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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 03-05-2024, 04:59 PM  
Poll: It's a total eclipse, but is it art? Best of Pentax Forums Feb. 21 poll
Posted By JimJohnson
Replies: 31
Views: 1,720
The path of the eclipse in Texas travels over mostly private ranch property. Many of these sparsely populated counties are declaring a state of emergency and there is no infrastructure to support the expected number of people. The privately owned RV park where we winter in near dead center of the path. The nearest town in one direction is 5+ miles and 7+ miles in the other direction. Both are little towns. They expect the shoulders to be bumper to bumper with tons of traffic on a road where traffic normally moves at 70+ mph. No water, no public toilets on the 12+ mile stretch and a clogged highway.

@mikeSF, this IS the path due west of Austin and normally about an hour's drive from the airport. Don't come out here without water, some finger food and a 5 gallon bucket for - you know. And expect to 'do it' in public. Oh and by the way, it's the start of snake season in central Texas - watch where you put your feet.

This RV Park (and I expect most of them) will have guards at the park entrances. The park has to truck in water for its guests, and I doubt the septic system was built to support a fraction of the people expected to line the highway outside the entrances.
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 02-28-2024, 06:05 AM  
Poll: Is there a wet darkroom in your future? Best of Pentax Forums Newsletter Feb. 28 poll
Posted By JimJohnson
Replies: 22
Views: 897
I still shoot reversal & B&W film in both 35mm and 120. But sparingly due to cost. My darkroom days are gone. I have a transparency scanner in my home office. Further, we now migrate between summer and winter homes. I can do digital work at either, but the idea of maintaining two darkrooms is more than daunting.
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 02-21-2024, 07:29 AM  
Poll: It's a total eclipse, but is it art? Best of Pentax Forums Feb. 21 poll
Posted By JimJohnson
Replies: 31
Views: 1,720
We have a year over year reservation in a privately owned RV park in south-central Texas right along the path. We are here, so I picked up a solar lens filter. To be honest, if I couldn't literally sit outside the trailer door, there is NO WAY I would try to be in this part of the world during totality. If the RV park management has any brains they will tell the people legitimately in the park to plan on staying put inside or outside the park and chain the entrances on April 8th.
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 01-31-2024, 06:17 AM  
Poll: Do you put Pentax weather resistance to the test? Best of Pentax Forums Jan 31 poll
Posted By JimJohnson
Replies: 53
Views: 2,783
I'm good in light weather with either my K-3 or K-1 and WR lenses. But as a precaution I have a rain bonnet and a sacrificial UV filter for heavy weather. Weather being defined as wet (rain/spray/snow), caustic (salt water/mineral dust/color runs), or dusty high winds. And I don't do lens changes until after a wipedown and dry-still air locations.
Forum: Monthly Photo Contests 01-02-2024, 03:19 PM  
August 2023 Super Moon Rising
Posted By JimJohnson
Replies: 6
Views: 61
August 30, 2023 Super Moon rising over Lake Superior (Little Traverse Bay, Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan's Upper Peninsula)
ISO-1600, 500mm manual focus, manual exposure ... just a little tweaking (and cropping) with Adobe Photoshop Express

The moon's normally more circular shape was distorted by the atmosphere as it rose above a a distant offshore fog bank. If you can't make out the darker band of the fog at the horizon, you have your monitor's contrast too high. Drop the contrast just a bit and the moon's delicate shades of coral should pop and you will see the moon's light reflected on the waves coming into the bay.

