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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
07-25-2019, 08:00 AM
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I would seriously consider an extended warranty if I was purchasing a K-70. My K-30 and K-50 both suffered aperture block failures and AFAIK the K-70 uses a similar design.
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Forum: Photographic Industry and Professionals
02-06-2019, 05:09 AM
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My personal experience with wedding photography is that many people think that taking pictures is something anyone can do. The results are often disappointing. The novice who takes on the role misses important shots. is in the wrong location when a shot needs to be taken, doesn't have backup equipment when something goes wrong.
I made the same mistake almost 50 years ago and have regretted it ever since. When one of my relatives asks me to shoot their wedding, I always say I will gladly take a few pictures, but I offer to pay for a professional.photographer as a wedding gift.
It is difficult to perform two jobs at the same time. On one hand you are part of the wedding party, enjoying the day in a social manner. On the other you become focused on the job at hand. These situations will collide, you will miss shots, be in the wrong place, forget to turn on the flash when you get distracted by an old friend, etc. etc. etc.
Please do yourself a favor and enjoy the day. Bring your camera and take a few candid shots when you have a moment, but leave the recording of the event to a professional.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
10-30-2018, 10:56 AM
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I think that I would have to agree that "Yes, aperture control IS a real problem in lower tier Pentax cameras". The strangest feature of the failure is the opposite of what would be normally happen. They fail from LACK of use!
The 2 K30s and 1 K50 in my extended family have ALL succumbed to the problem. Yet my 3 MZ series and 2 K100d are still functioning fine. and they use the identical system to set aperture. The MZ10 I tried recently has not been used in at least 20 years and works perfectly.
I think we all know what happened, including the folks at Pentax. It is so typical of the way things are today. Bean counters come before quality control.
Anyway, I personally do not recommend any Pentax models with the aperture solenoid to anyone, including the K70, at least until they fix or allow trade in credits on the units that have failed.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
08-18-2018, 04:52 PM
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The 55-300 PLM is a vastly superior lens to the older screw drive version (I own both), especially on the KP. Sharpness is similar, but bokeh is much better. The speed of focus and the fact that it is virtually silent makes it a must have in this price range.
I'm looking at the 20-40 as well, lets hope for a price drop. ;)
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
08-14-2018, 05:05 AM
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The best all around kit would be a KP with the 55-300 PLM, a 20-40, a 15 and a macro lens. Add a steady tripod and an Astrotracer and you are set.
Basically that is my dream kit.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
06-09-2018, 03:28 PM
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I agree that the flagship models are excellent. (I've had one since they came out.)
That said, I also like having a lighter body and the ergonomics of the K30 were wonderful.
It's such a shame that Ricoh won't do the right thing and admit to the defect and rebuild customer confidence in the Pentax brand.
Here's an example:
The current price of a KP is about US$900. Intro price was US$1100.
Ricoh could have sold a lot of KP's and made a lot of happy customers by offering $200 trade in credit to aperture block failure owners.
As it is, I get to look at my K30 on the shelf as a reminder everyday.
I guess the bean counters don't get the big picture.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
06-09-2018, 04:55 AM
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My family experience:
My K30 lasted about 3 years and 8000 shots before failure.
My brother's K50 lasted about 2 1/2 years before failure.
My niece's K30 lasted about 2 1/2 years before failure.
All failures have identical symptoms related to aperture block failure.
My K30 was the last to fail and I will be swapping out a film body solenoid into it and hopefully that will cure the problem.
Obviously, I won't ever consider a new Pentax with that aperture control system again.
I really think Ricoh should address this issue with some form of compensation/trade in credit to owners of these cameras. The reasoning behind this is that it is painfully obvious that these cameras have a manufacturing defect and that they fail under normal use.
Personally, I would use the credit to pick up a KP as I have Pentax bodies dating back to the 1960's.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
01-25-2016, 09:50 AM
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The O-ME53 is probably the best upgrade to do to any Pentax DSLR. (IMHO)
It does not interfere with the diopter adjustment at all, helps keep you face from touching (and smearing) the LCD and really helps in manual or quick-shift focusing.
Whenever I show someone how well it works, they immediately want one.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-24-2015, 04:05 AM
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I have not tried the new 16-85, but I feel it is too expensive for what you get in performance.
The 17-70 is optically OK, but has major reliability issues. I can see this one being discontinued. It is also over priced.
That leaves the 18-135. It is actually a very nice, quiet lens. It focuses very fast and accurately on my K3. I only take it off if I need a specific feature like macro or need a wider angle.
I would choose the 18-135.
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Forum: Film Processing, Scanning, and Darkroom
01-05-2015, 07:18 AM
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The Epson V500 has ICE and cost me about $200 4 years ago. The current version (V600) goes for about $230.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-04-2015, 07:22 PM
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I think it is important for purchasers considering used lenses to carefully weigh these issues.
