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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
12-30-2023, 08:42 PM
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Back in 2011, I bought several sets of Sanyo Eneloop 1900 cells for my K-x which I had bought the year prior. I was really happy with their performance in that camera, especially compared to other rechargeables available at the time.
It's now 2024 and I still use these cells! While my K-x is now long since sold, these batteries just won't die! (I use them in my flashes and around the house). I've been charging them since new with a cheap unbranded charger that has four separate charging channels (one for each battery slot).
I have a few sets of the IKEA Ladda branded cells too, (1900s and 2450s) but I can't comment on their longevity as I've not put them through regular and continuous use for OVER A DECADE like I have with the Eneloop 1900s.
I can say with certainty that the Eneloop 1900 cells work nicely with the K-x. I'd recommend 'em: they hold a charge, have a long lifespan, and pay themselves off fairly quickly. But, I'll add, if you buy the Eneloop brand cells, be sure to buy them from a trusted supplier like a camera shop or other physical retailers. There are still lots of fakes floating around in the web.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
10-06-2023, 07:20 PM
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Sounds like you should take her out for lunch and then walk around a pond somewhere together.
Have her take some shots of flowers and whatever grabs her attention. Show her the ropes with your K-5 and if she likes the way it handles... well... Gramps might just be to get himself a new camera! (Oh noo! ;))
If she's not feeling it, that's fine. You've had some quality time together and can figure out what would be a better fit the next time you take her out for lunch.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
10-01-2023, 09:00 PM
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Hi all, just giving this thread a long overdue resolution.
KEH took back the lens without any hassle. They even comped the shipping from Canada to their location in the US. I'll definately do business with these folks again.
As for a DFA 50mm replacement, I've not been able to track down another copy at a similar price. I've been enjoying my FA 50mm f/1.4, in the meantime (but at DFA, it ain't).
Thanks again to all who participated in this thread and for your helpful input.
All the best!
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
01-22-2023, 03:18 PM
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Thanks everyone. That seems like the best way forward. Sometimes it's just nice to have a sanity check!
That is correct. No mention was made.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
01-21-2023, 10:09 PM
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Hi folks.
I just got a used Pentax-D Fa* 50mm f/1.4 from KEH for an absolute steal.
However, after using it to shoot a family dinner tonight, I noticed some pretty erratic exposures when reviewing the images on my K-1 (running firmware 2.10, the latest). From one image to the next, the exposure was hopping all over the place. Given that I was shooting in manual mode and in continuous drive mode (NOT bracketing), this was odd. The exposure ought to have been identical from frame to frame, since the camera's settings and the scene I was shooting weren't changing between shots. One image would be over exposed and the next would be under exposed, and the next after that would be right on the money or, just as likely, two stops too dark.
When I got back home I began running a few tests and took this video of the issue as it happened.
It looks like the aperture is sticking, but there is not evidence of oil (or anything else) on the blades. The strangest bit of all is that when the aperture gets stuck in the stopped down position, it can be reset by cycling the power switch on the camera body.
This made me start wondering that perhaps this stuck aperture was a firmware issue rather than a sticky blade issue. To test this theory, I repeated my tests on my only other KAF4 lens, a D-FA 70-210mm; but, the 70-210mm stops down and opens up again just peachy-keen.
If you have had any experience with this, please let me know! I'm thinking that I'll be sending this lens back to KEH for a refund. I would love to keep it if I could get it working properly, it absolutely SLAPS!
Am I missing something obvious, or is this 50mm lens defective?
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-31-2022, 10:39 PM
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The DA 35mm macro is a lovely little lens! I've heard excellent things said about it.
However, if low light performance is what you're looking for, the FA 35mm f/2 (or it's modern iteration, the FA 35mm HD) will be your best bet.
It's not as sharp as the 35mm f/2.8 when shot wide open, but it lets in an extra stop of light. The FA 35mm f/2 will also work on Pentax K mount film SLRs, has autofocus, and is full frame compatible should you wish to upgrade your camera in a few years.
The best point, however, is that it is even less expensive than the 35mm macro.
The best compromise, I think, is the FA 35mm f/2 purchased second hand.
