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Forum: Sold Items 07-27-2013, 02:43 PM  
For Sale - Sold: Kiron 28mm f/2.0
Posted By atekant
Replies: 3
Views: 1,380
Is this the version with the A setting?
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 06-24-2013, 07:17 AM  
The 15mm or ...
Posted By atekant
Replies: 10
Views: 1,338
Well, thanks all, for the kick in the b*tt I needed.
I haven't thought of the flare resistance, which is needed I suppose when shooting wide, as some light source is bound to be in the way.
And those stars, those stars...

And if there is such a fanatic following of this lens, there must be something to it.

15 it is!
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 06-23-2013, 09:09 PM  
The 15mm or ...
Posted By atekant
Replies: 10
Views: 1,338
I can hear the eyes rolling, yet another the 15mm or... thread, but I haven't seen this comparison.

I've been thinking about the 15 for a while now, and while I am travelling in NY, I am really wishing I had one.
Was thinking about strolling down 9th ave. and pulling the trigger tomorrow, but I decided to look around to see if I can find one used, but instead I ran into a Tamron 14mm f/2.8 for what looks like a good deal (about the same as used 15s).

I have never thought of that before, but reading the one review here on the forum, and seeing some samples it looks like a good "not so" little glass.
Well, the obvious problem with it in comparison to the 15mm is the size and the weight. I was really excited with the fact that the 15mm is so pocketable, so this is a switch in mentality, but the f/2.8 glass is impressive as well.

Thoughts?
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 06-23-2013, 09:00 PM  
What lenses to bring on a trip to NY & DC?
Posted By atekant
Replies: 16
Views: 2,172
I am travelling in NY now. I took a 24, a 35, and a 35-105 zoom.
The 35-105 never left the bag yet; I am constantly switching between the 24 and the 35, and wishing I had a 15.
24 is too wide for street, too narrow for any kind of scapes. 35 is perfect for street.

Knowing this, if I had a 16-45, I would take that, and a fast 50. If you think you would need the 300 for the game, just rent one for the day, and use the space for some extra t-shirts and stuff, it is hot and humid here.
Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories 04-04-2013, 12:54 AM  
A NY Shopping List
Posted By atekant
Replies: 45
Views: 4,091
The way I see it is, a lens is a lens is a lens, whether you buy it online or in person.
What I would suggest is to make use of the pilgrimage by reserving some money aside for impulse stuff; that bag you were wondering but weren't sure, but it looks fabulous in person; or that item you didn't even know existed but you must have it now you have seen it. Also make sure you check out the event space schedule, there will probably be at least one event that interests you.
What I am saying is, B&H is much more than an Amazon with shelves. Spend some time to watch the conveyor system, get into an argument about the poor AF performance of a camera with one of the staff, wait in line to talk to the staff behind the counters, some of whom can be cold and only answer questions you ask, but maybe you will find the chatterbox who will bring out 5 different cameras or lenses and discuss with you their intricate differences.
In the isles, if they approach you and ask if you need help, don't say "umm, just looking" but let them. Some of those people can be one of the ones that may help you see an item you never thought was essential, but there it is.
Take it easy on the candies, and - did I mention before? - check out the event space schedule.

Oh, two more things - if you buy a bunch of stuff, at the exit you can ask for a canvas tote or a backpack. And do check out the used section.
And speaking of used, if you see something you really like but you already have something like it, they will buy your old gear right then and there (you have to go around the corner) for an OK price.

Have fun.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 01-05-2013, 03:08 AM  
Manual Lens EXIF Information
Posted By atekant
Replies: 15
Views: 2,138
Question to people who are fiddling with index cards and such: why don't you just take a picture of the lens you are about to change into? Then even if it is too dark to read scribbles on index cards, you can at least recognize the lens (well, in most cases)
Forum: Lens Sample Photo Archive 12-24-2012, 02:23 AM  
Revuenon 55mm f1.2
Posted By atekant
Replies: 35
Views: 19,004
cali92rs recently passed the flag to me. So here are some shots from my quick intro to this lens. It is the perfect lens to get when all the holiday lights are out.
Here are some Christmas ornaments. Will post more once I learn how to stop my heart so I can keep focus.





