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Forum: Pentax Forums Giveaways
12-13-2014, 05:49 PM
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I am sure whomever wins this lens will love it... And if they don't, they can send it to me. I'll pay the shipping!
Happy Holidays, everyone!
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Forum: Pentax Forums Giveaways
12-08-2014, 11:16 PM
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I rented a FA31 once. It was a really good lens. I would love to have one of my own to keep!
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
12-08-2014, 11:13 PM
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I have been thrilled with my K5IIs so far. It has been a real workhorse since I got my hands on it back in December of 2012. It was a huge upgrade from my Samsung GX-10, and I have had a few jobs that would have been impossible to do without it. Imagine trying to surreptitiously shoot a surprise engagement in a dimly lit restaurant (which means no flash can be used). So renting a FA31 along with the K5IIs made that job happen, and the client was thrilled.
While it was expensive for me at the time, it was money very well spent. The moiré has rarely been a problem and easily fixable when present. It may be soon that it is relegated to my backup camera, but it will continue to be a joy to work with for I hope a good long while. If anyone is looking for a deal on a killer camera body, this is a fabulous option IMHO.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
09-13-2013, 08:42 PM
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So I have been loving my Pentax K5 IIs since buying it back in December. About 2 weeks ago I was using it on a birthday party/surprise wedding shoot (don't ask) and the strangest thing happened: after having changed lenses and going to shoot, I discovered that the viewfinder and top LCD displays were no longer showing me the EV comp information. It was showing me the symbol, but not the +.3 -.3 numbering that is usually there when using the front dial. (which is how I have it set up when in AV mode)
That was really odd. Then it seemed that it was not adjusting the EV at all. I could not see a difference from one shot to the next with an adjustment. I tried using the EV button on top, but it was not doing anything. It would not work. Then I noticed that my auto ISO was no longer working, and was stuck on one setting.
Then the autofocus on my DA*50-135 decided to stop working. It had been sent in for the SDM focus problem 9 months after purchase a couple of years before, and had been fine for the most part ever since. Had to go to manual focus for that.
I tried turning it on and off, no luck. I removed my grip and battery, no luck. I removed the lens and put a wide angle lens on, and the auto focus started working again. I had to switch to manual mode using manual focus for a while to lock it down in one spot. I reinstalled the DA* 50-135 and the auto focus was back. Then a few minutes later I tried going back to AV and found that the display was working again.
So for at least 10-15 minutes I could not get my camera to behave very well, and then it changed its mind and seemed fine.
It all happened again for a brief time at another shoot last week, but again mysteriously resolved itself.
Both shoots were hundreds of shots, the first one was just over 900 frames taken.
I have a number of wedding and other shoots coming up this month, so I don't have time to send this off for warranty repair right now. I have my old GX10 as a backup body though I am loathe to use it if I don't have to. If this thing starts acting up again however I I'll have no choice.
SO, the question to you fellow Pentax users is simple: what do you think is going on here? Is my body flakey? Dd my lens start this? Anyone else have something like this before? I would love to hear theories...
I have another question regarding remaining shot counts on camera, but will ask that in a separate post.
Thanks in advance.
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
08-13-2013, 09:03 AM
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Yes, it will definitely be worth the upgrade. It was worth it IMHO going from LR3 to LR4.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-11-2013, 10:00 AM
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TETHERING! Please! Or make it easier for 3rd party people to make it an option... it is very annoying that this is not available to us anywhere, and using an EyeFi card and my iPad is not as great as it sounds.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-11-2013, 09:56 AM
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I still have a Samsung GX-10, but it now collects dust since I got my K5 IIs in December. I did not bother to check anything else since the GX-10 was not on there, and I don't use it anymore!
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-11-2013, 09:52 AM
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I see it with my K5 IIs every now and then, no doubt. But not very often with what I have been shooting. I really don't see it being terribly bad in this shot.
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Forum: General Talk
03-10-2013, 08:11 PM
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Here is my idea! I have not used Illustrator in a couple of years, so it has taken me a couple of days to get it working...
Email sent.
Thanks!
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
03-08-2013, 08:18 AM
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Just got an email from Adorama saying this lens could be had for $549.00
with Coupon Code S0308133. Perhaps it is worth buying now........
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Forum: Photographic Technique
12-21-2012, 11:51 AM
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I do have a grey card, and I was going to get there early. I will see what I can work out with the restaurant staff to see hat we can do to improve the lighting situation.
Thanks for the advice!
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Forum: Photographic Technique
12-21-2012, 09:52 AM
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Hey folks, last minute cry for help. I took on a last minute surprise wedding proposal shoot for someone which I am doing tonight. In the process of planning things I asked for pictures of the two people involved, you know, so I have a clue who I am actually photographing when I get to the restaurant where it's happening. Both people are rather dark skinned. I also know that the restaurant this will be happening at is very nice, but rather dark. I really won't be able to use flash because I don't want to be disturbing the other patrons. I can't use a tripod for the same reason. Oh, it is also a surprise to her, so I can't be giving away the fact that I am taking their picture!
The equipment I will be using is a K5 IIs, a DA* 50-135 f2.8, and I am renting a FA31 f1.8 Limited, which arrives today. I am so glad I thought ahead of time to get the 31 (thinking I would need something fast), however I have never shot with it before, so it is something of an unknown quantity. Thank goodness I am not shooting with my GX-10 and it's max ISO of 1600! I am basically stuck with the indoor light. I will have to shoot high ISO, but at least I have NIK Dfine to work on the NR above the good NR that Lightroom 4 offers.
So, any thoughts or tips? Things I should think about?
