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Forum: Pentax K-r
10-27-2012, 12:41 PM
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I would like to know if I have to do anything special (e.g menu settings on my K-r) when I attach my 35 mm SMC-A lens to my K-r as a "standard" (equivalent to about 52 mm in FF) lens to shoot. The lens has the auto (A) setting on the aperture ring (unlike the older K, M and M42 type lenses). I know I need to set it at the A setting on the aperture ring on the lens. When I set this lens to the A setting I am assuming that I will need to set the aperture using the e-dial. Correct ? Also since this lens is still manual focus only I have to switch to MF focus setting on the K-r. Correct ? Then what ? Any help would be welcome. Thanks.
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Forum: Pentax K-r
10-14-2012, 08:27 AM
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Thanks but I am still puzzled.
@Na Horuk - "The viewfinder tries to show you the final result, so the viewfinder in the K-r is also.. cropped"
So the scene presented to me in the K-r VIEWFINDER with the FA 35 mm will be approximately what I would see
on a FULL FRAME SLR viewfinder with a FA 50 mm lens ? True ? If this true then how can the FA 35 mm show me
show me approximately the same scene in both a K-r and full frame MZ-S ?
On a FULL FRAME SLR (e.g. MZ-S) the FA 35 mm will give me a moderate "wide angle" view in the viewfinder.
Anyway thanks for all your help everyone.
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Forum: Pentax K-r
10-13-2012, 01:51 PM
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On the K-r would I see approximately the same image through the optical viewfinder - with the same angle of view (about 46 deg. "normal") - in both these lenses on the K-r ? Or does the full frame FA lens become the "normal" prime (about 52 mm focal length in 135 format) for the APS-C sensor in the K-r ONLY IN THE FINAL IMAGE ON THE SENSOR ? The actual image on the sensor will be a cropped central region of the image I see in the viewfinder ? Thus I would not see the same image in the K-r viewfinder with this FA as I would see with this FA lens on a full frame Pentax film SLR (e.g. MZ-S) say or the DA 35 mm lens on the K-r right ? I am a little puzzled by this. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-13-2012, 06:16 AM
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Thanks all for your help.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-12-2012, 01:51 PM
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Would I be able to use the SMC Pentax-FA 35 mm F2 AL lens on my manual focus Pentax MX and Pentax ME Super cameras ? Thanks.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-12-2012, 06:44 AM
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How would I use the SMC Pentax-FA 35mm F2 AL lens on the K-r (or my manual focus MX for that matter) in manual focus mode ? This lens does not seem to have a focus ring on the lens barrel !
The sixth response by Armanius in the Pentax lens database for this lens in pentaxforums.com mentions no manual override. I cannot see the focus ring on the barrel with any distance markings.
If anyone has any information on this please respond. Many thanks.
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
06-10-2012, 02:19 PM
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The legendary MX of course.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
05-26-2012, 03:32 PM
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Try one of these (especially the first one):
1. Black & White Photography - Henry Horenstein
2. Color Photography - Henry Horenstein
3. Digital Photography - Henry Horenstein
You cannot beat #1 to understand basic concepts
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
05-26-2012, 06:37 AM
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I bought a AF360FGZ recently to use with myK-r. However I have a few questions.
The AF360FGZ printed manual supplied with the flash purchase does not seem tobe up to date (2003). To test the flash I shot a few images with the K-r set atportrait, auto flash+red eye reduction, AF. However the AF360FGZ manual on page23 says in the P-TTL Auto Flash section (items 6 and 7) when the correctexposure is obtained (when I press the shutter halfway to invoke the autofocus- the manual does not tell me to do this) it will be indicated by the flashconfirmation indicator in the viewfinder (downward pointing lightning bolt)which will BLINK SEVERAL TIMES and P-TTL on the LCD panel will also blink for 2secs. The lightning bolt does appear in the K-r viewfinder and P-TTL remains onthe K-r lcd BUT THEY DO NOT BLINK. I then read the K-r manual page 181"Using the P-TTL Auto Mode" section. The second bullet point on page182 (memo section) only says the downward lightning bolt icon should be on butsays nothing about it (and the P-TTL on the LCD) TO BE BLINKING. Which is themore accurate description of what should happen for successful picture takingusing P-TTL external flash?
