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Forum: Vintage Cameras and Equipment 02-26-2024, 08:07 AM  
My latest Spotmatic.
Posted By Rekusu
Replies: 32
Views: 920
In my humble opinion, in the days of the Spotmatic, there were three great cameras, not only from a well engineered point of view, but also design, visually attractive and well balanced. the Spotmatic was one of them, the other two were the Nikon F and the Olympus OM4.
Forum: General Photography 10-02-2023, 07:36 AM  
School photo
Posted By Rekusu
Replies: 7
Views: 657
What one and all,

I have a 1 meter long school photo dating from 1959. I would like to get some prints but don't know how to either 'scan' it nor where I would go to get a similar sized print.

Grateful for any suggestions.

Thanks and toodle pip

Rex
Forum: Pentax Medium Format 06-01-2023, 05:32 AM  
Pentax 645 Battery Holder
Posted By Rekusu
Replies: 9
Views: 2,470
Is this project still in development?

I know nothing about scanning or 3d printing but have given considerable thought to the solution as my battery holder is somewhat broken. Seems to me, although no-one knew at the original design / manufacturing stage, but the holder plastic is not sufficiently strong and the plastic is obviously, too thin. OK those are statements of the bleeding obvious!

In my humble opinion, one problem lies with the spring loaded battery contacts. They have to provide pressure to make good contact, but the pressure from six batteries is all bearing on some very thin plastic which was never sufficiently strong. If the spring pressure was less, and the contacts not so large, then the top and base plastic could be thicker. Even 1mm on both surfaces would make a considerable difference.

But what do I know?
Forum: Pentax Medium Format 01-19-2022, 09:21 AM  
Repaired P645 battery grip
Posted By Rekusu
Replies: 33
Views: 5,569
Is there any progress on a printed 645 battery holder? I could use a replacement.

Thanks and toodle pip
Forum: Pentax Medium Format 01-19-2022, 08:47 AM  
Pentax 645 longevity
Posted By Rekusu
Replies: 19
Views: 3,015
Bingo!!!! Have the same problem. I know nothing about 3d printing but surely it would not be possible to incorporate the battery contacts.

Apart from finding a replacement,which are thin on the ground, is there a solution?


Great shame that Pentax under-engineered this item.
Forum: Pentax Medium Format 01-19-2022, 07:32 AM  
Pentax 6x7 Advanced Lever Tension
Posted By Rekusu
Replies: 2
Views: 921
Not sure I understand the problem as it is quite some time since I have used my 67 cameras.

But it sounds like something that i have encountered and found a solution for. Since it is not a great idea to have any mechanical system sitting idle, it is wise to occasionally activate the shutter at all speeds. But with no film in the camera, the advance lever moves but does not tension the shutter and hence the frame counter does not move. I have found that with the back open then rotating the grooved centre 'button' on the counter to around frame 5 or more, then closing the back, everything becomes active. Shutter will advance as will the counter, so I am able to check all the shutter speeds.

There is some interlock between the advance and the counter that engages the shutter and that seems to be activated when film is in use but not after the back has been opened.

Have to admit that if I read the above, I would probably not understand but may be it helps.

Toodle pip
Forum: Photographic Technique 11-03-2020, 06:22 AM  
Wide angle portrait
Posted By Rekusu
Replies: 4
Views: 973
Right on the button; you get the Brownie points. Many thanks.

i was looking for Bezia or something similar and only coming up with references to curves, etc.

Toodle pip
Forum: Photographic Technique 11-03-2020, 05:10 AM  
Wide angle portrait
Posted By Rekusu
Replies: 4
Views: 973
What ho one and all,

I was reading about a portrait technique where one uses a normal focal length lens but via multi-exposure and merging in Photoshop, gets a wide angle effect.

My memory tells me, normal lens, wide open (to blur background and foreground), manual focus and take the photo of the subject. Then, without changing anything, shot at least another nine images in a Z pattern. Merge in PS and the result is a sharp subject in a wide angle image, lots of fore / back ground blur but looks like a normal focal length portrait.

I cannot find any links as I don't recall what the effect is called.

Can anyone assist with a name or even better, a link?

Many thanks and toodle pip

Rex
Forum: Pentax Medium Format 09-22-2020, 11:20 PM  
67 Shutter speed dial
Posted By Rekusu
Replies: 6
Views: 3,814
May be not engraving the wheel was a minor cost saving measure, but given the general mechanical complexity of nay camera, engraving the wheel was hardly a major engineering problem to be overcome.