I received the new to me Sigma lens just a few days earlier from a fellow Pentax Forums member. This was more or less just a test opportunity. I'll be in Texas on April 8, 2024 directly under the path of the total solar eclipse using this lens and my K-3 body (with a big solar filter).
Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II 11-15-2023, 06:59 AM  
why I won't buy a k3 (Warning: Satire Thread)
Posted By JimJohnson
Replies: 102,909
Views: 4,785,288
Today is a good day to set down my Pentax gear and run the drone up into the sky. I assume everyone else will post ten rounds of drivel today for their chance at a new lens? :)
Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II 11-12-2023, 10:44 AM  
why I won't buy a k3 (Warning: Satire Thread)
Posted By JimJohnson
Replies: 102,909
Views: 4,785,288
If you want a traditional POTS (plain old telephone service), there is an option - at least in the U.S. Walmart's Straight Talk (subsidiary of TracFone) sells a cellular to POTS base unit for roughly $50 and for $15/month you can hook up those house phones. The only thing 'wonky' is the dial tone is higher pitched than the traditional AT&T. We opted to do it because we still have so many things connected to our 30+ year-old landline number. We just transferred the number to the Straight Talk service.
Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II 11-11-2023, 12:11 PM  
why I won't buy a k3 (Warning: Satire Thread)
Posted By JimJohnson
Replies: 102,909
Views: 4,785,288
While I much preferred to shoot Ektachrome, lots of people have very fond memories of Kodachrome. Certainly, anyone listening to the roughly 50 year-old Paul Simon tune is reminded of that photographic love.

I understand the processing of Kodachrome was quite intricate and involved multiple machines all running in total darkness. I don't know if anyone stored all that equipment, let alone if the necessary chemistry is available. I read the new Ektachrome had to be fully reinvented because the old chemistry wasn't available.

Nothing would make me salivate over a new Pentax dSLR more than to have built-in custom color options for Ektachrome, and yes Kodachrome. [or an Adobe filter that I could one-click apply to Pentax RAW]
Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II 11-09-2023, 07:48 PM  
why I won't buy a k3 (Warning: Satire Thread)
Posted By JimJohnson
Replies: 102,909
Views: 4,785,288
We recently arrived at our winter home - a small apartment sized RV trailer in Texas Hill Country. Since some folks were doing show & tell the other day, Here is my T-Mobile Home Internet speed tonight. Normally US$50/mount, I caught a sale and locked in at $25/month. Hard to justify Starlink and while I am only a couple hundred feet from a fiber backbone, they don't offer an off-ramp for the RV Park.

Had to pop for a long lens & solar filter this past summer. The RV Park will be right under the total solar eclipse next spring. Guessing my speed will suck based on the projected number of people toting T-Mobile phones coming to this otherwise quite rural location.
Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II 10-21-2023, 06:29 PM  
why I won't buy a k3 (Warning: Satire Thread)
Posted By JimJohnson
Replies: 102,909
Views: 4,785,288
In 1971 (16 years old) I bought a Yamaha motorcycle - all metric and living in the U.S., all dad's tools were SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers, in short fractional inch sizing) and did not fit. For Christmas I got a metric socket set (and I still have and use it). Over the years I have found that in most cases you can use metric tools on SAE fasteners. The one exception is 1/4 inch. Easy enough to add just that socket or wrench to my tools. The other exception depends on needed torque. At some point a metric tool on a SAE fastener is going to slip. But it is pretty rare.

Sure. Working on fractional inch fasteners for something as critical as aircraft you certainly want a fractional inch tool. But with less critical environments, in a pinch - especially loosening a fastener, try a metric tool.
Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II 10-20-2023, 06:16 PM  
why I won't buy a k3 (Warning: Satire Thread)
Posted By JimJohnson
Replies: 102,909
Views: 4,785,288
If you have a good internet connection, there are no limits on where you work. :confused:
Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II 10-20-2023, 06:11 PM  
why I won't buy a k3 (Warning: Satire Thread)
Posted By JimJohnson
Replies: 102,909
Views: 4,785,288
When I retired, I found out the old-timers were not joking. I think I am busier than when I was working - - and wondering how I got all this stuff done when I was working?
Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II 10-19-2023, 05:56 AM  
why I won't buy a k3 (Warning: Satire Thread)
Posted By JimJohnson
Replies: 102,909
Views: 4,785,288
As you should be.
Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II 10-15-2023, 03:47 AM  
why I won't buy a k3 (Warning: Satire Thread)
Posted By JimJohnson
Replies: 102,909
Views: 4,785,288
I hear Boeing has a warehouse full of 787 batteries available for cheap...
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II 10-12-2023, 05:49 PM  
Need new eyepice rubber for K1
Posted By JimJohnson
Replies: 10
Views: 854
Source in the United States: PENTAX Eyecup FT 30128 I replaced mine about a month ago.
Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II 09-29-2023, 06:45 PM  
why I won't buy a k3 (Warning: Satire Thread)
Posted By JimJohnson
Replies: 102,909
Views: 4,785,288
About a dozen years ago we had a local black bear with the name of Two Tags - he had been ear tagged twice by local natural resource staff and relocated. Always found his way back. Two Tags was well known by locals for patrolling a very scenic stretch of heavily forested highway. It is a riot of color this time of year and tourists travel far for the drive. Two Tags would put on a show at the side of the road for these tourists. Dancing for his supper so to speak. Which is why he was frequently relocated.

