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Forum: Sold Items 04-30-2022, 06:41 AM  
For Sale - Sold: Free EMPTY DA 35 f2.4 box & FA 43 Limited Box
Posted By grahame
Replies: 6
Views: 1,237
It's so nice of you to offer the boxes. May I take them if still available! Thanks
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 09-25-2021, 11:29 AM  
What do you do when you crack the rear element on your lens?
Posted By grahame
Replies: 28
Views: 2,056
I saw that lens on ebay and almost clicked buy button to keep it as a part resource in case my lens needs repair in the future :) Congratulations! Usually we believe marks on the front will not impact image but the issues on rear element might. This lens definitely still makes good image! As a portrait lens, the edge is not that important, if there is any impact. Maybe just to avoid strong backlight?
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 06-27-2021, 09:10 PM  
The challenge of the new Pentaprism
Posted By grahame
Replies: 169
Views: 15,075
It might be a solution. But I am afraid the meter sensor does not see color, so the contrasty edge for peaking must be readable in BW pattern.
I am not a fan of focus peaking alone. I never find it to be accurate enough for fast lenses. On mirror-less cameras, I always use focus amplification + peaking for MF. So for me, I prefer a hybrid finder that has the image from CMOS projected to it. So if you need EVF, simply lift the mirror and you use it as a mirror-less.
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 06-27-2021, 05:00 PM  
The challenge of the new Pentaprism
Posted By grahame
Replies: 169
Views: 15,075
It requires a complete redesign of the camera, because a regular SLR camera does not have an image sensor on the light path to OVF, and the main CMOS is behind the mirror and shutter and does not get any light until shutter releases. So the camera does not have any focus peaking information.
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 06-21-2021, 03:11 PM  
The challenge of the new Pentaprism
Posted By grahame
Replies: 169
Views: 15,075
fuji's hybrid viewfinder is good for fixed lens only, such as X100 serial. It does not work well X-PRO, because the optical viewfinder does not zoom with the lens.

I think the real "hybrid VF" should be overlay an LCD screen on the path of OVF. There is a "clear TV" that is clear and transparent when power is off. EVF cuts in only when it is powered on, otherwise it only shows focus point or other information.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 05-25-2021, 08:38 AM  
The Three Amigos, the FA Limiteds...does anyone
Posted By grahame
Replies: 30
Views: 2,561
To me, 64mm/1.9 is a little too long for a standard lens and a little not long enough for a portrait lens. Plus the bokeh is a little too busy for a portrait lens. 60-70 is typically for macro. Of course, everyone has different taste.

I have DA 40 it for the small size, not for the optic characters. 60mm/2.8 is hard to define. On APS, I used FA 31 and da 55 for this range, and hardly reach the DA40 or FA 43.
On FF, I still prefer DA55 over FA43, but I use 43 a lot more than before. Now I use 43 on A7II.

In fact, I like M40/2.8 on A7II. So, to me, 40mm is also better for FF sensor.

These 3 lenses are designed to stay in-between the existing "standard" lenses: 28, 35, 50, 105
31: (28+35)/2 =31.5
43: (35+50)/2 = 42.5
77: (50+105)/2 = 77.5
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 05-21-2021, 01:51 PM  
The Three Amigos, the FA Limiteds...does anyone
Posted By grahame
Replies: 30
Views: 2,561
FA43 is a little embarrassing on APS, but is great on FF.

Funny thing was, I was used to the view of FA 31 on APS, and didn't know what to do with this "re-discovered wide lens" when I put it on FF camera. had to rethink everything. I didn't use FA 31 on FF as much as 43. It was opposite on aps.
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 05-16-2021, 01:41 PM  
The challenge of the new Pentaprism
Posted By grahame
Replies: 169
Views: 15,075
Right. Fuji's Hybrid viewfinder is not the best solution because the OVF is a rangefinder style but not TTL and works only with fixed lens camera.
Think about google glasses or some other cheaper VR glasses, they can project the image into viewer's eyes to make them believe they are watching a movie on a big theater screen. What if we can have tech like that on a DSLR? Put your eye on the viewfinder and all suddenly you merge into the view through the lens! I am sure you will have motion sick soon if you move your camera :)
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 05-16-2021, 10:58 AM  
The challenge of the new Pentaprism
Posted By grahame
Replies: 169
Views: 15,075
I have very mixed feeling towards viewfinders:

When I have AF lenses mounted, I actually prefer OVF, larger and brighter is better of course, but I like OVF in general. I use OVF on Fuji X100F most of time, because it has an AF lens. More nature to my eyes. Image in EVF is sharp these days but are harsh, I don't feel I am looking at things around me directly.
But if I use MF lens, EVF makes day & night difference for focusing. I installed split focusing screen or canon S- type screens on almost all my DSLRs, but still the accuracy can not come close to the magnified focusing point in EVF.

