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Forum: Site Suggestions and Help
11-02-2013, 06:38 AM
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The use of "net to me" wording in the marketplace, in my opinion, creates misleading sale posts and creates unneeded confusion among prospective buyers. It is basically false advertising, because the seller posts the item at a price that he won't actually accept. This sends a negative message about the marketplace and the sellers that frequent here.
This whole "net to me" business started when there was a glut of K-7 bodies on the marketplace and someone got the wise idea of posting a lowball price based on stripping away the Paypal charge. It is now a gotcha that bucks the rules of Paypal and credit charges in general, that the merchant pays the fees, not the seller.
I think the marketplace community would be a friendlier, more upstanding place if the "net to me" pricing bait and switch trick is officially frowned upon by the PF community.
Thanks,
Germar
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Forum: Film Processing, Scanning, and Darkroom
03-23-2013, 04:21 AM
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Here are a few images showing how I set up to perform this collimation process. I opted on the scotch tape stretched across the film plane with an "X" on it.
As explained earlier in this thread, the idea is to use the film SLR as a tool to properly calibrate the folder's lens to infinity.
The SLR has a longer lens, in this case a 135mm lens. It is set wide open and on infinity.
The folder is set to bulb and shutter held open with a cable release. It too is set wide open and on "infinity" according to the distance ring attached. The back is opened and a piece of scotch "magic tape" (that's important since you do not want the tape to leave residue on the film guide) is taped across the film guides and a focusing mark made on the tape. A light sources is placed behind the folder so light enters from behind.
I am NOT aware of a proper distance between SLR and folder lenses. This looks to be about two inches... I believe the idea is that the two optics are "close."
Looking through the SLR, I turned the focus ring of the folder until the image of the tape came into sharp focus. The magic tape itself has got fine "grains" that you can also use to check focus.
Once this new infinity point is set, simply loosen the set screws on the focus ring and rotate (the RING not the lens itself) until you now have the distance indicator set to infinity. Re-tighten your set screws.
I will be running some film through this pre-war bessa today and see if I got focus nailed. If I missed a step or have something wrong, please let me know.
Germar
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Forum: Film Processing, Scanning, and Darkroom
03-16-2013, 08:13 AM
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Okay, here's a few shots around Austin's South By Southwest Interactive Festival.
Shot with a Voightlander Bessa with a Vaskar 105mm lens. Shutter is in strong need of a CLA, but I got some lustful looks from all the hipsters with their iPhones.
All are TMAX 400 in Rodinal 25:1.
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Forum: Film Processing, Scanning, and Darkroom
02-24-2013, 08:03 AM
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Oh, this place is dangerous. I just read this thread, and 15 minutes later I was buying a Voigtlander Bessa Vaskar 105 f4.5 off the auction site. Looks pretty clean, let's see what I really end up with. Gee, THANKS, guys! :)
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
01-26-2013, 06:32 AM
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My two cents ... and again I look forward to the comments of those who have more experience than I in these matters. I have tried a handful of films and here is my take on them:
Color negative: I've only tried one, and that's Kodak Ektar. Scans wonderfully, NO grain and at least to me seems to lean a bit warm. 100 asa film
Black and White:
My favorite with no reservation is Fuji Neopan Acros. This stuff has wonderful tones when developed with Rodinal at 1:50 or even 1:100 stand developing. Just really pleasing, wide range without being too contrasty. This is silly, but it's the only film I've come across that the bit of tape on the backing will willingly peel off without too much effort in the dark. No need for cutting!
I've tried the Arista EDU 100. It's okay, gives nice mid tones in stand developing, but a bit more contrasty to my eye. The big drawback is this film curls along it's length very badly and is a pain in the rear to get into stock holders.
Rolli Retro 400. As the name hints, it is a bit grainier and contrasty than others. If you're going for a less refined, perhaps "newsfilm" look, this can give it to you. This film too has a curling issue, but not as bad as the Arista. Comes in really nice plastic containers, which is nice, but not a film that suits my taste.
Kodak T-Max 100 and 400. Both wonderful films, beautiful tones and a the ability to capture a very wide range of light/dark. The 100 has nearly invisible grain and the 400 just a little less so. Again, my only developer experience to this point is Rodinal, and these films look wonderful if stand developed. I am curious how it would look using the Kodak's T-Max specific developer.
