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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
04-25-2022, 04:50 AM
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I had that with a screw-drive lens, and it was because the gear had been bumped and misaligned. It was a reasonably easy repair and required no parts.
For a DC lens, it might be the same fundamental problem, but trickier to troubleshoot and no repair shops apart from the authorized ones will have parts.
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Forum: Lens Clubs
12-07-2014, 07:04 PM
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In case you're interested, here are my recommendations for BIF;
TAv mode:
- Set aperture for sharpest MTF - f/5.6 with the DA*300, f/8 if you're also using the TC. Shoot at f/8 with 55-300mm, do not use a TC. If you're shooting in dim conditions, the DA*300 is acceptable wide open, even with the TC. The 55-300 is unacceptably soft wide open.
- Shutter speed according to conditions. I find 1/1000s works most of the time. Never go below 1/500s. Don't be afraid to push ISO. Noise is correctable, motion blur is not
AF-C focus mode, Hi-Speed continuous burst:
Center AF point, with 27 point expansion
For dark coloured birds, add 0.5EV compensation, fine tune in p-p
Custom Menu Parameter Settings:
16. 1st frame action in AF-C - Focus priority (make sure focus is on the target before shooting, or you'll have a string of misses)
17. Action in AF-C Continuous - Focus Priority
18. Hold AF status - Low (bump up to Medium or High if there will be interrupted line of sight to the target
EDIT: I forgot to mention one important point. Turn off SR for panning.
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
05-11-2016, 11:25 AM
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I wouldn't name Sigma a competitor. Sigma fills some niches Pentax leaves unfilled or takes long in filling.
And the availability of a huge range of lenses is something camera buyers look out for, not brand awareness.
If we focus on one kind of "standard" zoom lens, the fast 70-200, then Pentax didn't offer anything in the last decade.
The 80-200/2.8 "power zoom" was discontinued in 2004, and the next lens in that range just came out this year.
So users had to use 3rd-party lenses, and when you compare Tamron's offering, that still uses the outdated screwdrive AF (slow&noisy), the now infamous Sigma 70-200/2.8 II HSM was the logical choice.
The same applies for users of ultra-wideangle lenses. On APS-C, the shortest lens offered by Pentax is the 12-24; Sigma offers a 8-16. That's a vast difference. On full-frame, the shortest rectilinear lens offered by Pentax is the rebranded Tamron 15-30, whilst Sigma used to offer a 12-24. Again, a big difference, if not as huge as between the two APS-C lenses.
Yes, Pentax doesn't exist in a vacuum or in an ivory tower; they should be aware that there are real reasons for their customers to use 3rd-party lenses. Hence a simplistic "it's 3rd-party, we don't care" stance isn't the way to go, that would be blind and dumb arrogance.
And we've seen that Pentax, being not the largest and fastest shark in the pond, takes some time and energy to come up with new lenses. Most of these are not Pentax designs, but OEM products by other lensmakers, Tamron and apparently Tokina. So Pentax (and us Pentax users) would profit from a cooperation with Sigma. Sigma on their side would also profit from that, using licensed specifications instead of having to reengineer everything.
Regarding Tamron: As a licensed OEM lens manufacturer, they should be abled to offer more of their lens portfolio for Pentax users. Of course, direct competitors of lenses that are sold rebranded as Pentax lenses won't do, but Tamron has lots of lenses that are neither OEM'd by Pentax nor competitors to anything else Pentax has to offer - see for instance the 150-600/5-6.3.
And we Pentax users would have the chance of using longer lenses without selling our cars - the 560/5.6 may be a lens of outstanding quality, but it's plainly much to expensive, so the aforementioned Tamron lens clearly fishes in another pond. And just think about Nikon's 200-500/5.6, which costs about two thirds of what Pentax wants for the 70-200/2.8.
Well, let's hope that the K-1 blew enough fresh wind in the camera market so that we users could get more lenses and Pentax more market share.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
04-20-2015, 01:10 PM
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
12-13-2014, 03:30 PM
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The Gateway
This picture was made with an iso bracketing.
Using 1600/3200/6400 iso added like an HDR with Photomatix
K3 - Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 @ f/2.0
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
08-30-2014, 08:55 AM
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So here i am... from a side to another !
Made this picture with a particular process :
Two series of 15s f/2.0 shoot, One with 3200iso and a second with 6400iso
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
02-04-2015, 03:12 PM
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Is it now i can say; Told you so!!! to everyone that was sceptical towards me, and accused me for trolling? haha!
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
02-03-2015, 02:45 PM
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I wish i could share everything, but i cant. I wont risk my good relationship with Pentax. But i have seen a little bit of dummy's and prototypes (mostly pictures, since they are in another part of the world) and of course different roadmaps Ricoh/Pentax have made, where they have pinpointed out where and what etc. And i have meetings with Pentax all the times...But i've said it before; 2015 will be a good year of many to come, for Pentax :)
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
01-30-2015, 01:27 PM
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As a long-time lurker of this sub-forum, I just want to say that I appreciate your enthusiasm and your willingness to share it with us. On behalf of the silent majority (minority? Just me?) who come to read all this for a hopeful glimpse of the future and don't want to post and get involved in all the discussion, thank you for sharing your confidence in the future.
