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Forum: Repairs and Warranty Service
02-23-2023, 02:03 PM
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
11-08-2022, 08:39 PM
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Got it. Thank you, should be an interesting, and inexpensive, astro camera.
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
09-10-2022, 10:48 AM
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Thank you for sharing this. I picked up 3 of the originals about ten years ago. They work for FA Limiteds too, not just DAs. They were only 9" long, but 2 - 3 lenses would fit in them nicely. At the time I'd wished for longer ones, and didn't know these were available until your post. I was able to order two.
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
01-01-2022, 05:01 PM
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
03-02-2020, 10:18 PM
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Welcome to the Pentax Fora. My 645Z only has 15K shutter count on it, but that's from being discriminating about what I use it for. Mostly landscapes. I'm more in-discriminating about hummingbirds. I use my K-50s for that, one of which now has a shutter count of 410,222 as of today. But who's counting? ;)
May your next body have less use/abuse.
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
03-02-2020, 10:01 PM
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As I understand it, you got that 645Z from Down Under. Make sure your date/time/location settings are accurate for your current location. :)
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
02-25-2020, 01:18 PM
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I ordered a "M65x1 female thread to Pentax 645 camera mount adapter", found in the link above and a "T2 female to M65x1 male thread adapter" from RAFCamera via ebay. They arrived relatively quickly from Belarus to California. I also ordered a 2" T2 nosepiece to go from the T2 to M65x1 adapter to my Meade telescope, from a place called Agena AstroProducts.
When I first put the assembly of adapters on my 645Z the whole thing seemed to turn nicely in the bayonet mount of the camera, but never clicked into place like a lens would. It spun with a bit of friction, then spun free. It would turn about 45 degrees, back and forth, in the camera mount, without locking into place. When I pressed the lens release button to try to remove it, it wouldn't move past whatever was stopping it from turning counter clockwise. I removed the nosepiece and T2 to M65x1 adapter to see if I could see what was preventing the removal of the adapter, but couldn't see anything causing the problem. I applied a moderate amount of force to try to turn it but stopped for fear of damaging the camera.
I contacted RAFCamera and got a reply within an hour. This was the verbal exchange:
"me:
Upon first use of this adapter ring it has locked onto the camera and cannot be removed. Do you have any tips on how to remove it from my Pentax 645Z?
rafcamera:
Hi!
Tight a helicoid bit stronger and use it to turn adapter counterclockwise (don't forget to press a lens release button).
Thank you.
Raf.
me:
Thank you for the quick reply. It should require no more force to remove than a lens, yet it will not turn while pressing the lens release button.
rafcamera:
A lens has much more convenient grip, and lens mounts are made of steel usually (not more soft aluminium alloy like our adapter).
Moreover, we trying to make more strict tolerances, so tension is higher than with native lens usually.
I tested these adapters on my old Pentax 645. May be it is bit worn and allows bit more easy adapter turning.
But you should have no issues removing it anyway. Never had such reports so far. Just don't know what went wrong in your case, sorry.
Please try to apply bit more force.
me:
Again, thank you for the reply. I have been able to remove it, applying much more force than expected. Thank you. When it was on the camera, the adapter would turn approximately 45 degrees freely, as if it were loose. But when turning to remove it, and holding down the lens release button, it would stop and not move until extreme force was applied. I note some anodizing has been removed in the process.
rafcamera:
Our adapters have no stop pins. Looks like you overturned it during installation. Just be more careful next time, or you may damage camera mount. Thank you.
me:
That seems like some critical information not found in the instructions.
rafcamera:
People just turn adapter till a lock click usually, so no special instructions required. Thank you."
I need to use my 645Z next month, so I haven't attempted to put the adapter back on yet, and may never do so.
The point of my post: Use extreme caution putting any adapter like this on your camera. |
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
01-22-2020, 10:15 PM
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My trusty K-50, bought new in July, 2015, just had another milestone. 400K shutter count on January 16, 2020. After 250K, in December, 2017, I sent it in to Precision for a CLA, but only to make sure it would last a bit longer. there were no problems with it. They said it needed the aperture block replaced, though there were no issues with exposure, I said go ahead. The actual 400,000 image had just a bird butt in it, so i tossed it. Here's the next worthwhile one, number 400256.
