|
Forum: Product Suggestions and Feedback
01-29-2010, 12:00 AM
|
| |
Has anyone "requested" OR would anyone USE a tilt-able (or better yet a tilt AND swivel) LCD screen? I routinely use the ones on my bridge cameras for both shooting AND playback. A swivel type would "do a 180" for screen protection as well... (only Sony, the Nikon D5000 and MAYBE others I don't know of have them on a DSLR).
|
|
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
01-24-2010, 09:44 PM
|
| |
Just curious (since I see a lot of "collectors" here)... how many (which) Pentaxes had "travel locks" (usually at the "base" of the shutter release)? The "later" (electric/electronic) cameras used the "power" on/off switch for that purpose, but I'm talking about mechanical shutter (release) locks.
|
|
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
01-22-2010, 09:54 PM
|
| |
True, KungPOW, the KM (and other models) were "out there"... BUT I STILL HEARD (many times) that the K1000 was the "ideal" student camera (OR a similar statement).
I personally never had a "problem" with the K1000 (or SE) being somewhat "featureless"... because I had other bodies and often used screw mount lenses (with A/M switches) on the K1000.
What I liked especially was a manual shutter body that was reliable over a wide temperature range and wasn't "battery dependent" (except for metering).
|
|
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
01-22-2010, 08:20 PM
|
| |
Of my three remaining 35mm Pentax SLR cameras, one is a K1000 SE. It is my 4th K1000 (all bought new), one of the previous ones was returned (and exchanged) because of a faulty film advance. Another was a "brown clad" SE and the first was a "regular" K1000. My "current" K1000 SE is "chrome" and black. The reason that I don't consider the K1000 to be "a Spotmatic with a K-mount" is because the Spotmatic (which was my first Pentax) effectively had depth of field preview using the stop down metering switch, a self timer, AND a "travel lock" below the shutter release. The K1000 (and K1000 SE) which had NONE of these features SHOULD have had (IMHO) ALL THREE (OR at the very least, DOF preview to be "touted" for years as a "student" camera).
"Pentax since 1965" ...Normpixel...
"bought them, used them, SOLD them NEW (photo equipment retail sales)"
SHOWN: Pentax K1000 SE body (with Pentax f1.2 50mm K mount lens)
|
|
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
01-22-2010, 06:24 AM
|
| |
My "remaining" Pentax (35mm film SLR) bodies are:
a P30T bought NEW (shown with a Ricoh screw mount AUTO RIKENON f1.4 55mm)
a K1000 SE bought NEW (shown with a Pentax f1.2 50mm that came with my K2)
and a used, damaged, but "very functional" K2 that was given to me along with 3 Pentax lenses and "several" accessories
the 3 Pentax lenses are shown with all 3 bodies in the 4th image: an f4.5 85mm~210mm ZOOM, an f1.2 50mm, and an f4.0 20mm
My first Pentax was a Spotmatic bought NEW in 1965 so I've "been with Pentax" for a while... yet I have no "favorite" though if I were to have one, it would probably be the LX. Of my "current 3", the K2 is by far the oldest, yet the most versatile.
...Normpixel...
|
|
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
01-16-2010, 12:37 PM
|
| |
Thanks, ChrisPlatt! The K2DMD is one of the few Pentaxes that I've never seen OR heard... Where have I been? A combat zone... asleep... too far into the woods?? I've never even checked to see how many K2DMD cameras were made (produced) if anybody knows!
...Normpixel...
|
|
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
01-15-2010, 07:03 PM
|
| |
Thanks to ALL for a great response!
And thanks titrisol for the image, the "confirmation" that I "was on the right track", AND the tip about cropping (I deliberately DIDN'T crop mine this time in order to show ALL of what the digital was seeing)... then I failed to mention that it was working at an (equiv.) 35mm focal length; I was getting better "eye relief" and less distortion (also wider aperture) when at "35mm equiv." than when "zoomed in a bit"... I need to get my alignment better AND get MUCH more light "pumped in" to "force" the digital camera to stop down its aperture. (therefore hopefully improve SHARPNESS!)
YOUR image (shutter display and all) is SHARP! BTW, I've always liked the "optical" aperture display window like the KX has and wondered why the K2 DOESN'T have it!
K7 owners: will we "see and hear" an HD video clip of the K2 shutter operating (any time soon)??
Thanks again, ...Normpixel...
|
|
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
01-15-2010, 12:28 AM
|
| |
O.K., you "veteran" PentaxForum people, please "bear with me" on this one (I'm in a DEEP swamp here!)...
I've noticed a lot of talk about viewfinders, BUT where are the PICTURES? (How difficult could THAT be?) Uh, well, difficult ENOUGH! Especially when you're "optically handicapped"!!
