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Forum: Pentax Full Frame 04-30-2016, 12:48 PM  
Can a K-1 owner confirm 1:1 square crop shooting option?
Posted By Jimfear
Replies: 46
Views: 6,434
Could I hijack this thread for just a minute? Seeing that we are getting actual production models out now. Could an owner comment on if the focus screen is indeed fixed and not removable? I guess most people don't want to fiddle around with the focus screen on their brand new camera but if an owner has already checked this it would be much appreciated if you shared your results. That's all, thanks!

You can now return to the 1:1 crop discussion.
Forum: Pentax Full Frame 04-16-2016, 12:29 PM  
New to Pentax FF? Legacy Lenses kit recommandations.
Posted By Jimfear
Replies: 28
Views: 4,625
Isn't the focus confirmation the same system as AF right, and as opposed to the AF system a microprism screen gets more accurate the faster the lens is. I like to use fast lenses and then the AF system doesn't cut it, I see this regularly when using my K-5, focus screen and focus confirmation does not say the same thing, and it's the screen which gets me images in focus. This is probably improved in the K-1 but it still won't be capable to focus my 50/1.2 as fast or as accurate as a microprism screen (I think the best AF systems today can handle f/2 lenses, someone else probably know this better). So it's not so much about not having confidence in the focus confirmation, it's just that that system does not have the technical capabilities to handle fast lenses.

Besides, you can't beat that feeling when the microprism snaps into focus :D
Forum: Pentax Full Frame 04-15-2016, 01:33 PM  
New to Pentax FF? Legacy Lenses kit recommandations.
Posted By Jimfear
Replies: 28
Views: 4,625
Indeed, this this is a big if. If the screen is not interchangeable (as manual states) you will probably have to go somewhat MacGyver on the camera to use manual focus lenses easily. I guess we will see if a solution is found once the camera has been out for a couple of months... *finger slowly retreating from pre-order button*
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 03-30-2016, 10:37 AM  
Why do you still shoot manual film SLR?
Posted By Jimfear
Replies: 142
Views: 18,385
I recently did many hours of photography, over the course of three days, for - in total - nine photos, and it was very satisfying! The Fuji GX680 loaded with Ektar shooting in spring light outdoors, just walking around thinking about how to spend the nine frames that I had in the camera, a true pleasure. This is of course an extremely slow workflow, probably closer to therapy than photography, but that's what I like. I never feel as good shooting the K-5 as when shooting the KX or LX, not to mention the Fuji which is the most satisfying camera I have ever used (not that image quality is the most important thing but the results can put even today's full frame DLSRs to shame).

I use the camera that suits the situation best, and if many different cameras can do it equally good I pick the one that I feel like shooting with. Today I wouldn't dream about doing low light hand held photography on film if I needed to get reliable results. That said, I still like the look of my pre-K-5-age Tri-X pushed to 6400 more than the low light shots with the K-5, but that was a struggle to shoot and quite often the results were poor.
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II 03-07-2016, 12:08 PM  
Pentax K-1 @ WPPI
Posted By Jimfear
Replies: 86
Views: 9,021
For all of us using old lenses could you try to fit in these two questions about the K-1 please.

1. Could you try to get a clear answer to whether the focusing screen is interchangeable, German site says it is, US site does not say anything about it, and rumors are saying it isn't.

2. Ask what the reason for keeping the crippled mount is (no aperture sensing on K and M lenses), technical difficulties? Extra cost? Secretly trying to push people to buy new lenses? Laziness?
Forum: Pentax Full Frame 02-28-2016, 01:18 PM  
Interchangeable Focusing Screens
Posted By Jimfear
Replies: 33
Views: 6,968
Wait a moment, did you say full frame pro DSLR and not interchangeable focus screens?(!) Bummer, I hope there is some easy hack for this, otherwise it is a dead stop deal breaker. I have not been collecting fine pentax glass for 15 years in order not to be able to focus them with a micro prism screen. I guess you can't project that with the LCD...
Forum: Pentax Full Frame 02-23-2016, 05:08 PM  
K1: No aperture sensing for "legacy" lenses?
Posted By Jimfear
Replies: 116
Views: 13,730
I think that is a factoid. You don't get full functionality before the A lenses in 1983. Nikon on the other hand has (as far as I can understand as I haven't tried it myself) full functionality from AIS lenses from 1977.