Thanks in advance.....
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
12-18-2012, 11:07 PM
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I have had my new IIs for only about a week or so. The AF upgrade from my GX10 (K10D) is astounding. I was editing some photos yesterday and it was then that I realized just how much more detail I was getting in my shots. I am mightily impressed by the image quality that seems to be coming out of my lenses now. So far I have not encountered any moire with the kind of shooting I do. I am so happy that I bit on the K5 IIs when it was only $20 more than the K5 II. So far so damn good!
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
12-18-2012, 09:41 PM
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Amen, brother. It got to the point where I took a black Sharpie to the Samsung logo on top of my GX10 in an attempt to stop all of the questions and weird looks. :hmm:
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
12-15-2012, 08:10 AM
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I think you are going to be just a little floored by the change from K10D to K5 IIs. I just did the exact same jump (though I had a Samsung GX10 to IIs, battery grip, and extra battery). Now I am still going through some growing pains trying to learn this new camera and get used to navigating around with it. But the low light focus (and ISO!!!) capabilities of this new camera make me regret nothing. The difference is like going from driving a rusted out old jalopy and moving to a fancy new sports sedan.
Oh, we are gonna be sooooo spoiled!
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-03-2012, 08:36 PM
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I own only one "new" lens made by Pentax, a DA* 50-135. I love it, but I didn't at first, as it developed the dreaded SDM problem within 6 months. Once fixed under warranty, it has worked as advertised. It was a stretch for me to buy it at the original pricing, and with the quality control issues I very nearly dumped it. Considering the way the lenses are priced now with the UPP I will likely never buy another Pentax lens new. I feel I have no choice but to look at less expensive alternatives such as Sigma to Tamron.
So long as the UPP stays in place, so will I.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
11-27-2012, 12:51 PM
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I chose the same thing yesterday. Price was the same, and if I can get more out of it, I will go with it. I know it will be a massive upgrade for me from my GX10 I have been shooting with for the past 5 years. Can't wait to see it arrive...
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
11-08-2010, 09:51 PM
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I have to agree, I just ran into this problem again Sunday at my son's 3rd birthday party. Could not get predictable results from mine at all until I put everything in manual. I am not the sharpest tool in the shed, but I know the flash stuff is supposed to work better than that!
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Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
10-08-2010, 11:45 AM
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Cascade of water coming off of the South Tower of the Crown Fountain in Millennium Park, Chicago, Illinois.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
09-14-2009, 09:20 PM
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I will likely bring the cheap video tripod I have, but I thought of the monopod to have on the balloon itself, as there would not likely be any room for a tripod in the gondola. We were contemplating Santa Fe already, but I have to look into Taos. Thanks for the idea!
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
09-14-2009, 01:40 PM
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Posted on another forum, and wanted to ask here as well...
So I am going on a trip in a couple of weeks for my 40th birthday and the wife just told me where. It has been a surprise for months, but she said she wanted to give me some chance to prepare.
I will be going to Albuquerque, New Mexico for a week. I don't know what we'll do much of the time, but the trip is culminating with a balloon ride for me on the first day of the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. I will be there at dawn and riding for a few hours in one of the couple hundred or more hot air balloons participating in the first Mass Ascension. Needless to say I am very excited.
Anyhow, I am looking for any suggestions anyone might have for what to take or anything else helpful. I am on a tight budget and will rent one extra lens...
I own a Samsung GX-10 (nee K10D) and I recently bought a Sigma 10-20mm. I also own the 18-55 kit lens, a horrible Takumar 135 f2.5 which I am not taking (if there is a color it can fringe with massively, it will), and a cheap Pentax M 50mm f2. I am planning on renting one nice lens to take with me, a DA* 60-250 f4. I can't afford to rent more, but this one should hopefully cover most needs that the kit and the Sigma can't. I have always wanted to try a DA* anyhow. Might own one someday...
I think I should also bring/buy a monopod for the dawn photos, and the nighttime balloon glow we will probably go take the kids to at the end of the day. I will likely get another spare battery since I only have 2 and the original battery is showing its age. Just bought an 8GB SD card, but knowing me I might want another...
Any thoughts? Anyone else going? Anything is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
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Forum: Photographic Industry and Professionals
07-28-2009, 04:50 PM
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I recently had some photographs of mine selected for a photo contest and gallery exhibit. I was on a time (and budget) crunch and went to Costco. I don't regret it at all. I thought the prints came out looking really great. Walgreen prints and CVS prints have never come close im my opinion to the quality that Costco gave me.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
12-29-2008, 08:13 AM
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OK, so nobody has the 1.10 firmware. Does anyone else have any suggestions for an old Mac user like me to fix a backfocus problem on my own without sending the camera in for warranty work?
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
12-25-2008, 08:15 PM
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Hey there everyone... Every since getting my FA 50mm 1.4 lens I have seen an annoyingly large number of my images coming out OOF. With the kit zoom the DOF was never really enough to show how off it seemed to be, at least not to my untrained eye. Well I am getting better now.
I have been looking into backfocus issues with the GX-10 recently and so far everything I have found would not work for me. The russian software is for a Windows PC and I use an older Mac. So I don't have Windows, and I don't have Boot Camp. So what I see now is that the only way to deal with this BF issue is to downgrade to 1.10 to get into the debug menu. However when I bought the camera 14 months ago, it was loaded with v1.0 and I went straight to 1.30 shortly after.
Anyone have the GX-10 1.10. firmware out there?
Thanks in advance...
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Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
05-28-2008, 07:05 AM
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Thank you very much. :cool:
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