I've owned the FA 35mm f/2 and the FA 31mm f/1.8 and enjoyed them both. (Though, I did upgrade to the 31mm!)
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
08-17-2022, 01:27 AM
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I've had two copies of the K 135mm f/2.5, one copy of the M 135mm f/3.5, a copy of the FA 135mm f/2.8, and a copy of the A 135mm f/2.8.
I sold all of them less one copy of the K series lenses. I shoot it on my K2's and my K-1 with a swapped microprism focusing screen with great results on both film and digital.
Both of the K lenses I had were tack sharp wide open and showed minimal people fringing whereas the M, A, and FA lenses were noticeably softer and had greater fringing until around f/4. From f/4 and higher, each of the lenses were great performers. I also prefer the bokeh of the K lens.
That being said, the K and M series lenses don't communicate aperture info to your camera body, so if you're using a hotshoe mounted flash, you can kiss P-ttl goodbye.
To be clear, though: none of these lenses are stinkers. Whatever you buy will yield good to excellent results with practise and patience.
Hope this helps!
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-28-2022, 04:29 PM
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Preliminary tests are all failures.
I'm throwing in the towel.
While I'm not entirely convinced that my initial idea is incorrect (ie: that pz pins can act and 'dumb pins' in some teleconverters where electrical signals are passed through without any further modification on the part of the teleconverter itself), I have found the precision needed to add pz pins to a teleconverter that previously had none to be quite a bit more difficult than I had first imagined.
If anyone wants to pick up the torch, best of luck to them!
My experiment was unsuccessful. Thank you to all who participated with me for their insights and ideas!
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-24-2022, 10:27 AM
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That's really quite clever! I'll have to do some scrounging.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-23-2022, 10:30 PM
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Thanks!
This is just for a lark.
Success is unlikely, but I'll see how it goes.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-23-2022, 02:54 PM
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Good question. I don't know yet. Any ideas?
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-23-2022, 10:53 AM
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Thanks for the input so far!
I've got three teleconverters of the KAF type that just keep on showing up with package deals for used equipment. The Sigma mentioned in the original post is pretty good and the only version I actually bought as a standalone purchase. (A whopping $20 Canadian).
I'll be playing with my unconverted da*300mm f/4 to test the results.
If there's success, I'll go ahead and cast a better copy out of resin.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-22-2022, 10:59 PM
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Hi all,
I had a shower thought today that I might go forward and explore for myself. If you have any thoughts on the matter (or experience) please share it!
My thinking goes like this:
There are plentiful and cheap teleconverters available in k mount that are only KAF. These teleconverters have all the data pins of the current iteration of the k mount as well as the screw drive socket for F and Fa series lenses. What they lack are the power zoom / SDM contact pads of the later KAF2 mount. Because of this, such teleconverters are unable to drive autofocus on lenses that rely on lens based af motors.
Could an adequately motivated person add the SDM pins to one of these KAF teleconverters to create a homebrew KAF2 version?
I was planning on giving it a shot and making a proof of concept prototype with my Sigma 1.4x DG using sugru, soldering wire, and patience.
Any thoughts?
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Forum: Vintage Cameras and Equipment
06-17-2022, 10:56 AM
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That viewfinder picture made me smile!
Can't wait to see the images that come out of this vintage beauty.
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
06-17-2022, 10:33 AM
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As others have mentioned, make judicious use of tape when bulk loading for use in auto-wind on cameras.
The only failures to rewind back into the film canister I've experienced while shooting with bulk loaded films has been due to the tape giving up it's hold on the spool (while loaded in my PZ-1) once it hit the end of the roll.
Since I used to bulk load for manual cameras exclusively, and all my cartridges had only a little strip of tape holding them onto the spool. To stop this issue from happening with my bulk load films, I kept an eye on my exposure counter and then commanded the camera to rewind before it got the end of the roll. Not a big deal... until you inevitably forget!
As a side note:
If you find yourself falling in love with the autofocus film experience, I highly recommend picking up a Z-1 (or Pz-1, Z-1p, Pz-1p more or less the same camera, save a few minor differences). They're great reliable, comfortable, and customizable cameras for not much money!