My sense is that the Kodak is usually the most expensive of the bunch I've tried followed by the Rolli. The Acros is my gold standard now, less expensive than the Kodak and to my eye very good looking indeed. The Arista from Freestyle is exactly what it is designed for, an inexpensive film intended for students.
Regards
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
11-26-2012, 06:36 AM
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Branden, does the LCD stay on and show you your settings on top, or does it go blank as well? It sounds a lot like a low voltage issue, perhaps caused by dirty contacts in the battery compartment. Check for corrosion on any contacts and make sure that none of the metal contact tabs are bent. Good luck.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
11-01-2012, 08:12 PM
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In the interest of balance ... and taking for granted that angry voices tend to dominate over satisfied owners on these forums, here's my story: I bought my 16-50 used in 2008, used it very heavily all the way to 2012 when the SDM failed. Even when it began to show signs of coming motor failure, I continued to take thousands of satisfying pictures with it. When it finally stopped working this spring, I sent it away to CRIS, they replaced the motor in 4 weeks for 230 dollars. That's all, I did not have to give up a kidney or wait till Christmas. When it arrived it came back perfect, perhaps better than new. It delivers images that I've been able to sell as well as privately enjoy, with great reliability and consistency.
I love my DA * 16-50, it's a helluva lens. Things break sometimes. When they do, I fix them and keep shooting. The pictures my 16-50 gives me is worth the effort.
So .... you may count ONE happy owner among the noisy rabble.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
09-02-2012, 08:49 AM
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Wow.
I've owned and shot "professionally" (meaning I've been paid for my work) with this lens for about 5 years. I've also had the motor replaced, which is irritating and unfortunate. But I think your rant against this lens is a bit over the top, honestly. The lens, when properly used, takes excellent, client-pleasing photos that most photogs would be proud to sell. And while there's lots of bitching about the SDM issue, I've never seen too many folks attack it as you have for poor optical performance. Perhaps you had a bad copy?
Sorry for going off topic, but I think the 16-50 (beyond the SDM) is a helluva lens and didn't deserve that rant.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
08-02-2012, 04:55 AM
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Somebody ... please shoot this thread and put it out of it's misery. :lol:
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
07-24-2012, 05:14 AM
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So, really ... the absolute first origin of this hoax and continuing misinformation is Pentax Forums itself. And if you Google for "Pentax K-3" the third listing is PF's original post of "Pentax K-3 Announced - Pentax News and Rumors." I said it back in April and I'll say it now. The prank was a bad idea for any site that wishes credibility as a reliable news and information source. It was a disservice to all the other great work created by Adam and other review contributors here. People are going to be looking up that junk and wondering about the quality of PF for a long time.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
12-09-2011, 06:33 AM
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While I completely respect the opinions of those who shun Facebook and social media, I must tell you that people with "real lives" are indeed finding time to use sites like Facebook and Google plus at pretty much any moment of their day ... work, home, and on the go. Fact is there's 800 million on Facebook alone right now, and that can't be ignored. I'm in television broadcasting, and stations large and small are creating special departments to deal with the reality that people are going to Facebook for everything from breaking news to today's weather report. Folks are using it on mobile, on tablets, even on the couch as they're watching the evening news. It's here, folks ... and those who wish to ignore it are in about the same boat of those who didn't want to give up their beloved horse for an automobile.
As far as posting on other websites with your Facebook account, I can say that many sites prefer that because it removes the "superman anonymity" of having a fake name folks can hide behind. If you're "MrZero33456" you're much more prone to say and do things you'd never do elsewhere because no one knows who you really are. Once you're a real person and your photo appears next to your post, people tend to be much more civil. That means less work for site moderators and generally a better experience for users.
Sorry for being so off topic. Obviously, I think using channels like Facebook and Google+ to evangelize for a Pentax FF is a very good thing to do.
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Forum: Photographic Technique
02-10-2011, 03:59 PM
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I sometimes start jumping up and down and making chimp sounds after a shot ... but it's usually one helluva picture.
