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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
04-03-2009, 01:02 PM
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Sorry to trouble you John but thank you so much for the detailled instructions.
I will try this tomorrow. First I have to go and buy an eraser (been digging in the drawer but I can't find one decent looking eraser)
What I forgotten to mention earlier in the post was that; I was also using sigma 1.4x TC with the 180macro lens. There was no problem with this combo since the day I got them.
In my effort to troubleshoot just now, I have removed the TC, tried the lenses with and without the TC, with all the function buttons in the right place, the f-stop is on "A" and both cameras (K10D and K20D) was also switched to AF-S or AF-C.
That means, tomorrow I will use the eraser on all the contact points on the 180macro lens and the 1.4x TC too. Right?
Sorry if I'm beginning to sound silly, but I need/want to do it right.
rae
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
04-03-2009, 12:42 PM
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I've also read many times positive stories about sigma customer service (which is why I bought sigma over the other competitors) when I called just now, nobody answered the phone, not even automated one ( it was a bit late anyway, quarter to five, but maybe everyone left early? busy? due to extended weekend - PalmSunday) but I did fill up their web online forms for queries, which I'm sure nobody will see it until Monday.
I actually went into chat with B&H customer service people (I got the lens from them) and the guy who responded, he could not come up with anything else but directed me back to sigma website, which again took me to the same local (swiss) site where I had filled up the query forms. I was going in circles. The 800 numbers doesn't work either, even when I was calling from LAN connection. (must be one of those days when nothing works)
Very strange too, suddenly there are no one around whom I can exchange some thoughts for troubleshooting. Thank goodness there are people in here!!
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
04-03-2009, 11:43 AM
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Seriously?
Could you kindly elaborate, perhaps with a bit of instructions.
I'm getting nervous just thinking about how I'm going to do this.
Is there any instruction on youtube? or anywhere else on the net?
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
04-03-2009, 11:28 AM
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Hi Will,
yes, I found out at last, K20D is able to take pictures in dim poor light conditions where my K10D struggle to autofocus. I really like that ability and very happy with my decision. I wish I had bought the K20 earlier (for the heliskiing) but at that moment (when I started this thread) I was really unable to make the decision, as you mentioned it yourself, if there's enough lights....
Heliskiing above 3000meters comes with 3 challenges.
1- the speed of the skiier, is very fast, between 70 to 130km/h and the chopper is also moving
2-It can be intensely blue sky sunny with blinding white snow
3-very very foggy and grey that the snow cast a blue shadow ( was the exactly the situation we had that week)
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
04-03-2009, 11:08 AM
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Hi Manu, yes, I bought it but thanks anyway for responding as this confirmed my decision was well made.
You know, the usual "should I should I not"...but I am happy with the K20D. So far so good and hopefully as I explore its capacity, I will only discover good stuff.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
04-03-2009, 11:00 AM
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Yes, I've check the f-stop and it is on "A"
and both camera (K10D and K20D) was switched to AF-S or AF-C at the same time.
....but no, I have not tried cleaning the contacts yet.
I've never done any technical fiddling before and haven't got the tool. If contact is the problem, I look forward to buy whatever tools needed for cleaning the contacts (which I have no idea yet where to get them tomorrow)
I really hope it is the contact problem. What's your best method for cleaning the contacts?
StephenMerola: I am in Switzerland but got the lens from the states. This is where my challenge began, because this lens is not sold/available here/locally. I still have no idea how to get it to the service centre, wherever that maybe....
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
04-03-2009, 09:36 AM
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Yes, I have check it, both ways - Mf and Auto function.
Both K10D and K20D suddenly could not read/communicate with the lens.
I just found out, from local sigma website, they don't even carry this model in their product line. I couldn't get them on the phone today as its already after office hours.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
04-03-2009, 08:46 AM
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Hi,
I just got my 180 macro about 2 months ago. Been doing some indoor macro during winter months and it is a great lens. Today, while doing outdoor macrowork, the K20D suddenly showed the sign F---
and the camera just freeze. I tried all the basic trouble shooting, changing battery, SD card, turn to manual focusing but the camera still not responding.
Thinking that the K20D is a gone case, I switched the 180macro lens to my old K10D. Same thing. K10D showed the same sign F--- and the camera just doesn't work.
I put on other lenses on both the cameras and both k10D and k20D function as usual perfectly.
Btw, when switched to manual, The 180macro ring is very loose. Usually I can feel the gears engaged. This happened while the camera and lens was mounted on the tripod.
Is is the contact point? The gears gave up? Is it a motor problem.
This lens is very new and well taken care. I am a female with gentle touch (lol) The lens never had a knock, bump or fell down. I treat it like a baby. Really love this lens.
What do you think is happening?
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
04-03-2009, 07:34 AM
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Sorry it took me so long to come back. Thank you for everyone's input when I made the first post.