Good to see Pentax is working on the OVF. I will be super happy if Pentax can eventually overlay an EVF image in the OVF optical path and user can switch between the two.
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 05-12-2021, 09:23 PM  
The challenge of the new Pentaprism
Posted By grahame
Replies: 169
Views: 15,075
That must be a BIG improvement of reflection because there are only 2 interfaces in the pentaprism are mirror and others are total internal reflection and are 100%. The improvement makes OVF 10% brighter even after compensating the darken image caused by the magnifying lens .
I still believe some modification on focusing screen might be easier. Just a guess.

Don't take me wrong, I love MF lenses and love bigger viewfinder. I bought Fuji x-t1 over x-pro because the bigger EVF, and olympus em-1 over 5 or 10 mostly because the bigger finder.
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 05-12-2021, 06:23 PM  
The challenge of the new Pentaprism
Posted By grahame
Replies: 169
Views: 15,075
But the mirror is not significantly larger. Pentax only put a magnifying glass between the focus screen and the pentaprism. So the amount of light reflected into the prism is similar, but the image is larger, so must be darker. Maybe Pentax made a new focusing screen to make prism brighter.
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 03-31-2021, 09:52 PM  
This is the Pentax K-3 Mark III
Posted By grahame
Replies: 636
Views: 59,609
Focus tracking is great indeed! Soooo much better than any previous Pentax camera and is as good as most competitors as I can see from the video. Locking focusing on a dog running towards the camera is challenging. Of course we need to see the sample photos, not just from a video to check the accuracy and speed of AF tracking. I wish Pentax had such an AF system on K1 and K3. Pentax would have kept a lot more shooters 5 years ago.
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 01-06-2021, 03:42 PM  
[New Product Story Vol.8] Aperture coupler is (sorta) back!
Posted By grahame
Replies: 209
Views: 16,238
Sony opened its E mount standard, which helped them dramatically when E mount was just released. For quite a while, Sigma's 30 and 60mm were my favorite lenses on NEX-5. And, the reasons I bought NEX-5 were: 1) I could use it as an universal digital back for many many old lenses I have in the storage and 2) sigma 19,30, and 60 are sharp, reasonable fast, and very very low priced even new. For long time, Sigma 30 and 60, and Sony 16 were the only AF E-mount lenses I had. Sigma's support definitely made my NEX-5 purchase easier.

I will not say it is "totally unrealistic". And for Pentax particular, gaining 3rd party lens/flash support is very critical, and pentax should make it easier, not harder.
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 01-06-2021, 03:05 PM  
[New Product Story Vol.8] Aperture coupler is (sorta) back!
Posted By grahame
Replies: 209
Views: 16,238
It looks camera was focusing on glass frame. Her eyebrow is still sharp enough because she bent her neck and eyebrow was close to the focal plane. Her eye was not as sharp as glass frame.
Unless using CDAF and eye-detect focusing, DSLR is not so smart, at least so far, and likes to focus on the more contrasty part in the focus area.
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 01-06-2021, 12:15 PM  
[New Product Story Vol.8] Aperture coupler is (sorta) back!
Posted By grahame
Replies: 209
Views: 16,238
I will consider Sigma, Tamron, zeiss... as "supporting company, not competing ones. They have stopped making PK mount for quite a while and it is our unfortunate.
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 01-06-2021, 11:59 AM  
[New Product Story Vol.8] Aperture coupler is (sorta) back!
Posted By grahame
Replies: 209
Views: 16,238
If you are comparing with older Pentax cameras, 7-8 in focus shot out of 10 when you are shooting station objectives are fine. To my experience, Pentax can do it IN MOST TIME after careful calibration. The problems is, NOT ALWAYS. It really depends on the conditions. Size of objectives (important), distance (important) and light. 12-15 ft away, full body portrait, 85mm wide open at 1.4, I usually got a lot more than 20-30% out of focus shots. My sigma 85 is not art version, so I was not able to calibrate with USB docking. My FA 85 is in fact a little worse than sigma on my K1.

Anyway, I will consider 70% in focus as "can not handle". It is kind of "trying around". If you are take a few steps back for full body, you are gambling. --- Not good enough to get the job done. In that case, I trust my MF skill better than AF system, if an appropriate focusing screen is installed. FA 85 is much more reliable on A7II when I "need an in-focus picture".

If you are comparing with other brands, they might smile...

YMMV. But to me, if AF system can only provide 70% success, and much worse sometimes, I really want the much reliable MF screen.

---------- Post added 01-06-21 at 01:07 PM ----------



exactly! But canon knows that and provides focusing screens for fast lenses; mirror-less cameras are born to be able to MF better than any DSLR.

