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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
08-16-2010, 07:07 PM
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I use the free program CrystalDiskMark to test the speed of SDHC cards and another free program H2testw to check if a card is fake.
I have used and tested many different SDHC cards and I have come to the conclusion that one cannot go by what is printed on the card. One company Class 4 16GB card was faster than another company Class 10 16GB card, both companies were established SDHC cards manufacturers. Right now, I buy from only one online store and have no problems so far. The only time I was scammed was when I got a Kingston card from an Ebay seller (hoping to find a cheaper source). Luckily I didn't lose much $ in the deal 'cos Ebay had just introduced buyer's protection.
I am using Class 10 16GB and 32GB SDHC cards in my Pentax KX and Panasonic DMC-ZS3 with no problems.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
08-15-2010, 06:51 PM
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I am posting on behalf of a friend (a non-english speaking friend) who is looking to purchase Pentax K7 as an upgrade for his K20D but is wondering if he should wait for any new models that are expected to be announced by Pentax at the Photokina. He already has a buyer for the K20D and 16-45mm f4 lens. He's keeping all his prime lenss and the new 17-70mm f4 he just got. He came into some winnings and look to upgrade his K20D.
Told me he had read in Chinese magazines (from HK & Taiwan)) that Pentax may be announcing a replacement for the K7 next month.
Any suggestion? I believe the K7 will contniue and be sold along side any new models coming out since prices for the body has gone up and the 2+year warranty is still being offered by some online dealers like AbeOfMaine and B&H. The price did go down for a short while but has came back up to around $870 average for the body.
Any suggestions? Thanks in advance. C. Foong:(
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
08-15-2010, 04:06 PM
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At present, I am using Patriot Class 10 16GB and 32 GB cards with my Kx with no problems. Other cards I have tried that worked well with the Kx: A-Data Class 6 16GB, Kingston Class 6 8GB, Transcand Class 6 8GB and Sandisk Extreme III 4 GB. I use CrystalDiskMark to test the speed of SDHC cards and H2testw to verify that the SDHC cards I got are not fakes. The Patriot Class 10 cards I have tested to be faster.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
08-15-2010, 03:52 PM
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My backup camera is a Panasonic DMC-ZS3. Nice small camera with a 25mm - 300mm lens. Good images especially at low ISO. Not super compact but small enough to carry along with me. It's inside my small shoulder bag and goes out with me at all times whether or not I bring along my DSLR. I also carry a small lightweight tripod with retractable legs.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
08-15-2010, 09:52 AM
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I have almost 5 years experience dealing on Ebay, both as a seller and buyer. To buy successfully on Bay, one has to do a lot of homework.
A few basic rules about buying:
1. The seller's rating, listing & selling polices.
A seller may have a no-return policy, but Ebay now has a Buyer Protection Policy. It actually works, I have used it before, but one will lose shipping charges both ways. Still, at least you can recover some $.
2. If a deal is too good to be true, it probably is.
3. Some sellers will list items at very low prices with inflated shipping charges. Stay away.
4. Remember that many sellers have phantom bidders to bid againt real buyers raise the final price of an item. Do not be guided by one's passion to own "the item" and keeps raising one's bid for an item. You will more than likely paid more than its real value when you finally win it.
5. Verify the specs and (perviced) value of the item. Most of the time, one can get info on a product online. A product can have several versions with big variations in value.
6. Check for consistency of the value of items previously sold by the seller. E.g. If the price range of items previously sold by a seller is <$300 and suddenly list an item or several items for >$1000, be careful that it may be an attempt to make a killing and then close the account.
7. Many companies also sell on Ebay. Without naming names, a company can list an item simultanously on its company website, Ebay and Amazon - all with different selling prices. So check before buying.
Btw, regarding buying lenses on Ebay:
1. A used lens cannot be perfect - sometime, even new ones have problems.
2. A lens, if in storage for a couple of years, may have problems like fungus and oil on the plates, dust inside the lens (especially on lens that zooms out & in during useage) and scratches on the glass elements.
3. A used lens may have loose parts like focus ring and zooming rings. Lens creep in zoom lens may be a problem with older lens.
4. What's perfect and excellent to one may not apply to someone else standards.
I hope these few tips will help those looking to buy on Ebay.
There are many good sellers on Ebay, one just have to be careful (and sometimes lucky) in selecting who to buy from.
Just my 2 cents. :)
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
08-15-2010, 08:17 AM
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Last month I bought the DA15mm. Before I got it, I went to B&H, brought my Kx along and tried the Sigma 10-20mm, Pentax 12-24mm, Pentax 14mm and the DA15mm. I shot only prime but I read good reviews on the Sigma and Pentax UWA zooms, so I added them to my shotlist. I like the Pentax 12-24mm very much when compared to the other lenses on my shortlist, and I almost bought my first zoom lens. I finally went with the DA15mm because of the weight + size factor. I would have preferred it comes with a different hood and a snap-on lens cap instead.
With the DA15mm, I am now covered from wide angle to medium telephoto. I also have the DA21mm, DA40mm and DA70mm.
I also took a look at the Pentax 16-50mm. It is very well built, handles good and the AF was very quick. However, for now, it stays on my shortlist of lenses of interest until Pentax improves on the SDM.
Just my 2 cents :)
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
08-13-2010, 11:38 AM
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A very good indoor lens for concerts and similiar events is the Sigma 50-150mm lens. There is a new model available but the price has gone up a lot. I borrowed the lens and used it to shot a concert in a day care center recently and was happy with the pictures (sorry I am not in the habit of posting pictures online, especially of people). I am basically a prime lens user, I do not own any zoom lens. After my good experience with the Sigma zoom, I may buy one down the road. Right now, I am waiting for the 100mm macro lens WR to arrive next week.
As for prime lenses, the 40mm Ltd pencake lens should the first one on your "to buy" list. The Kx + 40mm lens combo is an excellent walkabout kit: Light weight and compact. Shooting with non-zoomed lenses is very different, one has to move around to find the "shots", but after shooting with prime, you have to decide if that's the way you want to go or a mix of both tyepes of lenses. If you like shooting with prime, the 70mm Ltd is great for portraits, the 15mm Ltd for wide angle and the 21mm Ltd for indoors, especially smaller quarters.
My primary interests: temples and landscapes.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
08-11-2010, 06:28 PM
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A great walkabout lens is the 40mm Limited pencake lens or the 21mm Limited if you want a wider angle. Used with the Kx, the light weight and small size makes a great combo for travelling, especially if you need to carry the camera for long period of time.
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