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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
05-19-2008, 04:50 AM
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I have had this flash for about a year now and use it regularly - no problems.
After careful consideration of the mechanism and MANY posts I make the following points.- The pin is pushed home into the camera socket hole by a small internal spring in the flash shoe.
- It is withdrawn from the camera socket hole by a long ramp on the top of the locking ring.
- If the shoe is not full pushed to the front of the camera socket or is twisted then it is possible to lock (jam) the pin somewhat.
- As there is no "feel" due to the big mechanical advantage of the ramp the lifter pin just goes up whether or not the locking pin is jammed. This breaks the small plastic link between the pin lifted by the ramp and the locking pin.
- The only way to remove the flash then is to use a long shafted fine Phillips head driver to unscrew the foot from the flash and to delve in the foot internals to lift the pin.
As I fear I may, due to rushing, forget to seat the shoe properly when I remove the flash from the camera I may end up with a jam, I have filled the socket hole in the camera shoe with a short cylindrical piece of wood made by carving down a cocktail toothpick tip. I have done it this way, so that if I find that my flash tends to work loose when only only using the shoe friction and the clamping ring pressure for retention, I can easily revert to the designed locking system by picking out the wood with a needle.
Rod
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
05-11-2008, 03:38 AM
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It is actually a full flash power supply - by memory the output voltage is about 300V.
I assume this is to put in a higher current inverter than the one in the 540 to give a faster capacitor charge.
Rod
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
04-23-2008, 03:40 AM
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Excellent suggestion by HGMonaro - foot is held on by 4 screws relatively easily reached with a reasonably long shafted phillips (size 0 [zero] head) screwdriver. The long shaft is needed to allow the handle to clear the camera body.
Once the foot is removed the pin can be lifted with the screwdriver tip to get the flash off the camera - make sure the foot is pushed right fowards in the shoe socket to take side loads off the pin.
Rod
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
04-23-2008, 03:23 AM
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Sheesh Ben - mutual loss for politics, what a waste.
Glad to hear you intend to stay around as you are an information source AND an inspiration for all of us.
Best regards,
Rod
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
04-15-2008, 05:08 AM
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I have the pro strap with the webbing connectors because there is a much greater adjustment range with them and it is set long enough to be worn at my side with the strap around my neck with my 6 foot height. This means the my camera set facing in towards me and tucks under my arm and can easily be used without removing the strap. Thus it is secure, less visibly intrusive AND is immediately available for street shots etc.
It is also very secure re snatch theft and has zero possibility of slipping off your shoulder.
The strap arrangement in wear is exactly the same way as a messenger bag is worn. The strap is very comfortable and the curve fits the side of my neck very well.
Rod
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
03-17-2008, 12:16 AM
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Forum: Photographic Technique
03-14-2008, 12:19 AM
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I am also in Oz and have made a number of purchases of multiple items from B&H.
Most definitely - they charge on value and mass of the total package - you can easily determine what the post for the lot will be by,
1. put first item in trolley and check postage - I use UPS as it is usually cheaper and they require a signature.
2. note the shipping charge
3. Add the second item to the cart and check the shipping - often it does not change or rises only by a small amount as most of the charges are on the first item.
This is due to the shipping has quite a high minimum which makes it impossible to get a single cheapish item as the shipping can be higher than the cost of the purchase :)
Rod
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Forum: Photographic Technique
03-03-2008, 03:20 AM
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Take a look at:
HOYA 77mm Clear PRO1 DIGITAL Protector Filter DMC LPF * NEW
and
Kenko 77mm Pro1 Digital WIDE BAND Circular Pol Filter NEW
These are about the best available from Japan and they are both the premium filters from Hoya/Kenko, the same company for the world and Japanese markets respectively.
You will find variations in the darkness of the sky with a polariser on a wide angle lens as there is a large difference in the polarising of the sunlight depending on the angle from the sun.
Do remember that you will probably be at sufficient altitude to have a dark sky compared to sea level but the polariser will be useful to control reflections in the phenomenal views you are about to see.
A UV filter is just about useless on a digital as the sensor cover filter is effectively a good UV blocker. This is why I use simply a extremely well coated clear glass protector as mentioned above.
HVstar have supplied all my filters - two shipments, and they have provided excellent service even when i mucked up payment on the first purchase :) - the prices above are in US Dollar and you should also add about US$9.50 for post and pack on each filter you purchase - for my purchases the turnaround time was about 1 to 1.5 weeks by memory.
Hope this is of help
Rod
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
02-15-2008, 03:23 AM
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Take a look at post's #5 and #6 in this thread (just up the page).
Rod
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
02-15-2008, 01:41 AM
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
02-15-2008, 12:54 AM
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RTFM :D Jodokast96 is talking about a choice in the multiexposure dialog window labeled 'Auto EV Adjust' - see p166 of the manual.
This has nothing to do with what you and Blende8 are discussing. This is the item in the custom menu labeled 'Auto EV Compensation' which has exactly the function described by Blende8. It is interesting in Tv to set 1/250th in my office and to see the VF display flick to 1/10th at the same wide open aperture as you press the shutter and get an OK image.
Rod
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
01-25-2008, 04:23 PM
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Thanks Nosnoop for these details - something real and concrete rather than opinions, opinions, opinions.. ad infinitum :D
Rod
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
01-23-2008, 05:05 PM
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Did anyone else notice the improvement in bracketing setup commented on by pop photo - I am an HDR fan and this is great :D
Rod
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
01-23-2008, 03:38 PM
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Thank you Chris - such a pity that they could not do the Autofocus at the same time - it would have been an incredible camera if this had been done.
Still, it is going to be very interesting to see how it sells to the 'Soccer mums' who will be printing 6x4's and grizzling about the fuzzy ones??
I suspect it will be close to a no brainer for DA* lens owners. But, not so much for those with kit lenses where the sensor probably out-resolves the glass. And many general purchasers, as you would well know, do not suffer from LBA :)
Rod
Rod
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
01-19-2008, 03:54 PM
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As one of the "quiet ones" I want to second your comments re Ben, all the way through. I have been disappointed to see people laying 'it' on him for limiting his comments - they seem to forget that an NDA is an enforcable legal document :rolleyes:
BTW - The other advantage of the live OVF view would be live histogram and highlight/shadow indication - WOW :D
Rod
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-15-2008, 04:29 AM
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
01-14-2008, 06:13 AM
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Would strongly suggest that whatever is announced on the 24th will hit the shops pretty soon after - they wouldn't be crazy enought to do that level of advertising on vapourware- would they??
Hope it is the K20D as we expect :D
Rod
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
01-09-2008, 08:03 PM
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Given the context of the original comment I think we a seeing a mis-type of GX20 and K20D ;)
Remember this isn't RH, it is an amiable guy limited by an NDA ! I am sure Ben would love to be able to brag freely about the new models and is giving as much as he dares without cruelling a nice sponsorship position.
Rod
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
01-02-2008, 06:10 PM
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Ben thanks for the insight into the competitive world you live in - very interesting :)
Rod
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
01-02-2008, 05:47 PM
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Oh my - do I really second this request - Just do as I have done (for the first time in many years of the web) block this guys posts and get on with photography and speculation rather than flames :cool:
Rod
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-24-2007, 04:47 PM
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Probably more internal reflections from the barrel, less efficient coatings, were you using a lens hood, cleaning scratches on the front element, front element needs cleaning - all are possible reasons for lack of contrast.
Rod
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