PS: Don't ask me what a straw man hanging by his neck has anything to do with Christmas. I saw these at a Christmas Market.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 10-29-2012, 05:58 PM  
Mr. Klutz's Lens Repair Shop
Posted By atekant
Replies: 11
Views: 1,407
I am a sucker for pain. I am already looking at ordering a toolset, and my Vivitar Series 1 sitting on the shelf with serious haze inside is starting to look nervous.
I will definitely be using the plastic bag trick from now on though.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 10-29-2012, 05:35 PM  
Mr. Klutz's Lens Repair Shop
Posted By atekant
Replies: 11
Views: 1,407
That's great help. Thank you very much. Looks like it is 4/64 == 1/16. It's a start.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 10-29-2012, 05:30 PM  
Mr. Klutz's Lens Repair Shop
Posted By atekant
Replies: 11
Views: 1,407
What a great site! If nothing, I will end up with some lens tools
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 10-29-2012, 05:26 PM  
Mr. Klutz's Lens Repair Shop
Posted By atekant
Replies: 11
Views: 1,407
If only I knew what size I needed. The difference between 1/16 and 5/64 is nothing to the eye, but probably makes a lot of difference inside tight tolerances.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 10-29-2012, 04:52 PM  
Mr. Klutz's Lens Repair Shop
Posted By atekant
Replies: 11
Views: 1,407
Despite being an overall Klutz and absolutely no hand-eye coordination, I decided to take the mount off one of my favourite lenses today for an ill-advised attempt to fix an issue. The mount was becoming wobbly after some use and I had an issue with the A mode not reporting the correct apertures, so instead of just tightening the screws I decided to take the mount off and see if I can clean/blow/something the contacts inside and get the A mode working right.

Although being careful about everything, I managed to lose (it flew off when trying to pry it out) a tiny tiny metal ball, maybe a millimeter in diameter if that.
It turns out it was the bearing ball that made the aperture ring click, so now I have a smooth aperture ring. Not the end of the world (at least no more wobbly lens) but I would like to have my clicks back if possible.

A quick trip to Home Depot (what was I thinking), the hobby store, and the electronic parts store didn't turn out successfully. So, anyone know where I can find a replacement little ball like that, what kind of store? I found them online but balls that size seem to come in bags of 1000 at $50 a pop, and not knowing the exact size, not too keen on ordering bags of those on a guess.

The lens is a Sigma 24mm Ultra-Wide II (has stopped working in A mode a week after I got it). It is usable still the way it is, but I would rather have it click.

Of course the search will continue when there is better light tomorrow.
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 10-14-2012, 12:09 PM  
K-5 reporting wrong aperture for A setting
Posted By atekant
Replies: 8
Views: 1,242
Huh! That might explain it, as just yesterday, the weather turned, and we went from high 70s to mid 50s. Maybe mine behaves just the opposite to yours and will report f/5.6 in cold (I also saw a 4 when fiddling with it this morning). Except it is still doing it at home where it is warm.
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 10-14-2012, 12:02 PM  
K-5 reporting wrong aperture for A setting
Posted By atekant
Replies: 8
Views: 1,242
Wow! That is an excellent resource that explains how the A setting works. Thank you for that.

As for the lens, the contacts are definitely not dirty - not any more.
I don't have a multimeter, but will borrow one (or use this as an excuse to buy one) and check the contacts.
If it is something inside the lens, I will probably let it be, and use it in M mode instead of trying to open it up.
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 10-14-2012, 11:26 AM  
K-5 reporting wrong aperture for A setting
Posted By atekant
Replies: 8
Views: 1,242
It is a Sigma 24 f/2.8 Super-Wide II
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 10-14-2012, 10:55 AM  
K-5 reporting wrong aperture for A setting
Posted By atekant
Replies: 8
Views: 1,242
Hi,

I recently got a new lens with A setting. Which worked fine for about a week, but then this morning when I am in the A setting (it is an otherwise manual lens), the aperture is reported 1 stop off. The lens goes from 2.8 to 22, but the reported aperture only goes down to 5.6, and up to 32.

No amount of cajoling (lens out/in, change lens, power off, battery out, wipe contacts, etc. helped. The iris seems to be moving as it should and snappy.
I tried 2 other manual A lenses, and two new AF lenses and they all seem to report their apertures correctly.

Now, this has happened once before with a different lens, and it got fixed when I removed and remounted the lens (it was a f/2 being reported as f/4 minimum). That lens is working fine now, so I am hoping it is the lens and not the body.

I don't know how the body knows what the aperture range is on old lenses, so don't know what to try to fix, clean or otherwise inspect.

