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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 01-27-2018, 07:22 AM  
Pentax KP Silver vs. Black
Posted By RMabo
Replies: 18
Views: 5,405
I still have a silver Pentax MZ-5N and it looks really nice! And I was in love with my silver *ist DS that gave me great service for many years. On those the silver was painted on a polycarbonete body, but the silver still looked good even after many years of usage.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 11-27-2017, 02:47 PM  
Jump from K3II to KP?
Posted By RMabo
Replies: 20
Views: 3,044
But please note there's a hand grip with extra battery available for the KP so this will do the trick if one needs extra battery power for one day shooting. :)
Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing 09-07-2017, 01:04 AM  
How do you convert RAW images to JPEG?
Posted By RMabo
Replies: 14
Views: 4,516
When you look at the original RAW-file you actually see the embedded JPEG image in the RAW-file, and this JPEG-image is done with the camera's built in image processing algorithms. If you want a similar look to this, then do the conversion of RAW to JPEG in Pentax Digital Camera Utility - this software has the same presets and image profiles as the built in JPEG-processing in the camera. If you use Lightroom or other RAW-image software, you need to tweak the image, work with it.... That's the thing with RAW files, they are like the film negative and it needs to be developed to look good. So play around with the settings in Lightroom. I don't use it so I can't give advice on it. I use Apple Photos, Pixelmator and Affinity Photos. :)
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 09-06-2017, 12:38 AM  
SMC PENTAX D-FA 100mm WR vs SMC Pentax F 100mm
Posted By RMabo
Replies: 14
Views: 2,524
They are close but not the same. :)
F and FA 100 f/2.8 Macro's has the same features (focus limiter). But the FA has the newer ghostless coating of the lens elements. Those has 9 elements in 8 groups and a large front lens element with 58 mm filter thread.

DFA 100 f/2.8 and the WR-version has the same lens coating, an upgraded version of the ghostless coating, and while they have a similar arrangement of 9 elements in 8 groups their optical elements differs from the F/FA, plus they have a smaller front lens element and with 49 mm filter thread.

So what does this mean optically? The two DFA versions has a higher contrast than the F and FA versions, also a more cold - or neutral - colour balance / colour rendition, where the F and FA are slightly warmer. Some has suggested that the DFA versions are actually based upon the Tokina AF 100 f/2.8 Macro, or it is the other way around. I honestly don't know. :) (but the Tokina and Pentax 35 f/2.8 Macro has definately the same optics).

But I can't really say it makes so much difference on digital, the processing and auto white balance adjusts... but on analogue film, the difference in character is more noticeable, and I would rate the F and FA as being more pleasant to the eye even if the DFA versions are technically superior.
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 02-20-2017, 07:23 AM  
Aperture ring FA Limited does not function on K-x
Posted By RMabo
Replies: 11
Views: 974
About using the Green button on the K-x, please note that K-x does not have a separate DOF-button but the Green button can be programmed (in the settings menu) to be a DOF-preview button, but if you change the Green button to DOF-preview then you loose the Green button functionality.
Forum: Pentax KP 01-29-2017, 07:49 AM  
Why won't Pentax go full retro?
Posted By RMabo
Replies: 160
Views: 11,703
A retro camera is useless without retro lenses. Sure Pentax could make a new serie of lenses with aperture rings, but what I do like with the Pentax approach is the HyperProgram and HyperManual. This requires two electronic dials that also are programmable. This concept was introduced with the Z-1p in the early 1990's and it's still the core of Pentax handling and operation. You turn one dial (aperture or shutter) and the camera turns the other (shutter or aperture). You turn none and camera turns both (P), or you turn both and camera turns none (M). This is genious!