"Armed" only with a Fuji Z5fd "pocket" digital (the ONLY camera I have with a front lens element LESS than one half inch in diameter) I proceeded to attempt the "nearly impossible"... get the (Z5fd) camera lens to "act like the human eye" (i.e. "close and small" in respect to the Pentax K2 viewfinder eyepiece). I needed to "see" ALL of the viewfinder image area AND the meter/shutter speed display with "crystal clarity" (DREAM ON!!).
This was just a crude "initial" attempt (the folded zoom optical system was "operating" WIDE OPEN at F3.5) with probably the "ultimate" in "optical aggravation"!!
My questions are: how would YOU do it OR would you do it (or HAVE you done it)??
...Normpixel...
|
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-14-2010, 11:06 PM
|
| |
Thanks, Just1MoreDave (BTW, NICE image of lenses!) AND stevebrot! You both have many fine posts and replies, etc. (as do so many here on PentaxForums!)... I still have a little difficulty "knowing" which forum to be in, BUT I suppose "with time" that will get "easier"!!
...Normpixel... P.S. Will try to "work that lens in" during my "return to film adventure" (whatever THAT means!).
|
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-14-2010, 03:47 PM
|
| |
Yeah, ALL caps, hoods, etc. "came with" (even some genuine Pentax filters, cable release, etc.)... though I "often" ran a "generic" rubber hood on the f1.2 "out in the woods" OR "substituted" another "lower risk" 50mm OR 55mm under "rough conditions"...
BTW, the only way that I have found the K2 to be "crippled" (functionally) is that the "in the viewfinder, clear blue" shutter speed indicator is no longer functional ("minor stuff"!)... BUT metering is O.K. and camera is "otherwise GO"!! [The dent in the top of the prism housing draws a little attention!] Also "some dust/debris" on the inaccessible side of the focusing screen.
Lenses are (seem to be) A.O.K.; (I know the zoom tele is an "underdog" BUT I'm going to try some "test shots" to see how "good it can be"... hey, the "price was right" for the zoom!).
I actually found a place that has batteries for all my Pentaxes (WITHOUT going out of town!)...
of course they didn't have FILM, it was an ACE hardware store!
...Normpixel...
|
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-13-2010, 10:51 PM
|
| |
It IS quite a "gift", indytax! And there is a personal story behind it (the "gifting") BUT apparently it's not for PentaxForums at this time(!) as I tried to post it in a reply here (TWICE) and it "erased it" (said I had to log in and I was ALREADY logged in).
...Normpixel...
P.S. Now my reply is "fine" since it DOESN'T contain the story! (Is there "a ghost in the machine"??)
|
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-13-2010, 12:35 AM
|
| |
As a new member (still trying to find out which forum I should be in!), I thought I'd post a "grab shot" (taken with a non-Pentax pocket digital) of the "slightly crippled" K2 and the three lenses that came with it (a Pentax "outfit" given to me as a gift "as is" and "complete with accessories")... two of the lenses are on my other two Pentax bodies. LEFT to RIGHT are:
K1000 SE with f4.5 85~210mm, K2 with f1.2 50mm, and P30T with f4.0 20mm... pictured ITEMS that came in "outfit" are underlined.
As there seems to be interest in some of these "earlier" Pentax lenses and bodies, I may "shoot a little film" for "old time's sake" (mostly for PentaxForums' sake). BTW, my first SLR was a used Contax D, my second was a new Pentax Spotmatic (bought at a "combat" PX in Vietnam in 1965... my "field camera" was a "collapsible lens" Leica because it fit in an ammo pouch!).
...Normpixel...
|
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-12-2010, 11:06 PM
|
| |
I may be in the "wrong" thread but (hey!) I'm a NEW MEMBER so what do I know? Anyway I've got a 55mm Ricoh AUTO RIKENON f1.4 screw mount. It takes 55mm filters, stops down to f16 and has an A/M switch (selector)... it actually looks a lot like the "early" Takumars. Since I "don't shoot film much any more" (some on PentaxForums think that I should!), I haven't used it in a while. I haven't had any auto diaphragm pin "issues" because I use(d) it with a "K" adaptor on Pentax K mount bodies. The serial number is 304682 (if "that's a clue"!) and I just wondered where it "fit" in the Ricoh/Rikenon "line-up" AND how it compared to all the 50mm Rikenons...
Mechanically it has that "quality feel"; smooth focus, good "click stop" diaphragm ring action.
I spotted it in a pawn shop (quite a few years ago) for "next to nothing" (they figured it was obsolete because it didn't fit any camera that they had ever seen).
