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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
05-07-2014, 10:45 PM
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Just call the pentax/ricoh parts department directly. There is a very nice lady who works there. Speak kindly to her and explain that you need that button replacement. It is a very inexpensive part. Don't demand that she send it to you for free. Offer to pay for it. If you do this she will most likely just send it to you for free. Make sure to thank her afterwards.
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Forum: Sold Items
04-09-2014, 10:27 PM
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-08-2014, 08:52 PM
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I've gotten use to half pressing to wake up the camera, but it would be useful if it would wake up with the rear af button as well. What I'd like them to add is toggling of any drive mode setting with either the green button or the RAW/FX button. Right now you can set the RAW/FX button to enable bracketing, but then to disable you have to go back into the drive modes and change it. I want to be able to press it again and go back to whatever my previous drive mode was.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
02-14-2014, 11:21 PM
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What were you shooting? For sports, the general rule is to shoot at least at 1/1000s.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-12-2013, 07:01 AM
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Thanks for the replies. I think the optics are the same, just the outer surface is different.
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
12-12-2013, 06:58 AM
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You will definitely want to upgrade your computer before running Aperture. I use it and I would recommend having at least 8GB of ram, especially if you are working with larger files, like the RAW files from the K-3. As previously mentioned, Aperture currently does not support the K-3 RAW files, but I've used Adobe DNG converter with no issues. It just adds an extra step. Hopefully it won't be too long before Apple adds support for the K-3.
I really haven't spent very much time with Lightroom, so I can't comment on it, but I really like the file management in Aperture. ApertureExpert is a great resource, check it out.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-10-2013, 08:16 PM
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
11-27-2013, 01:06 AM
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My Tamron 70-200 f2.8 performs very well on the K-3. It focused well on my K-5, but it is even snappier on my K-3. I have used it to shoot sports (American Football and NCAA Basketball) with good results. I would like to try the latest Sigma 70-200 to compare the two. I love the IQ of the Tamron and probably wouldn't give it up, which means I might eventually end up with two 70-200 f2.8 if I keep shooting sports. I probably won't though since I'm graduating next spring and won't have the opportunity to get a press pass. Unless somebody can get me into a KC Chiefs or KC Sporting game to shoot. That would be awesome!
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
11-26-2013, 03:46 PM
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I just canceled my grip order from B&H today. I called them up and they didn't have any idea when it would arrive. I'd been waiting for about a month. I ordered from another retailer that has it in stock.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
11-18-2013, 03:27 PM
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I would go for a K-3. That's what I did. It's a good upgrade. I love the detail and sharpness of the photos compared to the K-5, especially at ISOs below 1600. I shot K-State football this weekend with the Tamron 70-200 and I definitely came out with more keepers than what I was getting with the K-5. The AF is definitely snappier and the tracking is better than the K-5, but I wish I had a longer lens like a 300mm so I could fill the frame with the subject more. There were times when I would miss shots when switching from the quarterback to the receiver because the camera focused on the background. I would say that was my fault for not getting the center focus point right on the receiver, but its difficult to do when your subject is only a small part of the frame.
I still need to play around with the AF-C settings to figure out which to use in certain situations. I initially avoided using the auto select mode for choosing between focus-priority or shutter-priority. I used shutter priority first, but then decided to try auto select and it seemed to work better. Just my gut feeling and what I observed.
I was able to shoot over over 1600 photos on one battery. I realize this will be different for "normal" shooting, walking around, snapping away here and there and not machine gunning it.
I do have a question and would like some advice. I'm planning to sell my K-5 and get another body. I'm waiting for some good deals on either the K-5II or K-5IIs in the next week or so. Should I just keep my K-5 or sell and get the K-5II, or should I splurge... and get another K-3?
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
11-18-2013, 10:17 AM
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D-BG5 grip is still unavailable at B&H. Anybody have any news on when they might have it in stock?
