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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 11-26-2010, 03:00 AM  
New K-7 user w/dumb questions
Posted By crwl
Replies: 17
Views: 4,262
To my knowledge, Pentax has never made a 50mm f/1.8 lens. Did you mean either the K 55/1.8 or any of the 50mm f/1.7 lenses? Any of those should be plenty sharp for the K-7, definitely when stopped down to f/2.8 or smaller. If not, there might be something wrong with the lens.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 11-24-2010, 01:11 AM  
Buy a used Pentax ist DL?
Posted By crwl
Replies: 22
Views: 9,085
I have a Vanson charger that does per cell charging (it can charge 1-4 AAA, AA, C or D batteries at the same time). I have no experience with GP or Eneloop chargers, but I have a strong assumption that if you have a charger that works properly with any NiMH batteries, it will work just as well with low self-discharge NiMHs.

Based on my own experience, GP ReCyko's, Eneloops and the like are all pretty much the same thing and have similar chemistry, performance and characteristics. To the best of my understanding, battery manufacturers are telling you to use chargers of the same brand just to increase their profit.
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 11-19-2010, 05:26 AM  
New 35mm sensor from kodak, will we see it in pentax bodies?
Posted By crwl
Replies: 36
Views: 10,409
Really? Point and shoots have almost always had video, and most often with CCD sensors...
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 11-19-2010, 05:07 AM  
Buy a used Pentax ist DL?
Posted By crwl
Replies: 22
Views: 9,085
You can get those "low self-discharge" NiMH batteries, like Sanyo Eneloops, for quite cheap (about 10 EUR for a four-pack) at least if you go to eBay. There's a list of brands you can search for in Wikipedia: Low self-discharge NiMH battery. Any standard NiMH charger will work with those, but I'd definitely buy something that can charge and monitor each cell separately to ensure good life for the batteries. I have Sanyo Eneloops, GP ReCyko+'s and Uniross Hybrios myself, all bought from eBay (from British or German dealers, I think) and they've all been fine.

I wouldn't recommend anyone to waste their time and money with disposable batteries. Such a waste, in so many ways.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 11-08-2010, 11:10 PM  
New Pentax FF
Posted By crwl
Replies: 63
Views: 13,537
Because sometimes a cheap lens is enough? On full frame even a cheap 50/1.7 is a very usable lens (there are people with D700's who have nothing but a cheap 50mm and that's just fine) - on APS-C, you'd need a 33mm f/1.2 lens to achieve the same kind of depth of field and photographic possibilities. Last time I checked, such a lens doesn't exist.

There is a lot of market for full frame cameras even if you aren't into lenses that cost thousands. Especially if you are into inexpensive and still really good primes. I think Pentaxians, if anyone, should understand that.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 11-07-2010, 11:49 PM  
New Pentax FF
Posted By crwl
Replies: 63
Views: 13,537
All the improvements in APS-C sensors will eventually find themselves to FF sensors and vice versa, that's just natural development which competition will guarantee. It's just that FF sensors and bodies don't seem to get old that quickly, their "turnover rate" is slower. But it'll probably get quicker as the competition grows - it wasn't that long ago when the Canon 5D was the only practical full frame alternative for anyone but a professional.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 11-07-2010, 10:18 PM  
As a New Pentax User, I'm Scared. Very Scared.
Posted By crwl
Replies: 109
Views: 19,933
You probably don't remember how using the aperture ring instantly affects the exposure meter even in the lowest end of film cameras like the K1000, then.

I can understand that, but please don't claim that stop down and wide open metering are the same thing. There are DSLR bodies from other manufacturers that allow you to use the aperture ring and the meter instantly follows your choice, and they even show the chosen aperture in the viewfinder.

If Pentax *really* cared about us using old glass, they could implement that too, and it wouldn't cost that much. They also could implement a Nikon-style electronic rangefinder for manual focusing where you can use any (not just the center) focus point for checking focus, and the camera would also tell you where you needed to turn the focus ring, ie. backward or forward. These are really nice features for those of us who really would like to use our old lenses, and there's no reason to get all defensive and angry if someone points out that Pentax maybe actually isn't the absolute best in this regard...

