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Forum: Repairs and Warranty Service
01-16-2018, 04:37 PM
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It worked!! Focusing is as good as the SDM would of been. At least from what I remember. Seems it has a hard time deciding before it locks. Does the same on K5, K3 and K1 Thanks for all the help!!
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Forum: Repairs and Warranty Service
01-16-2018, 02:47 PM
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Forum: Repairs and Warranty Service
01-14-2018, 05:55 PM
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Thanks! It's tempting to send it in. For those who have done it, is the auto focus quicker?
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Forum: Repairs and Warranty Service
01-14-2018, 08:26 AM
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No. Got it new in 2010. Not much recent use which is why it probably failed.
---------- Post added 01-14-18 at 09:32 AM ----------
Just found a link to Pentax service. Quote is $312.50 Maybe the screw drive conversion is worth it. I can do it but once it's done, it is it reversible?
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Forum: Repairs and Warranty Service
01-14-2018, 08:06 AM
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My almost perfect 50-135mm has a failed SDM. I've tried all attempts to revive it but it still won't focus. I'm not interested in messing with the screw drive conversion so I'm on the fence with selling as-is or repairing it to get a higher selling price. Or keeping it to use on my new K1. What are my options for repair and cost?
Thanks, Peter
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
10-08-2015, 09:20 AM
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Thanks all for the recent comments. Just received my shot list. About 80% of my shooting is after the predawn hours. Mostly action of runners and scene shots. Using a flash wouldn't work well unless I'm getting creative. I'm going to shoot in manual with a cap style diffuser and just keep a eye on the light. I like the black foamy thing idea but unfortunately, I don't have one. If I get some good creative shots with the flash, I'll be sure to post them to show my result.
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
10-08-2015, 09:08 AM
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I ordered a sto-fen OM-MZ40. Wrapped a little black gaffers tape on the head and it fits perfectly. Guess Sto-fen hasn't made one specifically for the new version. Thanks for the reply!
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
10-07-2015, 09:05 AM
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Thanks all for the help. Because I'm trying to light up my subjects and have them stand out, I think manual will be necessary. I'm just going to need to be aware of the light and adjust as necessary. It's only during the last hour before sunrise that I need to do this.. I start at 5am. Race time is 7:15. I won't be using flash once the race starts unless I want to get creative! I try to keep subject distance the same and use my zoom. The DA18-135mm is my lens of choice. To add more challenge, most subjects are wearing reflective gear. UGH!
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
10-06-2015, 08:14 AM
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The 2015 Chicago Marathon is this coming weekend. I'll be using my 540FGZll and a K5 to shoot pre-event photos of people during the early morning hours. The streets are lit with sodium vapor lighting that give off a yellowish orange glow. I've been practicing on my own street that has the same type of lights. Because of the changing ambient light in the morning, what's the best method for general shots of people? I'm not getting the results I want using P-TTL. I need to switch to manual in order to light up the faces of the subjects. I'm taking lots of photos and really don't have time to keep readjusting my flash. Once the ambient light is good and the street lights are not a factor, P-TTL works great! Any suggestions?
Peter
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
10-06-2015, 07:37 AM
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I'm looking for a sto-fen omni-bounce diffuser for the 540FGZll. Is the flash head the same as the 540FGZ original?
Thanks,
Pete
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
09-17-2015, 09:08 AM
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Some more. These are all hand held.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
09-17-2015, 09:05 AM
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I do import the RAW file into Lightroom. I tend to underexpose most of my shots and use the dynamic range power in post. Especially with kitchens. Here is a before/after example.Also notice the lens corrections.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
09-16-2015, 02:51 PM
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Anyone have success shooting real estate with HDR on their K3? I'm just looking for some tips to improve the already incredible performance in this mode. I usually shoot HDR 1 with +-2EV. Today I hand held all of my shots as low as 1/20 of a sec. They're sharp!! I shoot with the DA 12-24mm. I can post some of my images later. I hope the new full-frame will have this feature!! I'm not aware of any other DSLR that does this in camera and produces a RAW file. Any input or tips would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Peter
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
09-11-2015, 09:08 AM
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I just assumed it was a USA warranty because it was a Prime delivery. Maybe it slipped through the Amazon inspectors. LOL I don't see that seller offering the flash since I contacted them. A seller warranty may be a real pain if you ever have any issues. I guess it's a game of chance. My son just got a A7s from a seller that told him the same thing. Great price until you need something! I've been really lucky with all my gear as far as warranty repairs. I know there's always a first time??
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
09-11-2015, 08:50 AM
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Got a 540FGZll from Amazon shipped with Prime ($372). It was a order fulfilled by Amazon and not sold direct. I've discovered it's a gray market item. The warranty card is all Japanese and the only English states this warranty is only valid in Japan. Amazon has always taken care of any issue I had for anything I purchased. I'm amazed how they cover things within reason months after the purchase. This is the first time something like this has happened. They are reassuring me they will take care of any issues I have with the flash through the warranty. They're also contacting Pentax for me. Not sure why but I'm going along with the program. I always have the option of returning it for a full refund.