Also another point in the K-r manual (top of page 181) "About the DisplayPanel for AF360FGZ". On the AF360FGZ unit the FORMAT size cannot be set toa DIGITAL option (only has 35, 645 and 67). So I set the FORMAT indicator inthe AF360FGZ to 35 mm. It also says that the FORMAT size indicator on theAF360FGZ (35 mm in my case) disappears when the EXPOSURE METERING TIMER of theK-r is on (returns to 35 mm when the when the exposure metering timer is turnedoff). WHERE IS THE EXPOSURE METERING TIMER ? How do you set it ON/OFF ? (TheFORMAT size indicator on the AF360FGZ does disappear though when I press theshutter on the K-r halfway to invoke the autofocus and remains off during thefiring of the shutter and for a while, reappearing after a few seconds).
Lastly if I am using the AF360FGZ incorrectly to take a P-TTL flash how shouldI use it correctly ? What mode should I use to shoot indoors ? Portrait, M, Av,Tv, P ? What should I set on the K-r (and on the AF360FGZ) for correct use ?
Also I am not able to set the plain TTL auto flash (not P-TTL) mode on theAF360FGZ. How do you set it ? I understand it is less accurate than P-TTL.
If anyone can help me with these problems I will be very grateful. Many thanksin advance.
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Forum: Pentax K-01
02-02-2012, 07:10 AM
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I will never buy a camera without a LARGE and BRIGHT (e.g. Nikon FM2N, Nikon FM3A) viewfinder in which you can actually read the information when shooting into the sun (e.g. Nikon FM2N, FM3A). Pentax needs to build a compact, robust, real "retro" camera with an all metal body with analog controls for shutter speed, aperture, and sensitivity with an "A" setting to invoke auto feature separately (e.g. Pentax 645), high quality all metal lenses (e.g. Pentax SMC-M, Pentax SMC-A), a simple menu system and with a minimum number of buttons and wheels. It is not enough just to have a flat metal top. A Leica M6 this is not.
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Forum: Visitors' Center
01-21-2012, 07:03 PM
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I purchased a K-r recently in a bundle consisting of the DAL 18-55 and 50-200 kit lenses. I soon sold them and replaced them with the DA WR versions which have much better build quality and are less flimsy and fragile with smoother focusing and zoom action (though still all plastic). They also have metal mounts instead of plastic. And the Quick-Shift Focus system which is great. And also very affordable. But of course even these plastic DA lenses have nowhere near the build quality of my SMC-M and SMC-A lenses. And their optics are also not as good. The DAL lenses feel like toy lenses. It is about time ALL Pentax digital SLR cameras and their lenses were all metal (maybe with a thin polycarbonate coating as in the Pentax 645. Say NO to plastic! Compromising on build quality is a sure way to oblivion.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
08-10-2011, 04:31 AM
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"Amateurs worry about cameras, 'professionals' worry about lenses, photographers worry about light" - Anonymous
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
08-09-2011, 02:19 PM
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Ilford HP5+ ("real" silver based B&W) ISO400 - if you can find a processor, Ilford XP2 ISO400 (C41 "color" chromogenic B&W), Fuji Pro400H ISO400 (color negative)
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
05-09-2011, 07:22 PM
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Yes film is wonderful. I have been using a Pentax MX since 1980 and do not plan on using any other film SLR. Here is my $0.02 worth.
1. You will always get better quality scans with a film scanner (which only scans negatives and slides) but flatbed scanners are getting better and better and cheaper and cheaper. Pure film scanners are hard to find nowadays - they are either the cheap and nasty ones (around $100) or very good expensive ones. There is a very good German made film scanner called Reflecta Crystal Scan 7200 and the Reflecta ProScan 7200. But they are not available in USA. Their equivalent here are the Plustek s - but they are not as good and generate huge jpg files. Of flatbed scanners available in USA good ones include Epson V500 and Canon CanoScan 9000F. The Canoscan 900F is massive (but has dust correction performed in hardware!).
2. For pure black and white I use Kodak Tri-X 400 but is grainy. Kodak TMax 400 is less grainy. I also use Ilford HP5 PLUS 400. This is wonderful - very good shadow detail for the speed. I think for black and white Ilford film is better than Kodak as far as detail and tonal range is concerned. A more practical solution is to use a C-41 chromogenic black and white film. Kodak BW400CN often leaves a greenish or purple cast. I think the Ilford XP2 is better in this respect - you can print the XP2 negative both on color paper and pure Ilford black and white paper (recommended) but a commercial printer will usually print on a digital printer anyway. And the C-41 negatives scan much better than the pure black and white negatives (they are really dye-based C-41 color negatives - no silver). Film brand is a very personal choice. For color film I use FujiFilm Superia 400 (very cheap) which has more natural muted colors than Kodak color film and when I can afford it the FujiFilm Pro 400H. I do not like the vivid Kodak colors. Kodak Portra 400 NC is OK but not VC (colors too vivid).