Any ideas?
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 09-29-2012, 10:56 PM  
A question about buying source
Posted By atekant
Replies: 8
Views: 1,432
And it turns out Tamron has mail-in rebates for a bunch of lenses if purchased by Sept 30.
Lens Rebates, Tamron USA
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 09-22-2012, 03:59 PM  
Pentax A24 F2.8 worth buying if I have A24-50 F4 already?
Posted By atekant
Replies: 9
Views: 2,215
I suppose it depends on how much you can get it for. I used to have a K 24/2.8 which cost me $120. An A 24/2.8 just closed at ebay for a ridiculous $261 - now in a range that you can get better lenses for a few bucks more.

I like fast wides because it lets me get inside-the-action people shots which allow for subject separation. I would suppose if you want to shoot landscapes, the f/4 zoom would be OK.
Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II 09-11-2012, 06:05 PM  
Please solve my Focus issues
Posted By atekant
Replies: 44
Views: 5,537
Well, here is another theory, and it makes sense to me:
Reading one of the threads on this forum about the K-5 II, I read about the new AF sensor, and how it was an f/2.8 sensor, as opposed to the old K-5 at f/5.6
I didn't know that the AF had an "aperture" but it makes sense now I think about it that it does.
More so, it kinda explains the focus issues, and I believe it makes the AF useless if you are using a fast lens.

I did a quick calculation and test based on my K 50/1.4, and found out that shooting at a distance of 3 feet and at f/5.6, the "in focus zone" (going by the focus markers on the lens) is about 4-5 inches. So, the +/- 2 inch error in the focal plane would obviously matter with a fast lens.

It kinda makes me glad that I invested in a focusing screen, and not spent a dime on fast AF lenses.
Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II 09-10-2012, 01:58 AM  
Please solve my Focus issues
Posted By atekant
Replies: 44
Views: 5,537
I've read this in a post here on the forums, and I agree completely, fixed my focus issues once I knew - can't find the original post now, which explained the situation much better than I can, so if anyone has a link, do post it.

But here is the jist of it: on Pentax DSLRs, the focus "point" the red squares are not the actual focus point. The actual focus "point" is a much larger cross "+" around this red square (for cross type points). So, if you place the red square on the eye, the AF will pick something (probably the best contrast, closest point) anywhere along the axes of this cross, maybe the nose, maybe the blanket, and so on. When I tested this theory when I first heard it, I could confirm that's what happens, and that cross is much bigger than you would imagine.

Again, the best source would be the original post I read here - hopefully someone will know how to find it.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 09-04-2012, 07:00 AM  
Tamron SP 400: how carry?
Posted By atekant
Replies: 23
Views: 3,280
Have a look at Deuter backpacks - those people know how to make heavy items carried on your back easy. Especially the Alpine series, which have various methods to attach long items like skis and poles, in our case tripods to the outside.

Also, depending on where in the world you are hiking, I do not recommend carrying long metal objects on their own over your shoulder - you know, places like Gaza, Iraq, US border states...
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 08-26-2012, 10:17 AM  
What is the WR lens with the most character
Posted By atekant
Replies: 15
Views: 2,178
Do you know the model indicator for that?
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 08-25-2012, 11:41 PM  
What is the WR lens with the most character
Posted By atekant
Replies: 15
Views: 2,178
That is great news for me, because the VL58 is already on my list to haves. Missed one a couple months ago, and will jump on one the moment I see it.
Thanks for the heads up about the water resistance of it.

/argun
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 08-25-2012, 10:44 PM  
What is the WR lens with the most character
Posted By atekant
Replies: 15
Views: 2,178
I tried, it gets soggy inside out. And I also worry about rust in the old metal bodies.
Thought about the Aquatec rain shields, but I would rather spend that $150 on a lens; and still don't believe it won't get damp inside (hence rust)
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 08-25-2012, 10:29 PM  
What is the WR lens with the most character
Posted By atekant
Replies: 15
Views: 2,178
After 2 trips during the summer where I had to spend days not shooting because of rain, I finally decided it is plain silly to be hiding my K-5 under my coat because I don't have a WR lens.

I am looking for one that has character - I shoot with K and CZ lenses and can't stand the flatness (IMHO) of the modern WR lenses Pentax has (including the 18-135, which I thought about long and hard many times).

Prime, zoom, focal length doesn't matter. I just want a lens which I can take out in the rain.
Anyone have any ideas of which WR lenses would give me a rendition close to the Ks.

Alternatively, is there a way to take a K and make it slightly water resistant? Maybe disassemble and add some washers or something? I am not looking for dunking it, but usable in moderate to heavy rain?
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