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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
01-31-2011, 07:05 AM
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Hi Guys,
Does it mean that it is better to charge Eneloop batteries with 0.5C current (i.e. 1000ma), than with 0.2C (=400ma) or 0.1C (=200ma) current?
Thanks,
Erika
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
01-30-2011, 04:11 PM
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How batteries are being charged (i.e. What's the charging time, charging current? Are they discharged before re-charge? What charger is used to charge them?), when one gets > 1000 shots from them?
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
01-29-2011, 05:14 PM
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K-r is entry level too. K-5 replaced the K-7, so K-r is replacing the K-x. Pentax could introduce many of the same features to the K-x via firmware (except those that are dependent on the hardware), but they do not want to cripple their K-r sales, do they?
K-r has better screen, focus point highlight and faster continuous shooting mode, and that's basically it. Everything else are mostly firmware differences.
Cheers,
Erika
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
01-23-2011, 09:24 AM
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I got the answer from Metz:
"...we could analyse the pictures and we also could reproduce this with our samples. We also could realise the differences between the built-in flash unit and the flash unit mecablitz 48 AF-1 digital. However, we also checked the Pentax flash unit AF-540 FGZ in the same way. With this flash unit we also could realise the differences. This Pentax flash unit works comparable to the mecablitz 48 AF-1 digital in this case."
Then I posted another question to them:
"If I understood this correctly in your test environment Metz 48 AF-1 flashes with Pentax K-x cameras performed similarly to what I have described (i.e. they underexposed similarly to Pentax external flash unit), therefore my flash may be ok (maybe the problem is overall Pentax P-TTL metering on K-x)?"
To which their answer was:
"You are right! We also could realise the mentioned underexposures with external flash units and the Pentax digital-camera. Therefore your flash unit surely is OK. We also could make the experience that this occurs with all Pentax digital-cameras which are equipped with the P-TTL-flash-control."
They also suggested to check my flash unit with their representatives.
So, it is a P-TTL issue.
Cheers,
Erika
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
01-22-2011, 01:09 PM
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It could be that the firmware file or your card is corrupt, or there is a bug in the firmware update routine. I would suggest calling Pentax (if camera is still under warranty) in order to see what they can do about it. This depends a lot on how this fault is interpreted (it is a user fault or Pentax software fault that the firmware update got errors).
If firmware update fails, the camera will become as good as brick.
Did you format the card before copying the firmware on it?
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
01-15-2011, 05:56 PM
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Thanks for the information, Entropy.
I looked at my Metz 48 and I could not find anything on its surface, so it must be inside, if Metz has it at all.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
01-15-2011, 05:23 PM
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K-x is not K-2000. I think K-2000 is actually K-m! This may be the reason why it does not work. Note that K-x and K-m (K2000) look very similar in appearance.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
01-15-2011, 01:40 PM
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Based on the Pentax statements it is cumulative. O their website they say: "Contents of [Version 1.01] will be also updated."
It is not very clear statement (and English is not my first language), so in my opinion it can be interpreted as "this includes the version 1.01 content as well" or even as "this includes the version 1.01 content which has also been updated".
In any case it means that the previous changes are included (with further updates to them or without).
Cheers,
Erika
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
01-15-2011, 08:40 AM
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For Pentax K-x officially there was just one firmware update v1.01, and now there is a second official update - v.1.02.
Reality was a bit different. Depending on when one downloaded v1.01 firmware for K-x they got
1.01.00.05 (as the first 1.01)
1.01.00.07 (as the second 1.01, that followed some time later)
1.01.00.10 (as third 1.01, that was released in April 2010, if I remember this correctly).
There were people who installed 1.01.00.07 and claimed that it helped not only with battery level indicator, but sorted out or reduced some SR problems as well (1/100s shutter speed issue).
These are the reasons why I think that there may be something else in v1.02 firmware release, beside the things that are stated officially.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
01-15-2011, 06:36 AM
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I'm not sure about the other changes. I wonder myself did Pentax changed anything else (i.e. improved exposure calculations, or P-TTL work)
Yesterday I installed this firmware update on my K-x. I noticed that the installation was a bit longer than 1.01 update installation. Before this I had the latest "silent" 1.01 update, which was identified as 1.01.00.10 in the EXIF. After the update to 1.02, the EXIF headers show that the firmware version now is 1.02.21.14.