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
07-03-2015, 10:48 AM
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The 2003 vintage *istD, and the K-10D, don't have a 'Catch-In Focus' menu item, but that function can be implemented on them by setting focus mode to AF.S, and in the menus setting 'AF by Press Halfway' to On and 'AF Button Function' to 'Enable AF', and using a manual focus lens or AF lens set to manual focus. With those cameras, and those settings, when the shutter release button is fully pressed, or a cable remote is locked (the preferable way to do this), the camera will not fire until it achieves focus. It'll sit there all day and not fire until something comes into focus, and will repeatedly fire while focus is achieved. The flaw in the 645Z is that it fires whether focus has been obtained or not.
The menu item 'Catch-In Focus' did not appear in Pentax DSLR menus until the K20D arrived.
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
08-20-2019, 09:12 PM
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I hesitated on this one, but finally jumped. And I'm glad I did. It arrived today, and looks new, right down to the included packaging and documentation. It's smaller than I recall, but it's no Limited by any means. The web page indicates at least one more for another lucky soul. It took me 5 days to place the order, since their web site rejected my order once my credit card company balked at the order. Hopefully the next person has better luck. Get it while you can.
I think I'm going to enjoy this on my 645Z. :)
SMC PENTAX DA 645 25MM F4 AL IF SDM AW - Ricoh $2700 USD
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
10-27-2014, 09:38 AM
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It is a feature I've used on all my Pentax DSLRs to capture images like this, and I'd like to use the 645Z to try to do better:
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
02-19-2019, 01:34 PM
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Thanks for the bump on this. I haven't found a solution to this. It's probably just as well. Since I originally posted this back in 2014, I've retired from my 'day job' and have been shooting hummingbirds in my garden on pretty much a daily basis. I picked up a K-50 to do that job in 2015, it now has a shutter count of over 333,000. If the Z had catch-in-focus capabilities, I'm sure mine would have a significantly higher shutter count than the 14,200 it currently has. Not that I don't think the Z could handle that type of use (abuse?). ;)
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
11-12-2018, 12:29 PM
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These were taken with a 645Z and A 645 120mm Macro F4, on separate overcast days in 2015:
1/100s, f10, ISO 1000
1/80s, f25, ISO 1000
Good luck with your quest. I hope this helps.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
06-09-2018, 09:59 PM
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My Pentax K-50 sits in our yard, daily, snapping away at all the hummingbirds that pass through our yard. It has been doing that since July, 2015. Today, it took photo 300,000. This is it, of a young female Allen's Hummingbird. I hope it lasts for 300,000 more. ;)
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
06-10-2018, 11:51 AM
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Thank you all. The photo isn't one of its best, shot at mid-day, so lighting wasn't the best. But still, it's a pretty clear shot.
Yes, catch-in-focus is used here. Current lens of choice is the SMC Pentax-A 70-210mm F4 (a steal at $50), set at 210mm, about 6' from a feeder. It's powered by a 12V, 9A battery and a voltage regulator to drop the voltage to the 7.4V the camera requires. I set it up just before sunrise and let it shoot until around noon, then re-orient it for the afternoon sunlight. On hot days, when it gets over 95F, the built in over-temp function kicks in, and I have to unlock the shutter release and re-engage it. I also fashioned a cover for it, out of .0125" (0.31mm) shim stock to keep birds from pooping on it. Good thing, it's gotten pretty crusty over the years.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
06-11-2018, 07:58 AM
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The number of shots daily varies with bird activity, but often not how one might think. If I get a dominant bird in the yard, she may be good at chasing the other birds away, and I'll get only 75 shots of just her. But when it's busy, and they all get along, I can get days where it shoots more than 2500. I've noted more than 8 different birds in the yard at times.
