forum: Welcomes and Introductions
04-06-2014, 08:33 AM
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Hi Gerald and welcome.
Hopefully you still have a collection of unsigned F1 photography and maybe you can post a sample or two from time to time. With England being the centre of F1 I'm sure you have lots of good nostalgic stuff. I'll go to Goodwood/Brooklands/etc at some future point to take some shots of my own, but until then I'll have to be content looking at whatever I come across on the web. One site which I've found lots of good shots on is The Nostalgia Forum - The AUTOSPORT Forums .
Lets see what the K-3 can do!!
Ted
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Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories
04-02-2014, 09:15 AM
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Wow, there are lots of great bridge shots in this thread, I've just found this thread and will now go back and look through all 55 pages. I've never posted any pictures to the forums since I joined in 2009 but after finding this thread I've been motivated to upload a couple and post them. Neither of these is all that great but the subjects and perspective are a little bit less common I hope.
Howzat
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
03-05-2014, 08:12 PM
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FrancisK7, Wow! Great photos! I'm going to Vegas next month and was wondering what to photograph besides the strip. Valley of Fire just went to the top of the list. I've been wondering what lenses to take and it looks like the wider the better. Critique wise, I don't see anything to comment on - just hope I can get some shots as good as these.
BirdDude007, we are also going for a car related event - it is the 50th anniversary of the Mustang. Don't own a Mustang - just going there for a half marathon with friends but every participant has a chance to win a new Shelby so with luck I'll be able to drive one home LOL.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
02-18-2014, 09:02 AM
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I like to take 2 bodies wherever possible (K-5 and K-01) with a prime on one and a zoom on the other. My wife prefers to use the K-5 and a lightweight short zoom so it normally has the 18-55 kit lens. I'll then carry the K-01 with a prime - normally the 31 limited but sometimes a manual 50 or something else. If we are travelling in the car, there will be a something else in the bag too - normally the 55-300. We normally have a teleconverter in the bag too but it hardly ever gets used. If my wife isn't with me, I normally use the K-5 with whichever lens takes my fancy on the day, the K-01 is then the backup. I really, really want a 15 limited to go on one of these.
Ted
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-29-2014, 09:33 AM
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As stated above, the SMC versions are better. A couple of years ago I obtained the 2.5 bayonet version with 4 other lenses from Goodwill for maybe $90 to $100 all up. All were in excellent condition. You should be able to get a better price if you wait and look around. There is a screw mount Takumar with SMC glass in a package at Tacoma with bidding at 10.99 right now. You would need to research and buy a suitable screw to bayonet adaptor as well though (search the forums for threads on this if you are not already familiar with this). Here is the link shopgoodwill.com - #15391652 - 3Pc Takumar+ Camera Lens - 2/3/2014 7:08:00 PM |
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
10-05-2013, 07:56 AM
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The PC version is in stock again - as of 7:50 Saturday US Pacific time. I had looked a few times previously but it was always out of stock. Finally got it this morning.
Ted
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
09-19-2013, 09:42 AM
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I have an old OM system and a couple of lenses in the closet & had never contemplated using them with Pentax bodies. After reading this thread & the links to RioRico's threads I have a new enthusiasm to try this. The first Olympus lens that I found was a 50/1.4 and I'm not ready to grind anything on it at this point but I did handhold it into my old K20D (it fitted right into the body mount cleanly, didn't attempt to rotate it) and took a few samples successfully. I'll follow this thread and plan to modify one of my lenses when I have the time, tools ready and confidence that I won't botch it up.
Ted
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
07-29-2013, 02:41 PM
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OK, here is an update - the lady from the 'O' called me back & advised sorry but they can't honor the deal and advised me to return the item (she confirmed that no lens will be included when it comes). When it comes I have to request a return document and they send an email with the return documentation in it - then I have to take it to UPS for return (it will come via Fedex). No mention of the costs or inconvenience to me. Didn't want to get angry as it wasn't her fault but I told her that I believed that the big O made the mistake and were clearly re-pakaging the lens from the advertised kit and are selling it separately. Best of luck if anyone chooses to deal with them in future.
The good news is that I no longer have to sell my K20D to defer costs. I'll wait until another deal comes along on an 18-135 (or maybe the DA 15 limited one day).
Buyer beware.
Ted
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
07-29-2013, 09:32 AM
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Not sure which lens you got & if it was with the original shipment.
Fedex were to deliver mine on Friday but it didn't come. Had to go out all day Saturday & found the Fedex slip on the door when I got home.
After reading the updates on this thread I don't have a good confidence level of the package being complete so I just called customer service. The lady was friendly & spent time looking into the history of these orders. She saw that the order data specifically confirms that it includes the 18-135 WR lens and I pointed out that they are also advertising that lens as item #13440369 - advertised as new in non-retail packaging. I also suggested that these are probably the lenses that should be in the kits we are buying. She is contacting the other warehouses to find out what is happening & suggests I accept the package today and check what is is it. She is aware that I want one of the advertised lenses if one is not included already. I've waited a week so far so don't mind waiting another day or 2 to see what is included & what they will do if it is not.