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Forum: Lens Clubs
08-06-2014, 09:55 PM
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An Allens (or maybe Rufous) hummingbird with DA*300 on Q7
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
08-02-2014, 07:01 PM
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Personally, I believe that its a stunning image. I just happened to be pursing Space.com and they are looking for images.
 Quote: Editor's Note: If you capture an amazing view of any night sky object and would like to share your images for a possible gallery or story, send images and comments to Space.com managing editor Tariq Malik at: spacephotos@space.com. Take a look at their other postings also. There is a wide variety of shots, that they publish. I also think that with the O-GPS1 and the current crop of K bodies, there is an excellent story here, around both the shot and the equipment.
:cool:
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
11-05-2013, 11:23 AM
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2.5s , f8, ISO 100, Sigma 10-20 4-5.6
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
10-22-2013, 08:35 AM
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You Tube
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src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oUXBLTWdKjs?controls=1" allowfullscreen>
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-16-2013, 10:02 AM
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Hi mgbirder,
While AF-C works, I don't use it much with the AFA. Although I'm primarily a birder, I don't shoot BIF much because I live in a very large urban area, and there really aren't many ops to shoot interesting birds in flight.
For BIF, with such quick action, the manual prefocusing can make things a bit frantic, and I've never felt the need to develop the technique to shoot them. For this, I'd rather shoot a straight FL lens, and 300mm is about as long as I'd want to go for practical shooting as otherwise I have too much trouble spotting the subject in the VF. For distant subjects, where the range of distances covered are within the AFA's focusing range, AF-C works fine, and is very quick since the focusing elements of the AFA are very small and light compared to the focusing groups of a typical lens, and the throw from lock to lock in the focusing range is relatively short.
That being said, I do shoot macro using AF-C with a Pentax DA F 100 f2.8 macro and a Sigma EX 180 f3.5 APO DG macro. This works well for me with my shooting style -- handheld with flash. The AFA gives me almost a 1.9x bump in magnification (I assume because it allows a bit closer MFD) and the severe limit to focusing range makes a full lock AF hunt only cover a few mm. I'm pretty much a casual macro shooter, and nowhere as critical as the best that we can see here and elsewhere. . .
Scott
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-15-2013, 04:32 PM
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Hi Preptilezz,
This is sometimes easier said than done. At present, there are no TCs that will reliably AF with an SDM lens. By reliably, I mean that the addition of the TC is essentially transparent, except for obvious difference that max aperture changes in proportion to the mag of the TC. The long promised (but still vaporware) 1.4x SDM TC could change that if it ever is introduced. This would add some flexibility to the DA*300 as you could also shoot it at 420mm f 5.6.
At this time, the only "TC" that will AF reliably with the DA* 300 is the 1.7x AFA, and this results in a max aperture of f6.8 (f4.5 x 1.7 -- about 1.5 stops difference) with this lens. IMO, this combo will probably yield better IQ than any of the Sigma xx-500 zooms and do it with less bulk and weight, but I have not compared them directly. My personal favorite ~500mm setup is the FA* 300 f4.5 + the 1.7x AFA (510mm f7.7). It's ultimately handholdable with good technique, and IMO sharpness and contrast trumps the fractional stop slower max aperture. Also, the AFA's AF is very quick, it will AF in all but the darkest daylight conditions, and the AFA acts as a natural focus limiter since it needs manual prefocusing to within its focusing range. This sounds like a PIA, but I find myself using the AFA for its focus limiting as much as for the added magnification. I had my FA* before the DA* was introduced, and I chose to stay with the FA* despite the 1/3 stop slower max aperture because the FA* is smaller and lighter, the DA* is only a touch sharper, and the FA*, being a screw drive lens, would give me the added flexibility of being able to use a good 1.4x TC. The DA* also has a shorter MFD, at 4 ft, but this would really add little to my utilization of the lens, except for maybe butterfly shooting -- just not enough to justify over $1K outlay and the replacement of an old friend.
The only 500mm lens that has interested me in the least has been the Sigma EX 500 f4.5 APO and APO DG, but the Minimum Focusing Distance at @ 13 ft, and the weight, bulk, and expense of the lens would just not be justifiable for me. I can get similar performance from a 300 f2.8 (I already have 3 different ones I use) and the 1.7x AFA (510mm f4.8), and the 300/2.8 + AFA combo also gives me a much closer MFD of 6-8 ft which is more useful for the way I shoot.
Scott
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-13-2013, 07:44 AM
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I've been happy with my Sigma 150-500 lens . I find it's very sharp throughout the 150-500 range. I'm very 'persnickety' about sharpness and I'm more than satisfied with the Sigma's performance.