But hey ho, it was what it was and my solution worked for me.
Forum: Pentax Medium Format 09-22-2020, 09:26 AM  
67 Shutter speed dial
Posted By Rekusu
Replies: 6
Views: 3,814
Given that the knurled wheel is so important when using the meter, I was always surprised that Pentax did not engrave the shutter speeds into the wheel. As I said above, if the camera is on a tripod at eye level, it is impossible to see what shutter speed is set.
Forum: Pentax Medium Format 08-31-2020, 01:48 PM  
67 Shutter speed dial
Posted By Rekusu
Replies: 6
Views: 3,814
When I made this about 20 years ago, CNC virtually did not exist. And I did not have the expertise to machine it to the precision to be an interference fit. Moulding and casting was a no-brainer. I was shooting stock, and made one for each camera. They certainly made life easier when on a tripod.
Forum: Pentax Medium Format 08-31-2020, 08:14 AM  
67 Shutter speed dial
Posted By Rekusu
Replies: 6
Views: 3,814
What ho one and all,

Never shown this little gizmo to anyone and always wondered why Pentax did not make it.

With the metering head on the 67 plus the shutter speed dial additional diameter thing to make changing the shutter speed easier, and with the camera on a tripod, it is very difficult (impossible!) to actually seed the set shutter speed without lilting the camera backwards.

So I made this little adaption to the shutter ring. I took a mould of the original ring and poured a few in resin. On the computer, I made the shutter speed numbers in reverse type (white on black) and reduced to a size that would fit on the edge of the ring. Filed a flat in each position and glued the little numbers in place. Then gave a couple of coats of clear lacquer.

The result, when on a tripod, I can see the set shutter speed and change with no problem.

Why did Pentax never do this?

Toodle pip

(Sorry about the poor quality, quickly done with my phone which does not like close focusing!)
Forum: Pentax Medium Format 08-31-2020, 06:27 AM  
Pentax 6x7 not firing, film advancing but doesn't sound correct.
Posted By Rekusu
Replies: 13
Views: 2,838
What ho one and all,

Reading this thread, I may be grasping the wrong end of the straw, but seems that jacintyre originally asked about 'dry firing' the shutter. I assume that means, no film.

Yes, it is possible to 'dry fire' the shutter with the camera empty.

As you close the back but before it actually clicks closed, apply a little pressure to the small grooved rotating thing in the centre of the frame counter. Turn it until it reads 5 or more and hold in this position while you close the back.

If you have done this correctly, the film advance will wind the mirror and shutter mechanism and it should work just fine. If I recall correctly, the frame counter will advance. when you next open the back, it will reset to zero.

Toodle pip
Forum: Pentax Medium Format 08-30-2020, 03:58 AM  
645 Battery
Posted By Rekusu
Replies: 0
Views: 614
What ho one and all,

Like many, I have a 645 that over the past few years, has had almost zero use. Pulled it out recently to ensure that all the mechanical parts are still working, and found that the battery holder plastic is cracked and crazing due to the combined pressure from the battery contacts.

As I see it, the problem is two fold, neither of which I have a complete solution for. Compared with other aspects of the camera, the entire hold was under-engineered; and /or the pressure from the contact springs it too great and applies too much pressure to the weak plastic. Of course, when it is in the handle, everything is more or less, OK.

I will be attempt to repair / strengthen the holder but have been giving some thought to how to reduce the pressure on the springs (contacts)

6 x AA batteries give 9v. I have read that a single 9v battery does not have sufficient oomph to keep the camera going.

What about six tagged batteries with the tags soldered together. Since these do not have the end nipple, they are a bit shorter and would reduce the pressure on the holder. But I cannot find alkaline, tagged batteries; they are all nickel metal hydride but importantly, the voltage is only 1.2v rather than alkaline at 1.5v

If six tagged 1.2v batteries can fit in the holder, would a total of 7.2v (as opposed to 9v) be sufficient to operate the camera?

Thanks and toodle pip

Rex
Forum: Pentax Medium Format 12-28-2019, 12:23 AM  
645 battery holder
Posted By Rekusu
Replies: 41
Views: 12,653
Again, thanks for the reply.

I am not familiar with the sockets on the 645N, but to the best of my knowledge, my 645 (old fashioned model) does not have an external battery socket. And although I have not used the camera in many years, for general out and about photography, having an external battery would be somewhat of a PIA (in my opinion.)

I was inspecting the holder closely and I may be able to reinforce it sufficiently. Seems to me, that the plastic is not really sufficiently strong to resist the spring forces being applied. Where is has broken is at either end of the battery contact spring applying too much pressure) and where the grip spring applies outward pressure.

Is there any way to reduce the spring pressure?
Forum: Pentax Medium Format 12-27-2019, 01:15 PM  
645 battery holder
Posted By Rekusu
Replies: 41
Views: 12,653
Thanks for the reply. I may be able to 'reassemble' it but will use Araldite. However, some of the thinner bits have broken into so many bits, it will not be possible. Also, the bottom 'lock has fractured so is difficult to insert and extract from the grip.

Not sure the Lithium would make much difference as the problem appears to be pressure from the contact springs forces the thin plastic to distort. Lithium and AA will be the same length so the issue would be the same.

What I am wondering, since 6 X AA batteries is 9V, could it be possible to use a standard 9v battery? Surely 9v is 9v? But would that mess up the electronics in some way that I cannot foresee?

