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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
09-07-2023, 04:27 AM
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I dislike push-pull zoom mechanisms, so personally, I'd go with the f4 lens.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
01-14-2023, 01:49 AM
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The PZ version of the Kenko 1.5x SHQ does indeed have the two additional contacts that are required, so I'm guessing it should work - but I haven't verified this in actual use. I have owned and used that particular teleconverter, and can say that I was satisfied with it's sharpness and screwdrive autofocusing capabilities.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
12-27-2022, 03:24 AM
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I had owned just about every Pentax body from the Super Program to the PZ1P. The PZ1P was indeed incredibly capable & comfortable in hand. I carried two of them on trips, and it took my enjoyment of photography to another level.
Today, the camera that fills that roll for me is the OP's choice, the K-5IIs. Although it's technology has been surpassed, it's rock-solid reliability and ergonomics keep me from wandering towards anything else. Guess it's my digital PZ1P!
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Forum: Photographic Industry and Professionals
11-29-2022, 04:54 AM
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A plastic lens mount on the camera body is a total deal breaker for me. Going back to AF film days, I've bought many Pentax camera bodies for my daughter over the years. The first & only I one ever gave her with a plastic lens mount ended up broken, just outside of the warranty period. Don't recall the exact details, but she didn't drop it. Rather, it knocked into something while she had it slung around her neck. The sight of that broken body mount is burned into my memory!
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
09-08-2022, 10:47 PM
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You acquired one of the best options - hope it proves to be useful for you down the road. Soccer, with it’s constant movement, does seem like a rather tall order for this set up. Other tips - Regarding filters, only use a UV filter, which does not cut down on transmitted light (as opposed to a polarizer). Also, try using center spot focus only, as it may be more efficient at locking on, with just one focus point.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
09-08-2022, 04:17 AM
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Absolutely buy the teleconverter and give it a try. I use this exact set up as a low cost & lightweight way to identify birds. I use a K-5IIs, and set the ISO to 3200. Typically, if you have a steady hand in good light, your shots can often be good to very good.
Now for the tricky stuff:
- The Tamron 1.4x AF teleconverter was made by Kenko in Japan. Another version of the exact same teleconverter (but without PZ contacts) was the Vivitar Series One 1.4x AF, and there were others. Do not buy a 1.5x, as it is slightly slower, and it will impact the ability of the autofocus to lock on (note: there is one exception to this rule, and it is one of two versions of the Kenko SHQ 1.5x AF teleconverter. Same name, same appearance, but the rear element on one of the versions is larger, and it's actually identical to the Tamron & Vivitar 1.4x. Confusing, huh?).
- There was also an early 5-element Sigma 1.4x teleconverter from the film days that is quite good, but it doesn't come up for sale too often.
-The earliest versions of the Tamron 70-300mm autofocus lens were made in Japan, and took a 58mm filter. These are typically quite sharp, and the autofocus is considerably faster than the later Tamron 70-300mm that takes a 62mm filter. Of the later 62mm version, the last variation of these was a DI model made in Vietnam, and it is quite sharp - but the autofocus is still slower than the 58mm versions.
-The Pentax DA 55-300mm with the green ring is a nice lens and works well with the Tamron teleconverter, but it's autofocus is also slower than the 58mm Tamron 70-300 lens.
I own all of the above lenses & teleconverters, and many more in this category, as I started using these combinations at the beginning of the autofocus era. You may find in actual practice that a slower autofocusing speed is not terribly significant, but in my application, I need the autofocus to lock on as quickly as possible. Probably most important is to not buy a 1.5x Kenko-make teleconverter (or a 1.7x Kenko-made such as the Promaster Spectrum 7, which is the exact same teleconverter!), as they will often hunt & fail to lock on. Stick to a 1.4x teleconverter, and have fun with it!