This is a thing that has been annoying me for many years, why not just make the old lenses work perfectly again?! Stop down metering and green button works, but it's nowhere close to as good as using the lenses on a K, M, or LX body. I think this should be a no-brainer for Pentax, just give us full functionality! I'm sure the publicity of actually having a system functioning perfectly with lenses from 1975 would be enough to motivate the cost. Imagine, over 40 years of lenses working as they were designed to work, but on a digital body! But I guess they want to sell new lenses, so we have to suffer for it. It is really bad of Pentax not to go back to the non crippled mount, bad idea from the beginning, still a bad idea. And it simply cannot be that expensive or complicated to implement again, they should have the blueprints after all.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 05-02-2013, 02:10 PM  
Is modern photography fairly well idiot proofed?
Posted By Jimfear
Replies: 41
Views: 4,176
This is an interesting question that I have been thinking about before. I absolutely think that the story behind the photo is a part in making it special. Thus photos that are harder to make tend to appeal more to me.

Take for example this picture and this picture. If judged only for the final image, they are both quite blurry and unspectacular in just about every way. It is only when you know that these are actual pictures of American troops landing at Omaha beach on D-day that they make an impact. And such an impact that both have become some of the most iconic pictures of the 20th century. If they had been produced in a studio two weeks ago nobody would even raise an eyebrow.

I can fully understand the "final image" viewpoint, but for me it's interesting to know if the photo is a product of photoshop or what was actually in front of the lens when you pressed the shutter. It probably boils down to personal preferences in photography and what you find interesting.
Forum: Pentax Medium Format 05-02-2013, 01:43 PM  
Offered a P645 with 2 lenses - film question
Posted By Jimfear
Replies: 15
Views: 1,935
I know the feeling. Try explaining what a Fuji MF camera is... "a what?". But usually it stops already at "what is that... is that a camera?!"
Forum: Pentax Medium Format 05-02-2013, 03:57 AM  
Offered a P645 with 2 lenses - film question
Posted By Jimfear
Replies: 15
Views: 1,935
A no-brainer, GO FOR IT!

You just have to look for some place to do the processing for your colour films. If you're going to do B&W in any lager amount, buy a processing kit and do it yourself, much cheaper and great fun.

As for scanning. If you're going to own a film camera and actually use it, don't even bother with sending film in for scanning, buy a scanner! From a 645 negative you should get decent results even with a cheap scanner, and good results with a more advanced model (I'm thinking Epson V700).

Ektar is a nice film, it should be very good for landscapes. You might want to try slide film also, in my opinion Velvia is the best for landscapes, it is however expensive and a bit harder to work with.
Forum: Photographic Technique 03-18-2013, 08:50 AM  
How was this photo done?
Posted By Jimfear
Replies: 22
Views: 2,620
I hadn't even considered that this would be a variable thing. Now that I have checked it I see that is varies a lot depending on focal length, distance to subject, and aperture. Luckily there seems to be a linear relationship between them all, making it easy to predict how much you will have in front and behind the focus point. Very interesting, thanks for correcting me.
Forum: Photographic Technique 03-16-2013, 07:23 AM  
How was this photo done?
Posted By Jimfear
Replies: 22
Views: 2,620
My try at answers.

