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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
07-03-2020, 11:03 PM
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Thanks Adam and the moderator team. I agree with everything in this thread. We are in tumultuous times and all need to be considerate and think about how our responses may be received.
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
07-07-2020, 04:33 AM
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Whilst the Super-A is a favourite of mine and back in the day Tv, TTL flash and the Motordrive-A were really useful in fast moving situations, I now shoot many in manual or auto with exposure lock. Digital is much more convenient for anything involving action or high ISO, many of the features of the Super-A are not really needed when I want to shoot film. Using it in Manual is awkward (my glasses no longer give me a clear view of the finder LCDs) and the lack of an exposure lock is annoying. I now prefer the P50 (despite it's reliance on DX coding) because it offers a meter lock.
The LX is fabulous camera, I bought mine back in the day (prices were much higher than today) and had the sticky mirrors repaired because I wanted to fix my cameras. They're still really good cameras (my preference) but you may need to factor in a repair. If you want to invest in the best Pentax manual focus SLR, this is the one. They're not cheap but if you have the budget, they are the nicest to use. The only snag is that it's a system in itself and there's always some other accessory you think you need...
As for the mechanical options (basically MX, KX, K1000) - the short answer is that the functional differences are minimal (user preferences vary) and that condition is more important. The MX and KX seem to be around the same ballpark prices, the K1000 has become trendy and prices can be significantly higher. K1000s are likely to be the most recent given they were built for so long - but the most desirable MIJ ones are as old as the KX/MX. The KM is another option but they seem much harder to find than the KX.
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
04-30-2022, 01:44 AM
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When I used an OpTech strap and lugs on my 6x7 I always zip-tied the quick connectors of the plastic snap buckles together, I didn't trust them to hold.
I later went back to the original Pentax strap and lugs.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
07-07-2020, 05:03 PM
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
07-23-2021, 11:45 PM
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I haven't used the Fujis but another layer of glass is another plane where dust, scratches, moisture or condensation can gather and cleaning the sensor is a lot harder...
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
07-15-2021, 01:25 PM
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Having had a look, there are 12 lenses, of these four are HCD and are only suitable to cover 36x48. Two of these are the 24 & 28, the widest FF 645 option is the 35mm. Not a massive improvement over 33x44 really.
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
07-13-2021, 06:03 AM
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When I bought my D I got lots of stuff for 'free' from the back of my cupboard: Plenty of batteries & chargers courtesy of my K-5 & K-1, an O-GPS1 module from my K-5, an IR remote control from a film P&S I bought 20 years ago, an AF240FT flash from my SFXn (works in manual flash only but provides rear curtain sync on the D) and countless other smaller items. Not to mention several 6x7 lenses and an adapter (I'd forgotten I had). Buying all this new for another system would have cost $$$$ - pushing the choice out of my available budget.
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
06-22-2021, 04:58 AM
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I'm puzzled by this, only the very best 135 format lenses are good enough in the corners of the 135 frame, how likely are you to get good corners when going considerably further away from the corners of the 135 frame? The diagonal of the 135 format is 43mm, that of 44x33 is 55mm - why bother with 100MP if you're skimping by not even using MF optics?
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
06-13-2021, 02:39 AM
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Stunning colours, really surprised how clearly the bands in the rocks are rendered, love the clouds too.
---------- Post added 06-13-21 at 10:43 AM ----------
Beautiful location and an excellent capture.
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
06-01-2021, 12:53 PM
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I bought a used 645D a couple of years ago when they became 'affordable', in hindsight I should have bought a new one when they were heavily discounted after the Z was released. Used Z's at the time were not 'affordable'.
Lens wise my widest is the 33-55 (mixed reviews but I'm happy). The 28-45 is hugely expensive, big & heavy. Before the 33-55 I appreciated the 45-85 a lot more than I expected. My usual travel lenses are the 33-55 and either the FA80-160 or 67 200 with the SDM 55 if I want WR.
The Fuji wasn't available/affordable at the time, but by sticking with Pentax I saved with accessories. From using the 67 lenses I had, same batteries/chargers, IR remotes, flashguns, the O-GPS1 and there's no need for a $$$ L bracket. All of these were really helpful in establishing my system and making it 'affordable'.
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
05-18-2021, 10:32 AM
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I haven't looked at Velvia chromes for a while, I've just found this one and see what you mean about the greens - it's not even proper Velvia (RVP)!
Mamiya C330, 80mm, Fuji Velvia 100F (RVP 100F):
Old Shack by John Halliwell, on Flickr
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
05-12-2021, 01:14 AM
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I use my D almost exclusively handheld, often with manual focus lenses (P6x7 150/2.8, 165/2.8 & 200/4). I don't have any AF fast teles, so can't comment on those but would have thought the AF system be OK (the FA 80-160 zoom is accurate if a little slow/noisy).
The camera has AF confirmation with manual lenses and you can apparently fit a 645n microprism or split-image screen (there is no screen that combines them) if you want. I don't have problems focussing with the 150, 165 or 200 6x7 lenses using focus confirmation, but for action, the ground glass of the screen feels more intuitive.
The biggest issue is likely to be the time to review images, it's slow enough to be frustrating (especially if shooting a sequence into the buffer). Apparently there are things you can do to improve it - shooting raw on one card and JPEG on the other and using the JPEG card for review IIRC?
