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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
02-13-2018, 07:14 AM
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Success!! I ordered two rubber strap wrenches (I chose to order a brand named Baby Boa Constrictor, you can find them on ebay). Their rubber straps were narrow enough to wrap around the two surfaces that offered a grip without interfering with each other, and the handles can take a lot of force. I wrapped the rubber straps in opposing directions around the two surfaces, gently increased the counter-clockwise torque between the two wrenches and voila!! the two stuck parts came apart. What a relief! So what did I learn from all this? 1) to slightly unscrew the tripod column from the tripod head once other every few months to prevent them from sticking to each other. 2) that the penetrating power of WD-40 isn't all that great. 3) that rubber strap wrenches are handy tools to have around.
Thanks once again to all of you who offered advice and I hope this helps someone in the future
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
02-05-2018, 11:27 PM
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Hi Alex645, in answer to your questions: I tried locking down the pan head rotation and using the handle as a lever to unscrew the pan head from the center column. I used too much force and it snapped off (I forgot that the Gitzo handles are quite brittle). I now have to deal with extracting the handle section that's broken off inside the pan head. A bit of careful work with a screw extractor should take care of that, but I want to first separate the center column. I should mention that my biggest concern is saving the center column. This particular tripod model is discontinued (a great pity, it's a wonderfully versatile tripod) and if I lose the center column I won't be able to replace it. The Gitzo G2272M panhead on the other hand is still on the market in case I have to get a new one. Regarding the direction of unscrewing the two parts: Yes, I'm doing it counterclockwise, and no offense taken whatsoever. The question is valid and this kind of mistake can happen at the best of times
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
02-05-2018, 02:20 PM
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Many thanks to all who responded. I tried the methods you suggested: removing the 3 grub screws, placing in the freezer, etc... Didn't do the trick. Unfortunately silikroil isn't available in my country. I ordered 2 different models of rubber strap wrenches. They're on their way and I'm looking forward to trying them out. I contacted Gitzo in the UK (sales@gitzospares.com). They responded immediately and asked me to ship the stuck items to them. I'll do so if I'm unable to separate the two parts in the next few days. It's good to know that I can fall back on Gitzo's customer support. Once this is solved I'll post an update here. It may be of help to someone in the future.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
02-04-2018, 10:00 AM
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I know that this problem has been discussed here in the past (and pops up again and again on various non-Pentax Forum threads). I have yet to find a good solution to the problem and was hoping that there might be new knowledge on this issue. Here's the problem: I have a Gitzo G2272M pan head attached to the center column of an Induro carbon CX213 tripod, via a standard 3/8" thread. The pan head and center column are stuck together and no amount of manual force has been successful in separating them. The surfaces I can grip are narrow and I don't want to mar them. The tripod has never been subjected to water so I don't suspect water corrosion.
I've applied WD-40 penetrating oil to the edge of the surface where the two parts are in contact hoping that the oil will penetrate and separate the two stuck parts. It hasn't helped.
I'm aware of the suggestion to place the two parts in the freezer to get the metal to contract, but seeing that the tripod head has two built-in levels filled with a liquid (water?) I'm wary that the liquid might freeze and if the liquid is water the levels might even shatter.
I've attached a photo which I hope explains the situation (the pan head handles have been removed).
Would anyone have a suggestion that I might still try? Thank you.
(PS In my attempts to separate the two stuck parts I succeeded in snapping off one of the pan head handles but that's a lesser problem. I'll extract the broken off section later on).
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
02-04-2018, 05:26 AM
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I swear by my Lowepro Pro Runner 350 AW. I've had it for 8 years and don't think I'll ever need a replacement for it. It's been with me all over the world and looks today just like it did on the day I bought it. It's virtually indestructible. I carry a Pentax K-3ii body, 6-7 lenses, 2 flash units, an array of filters, batteries and other paraphernalia, it can take a 15" laptop (I don't carry one), it has Sliplock loops in case you want to attach more pockets on the outside, it has a built-in waterproof cover. I recommend it highly. Lowepro has in the meantime replaced it with an AW II model which I'm not familiar with.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
01-04-2018, 12:57 PM
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Thanks for the responses. It's a problem that developed a while after I started using the new camera and I've been living with it on and off for a few months now. Water has never splashed on the camera or shutter button. I'll try the method jatrax suggested. I appreciate the help.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
01-02-2018, 11:51 AM
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I have a K-3ii body, less than one year old. Quite frequently the shutter button does not spring back completely when released. As a result the photo playback does not appear. I have to gently "stroke" the button to get it to spring back completely. Is there anything I can do about it? Thanks
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Forum: Pentax K-S1 & K-S2
09-06-2017, 05:52 AM
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I've tried using Astrotracer with my K-3 ii, but I've never succeeded in getting the camera to complete the high sensitivity calibration. I've gone through the 3 axis rotation dance numerous times but the process fails. Would anyone have a suggestion how to fix this?
