Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 
Log in or register to remove ads.

Showing results 1 to 25 of 300 Search:
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 04-08-2014, 02:10 AM  
Preserving the rubber grip on older lenses...
Posted By Lloydy
Replies: 23
Views: 6,616
No gentleman ventures into the country without a pair of Hunter wellies on his feet, and to protect and condition the wellies there is this, the rubber boot buffer.

Rain Boots | Men, Women & Kids Boots | Hunter Boots

I looked at the label and it's nearly all paraffin.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 03-19-2014, 05:12 PM  
Why deactivate SDM?
Posted By Lloydy
Replies: 8
Views: 1,495
I firmly believe that with SDM lenses. I rarely use my 50-135 and if I don't get it on the camera and exercise it by waving it about and letting the AF work through its range then it will stop working. When it does I find that if I point the lens down at the floor and keep pressing the AF button it comes back to life. But this is only after long periods of not using it - months rather than days. I've got into the habit of just pointing it around the room most days now, and it works perfectly.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 03-19-2014, 04:58 PM  
Mir 1B 37mm lens, adapters, mirror bumping
Posted By Lloydy
Replies: 3
Views: 2,632
mine has 5 mm max protruding from the back of the M42 thread, a lot less than many of the other M42 lenses I've got.
Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories 02-06-2014, 02:45 PM  
Tripod recommendations needed for 65" eye level
Posted By Lloydy
Replies: 31
Views: 4,820
Once you've owned a Benbo, you'll never go back to ordinary tripods. :cool:
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 02-05-2014, 04:20 PM  
How many lenses do you have?
Posted By Lloydy
Replies: 2,021
Views: 188,691
I'm sad Rio Rico can no longer enjoy the photography he loved so much, I learned a lot from him. Not just about the lenses, mostly about looking through them.

I doubt that I'm up to his count yet, but it's heading that way with 156 35mm lenses, I think there's 6 or 7 AF lenses in there. 37 SLR camera's, one digital. 1 mirrorless camera, 3 120 film cameras and some lenses. 18 rangefinders, 5 folders and 1 underwater camera. And there's a big box of dead stuff under the spare bed that I need to sort out, some might be salvageable? I need to sell some shit!!:D
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 02-05-2014, 04:00 AM  
Name this lens defect!
Posted By Lloydy
Replies: 8
Views: 1,454
Possibly oil from separating helicoid grease that is creeping on to the elements ? or maybe schneideritis - where the black paint around the edge of an element degrades and lets light in through the edge, but that is usually more whitish spots?
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 02-04-2014, 05:38 AM  
Fungus? Haze?
Posted By Lloydy
Replies: 22
Views: 7,483
I agree with Tom's experience. I've never had fungus transfer from a lens to a camera - to another lens. If I get a lens that's affected then I leave it on a window ledge without the caps, and no filters, for a few weeks before I clean it. And for that I use cold cream, plaster it on the elements and leave it an hour or so and then wash it off with soapy water, then lens cleaning fluid. A lot of people recommend alcohol to clean elements but I've had alcohol remove the black paint from around the edge of elements so I now always start with the benign option of cold cream. And I've had great success with it, you just have to be a bit patient and let it work.

Of course, if the fungus has been left for a long time and it has secreted the acid deposits then nothing is going to save the glass. The two elements below have had the fungus cleaned off with cold cream but the acid etching is deep in the glass, I can feel it with my fingers on the left element.
The left element is ruined, both sides are deeply etched and you can clearly see the filamental pattern in places. The element on the right was from a different lens and has small portions of etching, the crescent is particularly deep.
But this was the only element in both lenses ( Left element -Minolta Rokkor 135 / 2.8 Right element Olympus Zuiko 135 / 3.5 ) that was affected, every other element was spotless. Which makes me much more relaxed about the threat of rampant fungus from an infected lens.