Anyway, this is not really related to the topic of this thread. I personally don't believe (or hope) that Pentax is going away anywhere soon. They have really solid models in the market right now - but I'd never say that they have the best cameras in the market. Nor would I say any other manufacturer has. You just need to choose what's important to you.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 11-07-2010, 06:47 AM  
As a New Pentax User, I'm Scared. Very Scared.
Posted By crwl
Replies: 109
Views: 19,933
Nikon has never really been a minefield if you have had a higher end camera, compared to Pentax where you still can't use the aperture ring properly on *any* dslr...

Can you really think of any upcoming change in SLR cameras that would validate the change of systems in the next several years? There has hardly been any technical improvements happening in lens mounts etc. now in about 20 years anyway...
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 11-05-2010, 07:46 AM  
Quitting Pentax?
Posted By crwl
Replies: 75
Views: 15,990
I'm a Pentax user from 2007 (who previously owned a K100D and then K10D) and I just recently sold my K-7 kit (including Tamron 17-50/2.8, FA 35/2, FA 50/1.4, 18-55 WR and several MF lenses) and bought a Nikon D700. I lost some money in the progress, but I don't think I lost *that* much, as I didn't "buy everything back" - mainly I'm missing a good standard zoom like the Tamron, but OTOH now I have pretty nice and inexpensive wide angle primes. (I now have AF Nikkors 24/2.8, 35/2.0D, 50/1.8 and 70-210/4-5.6).

There are of course upsides and downsides to each system, but the main two reasons for change were my disappointment to Pentax's AF system, and also that I grew fond of traditional full frame focal lenghts and the ability to control DoF better when using my Pentax film equipment (which I still have and use).

In a list form, some upsides to this change...
  • Nikon's 51 point AF system is so much faster and more reliable than anything I've seen (and definitely anything that Pentax has ever done) with all its tracking features etc, that this change alone justifies the investment for me. Also, even lenses using the screw-drive from the camera body focus faster and a lot less noisy than any of my Pentax AF lenses.

  • Many lenses, at least primes, are cheaper and more plentiful in the second hand market.

  • There is a lot more choice with lenses.

  • DoF control is better

  • Low light performance and dynamic range difference is huge (though apparently the K-5 is a different beast)

  • I can use the aperture ring (without stop down metering) if I want to

  • Some UI things (double click trashcan to remove, setting/tuning of WB and image quality without menu) are nicer in Nikon

Downsides I've noticed
  • The D700 (and also the APS-C model D300) is too large for my hands, K-7 felt a lot more comfortable. OTOH D700 is pretty nice to use even with gloves on...

  • Lack of in-body image stabilization (alleviated by better high ISO performance though)

  • SMC really seems to be better - at least the Nikkor 50/1.8 flares a lot easier than my Pentax 50mm's ever did (though comparing FF and APS-C cameras in this is not completely fair)

  • Good "standard zooms", esp. with IS, seem to be really expensive.

  • MLU implementation with Nikon is stupid

  • No video

  • Some UI things (always-on electronic level, ability to turn on auto-ISO without menues) are nicer in Pentax


And the neutral... menu systems and the user interface are pretty good and nicely configurable in both, it didn't feel like too big of a hassle to relearn some things.

But I will stick with my Pentax film gear and stuff I have there (MX, ME, Super-A and several lenses), and I'm keeping close eye on what Pentax is doing. But I do strongly feel that Pentax needs to completely revamp its AF system at least in its higher end models to stay competetive. Just faster doesn't cut it, it needs to be more accurate and able to track the subject. This is my opinion, please don't be offended if it doesn't match yours.
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 09-26-2010, 10:02 PM  
Recommendation for Film Body?
Posted By crwl
Replies: 19
Views: 6,164
One reason to get the Super A / Super Program (same camera, different name for different parts of the world) is TTL flash support. If you happen to have an old flash like an Pentax AF280T lying around, it will work extremely well with those. IIRC the cheaper A series cameras don't support TTL flash.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 12-14-2009, 11:19 PM  
K10D Firmware 1.3 Debug Mode Unleashed!
Posted By crwl
Replies: 148
Views: 92,510
Just bumping here to add some clarification to an old thread. I noticed I was getting more and more backfocused pics in my K10D and to correct for that, I had to add +60 um calibration in the debug mode, from +50 to +110 - it indeed seems as if some K10D's started to backfocus more as they age!



