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Forum: Pentax Full Frame 10-10-2014, 06:59 PM  
What could be 'different' about Pentax FF?
Posted By RogerD_AZ
Replies: 863
Views: 84,721
While I think it's much too soon due to cost, a three layer sensor (aka Foveon style) would (could) be the next significant improvement in image quality.

But, that would be groundbreaking if at an affordable cost unlike Sigma's very expensive and rather featureless camera.

...Roger D
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 04-04-2014, 07:35 PM  
K5 IIs firmware v1.07 possible bugs
Posted By RogerD_AZ
Replies: 23
Views: 6,049
@rzarector

* Regarding the failure of the screen to rotate I emailed Pentax support (full reply below), in short they couldn't reproduce that issue on a K5 IIs with v1.07. Nor I have I heard anyone else with the same issue.

* Ref the sound on start up and waking the camera from sleep. That one isn't so clear cut. I don't think mine ever made that sound until the update. I've read others expressing they felt it didn't make that sound and then one day just started to. One person quoted CRIS camera repair as saying " **SOME** of the K5 IIs make that noise", which seems to indicate some don't. I also called Pentax and the rep had one in his hands and said it was silent on startup. It is NOT the sensor cleaning action, many have discovered it is the aperture close down lever vibrating just a bit during startup/wake up and can even be seen if you remove the lens and turn on the camera while watching the lever, or just look inside the lens during startup and you can see the aperture vibrating opening/closing just a bit. Here is a youtube link of someone demonstrating this sound on two different K5 bodies. While it's not the IIs, it is doing exactly what mine is.

start up noise:















You Tube





If you wouldn't mind letting me know yours makes the sound like in the video I'd appreciate it. And if you update to v1.07 and check screen rotating as in my video I'd be grateful to hear your results.

Screen rotation issue:

https://vimeo.com/album/2768614/video/88578709

--- reply from Pentax ----
"Our corporate office for technical support has reviewed your video and followed the steps but has not been able to reproduce this on a K-5 IIs with firmware version 1.07. We will continue to see if we can reproduce what you are reporting. You did mention that normal operation is restored by adding back in a memory setting on pg.2, or by taking a shot. Please try depressing the shutter button halfway when the rotation is locked up and let us know if that restores normal operation. Again, instead of changing memory settings a second time or taking a picture, please find out if just pressing the shutter button halfway frees up the rotation display."

I emailed them back explaining pressing the shutter button doesn't change anything, I've not heard back to that response in over a week.
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 03-09-2014, 10:46 AM  
K5 IIs firmware v1.07 possible bugs
Posted By RogerD_AZ
Replies: 23
Views: 6,049
For anyone interested here is link to a video demonstrating the issues and the settings needed to recreate the issue(s).

Any feedback including your version number greatly appreciated.

Video:
https://vimeo.com/album/2768614/video/88578709

EDIT: start up/wake noise I confirmed is normal, only the screen failing to rotate is a bug.
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 03-08-2014, 09:46 PM  
K5 IIs firmware v1.07 possible bugs
Posted By RogerD_AZ
Replies: 23
Views: 6,049
please read a bit closer, I'm referring to the Status screen auto rotate feature, not image rotation (which does not ever rotate with the camera). I'm talking about the screen as it displays your f-stop, shutter speed, etc OR while you view the level.

ref: flapping / fluttering, nothing going one with mine that sounds like it would fall into that category.

Tomorrow I may make videos of both issues to give to Pentax as these are hard to understand via just text/talk.. when I do I'll post links here for those that would like to double check.
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 03-08-2014, 07:09 PM  
K5 IIs firmware v1.07 possible bugs
Posted By RogerD_AZ
Replies: 23
Views: 6,049
Update to the failure to rotate status screen issue:

This actually may be effecting you without knowing, but does take very specific conditions to reproduce it. If you'd like to check just do exactly as below as any changes may mask the issue.

NOTE: I "think" this started with the v1.07 update, it's possible it was happening all along. The steps below may not be the only way to test for the bug, but it's the only easy way to type it out without a ton of questions, if/and/or buts.

1. Re-set camera using options menu to default.
2. Re-set custom menu to default using "reset custom"
3. Go to setup > "Memory" and uncheck EVERYTHING
4. Turn off camera
5. Turn on camera
6. While the rear LCD is displaying your current shot settings rotate the camera, my screen will not rotate and my "level" is stuck in one position.

7. Take a picture and if like mine it will be back to normal.

OR.. and this is probably why others are not noticing it..

Go back into options > memory (all are still blank). Select the remember HDR or Digital filter.