So this is exactly the reason I want an interchangeable screen on new cameras, particularly if Pentax build aperture coupler simulator in it.



close range, Pentax can usually do fairly well, as you showed here. 15-ft away is another story. I believe the big focus points are one of the problems. The covered area might be bigger than the face 15 fts away and camera will get confused.
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 01-03-2021, 11:56 PM  
[New Product Story Vol.8] Aperture coupler is (sorta) back!
Posted By grahame
Replies: 209
Views: 16,238
Well, what is the purpose of providing virtual aperture lever on this APS-C camera then? At least, A 85/1.4 has automatic aperture control and will not take much advantage from this feature. This function, if turns to be true, is aimed to shooters want to use and like to use older MF lenses such as K or M version. I have never seen any lens with auto focus but no auto aperture.

Also, DSLR's AF system struggles with super fast lenses. Pentax K1, at least mine, could not handle accurate AF with my FA 85/1.4, sigma 85/1.4, even missed focus with DA55/1.4. Just to add: camera and lenses were sent together to get serviced but didn't help much. I sold my K1 to someone wanted to convert the mount to use his Contax lenses.

I am not accusing Pentax. Canon DSLRs could not handle 50/1.2 as well. So canon provided E-es screen or E-cb screen for MF. We want accurate MF assistant as back up if AF could not perform.
Why would it be a problem if we ask Pentax to provide an interchangeable focusing screen, after they decided to give virtual aperture lever on new camera?
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 01-02-2021, 06:07 PM  
[New Product Story Vol.8] Aperture coupler is (sorta) back!
Posted By grahame
Replies: 209
Views: 16,238
Great photo!
But you must have stopped down to F8 or so here. Slight shift of focusing point is not a big deal. If you use a 85/1.4 or 50/1.2, and want to focus on (one of the) eyes, you will find focus confirmation is very limiting.

Anyway, with old eyes, I found EVF is the best choice to MF lenses.
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 01-02-2021, 02:39 PM  
[New Product Story Vol.8] Aperture coupler is (sorta) back!
Posted By grahame
Replies: 209
Views: 16,238
God is calibrating my eyes but apparently in a wrong way :(

But even before he decides to start recalibrating, "nail" focusing with the default AF focusing screen is not possible if shoot at 1.2 or 1.4. You can guess, but you can not know for sure if you have nailed focus without looking at the final image.

Of course, we didn't shoot at F 1.2 that often on film cameras --- part of the reasons is we knew we were going to miss a lot



On Pentax, to do that, we will have to set the camera at AF and use focus confirmation or trapping. It will work, but not as fast and confident.

Canon always provides precision screens for high end cameras, when shooters need fast lenses, for exactly the same reason.
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 01-02-2021, 09:56 AM  
[New Product Story Vol.8] Aperture coupler is (sorta) back!
Posted By grahame
Replies: 209
Views: 16,238
Only if an appropriate focusing screen is installed. If I decided to mount K 50/1.2 on the new camera and use real-time stop-down metering, I will wish I could focus accurately with a precision screen or a split screen. But I know, if an overlay info screen sits on the focusing screen, it will be very hard to change it quickly.

If Pentax is trying to make metering with M/K lenses easier, they probably still remember MF shooters.
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 01-01-2021, 08:46 PM  
[New Product Story Vol.8] Aperture coupler is (sorta) back!
Posted By grahame
Replies: 209
Views: 16,238
Now I hope the focusing screen will be easier to change. And Pentax can provide some nice precision focusing screens for the new camera, to take fully advantage of the large OVF and the "virtual aperture coupler"
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 12-17-2020, 12:44 PM  
Naked K-3 III? Why not?
Posted By grahame
Replies: 107
Views: 8,395
The jumper wires from bottom to top, left to right, remind me the cables in case of my first self-built PC.
Pentax still stays the same way as they built the first DSLR. Opened a Sony camera, what I saw reminded me the board and chips in a macbook.

I know Pentax DSLR does not need to be built as tight as Sony, but the design is in fact a little lazy.
Forum: Sold Items 12-03-2020, 03:48 PM  
For Sale - Sold: canon mt-24ex twin macro flash
Posted By grahame
Replies: 9
Views: 1,637
I am late :(. Surprised that FA31 is still here. A free bump for you.
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 11-17-2020, 01:02 PM  
Pentax K-3 Mark III (R03010) - Additional pictures
Posted By grahame
Replies: 594
Views: 52,125
From the photo on page 1, it looks Pentax uses a convex mirror? Is it how they make the OVF larger on a small APC-S camera? If it is true, does it mean the viewfinder is not necessary as bright?
Also I wonder how did they make the AF sensor work correctly under the convex mirror.

Maybe I am wrong. It is only the focusing screen showing in the magic mirror.

It looks very strange in the photo: a focusing screen is flipped down and covers the shutter
Forum: Sold Items 11-14-2020, 10:15 PM  
Wanted - Acquired: Minolta body cap for SRT100
Posted By grahame
Replies: 8
Views: 289
If you can not find one, I can send one to you. Please PM me your address. Shipping might be slow though. I go post office only when necessary.
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