As an update, I did got me the K20D recently but not for what I intended to use it for when I started this thread.
I am still trying to understand the behaviour of my K20D, but on thing I can clearly feel and see is the AF definitely work better in low intensity/artificial light.
The colours produced are so punchy, I had to tone down the saturation and still trying to fine tune depending on the kind of lens I'm using.
All in all, I am happy with my new toy and decided to keep the K10D as a back up.
Thanks again
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
04-03-2009, 06:40 AM
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I'm not sure if I should vote, but here's what happened....
I paired the K20D with a sigma 180macro and for a few weeks it was working great, but a few times the camera told me it cannot determine the focal length. There was some sun today and I decided to do some macro shots and for about a dozen shots it was working fine and then suddenly the camera froze with nothing on the indicator top panel, other than the battery icon and the F---- ( no numbers) (and that's not the fword)
I then turn to my back up K10D with bigma attached on it, switched it on and this combo worked. So, I switched the lens, K20 took the bigma and 180macro on K10.
Lo and behold, K10D is now frozen stiff, but K20D with bigma is working again.
I'm not sure if this is camera's fault or is it the 180macro lens?
maybe someone can enlighten me...
:(
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
01-04-2009, 06:37 AM
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I would like to upgrade my K10 to K20D. I haven’t had the opportunity to check out K20D “in the flesh” (sorry can’t find other words to express my thoughts) …so I’m relying on your words and experience handling it in comparison to K10D…
Question number 1:
Are you pleased with the IQ from your K20D. Is there a big difference compared to your K10D?
Question number 2:
Are the functions on K20D much more superior compared your K10D? How would you rate the performance between these 2 cameras?
Question number 3:
I have a lot of spare batteries for K10D. Can these batteries work for the K20D or is it using a different batteries?
I will also be doing my annual heli-skiing at the end of this winter season. Do you think the K20D AF is fast enough to capture the action when paired with bigma 50-500mm lens? Some shots will also be taken from the chopper.
Last Question:
Do you think this year Pentax will release a better higher resolution camera than
K20D? Should I wait or just go for it?
Your thoughts and experience handling the K20D means a lot to my decision. Thank you in advance
Rae the tripod
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Forum: General Talk
01-04-2009, 05:58 AM
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Yes, I feel the same too now (sandwiched with some guilty feeling)
I just have to do it too now and started posting again this morning (but thanks to your consistent email reminder lining up in my mail box :lol: )
Rae the tripod
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Forum: General Talk
01-04-2009, 04:56 AM
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I am looking into K20D resolution but will post that in a different thread/section
... I think it is still not too late to wish :
Happy New Year to all and every Pentaxian in this wonderful forum
Hoping that you all had a good start to 2009
May all our wish list from the Pentax-line cameras and lenses acquisition comes true this year,
I pray to the weather gods for perfect photography conditions all year round for us all to lug our camera everywhere and click our hearts away,
May good health, peace, harmony, happiness and (despite the current economy) 2009 continue to be a prosperous year for all of us.
All the best to one and all
Yours truly (trying to catch up with the forum)
Rae the tripod
PS: One of my New Year resolution ;) I have ordered the 180mm Sigma Macro (on the first day of 2009!! how's that for a start??) and as I type this line, I am waiting impatiently (to the point of explosive excitement) but just minutes ago, as I tracked the packaging progress, it seems that my lens haven’t even made its way into the cargo belly for the flight journey across the Atlantic :(
I’m kicking in all directions looking forward to chase and photograph butterflies and bees in macro comes spring :p
Winter is very long and grey in my part of the world, so I've decided to go down south for some archeological photography the moment 180 macro lens land in my ol' faithful camera bag.
My other new year’s resolution includes spending a bit more time in here with all you wonderful pentaxians. Its really great news that now I can post up pictures directly to the forum gallery. I don’t have a webpage and since the day I joined this forum, I was always bugged with the question “where to put up my pictures?” so I can share them with fellow forummers.
Last but not least, Thank you to site admin for updating me about the latest forum features (your email reminder brought me back in here ) and to those who created the gallery, Thank You, This makes my life so much easier and I will do my best to post more pics ... Its great to be back in here again :)
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
08-14-2008, 02:33 AM
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Now Gus, your thoughts has gone into count in my list of pros and cons for my next purchase ie. between the Sigma 180 macro or the fully weather sealed DA 60-250??
….and you have just put me in a whirl of “awe” after seeing your stunning incredible shots taken from P&S with raynox. Am really amazed by the bug’s eye and other details in the second picture.
Would you be kind to tell me your working distance between your lens to the subject?
I would like to give this a try myself and also think such a simple combo would make an interesting gift for my godson as I am really not happy with his PSP games obsession.
