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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
12-07-2014, 08:08 AM
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I just downloaded the first and third picture and am hereby asking for permission to slap them into CaNikon fanboys' faces as a pro-Pentax argument :D
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
05-27-2014, 04:35 AM
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I believe the three main affected SDM lenses have been the 16-50, 17-70 and 50-135.
Since my own 50-135 started to exhibit the tell-tale signs of failure more than a year ago, I have been searching and researching extensively to understand the SDM problem and whether Ricoh/Pentax has implemented a 'fix' in recent production runs. My 50-135 (purchased in Canada in late 2011) was repaired twice by Ricoh Imaging Canada, and adjusted twice, all under warranty.
I have not been able to conclude that there is definitive evidence that Ricoh has implemented a proper design 'fix' in the 50-135, nor if they have made any recent production 'runs' of the lens to ensure higher reliability of new units. There have been reports of different motors (and circuit boards) being installed in units sent for repair, but I don't think there has been any official documented evidence. There have been rumours and speculations of a new SDM design implemented around 2012, but again, no definite word from Ricoh. However, my sense is that the rate of user reports of failures has dropped recently. Whether this means fewer people are buying the lens owing to concern of possible lens failure, or the lens design has been improved, is hard to say.
- Craig
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Forum: Lens Clubs
04-12-2014, 03:51 AM
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-17-2014, 07:24 AM
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I really don't know how many I have. :BrownBag:
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-19-2014, 07:44 AM
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Both the OPs and chickentenders images don't appear to be up to scratch....in the case of chickentenders image I can't find anything sharp anywhere in the frame, that's often motion blur...
In terms of cost...
compared with the Sigma 35 1.4, the 31 stacks up quite nicely, not as centre sharp better edge to edge sharpness, much lower CA which should lead to better microconstrast...
The Asunama is famous for it's "funky" bokeh, not usually a positive thing in a lens
Asanuma 28mm F2.8 - funky bokeh part II: Nikon SLR Lens Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review
The 31 on the other hand is famous for it's bokeh.
Neither or the images above approach what klaus at photo zone would call excellent... if that was truly the best I could do, I'd send it off to Pentax for calibration, possibly with the camera. But I have to also note, none of the images shown by the OP really show what the lens can do.
I don't know about where you live, but if I phone up the girl at Pentax today and send her the lens, in a week I'll have an estimate and in two weeks I'll have it back, checked out and cleaned, if nothing is wrong, for 25 bucks. My 21 only cost me $200 and it was dropped and needed new parts. Sometimes I think we should have a section here on what to do if your lens isn't performing up to spec... it's high end sensitive equipment, you just cannot buy it and forget it like it was a hammer. Getting the best use requires proper maintenance, but getting the best use also requires good technique. The big problem with evaluating pictures in a thread like this is it can be pretty hard to tell what's going on. What "should" be is irrelevant, if your gear isn't working up to scratch, get it serviced.
From my experience I know, my frustration level is not always a problem with faulty equipment... sometimes the problem is the little shortcuts I think I can get away with.
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
10-08-2013, 12:20 PM
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I have two Domke F-2s. One I bought back in the '70s for my Minolta SRT-101 outfit. I liked it so much that when my dad gave me his Canon A-1 outfit, I bought a second F-2 for it. I sold the Canon outfit to buy a K-5. Currently I keep the K-5, 16-50, 43, 70, and 100 WR lenses in it along with the charger, USB cable, 49mm and 77mm polarizer filters, a USB flash drive, a Demb Saucer flash diffuser, and some miscellaneous cleaning and note-taking supplies. Everything fits well except the flash diffuser is barely small enough to fit in the inner pocket on the lid. I do think that to put any more than what I have in (like 250mm lenses), you will be happier with the F-1X.
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
10-07-2013, 02:33 PM
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Personally, I think you need a larger bag to fit everything nice and comfortably. The F-1X is a "little bit bigger".
Domke makes a solid bag. I have the F-5XA in Olive Drab. I absolutely love the bag. It sees usage 99% of the tie out of all my bags. The quality of the materials and components are top notch. When I need a new bag, I am without a doubt buying another Domke.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
09-23-2013, 07:58 AM
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How low can you go? You you're dumping on people who have had the misfortune to get a bad copy of a lens? Why you weren't banned from the forum long ago is beyond me. Be happy I'm not a mod, really , really happy.
Just discussing the SDM thing, after this number of failures there are just so many questions, not the least of which is are Pentax even competent to deal with this? After 3 failures the obvious conclusion would be there is something wrong with the construction of the lens and it's taking more effort to focus the lens than it should. Either that or someone should be working out the odds of three motors failing on the same lens using whatever the normal failure rate is. I assume Pentax is testing it and it's coming out within spec, but for resistence, this lens should be modified to be on the low end of spec, rather than the high end. When I buy gear from Henry's the extended repair says if it fails 3 times in the 4 years of the warranty you get a new one. I've never considered it for cameras. But on a lens, which will be expected to last through numerous camera bodies., that might be a really good option. Especially on this lens which is clearly not up to Pentax's usual standard. Personally, I never bought that lens. The Tamron 17-50 is optically better as far as I can tell, and a fraction the price. It's very rare that the noise of the screw drive is an issue on a lens of that length. But if you already own it, converting it to screw drive , you still get the WR. You don't have to pay for another lens, what's not to like?
I'd probably just tell Pentax to send my lens back, but I also seem to be more willing to write off a misfortune than others. I don't get hung up on what "should" be. Having been though the civil rights movement etc. I've learned there are a great many things that should be that never will be. Important things. Things way more important the SDM or screw drive on a lens. You confine your battles to the ones you can win. Getting a lemon, regardless of whether it's a car, a vacuum cleaner or a camera just isn't one of those battles you're likely to win. And even if you do, is it going to be worth what it costs you? Idealists tend to have a different view. But if you look at the history of activist movements, it isn't until a few practical people interested in incremental change, and not terribly caught up on what should be, get in and take over from the idealists that anything gets done.
In this case, trying to get Pentax to do the right thing, you have to decide if this is something you want to devote time to. I'd rather be taking pictures myself. My guess after following this for a long time, is these lenses are within spec, but the specs were not written tight enough. If you get a motor within the weaker end of spec and a lens that's at the stiffer end of spec. failure is imminent. At this point we can pretty much assume your lens is at the stiffer end of spec.. and Pentax doesn't want to deal with that. Maybe put it on a stepper motor and program it to crank the focus ring in and out a couple thousand time when you get it back.
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Forum: Photographic Industry and Professionals
10-01-2013, 05:11 PM
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Given the history of the client (what they paid last year) you are probably limited to $100.00 per image. That is very cheap, but if the precedent has been established it is very hard to break. Is the quality of your images noticeably better than what was used the prior year? If you tried to charge what it is probably worth they would contact the previous photographer.
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Forum: Photographic Industry and Professionals
10-01-2013, 03:40 PM
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I'd add 15% to what this year's shooter sold them for. If you need to come down then the art director will feel happier and you'll get a fair chunk of money anyway, plus a portfolio entry for your future.
M
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Forum: Photographic Industry and Professionals
10-01-2013, 05:11 PM
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I've never sold any image so keep that in mind.
That is about 67 Euros per image. With a press run of 500 that works out to about 1.33E each. That is better than you would do on most stock photo sites. I don't imagine they have the budget to pay really pro rates and I do think that would be considered low for a pro.
I personally would give it a go.
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