Seriously addressing the OP's question.... in regards to looking at histograms and such while in the field: While I can imaging some snobby still pros looking down their noses at checking work on site, trust me that motion picture pros pay very large sums to have the ability to check what was just shot and to look at the video and audio levels on site. It's called having "confidence" available, and while I agree that you don't want to be gawking too long at the back of your camera, having the confidence to see where you are on your exposure and composition is a wonderful tool no matter what level of experience you may have.
germar
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
01-18-2011, 06:42 PM
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Actually, no. I bought my K20D and my K7 at the low price points for those cameras ... which was when the first real buzz about the next camera started to appear in this site's rumor section! By "real buzz" I mean fairly credible reports coming from Japan about sensor size, buffer rate and so on ... concrete technical stuff, not just someones wish list of fantasy features. At that point both cameras hit really good prices that I had to jump on. In both cases they proved to be historic lows.
So... using my experiences, I'd say historic lows are reached about 3-5 months before the next camera body is officially announced by Pentax. That said, I would bet world economy, exchange rates and more will profoundly affect what actually happens. But I'd feel pretty safe to jump in when people start posting what seem to be semi-credible lists of K-3 features on the Web; that first moment when it seems the k-5 might not be top dog anymore.
Just my two cents.
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Forum: Lens Clubs
01-09-2011, 05:10 PM
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My FA 31 arrived Friday. Saturday morning, I messed about the house looking for some test subjects. Ya, there's some of that pixie dust in this copy. Yeah.
I'm thinking this lens is going to give me some fun monochrome images in the near future.
K-7 PEF converted to B&W using Lightzone 3.9
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-09-2011, 07:47 AM
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Again, in an effort to bring a little balance to this thread, I again say that my SDM lenses have been workhorses for me and deliver great performance and IQ.
In contrast, here's my story: My 16-50 sometimes wakes up a little groggy every couple of months and needs to have it's zoom manually turned once or twice, but that's the only mechanical issue in 3 years of ownership. I wish it focused better in low light, but that's the camera more than the lens. My 50-135 continues to be flawless in the short time I've owned it.
Clearly there has been issues with SDM motors and it seems here in this thread that new issues continue to crop up ... but in spite of some who wish to vent about their own equipment failures with bold font and name calling, the DA* series of lenses are amazing and render images that I believe are second to none.
The Sigma and Tamron lenses are excellent, excellent choices and will also deliver great IQ, so heading that direction is a smart choice that delivers great value. But if you choose one of those lenses, do so because THAT's the lens you want, not because you were frightened by tales of DA*s bursting into flames as soon as the warranty runs out. Look at sample photos, and if Tamron or Sigma out perform the Pentax, buy it and be happy that you found the best lens for you.
Maybe it's just me, but I want the best possible gear to shoot my photos. And I love what the Pentax does in respect to color rendering and image. I don't want to look at an image and say "It's not as good as I wanted, but hey ... that lens had a 4 year warranty!"
And don't forget folks, for every rant you read in this forum, there's a hundred shooters who are out there with this same gear ... and we never hear from them because they have nothing to complain about.
No apologies bout that.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
08-07-2010, 05:18 AM
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Really, the average American consumer would be happy to shoot with cameras like the KX and K7 and put the extra money they would otherwise spend on Canikons in their pocket. That type of person is not rare. What is rare is a place to put your hands on the gear, touch it, peer through it and "kick the tires" so to speak. I would bet that a very large percentage of us on this forum have bought our gear sight unseen ( I ordered my K100D, K10D, K20D and K7 without ever touching a real copy) and that just isn't the way people spend 500 dollars or more on cameras.
I argue that if Americans could see Pentax gear along side the Canikons at places like Best Buy, we'd find shooters like us to be more common.
germar
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
01-04-2011, 08:28 PM
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The problem with publicly publishing an itinerary as you describe is sometimes an engineering issue proves too difficult to stay on projected deadlines. Sometimes there are a couple of workarounds that can be implemented, but it takes time to code and then TEST the fixes for the best one. Engineers don't like having the public looking at their watches and tapping their feet while they work, which is why we almost never have hard delivery dates until the fix is gold and ready to be published.
If the Marketing guy stands up and says "one month to fix backfocus" and they miss their promised deadline, they'd just anger MORE people than if they said nothing until they're ready to give it to us.