As a godmother, I have every right to influence that boy towards a more healthier hobby/interest.
rae
PS:
Go get it!! This is a good lens, no doubt about it. If only it comes in a smaller size :lol:
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
08-14-2008, 02:30 AM
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We will see how long and how far I can cope with that lens over the weekend :D
4000meters
rae
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
08-13-2008, 11:09 AM
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I’m warming up to the Bigma. Here are some practice Jpegs grabshots from 2 days of hand held try out. Yes, hand held. I broke the slix tripod head when I was trying to mount the bigma on it :lol: My monopod quick release plate is a wee bit small. Am looking into new tripod and monopod.
As I type this, I can feel my left wrist feeling a bit strange, hopefully I won’t have that carpal tunnel syndrome thing :lol: and the forearm inner musles quite “tight” from supporting the lens barrel at the same time turning the zoom. It would be fantastic if my fingers can grow a few centimetres more….
Taken yesterday on a gloomy grey afternoon just before the rain. That bus is quite far, air distance about 500meters. In the original size, all the writings on the bus are very clear and readable
Blooming hedge, about 150 meters away
Taken indoor with light from the window, no flash
Today was a mix bowl of sun and cloud, was amazed by the intensity of the colours
Was shocked to see the amount of dirt on the sensor
quite an interesting result in the garden shots too
not that bad from the short end
at the far end of the zoom, but notice some blue fringe
quite pleasing bokeh
bleeding sharp
I’m starting to like this lens
My dead 70-300 can do exactly like this but bigma sure topped the sharpness aspect
Middle of the afternoon test shots
Red kite flying pass teasingly, but never did came close to filling up the whole frame
Other than the cumbersome weight, I’m beginning to really like this lens. Will put up with the weight and tow it up to the mountains over the weekend. Hopefully the weather cooperate and let me take some pictures.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
08-11-2008, 04:56 AM
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Aruxaru,
It would have been lovely if you had chipped in your feedback earlier :lol: the damaged to the wallet is done :lol: …but please continue reading below
Please don't be sorry as some constructive hijacking can do lot of good if not mega damage to the wallet, but even in verbal discussions, some topic do tend to stray away from the main topic but the discussions somewhat always come around to the main subject again.
Peter Jonkman, your 500mm pictures are SUPERB!!! This is indeed high quality images. In a way I get to share some infos SpotFocus is seeking except I am now in his (or is it her? ) position (I can’t find out the gender from user profile) Ha ha ha…I did skipped lunch and went to collect my bigma, which is now sitting on my desk looking like a bombastic bazooka! One thing for sure, by the time I’m ready to exclusively upgrade from bigma to Sigma 500mm f/4.5 APO EX, I'm sure I will not hesitate. Those pictures are great testimonials.
Now I can’t wait to get out and get happy snapping.
Cheers
Rae
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
08-11-2008, 01:18 AM
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Thank you everyone, for your kind feedback and posting your photos and other lenses suggestions to help me think and contemplate deeply into all kinds of circumstances which I got myself into in the past and for the coming future. I spent the last 2 days seriously weighing all the usage pro and cons. I haven’t been replying immediately as I am still reading previews and at one time I had 14 windows opened at the same time, comparing features, prices and slashing out those based on what I don’t need. Basically, my most current need is very simple. 50-500mm bigma is at the moment able to fill the gap and the only one that remained prominent in the slashed and crossed list.
In my head, I kept hearing my own voice telling me that lenses are just like shoes, each one created for different usage. I guess in the end I'll end up with dozens of different lenses for different kind of activities and probably soon enough having my own ebay account :lol:
So, I'm sort of close to just grab a new 70-300 APO DG to replace the one that died recently, but remembered how frustrated I was with some pictures very soft taken at 300mm. Then Asahiflex made me look at sigma 500mm prime lens for the IQ sake. Putting the price factor aside, I decided that one day I will go for this lens but right now I need a lens that offer me wide range focusing and distance flexibility without having to change lens in a dusty environment. (Again bigma stood here, of course the weight does matter but I suppose the saying "no pain no gain" applies perfectly in my circumstances)
To have a taste of the "beast of burden" I threw in 2.5kg dumbells into my back pack and went out on a long trek over the weekend. That's about 5.5 lbs. Bruised shoulder due to sleeveless tee shirt :lol: but it was a searing hot day, probably a backpack with shoulder gel pad would provide better comfort. ....but I really shouldn't use weight as an issue as I have carried 10kg on my back for a solid 6 weeks expedition up in the everest region. As for day to day use, I probably end up like SpotFocus going about with bigma attached to a monopod/tripod. I'm always with a tripod or the bean bag anyway. Didn't call myself Tripod for no reason :lol:
I'll never find out until I've tried it, so, I'm placing an order for bigma 50-500 but the jury is still out there whether I'm going to be comfortable working with this lens or not.