Turn off/on camera and screen rotates as expected as does the level. un-select whichever you did above, turn off/on camera and if like mine the screen is stuck again.

If you try this please report back if it stuck or didn't and which firmware version you are running (to check firmware version with camera off press and hold "menu" as you turn it on, version will be shown. Turn off/on for normal operation.

This is only valid if you do it exactly as I posted. Any other settings that are different may mask the issue. If you don't want to reset your camera first try just unchecking everything from both memory pages. If it sticks then you have the issue. if it does not stick it may be due to other settings and doing the resets is needed to test.

The bigger concern is I believe along with this issue is another more serious one pertaining to vibrating the sensor at times it shouldn't and more violently than designed. Monday I'll speak with Pentax and show them these issues.
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 03-07-2014, 11:25 AM  
K5 IIs firmware v1.07 possible bugs
Posted By RogerD_AZ
Replies: 23
Views: 6,049
@gbeaton: I've barely used video in the past so I don't know it's previous behavior. But, I just tried it at camera default settings. If by moving the camera you mean swinging it from a shadow part of the scene to brightly lit (shade to sun) I feel it readjusts exposure quickly, accurately without going too bright/dark first then zeroing in. It was very decisive.

Correct, it won't let you revert back to older firmware, even tried changing the bin file header to older version. That just caused an error "update file damaged". So that old trick no longer works.

Thank you both for the feedback.
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 03-07-2014, 02:29 AM  
K5 IIs firmware v1.07 possible bugs
Posted By RogerD_AZ
Replies: 23
Views: 6,049
Updated K5 IIs to v1.07, seems a bug / with video example

* Status screen auto rotate fails to rotate at times and sometimes rotates the wrong way by 180 degrees (IOW upside down). Turning on/off normally fixes it. Taking a picture fixes it.
* Level display same problem, sometimes doesn't rotate with camera, level "sticks" at times (while tilting/rotating camera the level sticks as if if camera isn't being moved). Turning on/off normally fixes it, taking a picture fixes it.
EDIT: start up/wake noise I confirmed is normal, only the screen failing to rotate is a bug.

If anyone can confirm these issues pre or post v1.07 update please chime in, thanks in advance.

link to video:
https://vimeo.com/album/2768614/video/88578709

Thank you,
Roger D
Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II 11-01-2010, 09:25 PM  
K5 front/backfocus - WOW!
Posted By RogerD_AZ
Replies: 35
Views: 15,604
just my worthless .02, but has been nagging at me since I read that method a long time ago. it is common knowledge that different specturms of light focus at different planes (on the film/sensor), thus focus is really only correct for one color of light, I assume 5500k.. which is why lenses had infrared focus marks.. with that said.. I've never been confident that using light from a monitor is the hot setup.. and I found trying to focus on that pattern, for me, to not be repeatable... so far I've found focusing on something slightly textured like pine wood with a black mark on it then zoomed in Adobe Bridge (or whatever) at 400+ magnification and looking at pixel contrast to be the most accurate...

as for the angled focus test chart.. I think that is worthless.. something flat and shot three times each starting at infinity seems best.. and is what Canon purports as the way to do it.

again, just my .02

Roger
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 11-01-2010, 09:17 PM  
Katzeye Optibrite - Why don't camera makers install their own versions as default?
Posted By RogerD_AZ
Replies: 20
Views: 6,076
I've had a Katzeye w/Optibright installed for about a week now on my K20D. A little back story: I used to shoot film, 35mm, and my Canon AE-1 had the split/prism and I NEVER had a shot out of focus, blurry from shake yes, but missed focused.. We never even discussed such a "silly" thing back then unless we were shooting moving subjects.. well, since I had my K20D end of 08 I've been frustrated by slightly missed focus (how much/often depends on the subject of course). I also host a rather large camera club here in Tucson (400 members) and over the past two years I've shot with just about everything brand/model camera you can buy.. and they all can get tripped up at times using AF. well, the link below take you to what you can do EVERYTIME with a Katzeye screen. Shot about a foot away with a M 50mm F1.4 at 1.4.

http://impliedphoto.com/images/K20D-50mm-f1.4-Katzeye.jpg

Pros & Cons:

Pros:
+ Brighter than stock, not that stock is bad at all.. but it is brighter.
+++ More contrasty than stock and makes using the ground glass area usable
+++ Due to being more contrasty using DOF preview now really gives you an idea of DOF where the stock screen tends to give the feeling lots more is in focus than really is.
+ Metering seems the same, maybe spot is off a bit.. but nothing a photographer isn't used to calibrating for anyway as meters are all a bit different from each other
+ Thanks to Pentax super easy to install (run your bathroom shower hot for a bit and change screens in there to keep dust down).
++ Price, compared to how much I've spent in gear to take tack sharp images this $150.00 is nothing to ensure focus is dead on every time.
+++ Reaching their support (Rachael) is quick and easy and very friendly, helpful and responsive.

