|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
10-25-2011, 04:45 AM
|
| |
Relax, it's only the latent ghost of a Tamil Tiger haunting the cave.
Nice work Dipo, you chose an amazing, errie place to exercise that shutter button. :cool:
.R. -- Cameras never lie.
|
|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
10-23-2011, 06:07 AM
|
| |
The bad news: Due to normal technical design constraints inherent to that model camera it's far from ideally equipped to achieve the pictorial results that you desire.
Think of the X90 as a general purpose, versatile, albeit simplified, photographic tool primarily aimed at the needs of a mainstream-user audience; whereas the more tech-oriented design, featureset and capabilities required to effectively drive the outcomes that you seek (meaning: deliberate and specific artistic control), can only really be delivered by geek-targeted models.
The good news: No prob. Learn to adapt to it and enjoy what you have, because if you permit limitations like that to hinder your overall photographic experience, then you've completely lost the plot and no camera in the world would ever be good enough. ;)
.R. -- Any camera can take amazing pictures. |
|
Forum: Pentax K-r
10-05-2011, 09:38 PM
|
| |
Yes it will, compatible being the operative word. I use them as do many other regulars on this forum, and like you've noted you can get the clone Li-Ion batteries to suit the K-r from as low as about 10-12 USD now so that might be a worthwhile consideration to give you say 2k+ shots worth for the equivalent 50 bucks outlay.
The other popular alternative is sets of 4x LowSelfDischarge AAs, but I personally find them too bulky to lug in comparison even though some claim they deliver a few extra shots I've never found that n% advantage to be worthwhile.
(and I own a K-x too, which is dedicated AA size - but I still prefer the Li-Ion compact block type of the K-r)
.R.
" Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap
of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no
reason not to follow your heart."
-- Steve Jobs, Stanford commencement ceremony speech in 2005.
|
|
Forum: Pentax K-r
09-20-2011, 08:44 AM
|
| |
No, unfortunately there is no easy way.
At very minimum you have to unclip the viewfinder screen, then completely remove or just lay it back inside the camera body and gently blow or brush those nasty specks off its inside face. (Naturally you can clean the outer face without dislodging or removing the screen via its retainer clip, but the sneaky specks are usually on the inside anyway.)
Then you have to refit / reclip the V.F.S back exactly as it was, without introducing more fine aliens, or damaging it or anything else.
Caution: This in an insanely delicate operation requiring utmost care and patience. The Viewfinder Screen (basically a Fresnel Lens) is made of very soft plastic so is really easy to create a minor scratch, so small / fine that you'd be hard pressed to be able to see it on its surface by the naked eye but when reinstalled and under use will, not might, give an illusion of magnification of the defect that will drive you nuts and look as deep as the f....in' grand canyon! (Yeah, a new screen can be ordered from Pentax, or you can buy / try aftermarket 'split-prism' screens from eBay, Focusingscreen.com, Katzeye, etc.)
Anyhow, to attack the beast, try this guide for size: < http://www.katzeyeoptics.com/files/install6.pdf >
.R. -- Who once cleaned a K-x and a K-r V.F.screen and prefers to stick to brain surgery in the future.
|
|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
09-18-2011, 09:22 AM
|
| |
OK, my advice, Murphy aside: it all depends on the syntax... ;)
1. If it is a genuine 50/(f)1.2 (like you have written) then they're fairly rare, valuable and highly prized; and I strongly suggest that you take it to a good lens technician/repair-shop and pay for their valuable skills & experience, and proper workshop equipment to handle the repair - it will be worth it.
2. If you inadvertently typed a period in place of a colon, meaning that it's only a humble 50/(f)2 ("1:2" implies f2), then they're still pretty common and inexpensive second hand so probably not even worth the cost (and bother) of buying the eBay tool to repair it.
The Repair Tool: Nah sorry, I've not used one like that and it's always hard to tell from mere descriptions and pics isn't It? But seems they're on the right track for a hand (repair) tool anyway although my engineering background tells me its design (and manufacture), warrants small but vital improvements here and there... which should add little extra to the cost, btw. And I personally wouldn't buy, or use it on my lenses in it's present state. Aluminium is touchy stuff to work with, esp. in lighter gauges and delicate forms (as with lenses and fine threads, etc.), so can be very fragile and unforgiving if not understood - meaning it's too easy to do irrepairable damage...
Iow: I give it an E for effort. - let's see the Mk II version first.
.R. -- Syntax (n): That tax we all pay for not being good.
|
|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
09-18-2011, 08:35 AM
|
| |
Ouch! and thanks for the subtle reminder why I should avoid buying an expensive boat anchor - especially from the grey market.
Sorry to hear about your quality hassles, unfortunately I can't offer any help other than suggest that you steadfastly persevere with your claims and don't hesitate to deliver some serious bum-kicking where you can. Good luck.
.R. -- The Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 pm. Please use the back door.
|
|
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
09-11-2011, 08:17 AM
|
| |
Nice. So slap your innocent clip up on somewhere popular like Youtube and you might get stung for reproduction of copyright material.