I knew a nearby resort owner who had a tale. This tourist encountered Two Tags and described his encounter with the 'tame bear' to the resort owner. He described tossing the bear some bread and even reaching down to pet the bear's belly when he rolled over. The resort owner was scratching her head wondering who had a tame bear. The permitting process alone would deter any sane person. And then knew this man was describing Two Tags. The resort owner was the fairly blunt type, who rightfully called this customer a total fool (probably used rougher words) who was lucky to still have his hand. Two Tags may put on shows, but in NO way could he be considered a tame bear.

Unfortunately Two Tags encountered the wrong human a few years later. Somebody with a bear hunting license who didn't give a damn about 'sportsmanship'.
Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II 09-29-2023, 06:25 PM  
why I won't buy a k3 (Warning: Satire Thread)
Posted By JimJohnson
Replies: 102,909
Views: 4,785,288
Or as I understand it, stand in the field and watch the grass grow around a collection of Datsun parts.:lol:
Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II 09-28-2023, 05:14 AM  
why I won't buy a k3 (Warning: Satire Thread)
Posted By JimJohnson
Replies: 102,909
Views: 4,785,288
Returning home along one of those moose inhabited roads I saw a beautiful HUGE bull moose about 30 feet (call it 10m) contentedly munching swamp grass. And there was a lengthy line of cars parked on the shoulder immediately opposite the moose. Between the wall of cars and the moose were several dozen people excitedly talking and snapping photos. The line of cars was long enough I would have had to park and join those people to take my own photos (yes I had Pentax gear with me).

To be blunt, I've lived this long by trying to be smarter than put myself between a wall and an unpredictable moose. I have the memory if not the evidence.
Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II 09-28-2023, 05:04 AM  
why I won't buy a k3 (Warning: Satire Thread)
Posted By JimJohnson
Replies: 102,909
Views: 4,785,288
You mean you can see the other side? Idiot civil engineers in this State are squeezing this traffic device into small areas AND putting a small mountain with lots of pretty vegetation in the middle. You cannot see anything of the opposite side (okay at night you can see the backlighting of the top tips of brush). The turn time for entering traffic is so short that especially when towing, it is a crap shoot how the dice will roll. Oh, and the engineers love to show their artistry and add at least one or more by-pass lanes. (which you don't have to use, because the same turns are part of the rotary/roundabout - whatever you want to call them) No wonder the drivers are confused.
Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II 09-27-2023, 05:27 PM  
why I won't buy a k3 (Warning: Satire Thread)
Posted By JimJohnson
Replies: 102,909
Views: 4,785,288
We have moose on this side of the big fresh water pond - but their range is fairly well marked. Woe to the driver who ignores the traffic signs. As you pointed out, a moose's long legs are problematic. The grill hits legs rather than body. The very big body rolls right up hood (bonnet for you other folks). A bit of glass won't slow the roll down much. More often than not airbags and seat restraints won't do a thing for you other than hold you in place for the impact.
Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II 09-27-2023, 05:13 PM  
why I won't buy a k3 (Warning: Satire Thread)
Posted By JimJohnson
Replies: 102,909
Views: 4,785,288
Is your well pump 120V or 220(240)v? It has been 30+ years since we were on a well. The pump was way down the casing and ran on 220V. I make the point as most portable generators are strictly 120v..