Thanks for listening and/or "helping"! ...Normpixel...
SHOWN: Ricoh AUTO RIKENON f1.4 55mm screw mount lens with "K adapter" on Pentax P30T body
|
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
01-12-2010, 02:01 PM
|
| |
Sometimes it's "nice" (OR preferred!) to go "quiet mode" [digital advantage!] OR have "way more" exposures available than 36 [digital advantage!] OR be able to "almost instantly" change your ISO, WB (color temperature), etc. [digital advantage!]... and the list goes on.
Every "medium" has its advantages AND disadvantages! That may be why "CHOICE" may be one of the "best" photo "accessories"...
...Normpixel... P.S. With medium format (and larger) you CAN have BOTH (film AND digital backs) BUT it will "cost you"!!
|
|
Forum: Welcomes and Introductions
01-12-2010, 01:32 PM
|
| |
Thanks, Douglas_of_ Sweden! -22 C. "translates" to -7.6 F. so you're "getting there"! Probably "few" hobbyists actually NEED a DSLR (I don't have one "yet"!)... I've used "bridge" digitals enough to know I like a lot of the features AND capability of digitals BUT also know what features I like on a film camera (some of which they leave OFF of many film AND digital cameras!). [If I were a "working pro" I'd have a different "set of NEEDS"...]
The K2 is "slightly crippled" (I received it and "a few lenses and accessories" as a gift "as is"... the lenses, including the f1.2 50mm, were all "primo" condition and all Pentax), BUT my intention is to "shoot a few" primarily for PentaxForums.
[...even though I don't have a "smooth, quality film-to-digital capability"!]
I was initially "inspired" by the "f1.2 thing" that's going around on some of the threads and even if I weren't using the K2, I have a couple of other Pentax (film) bodies to "keep me qualified" (until Pentax "turns loose" a "reasonably priced" full frame DSLR!).
[I doubt that I will limit my "film shooting" to the K2 OR the f1.2 50mm (or even Pentax lenses!) as long as "some part of" the image capture is Pentax!!]
...Normpixel...
|
|
Forum: General Talk
01-12-2010, 12:07 AM
|
| |
Even the butterflies like Pentax! This scanned print (image taken with "early" Olympus point-'n'-shoot digital) shows a butterfly (in Branson, Missouri) "looking over" my Pentax K2 with 50mm (f1.2) and 2X "telextender"... the f1.2 "max aperture" ("marginally" brighter than the "more prevalent" f1.4) comes in "handy" when viewing and focusing using a "2X" ("providing" a "comfortable" fast, close focusing f2.4 100mm tele!).
"Butterflies are free!" (Pentax f1.2 50mm lenses are "generally" NOT free, mine happened to be... because it was a gift.)
...Normpixel...
|
|
Forum: General Talk
01-11-2010, 10:59 PM
|
| |
Very interesting thread!! I "sold the tar" out of ALL the main brands in the early 80s (Chicago suburbs)... we NEVER looked down our noses at a customer's equipment! Pro, "amateur", or enthusiast... We helped them get the most out of what they already had OR what they bought from us. We sold both new and used and used Pentax was ALWAYS sought after (so was NEW Pentax!). One of my bosses had pro Nikon for 35mm BUT what did he have for medium format?
PENTAX!! (Pentax 6x7; he had the "renowned" 135mm macro for it, too!) And if you want to "play", you can "run" non-Pentax glass on Pentax bodies (lots of glass on LOTS of Pentax bodies!). I personally used (BESIDES the preferred Pentax!) anything from an Angenieux 35mm semi-wide to Carl Zeiss lenses on my Pentax(es) as well as earlier "Oriental" (Pentax AND non-Pentax) screw mount, T-mount, and "other" lenses using adapters (not to mention "the BIG gun", a 3.5 inch Questar telescope!). Pentax "larger" format lenses (e.g. Pentax 6x7) will also "adapt" (to 35mm bodies) as many of you are aware. AND many (including myself) liked the "smaller, less clunky" Pentax bodies for astrophotography. Who can say that the LX wasn't "advanced" for its time? Some might like a "DIGITAL (full frame of course!) LX" today!
Retired now (but "reminiscing"...), ...Normpixel...
|
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
01-11-2010, 09:36 PM
|
| |
One more (for now!) Chicago "K2 with the 20mm" shot... "you can really go vertical" with the 20mm. Here the imposing "curve of glass" at 333 Wacker Drive (center) reflects the late afternoon sky.
[exposures not recorded; I was shooting fast, and walking faster!]