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
08-05-2022, 08:04 PM
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Yes, the K-r does take the same AA holder. I use Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries in mine, as they deliver very stable performance & are long lasting. Edit - Also, the “mirror flop” problem that K-r bodies have been susceptible to, does not seem to manifest itself if consistently running AA batteries.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
08-03-2022, 02:47 PM
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Regarding my post above, I just made a few important edits, so please review the instructions again - Thanks!
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
08-03-2022, 01:42 PM
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Indeed, that is quite different from the one I had, which was compact, lightweight, and a good performer for it’s era. Doing birds, the out of focus donuts were typically fun, but I much prefer the ability to find your subject at say 55mm, and then zoom to 300!
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
08-03-2022, 04:18 AM
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I have brought both a K-x and a K-200d back from the dead with symptoms similar to yours. The problem is indeed lack of use. The fix is to jolt the internally failed battery back to life. I can't guarantee success because situations can vary, but you now have a useless camera, and the only thing it will cost you to try this is the purchase of a set of Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries.
- Install a new set of Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries - No substitutes!
- Turn the camera on (don't operate anything) for 30 seconds.
- Shut the camera off, and wait 15 seconds.
- Turn the camera back on for 30 seconds.
- Shut the camera off, and wait 15 seconds.
- Repeat this approximately 50 times. The goal here is to provide jolts of power that will renew the failed internal battery.
- Now try to reset the date and time.
- At this point, normal functions will hopefully have resumed for at least a limited period of time, so take some photos and see if the battery-level indicator continues to indicate a full charge. If the battery-level indicator quickly drops to a partial reading, or the camera shuts off, or the time/date display reverts back to the it's initial setting >>> repeat the above on/off sequence another 50 times.
- Repeat a third or fourth time or more if necessary. Again, you have nothing to lose by repeating the effort to awaken the internal battery that has failed. Edit - As I think back on it (it was a few years ago!), I must have done the on/off sequence at least 150-200 times overall, as the camera seemed to be stepping up it’s ability to indicate a full charge & function normally. I would stop after 50 on/off sequences & check functions, then do another 50, and so on.
If the camera does indeed return to normal function, continue to keep Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries in it at all times. Take the camera out once a week or so, and run it through some of it's operations by taking photos, deleting them, etc. Check your time/date setting which should be retaining the proper date. Never leave the camera sitting unused for an extended period of time, and never let the AA batteries die. Once your battery-level indicator starts consistently reading anything other than full, put in a new set of Energizer Lithiums. Sure, they cost more, but these cameras absolutely love them, and you do get a lot of shots out of one set.
It's now been approximately two years since I used this method on my K-x and K-200d, which failed at different times, but one shortly after the other. Some general information I had read on the forum and some head scratching led me to ponder this potential fix & try it. Two years on, both of these cameras are working flawlessly and have never repeated any of the symptoms that, at the time, made them appear to be dead as a doornail. Again, inactivity is the mortal enemy of the K-x & K-200d, so if your camera regains full functions, give it regular workouts. Oh, and if the camera doesn't return to normal, for a relatively small outlay, buy a clean used K-5IIs & never look back!
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
08-03-2022, 12:30 AM
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It had a T mount, but came with three small Soligor-labeled rear mount screw-in filters including 1A & two NDs. One of the filters had to be utilized to complete the optical path. The filters did not rotate. It was a Soligor CD model, and rather lightweight as I recall. It was also threaded in front to accept common Hoya-type filters. Perhaps a later model?
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
08-02-2022, 03:09 AM
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Back in the film days, I had a 500mm Soligor mirror lens. Quite sharp & fun to play with.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
07-19-2022, 11:15 PM
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I have a K-r that’s dark brown with gold metal flake - to my eye, one of the most visually attractive cameras I’ve ever come across. I purchased it from a seller on Amazon a few years ago, brand new in the box with lens, for $150 (I run it on Energizer AA Lithiums to avoid mirror flop issues). Nowadays I mostly keep it for fun as a collector’s piece, as it is 100% mint. Interestingly, I’ve seen a K-x in the same color on eBay, listed by a Japanese seller - but this K-r seems more balanced to my eye, with black rubberized grip material on both sides of the body.
