Forum: Pentax Mirrorless Cameras
08-17-2018, 07:46 AM
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Yes, the NEX series E-mount cameras, starting with the NEX-3 & the NEX-5 had no EVF. They then introduced the NEX-7 which did, and it was a much better camera from the handling point of view, but there were some weaknesses in the design of the sensor that had problems with some lenses towards the edges.
They then introduced the NEX-6 which also had an EVF.
After this, they changed the product line, introducing the A3500 & A5000 (no EVF), and the A6000 (with EVF). These were the start of the current APS-C mirrorless series (A5100, A6300, A6500)
Notice that after the initial A3500, A5000 & A5100, they didn't continue the product line without EVF, but continued ONLY the series A6000, A6300, A6500 with EVF.
So I think you are probably correct, that Sony saw the importance of an EVF for their mirrorless APS-C line.
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Forum: Pentax Mirrorless Cameras
08-02-2018, 08:29 PM
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"Odd that you would compare the K-01 to the GM5", and yet you were the one comparing the K-01 to a Panasonic GX-8, saying the Panasonic is bigger. Why is that not equally odd to start with?
I was showing the other half of your statement, comparing the K-01 to a Panasonic GM5. (which HAS an EVF which you said "adds size", yet the GM5 is still way smaller.)
If you were comparing the K-01 to a Panasonic GX-8, then it's equally appropriate, for example, to compare the Sony A7ii to a K-01, a camera that has half the sensor size, and heavier than the A7ii. But there's no point.
I said you were invested, because the impression I get is that you think that the K-01 is superior in every way to other mirrorless cameras(Pentax menu system, takes PK lenses, etc). Ok, that's fine, as we all have our opinions.
My opinion is based on fixing and using dozens of different cameras. There are lots of advantages and disadvantages for every camera. I know what they are in real life.
In my view, what is essential for today's mirrorless cameras are:
- EVF. Any bright sunny day can be difficult, and sometimes impossible, to easily compose a good shot.
- Fast AF with native lenses
- Personally, I want the ability to mount any old manual focus lenses. This includes Minolta SR, Konica, Pentax, Canon FD, Nikon plus others.
Nice to have:
- IBIS
- Smaller, rather than larger. IMO, larger size defeats the advantages of mirrorless. The later Panasonics are too big IMO
- Battery life > 250 shots
- Pentax menu system ;)
We just need to agree to disagree.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
08-01-2018, 09:00 PM
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You can cut the grip to remove slack. But cut along the diagonals to get a finish that will look seamless. Then use suggestions with either glue (I like silicon, because you can remove if necessary, or double sided tape. (one strip opposite the cut side of the lens to align the grip, then additional a little at a time. Then finally, as much as you need to stick the cut ends.
If using glue, make sure you have lens and mount caps to stop from getting glue on the lens elements. And don't use too much glue.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
08-01-2018, 08:48 PM
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Generally, if you have two of the same equipment (in this case, an MX), and one is working and the other is not, normal troubleshooting technique is to "swap with known good".
So you would take batteries from the working MX, put into non working MX to confirm or eliminate the batteries as the culprit. In this case it was the batteries in the non woking MX.
THEN, you swap one unknown battery with known working battery in a working MX, to confirm or eliminate working and bad batteries.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
08-01-2018, 08:30 PM
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It might be a bit stuck. Run a TINY bit of lighter fluid around ---------- Post added 08-01-2018 at 08:33 PM ---------- It might be a bit stuck. Run a TINY bit of lighter fluid around the inside filter thread. This can lubricate it, and/or remove gummed up dirt.
Leave for 5 Min, then try the rubber ring again
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
07-31-2018, 04:49 PM
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I've seen fungus that looks like that. Most fungus starts as filaments near the edges, or one spot nearer the middle that radiates outwards.
But on one lens type, it always looks like this: Minolta AF 24-85mm.
I'm not sure why, but it always has multiple spots that looks just like your photos, and they are always in the inside of the front element.