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
03-06-2018, 11:25 PM
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
06-15-2016, 12:41 PM
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I contacted them via email as requested. About an hour later that 'used' item was gone, as if someone had made that purchase. About 4 hours after I sent the email I got this reply:
"Thanks for your interest! Pentax K-1 Full Frame DSLR Camera (Body Only) is Brand New, original box, sealed, never used, not scratches or any problems, comes in the manufacturer packaging with 2 Year full warranty and all manufacturer supplied accessories, US model. The total price is $1,098.00, including all shipping and insurance fees to United States / Canada. (3-5 business days).
The price is less than usual, because we have special offers and discounts in this period. The offer lasts 7 days. Take advantage while the offer lasts.
The transaction is through Amazon Payments; payment method is through Amazon Gift Card and you are covered by A-to-z Guarantee Protection. You can easily buy an Amazon Gift Card using your credit card directly on the Amazon website.
Return policy is full money back or replace the product, you can return it for any reason at all within 30 days.
If you want to buy, please confirm your full name and shipping address and I will place an order on Amazon for you; and then you receive the order confirmation from them with all details about the next steps to complete your purchase.
We will reserve the item for you and soon you receive the order confirmation from Amazon.
Many Thanks,
Media Market"
Does sound like a scam to me. I might consider a 'used' item for that low a price because I can see where the price would drop that much depending on circumstances. But a "Brand New, original box, sealed, never used, ..." item, at that price, is waaaay too good to be true. And only accepting an Amazon gift card as payment is another red flag.
Buyer beware!
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
04-04-2016, 01:18 PM
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OK. The files are now available. Ed has been busy and hasn't been able to give me details on the files, so what follows here is my best guess from the EXIF data in the files. Ed can clarify things as he gets time. It appears, from the EXIF data, that Ed shot in manual exposure mode, and bracketed 3 exposures at 0, -2 and +2 EV at ISO100.
This is a huge amount of data, 33 files total, so I've tried to break it down so it's relatively easy to get what you are looking for. If there are any requests beyond the organization presented here, just post and I'll do my best to make things available. I have zipped the files into archives by lens type. Those can be found here:
A35 12 files, 671,279KB,
DFA35.zip 12 files, 682,904KB,
DA28-45.zip 9 files, 508,980KB
Individual files, by lens, can be downloaded here:
DA28-45
IMGP5622.PEF, IMGP5623.PEF, IMGP5624.PEF, IMGP5625.PEF, IMGP5626.PEF, IMGP5627.PEF, IMGP5631.PEF, IMGP5632.PEF, IMGP5633.PEF
A35
IMGP5634.PEF, IMGP5635.PEF, IMGP5636.PEF, IMGP5637.PEF, IMGP5638.PEF, IMGP5639.PEF, IMGP5640.PEF, IMGP5641.PEF, IMGP5642.PEF, IMGP5643.PEF, IMGP5644.PEF, IMGP5645.PEF
DFA35
IMGP5652.PEF, IMGP5653.PEF, IMGP5654.PEF, IMGP5655.PEF, IMGP5656.PEF, IMGP5657.PEF, IMGP5658.PEF, IMGP5659.PEF, IMGP5660.PEF, IMGP5661.PEF, IMGP5662.PEF, IMGP5663.PEF
For those curious to see the scene Ed shot without downloading the files, here's a taste; DA28-45, f16, 1/60s, ISO 100:
Given that I don't know how many will be downloading these images, I may be testing the 'unlimited bandwidth' aspect of the agreement of my web site host, inmotion hosting. If there's any dialog about this, I'll give as much notice as I can before taking any 'action' they may deem appropriate. ;)
Enjoy!
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Forum: Pentax Full Frame
02-17-2016, 04:12 PM
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There is no perfect camera. Every camera, hell, everything man made, is a compromise. I've used a D800. The K-1 looks to me to be a good compromise. Smaller and lighter than the D800, about the same still FPS, and at least $1K less than the current D810. I don't do video on an SLR, so the K-1 is looking very good to me. Can't wait to put the ol' FA-31 and FA-20 on it!
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
10-05-2015, 09:11 AM
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As luck would have it, I received a copy of the SMC Pentax-A* 645 1:4 300mm ED(IF) from KEH this past Saturday. I think I'm going to like this one on the 645Z.