If you're awkwardly staring at the screen waiting for the image to appear it looks bad but if you press the button and then engage more with the sitter while the camera displays the image, it can go unnoticed.
The viewfinder is superb, the handling is superb, it's a big camera and stands out (which can be good or bad). It works seamlessly with 6x7 lenses with the Pentax adapter and the results can be stunning. I prefer using mine to my K-1 in all cases except when limited by size & weight when travelling.
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Forum: Lens Sample Photo Archive
05-11-2021, 02:54 PM
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The QDOS version has a switch near the aperture ring which moves a magenta filter in one half if the aperture and a blue filter in the other half.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
05-08-2021, 03:28 AM
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For film cameras the 43 is a no brainer, the aperture ring alone is a really big feature. I bought mine for using on my LX and then bought a K-1 just to use this lens at it's natural focal length (I struggle to make it work on APS-C).
Apart from that you have two choices: SMC or HD and silver or black!
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
05-07-2021, 06:50 AM
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I managed to get a few shots of G-NWAA from the North West Air Ambulance as it lifted off from a nearby school playing field with the D. Despite the wide open field, they chose to land near one edge (possibly to avoid problems with flailing sports equipment). They are a charity based in the North West of England providing a helicopter ER service.
645D, FA80-160, ISO 400:
G-NWAA from the North West Air Ambulance by John Halliwell, on Flickr
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
05-09-2021, 02:57 AM
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Yes I understand this, I keep the raw file, using the JPEG as a quick way to apply custom image parameters to cut time on the computer. Going to TIFF on the computer is primarily to avoid continually losing quality when saving it multiple times.
This is really useful info and something I need to understand more about - thanks.
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
05-04-2021, 01:40 PM
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It should work fine assuming it is FF compatible at all apertures and therefore no vignetting in the corners. The camera will think the aperture ring is set to A and only offer Program and Tv mode (and perhaps x-sync?). However, the camera offers 3 programs based on focal length. (1 tree - tele, 2 trees - standard, 3 trees - wide) which is set when an AF lens it attached.
Edit: The camera will offer various Program modes - standard, speed and depth etc. as mentioned in later posts.
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
04-30-2021, 10:59 PM
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I acquired a 6x7 45mm with an oval filter thread (no other apparent damage). I had a huge struggle removing the filter which is when I realised the problem. I haven't been able to fit another filter, but will try a step up ring for more leverage.
I also worried about how it could become deformed, but there was no other damage to indicating any fall. I now suspect a filter repair tool may be the cause.
In my case I got a discount having found the lens to be Ok in all other respects with no obvious IQ issues.
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
04-26-2021, 12:15 AM
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
04-20-2021, 01:52 PM
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My experience mirrors this. I have a P67 with several lenses (and by chance a 645 adapter). I found a reasonably priced 645D body and used it initially with 67 lenses (I now have several 645 FA lenses). I prefer the 645D, mostly use the K-1 only when travelling and hardly shoot the 67.
I also have a Mamiya 645 from ages back but rarely use it. Bear in mind that exotic film cameras are increasing in price, while 'old' digital ones are falling rapidly. It probably won't be long before they cross over.
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
04-20-2021, 02:57 AM
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The Z-1(P) has both HyperManual (aperture ring set on 'A') and 'normal' Metered Manual (aperture ring not on 'A'). The camera does not have the crippled K mount found on Pentax DSLRs and will open aperture meter with K & M lenses and A (and later) lenses when the aperture ring is off 'A' - without having to use the green button.
It originated the HyperProgram (seamless switching between P, Av & Tv) & HyperManual as we know them today. It also supports using HyperManual as 'one shot' Program mode by pressing the 'IF' button (just like the green button on DSLRs). It also supports combining Exposure Lock with HyperManual to give access to Tv & Av - the IF button selects the program line, once done, hitting Exposure Lock will lock that value - which can then be changed with either dial (changing the other value to compensate).
The camera also supports combining EV compensation with auto-bracketing along the number-line - so instead of shooting -1, +-0, +1 you can shoot +0.5, +1, +1.5 depending on your Exposure Compensation and Auto-bracketing step settings (in this case Exposure comp set to +1.0Ev and auto-bracketing set to +-0.5Ev).
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Forum: Welcomes and Introductions
04-16-2021, 04:06 AM
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Welcome to the forum from Lancashire. The M 80-200 is a very good lens (my travel preference on the K-1).
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
04-15-2021, 11:12 PM
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+1 the Z-1 introduced HyperProgram, HyperManual, the green (IF) button, all making the user interface we know today. When SDM lenses needed power contacts, they were already there from the PZ contacts first used in the Z-1.
When I bought my K-5, I'd been out of photography for a while and was looking for a mirror less. Handling the K-5 brought back my memories of the Z-1 and brought me back to Pentax.
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
11-15-2020, 03:56 AM
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I use my O-GPS1 on my D, the lat/long and electronic compass work fine and are recorded in EXIF. I don't think it supports the GPS route tracking/recording from the K-1.
I can't remember if the 'Simple Navigation' provided by the O-GPS1 on the K-5 works (this isn't present in the K-1 in-built GPS).
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
04-06-2020, 07:28 AM
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Update: The rings arrived today, they fit the 645 A*300/4 well (as previously described by Rick). I'm a bit wary of how tight to tighten the ring around the lens barrel - have to see how solid everything feels when set-up.
Thanks again Rick for this information.
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