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Forum: Sold Items
05-11-2022, 09:37 PM
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Forum: Sold Items
05-05-2022, 09:31 PM
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PentaxForums.com Marketplace Listing
Item for Sale
Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1 (# 172E )
Asking Price
195.00 CAD
Item Location
British Columbia (Canada)
Item Description
For sale is my Tamron 90mm f/2.8 macro lens in Pentax K-mount. $195 Canadian Dollars = ~$150 USD, ~€142 Euro, ~£122 Pounds Sterling.
This macro lens has a maximum of one-to-one magnification and features a focus limiter switch that keeps the autofocus snappy when using this lens as a short telephoto portrait lens.
It covers the full frame imaging circle and thus can be used on all Pentax cameras that take the K mount, both film and digital.
Optically, mechanically, and cosmetically this lens is in great condition. There is some small dust inside the lens, as typical.
Comes with the original lens hood, original rear cap, and an aftermarket front cap.
Full sized samples can be sent over upon request. In the meantime, check out my review here on the forums.
Price includes Paypal Fees, but not shipping. Shipping will be quoted once the buyer is ready to purchase.
Canadian buyers can also pay with interac e-transfer if that is the payment option they prefer.
Are you the original owner of the item being sold?
No
Are you selling or trading this item?
Selling
Item Condition (Key)
Used
Good
Shipping Destinations
Worldwide
Shipping Charge
@ cost
Shipping Services
Canada Post
Accepted Payment Types
PayPal Other (Elaborate)
Return Policy & Additional Details
Returns accepted only if lens condition does not match my ad at time of sale. Buyer pays shipping.
Please send me a private message if interested in the item!
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Forum: Sold Items
05-05-2022, 09:17 PM
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PentaxForums.com Marketplace Listing
Item for Sale
SMC Pentax-Fa 135mm f/2.8 lens
Asking Price
280.00 CAD
Item Location
British Columbia (Canada)
Item Description
For sale is a SMC Pentax FA 135mm 1:2.8 lens in Pentax K mount.
This is a full frame autofocus lens that is compatible with all K-mount Pentax bodies, film and digital.
Optically and mechanically, this lens is in great condition. It does show paint wear on the body, as pictured, thus the price.
Ie: No fungus, separation, or oil on blades. (Some minor dust is visible with a flashlight, as typical).
Comes with original front and rear caps.
Full sized sample images available upon request; in the meantime, check out my review here on the forums.
Price includes Paypal Fees, but not shipping. Shipping will be quoted once the buyer is ready to purchase.
Canadian buyers can also pay with interac e-transfer if that is the payment option they prefer.
Are you the original owner of the item being sold?
No
Are you selling or trading this item?
Selling
Item Condition (Key)
Used
Fair
Shipping Destinations
Worldwide
Shipping Charge
@ cost
Shipping Services
Canada Post
Accepted Payment Types
PayPal Other (Elaborate)
Return Policy & Additional Details
Returns accepted only if lens condition does not match my ad at time of sale. Buyer pays shipping.
Please send me a private message if interested in the item!
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Forum: Film Processing, Scanning, and Darkroom
04-22-2022, 10:55 AM
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Hi, I went through a Kodak Colorplus phase a few years ago, shooting about 25 rolls of the stuff over two years. If you're looking for a classic 70's film look, you're on the right path. Warm brown tones, and saturated reds and blues are the results of shooting it at 100. But pastels, no. If that's what you'd like, grab a roll of Kodak Porta 160 instead.
Kodak Colorplus 200 - Day Three on the Juan de Fuca Trail, British Columbia
Portrait shots are always lovely on Portra 400, too. But, if you're looking for pastel colours and a bright and airy atmosphere, I'd still spring for Portra 160, it's just much more subdued compared to its 400 iso sibling which I have always found to be pleasantly punchy.
Porta 400 @ 400 in evening light
I've shot a fair amount of XX as well. Not my jam. The dynamic range is much poorer than other other black and white film stocks. For portraits, I found that its relatively narrower DR yielded blocked up shadows or blown skin tones in anything other than subdued light. YMMV. If you have total control of your light sources, as is often the case for cinema productions, this respooled cinema film could be a good fit. It's not nearly as flexible as Kodak's more consumer oriented b&w stocks, though.