The measurement you're looking for is 2.9755 Inches = 75.578 mm, and it is fixed.
If you find a tripod mount for it, please let me know, I might be interested in getting one myself.
Good luck.
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Forum: Pentax Full Frame
02-13-2015, 08:02 AM
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I got the impression the OP was looking at the K-3 "feature set", not really implying that Pentax should literally stuff a FF sensor in the K-3. But I could be wrong...
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
08-01-2014, 01:25 PM
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The mechanism to actuate the aperture, and report its setting to the camera, was designed for Pentax 645 lenses. Anytime you put a lens not specifically designed for a given camera body (i.e., a Canon lens on a Pentax K mount body, or in this case, a Hasselblad lens on a 645Z) via an adapter, you run the risk of reducing the automatic parts of the lens (focus, aperture) to manual functionality. Anytime the camera can't determine the aperture, it will display "F--" in the viewfinder and LCD. You can use either Av or M modes with this combination.
Please post some photos with that lens, and let us know which one(s) you're using.
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Forum: Pentax Full Frame
02-13-2015, 07:55 AM
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A K-3 with large sensor would be ideal for me. As a landscape and hummingbird shooter, with the lenses I've acquired over the years, I'd be set for life. I say bring it on!:)
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
01-14-2015, 09:44 AM
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For me, this seems to be the ideal focal length range for landscapes on the 645Z, perhaps a little wider would be better, but this would do. Reading this forum, and people's comments on the size and heft of the lens, didn't prepare me for what I was about to experience.
It arrived Wednesday from Lens Rentals in a plain brown box. The box had a foam liner with a hole big enough for a Sigma Bigma, to fit. Inside that was the lens, with hood, inside its pouch. The lens cap looked like it came from a 1990's vintage Pentax lens, but the rest of the lens, and hood, looked new.
I put the lens on the 645Z and went out to the yard to take a few quick shots. I find the camera to be very nose heavy with this lens on it. The quick shots revealed the lens to be very sharp, and the new HD coatings do a nice job of reducing lens flare. Shots with the sun in them were very clean.
Back-lit Pomegranate Flower (28mm)
Since I'm a landscape photographer, and a big part of that is getting the equipment to the locations I want to shoot, I figured a good test would be to hike to a familiar spot. The spot I chose was a place known as "First Water", on the Mount Wilson Trail, in the Angeles National Forest here in Southern California. The hike to First Water is 1.5 miles with a a 980 foot ascent. It's not too bad if you're in reasonable physical health, but additional weight adds to the difficulty.
Mt Wilson trail Map
Once I got to First Water, I went down to the area I've shot before. I found the lens/camera combination less than enjoyable to use on slippery/unstable ground. It didn't balance well on a tripod. Perhaps the fact that the $5000 lens wasn't mine contributed to my uneasiness. Also, trying to use my Tiffen variable ND filter on this lens, with the hood, is impossible due the the close tolerances of the hood. There's little room to get your fingers in there to screw the filter on, and the hood doesn't have the little filter window some previous Pentax hoods have had. The result was I used the filter without the hood, which caused flare in the images.
First Water (28mm)
Heading back down the trail (28mm)
For me, to be able to use this lens, it would need: a) to be lighter, b) have a tripod collar so it feels better on a tripod, c) have a larger hood with provisions to use my variable ND filter. Also, I'd eliminate the optical stabilization. I don't think it's really that necessary for a focal length of this range, on a 'field camera'. That would also reduce the cost and most likely the weight and size.
A Weight Comparison:
645Z and SMCP-A 645 35mm
645Z and SMCP-FA 645 45-85mm
645Z and SMCP-DA 645 28-45mm
Wet brick (it was raining out, so a dry brick was not available)
Conclusion:
I'm glad I rented the DA28-45 before buying one. I enjoy using the 645Z with the A35 and FA45-85, but I just could not find any pleasure in using the DA28-45, mainly because the 645Z becomes so unbalanced with that lens mounted on it. It does take nice photos though.
YMMV...
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