Even thinking about 3D printing a holder, but that is only a pipe-dream. Even if possible, the wall thickness would still be so thin as to be as rubbish as the original.
Forum: Pentax Medium Format 12-27-2019, 07:56 AM  
645 battery holder
Posted By Rekusu
Replies: 41
Views: 12,653
What ho one and all,

I have been a lurker for many years, but since the advent of digital, have 'sorta' retired my 67 and 645.

However, today I thought to give them a bit of a workout to ensure the mechanism is still working. 67, no worries but he 645 is a different story.

It still does what is says on the box but..................

The battery holder is made to be the weakest link in the chain and the pressure from the contact springs has basically caused it to fall apart. Have been searching eBay for another or even a battey grip but to date, no luck. Seems ridiculous either throw the camera away or have to buy another one, just to get a replacement battery holder.

Does anyone know of (may be?) a Chinese company or any other, that makes this item? Or is there a well known 'fix' that I have yet to discover?

Thanks, Happy New Year Year and toodle pip
Forum: Pentax Medium Format 08-01-2014, 06:58 AM  
This is what Pentax should do
Posted By Rekusu
Replies: 19
Views: 3,450
Hi there,

I have just received the British Journal of Photography weekly e-mail and one of the equipment previews relates to a new piece of Hasselblad equipment; namely a digital back for the older, V series of cameras (Swedish company goes 'back to the future' by releasing the CFV-50c CMOS digital back for its V System cameras)

Hopefully, Pentax will see the light and introduce a digital back for the 645. Personally, I think they missed a winner by not having done so. There are a lot of manual 654 cameras out there and I for one would love to use mine with a digital back. And the body already comes with a battery pack built-in. But now it just resides in a box, worth next to nothing!

I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Rex
Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing 03-02-2013, 06:22 AM  
PhotoShop Version Cue
Posted By Rekusu
Replies: 0
Views: 921
Hi there,

I use PhotoShop CS3 and Bridge. Having worked on an image and saved it, I usually move it to the relevant 'final' folder from within Bridge. Select the image, right click and select either Copy To or Move To.

But I always get a message telling me that Version Cue 3 or above should be installed. So I install it from the Adobe web site, activate it to start (Bridge Preferences) and all is fine. Until the next time I start PS and Bridge, and Version Cue has gone, the Pref. option is not checked and the 'You must install' message appears again.

What am I doing wrong and how do I correct it?

Many thanks

Rekusu
Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing 02-19-2013, 07:49 AM  
MetaData
Posted By Rekusu
Replies: 6
Views: 1,094
Didn't think you were trying to convert me; actually, I'm quite happy with CS3 and ACR.

Since posting this trhead, I have found a script that apparently does what I would like, but I get an error message and nothing happens. Have had a look at the code but have no idea what I'm looking at. There is a chance that it will not run under CS3, but how do I find that out?

Rex
Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing 02-19-2013, 06:14 AM  
MetaData
Posted By Rekusu
Replies: 6
Views: 1,094
Thanks for your reply. I would like to use LR4 but Adobe has very kindly priced me (and many other I assume) out of the market. CS6 and LR4 have more bells and whistles than I need, and they require a 64 bit os. My computer will handle 64 bit but my os (XP Pro) will not and I'm not about to upgrade everything.

So I use Bridge in CS3 and it does everything and more than I need. Yes, I know about the drop-down panel but that does not copy the description or title. The easiest way is to rename the RAW to the same as I previously have saved but give it an *a.tif or *b.tif name. I can then later delete the original and rename without the a or b, but that is very time consuming and clunky.

Rex
Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing 02-19-2013, 04:57 AM  
MetaData
Posted By Rekusu
Replies: 6
Views: 1,094
Probably did not make myself clear. I'm reworking the original RAW files and the camera created metadata does remain the same, not that I care about that information.

It is the description, keywords, title that I want to copy. If my workflow was well organised, I would have all that information with the RAW and there would not be an issue. Sometimes I do, but frequently when I have completed the workflow, I add keywords in the metadata tab, to the saved tif. If I rework that RAW, I would like to transfer the data from the old to the new. There is another way around; if the new is better than the old, then save it with the same file name and all the metadata should be intact.

But I would still like to know how to copy/paste.

Rex
Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing 02-19-2013, 01:25 AM  
MetaData
Posted By Rekusu
Replies: 6
Views: 1,094
The more experienced I become with ACR and PhotoShop , that better I can get my images. As a result, I am reworking some old RAW files and they are looking better than when I originally processed them.

But the old files have metadata attached, with title, description and keywords. I would like to copy and paste this metadata to the reworked images but I cannot find how. Is it possible and if so, what do I do?

Many thanks

Rex
Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing 12-14-2012, 10:11 AM  
Saving jpg
Posted By Rekusu
Replies: 4
Views: 1,103
Thanks for the suggestions. I have not tried adding .jpg to any orphans as there are not so many.

But manually inputting jpg after the file name rather than selecting jpg from the drop-down menu did work. Not how it used to operate but better than nothing.
Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing 12-14-2012, 01:23 AM  
Saving jpg
Posted By Rekusu
Replies: 4
Views: 1,103
Good idea, i'll try that next time it happens.

Rex
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