[IMG]
fungused elements par David Lloyd, on ipernity[/IMG]

If a lens has light fungus then I'll kill it with sunlight / UV and then use it and store it with the rest of my lenses - in partitioned, non airtight, storage boxes that are translucent. I always store them without caps, let the air circulate and the light in. I also run a dehumidifier where I keep my lenses. In a climate where it has been known to be cold and damp I haven't had any lenses in a collection of around 150 and 40 cameras that have developed fungus, or got worse if they already have it.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 02-03-2014, 04:46 PM  
Fungus? Haze?
Posted By Lloydy
Replies: 22
Views: 7,483
The Pentax 100 macro is a great lens, they fetch good money as well. So, that might not be the best lens to practice on?
It looks and sounds from your description to be in a bad way, but as long as any fungus hasn't etched into the glass - fungus secretes an acid - then the glass should clean well enough to be perfectly useable. It's hard to tell from the picture, but maybe it's just condensation and water stains? At worst, it's separation of cemented elements.
Personally I would have a go at cleaning it, but I have cleaned and repaired many lenses, and wrecked a few as well. And I doubt that it's a complicated lens.
But if you want to keep it and use it, I'd be tempted to get it looked at by someone with some experience to see if it is worth saving.
The Tokina is a cheap and cheerful 300 telephoto, it's a decent lens but there's plenty of cheap ones about. i'd practice with the Tokina. ;)
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 02-03-2014, 04:28 PM  
I developed my first roll of film!!!
Posted By Lloydy
Replies: 17
Views: 2,923
Excellent results, both the pictures and the developing. :cool:
Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories 02-02-2014, 03:54 PM  
Ball Head Review: Giottos MH 1301-656
Posted By Lloydy
Replies: 6
Views: 17,620
I've got an old Benbo ballhead that came with a Trekker tripod many years ago that I lubricate. It's as basic a ballhead as you can get, just one screw to lock it - and it locks solid. But it was always a bit stuck when I released the screw and it moved with a jerk as it initially released, and it was kinda stiff and rough. So I very lightly greased it, and transformed it. it works perfectly, still locks solid and is smooth to use. I just have to clean it with Zippo fuel occasionally and use a bit of fresh grease.
I also had to lubricate the tilt on a Manfrotto pan and tilt head, which is much newer and has PTFE bushes in the moving parts. Two of the movements are fine, but the tilt was jerky and had no 'feel' to it at all, so I've lightly lubed it with some silicone oil and it's perfect.
These heads are generally designed without lubrication, and I wonder if that's the right thing? If the bearing surface uses PTFE or similar materials, and it can be kept clean, then it should be good. but keeping the crap and dust out of a ballhead is just about impossible.
Manufacturers however, don't want to sell anything that requires some maintenance, and even though I'm sure you care for your gear and keep it clean, that might not be enough to get the kind of longevity from the ballhead we'd expect. Things aren't built to last a lifetime anymore, just live out the warranty.
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 02-02-2014, 03:25 PM  
PentaxForums.com February Daily Giveaway: Win a 35mm, 40mm, or 50mm lens!
Posted By Lloydy
Replies: 410
Views: 38,684
Just about 100 posts in a 4 hour sitting, That's a winner!
Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories 02-02-2014, 03:20 AM  
Ball Head Review: Giottos MH 1301-656
Posted By Lloydy
Replies: 6
Views: 17,620
That's disappointing for what is sold as a premium product, they have a good reputation. But perhaps it is the natural life expectancy of a well used ball head? They are manufactured and designed to work without lubrication, relying on low friction surfaces, so maybe there's a limit to what we can expect? Although I would have expected a lot longer life from a quality ball head.
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 02-01-2014, 04:06 PM  
PentaxForums.com February Daily Giveaway: Win a 35mm, 40mm, or 50mm lens!
Posted By Lloydy
Replies: 410
Views: 38,684
"I still haven't written the script that's going to be tracking the winners/current frontrunners, but it's quite likely that raw postcount will be augmented in some way using likes or something to that effect.