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
07-29-2017, 01:23 AM
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Thanks for the prompt replies. I've tried "painting" with a LED flashlight and the photos has a distinct green tinge (which can be corrected quite well in Lightroom). The LED flashlights I've tried don't give a balanced white (around 5000K-5500K). If any company were to develop a powerful LED flashlight with a CRI index of 90 or better, I'd be one of their first customers.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
07-28-2017, 02:01 PM
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I photograph quite a bit in very low-light locations (caves for example) with my Pentax K-3ii mounted on a tripod. I would like to be able to set the camera on long exposure and “paint” the cave’s interior with light by holding the flash in my hand (off-camera), pointing it in various directions and firing it repeatedly. I have a small (and very handy) Metz 26 AF-2 flash, but it unfortunately does not have a discharge button with which it can be fired off-camera. It only fires when mounted on the camera’s hot shoe. I’m looking for an accessory that connects to the flash’s connection base and has a button which will fire the flash. Would someone be able to recommend such an accessory? Thanks.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
01-30-2017, 01:42 PM
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This is an INCREDIBLE comparison table and thanks for sharing. I would like to second the request in the previous comment and ask if you could kindly provide the Excel version. I too am an Excel buff and feel that it would be easier for me to explore and digest this plethora of data using Excel's tools and capabilities
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
01-18-2015, 11:24 AM
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I came across this thread a bit late but I hope the following will help anyone requiring Gitzo service.
Gitzo is a Manfrotto company. Manfrotto has a website dedicated to service and spare parts including Gitzo items
You can call them on 01483 548883 or visit www.manfrottospares.com.
One of my Gitzo pan heads needed a few new parts.
I contacted them via the website, ordered the spare parts, and they arrived without any problem. The price of the parts and shipping was very reasonable.
Hope this helps
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Forum: Pentax Forums Giveaways
12-13-2014, 10:50 PM
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Good luck to the happy winner and Happy Christmas
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
12-11-2014, 04:20 AM
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I can wholeheartedly recommend the Lowepro Prorunner 350 AW. The build quality is top-notch, the padding does an excellent job of protecting the bag contents and your shoulders. It will easily accommodate all the items you listed.
My bag has traveled extensively with me all over the world, and it's as good as new. I'd be wary of bags that open on the side, I may be wrong but I feel that lenses would be more susceptible to accidentally falling out
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Forum: Sold Items
03-16-2013, 01:47 PM
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I'm the fortunate owner of a Sigma 180mm f3.5 APO-Macro EX DG IF telephoto lens. Whoever wins this rare lens will not be sorry. Build and optical quality are excellent. Highly recommended.
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
06-16-2012, 05:03 AM
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The Mecablitz 58 AF-2 flash user manual is missing the chapter on servo mode.
With this mode you can trigger the Metz 58 flash via another flash (for instance using the camera's built in flash to remotely trigger the Metz 58 flash)
Metz published it as an addendum and it can be downloaded at Pentax: Metz.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
06-16-2012, 03:10 AM
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Hi Eran,
Just discovered your thread about the Metz 58 AF2. Congratulations, it's an awesome flash, and in my opinion it's the best flash there is today for Pentax cameras.
I have it too, so that makes (to the best of my knowledge) two of us in Israel who have it.
The operating manual that comes with the flash is unfortunately not the best and is missing the chapter on servo mode. Metz posted it separately on their website here:
Pentax: Metz.
I strongly recommend using Sanyo Eneloop rechargeable batteries, along with a good charger such as one of the Maha chargers (I have a few and they're excellent).
Even though I've had the flash for over a year and use it quite frequently, I find that I have quite a lot to still learn on how to use it, especially in tricky lighting situations.
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
05-01-2012, 12:42 PM
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They are at Camera Strap Professional Non Slip Camera Straps - UPstrap.
The strap comes in various models and has a non-slip shoulder pad, only this time when they SAY no-slip they MEAN no-slip.
You can hang your camera over your shoulder (not your neck) and it will stay there no matter what shirt of jacket you happen to be wearing.
I've been using one for years and it's as good as new. If it's important: It doesn't come with the Pentax logo
Hope this helps.
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Forum: Welcomes and Introductions
03-04-2012, 10:09 AM
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I'm a veteran Pentax user, started many years ago with an MX followed by an ME Super, then an LX (still one of my most cherished possessions), my first digital was the DL and now I'm shooting with a K-r - a great camera by any standard. I've accumulated quite an assortment of Pentax lenses, many of them SMC A* primes. The only non-Pentax lens I use is a Sigma 180 mm macro. My main photographic interests are landscapes, wild flowers and macro. I'm happy to have joined this forum and wish you all great photography.
Benie
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