In its place, try a roll of Fomapan 100 classic. It's cheaper for a single roll, has a very wide midtone range (ie: skin tone range), and is a classic film stock that still uses traditional grain structures, unlike more modern T-grain films. Plus, if you want a higher contrast image, you can add contrast when you print your photo. (Less so vice-versa).
Chip on Fomapan 100 @ ISO 80. Developed in Rodinal 1:50 for 9mins. One inversion per minute
But, a great photo has more to do with you as a photographer than the equipment you buy. Most of all, have fun on your shoot and your shots will reflect it! Good luck!
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
04-07-2022, 05:35 PM
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Twists!
Easier to use with gloves in our Canadian weather (with less less opportunity to pinch frozen fingertips too).
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Forum: General Photography
03-29-2022, 10:00 PM
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I'm not sure which way I'd go. But I'd sure have fun picking the brains (and shelves) of the folks at my local camera store!
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
03-28-2022, 09:16 PM
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I've got the exact same issue with my asahiflex. Have any solutions come to light in the last year?
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Forum: General Photography
03-26-2022, 12:09 AM
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My initial impression of the article was that it read like an ad telling its audience 'Don't be a phony musician! Keep it about the music, man. Buy a FENDER® guitar!'
But, there was one part of the article that kept my interest, it's quoted below:
"The Leica comes from a time before picture-taking had morphed into a means for social approval, a time when photography was about narrative, drama, and tension."
Do you fine folks believe this to be true?
Was there a time when photographers would get together and share their work without any sense of social approval being involved? Or, is this an imagined past?
My knee jerk reaction was to think of the Leica brand as a symbol of conspicuous consumption. I cannot recall a time in my life when Leicas weren't a status symbol.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-18-2022, 08:35 PM
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I've been really impressed with my copy of the Sigma 20mm f/1.8 on the K1. I wrote a review of it here where I compared it to other wide lenses I've owned.
At f/1.8, it's not going to knock your socks off, but anything stopped down past f/2.4 will yield superb results. (And that's still a pretty dang wide aperture). It has AF to boot.
I got mine for a song, which is why I took a chance on a used Sigma.
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Forum: Film Processing, Scanning, and Darkroom
11-09-2021, 01:33 PM
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After using a variety of developers and b&w films I've settled on Rodinal developer, ecopro stop, and ecopro fix. In lieu of wetting agent, I use a few drops from a 'Dawn' brand dish detergent bottle I've diluted to ~1/50th strength. So far I've developed 5 100ft rolls of film (~150 canisters of 24 exposures) with these chemicals and had excellent results over the past 6 years. Especially with Fomapan 100 film.
Here's my 2¢ worth regarding your chemical kit:
You've selected some great equipment, but I feel that you might be overdoing it if you're uncertain that you'll be sticking to developing film for the long haul. There's a cheaper way to get the same results. My suggestion would be the following minimal kit that could be picked up on the cheap:
-2 amber glass liquor bottles (of different shape) to store fix and stop.
-1 roll of duct tape to record the number of uses of each chemical in aforementioned bottles.(In my experience, stop bath and fixer to fill a 750ml (26 fl.oz) bottle will last for 12 rolls before being chemically depleted.)
-1 permanent marker to write upon the tape with.
-1 funnel that will fit into the liquor bottles to pour chemical back into them with.
-1 10mm blunt needle syringe to precisely measure Rodinal out of the bottle with.
-1 500mm measuring cup
-1 waterproof thermometer (such as a meat thermometer)
-bulldog clips and a coat hanger to hang film to dry with.
-a church key type bottle opener to open rolls of film.
-a plastic tub to store your gear in without a risk of leaks ruining your floors. (Ask me how I know this ☺️)
-1 pair of rubber dish washing gloves
All of the above can be found in a dollar store / 1£ shop for cheap. Total cost ~£10.
You will also need some more specialized equipment from a supplier:
-a film changing bag (I like Paterson brand)
- a two reel daylight development tank. (Again, I prefer Paterson)
And that's about it.
Good luck! You're in for a fun new addition to the photo hobby!
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