What would you do??
BTW- I'm loving this flash. Built solid and is a huge upgrade from my 360FGZ. It's compact size is great!!
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
06-10-2014, 07:53 PM
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I've been using the in camera HDR for interior work. Here is a recent project. It's getting published in a major design magazine so I guess it works rather well!! The RAW (HDR) files were processed in Lightroom.
Loft Condo Renovation
Peter
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
02-12-2014, 09:33 PM
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
01-18-2014, 07:16 AM
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I have my battery option set for grip first. My display will say depleted battery and shut down the camera when in fact the battery in the grip is drained. I will even shut down and restart but it will keep doing it. When set to grip first, doesn't it automatically switch? If I remove the battery from the grip and then turn on, it's OK. I didn't have this issue with the K5 or K20. Am I doing something wrong?
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
01-04-2014, 10:03 PM
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The Tamron focusing still occasionally gets lost on the K3 as it did on my K5. I'm not sure if it's something with the lens but I have heard others describing the same type of problem. I'm very happy with the Sigma OS version. It's also very quiet and fast!
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
11-30-2013, 06:16 AM
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Yes, but in the time I was able to play around with it yesterday, it did lose it's focus a couple times and went off track. This verified that it's probably the lens or something I'm doing wrong. The later is not likely because I can't get the Sigma to do it. They both have very responsive focusing and are very quick. Like I said, I liked the performance of the Sigma on my K5. The amount of keepers greatly increased under the lights of a high school football field. I'm going out today with the Sigma and K5 to do some shooting at a local nature preserve. That will be the first hands on with the K3. If I were you, get the Sigma. I was lucky to get it on Amazon back in August for $800. With the sale now , it's still a good price!!
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
11-29-2013, 06:52 AM
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I have both lenses and have both the K5 and new K3. When I used the Tamron on my K5 it would just occasionally decide to stop focusing and go off track for some reason. It would take a few seconds to find itself and then start focusing again. This was really driving me nuts especially when your trying to shoot something. I got the Sigma OS in August and haven't used the Tamron since. What a joy it is on the K5. Fast responsive focusing while shooting HS Friday night football!! I wish I had my K3 before the season ended because I wanted to try it out. I'm still selling the Tamron and one of my K5's to fund the purchase of the K3. It's the silent focusing of the Sigma that I love!! I did put the Tamron on the K3 yesterday and found the focusing to be fast and quick like the Sigma. If it wasn't for the silent focusing of the Sigma I probably would be keeping the Tamron. It's a hell of a bargain being $300 less than the Sigma. The image quality is excellent!!!
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
10-26-2013, 06:50 AM
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Thanks all for your kind words. It's funny how if you get so lucky to see another photographer using Pentax gear, there's a good chance they know something about photography. They probably made a informed decision before purchasing their gear. I'm so looking forward to see what others think of the new K3. Even though I don't have endless pickings off the money tree, I'll need to really look at how much it can improve my overall photography. The K5 has been an amazing tool for me. Technology changes but if you really know what you're doing you don't always need it. I tell my son he needs to earn his gear. He couldn't afford to buy any Canon auto lenses so he's using some of mine with an adapter. Since he's mostly using it for film, he doesn't need automatic control anyway. Last night I had him shooting with a old 135mm F2.8. He keeps complaining how he can't focus. He has no idea what a split screen is ..LOL! Time for some exercise in focusing!! He'll get it soon enough.
Happy shooting!!
Peter
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
10-25-2013, 03:17 PM
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For the first time today I tried another camera brand. I purchased a K100d in 2007. A few bodies later and many lenses, I now own two K5's. To make a long story short, I just finished my second year as a hired photographer for the Chicago Marathon. How cool is that...and with Pentax!!! Photography is still a hobby for me but has grown leaps and bounds in the last few years. I have no plan to quit my day job which I've been doing for 25 years. I'm self taught and started with film back in the 80's. My son is in college majoring in film and digital media. After playing with his new Canon 60d, I realized this is the first camera I've tried outside of my Pentax arsenal. I originally choose Pentax for the value and never looked back. I overcome any shortcomings by trying different things to get the shot. I think I've learned more about photography using the Pentax brand. One of my fellow photographers at the marathon was shooting with a Nikon D3s and 800e. I was so tempted to ask her to try it out. Whether I'm shooting high school football or portraits, the K5 is a perfectly capable camera. I love photography!!!
How rare am I?
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
09-23-2013, 02:33 AM
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Very nice, Perfectly framed. I can't stop looking at it!!
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
09-23-2013, 02:30 AM
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Yes, it's one of the best lens purchases to date. Very quick and never misses a beat!!
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