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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-02-2018, 07:04 PM
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Adam,
Thank you for your response. I think it would be better if I buy the new FA* 85 when it comes.
unp
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Forum: Sold Items
03-02-2018, 09:37 AM
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A great lens. I am very happy with it.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-02-2018, 09:33 AM
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I appreciate all the responses. I now have tons of info and suggestions. I would start with AF adjustment and go from there if needed.
Eric told me that the gear system has worn out and can not be repaired. I would try to perfect my manual focusing skill instead of spending more $$ to fix the AF system.
Thanks,
unp
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-02-2018, 08:30 AM
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Thank you for your response. I never tried live view, but will try it now. For tripod, unfortunately I can not use it in many situations.
---------- Post added 03-02-18 at 09:35 AM ----------
wanderer2,
Thank you for your response!
Have you tried focus peaking and image magnification in live view? I find both of these very helpful.
unp : I will try what you suggested above. This many not work for me though if I have to take shots in quick succession where I do not have enough time to focus for each shot.
Thanks,
unp
---------- Post added 03-02-18 at 09:48 AM ----------
pschlute,
Thank you for your response. You provided me great info, I will try your suggestions. By the way, I quickly checked your flickr site and liked your pictures.
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The focus confirmation beep /green hexagon relies on the AF system. Even if your AF does not work on the lens you should still be able to use the AF Fine adjustment menu to fine-tune the lens/camera combination. Give this a try.
Having said that the focus confirmation method is not infallible. You could try and do some tests (after using the Fine adjustment) to see whether focusing from infinity or closest focus distance yields better results.
Ultimately, 1.4 gives a very narrow depth of field and focussing accurately is a skill
Read more at: FA* 85 & no AF, how to use on K-1 - PentaxForums.com
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Thanks,
unp
---------- Post added 03-02-18 at 09:52 AM ----------
pjv,
Thank you for your response.
unp
---------- Post added 03-02-18 at 10:02 AM ----------
Adam,
Thank you for your response. I got many suggestions and will try all to find a solution that might work for me.
By the way, you said "I'd recommend replacing the lens if you can." My argument is, who in this world wold let go FA* 85 f/1.4!!! Such an amazing glass! When my AF was working, all of my shots were amazing. The optical performance is awesome. I think Pentax should keep the same optical design in the new FA* 85 that is in the pipeline.
Thanks,
unp
---------- Post added 03-02-18 at 10:08 AM ----------
Sandy,
Thank you for your response. I recently bought O-ME53 but haven't achieved it's full potential though. I am still getting used to it.
unp
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
02-28-2018, 07:51 PM
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Hi All,
I have a FA* 85 f/1.4 with a broken AF system. Sent to Eric and he told me that it can not be repaired.
I am using manual focusing on K-1 but many of my pictures are rejected because of out of focus shots. I am using viewfinder for all my shots and rely on "focus confirm beep" while manually focusing my shots.
Is there any better way to manually focus and get sharp pictures? Is there any focusing screen available for K-1 that would solve my problem?
Thanks,
unp
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Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories
08-29-2017, 04:53 PM
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ignatowski,
Thank you for answering my questions.
For the partials I used the "Baader AstroSolar Visual Solar Filter Film (ND 5)".
unp : I used exactly the same product on my cameras!
The 1.4x and 1.7x were both pentax brand. I had the 1.4x closest to the camera, then 1.7x, then da* 300mm.
unp : Great to know, I never thought about combining 2 teleconverters! I did many trial runs days before the eclipse and tried many different options. I used a Tamron 1.4 TC (which has a very good reputation) on my F* 300 during my trials. Realized that I was losing some sharpness with my 1.4 TC so took all my eclipse pictures without the teleconverter. I believe the Pentax TCs are better than Tamron TCs.
For focusing I used the live view magnification and aimed for the sunspots. It was very finicky and took several attempts to get it perfect. After that I taped it down which held up for the duration of the eclipse. I also used the electronic shutter which might have helped with sharpness.
unp : Nice techniques, will sure try these techniques.