After installing the firmware update I checked the menu options and shot a few pictures with and without flash. I did not noticed any obvious changes so far, but it is too early to tell.
I do not have any SDXC card so I cannot check how my K-x works with them.
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Forum: Pentax K-r
01-14-2011, 11:47 AM
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
01-14-2011, 05:07 AM
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4/3 standard defines mount as well. If Pentax will ever come up with 4/3 camera its native mount will not be KAF, and mounting KAF lenses will require an adapter.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
01-14-2011, 03:22 AM
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
01-13-2011, 03:30 AM
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Yesterday I shot a bunch of photos of that particular 'tricky' stuffed toy scene using K-x and Metz 48 AF-1 with various settings, and compared these shots with the photos taken using K-x on board flash.
The general underexposure (i.e. for the most of the photos) of Metz 48 when compared to on board flash was by 0.7-1 fstop (I tried direct flash, 90 degree bounced and 45 degree bounced).
I sent a query to Metz about general underexposure of Metz 48 AF-1 flash. So far I did not get any answer from them.
Cheers,
Erika
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
01-11-2011, 09:16 AM
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Hi Entropy,
Where you found this adjustment trimpot in your flash? Did you have to disassemble the flash in order to access it? I wonder if my Metz 48 AF-1 could be adjusted in a similar way?
Thanks,
Erika
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-09-2011, 02:09 PM
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Apologies. My bad.
I confused E1 with E10 and E20, which were its predecessors. They were very well built, but their sensors were quite small, and they had beam splitter prisms instead of flipping mirror. I had E10.
Cheers,
Erika
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-09-2011, 07:17 AM
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It looks like you had a good experience with E1.
Correction: I confused E1 with E10 and E20, therefore the rest of the post is now defunct:
Cheers,
elg (Erika)
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-08-2011, 06:10 PM
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Based on the reviews that I read the new HSM version lens is completely re-designed and better optically. In the following review it compares quite well to similar zooms made by other companies (Nikon, Sony):
Sigma 18-125 mm f/3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM review - Introduction - Lenstip.com
This made me think that it must be quite good lens. In its class that is, and provided you get a good copy.
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
01-08-2011, 08:50 AM
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I have Sigma 28-135mm f/3.8-5.6. In relation to flash photography on my K-x I'm getting similar results with it as with the DAL 18-55mm kit lens. I.e. correct exposure with built in flash and underexposure (in some situations) with Metz 48 AF-1.
I know - everything is different with my Set-up, but it is still P-TTL :)
Did you check the EXIF information of your photos - is camera able to correctly identify the lens?
Maybe because Sigma 18-250 HSM is a new lens it has some compatibility issues? I have read about some people posting their Sigma lenses back to to Sigma in order to get them re-chiped after hitting compatibility problems.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-06-2011, 04:09 PM
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It looks like that I have to calm down re: Sigma 18-125mm f/3.8-f/5.6 HSM. I really wanted to get it, so I ordered it in one of the photography stores in Dublin (Other stores have less Pentax gear, or none at all). I was told that I should get it in about a week or so.
Today I visited them, and they told me that Sigma representatives in Ireland do not have it in stock, and usually do not stock it for Pentax mount at all. Canon or Nikon - no problem. Pentax - none. It will take about 6 weeks to order this lens from Japan.
As a result of this I canceled the order, thinking that I may get it from abroad quicker... If my desire to get this lens will not vanish until I travel abroad.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-06-2011, 03:51 PM
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This was true back then, but it is not true any more, because both Canon and Nikon improved their kit lenses.
Even back then on Photozone.de:
Nikkor AF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED DX optical quality was rated as 3.5 stars, mechanical - just 1.5 stars;
Later version (version II) of Nikkor was rated the same. Now Nikon sells version III of this lens - the one with the VR.
while
Pentax SMC-DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL optical quality was rated as 2.5 stars (i.e. worse than Nikkor), but mechanical quality was rated as 3 stars (i.e. a better than Nikkor). With very good overall price/performance rating being slightly better than the second version of the equivalent Nikkor.