.R.
|
|
Forum: Pentax K-r
09-08-2011, 03:56 AM
|
| |
Got the O-ME53 [~1.18x mag.] on both my DSLRs and agree with other respondents re: its merits. Small advantage but worthwhile for the expense. (to me)
Another option is the Tenpa brand, it's available in 1.36x and 1.22x magnifications. (An eBay search will bring them up.)
I suggest you read previous discussions on this or other forums first for useful peer comments about those before deciding.
.R. -- Experience is the best teacher, but the school fees are heavy.
|
|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
09-07-2011, 04:40 AM
|
| |
I have one of the same brand and model (also the Vivitar DF383 is an equivalent, btw) likewise no real problems so far about 9 mths ownership, light usage; so perhaps you are just unlucky striking one with premature failure.
If it's any consolation IMX the Bower seems far more robust than my remaining Yongnuo flash. (had 2 of those, one carked it after only 2 weeks!)
Sorry I can't offer help for your issue but it does sound suspiciously like it could be a minor electronic~circuitry fault, and alas, unlikely to be serviceable.
One point: You mention that even in its Manual mode the flash unit still won't fire, does that mean that it won't even fire when you have the Camera set to its Manual mode too?
.R. -- Living in a throwaway money society is the price we pay for fast-paced consumerism.
|
|
Forum: Photographic Technique
09-02-2011, 11:57 PM
|
| |
Hey lb, can I ask WTF is WTF? :cool: Nah I won't do that because you'd probably send me to look it up on one of the million and one Acronyms websites out there, and you'd be giving good advice if you did. (BTW; I heard that Lurkers are permitted to use search engines this month, so goferit.)
Enough of the frivolity, now back to the subject:
IMHO (look that one up too while you're there ;) ) that "gadget" could [if it works OK] be a useful tool to have in one's arsenal, for general if not camera maintenance use, although my preference, and intention, would be to acquire one of those Magnifying Desk Lamp thingies instead, which I think could prove more versatile - for my needs anyway, YMMV. (Oops, there we go again...)
< Magnifying Desk Lamp | eBay >
OffT: As I intend to get one of them, and don't have a bloody clue what type(s) or features are good/bad/desirable/useless, comments and recommendations from existing owner~users of similar MDLs would be highly appreciated. TIA.
.R. Another compulsive obsessive collector of GADGETs and ACRONYMs.
|
|
Forum: Pentax K-r
09-02-2011, 06:16 PM
|
| |
Couldn't agree more with this. I bought an Ikky Sticky soon after buying my first DSLR on the premise that the principle of removal, not mere displacement of muck, made good sense. (considering that one wouldn't use a vacuum cleaner in reverse to "undust" their house!)
Sure they cost a few bucks extra but so what? Your dust-sensitive camera cost bucketloads more and, if nothing else, the shimmering quality of your pics when captured and rendered by a spotless-clean sensor is worth it. Trust me. ;)
The native brand: < 39357 Pentax Image Sensor Cleaning Kit, O-ICK1 >
An alternative: < Eyelead Sensor Cleaning Kit SCK-1 Dust-sticking Bar & Cleaning Papers| MaxSaver.Net (hvStar) >
.R. Cough... cough... (OK, I can't deny that I still own and use a bulb blower for some things) cough... cough...
|
|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
09-02-2011, 04:29 AM
|
| |
I believe executing the USR_DAT_CLEAR instruction accessed from Debug Mode [ref: link below] might be the closest you're likely to get it back to true "as shipped" state. It apparently resets more items than the neutered inbuilt Factory Default menu option (which is effectively a misnomer).
< Pentax Kx / Pentax K-x AF adjustment through undocumented "debug mode" >
Caveat emptor and Good luck.
.R.
"For flavour, instant sex will never supersede the stuff you have to peel and cook." -- Quentin Crisp
|
|
Forum: Pentax K-r
05-24-2011, 06:09 AM
|
| |
Wow, that's a unique subject. ;)
Hey what caused the halo around the periphery?
And thanks for posting your other settings with the image, what was the exposure time used for the shot?
.R.
|
|
Forum: Pentax K-r
05-24-2011, 05:38 AM
|
| |
For my country the first port of call for service & repairs would be the retail source where I bought the camera, but laws and protocols in your region may be different (only you could know what applies there).
Regarding the official Pentax service and or warranty claim procedure; aside from the List of contact addresses supplied in paper form with your camera when you bought it, this website could be a handy reference for your locality (US) and a toll free call should get the answers you require:
Digital Cameras and Accessories - Official PENTAX Imaging Web Site
.R.
|
|
Forum: Pentax K-r
05-14-2011, 04:46 AM
|
| |
Hehe, you are so humble. ;)
Both of yours are excellent pix and that's no bullshit. Could you please post some exposure details of the clock tower one? (The Exif is ripped :( )
.R.
|
|
Forum: Pentax K-r
05-01-2011, 08:42 PM
|
| |
ROFL! :) Glad you found some (and have a sense of humour).