However I do recommend the following:
The Sigma works best around F 10- F 11. I use 800- 1600 ISO...which is not a problem with a modern DSLR like my K-5.
I use spot AF and I aim for the eye of the subject.
I try to position myself so there is sunlight on the subject .
The Sigma 150-500 is a very large and heavy lens. However I use it hand held. With birds I find they move too often and quickly for a monopod or tripod mounted lens/camera. I can usually stay with them...more often...using my photographic equipment hand held.
Before I bought the Sigma I did a lot of research...on Pentax and Canon forums. After awhile of looking at photos (taken with the 150-500) and reading reviews I came to the conclusion that using appropriate camera/lens settings (prev. discussed in my post) made a significant difference to the success. I also came to the realization that many photographers weren't taking care with their settings and were not experiencing success, but then blaming the lens.
But this is not just limited to a large Telephoto...it's the case with any lens.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
10-11-2013, 07:43 AM
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I would find this amazingly useful for macro work - especially ground level stuff on things like small flowers etc, or animals on the ground etc. However, I have three main concerns:
1) Liveview lag - how many fps will this manage
2) Input lag - what will the delay be in camera control from the smartphone - and will it support literally all functionality? or just basic Av etc modes
3) What's the hit on battery life to both the camera and the phone - this could be pretty significant
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
10-07-2013, 03:55 PM
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This K3 will be awsome for birders ! :cool:
For my type of photography (80-90 % birding), these specs below, until proven otherwise through reviews, will likely make me buy it in the near future:
(aside from the video improvement - which is good for those who need it though)
1. 24 MP: from 16 MP .... is this better for cropping? I would imagine it would be.
2. 27 points AF ... I would assume that this will be a plus for "tracking"
3. 8.3 fps ... good for me ! (read: BIF)
4. 200,000 clicks shutter life: again a great piece of news. Also good for resale value.
5. 86K- pixel metering: more likely to improve on "tracking" ... no idea why but I am guessing !
6. dual SD cards .... yeah !! I wonder of one will be able to use this new "FLU" card in one slot and a "normal" card in the other.
7. larger/brighter viewfinder .... another "Yeah!"
8. Great buffer (RAW). With BIF ... a good buffer sure comes in handy. The bigger, the better.
All in all, this is all great news and I am sure it will also attract newcomers to the Pentax family. Might even see more people switching from "other brands".
Can't wait to see the performance from users with telephoto lenses in the "higher" ranges: 300, 400, 500mm .... etc.
Cheers!
JP
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Forum: Pentax Q
11-13-2012, 11:19 AM
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It looks like the same configuration as the xtend-a-sight so at least with my Da*300 and Sigma 70-200 2.8 it clears just fine.
I'm using an rd-10 as well on Barondla's recommendation.
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
09-24-2012, 09:58 PM
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mgbirder,
The photo shows the EXT. port of the 540 (sorry for the lousy quality). At the tip of the toothpick, in the groove of the port, is a spring-loaded switch. When an external power cord is plugged in, it pushes the switch in, telling the flash that there is an external power source.
The switch is stuck in the "in" position. You can use a needle, trying to push/pull the switch down and the internal spring will push the switch out.
If that does not free the switch, there is a simple workaround: change the charging mode to PP2. See the manual page below:
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
03-28-2012, 07:14 PM
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Once again agreed. I doubt the 560 will ever be a profit center no matter how they price it. I think the old ASHAI folks made lenses
because they liked to make lenses. But it did sell cameras--- at least a few. I made a fairly considered decision to go with Pentax
as the brand of choice in the screw mount days (around 1970) I studied the various choices pretty carefully recognizing that once I started
with a brand it would be quite difficult (and expensive) to change. My plan was to select a brand that was affordable, that seemed likely
to be around for a while and accumulate lenses etc. over a lifetime to build a system. Although there were others then as now,
the finalists in my search included Canikon and Pentax.
I felt then that Pentax was a lens company selling cameras, and that their glass was a good buy---as good or better than the competition and priced lower. More than 40 years down the road I have had no reason to change my opinion. I think long glass is something that Pentax needed to do. because an optical system isn't complete without it, but a big seller it won't be.
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
10-18-2011, 04:15 PM
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I realize this is an old thread, but I wanted to state that the FX-1/1B fits the AF 360 FGZ very nicely. Got mine today and it went on without a hitch. I had tried the FX-2, but it was too big.
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Forum: Pentax K-01
02-04-2012, 10:16 PM
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aside from what you already stated;
>the boxy build does seem make the camera more secure to hold.
>mirrorless would eliminate mirror slaps or camera shake that would make images seems soft due to being slightly off-focus.
>double shutter cycle is not present on the K-01 (which would make sharper and on-focus images).
I think this would appeal those who haven't bought the K-5 yet more than someone who owns the K-5. the price is the difference maker here. price the K-5 around $750 and we might still see a pretty close battle. although I would still choose the K-01. I have the K-7 btw, so I'm pretty much aware of what I'm gaining with the K-01.
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