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Forum: General Talk
05-23-2012, 03:27 PM
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I would take their advice and move on
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
05-23-2012, 03:26 PM
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Nice - be up that way in about 3 weeks time playing with my cameras as well ;-) Nice place to be in summer / not winter.
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Forum: Sold Items
05-03-2012, 09:44 AM
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Will attest - this is one nice piece of glass, Owned one for years.
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
04-29-2012, 07:52 PM
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Nice! Not too crazy about the wire though, crop it out.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
04-29-2012, 02:10 PM
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Here is my list
1. 600mm F4 FA*
2. 300mm F2.8 FA*
3. 85mm F1.4 FA*
4. 24mm F2.0 FA*
5. 100mm F4 Takumar bellows lens
6. Spiratone 20mm F2.8 - unless I find a good Pentax 20mm PK-a or FA
7. Sigma 300mm F4 Macro - work horse
8. Sigma 16mm F2.8 - same unless I find a reasonable FF Pentax fisheye
9. 50mm F1.4 F
10. 28mm F2.8 AL FA
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
04-27-2012, 03:03 PM
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I paid $6K for that lens from B&H years ago brand new, they had one in stock. Still have it.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
04-20-2012, 03:13 PM
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I only buy legacy glass / mostly FA* lenses,. So add me to the list except mine has more to do with build quality than price.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-31-2012, 09:22 AM
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Why not look into the F or FA 50mm F/1.4 - superb optic
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
03-29-2012, 03:24 PM
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I will keep you apprised, at least I got it off someone that I think will stand by the sale which is what kept me from buying one of these in the past - see how it goes with CRIS - should be next week when I get an answer.
I know you have both the 600 and the 300 - looks like the aperture assembly is more like the 85 F1.4 than the 600 which is slightly different. Is your 300 tight by the bottom of the aperture ring? This one I thought my mono-pod was clacking last Sunday as I heard a noise as I walked around with the lens nestled on my shoulder - then I noticed the entire lens mount assembly was loose - not just the mount - the entire assembly where it goes into the lens body I packed up and went home. I do not think this is a big deal, the lens might have been CLA'd prior to sale and screws left loose - this is what I am hoping is all that is the matter. Might also explain the back focus issue but as long as I could adjust that out I was good as the lens is clean - a lens falling apart on me I am not good with at all.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
03-28-2012, 02:43 PM
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It requires more - the lens mount assembly is coming loose under the aperture ring assembly - sent to CRIS for estimate. lens took +9 to +10 to align which I could live with, the camera wobbling on the lens mount I cannot. See how it goes.
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Forum: Sold Items
03-16-2012, 06:05 PM
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If you find two let me know - this is one of the lenses next on my radar.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
03-06-2012, 11:46 AM
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Borno - I guess that is why I am trying to resolve this without sending it in; you never know who ends up with it where you send it nor are you really sure they know what they are doing with what you sent them. The lens appears almost 100% pristine so it should be within the build specifications and whatever variances that exist in that process - it appears from what I am hearing the allowable variances are skewed to backfocus. How I received it it was packed very well but the lens was also very cold, I mean real cold and temperature can have an effect on variances opening them up when cold compared to a warm temperature where I live which would tighten variances ever so slightly.
Kind of like Murphy's law - you might have got hit with it; the next person is fine - who knows where I end up in the mix so I am trying not to go there.
See how it goes; I will post results and process over a range of lenses that I have that are AF as I go along as I might as well know where all of them hit with AF..
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
03-05-2012, 11:29 AM
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Ordered a lens align and I have a couple of bodies I can run some tests with it later this week when it arrives that are more scientific.
Like I said I just got this lens and this is an initial test based on what I have available which is a sheet that I had used in the past. Not optimal but two lenses same body gave very different results and if you do the tree test (what I call it) - shoot at the center of a tree where you can see the rest of the diameter of the tree and see what you got - it is focusing about 12 mm behind center - half inch whatever you want to call it behind the point of focus depth wise, this is at +10 on the internal camera lens specific adjustment. Not scientific but a reasonable mans approach to test something quick and dirty with minimal effort. The second lens I used has worked great for many years for me as has other lenses on this and other bodies with no major issues.
I am looking for similar experiences and what was done to resolve the issue. I would prefer not to ship this lens out and have it calibrated (if that can be done) and was not really needed and hope that there is a better and simpler fix. The seller is wiling to cover repairs but that is not the issue as I hate to waste his time and money as well as my time. However; if I need to send it out where is the best place to send a FA* lens for calibration that is reasonable and are these lenses able to be calibrated successfully?