We have a 'portable' generator capable of a continuous 5,000 watts. It can run 220v but at most one 20A device. Or I can power 120v circuits totalling about 40A (20A per phase). I have meters on each phase to make sure I don't overdraw the alternator.

As we have natural gas, I installed a conversion kit and put in an exterior tap near the generator. While I won't want to look at my gas bill, I can pretty much run the generator non-stop. For all practical purposes a 500 gallon propane tank does the same thing. I put in patio blocks, put the generator frame on bricks and pulled the wheels, bought a cover and chained the generator to the house. If we need power, it takes 15-20 minutes tops to get the house (mostly) operational.

Cheap insurance. We live in a historic 1906 house with hot water heat.. If those pipes (and radiators) freeze and burst, it would cost roughly $100K for repairs; not restoration, just repairs.
Forum: General Photography 09-27-2023, 09:26 AM  
Poll: Bring a camera everywhere in case you run into Bigfoot? The Best of PF Sept. 27 poll
Posted By JimJohnson
Replies: 14
Views: 3,274
Yes, but it isn't always a Pentax. I use my cellphone for 'quick grabs on the run'. Doubt Big Foot will pose long enough do do a decent portrait. That said, I often have at least one Pentax body & lens with me if there is even a remote chance I might want it.
Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II 09-26-2023, 02:01 PM  
why I won't buy a k3 (Warning: Satire Thread)
Posted By JimJohnson
Replies: 102,909
Views: 4,785,288
I live (at least in the summer now) somewhat near the east end of contiguous US-2. When it reaches the north end of the Mackinac Bridge (5 miles between the two Michigan Peninsulas) it disappears until you get near Maine. Most of the road is two-lane, with a few passing lanes. They increased the speed limit a few years ago to 65mph and visiting urban traffic wants to do at least 75mph - or more. There are literally more white-tail deer in the Upper Peninsula than residents. Big white-tail deer, not the puny ones I see down in Texas.

There are a LOT of Subarus in the U.P. We own two. The ones built this century are so good at traction control, drivers get way overconfident. When a Subaru's AWD system can't handle the road, you get little waring. Good thing they have a great crash survivability record, but not so good for whatever they hit.

Racer, why don't you have a back-up generator?
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II 09-23-2023, 06:18 PM  
K1 & Sigma 500 EX DG APO
Posted By JimJohnson
Replies: 18
Views: 2,133
Another instance of not quite the lens you asked about.

At 500mm there is some vignetting on the K-1, but typically not objectionable. It certainly told me I need to clean the sensor - LOL.

The image is of a bald eagle easily 1/3 of a mile away. I think the color and contrast is great, but could be a teeny bit sharper. I used AF and think MF is a better option at this kind of distance. (kind of hard to micro-adjust the focus on a lens this long!) . That might have made a difference. A tripod was used with SR turned off. It is dang hard to hand hold the lens for a subject like this.
ISO 800, 1/750 @ f/16.
Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II 09-20-2023, 06:09 AM  
why I won't buy a k3 (Warning: Satire Thread)
Posted By JimJohnson
Replies: 102,909
Views: 4,785,288
RE: Supermoon photo


Bescor - I picked it up at a yard sale about a dozen years ago for literally a couple dollars. Made to look beefy, but in actuality a cheap knock-off of a much better tripod. A couple days after I took the photo a part in the head broke. A combination of superglue and an epoxy made for plastic fixed it. Will probably gift it to someone desperate at some point.

Agree this thread got off topic. My apologies. All that talk about 500mm lens and some great shots, distracted me.

Fall colors are arriving here near Lake Superior. Means it is time to get ourselves organized to migrate south again before snow arrives. The Farmer's Almanac winter prediction doesn't look pretty. We don't miss living near the US/Canadian border. The RV park winter group includes folks from Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta. We all talk aboot why we aren't still up north, eh?
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