1. Hyperfocal would not work here as you are not aiming at getting focus to infinity, so pretty much set the focus where you want it bearing in mind that DOF will be approximately 1/3 in front of that point, and 2/3 behind.
2. I would start by standing in a spot that can produce the framing I want, then start thinking about DOF and choosing the aperture appropriate.
3. Take many photos from many angles? To see which one you like the most?
4. Only if I had to.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 03-12-2013, 11:50 AM  
Best FF "sleeper" lenses
Posted By Jimfear
Replies: 69
Views: 10,956
I'm guessing there will be a general rise in prices when/if Pentax gives us a FF. But prices have been rising for many years and I doubt it will be a dramatic change.

Anyhow, both the K28 and K35 f/3.5 are relatively cheep and spectacularly good lenses. I hardly ever use the K35 on digital, but with film it is wonderful for street photography.

As the Zenitar 16mm FE has been mentioned I must bring the attention to a far less known FE. The Sigma 16mm f/2.8 filtermatic. I have tested the two side by side and the Sigma won on all accounts. And, at least last time I checked, for about the same price as the Zenitar.

Another lens that might become desirable is the M28/2.8, it is in no way a spectacular lens, but also not at all bad. Small and quite fast.
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 03-07-2013, 12:54 AM  
Gear P0rn - post it if you got it.
Posted By Jimfear
Replies: 9,455
Views: 1,217,467
It is in pretty good shape, a little worn here and there, and as you can see, the original knobs for the focus rail are gone.

The camera has the full tilt, swing, rise/fall, shift movements. Here's a photo with some movements applied, all but shift if remember correctly.


Industri by jimfear, on Flickr
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 03-06-2013, 03:57 PM  
Gear P0rn - post it if you got it.
Posted By Jimfear
Replies: 9,455
Views: 1,217,467
Did anyone say camera porn?


I like these gear threads, they give me a chance to look through the collection and take a few new photos.

Warning! Some of the following pictures may trigger LBA or CBA attacks.

LX with the K50/1.2


My other workhorse, the KX, here with K35/3.5


A nice black MX


Taking a step back in time now from the 70's and 80's we have an Asahi Pentax S, the second model branded Pentax.


A beat up black Spotmatic


Taking a further step backwards in time we have a Contessa-Nettel Cocarette. The production of the camera started in 1919, in 1926 the company merged into the Zeiss Ikon group so the camera must be from some time between 1919 and 1926.


When speaking about Zeiss, here is an East German Belca Beltica, with Carl Zeiss lens.


From the middle of the 60's we have a Minolta Hi-Matic 7s, a very nice rangefinder. The Hi-Matic series sadly degraded into some plastic slow-lens camera in the 80's.


Last, but certainly NOT least, we have the king of all SLRs, the Fuji GX680. A monstrous lump of perfection weighing in at over 4kg.
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 02-21-2013, 01:12 AM  
Longtime KX (film) user; move to digital?
Posted By Jimfear
Replies: 24
Views: 2,751
One of my favorite film cameras is the KX that I have used for about 7-8 years. Two years ago I added a K-5 to my collection, still using only manual lenses, here are some reflections.

When talking about the feel of the camera the K-5 has a number of drawbacks. The viewfinder is a sad story compared to the very intuitive KX. The match needle exposure system is in my opinion unparalleled when it comes to simplicity and ease of use. The K-5 (and just about every other modern camera) uses an electronic reading in the viewfinder, it does the job, just not as good as the match needle.

As you will be using manual lenses aperture control is no problem. However, shutter speed is. The K-5 has a front scroll wheel for setting the exposure. It is positioned very much like the exposure knob on the KX so you won't have trouble finding it with your finger. It can be set to change shutter speeds in full stops just like the KX. But as it is electronic you can never get the same feel for it as you have with the KX. It reacts differently if you scroll quickly than if you scroll slowly. The KX reacts exactly the same at whatever speed you scroll, making it very predictable and easy to set even without checking the shutter speed.

Those are the two things that immediately spring to mind when comparing the feel of the KX compared to (in my case) the K-5. There are of course many other differences than these.