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Forum: Repairs and Warranty Service
07-31-2018, 04:39 PM
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Forum: Pentax Mirrorless Cameras
07-31-2018, 04:28 PM
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I know you are invested in the K-01, and that's fine.... I have a soft spot for Pentax. I had (and still have) an old MX film camera, and my first DSLR was a Pentax, and I still have a K10 & a K20. I also have an old Spotmatic and (Asahi Pentax) Takumar lenses.
However, because I fix so many different cameras and lenses, and use them, I have no particular bias towards (or away from) any particular brand or format, so I can evaluate them side by side according to performance and ergonomics.
Any problems regarding battery life in most mirrorless cameras has never been an issue for me. I will often shoot 150 shots + video on a weekend skiing, with just one battery on a Panasonic GX7, GH2, Olympus OMD-EM5, or a Sony A6000.... no issues with battery life. Even though I carry a spare, I never use it.
It's true that there are more issues with the full frame Sony A7 series, regarding battery life and heat dissipation. I once had an overheating problem when shooting more than 20min of video. But that's the only heat dissipation issue I've EVER had with a mirrorless.
An EVF doesn't need to add much "bump" to a mirrorless. Look at the Panasonic GM5:
K01 compared to GM5: https://camerasize.com/compare/#570,285
However, I'll say that the more recent Panasonic mirrorless cameras (GX8, G8) are way too big for what they are.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
07-31-2018, 06:39 AM
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You need a rubber ring.
They look like this or similar:
Use the right size, and press with light/moderate pressure on the plastic part with the writing and turn counterclockwise.
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Forum: Pentax Mirrorless Cameras
07-31-2018, 06:31 AM
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I mentioned it in another thread, but the K-01 used standard Pentax K mount lenses, which made the overall system and camera big, and no EVF, giving no tangible reason to buy them over Pentax DSLRs.
What should have happened was similar to what was done with the Canon EOS M: Produce a small mirrorless body and a basic set of two good quality zooms and a pancake lens, plus bundle an adapter that adapted the EOS M camera to Canon EF DSLR lenses.
In this case, a small APS-C mirrorless Pentax body with a new mount, with a Pentax K-mount lens adapter including the aperture lever. And build in "on sensor" phase detection points to make the AF seamless. I think I would have bought that. One model with EVF, and much smaller one without. If this had been done when the Pentax K-01 came out, it would have beaten Canon to the punch.
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Forum: Pentax Mirrorless Cameras
07-31-2018, 06:11 AM
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Many of the Fuji X lenses are very good, but very expensive.
You can use any Pentax K mount lens on a Fuji X-T1, using a relatively cheap adapter, and manual focus. As mentioned above, it's better to use Pentax lenses with an aperture ring, so you can control the aperture.
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Forum: Pentax Mirrorless Cameras
07-31-2018, 12:15 AM
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I'm talking about the Q sensor being too small for interchangeable lens camera, IMO. (same for the Nikon 1.) Yes, smaller sensors give larger depth of field, but that may be a blessing for some but a curse for others. i.e. One of the benefits of DSLRs and other large sensor cameras is small DOF which gives you that separation and a much more 3D look. Smaller sensors don't give you (as much of) that, and IMO, give a much more toy result.
Even smaller sensors dominate phones, ultrazooms, etc, but with smaller sensors come smaller lenses which have issues with diffractive limit.
In the end, the consumer speaks. In my view, the commercial decisions made by Pentax with both mirrorless lines was wrong. Personally, I'd like to see Pentax release a full frame mirrorless to compete directly with the Sony A7 series. There are a mountain lenses that would work very nicely via a suitable AF adapter.
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Forum: Pentax Mirrorless Cameras
07-30-2018, 05:21 PM
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I live in Japan (I'm an Aussie), and there are generally a lot of mirrorless cameras. Generally, you see mainly Canon & Nikon DSLRs, or Sony (most common), Olympus & Panasonic, and Fuji which are relatively more popular in Japan. I rarely see any other mirrorless (Pentax K or Q, Nikon 1, Canon M, Ricoh GX, Leica M), and I don't see many Pentax or Sony DSLRs.