I need to check it out but I know on my 600mm F4 FA* the front filter is part of the optical formula, I am not sure on this lens if that is the case but it looks like it came with the lens and is not something added on later.
I have had a couple of 300MM f2.8's in the past and you are right in that the front filter can and does throw out the focus and can distort the image slightly. I know the rear filter on this lens is part of the optical formula and I checked that it is in place and what appears to be the original filter.
So more testing and hope I can get this puppy to live up to its reputation.
Will post better tests and some thoughts I got from other members that I received PM's from that I know have a copy of this lens and see how things work out. Any thoughts are appreciated.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
03-04-2012, 09:02 PM
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Do you have the serial number of the lens you got rid of, I need to run some better tests but from everything I see it is too off.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
03-04-2012, 05:11 PM
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PF filter in front - filter in filter slot - all elements of optical formula present.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
03-04-2012, 04:55 PM
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Guys
Take a look at the following focusing test and let me know what you think. I just got a Pentax 300mm 2.8 FA* and I noticed that most of my pictures were soft. This is not at all what I expected as my 600mm FA* is tack sharp, same camera body.
I started testing this lens and found severe back focus issue, I adjusted it to +10mm and it still looks off to me. I just want to make sure I am not too picky as the lens came from a reputable source but lets say I am concerned - this is not cheap glass.
Pentax 300MM F2.8 FA - Naturephoto1P's Album: Lens Tests - PentaxForums.com
This test was done with inside back light as it is raining today. The calibration for the K20D body is 0 (other lenses work just fine) and I adjusted the lens to +10; tripod, delayed release, F2.8 - this is the maximum AF adjustment and this is the results. To me it appears to be about 10 to 14mm back focus.
What do you guys think?
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
02-29-2012, 01:28 PM
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I got a couple of these but they are right - these are rarer then hens teeth and I would not ship them anywhere. I would be interested in lenscoats for my 600 or 300 FA's though and I am in South Florida where it is nice and warm if you want to send someone down to measure them I have no issues - sending them - no way..
If you need measurements I can do that as well.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
02-27-2012, 04:37 PM
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Wait for the new camera to be announced then either spring for it or if it does not offer enough to justify the price difference then go buy the K-5, you will save money. These things have gotten to be like computers and Pentax is good at market stripping techniques to get the most money out of each evolution of its cameras. Its cheaper to stay one or two models behind with technology, unless you are a pro and money is no object. I am too debating a K-5 purchase, never got a K-7 - could care less about video, FF of course would be nice but with the lens road map I have seen that is unlikely. So I shoot with a K20D for now and wait.
Remember - spend your money on the glass it holds value better, some of my FA* lenses are now worth more than what I paid for them by a lot.
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
02-24-2012, 03:10 PM
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I am thinking of heading up around Lofoten this summer for a drive with my wife, I will be visiting family in Sweden for a few weeks.
Any suggestions on where to go, not go?
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Forum: Sold Items
02-23-2012, 06:23 PM
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That is one nice lens - I would not let mine go as I could never replace it.
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Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
02-10-2012, 10:01 PM
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One of my favorite subjects - the Roseatte Spoonbill. Taken in South Florida, hope you enjoy.
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
02-04-2012, 06:58 AM
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Will ask - enjoy the 600 F4 - have one taking it out a bit later today.
Been looking at the Sigma lens 300 / 2.8 in Australia but the more I think if I will hold off for a Pentax FA, maybe pick up a K-5 this weekend - found one for $899 new.
Will reach out to the contacts noted and see what comes up, the one that was in Africa recently would have ended up being too much with shipping and it appeared far from pristine.
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
02-02-2012, 12:13 PM
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Been looking for one of these for a couple of years now, I have tried a number of stores in Japan that have had them and so far none will ship international. The prices are better than what runs on flea bay.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-11-2012, 03:34 PM
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I am only currently interested in some of their legacy lenses - specifically the FA* line. I have a number of these and I like them. I will not purchase a DA lens under any circumstance due to the small image circle and lack of ability to use these on a film Camera. If Pentax does not soon start supportng a more professional line of gear I may have to sell off and pick up a Nikon or Canon which after 44 years of being a Pentaxian sounds like blasphemy.
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Forum: Pentax Full Frame
10-18-2011, 03:29 PM
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All FF lenses no DA lenses in my closet. I am just hoping they come out with some professional long prime lens glass - last ones were the 600MM F4 and 300MM F2,8 FA* - have one missing the other - would pony up for FF and the 300MM if they decide to support professional equipment again a little better. Not into the DA stuff at all.
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