Hope this helps.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 11-27-2012, 05:49 AM  
If An FF Does Debut...
Posted By Jimfear
Replies: 104
Views: 7,840
As soon as my economy would allow, I would get rid of the K-5 and get the FF. If it would not turn out to be a complete failure in one of the areas that are important to me.

All lenses I have are FF so no problem there.
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 11-05-2012, 03:33 PM  
Favorite non-pentax SLR System
Posted By Jimfear
Replies: 103
Views: 10,938
I lasted about three months from first knowing about the system, to owning it... and I think I held up pretty good :o
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 11-03-2012, 03:04 AM  
:cool: Lets see those ''film'' shots
Posted By Jimfear
Replies: 26,316
Views: 3,321,200
And I was happy when I got 40 rolls home! 100 rolls, WOW! You basically have an infinite supply of film for a considerable time forward!
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 11-03-2012, 02:52 AM  
Favorite non-pentax SLR System
Posted By Jimfear
Replies: 103
Views: 10,938
Yes! I haven't tried the OM1, but if it's anything like the match-needle system of the KX it is very good. And as you say, leds are not as easy to work with. Even worse though is the modern digital screen in the viewfinder that shows the shutter speed in digital numbers.

Anyway, back to the topic.

Favorite SLR system besides Pentax must be the Fuji GX680 system. It's not really comparable to a "normal" SLR system. It weighs about as much as an elephant, and you would need a smaller herd of donkeys to carry it around comfortably. But it's so versatile! Thanks to the movements of the lens(es), if you have an idea for a shot, the GX can most probably produce it. Also the control over DOF [sic] is something I really like, as I'm a fan of thin DOF.

The GX system is so different from the the Pentax system that I don't really have to think about which camera to take with me, the kind of shots that I'm going to take decides which camera I will take with me.

Some shots:

Industri by jimfear, on Flickr


Westan by jimfear, on Flickr


:-( by jimfear, on Flickr
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 10-29-2012, 02:43 PM  
What are your thoughts on "upgrading" to a K5II/s after reading the review?
Posted By Jimfear
Replies: 90
Views: 11,480
The K-5 IIs would have been very tempting if it was available when I bought the K-5, close to two years ago. I have always though that AA filters are rather unnecessary. Now when I have the K-5 I don't think I will be upgrading until there is a FF K-mount camera.

As I see it the K-5 is not lacking in IQ, it is lacking in sensor size. I use very few of the functions that digital SLRs offer, so for me there is nothing more to be had from an APS-C camera than what the K-5 can offer.
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 10-26-2012, 05:02 AM  
Donation/information request - my school is running out of cameras!
Posted By Jimfear
Replies: 45
Views: 12,164
Do you know about the Phenix cameras? This one looks like it has the features you are looking for, and warranty if it brakes down.

Best of all, it's K-mount!
Forum: Pentax K-30 & K-50 09-26-2012, 12:12 AM  
85mm Prime
Posted By Jimfear
Replies: 13
Views: 1,548
Sigma makes an AF 85mm f/1.4, it's far from cheap though. Samyang also makes an 85mm f/1.4, which is manual focus and quite cheap. If you don't necessarily want to buy it new there are many different older 85mm lenses for Pentax, some cheap, some staggeringly expensive.
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 09-24-2012, 12:31 PM  
What to Keep - What to Sell
Posted By Jimfear
Replies: 21
Views: 2,622
I would only keep the three bodies you already plan to keep, well probably selling the K1000, so only the two. All the lenses I would sell and buy some nice primes for the money. Not sure what the Star-D lens is, but with a name like that I'd bet it's not in the same league as the Pentax star lenses :-)
Forum: Lens Clubs 05-14-2012, 01:51 PM  
Post your ƒ1.2 Photos! (ƒ1.2 ONLY!)
Posted By Jimfear
Replies: 2,086
Views: 525,035
Wow! Gorgeous Piotr, simple but nice!
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