The silver K-x mentioned above & for sale in the US is listed by a seller I have dealt with (bought a K-x from him!), and he is reputable. The link above shows the camera as sold, but it has been relisted as of this writing.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
07-16-2022, 03:22 AM
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An alternative that might shake things up (hopefully in a positive direction) would be to purchase one of the very inexpensive AA battery adaptors made for the KR, K-30, & K-50 (Amazon or eBay). Then buy a set of Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries & give it a try. Energizer lithiums have excellent power delivery characteristics for Pentax AA compatible cameras, and last a long time before needing replacement. I now use them exclusively in my K-200, K-x, and K-r (with battery adaptor), even after giving Eneloops a try. Also note that in the K-r, I've used Energizer lithiums since it was new, as I had read about "mirror flop" problems potentially being related to the power delivery of the supplied rechargable Pentax battery (same battery as originally supplied with your K-30). Best of luck in bringing the camera back to normal operation.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
07-05-2022, 04:14 AM
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Responding to this, just to bump it back up to the top.
Any chance of getting a sticky on it?
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
06-25-2022, 02:07 PM
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Sorry, I didn’t read carefully enough & missed the fact that you’d already purchased the K-7. Nice low shutter count on that one, and I hope it comfortably suits your needs - Enjoy!
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
06-25-2022, 12:19 PM
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Why not just purchase another K5-IIs? It’s my new favorite, and in the last year & a half I’ve purchased four of them, with shutter counts under 1000, 6000, & 8000 - all in minty condition. Good high ISO, bulletproof, and one of the best used Pentax values on the market, imho.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
06-16-2022, 12:35 AM
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I would guess he’s recalling discussions that have taken place regarding the time/date battery. I’ve mentioned the technique I use (in a few different threads) to bring this battery back to life - most recently in a thread titled “My new crippled K-200d” from, I believe, 2-19-22. Sorry I don’t know how to provide a link.
Fwiw, I use nothing but Energizer Lithiums, and my two K200s continue to work flawlessly.
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Forum: Pentax KP
05-06-2022, 11:07 PM
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There is a silver KP available on Amazon for $849. Japanese seller (Delight World), but shipping & returns by Amazon. An excellent no risk option, imho. I’ve purchased from this seller & was very satisfied.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
04-25-2022, 02:59 AM
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Actually, there is an AC Adapter Kit that fits the K2000 (K-m), and K-x.
It's part # K-AC84
It uses a battery-shaped fitting that slides into the battery compartment to make contact, and it's cord exits through a small removable rubber piece adjacent to the main battery door.
I had one that I just shipped off to "Used Photo Pro."
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
04-13-2022, 09:33 PM
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Thanks everyone - Very much appreciate any & all info!
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
04-12-2022, 04:03 PM
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Part two question regarding my daughter’s K-1(II): Can anyone definitively tell me if the good old AF-280T flash unit is safe to use (re voltage) on a K-1(II)?
A recent post of mine re her camera resulted from reading about possible damage to modern dslr cameras via older flash units. I assumed I should get her a newer unit, but last night I read reviews that indicate the AF-280T can be used in Auto & Manual modes with modern dslr cameras.
I gave her a AF-280T a number of years ago. Has anyone safely & successfully used it first-hand in combination with the K-1(II)?
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
04-12-2022, 01:06 AM
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Many thanks for all the helpful info!
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
04-11-2022, 04:39 AM
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Thanks for the info, folks. Yes, I know it's a low powered unit, but it'll at least give her the option to experiment with some basic outdoor fill-flash.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
04-11-2022, 03:32 AM
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My daughter is shooting with a K-1(II), and I'm going to buy her the basic AF-200FG flash unit. Is it safe to use Energizer Lithiums in the flash unit without risking damage to the camera or flash?
I recently read about excess voltage from older flash units posing a risk to more recent Pentax dslr bodies, so my wheels started spinning!
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