Forum: Sold Items
10-25-2022, 08:55 PM
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Howdy, I'm seeking a gently used D FA 150-450mm. I'm near Seattle.
Thanks,
M
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Forum: Sold Items
01-10-2022, 12:07 PM
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Bump for a really remarkable lens, fun to use, and the rendering is unique and beautiful.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-21-2021, 12:21 PM
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The Pentax DFA* is a professional lens, its superb optical quality and quiet AF put it in the same class as the Canon and Nikon lenses of the same focal range. The best Pentax zoom lens ever made I believe. My one big issue is the same that RICHARD L. referred to regarding the cheap metal tab that controls the AF. This is a design defect. The tab on my lens was bent and rendered the AF non-functional. This happened on vacation, sadly. With Covid-era delays, the shop is taking about 12 weeks to do the repair--which itself will come to under $50.
M
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Forum: Sold Items
05-18-2021, 11:18 AM
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I bought a copy of this on a whim last year and have enjoyed using it beyond expectations. I take it on all trips. Very good optical quality and a small size.
M
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
07-16-2020, 08:37 AM
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To me the main purpose of the video is to tell the world that the Pentax brand still exists, it has a sense of vision, and new products are in the pipeline. After Olympus, the epitaph writers were getting twitchy, and this helps to keep their quills dry. Seeing the Spotmatic in the video makes me wish that Ricoh would come out with a relatively cheap film body that would boost the brand's visibility.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
06-27-2020, 10:51 AM
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This is an excellent response to the news about Olympus.
We live and we have a future!
M
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Forum: Sold Items
02-25-2020, 10:04 AM
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I'm seeking a grip for the K-1. It must be in excellent condition.
Thanks,
M
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Forum: Sold Items
05-23-2019, 06:12 PM
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This is an outstanding lens on the K-1 and very hard to find. One of my favorites, relatively lightweight and packable. The optical quality is a whole 'nother level above the FA 20mm f2.8. Fun to use too. Perfect complement to my Zeiss Distagon 28mm ("Hollywood") and 35mm f2.
M
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Forum: Sold Items
10-22-2018, 02:10 PM
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Howdy,
I'm seeking a Zeiss ZK Distagon 28mm f2 in very good condition.
Please PM with details.
Thanks,
M
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-19-2018, 12:35 PM
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Thanks everyone for your insightful comments. I'll check out more modern newer offerings.
M
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-17-2018, 07:51 PM
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Between the older, rarer, and pricier Pentax A 15mm f3.5 and the newer manual focus Samyang 14mm f2.8, which is better optically? Easier to hike with for 5 miles? I would be using these for landscapes, not astrophotography or interiors.
Thanks.
M
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
09-16-2018, 08:38 PM
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I've had the Marumi DHG Super Circular P.L.D for a few years. It's excellent. While the Hoya HD worked well for me, but when I needed a larger size 82mm for the DFA 24-70mm f2.8, I did some research and settled on the Marumi. Here is one coherent article from Lenstip.
The authoritative Roger Circala at Lensrentals authored another fine article last year.
Hope this helps.
M
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-27-2017, 01:14 PM
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I own the FA 20mm and also did a Leitax conversion on an 18mm Distagon in Nikon mount. Unfortunately, the FA 20mm got permanently damaged after an accident. The size was perfect, the performance was good enough, but I would have liked more contrast and crispness on the K-1. The loss of this lens lead me to a long search for alternatives, thus the 18mm Zeiss.
In the Canon and Nikon worlds the Zeiss 18mm f3.5 doesn't have a stellar reputation, but on the K-1 I'm very pleased. The microcontrast and rendering is artful and the K-1 magic is effective. I use the lens in aperture-priority mode, there is a bit of purple fringing but noticeably less than my ZK Zeiss 35mm f2. The size and weight of the 18mm is not burdensome. Any minor distortion is easily corrected with Lightroom's fixes.
M
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Forum: Photographic Technique
11-17-2017, 09:36 AM
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I was really disappointed in the build quality and the image artifacts left by the Breakthrough Polarizer I purchased and quickly returned. I compared it against even an old Cokin and it left more color artifacts. Yes, I told the company. I have a 10-stop ND filter from Haida which is very affordable and has provided me with profitable images.
M
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-14-2017, 05:09 PM
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Very cool. Earlier this year I Leitaxed an 18mm f3.5 Zeiss Distagon ZF. While the lens is not highly regarded in Nikon land, I've been super happy with its performance, and relatively smaller size. The purple fringing has been more manageable than with the Zeiss Distagon ZK 35mm f2.