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
05-09-2011, 05:59 AM
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Good choice! It is a widely held opinion that the Pentax MX is the best manual camera ever built by Asahi Pentax. It is built like a tank. It is robust, compact, with high build quality, phenomenal optics, large bright viewfinder, nice weight and balance, smooth shutter, great ergonomics, does not get in your way ... you just compose and shoot. What more could you want ? Take good care of it. Get it serviced by a qualified tech. If you are in USA by Eric Hendrickson (www.pentaxs.com). I have only one problem with it. In bright sunlight when you are facing the sun (well almost) the LED s are almost impossible to see in the viewfinder. I wish they had stuck to the match needle metering of earlier models - it was far more intuitive. I have only only one other problem with my 1980 MX (purchased new) - sometimes the shutter sticks. To unstick it you need to push back the film advance lever and then advance it again slightly to the detent position (which activates the meter). This releases the shutter and it does not stick any more. Good luck with your MX!
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
05-08-2011, 08:05 PM
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Camera: Pentax MX
Lens: SMC M 50mm f/1.4, SMC M 28 mm f/2.8, SMC M 135 mm f/3.5, SMC M 35-70 mm f/2.8-f/3.5, SMC M 80-200 mm f/4.5
Film: Ilford HP5PLUS 400, Ilford XP2 400, Kodak Tri-X 400, Kodak Ektar 100, Kodak Portra 400 NC, Fujifilm Superia 400 X-TRA, Fujifilm Pro 400H
The MX is robust, high build quality, compact, reliable, intuitive, simple, does not get in your way, just compose and shoot ... I find the most USEFUL lens to be the 35-70mm "street" zoom, I use that the most (I am afraid even more than the phenomenal 50 mm f/1.4). I like Ilford HP5 and XP2 for black & white and Fujifilm for color. I do not shoot slides (too expensive).
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
05-08-2011, 07:24 PM
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After using a MX why would I want to shoot with any other SLR ? Although I have never used a digital SLR (I occasionally use a Canon Powershot A3100 point-and-shoot digital) they do not look very well built to me - they look like plastic toys.
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
05-08-2011, 07:00 PM
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The photos on display here should be taken using a Pentax. This forum is called pentaxforums.com. Although this pool is about film it is still under the pentaxforum heading. Although it is perfectly OK for a person to practice photography using a Pentax and a non-Pentax camera it is not OK (IMHO) to include photos taken by a non-Pentax camera here. Putting Nikon and Leica photos here is very silly and inappropriate.
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
05-08-2011, 06:50 PM
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Keep the MX! - the only film SLR you need.
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
04-28-2011, 06:22 AM
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As I said before get a Rollei 35S. It is built like a tank (it was designed in Germany). There are no hinges to rust. There is no light leakage - the design makes it impossible. There is no foam, no plastic only steel and glass and premium quality at that. It is not light - it feels substantial and like a real camera. As for ergonomics - it APPEARS awkward. When you start using it all doubts disappear quickly. You set the speed, aperture and set the match needle exposure meter (it is a German made Gossen!) - all in ONE action sequence which makes the whole procedure really FAST (do NOT get the SE which has a LED meter in the viewfinder - it is not intuitive and slows you down). Yes it is not a rangefinder - but that is not a big deal. You need to guess the distance and set it on the lens (there is a depth of field scale on the lens). If you use a fast film (ISO 400) and are shooting outdoors set shutter speed at 1/500 sec (nearest reciprocal). If it is bright sunny aperture will be f/22 or f/16, if cloudy bright it will be f/11, cloudy f/8, very dull f/5.6. For these apertures the depth of field will be from about 3 feet to infinity! Even if you forget to set the distance for every shot everything will still be in focus! You just compose and shoot - the camera does not get in your way. And the camera is so compact (the smallest 35 mm film camera ever built) you will be always carrying it with you - you will never have to say "I wish I had my camera with me". It is tailor made for street photography and travel photography (rural and urban lanscapes). The slightly wide angle lens (40 mm, f2.8) gives context in street and urban landscape photography. You have to get up close and personal to use the Rollei 35 - as Robert Capa said "If your photos are'nt good enough, you're not close enough". When you scan the negatives produced by the Sonnar the images pop up at you almost in 3-D - it is after all a Zeiss designed 5 element lens made by Rollei under license. The Rollei 35S can use a 1.35 volt zinc-oxide Wein Cell button battery which is widely available from any good photo store. A good source for the Rollei 35/35T/35S etc. is KEH (I do not work for KEH). But a Rollei 35S is not cheap - it is a Rollei. Even a BGN condition Rollei 35 / 35T (with the excellent 40 mm f3.5 Tessar) is around $100. At KEH you can return the camera for a full refund within 14 days. My 1976 Rollei 35S performs better today than my 1980 Pentax MX. But it is not as versatile as my MX - it is not very good for close up and flash photography and distant landscapes. But it is still my favorite camera I carry with me all the time. It has never let me down - its middle name is reliable. Good luck.