Cons:
-- Preface: I've built high precision race engines for over 20 years and to "us" 1/2 thousand of an inch can make the difference between wining and losing a race due to vibration, drag on engine parts, etc. So I have a huge amount of respect for such extremely fine measurements. On to the "con". When I went to install it I noticed I had to put what consider a fair amount more pressure on the frame that holds screen for it to latch, and it didn't latch solid sounding. In fact, I had to use the rubber gloved finger tip to apply enough pressure (using the tweezers wasn't enough) and take the tweezers and push the retaining click into the frame. After about 20 shots, as I feared, the frame opened and the screen fell onto the mirror. Upon trying to remove the lens I felt the resistance and tilted the camera a bit and the lens came off. This could have been disastrous as whatever caught on the lens (probably the screen itself) could have shattered, bent the screen frame, etc.

I wrote Rachel and asked "what up with this". Below is her reply:

"Hi Roger,

It sounds like what's happened here is that the latch has become slightly
bent, so that it does not readily grab the little tab on the frame when the
frame is pressed closed. The KatzEye screen is in fact very slightly
thicker than the Pentax screen (a few thousandths of an inch), but it is
well within the thickness the frame is designed to accommodate and we have a
great many of these in the field without a problem. I have seen this happen
with the latch before though, and it can easily occur if slightly too much
force was used in opening the frame or if it was bent slightly off by the
factory. The solution is just to bend the latch ever so slightly, so that
it grabs the tab with a bit more force. I'd be happy to do that for you if
you want to send in the camera or you could attempt it yourself by simply
opening the frame and very gently pressing the empty latch toward the rear
of the camera. I am sorry you have encountered this difficulty and if there
is anything else I can do to help resolve the problem, please do not
hesitate to let me know."

Now, having owned two K20Ds and worked with at least four more via my local club, I'm 100% confident my latch isn't wasn't bent nor anything else "odd" with my camera. I believe, and short of testing it a few more times with different bodies and screens, it is directly due to that "few thousands" of inch she referred to. Now, I don't think anything is being harmed using this screen (although if/when I install the OEM screen I may find different), but could foresee whatever the hinge mechanism is being flexed a bit, maybe even pulling it enough that in the future an OEM screen might not close down quite as snug as prior. Personally, I'd like to see them use the same thickness screens within Pentax's thickness tolerances, whatever those might be.. and for all I know this "thicker" screen is within that. But, to date I've not had any screen snap in place differently than another.

Quite possibly the "sweet" fix if this is an issue is obtaining the MF shims and using a slightly thinner one so the install "click" is the same. But, I really doubt I'm ever taking this puppy out :) Now, on the other hand I've read many people that installed this on their K20D and never a mention of it being more difficult to install.. then again, Rachel did have the cure and said she's familiar with it.. so, I mustn't be the only one.

I did ask her about performing this upgrade to OEM screens, they have tried and didn't like the results so far, but haven't given up on perfecting it. Maybe some day? :)

Some observations and thoughts:

* MF focus must be right on and adjusted if not, these are shims above the screen.. Pentax will adjust it for you, or you can order their shims and do it yourself. Katzeye offers the service as well for a nominal fee.

* With this installed you will quickly learn the K20Ds auto focus is deadly accurate.. WHEN it knows exactly what to focus on.. you'll soon get a feel for if there is any stronger contrast closer or further than your focus point within about 15% of your screen area around the focus point it locks onto that.. in other words, if you only shot flat services with strong contrast your AF will probably be dead on every time. In my club I'm finding this true to variing extents with all brands of cameras.. Possibly Canon being "smarter" than most, but still has the same problem.

* Makes an excellent double check to your auto focus, you know instantly if it missed focus.

* Once you know MF is dead on, calibrating your lenses AF becomes a piece of cake.. just use the split and straight line to focus on.. once AF makes it "straight" it's right on.

* None of my DA* lenses are really in focus at infinity as were lenses of the old days.. so walking and flash shooting (using infinity as a trusted mark) isn't possible.. with this it is... just focus on something in the infinity range and you're good to go.

* From what I understand AF does NOT pass through the focus screen at all.. BUT, and I may be on drugs here, but I sure seem to think AF is working in lower light (I'm talking a modeling light in a softbox at about 40 watts in a pitch black studio).. and working quite well.. can the brighter screen help.. I don't know.. and again, I only shot once so far in such dim light.. but don't think I could have ever done that before.. odd.. your mileage may vary.