...Normpixel...
|
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
01-11-2010, 08:57 PM
|
| |
Now I'm replying to my own posts! Oh well, it takes a while to figure out this "thread, posting, etc. business" anyway... (am I even in the Correct Category forum?!?). At least I'm at the "right community": PentaxForums.com!!
I grew up 60 miles from Chicago in rolling farm land, BUT in '85 accidently lost a 10,000 image "library" (water damage) at a time that I no longer lived in Illinois. During a two and a half day "whirlwind" trip to Chicago almost 20 years later (by that time I had the K2 and the 20mm and other "odds and ends"), I tried several "experiments" including some shots using an auxiliary fisheye. This is one of those images (complete with "stretched" limo!)... I cropped it to give it a "Chicago Dome" effect. You might IMAGINE what I could have done with more time and a REAL (think QUALITY!) Pentax fisheye lens.
...Normpixel... P.S. All of these Chicago (Pentax K2) images posted in PentaxForums are from that 2 & 1/2 day trip in 2004.
|
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
01-11-2010, 08:19 PM
|
| |
The "artifacting (etc.!)" from a "poor" scan, "pebble" finish on the print (etc.) contributes to "masking" that unmistakable "film look"... BUT "Thanks!" for the encouragement; here are 3 more (2 are the unmistakable full frame 20mm wide look and one cropped for a "cine" effect with possibly a longer focal length... all taken using the K2 with 400 ISO color negative film).
...Normpixel...
|
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
01-11-2010, 12:27 AM
|
| |
As a newcomer to Pentax Forums (but not to Pentax) I have been "invited" to show "older" (Pentax) work as I currently am shooting non-Pentax, non-DSLR digital as a "hobbyist"...
Scanning 4 x 6 prints (not having the shots in "digital form"!) is not my idea of a "QUALITY GOOD TIME" but I thought I'd try a couple just to see how bad they could be after posting.
I've always liked the 20mm and have been a little disappointed that Pentax hasn't "turned loose" a full frame DSLR (as expensive as one would be!). I still "have fun" shooting with non-pro digitals even though none of them "go as WIDE" as the 20mm that goes on my K2.
From Chicago (6 years ago) a shot from "below" and a shot from "above"...
...Normpixel... "P.S.", it was a "MURKY" day!
|
|
Forum: Welcomes and Introductions
01-09-2010, 12:31 AM
|
| |
All right, mine.cola! NOW we're "rollin'"...I've never been on a Segway myself, BUT I wanted to post my shot of Segways (taken in Lincoln Park) in Chicago a few years earlier than the (above) Washington shot that I posted. BUT I couldn't find it "in digital form" (may do a scan on the neg sometime) so I "went with" the Washington shot (even though my Chicago shot has MORE Segways... like yours!).
BTW, I'm 100's of miles nowadays from either Chicago OR Washington, D.C. BUT the nearest Segway dealer is 30 miles away (from me now) in Branson, Missouri. AND Dean Kamen (inventor of the Segway) did a lot of his "early work" for/with nearby Baxter Labs in Arkansas!
"SMALL WORLD" indeed... I will definitely try to get an F1.2 50mm (on the K2) "shot or two" up "here" before "too very long" (since "retirement" I've "slowed down some"... ESPECIALLY when it comes to film shooting!).
...Normpixel...
|
|
Forum: Welcomes and Introductions
01-09-2010, 12:00 AM
|
| |
Fahrenheit it is, Iris! And tonight (this morning, the 9th) it will be down to 1 degree (or possibly as low as -1 degree F.)! In "bygone" years I "tested" Nikons (film cameras!) AND I used Pentax cameras (both brands) at -14 degrees F. [I advanced the FILM slo-o-owly to prevent static and/or film base damage!] I don't "punish" myself like that anymore... nor do I "stretch my elbow" with a motorized Hasselblad (500EL)! BTW, "Thanks, Pentax Forums for the Happy Birthday e-mail!" ("today"...January 9th) ...actually bought myself a roll of color 35mm (to go in the K2) yesterday for my birthday. Since I don't have my Pentax (1 degree) spotmeter anymore, I'll grab one of my digital cameras with "spot" (mode) and live histogram AND USE IT as an exposure meter. Will the K2 or the "modern machine" win the "exposure accuracy contest"?!? ["Stay tuned, folks..."]
...Normpixel...
|
|
Forum: Welcomes and Introductions
01-07-2010, 10:32 PM
|
| |
Will attempt to post this "scan of a scan" taken in Washington several years ago using Kodak Ultracolor in the Pentax K2 with a 20mm Pentax wideangle. :confused:
|
|
Forum: Welcomes and Introductions
01-07-2010, 08:05 PM
|
| |
Sig, the last film I shot was Kodak Ultracolor 400...
Who knows "what's next"??
|