We really should put a productive angle on these discussions now - they say the best thing to do with a lemon is to turn it into lemonade, so I've been thinking up ideas to do my K-r. :)
Anyone suggest more?
1. Doorstop/Paperweight.
2. Use for motorcycle-cam in Dakar Rally.
3. Gift it to a worst enemy/mother-in-law/...
4. Paint CaNikSony logo on the body for use in public without embarrassment.
5. Keep in attic 75 years waiting for an upcoming rare vintage cameras sale.
6. Make a mint out of running Out-Of-Focus photo competitions for K-r owners.
.R. -- Zen adage: Anything one cannot bear to give up is not owned, but is in fact the owner.
|
|
Forum: Pentax K-r
05-01-2011, 07:13 PM
|
| |
Patience Grasshopper, seek and ye shall find.
There have been several real-world examples posted up to this forum (and elsewhere) over the past months, which simple searches will easily reveal for those wanting to know and, are willing to make the small effort to research.
The undeniable existence of this faulty behaviour in 100% of K-r's doesn't have to be regurgitated to be reproven and "rejustified" here every day.
Otoh, or to paraphrase what abcdave so poignantly suggested here https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-k-r-forum/137537-who-else-waiting-...ml#post1487313 : Those who choose to may just continue to traverse through The Ostrich School Of Life™... :cool:
.R. -- When all is said and done, there is more said than done.
|
|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
04-18-2011, 03:33 PM
|
| |
Pick two:
[ ] Cameras
[ ] Beaches
[ ] Safety
But you already knew that. :cool:
Suggested rectification:
1. It will likely be less trouble to buy another one, the 18-55 is the best all round Pentax lens bargain in the universe both new and s/h and I doubt a good serviceman could do a clean~repair job on yours for less $.
(Hint; the DA (v1) model is a better buy s/h IMhO because it has quick shift and a hood, and seems to have a more robust feel than the more cheapened mfr later ones.)
2. It you have the spare time, and the aptitude, you could disassemble and clean it up yourself. It's not a difficult job, really.
Google Translate
.R.
|
|
Forum: Pentax K-r
04-16-2011, 04:25 AM
|
| |
Only an authorised Pentax service centre could answer that for you. Definitely worth a try though and I was considering claiming the same myself with my K-x (until I got disheartened with Pentax so couldn't be bothered pursuing anything with them - so do my own maintenance).
My K-r VF has only managed to horde small specks of dust (so far) but I agree with you that it must get in somewhere, and some of the solid black bits are obviously dislodged loose plastic chips and shavings, not simple airborne dust sucked in, so more likely are there from the factory I'd say.
I'm very fastidious with handling of my cameras from day one, and both K-x and K-r sensors were disgusting from brand new.
Fwiw; I documented my Pentax sagas:
Dirty Sensor #1 - brand new Pentax K-r [@ f/40] | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
They really must have their production line built on a dirt floor factory in The Phillipines. Look how their flagshit [sic] K-5 was an absolute train wreck. Glad I didn't buy that model.
.R.
|
|
Forum: Pentax K-r
04-16-2011, 03:26 AM
|
| |
It will be on the inside. The only way to clean it is to unlatch and or remove the viewfinder screen itself. Then you might get lucky and a blower could dislodge all the crap, or you might have to loosen it on the screen with a sable (preferred), or soft human hair artist's brush. Be very careful too because the VF screen is as delicate as a baby's bum and remember that it's a fresnel lens so brush with the direction of grooves.
Make sure you wear surgical gloves attacking this job and be extremely careful to not introduce any [more] static electricity. That is the biggest root cause of this problem, all that plastic in there is literally a magnet for charged static.
That small hair you describe might even be a light scratch, that's how scratches show up on the VF visually -- so it might be time to consider ordering a new screen.
And at least give the job to an experienced technician if you're not confident of having the aptitude to tackle it. It could save you a lot of money by avoiding mishaps.
Good luck. You'll need it.
.R.
|
|
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
04-15-2011, 07:45 AM
|
| |
Not worth it to me after applying Moore's Law.
"Lifetime" in digital-tech timespan, ROFL! Don't forget to store them away with all those "still good" 32MB cards, 4MB DIMMs, 500MB HDs, ... :D
.R.
|
|
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
04-15-2011, 07:12 AM
|
| |
| |
|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
04-11-2011, 04:23 AM
|
| |
Pentax firmwares are cumulative, so you only need to install the latest increment that you want to move up to. (for most people that would be the latest available, YMMV)
.R.
|
|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
04-11-2011, 02:33 AM
|
| |
I wouldn't waste time looking for much of any use on Pentax website.
Just install the latest K-Lite codec pack -- it will provide what you need for playback of Avi wrapped Mjpeg format, plus add lots more capability to your Win7 media handling subsystem and won't screw anything.
Download K-Lite Codec Pack
I suggest Full or Mega (the extra baggage of those can't drag on resources and might come in handy some day), but Standard pack would probably suffice as well.
You can keep using the M.S inbred WMP, or change to the more capable (and zero intrusive) MPC HomeCinema as your preferred player if you want.
.R.
|