In summery:

If you've missed the sure focus of days gone by, get it NOW.. :)

If you have never used a split/prism, but have been frustrated with missed focus.. this baby will make you smile :)

hope that helps..
Roger
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 05-25-2010, 09:21 PM  
DA* 50-135mm owners: could you check something for me?
Posted By RogerD_AZ
Replies: 21
Views: 4,079
Thought I'd update this with the outcome..

Under warranty sent lens to CRIS Camera via Pentax's recommendation.

Per service notes: Adjusted zoom barrel and installed packing spacers.

I asked the following questions: * Cause of play (worn, prior service, common/normal) [no response] * Are packing spacers used at factory [they said yes] * Is weather sealing compromised [they said no].

There is absolutely no play in zoom ring now. It is also firmer to twist (not so much it feels like too much, but much firmer than when new).

Prior to sending it in I spoke with Pentax about the play. They pulled one off the shelf and and stated it had "some" play, but really had to look for it. Mine was loose enough that if I picked the camera up by the zoom ring I felt a definite "slip". Think I had more than their shelf unit.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 05-25-2010, 09:20 PM  
HELP NEEDED: DA*50-135mm play in zoom ring
Posted By RogerD_AZ
Replies: 8
Views: 2,461
Thought I'd update this with the outcome..

Under warranty sent lens to CRIS Camera via Pentax's recommendation.

Per service notes: Adjusted zoom barrel and installed packing spacers.

I asked the following questions: * Cause of play (worn, prior service, common/normal) [no response] * Are packing spacers used at factory [they said yes] * Is weather sealing compromised [they said no].

There is absolutely no play in zoom ring now. It is also firmer to twist (not so much it feels like too much, but much firmer than when new).

Prior to sending it in I spoke with Pentax about the play. They pulled one off the shelf and and stated it had "some" play, but really had to look for it. Mine was loose enough that if I picked the camera up by the zoom ring I felt a definite "slip". Think I had more than their shelf unit.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 05-10-2010, 09:21 PM  
DA* 50-135mm owners: could you check something for me?
Posted By RogerD_AZ
Replies: 21
Views: 4,079
I thought I'd throw in I bought all my gear (apx 2,800.00) from Adorama via Bing Cash Back, Bing.com, and really did get about $240.00 back. many popular sites are used via Bing. Certainly work checking out as for it is one of the rare "something for nothing" things in life.

Have bought via Bing many times since and always gotten some cash back.. just an FYI
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 05-10-2010, 08:35 PM  
DA* 50-135mm owners: could you check something for me?
Posted By RogerD_AZ
Replies: 21
Views: 4,079
Dave... thank you... seems we both are sharing the same finding and mindset... I really hate sending things in when there isn't a problem... seems one ends up creeping in for me if there wasn't..

again, thank you for the help..

Roger
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 05-09-2010, 08:48 PM  
HELP NEEDED: DA*50-135mm play in zoom ring
Posted By RogerD_AZ
Replies: 8
Views: 2,461
Thank you all for your input and Happy Shooting!
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 05-06-2010, 09:14 PM  
HELP NEEDED: DA*50-135mm play in zoom ring
Posted By RogerD_AZ
Replies: 8
Views: 2,461
Jeff,

Odd, I see it.. I've attached the image via upload this time.. hopefully you all can see it now..

Thank you..
Roger
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 05-06-2010, 12:59 PM  
DA* 50-135mm owners: could you check something for me?
Posted By RogerD_AZ
Replies: 21
Views: 4,079
Wondering if you exchanged the lens, improvement?

Sounds like I may have a similar problem I'm asking for help with here

Thanks in advance...
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 05-06-2010, 04:30 AM  
HELP NEEDED: DA*50-135mm play in zoom ring
Posted By RogerD_AZ
Replies: 8
Views: 2,461
Hello all,

If you own this lens would mind checking & letting me know if you have the same play in the zoom ring. I've searched, and didn't find this question. One similar, but the play was fore & aft. Nor does anyone in my area carry it.

My warranty is about to expire on my DA* 50-135mm and I'm noticing some play up & down in the focus ring. As I recently received it back when having the K20D body serviced they also "adjusted manual focus" on this lens. I don't think it had this play prior, but not sure and my biggest concern is if the weather sealing been compromised, of course along with worn parts.

It's a bit fussy to notice and describe so I attached the below drawing for clarity. I have enough play that a 'tick' can be heard when moving it up/down.

Thank you in advance for your help,
Roger

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