In my spare time, I fix cameras and lenses, so I see a lot of gear and try out a lot of cameras. (In my university days, I worked part time fixing electronic gear, + cameras, lightmeters and projectors)
I shoot mostly mirrorless these days, strangely because of versatility and retro!!! Or to put that another way, I like to shoot manual focus lenses, the best way to do that is to use mirrorless. It also means I can shoot with just about any lens (Pentax, Minolta, Nikon, Canon FD, Konica, Zeiss, and so on). I find it takes me back to my photography 30 years ago, and I find it really satisfying.
There two reasons why, IMO, Pentax has missed the boat on mirrorless, wasting design resources and money:
1. Q system is like a toy. The sensor is too small, as are the cameras to be taken seriously. It misread what consumers wanted. I see a lot of broken lenses, because the system is not robust
2. K system. I didn't like the styling, but the biggest problem was the size. It used standard Pentax K mount lenses, which made the overall system big, with no tangible reason to buy them over Pentax DSLRs. What should have happened was similar to the Canon EOS M: Produce a small mirrorless body and a basic set of lenses (say, two good quality zooms and a pancake), plus bundle an adapter that adapts the camera to Pentax K-mount lenses(including the aperture lever). And build in "on sensor" phase detection points to make the AF seamless. I think I would have bought that. One model with EVF one without.
Strangely, the Sony mirrorless(APS-C) are generally really good, but their basic kit lenses are quite poor. Canon did the opposite: the initial cameras were just ok, but the kit lenses were really quite good. Pentax could have grabbed a good share of the mirrorless market with smarter decisions that didn't waste development on two dead end product lines.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
02-21-2012, 09:09 PM
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I tried the K-01 at CP+ in Yokohama, and it's not practical to fit even just the body in a shirt pocket.....
It's bulky and it's way too heavy to carry in a shirt pocket.
I was really looking forward to playing with this camera, and it was disappointed. The styling is way too boxy as well.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
02-21-2012, 08:55 PM
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In the last 4-5 years repairing cameras and lenses, I've seen around 8-10 Nikon 18-55mm lenses snapped off at the plastric bayonet mount flanges, and around 4-5 Canon ones.
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Forum: General Talk
03-12-2011, 02:38 AM
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I was in an office building in Yokohama (part of the Tokyo area) yesterday when the 8.9 quake struck.... it was difficult to stay on your feet!!!
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
03-07-2011, 10:06 PM
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Olympus may have pioneered the micro 4/3 standard, but they didn't pioneer the release of micro 4/3 cameras and lenses.... Panasonic beat them by nine months with the first model, and three months with their second before Olympus got their act together.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
03-04-2011, 06:57 PM
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I cannot recall seeing Samsung cameras in any of the "try out" areas in all large electronic stores in Japan....
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
03-01-2011, 05:19 PM
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One of the reasons for large volumes sales of end-of-cycle products like the Nikon D90 here in Japan, is that they are so heavily discounted. Consumers in Japan tend to like new models, so the old models often have very low prices. And this is not just the discount stores, as places like Bic or Yodobashi will often undercut discount stores to get rid of old models just as the new models get onto the shelves.
One other point, yes, I think many people in Japan will buy a 2nd mirrorless camera, because particularly Panasonic G series are a lot cheaper in Japan, than in the US (unlike many other brands)
For example, the Panasonic GF2 with 14mm F2.5 lens, can be found in the US(B&H) for around $700. In Japan, you can get the GF2 with 14mm F2.5 lens AND the 14-42mm lens for the same price.
If you get the old model GF1 body only, it's only $300.
And if you go for quality second hand, it's even cheaper in Japan (Japan has the cheapest second hand lenses in the world).
For example, I've seen almost new GF2 bodies, for as little as $260.
There also a reason that sales volumes can go up in December and June..... These are the months when the Japanese workers' bonus is paid!!! (it has nothing to do with Christmas!!!!)
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
02-24-2011, 03:50 PM
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I am of the opinion that Pentax should join micro4/3, and out compete Olympus AND Panasonic at their own game. Using APS-C would tend to cannibalize their DSLR sales.