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
11-12-2013, 11:10 PM
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What do you mean by the entire assembly? Today I just received the silicone cone and a clear washer. I already had the button. Now to figure out how to put it back together without glueing it on.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
11-09-2013, 12:13 AM
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I'm waiting as well and I could sure use it now too for shooting basketball and volleyball.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
11-08-2013, 10:27 PM
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Just shot NCAA Division 1 basketball with the K-3 and the Tamron 70-200 f2.8. AF definitely felt snappy, the shutter sound and speed are awesome, and the shutter button has really good feedback. It doesn't mush like on the k-5. I just wish the grip was shipping from B&H.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
11-02-2013, 10:53 PM
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It looks like the K-3 should be able to handle American Football (College, Division 1). I miss a lot of shots with my K-5 because the AF just can't keep up. Thanks for testing and sharing your results.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
10-29-2013, 08:37 AM
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I just called up Lynn at Pentax Parts in Colorado. Such a nice lady. She'll be sending me the lens release button parts for free. Last week she sent me out the plunger, but I made the mistake of assuming that the silicone cone came with it, but she'll send that and a washer along with it. Thinking about sending her a thank you card. That wouldn't get her in trouble right?
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
10-07-2013, 07:51 PM
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Thanks for posting this. Were you able to test the AF tracking? Any thoughts? I know the firmware is still pre-production, but I'm just hoping for significant improvement over the K-5. Thanks.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
10-07-2013, 05:48 PM
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I just hope the AF tracking will be significantly better than the K-5. Any indication of this?
I've been on the ropes about picking up a K-5II for ~$740 because according to this blog the AF is definitely better for sports compared to the K-5. http://surfdoc.blogspot.com/2013/03/shooting-sports-low-light-and-mixed-wb.html
I'm not really concerned about the number of AF points because all I use is just the center point when shooting football. My problem is I have lots of missed shots because the K-5's AF can't keep up with the players, especially when they are running right at you.
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
09-16-2013, 11:15 AM
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You can get it from Amazon at that price too. Pentax K-5 II body only. |
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
09-11-2013, 08:30 AM
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The lens release button on my K-5 disappeared yesterday. I got on chat with the Ricoh Customer Support. They said I would probably have to send it in to get the whole lens release system replaced. I mentioned that several users on various forums said that Pentax just sent them out a replacement button. So the person on the other end gave me the number for Parts Department (3037280359). I talked to a helpful lady and she said the buttons were just ordered yesterday and it would take 2 weeks for them to get in. I asked how much it would cost, and she said 79 cents, then she said she would just send it to me for free, even though they normally charge $8 for shipping, but on a 79 cent part, she ain't gonna charge that. I guess I can live with using a toothpick for two weeks. But, I'm thankful for helpful support from Pentax.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
08-27-2013, 11:10 AM
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Thanks to the OP for starting this thread. I'm also considering the DA* 300. I have the DA* 16-50 and the Tamron 70-200 f2.8. My main use for the DA*300 would be for shooting college football. My primary concern is the AF on the K-5 and whether it will be significantly faster than the 70-200. The extra reach would be nice, but then it only goes to f4.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
05-06-2013, 10:15 PM
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Check the bulb and see it if is cracked. If it is the bulb, you can replace it yourself. It's not easy and will require soldering. I know which pins are connected to some kind of capacitor because I accidentally touched it and got a pretty good jolt and even burned my finger. Hitting the test button will discharge some of the voltage of the capacitor, not all. Maybe I will write a blog post about how I replaced the bulb. I took lots of photos of the process. The most difficult thing was figuring out how to open up the flash head.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
05-06-2013, 12:24 PM
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LOL. I figured out how to discharge it! One way to discharge some of the voltage is to hit the test fire button and then shut it off and take the batteries out as quickly as possible.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
05-06-2013, 08:14 AM
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I dropped my Metz 58 af-1 a few weeks ago and broke the bulb. I was able to replace it myself. It's not easy and I got a pretty good jolt in the process. The hardest thing was figuring out how to open the flash head and how to put it back on.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
04-20-2013, 12:10 AM
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So no one here has ever successfully opened up the head of a metz 58 flash?
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