But this Pentax lens was the one with a metal mount (i.e. better built than the current DAL version).
The cheap DAL version of the Pentax lens is really nothing exciting. Nothing disappointing either. It is what it is - an inexpensive plastic kit lens. If it was something exiting, its users will not be in a hurry to upgrade.
I have read Canon, Nikon, Olympus and Pentax forums during different time periods.
On Canon forum I read: "18-55mm is actually one of the better kit lenses around".
On Nikon: "18-55mm is probably the sharpest kit lens"
On Pentax - well, you know.
Olympus users are probably the same.
Since I owned eos 350D with the kit lens I can say that from the build quality perspective back then it was worse than the current Pentax DAL kit lens. The front element was rotating during focusing. The manual focusing ring was thin and flimsy. The build quality was quite cheap overall. Pentax DAL 18-55mm is definitely better built, but this is unfair comparison, because I'm comparing old Canon kit, with the new Pentax kit.
In the background of the more recent Oly, Pany, Canon and Nikon kit lenses the Pentax DAL 18-55 kit lens looks quite average.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-06-2011, 09:49 AM
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I think the DA 18-55mm MKII was one of the best kit lenses around. For entry level, that is.
This is the past now.
Current all plastic DAL 18-55mm is just an average lens when compared to the offerings of other manufacturers. Olympus kit lens is decent optically, so is the new Nikkor 18-55 VR. I do not know about Canon offerings. So what's so good about the Pentax kit lens in this background? Note, that not everyone uses manual focusing too much.
If we start talking about the weather sealing, then lets not forget that 18-55 WR is available as a kit lens with the more expensive Pentax bodies only. At the same time Nikon equivalent bodies (D90, D7000) come with a kit lenses of different category (18-70mm, 18-105mm VR), to which 18-55mm WR cannot be really compared as it is too short and it does not have any other serious advantage except weather sealing, while Nikkor 18-70mm lens, for example, has longer focal length interval, is both brighter and faster to focus (SWM motor).
The better equivalent Pentax kit would be the new 18-135mm, but it is too expensive at the moment.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-04-2011, 05:00 AM
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Yes, I saw this. Some of the criticisms (mainly related to odd OS implementation) cannot be applied to the Pentax version of this lens, as it does not have OS.
I believe performance of this lens on Pentax bodies must be closer to its performance on Nikon, than Canon. That is because lens-sensor system is more similar between Pentax and Nikon, than between Pentax and Canon (Many Pentax cameras use the same Sony sensors, or their modifications, like Nikon).
There is a review of this lens on LensTip. This time it was for Nikon, and in comparison to the other similar lenses (From Nikon and Sony, there was no Pentax lens in that comparison) it looked quite good.
Cheers,
elg (Erika)
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-03-2011, 06:22 PM
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Hi Folks,
Since new Pentax 18-135mm lens is good, but expensive (for a consumer zoom), I started looking for alternatives. I came across Sigma 18-125mm f/3.8-f/5.6 HSM lens. It looks like a reasonable alternative to Pentax 18-135mm, as a general walk-around and travel lens because:
1. Focal length range is very similar;
2. It has Sigma HSM ultrasonic motor in it, I thought it must be similar to DC speed wise;
3. It costs a lot less, but does not have weather sealing and it is a little bit darker than Pentax 18-135mm.
If anybody of you has it, then how it compares to the 18-55mm kit lens?
In comparison to the kit lens:
Does it focus faster?
Is its focusing action silent?
Is the focus precise?
What about center and edge sharpness, is it sharp enough?
One small note though - Please do not confuse Sigma 18-125mm HSM with earlier Sigma 18-125mm (no HSM), as these are two different lenses with different dimensions, weight, and optical designs.
If anyone has both Pentax 18-135mm and Sigma 18-125 HSM, then how they compare to each other?
Your opinions and impressions will be much appreciated.
thanks,
elg (Erika)
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