1) If you buy from Ebay you will have no idea of any defects until after you receive the lens and test it.
2) There is considerable hassle and expense in returning the lens, if that is even possible.
3) You rarely get any warranty and even if you do, it may not be valid in your country.
4) You may get some nasty surprises in the way of "brokerage fees" depending on who the shipping agent is.
5) You may not be saving enough to justify the risk.
My advice is to buy new if you can.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-04-2015, 12:06 PM
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Just my 2 cents as I have owned both lenses.
The Sigma 70-300 comes in two versions, one has an APO element and one without. The APO is superior in CA and flare. The macro feature at 200-300mm is quite good for a lens at this price.
The Pentax has three versions of which two are basically identical in optics and coatings. (The DA-L and DA versions). The HD version is similar to the DA but adds better coatings and weather resistant sealing. The DA-L does not have Quick Shift focus nor a hood and has a plastic mount. In my opinion, the Pentax lens is superior in sharpness, color and contrast to the Sigma, but only by a small amount.
The Sigma has slightly less range, but a superior macro ability and a longer warranty and retails at around $180.00. It also has a 9 vs. 6 blade aperture. It will also work on a film body.
The HD Pentax at retails at $350.00. and the DA-L version at about $280.00. I believe the DA version is now discontinued.
If I was shooting with a K-50 and WR was not important, I would get the Sigma.
IMHO, the Pentax is not worth almost twice the price.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
12-12-2014, 05:57 AM
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The K100 is very sensitive to voltage input. I have seen ones that won't even turn on unless you use lithium batteries. I think the main capacitor is where the fault lies. There is also a possibility that the contacts at the bottom of the battery compartment have been too compressed and are not making good contact. Try using a dental pick and raising the contacts a little bit. Be very gentle with this. You can also dip a QTip in some Deoxit and clean all the contacts. If these things don't work then the camera will need a major repair. Unfortunately, the cost of a repair will probably be at least 2 times the value of the camera and you could replace it with a newer model for the same price.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
11-16-2014, 10:59 AM
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I own Pentax, Sony, Canon and Olympus systems and I find each is unique in it's own way. I have grown to prefer the Pentax rendering of images and have found it to be superior to that of almost any other brand.
Pentax glass is superb and the SMC coatings are probably the best in the industry. I do not own any of the new HD nano coated lenses yet, but they look to be an improvement in contrast. I already own the older 55-300 and it is a very nice lens, although the screw drive can be a little noisy. It works well in the K-3. I really like the 18-135WR because it is very fast and very quiet.
Important points not usually mentioned in reviews.
1) easy to do astrophotography with the GPS unit.
2) very, very quiet shutter
3) compatibility with every Pentax K mount and M42 lens(with mount adapter), including the power zoom lenses.
4) focus lock confirmation with manual lenses.
5) really bright viewfinder
6) front and rear wireless remote receivers
7) all the hookups you will ever need - mike, ac adapter, wired remote, headphone, USB 3.0
8) seems heavier than the Canons, but I prefer more weight as I feel it makes the camera more stable. Light weight bodies seem more unbalanced with larger lenses.
9) Rated at 200k shutter life. (I have burned out the shutter in some Canons and so shutter life is really important to me.)
Overall, the build quality seems high, but it's still too early to tell. I don't feel any camera is reliable until I have used it for at least 4-5 years. If you live in the US, the extended warranty is a bargain.
Good Luck
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
11-14-2014, 04:55 AM
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-05-2014, 04:57 AM
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I tried the Pentax 10-17 and compared it to the Pentax 12-24.
I ended up with the 12-24 because of the fisheye distortion on the 10-17 wasn't appropriate for the kind of shooting I like to do. I like to do a lot of architecture, old buildings, street scapes, etc. The 12-24 is also good for astrophotography. (As surprisingly is the 18-55)
Overall,I found the 10-17 effect was too distracting, especially at the wide end.
In the end it usually just a matter of taste.
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Forum: Pentax K-01
02-22-2013, 11:44 AM
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I was hoping the latest firmware would address the limited functionality of the O-GPS1 unit.
I don't think there is any physical reason that the astrotracer and other functions are not enabled.
I think a simple firmware upgrade would do.
I hope Pentax resolves this issue. (or some interested programmer who can add the code lines from the K-30 firmware)
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
12-21-2012, 07:54 AM
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I find that the closer the dust is to the sensor, the greater the effect. However, in most cases it takes a very light image (sky shot) at a very narrow aperture (f22) to make it show up on the final image. A quick clone in PP and it's gone. Old manual prime lenses can be great fun and are easy to clean. They can be bargains if you choose carefully.
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