Thanks,
unp
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Forum: Sold Items
08-29-2017, 12:29 PM
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Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories
08-29-2017, 12:05 PM
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Roger,
I appreciate your comments. I do not live in Carbondale but went there just for the eclipse. I was about a mile south of SIU arena. I agree with your comment about the Bailey's Beads. My pictures are not real sharp even though I tried my best and I think the milky goop on that day played a major role in it. I also was shooting with 2 system in parallel, K-1 on wide angle and K-5 iis on tele. I wanted to shoot as many pictures of the totality as possible with both of my systems and didn't have much time to think about during the totality. I was hoping for a better Bailey's Beads picture but just got this one. Anyway, Carbondale, IL will also see the 2024 total solar eclipse and I will be there again.
Thanks,
UNP
---------- Post added 08-29-17 at 02:13 PM ----------
ignatowski,
Your pictures are amazing, very very sharp; even after combining 2 teleconverters!! Just WOW!!!
I have a few questions and would appreciate if you could answer them.
1. Which solar filter did you use?
2. Can you combine 1.4x and 1.7x adapters (teleconverters) on one lens? I never thought about it!!
3. Did you use Pentax brand teleconverters or 3rd party?
Thanks,
unp
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Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories
08-28-2017, 07:53 AM
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I took these pictures from Carbondale, IL. I used Pentax K-5 iis (manual mode) and Pentax F* 300 (manual focus) mounted on a tripod. I used a cable release and mirror lock-up to take these pictures. No mirror lock-up during the totality though. These are a few from a whole set of 35 pictures that cover various stages from start to finish.
I made solar filters using Thousand Oaks solar films and used for my observations as well as photography. I removed the filter from my lens during the totality.
Features of of the sun
=================
IMGP0349-1-14 : Face of the new moon (faint though)
IMGP0353-1-15 : Inner corona
IMGP0364-1-17 : Solar prominence
IMGP0365-1-18 : Baily's beads
IMGP0366-1-19, IMGP0369-1-21 : Diamond ring
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Forum: Sold Items
07-28-2016, 09:00 AM
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I have Lester A Dine version but looks exactly the same as this one. What a beautiful glass!! I take thousands of photographs at the Chicago botanical garden every summer.
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Forum: General Talk
12-25-2015, 10:11 PM
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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!
This is my Christmas tree with my favorite lens F 50 1.7.
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Forum: Sold Items
09-02-2015, 06:03 AM
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This is an awesome glass. As long as I have a Pentax system, I will never sell this one.
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Forum: Sold Items
04-14-2015, 08:11 AM
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Forum: Sold Items
04-11-2015, 06:56 PM
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Excellent lens! Fast focus, very sharp!! I took this with indoor lights, no flash, aperture priority, hand-held using my K-5 IIs. Did very little Element.
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Forum: Sold Items
01-24-2015, 11:13 AM
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Forum: Sold Items
01-21-2015, 08:53 PM
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Believe me this lens has amazing photo quality!
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Forum: Sold Items
01-16-2015, 08:20 AM
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Forum: Sold Items
12-15-2014, 10:47 AM
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Nice copy! This is the best (optical performance) 300 mm for Pentax. If you want to buy a 300 mm (Pentax or 3rd party), this is the one. I will never sell mine!
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Forum: Sold Items
12-03-2014, 08:49 AM
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One of the best 50mm Pentax ever produced! I love mine. Extremely sharp, small and very fast auto focus.
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Forum: Sold Items
07-22-2014, 06:38 AM
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Forum: Sold Items
05-15-2014, 09:19 AM
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I love mine. It probably has the best photographic performance of all the Pentax 300mm lenses.
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Forum: Sold Items
03-23-2014, 08:25 PM
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Great deal for a great lens! Good luck!
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Forum: Sold Items
03-08-2014, 10:12 PM
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Forum: Sold Items
03-03-2014, 09:03 AM
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Forum: Sold Items
02-24-2014, 08:37 AM
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