The debug mode activation tool works fine in Vista too, also in 64-bit (Win 7 I haven't tested) - you just need to go to the properties of the .exe file with the right mouse button, and in the compatibility tab (if I recall correctly) set the program to run in administrator mode. You can also try running it in XP mode, but administrator mode was the one that did it for me.

Also, someone said that the shortcut the installer created to Start menu didn't work - there's indeed a bug in the installer. Just use your explorer to browse to the directory where you installed the application and run it from there.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 11-11-2009, 12:18 AM  
Help! K200D + Tamron 17-50
Posted By crwl
Replies: 53
Views: 7,677
I have a K10D + Tamron 17-50 and I must say autofocusing with the Tamron is somewhat temperamental. Especially at the wide end. And focusing to infinity, it's always better done manually (it sometimes fails to lock focus at all when pointing somewhere far away). I quickly tried the same lens on a K100D and didn't notice any problems in a quick test; neither have I noticed any troubles with AF on the same K10D with the FA 35/2 AL or DA 18-55 3.5-5.6 WR.

I even sent the lens to warranty repair, but as far as I could see, it came back in the same condition I sent it in. And it makes terrific photos when correctly focused and is sharp all across so there's definitely no decentering problems. I'm thinking of upgrading to K20D with its per-lens AF adjustment when I find one inexpensive enough... (offers welcome).
Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio 09-07-2008, 12:20 AM  
Old Flash, New Bodies
Posted By crwl
Replies: 4
Views: 1,903
According to Photo Strobe Trigger Voltages your flash might have trigger voltage from 8 to 33 volts. I wouldn't guarantee that it wouldn't damage your camera in the long run, though I'm not sure what's exactly a safe trigger voltage with Pentax DSLR's. Some sources say they can sustain several tens of volts and some say you shouldn't use anything that has trigger voltage of more than 8-10 volts. If you have a multimeter, I'd suggest you to measure the voltage yourself with fresh batteries in the flash.

I'm using an old Carena SCA 40 flash which has a low trigger voltage (less than 5 volts if I recall correctly) on my K100D and it's working beautifully.
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 02-01-2008, 03:05 AM  
Program A
Posted By crwl
Replies: 15
Views: 3,087
Super Program / Super A has TTL flash metering, a shutter priority mode (with A lenses) and somewhat bigger metering range compared to the Program A.

Check out Bojidar Dimitrov's K-Mount Pages, there's all the technical information you'll want regarding Pentax K-mount bodies, lenses etc.

The best source for Pentax manuals is PENTAX MANUALS, the scans are mostly very good quality and the selection is very comprehensive, the manual for Pentax Program A is also there.
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 01-21-2008, 11:54 PM  
Super-A/Super Program viewfinder problem
Posted By crwl
Replies: 4
Views: 4,692
Thanks for your suggestions. It indeed seems something is wrong with the camera, I even had someone else look through the viewfinder and she couldn't find a way to see the numbers completely either. The lower parts of the numbers are quite clearly visible and in dark conditions the small button on the left side of the lens barrel that lights up the LCD panels helps.

I noticed from the Super Program service manual (available here) that there are two screws under the front panel, just about behind the PENTAX logo, that adjust the LCD panels' position inside the viewfinder chamber.

It seems that getting to those screws would require disassembly of the whole front panel and all the knobs and buttons though, and I'm not really into that... I suppose I'll just return it to the seller, at least he has a warranty policy.
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 01-21-2008, 05:42 AM  
Super-A/Super Program viewfinder problem
Posted By crwl
Replies: 4
Views: 4,692
Hi folks,

I recently acquired a Pentax Super A film camera (known as Super Program in the US), which seems to be almost in a like new condition. However, I'm having trouble reading the shutter speed / aperture numbers from the LCD's that are below the viewfinder image.

It seems that no matter how I try to position my eye to the eyecup, I can only see at most about a 2/3 or a 3/4 part of the bottom of the LCD's, so that the upper parts of the numbers get cut off. The readings are therefore just barely legible. With eyeglasses it's even more difficult to see those numbers. If I look even slightly "from upwards" to the viewfinder, the LCD panels aren't visible at all.

Do you think that there's a problem with the camera (the LCD's being misaligned or something), or is it just my forehead being incompatible with this model? :hmm:
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