SpotFocus, thank you for posting your pictures of your 50mm butterfly @500mm f8 about 3m away not cropped the second is a 3m Aligator @ 420mm f8 about 50m away. You have just sold me this lens.
What is still undetermined at the moment is which macro lens should I go for. Will the Sigma 180mm be an overkill once I own the bigma? I won’t be carrying the same lens at the same time (but I often hire a Sherpa during expedition, I’m a toothpick midget 5’2 :lol: )
Can anyone post me some of 180macro stacked with TC for an pictures overview?
....or any other macro lens from 100mm onwards?
Rico,
The DA 60-250 fully weather sealed is very appealing. I will definitely go for this lens but the summer will be ending soon and I badly need a new lens. I’ll use the bigma as a fill in between. There is still 9 months before the next expedition to Island Peak (everest region) but in 4 months we’ll be heliskiing again. Weather sealed would be a plus plus points for deep powdery snow. Would be interesting when someone can post some pictures from this lens too.
(new indecisiveness began between 180 macro vs fully weather sealed DA 60-250)
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
08-10-2008, 09:51 PM
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Hello Kathyk,
Sorry that I missed out this one.
I haven't got much lens for my K10D other than basics;
fisheye SMC Pentax-F 17-28mm 1:3.5 to 4.5
Kit lens smc pentax 18-55mm
Sigma 28-70mm 1:2.8-4 UC
Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG APO Macro Telephoto Zoom (is now dead)
Since the 70-300 telezoom died recently, I feel very inadequate without it, especially for my kind of usage. Since I'll be spending some money, I figured the bigma 50-500mm would give me a little bit more of that extra reach minus the macro of course.
I have tried stacking the TC on my now dead 70-300, but find that image quality a bit soft (actually very soft) The macro button is great but its not giving me the real macro, which is why I'm seriously considering the sigma 180mm macro but still wondering how the IQ will turn out for faraway subjects ( once stacked with TC )
I'm also wondering. Has anyone ever tried this combo and how is the IQ?
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
08-08-2008, 10:00 AM
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Hi Marcus,
That picture with Vivitar macro with TC stacked looks great.
Would you be kind enough to post one or 2 more pics with people in it? I would like to see how it would look like?
cheers
rae
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
08-08-2008, 09:50 AM
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You mean you purchase a Bigma and hardly ever use it??
Wah...this lens sounds like terribly heavy thing. hmmm...
On one hand, I felt that I should start investing in primes instead of telezooms.
I have had the 70-300 APO DG and very please with it but it died out 2 months ago. It has been to Nepal and been to 6000meters and very battered & dusty.
I may get the same one but the 55-300 is something well worth considering too. I have never tried Raynox before. It would be interesting if someone who has tried the Canon macro converter share some feed back on this topic.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
08-08-2008, 09:36 AM
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At 4.2 lbs, sounds like that's the only thing I can carry in my backpack minus survival tidbits ie water and wafer :lol: I will get the pictures but will dehydrate like a dried prune. Could you share with me why you let your Bigma go? Not only out of curiosity but may also influence my decision.
This is what I had in mind too, stacking 1.4 or 2x TC and I am also no sure about image quality . I haven't research much about this 2 lenses and terribly not sure which one would make a better choice. It would be really wonderful if this combo works for such a situation like mine.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
08-08-2008, 08:44 AM
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
08-08-2008, 08:42 AM
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it would be marvellous to zoom in from here I would think:hmm: but with such a foggy condition, I wonder how Bigma would perform?
Imagine how many hours I would spend pixelating this meadow with a nice macro lens.....
oooo:confused: I really can't decide......
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
08-08-2008, 07:54 AM
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I should have posted a few pictures so you have a rough idea what I'm doing with my camera and why I'm looking into that 50-500mm
My husband is mad about rock climbing and mountaineering. Whenever possible I tag along for some pictures but its not fun carrying more than 2 lens in the back pack while hanging on to the wall and changing lens for different shots resulted with a lot of dirt on my sensor.
Here's a picture taken a few weeks ago;
...don't know how to clean the sensor so I may have to send it to Pentax:fedup:
I was thinking the 50-500mm would be very practical for such outdoor sports as I don't have to change lens for close up or wide angle but in the last 24hrs, I've seen quite a lot of pictures from Bigma which are quite dark. Mountain weather is often very foggy and grey even in summer months, what more in winter skiing months....but the range versatility is too tempting.
Please do share your experience about your 50-500mm Bigma. I would really appreciate it. There are so many lenses, too many choices and I depend on your feedback and experience so I don't have to open up an ebay account :lol:
@ Zeek10d;
I will spend some time and check out all your macro lens suggestions. The lighter the better for me to carry around. I also like to hunt butterflies:p
Cheers
rae
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