M
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
11-04-2017, 10:43 AM
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Try to find a used Rotatrim which should be just within your budget. They are very precise and last a lifetime. I just used mine to trim 35 prints for an exhibition, perfectly.
ME
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
09-24-2017, 09:48 AM
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These are nicely captured. I prefer the shots that are taken from a more level perspective. The emotion and intensity comes through.
M
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
09-18-2017, 09:27 PM
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Thank you, I look forward to using this app.
M
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Forum: Pentax Full Frame
09-16-2017, 10:30 AM
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Though I have and enjoy my K-1, I've been shooting wildlife and sports with Canon bodies for the past ten years. I would suggest you add the Nikon 200-500 f5.6 to your list as the optical quality may surpass the Sigma Sport. I'm not convinced that the Sigma Sport is any better than the Sigma Contemporary; I've rented the latter on my Canon 5D Mark III. I compared it with the Tamron G1 150-600mm and thought they were essentially the same; I've owned the Tamron G2 for the past year and think it is better than the Sigma Contemporary optically and IS-wise. The D750 is a nice camera, but the build quality is a step below both the K-1 and the Canon 5D franchise. I've borrowed the D500 and think that is the best wildlife camera available, amazingly accurate AF and excellent resolution. That plus the 200-500mm should get you far. Lens Rentals | Blog
M
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Forum: Pentax Full Frame
09-10-2017, 08:40 AM
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I've been shooting both Pentax and Canon systems for the past 10 years; Pentax even longer. Your 6D is still a very good camera. I'd advise you rent a Canon 80D and try that. It has a modern higher dynamic range sensor, a tilty LCD, and really good AF and a fairly fast FPS. The lens selections for Canon vs. Pentax gets broader and deeper every week and over time that will matter to you beyond your current go-to lenses. I have a K-1 and enjoy it a lot, especially for the LCD capabilities, but bemoan the weak lens offerings.
M
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
08-15-2017, 01:36 PM
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I wouldn't deal with Photos because its raw compatibility engine is dependent upon Apple's OS upgrades. This is unlike post-processing-specific tools like LR and Affinity Photo whose publishers upgrade the apps as needed more frequently than Apple does. Looking at your requirements, unfortunately most of the apps cited here do not have the image management capabilities that Lightroom offers. MacPhun says that Luminar will that these soon, and I believe Affinity has similar goals.
LR 5 was surpassed by LR 6 over two years ago. In digital dog years, especially for photography, that's quite a long time ago. I don't think Adobe's not providing official support is a big black mark as plenty of online resources exist that provide better assistance. Consider spending the $10 per month on LR CC (since you know how LR works, and the CC version is way better than 5) until other vendors get their catalog and image management act together. This should happen by year's end. Then you can try a few out and see if transitioning is worthwhile. You are only out a small amount of money.
M
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
08-13-2017, 12:49 AM
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Bosstrap is comfortable, strong, light and easy to fold/compress and store in a bag. I use it with my K-1 and grip; and have used a second one with a gripped Canon 5D mk3 + Tamron 150-600mm lens on six mile hikes. Just requires one lug. Far better than any tripod-mounted strap, & I've had several highly acclaimed ones.
M
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
07-30-2017, 10:39 AM
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So, after another week how is the lens performing for you? I'm strongly considering doing the same thing as the Leitax conversion as the ZF2 18mm worked out so well for me. I like the 25mm focal length and had come close to purchasing the ZK 2.8 version, but your post got me thinking. It's the lack of purple fringing as much as anything that is persuasive.
M
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
07-29-2017, 03:20 PM
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The well-written Polish site LensTip evaluated and ranked circular polarizing filters in 2009. I ended up purchasing the top-ranked Marumi DHG Super Circular P.L.D and have been super pleased. I purchase the size that accommodates my largest lens (82mm) and then just hold the thing over my other lenses and rotate to taste. Over the past three years I've had disappointing quality control issues with B+W filters I've purchased. I think they are relying upon past reputation.
M
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
07-02-2017, 09:12 PM
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1. While the Tenba has no formal tripod holder straps, I have on a few occasions placed a 17-in Manfrotto CF across the length on top and secured it down with the substantial top flap which covers the whole bag. Worked well enough.
2. What is "too big?" You cannot have a compact bag and also carry as much gear as you desire with any sense of elegance or sustainability. When things get too heavy or bulky for me I use my Lowepro Protactic 450 AW backpack which is also amazing.
3. A laptop slot is far handier than I ever imagined, if not for a slim laptop, then for prints or a portfolio.
M
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