I know that doesn't give us a warm fuzzy, but that's how these things often work.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
12-29-2010, 11:35 AM
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You sir, have just voiced the simplist, yet wisest conclusion of this entire stain furor. A tip of the hat to you.
germar
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-25-2010, 04:08 PM
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It looks like I'm a little late to this thread, but in a effort to give some useful advice about this lens for future searchers, here goes:
The price of 75 dollars mentioned by the OP is great for him, but it should be considered as official theft. :) Expect a lens like this to sell in excess of 400 dollars if in good condition.
First, Be aware that you don't go shooting with this lens. It takes YOU shooting. By that I mean this lens isn't something you toss in your gear bag because maybe you'll use it.... you plan on using this because of some shoot you had in mind. It is big and heavy and takes over your shoot and the way you approach your subject. Yes, it's that big a lens.
2. The lens comes with a removable screwmount section. This serves two uses... it allows you to drop in a filter there (I want to say it's a 52mm, but I'm not sure anymore) and it allows you to mount the screwmount section to your camera without having to deal with the entire 500mm lens. The method of fastening the mounting section back to the rest of the lens is a bayonet with collar assembly. It works great and allows the camera to dangle from the rear of the lens.
3. It is possible to shoot handheld with this lens, but you have to be a body builder to do it a great deal. It is a long lens, meaning it works basically like an old telescope ... it uses the distance between the optics instead of lots of elements to bend and collect the light. This long lens design means that this lens is indeed lighter than you might expect. It's still heavy, but lighter than it looks.
4. It is manual everything, of course. My favored technique for using this was to set the lens wide open, and then count the clicks to the f stop of choice. Then I would return to wide open, look through the finder and find critical focus. Once in critical, I would count the number of clicks back to my fstop while not taking my eye from the viewfinder. Then I would check composition one last time and then fire away.
5. Dial in as high an fstop number as you can allow. This gives you some focal leeway if you have a subject on the move or you didn't quite hit critical. The trade off is you'll be looking at it through a dim viewfinder (see 4 above).
6. Use the built in hood as much as possible. This lens will reproduce colors in line with the very best Takumars, and quality only improves with the shade extended. It also adds about 5 inches to the front of this beast, so people will get out of your way and you can move to the front of the crowd.
I enjoyed my Tele-Takumar 500mm f4.5 during the time I owned it. I sold recently to fund a DA* purchase. Great fun, a great lens.
Hope this helps.
germar
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
05-15-2010, 06:24 AM
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I had an assignment of shooting a year end award ceremony with my K20D rig last night ... in a dimly lit hall with teachers and kids dressed in a wide range of evening wear. My K20D/Tamron 17-50 XR DiII/Metz 58 setup fought me every step of the way, slowly hunting for a focus point as I missed shot after shot. It didn't matter if I was in constant focus or single shot focus. I finally went to manual focus, guestimated my distance to subject for the majority of the evening... at least I could get the camera to fire when handshakes were happening and awards were being handed off.
It was the first time I was truly and completely unhappy with my Pentax system.
So... okay, I've read on the forum that the K7 is "better" at autofocusing, and that the K-X is great in low light.... would anyone say that either of these bodies would be better for low light autofocusing in the scenario I've outlined here?
I'm going to have more of these types of shoots in the future, if this is indeed Pentax' weak point, I have a tough decision to make about staying with the system. Help!
Regards,
germar
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-27-2010, 11:23 AM
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I love the DA40. It's images are truly fabulous and the size allows me to turn my K20D into a very portable and stowable high end traveling camera. Toss this lens on your dslr, drop it in your backpack and you're ready for anything. Just this flexibility alone is worth the additional cost over the 35mm f2.4 in my opinion.
Regards,
germar
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
09-08-2010, 05:11 AM
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This single reason above is what has made me slowly stop shooting with my fairly extensive collection of Takumars and stick with my AF primes. I am *always* sticking my camera overhead or shoving it between people to get "the moment" shots. These are always unplanned and can't be anticipated enough to guess distance/exposure. I would guess I'd lose about half my best shots if it weren't for AF and AE doing it for me. Now, my Taks and M/A series lenses only come out if I'm going out to get a landscape.
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