Adam
PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide | Site Help | My Photography)"


Now that's a recipe for some lively discussion. It's a great idea Adam, but I think you're heading for a bun fight.
Forum: General Talk 02-01-2014, 03:55 PM  
Flickr "Favorites" Question
Posted By Lloydy
Replies: 29
Views: 2,831
I think some people use 'cut and paste' programs to leave comments as well, there's a guy who comments on every picture I put on Ipernity, and the comments seem to go in a regular cycle, he's even commented "Very nice composition" on a picture that is just a detail crop from another picture.
Maybe its some obsessive compulsive thing ?
Forum: General Talk 01-31-2014, 05:36 PM  
Not Pentax but i thought it was neat
Posted By Lloydy
Replies: 6
Views: 1,240
They are curious creatures, there's a vixen that get's on our front garden most nights and if I hear her digging for worms I sometimes go to watch her, and no matter how carefully I creep up to the window with the lights off she knows I'm there and just sits still watching me, watching her.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 01-31-2014, 05:22 PM  
I think I bought a dog. :(
Posted By Lloydy
Replies: 33
Views: 3,496
That's some nasty fringing, some of the worst I've seen- and I've got a world class collection of crap lenses. But it's easy to fix, just knock the magenta out in Photoshop - desaturate it. I took some of the blue out as well. It saves a picture, but ideally you want to shoot without it, and that's going to be down to getting out and testing the lens with real world tests. For fringing I like trees without leaves and TV antennas, keep changing apertures and chimping, there will likely be a sweet spot. [IMG]
IMGP1919 modded par David Lloyd, on ipernity[/IMG]
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 01-31-2014, 05:00 PM  
FD or something else?
Posted By Lloydy
Replies: 7
Views: 1,422
I've been trying to sell a CLA'd Canon A1 with a few lenses and winder for over 12 months for a cheap price - £50 UK Pounds - and I haven't even had one enquiry. And a lot of other camera guys I know say the same thing, Canon manual focus stuff just doesn't sell. I can sell Zenits for more money than I'm asking for this excellent Canon A1.
Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories 01-27-2014, 10:12 AM  
Permanently attach M42 adapter to lens
Posted By Lloydy
Replies: 15
Views: 3,860
This is how I drill M42 lenses to accept the Pentax locking pin. The jig is a dead ME Super front plate with the lock pin removed, then I use the hole to guide a drill.
This picture is just for illustration - when used in anger I clamp the flanged bit of the camera body in a vice so the whole thing sits horizontal, I tape the back of the lens to keep the crap out, and drill a shallow hole - maybe 1.5mm deep - with a hand drill to ensure good control.

[IMG]
drilling 2 par David Lloyd, on ipernity[/IMG]

( No working or valuable cameras were destroyed in making of this jig ;) )
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 01-26-2014, 03:30 PM  
Vivitar series 1 105mm macro
Posted By Lloydy
Replies: 23
Views: 2,844
That's gone on my wanted list! Very impressive shots from that Vivitar. :cool:
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 01-26-2014, 02:30 PM  
Replacing mirror dampening foam with felt?
Posted By Lloydy
Replies: 26
Views: 10,545
What do you do on a wet and windy Sunday afternoon? break out the tools and resurrect some old classics. I replaced the light seals in the second Yashica FX-D Quartz today. The first one I did maybe 2 years ago and used felt for the mirror bumper and since then I've probably run about 3 films through it. I have too many cameras.....:hmm:
I changed the seals on the latest one but used foam for the mirror bumper, just to see if there might be a noticeable difference.