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
04-26-2011, 06:12 AM
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You should have got the Rollei 35S - "the poor man's Leica". The 40 mm f/2.8 Sonnar is phenomenal - as good as any Leica standard lens. See the Rollei 35 pool images in flickr if you have any doubts.
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Forum: Welcomes and Introductions
02-07-2011, 09:33 AM
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What is the name of the music and composer in your video ? It is very nice.
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Forum: Welcomes and Introductions
02-06-2011, 06:10 PM
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The Duracell S76 or Duracell 303/357 will both work on the MX. They are 1.5 v and the MX requires 2 of them. They are silver oxide batteries and are widely available (photo stores, Amazon etc.). I have a MX and recently started using it after many years. The exposure meter works fine. The MX and the SMC-M lenses were solid metal mostly and built to last - unlike even modern Pentax equipment.
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Forum: Welcomes and Introductions
02-03-2011, 08:55 PM
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Hello. My name is Partha Sur. I am a retired software engineer and live in New Jersey, USA. I have had some interest in Photography since the early seventies and have done only film photography. I have an old Pentax MX and some SMC-M lenses. I am entirely self-taught and have had no formal training. I do not own a digital SLR yet (I have a tiny digital Canon Powershot point-and-shoot). Since retiring I have resumed my hobby with my Pentax MX. I came to USA in 1984 and just could not find the time for any serious (?) photography - long hours at work etc. Well, I started with the tiny Rollei 35 (40 mm f/3.5 Xenar) in 1972 and learned how to take basic photos with it. It had no focusing mechanism! You had to guess the distance and set it on the lens scale after setting the aperture and shutter speed on the body. And no depth-of-field preview just the scale. It taught me how to think about the shot before clicking and then "fill the frame" and often to "get close and personal" - the 40 mm lens saw to that. It was a little awkward to use - the film advance lever was on the left and the flash had to be mounted underneath the body! But the optics was superb - very sharp lens with rich color. Perhaps it was the Rollei that interested me in "real world" street photography type photos. You could do landscapes with the Rollei but they were not that great - too distant. But I still miss the Rollei 35. Then I traded it in (a mistake) for a new Fujica SLR in 1974 (that is all I could afford then besides a Praktica.) I soon traded that (not a mistake) for a new Canon FTb - fantastic lens! I then bought a Tamron 85-210 zoom for the FTb for taking cricket photos (I lived in England then) but what I really needed was a 400 mm for that but it was too expensive for me. All this time I really longed for a Olympus OM1 - which I could not afford. Then the FTb was stolen and I was again looking for a new SLR. I then bought the Pentax MX in 1980 which was just as compact as the OM1 and have used it since then to take family and vacation photos mostly. I just love the compact MX - reliable and built like a tank. And I have found that the SMC M lenses have very high build quality and optics. When (and if) I get a Pentax digital SLR I fully intend using my SMC M lenses. Believe it or not I am now doing a course in Black & White Photography (film!) in a community college and I am at last learning developing and printing! (Why ???.) I like all sorts of photo subjects but mainly pictures of ordinary people going about their daily lives. Although I have seen LIFE magazine pictures in the past my favorite "photo magazine" is still National Geographic. I like photos of different cultures. I like the works of Cartier-Bresson, Kertesz, Stieglitz, Eisenstadt, Feininger, Capa and other photojournalists. I hope to get pointers on photo subjects from you folks and learn a lot from your photos. Thanks for taking the time to read this. Best regards.
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