And this is coming from me, a guy that really loved the MZ-5 and MZ-5N control layout with shutter dial and aperture ring and 'A' setting on them.
The silver/black KP really looks like a digital MZ-3/MZ-5N, but with HyperProgram control. I like that.
Forum: Pentax KP 01-29-2017, 07:35 AM  
Why I won't buy a KP.
Posted By RMabo
Replies: 113
Views: 12,403
I won't buy a Kp because if I bought it I just have to buy all the DA Limiteds too and that's simply not in my budget. The DA Limiteds would look fantastic on the KP. :)
Forum: Pentax KP 01-29-2017, 07:15 AM  
Why I won't buy a KP.
Posted By RMabo
Replies: 113
Views: 12,403
Oh but the K-S2 was replaced last summer by the K-70 which essentially is a K-S2 with new tricks.
Forum: Photographic Industry and Professionals 01-29-2017, 07:12 AM  
Any news about Pentax AF system breakthrough?
Posted By RMabo
Replies: 95
Views: 9,313
One limitation not really discussed here is the lenses. The AF in the camera can't make the in-lens motors to go faster than the motors are designed for. The new pulse motor (PLM) seems to be the fastest, with DC 2nd and SDM being the slowest. AF without in-lens motors is dependant on the AF motor in the body and this has been strong and fast on the models higher up the line.

KP has the same AF hardware as the K-3 II but new software, new algorithms. While I don't expect miracles, there should be some subtle differencies and probably works even better with PLM-lenses. To adress the needs of sports and action photographers, Pentax needs to release new lenses with PLM motors - they probably would do fine with telephoto PLM's. But I'm not convinced that Pentax should make action or sports cameras, it's simply not in their heritage really. When Canon made the sports photographers dream the EOS 1, Pentax made the nature photographers dream with the 645 medium format. Roughly the same money...

Ok, so I have a K-S2 with this "antique" SAFOX and without 1 million AF points but it works well for me. :) My fastest AF lens is the FA 135 f/2.8. But we all have different needs of course. :)
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 01-29-2017, 04:30 AM  
Pentax KP Officially Announced, New Forum!
Posted By RMabo
Replies: 409
Views: 40,985
Hm, we don't know how the AF in the KP works yet... While it has the same AF hardware as the K-3 II Ricoh claims it has new AF software.
I like the KP. It seems to be a rugged little camera in a nice form factor with inspiration from Pentax SLR's in the past, especially the silver/black version reminds me of the MZ-3 and MZ-5N bodies (I still have my MZ-5N :) )...
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 01-29-2017, 04:24 AM  
55-300 PLM or non-PLM version to K-1? Vignetting etc?
Posted By RMabo
Replies: 7
Views: 2,395
The PLM version has enhanced optics which makes it a better lens for both AF speed and optical performance on an APS-C body. However, I don't know how it performs on 24x36 but you should be just fine in the APS-C mode on the K1.
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 01-28-2017, 12:17 AM  
Pentax KP - High ISO Samples
Posted By RMabo
Replies: 350
Views: 60,190
HDMI Video out is in the SlimPort, you just need a SlimPort to HDMI adapter. The signal is there! A traditional HDMI port was found to be too large so therefore this solution instead.

---------- Post added 01-28-2017 at 08:19 AM ----------

No magic in the sensor it's the PRIME digital processing that has learnt some new trucks, or actually an enhancement and further development of the tricks used by the K70.
Forum: Pentax K-S1 & K-S2 12-23-2016, 02:41 AM  
K-S1 or K-S2 question
Posted By RMabo
Replies: 6
Views: 1,981
I wouldn't choose the K-S2 if one wants a light and compact camera. It's quite Heavy. My plan was to sell my K10d and K-x, and letting the K-S2 replace both of them. I found out that this hasn't worked out as expected. I sold the K10d, but I still have the K-x because it is small, light, compact. I use the K-x with the retractable 18-50 kit lens for the K-S2, this works great. Sure the K-x has only one e-dial but it can be configured in a clever way, so in P-mode I have it set as a program-shift dial. So I Believe that if you want something small and light, then the K-S1 is better than the K-S2.
Forum: Photographic Industry and Professionals 12-23-2016, 12:47 AM  
Is no rumor good rumor?
Posted By RMabo
Replies: 29
Views: 4,272
On the latest roadmap for D FA lenses, there's still 5 lenses left that haven't been released yet.
* Wide single focal length (perhaps D FA 28 f/2.8? or D FA 24 f/2.8?)
* Standard large aperture single focal length (D FA 50 f/1.4?)
* Medium telephoto large aperture single focal length (D FA 200 f/2.8? D FA 135 f/2.8?)
* Ultra wide large aperture single focal length (D FA 20 f/2.8?)
* Fish Eye zoom lens