My very unscientific method of testing for mirror slap and general vibration from a camera is to mount the camera on something solid like my ancient Slik Pro tripod aka "the scaffolding", get a lens rear cap with a drop of water in it and balance it on the hotshoe, get a good strong sidelight, set the camera on self timer and shoot at different speeds. The unscientific bit is that I then judge the degree of ripples in the water. I guess the scientific method would be to use some fancy electronic vibration level meter ( we had bearing vibration level meters at work and maybe one of those might be the answer? but I've retired and haven't got access to it now )
I've used this method for years to see if tripods are any good, and I think it's actually a good easy test. I've got rid of a few tripods after this test. ( top tip, use a Zenit as the mirror slap is seismic )

So,,,,,what is my conclusion? felt or foam? surprisingly the felt is smoother - less ripples - and noticeably quieter. I expected no difference to be honest, but there is. It's very little, and I've driven my wife mad by clicking away for the last 3/4 hour. :lol: Maybe the foam I used is harder than the OEM foam, to be fair it probably is, and kits would hopefully come with the same grade foam.

Like I said earlier "your mileage might vary", but don't discount felt mirror bumpers. ;)
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 01-26-2014, 03:46 AM  
Gear P0rn - post it if you got it.
Posted By Lloydy
Replies: 9,455
Views: 1,217,410
I've got a spare O1F Tamron X2, but I can't find the Minolta converter on it's own! :mad:
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 01-25-2014, 05:05 PM  
Gear P0rn - post it if you got it.
Posted By Lloydy
Replies: 9,455
Views: 1,217,410
I like that Vivitar Boris, I've been kinda looking for one. I have a Tamron 90 / 2.5 Macro and the wonderful Rokkor Macro 100 / 3.5 so I don't need the Vivitar, I just want one. :D
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 01-25-2014, 11:48 AM  
Gear P0rn - post it if you got it.
Posted By Lloydy
Replies: 9,455
Views: 1,217,410
This is the last FX-D that I re covered a while back, another charity shop bargain because the original leathercloth was hanging off and it looked dreadful. I paid £2 for it.
The leather on this camera is from the seat of a WW2 Dakota DC3. When I was a kid we lived next to a RAF base where they were scrapping the old wartime aircraft right up until the early 1960's, and I used to climb through the fence and play in them at the weekends, there were Spitfires, Hurricanes and Lancasters there in the 1950's. It was a hell of a playground!

[IMG]
Yashica FX-D Quartz par David Lloyd, on ipernity[/IMG]
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 01-25-2014, 02:57 AM  
Gear P0rn - post it if you got it.
Posted By Lloydy
Replies: 9,455
Views: 1,217,410
I've had a very good week at the charity shops, I guess people are starting to spring clean and throwing stuff out of their houses, long may it continue. ;)

I'm going to pimp this nice Yashica with some red leather, I've done a couple of silver ones with black in the past and they look OK but I think red will look good against the black. It's a great camera, I like these a lot.

[IMG]
Yashica FX D Quartz par David Lloyd, on ipernity[/IMG]

This Olympus is nice, it dates back to 1969 and has spot or average metering, and aperture priority or manual. That was a hell of a camera in its day. Everything works and it's in lovely condition, I'm going to enjoy this one.
[IMG]
Olympus 35 SP par David Lloyd, on ipernity[/IMG]

This superb Contax RX came in the same kit as the Yashica, along with as set of Yashica ML lenses - 135/2.8, 50/1.7, 28/2.8 and 80-200/4. Sadly there were no Contax lenses. The camera is just about mint condition and looks virtually unused. It's a complicated camera to use in some respects, so I think the owner just used the Yashica.
[IMG]
Contax RX par David Lloyd, on ipernity[/IMG]
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 01-22-2014, 04:04 PM  
Replacing mirror dampening foam with felt?
Posted By Lloydy
Replies: 26
Views: 10,545
I've put Scotchtape on the sheet of felt and ripped it off and no fibers came off. I'm about to do a Yashica tomorrow, and i've used the felt for mirror bumpers for a few years now. But really there's no reason to not use the rubber, it's what they come with, as indeed do the kits, and I have used rubber. The felt is a bit thinner than the rubber, and softer, and seems to be easier to get in to position. And I get sheets for pennies.
Search took 0.03 seconds | Showing results 1 to 25 of 300

 
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 09:20 PM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top