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
07-22-2013, 03:16 PM
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I also got in on this deal and now have a Fedex tracking number. I spoke to a CS rep and got verbal confirmation of part number 12038 (includes 18-135). It is time to gather my K20D original gear together and package it ready for sale so the funds can help pay for this. If anyone is looking for a K20D in good condition, feel free to make me an offer before I get it posted. I bought the body only kit from beach camera in 2009 but will also offer one of more lenses with it. I have the 18-55, 50-200 and a few older film Pentax and Takumar primes & zooms.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
07-12-2013, 12:03 PM
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Yes, I bought my K-01 body from them. My dealing was via Rakuten (which used to be Buy.com). Big Value Inc is a member of their marketplace. Often Rakuten has 10, 15 and sometimes 20% back promotions. I used one of these to get a really good deal on the K-01. The camera came quickly and was brand new. The financial transaction was with the Rakuten system. You get about a month or 2 to spend your cash back credit on another Rakuten affiliated purchase (Adorama is also a Rakuten marketplace member). They are legit and I'd deal with them again.
Ted
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Forum: Pentax K-01
06-19-2013, 12:17 PM
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The dual lens kit in today's sell out Woot is a good deal - however some people prefer the coloured versions - there is an Ebay listing for the 2 lens kit from seller BigValue - the yellow is US$434.99 and the white is 459.99 - black 719.95. all have free US shipping. The add mistakenly lists that the 40mm lens is also included.
Maybe the colour is enough to tempt you - then sell the lenses and use old manual lenses.
Pentax K 01 Digital Camera w 18 55mm 50 200mm Lenses Black White Yellow | eBay |
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Forum: Visitors' Center
06-09-2013, 09:03 AM
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If your collection of ME Super lenses will attach to K-30, K-5, K-5II (& IIs), K-01 bodies but will not support the various automatic functions that these current bodies have. You can also attach to many earlier Pentax digital bodies. If any of your K mount lenses are not Pentax branded, they may also fit but may need some tweaks (as listed in other forum threads). To use manual focusing with the new bodies can be fun but can also be a little easier with 'focus peaking' as in the K-01 mirrorless body.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-09-2013, 08:51 AM
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I started with a Pentax MX (new in Hong Kong for AU$110.00 with a 1.4 lens at that time). When digital started I had P&S cameras from Olympus and Canon but always wanted to get back to Pentax. Bought a K20D in 2009 and then a K-5 last year. More recently I could not resist the amazing deals on the K-01 so bought a body to try video and use the various lenses that I've collected over the years. Have a few M42s that I use with K mount bayonet adapters too.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-09-2013, 08:32 AM
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It is very interesting to read how various companies get bought and sold over time. I love reading this stuff.
Regarding Vivitar - the article at The Australian Way | Camera | All-Pages - indicates that it was purchased by Hanimex (founded in Australia in 1947 by a German born immigrant) in 1985. Hanimex is currently owned by Fuji but was at one time owned by Ricoh.
Ted :)
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-03-2013, 05:07 PM
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I bought an M42 to K mount converter after getting a cheap Takumar 55mm 1.8 a few months back. I've had enough fun with that lens to encourage me to look for other M42 lenses. On the weekend I picked up an inexpensive bundle including a Super Takumar 28mm F3.5, a Super Takumar 50mm F1.4 and a Takumar 300mm F4. They are all in really good shape with caps and hard cases. Yesterday I used my single M42/PK converter on each with either my K-5 or K-01. The 300 is really big & heavy and thankfully has a tripod collar. Have ordered 3 more converters so that each lens can have its own converter permanantly fitted. All this good quality gear was a fraction of the cost of a single new auto focus lens. Can't wait till I get more time to experiment with the various combinations. Further down the road I'm sure I'll buy a DA 15 or another good quality auto focus lens but now I'll have more time to save for it while having fun with these.
Ted
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
05-29-2013, 09:17 AM
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Hi Gary,
A good resource for free learning is creativeLIVE: Learn photography and more for FREE - they broadcast a lot of photographic related courses for free. I've watched a few for free and also purchased a couple for 'anytime' re-viewing. The various presenters are top notch. Right now, there is a wedding photography course on. Look at their calendar and see when they will have a course of interest to you. They also re-broadcast most of them at least once after the live event. Then you have yo buy a course to be able to re-view at any time.
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
04-16-2013, 03:50 PM
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I've been on the fence over this. Almost bought the Adorama deal but hesitated too long. Then was going to order the yellow version at B&H but their online ordering was closed & then I missed out. Got an email from Rakuten/Buy.com this afternoon and they have a 20% back happy hour promotion right now so I pulled the trigger on the 315.89 price.
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Forum: Travel, Events, and Groups
10-12-2012, 06:35 AM
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A work colleague told me about a local walk that is on this Saturday. I plan to go and hope to learn from other attendees regardless of the brand of equipment being used. Have read a couple of Scott Kelby books and found them quite helpful in learning techniques.
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
09-01-2012, 08:11 AM
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Amazon sent me a coupon code to get an additional $400 off Photoshop CS6 as a previous purchaser of LR3. The coupon was good thru 08/20 and my final price ended up being $187 plus odd cents plus sales tax. As you also purchased LR through Amazon you should be able to get a similar deal (I believe the coupon codes were individual to each customer) - suggest you send an email to their customer service. If you want a copy of their original email, send me a private email and I'll forward it on to you.
Ted
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