Pentax have a strong history of innovative designs and great pancake lenses, and this would fit nicely with micro4/3, along with an adapter that has aperture and AF control. (the adapter being partially retractable for pentax pancake lenses)
Going with their own mount with a 2.5 x crop would differentiate the cameras with the DSLRs, but will introduce yet another format. While legacy Pentax lenses could be used (with a suitable adapter), the 2.5 crop would give a 50mm lens a FOV of a 125mm lens (on a FF), and a 28mm -> 70mm, which is starting to make a range of existing lenses top heavy.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
02-22-2011, 06:14 PM
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Yes, I agree, µ43 is becoming an important standard, and quite a few lens makers are jumping on board.
It looks to me like it's going to stay around for quite some time.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
02-09-2011, 12:01 AM
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I saw this today at CP+ in Yokohama.
They said it was going to be a high end prime lens, but couldn't say what it would be. Also I asked them about the "modular" 4/3 / Micro 4/3 camera, and they said that wasn't going to happen.
I asked about a "Pro" micro 4/3 camera, and again no info.
I didn't see anything at the Pentax stand that would indicate a mirrorless ICL camera, nor at Nikon.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
02-08-2011, 03:23 PM
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Exactly!!!!
To say that micro 4/3 & 4/3 are "small" sensors is showing ignorance at best or deliberately misleading at worst.
And in fact, if you take the Panasonic GH2, the difference is even less:
m43 = 273 mm^2 (Pany GH2)
APSC = 355 mm^2, or 30% more than m43 (Nikon D7000)
FF = 864 mm^2 or 143% more than APSC
m43 = 273 mm^2 (Pany GH2)
APSC = 332 mm^2, or 22% more than m43 (Canon 600D)
FF = 864 mm^2 or 160% more than APSC
(and to compare to the orignal G1)
m43 = 224 mm^2 (Pany G1)
APSC = 355 mm^2, or 58% more than m43 (Nikon D7000)
FF = 864 mm^2 or 143% more than APSC
m43 = 224 mm^2 (Pany G1)
APSC = 332 mm^2, or 48% more than m43 (Canon 600D)
FF = 864 mm^2 or 160% more than APSC
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
02-06-2011, 04:58 PM
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As for the format of one of the two (rumored) Pentax mirrorless cameras, I still maintain that micro 4/3 would be the best format to choose. Yes, they would have to pay a licencing fee to Pany/Oly, but that must more than offset the large cost of R&D to produce a completely new format themselves.
Micro 4/3 is also CLOSE to the film format size of the Pentax 110 format. These lenses could be used with a suitable adapter.
Pentax is an innovative camera manufacturer. I am sure they can produce a pocketable micro 4/3 camera, and pancake lens, smaller than anything Pany/Oly can produce.
They can also put R&D into an adapter for a fully coupled KA mount. (auto aperture, AF)
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
02-06-2011, 04:51 PM
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I'm sorry, but this statement is absurd.
BEFORE micro 4/3, both Panasonic and Olympus had DSLR cameras with 4/3 sensors. The 4/3 sensors have the same size (4/3" image circle) as micro 4/3, and they also have the 4:3 ratio. (4/3 doesn't mean the ratio, it means the image circle size of 4/3") The Panasonic GH1 & GH2 have a sensor with ratio of 16:9 still within the 4/3" image circle.
Since both Panasonic and Olympus already had DSLR cameras with 4/3 sensors, saying that they went to micro 4/3 to reduce costs, in manufacturing 4/3 sensors, is absurd. So the advent of micro 4/3 was NOT to "reduce costs through sensor manufacture at a 4:3 ratio", because they already had a 4/3 sensors in cameras!!!!
In 2008, Panasonic and Olympus had 3.8% of the DSLR market share. In 2010 between them, they had 15% of the interchangeable lens camera market in Japan, while Sony had 8.2%. In 2010, 4/3 DSLRs made up less than 0.1% of this market segment.
It's clear that they didn't invent micro 4/3 to reduce sensor costs, but to produce a new product that had some chance of capturing a bigger market share. And they were successful!!!!!!!
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