Those are labeled 2017+, and will be released in the above order. So I Think we can expect the wide, standard and medium telephoto next year and the ultra wide and Fish Eye in 2018. Things are cooking, just not ready to be served yet. :)

Personally, I would like a new DA roadmap but I Believe Pentax is focusing (!) now on D FA lenses. DA lenses are pretty much covered, anyway and D FA lenses can be used on APS-C too. I would welcome a D FA 135 f/2.8 with in-lens motor, ED glass and weather sealing so I could replace my aging FA 135 f/2.8 with something more modern. :)

I Believe Pentax is looking into mirrorless APS-C, that's the future. A Pentax P-mount (Prince/Princess) or KJ (King Junior) :)...
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 12-19-2016, 02:35 AM  
K-x to K-30 Upgrade Questions
Posted By RMabo
Replies: 15
Views: 1,546
I have the K-x and the K-S2 (sucessor to the K50, K30). Sure the K-S2, as K50 and K30, has more buttons and this allows for more direct user Control and lesser interaction with the menu, this is a big plus. Minus is the extra size and weight, the K-x really is a small gem and I like it a lot (that's why I still have it). AF is improved and allows for more user Control (illuminated AF Points in the viewfinder is a big plus). However, the improvements in image quality is only marginal. Sure the performance at higher ISO's is clearly better, but on lower ISO's well there's something to the colour response of the K-x that I really like. Up to ISO 400 I can't really say that the image quality is improved with the newer sensor, it does more higher up the ISO.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 08-12-2016, 01:39 AM  
Pentax/Ricoh "new" lenses
Posted By RMabo
Replies: 30
Views: 3,133
The new 24-70 and 70-200 are f/2.8 plus they are designed for 24x36 cameras (like the K-1). Comparing them to the APS-C only 20-40 f/2.8 - 4 design is unfair.
The D FA 70-200 f/2.8 is close to Pentax Classic FA Star 70-200 f/2.8 from the 90's.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 08-05-2016, 11:13 AM  
Pentax DFA 28-105 lens on full frame - using filters
Posted By RMabo
Replies: 6
Views: 1,485
It is not unusual or uncommon for a wideangle lens (or a zoom with a wideangle end) to show some vignetting at the widest aperture even without a filter attached, this reduces when stopped down.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 05-24-2016, 12:48 AM  
AF: Which Decides.. Camera or Lens?
Posted By RMabo
Replies: 8
Views: 1,113
There are lenses that are better or worse than others on AF. Some Sigma lenses has had problems. This may suggest there's more to it than just the AF control system in the camera. :) The AF relies on information from the lens, the lens sends turning pulses and distance info to the camera.

Contrast detect AF is constantly monitoring focus, but phase detect is that the camera makes an assumption and then moves the lens to the calculated position and then makes smaller adjustment with live monitoring, The electronics in the lens is important.

And then of course, as has been stated, lens and camera needs proper calibration otherwise it will always be off in one direction or the other - with phase detect. Contrast detect AF works in a different way. Contrast detect AF is actually better than phase detect in terms of precision, but phase detect is faster.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 05-24-2016, 12:41 AM  
D FA 28-105 better IQ than D FA 24-70
Posted By RMabo
Replies: 26
Views: 8,232
It's not a simple relabeling. The optics are the same as the Tamron versions plus the added bonus of Pentax own coating. The Pentax versions are weather sealed, the Tamron labels not. There's also Pentax electronics and chip inside the Pentax versions.
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 04-15-2016, 12:22 PM  
Green button.
Posted By RMabo
Replies: 24
Views: 2,190
Bascially the green button resets exposure to the camera's program line. With a mechanical lens without electrical contacts for aperture readout by the camera, the green sets the time only because it can't set the aperture (and sets the ISO too if you have Auto ISO turned on) - and it measures the light to know the aperture because it can't read it from the electrical contacts since such a lens does not have them. With a DA lens it simply resets the exposure, and it can do this in both manual and program modes.

Now, depending on the camera, the green button can be configured in many ways. Exactly what options are available is dependent on the camera model. For example - On my K-x I can set the green button to act as depth-of-field preview if I want to...
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 04-03-2016, 05:14 AM  
Too many cameras - which two to keep?
Posted By RMabo
Replies: 25
Views: 2,634
Keep the ME Super and the MZ-5N.
ME Super because it is a classic, one of those models that brought Pentax to stardom. It features aperture priority as well as manual exposure. A good basic manual film SLR with some added features. A very nice package.

MZ-5N because this too is a classic and because I have it also. :) This was the follow up to the award winning camera of the year MZ-5, with added features such as depth-of-field preview. A great camera in it's days with an excellent metering system.

With MX-50 I presume you mean the MZ-50, in the US called ZX-50. Now this was a less advanced model with pentamirror box instead of the pentaprism viewfinder in the MZ-5, and it has a limited backwards compatibility with older pure mechanical manual lenses. It lacks many of the features found in the MZ-5 and has a simpler metering system. Sure it was a fun and enjoyable entry level camera in it's days and quite popular, but the MZ-5 is simply a better camera.
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II 04-02-2016, 09:50 AM  
Will autofocus work between K-1 and my Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM II Macro?
Posted By RMabo
Replies: 29
Views: 6,211
Sigma lenses does not use an official version of Pentax lens mount, Sigma uses "reverse engineering". Even if the K-1 surely will work well with Pentax AF lenses new and old, there is no guarantee that they will work with non-standard mount lenses such as Sigma. Hopefully they will work just fine. My Sigma lenses from the film SLR era works just fine with my digital bodies. Now a HSM lens is a little more complicated but I have had zero issues with my Sigma HSM lens (18-50 f/2.8-4.5) on different Pentax DSLR models so chances are high that K-1 will have zero issues here.
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II 04-02-2016, 05:59 AM  
The K1 will it breathe new life into focal lengths that have not been as popular?
Posted By RMabo
Replies: 44
Views: 4,829
Interesting read, actually the 24 and 135 that I have gets more use on my K-digital bodies (currently the K-S2 and K-x) than they did on my 24x36 film SLR's... :)
I always loved the FA 135 f/2.8 but on my MZ-5N it simply seemed a little bit too wide but on my APS-C it all comes together somehow...

Sure the K-1 will give new life and interest to typical 24x36 focal lengths, I'm sure...
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 03-23-2016, 08:09 AM  
Next up from Kx
Posted By RMabo
Replies: 7
Views: 1,268
I had the K-x and K10D, and I bought the K-S2 as a replacement to both. Now, I sold the K10D but I still have the K-x. K-S2 is indeed an upgrade over the K-x on many levels - flip-out screen, better viewfinder, weather sealing, more user Control with more buttons, two e-dials instead of one, more advanced software, horizon adjustment and so on and so on... But, there is a but here. :) The K-x is still smaller and lighter, and that's my main reason for keep it. It simply feels so nice in the hand. The K-S2 is larger and heavier, it do feels good in the hand and it's much more balanced when using large and heavy lenses. Still, the K-x with a tiny lens such as the DA 35 f/2.8 Macro Limited, is simply wonderful. And I'm not convinced that the K-S2 produces better images. Sure it has more Mp, so images are larger, but I wouldn't call them better. The K-x is very good. The lack of a low pass filter means images can be sharper on the K-S2 but it really depends on the lens also.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 02-29-2016, 07:47 AM  
How many APSC shooters will truly upgrade to K1
Posted By RMabo
Replies: 347
Views: 33,762
If I eventually get a K-1 then I will keep my K-x and/or my K-S2 with DA lenses. For the K-1 I do have the Sigma AF 24 f/2.8, Pentax FA 50 f/1.7 and FA 135 f/2.8. I would keep my APS-C camera/s and lenses for the small size and the joy I feel when shooting.
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