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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
11-06-2013, 07:27 PM
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People keep mentioning the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 as a comparison, or even the Pentax 16-50 f/2.8. For sure, those lenses are faster, and the Sigma is even less expensive.
But the Pentax 16-50 weighs twice as much as this new 20-40. The Sigma 18-35 weighs three times as much. And they're both massive. The Limited lenses have never been about maximum speed, they're designed to hit sweet spots of minimal size with optimal construction. That's their whole point. One could argue that's a large point of Pentax SLRs, as well.
Yes, it's not cheap. But good lenses usually aren't. Considering the Limited primes have a pretty good range covered, a Limited zoom was a good decision, and making it WR is the icing on the cake.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
11-06-2013, 12:23 PM
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Yeah, there isn't a way to get the camera to do that, but I can recommend a Petzl Tikka Plus 2 headlamp as a great solution. In addition to the usual white LEDs, it switches over to a red LED when you hold the button down for a couple of seconds. Great for preserving night vision. So then you'd just leave the camera's LCD light off, and read it by the light of your red headlamp. Plus the headlamp lets you see everything else, too. :)
And as a further bonus, if you're doing long night exposures a headlamp is really handy for "painting" additional light into the scene - basically real-time dodging during the exposure. I always have one of those headlamps in my bag.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
11-05-2013, 12:55 PM
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The K-3 has two options for the LCD light:
You can assign the top LCD light to the Fx button. Pressing the Fx button will then light up the LCD for a while, after which it goes off and stays off until you press Fx again.
Or you can use the Special Function method like on the K-5, where the LCD is lit (either high or low) while the exposure meter is active.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
11-05-2013, 12:38 PM
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Fantastic video - great overall appraisal, and very fair, which makes the genuine enthusiasm all the more honest.
But I'm surprised this video is out, while the K-3 still isn't even listed on The Camera Store's web site. I like TCS and probably would've bought from there instead of Henry's, but Henry's had it up for pre-order, and TCS still doesn't even list it.
But excellent work on the video regardless - keep them coming.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
11-04-2013, 01:33 PM
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When you're in Select focusing mode in Live View and are moving the focus area around (white square with the arrows on all sides), pressing the Green button recentres the focus square.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
11-03-2013, 07:57 PM
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Am I crazy, or does File One looks significantly sharper in the centre, where File Two looks sharper at the left and right edges - particularly the right?
Which makes no sense (assuming they were using the same lens, and not two different copies of the same make of lens). I'm probably crazy. Gah, pixel-peeping is what's crazy.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
11-03-2013, 05:01 PM
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Coming from the K-5 I can say that even if the K-5 has a slight advantage in high ISO range - which I'm not yet sure it does - the K-3 is leaps ahead in its ability to nail focus in low light. So that's something to consider: it may be better to have 97 percent of the dynamic range, and sharp focus where you want it. That's certainly how I'm feeling after a couple days of use.
The K-3 is really remarkable at seeing in the dark. I was out walking with it last night, giving it some stress testing, and kept being amazed. All the more important since it's harder to manual focus in low light. (But I haven't tried the K-5ii, so don't know how that system compares.)
Jos
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
11-02-2013, 03:01 PM
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Another new K-3 owner voting to have the electronic level restored as an option for the Fx button. I use/used that constantly.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
11-01-2013, 05:33 PM
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True, but will that activate the level in the viewfinder? And even if it does, this is harder to do while looking through the camera compared to using the Fx button, which is perfectly located. I'll have to test it out this evening.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
11-01-2013, 04:55 PM
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Hello, folks. Thought I'd add some additional early K-3 impressions from trying it out last night. I'm coming from a K-5 (K-7 and K10D before that). These are obviously my subjective impressions based on how I like to work with a camera, and on just a few hours with the K-3. YMMV.
As said by many others, the first impression is just of speed. The camera reacts to everything instantaneously. In Live View: on the K-5 the screen image would smear if you moved quickly, and it lagged behind your movements slightly, where the K-3 is razor sharp and immediate. Feels like a racehorse pulling at the bit, everything done before you've finished asking.
The new grip is perfect: the two areas they changed it, with a larger thumb ridge on the back and slightly deeper grip in the front, are small but excellent refinements.
The tactile quality of the buttons are improved, even though I never thought there was room for improvement. The new D-pad is great, as your thumb settles nicely into the concave buttons.
As one who uses the AF button for focus, the new location is turning out to be my favourite change (although my muscle memory is going to take a while to adjust). The K-3 is a real jump in focus speed and performance from the K-5. You can tell the screw-drive engine is faster and more powerful. I didn't notice much difference with SDM focus speed, but that was on the 50-135. Accuracy seems improved as well.
Focus peaking in Live View works really well - it's like a white shimmer that moves through the scene as you adjust, and is very accurate. I miss the K-5's automatic zoom-in-while-focusing-then-zoom-back-out, but may not need it with focus peaking.
The K-3's image quality seems to be at least as good as the K-5, but with slightly more detail. For me, this upgrade was more about the other areas of improvement, as I'm still extremely happy with the K-5's image quality. I was concerned that reaching for 24 MP would mean a drop from the K-5's stellar sensor, but the K-3 does not disappoint. (This just from testing casual DNG RAW snapshots in interior lighting, up to 6400 ISO, and comparing in Lightroom 5 using both cameras' embedded profiles.)
Just a two cons I can think of:
1) Bizarrely, toggling the electronic level with the Fx button is no longer an option. I don't know why they'd remove that from the list and didn't expect it to be missing. This is a personal disappointment, as I use this function frequently on the K-5. I love having the electronic level available, but don't want it cluttering up my Live View, or worse, taking over the exposure meter when I don't need it. I use the Fx button to enable it, check my level, and then dismiss it again. I hope a firmware update can bring it back, and I'll be writing to Pentax to plead the case. Weird.
2) The extra weight is noticeable. I was hoping it wouldn't be, but it is to my hands. Not by much, but I personally wish they'd left out things I have no need for (dual card slots, headphone jack) and kept the weight down. But I understand the competitive pressure that led them to add them in. (I also personally wish they'd have stuck with 16MP and gone for even better sensitivity, but I understand the decision on that one, too.) I do a lot of my photography while walking, either in the backcountry or in cities, so carrying weight matters to me.
For anyone wondering about Really Right Stuff plates: the custom RRS L-plate for the K-7/K-5/II/s does not fit the K-3. The RRS "multi-camera" plate BP-CS does fit beautifully, and clears the battery door.
Hope this is useful opinion.
-Jos
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
10-29-2013, 05:56 PM
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Got messages from Henry's and Canada Post saying mine is on the way as well, expected delivery in two days (Oct 31). Interesting that Canada got something first for once?
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
12-28-2010, 01:49 AM
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I can confirm that the BP-CS plate from RRS fits the K200D perfectly.
The best way to use it is mounting it "backwards" - positioning the raised lip at the front edge of the camera, under the lens mount, not the rear. Mounting it this way keeps the plate clear of the battery compartment hatch, and works with the raised lip better. The only drawback is that it places the plate's strap lug on the left side, which would be a problem if you want to use it with a wrist strap.
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
01-04-2010, 11:57 AM
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Really Right Stuff replied to my question with the following:
"the B21 plate is now discontinued and was replaced by our BP-CS plate. This plate typically fits most film cameras."
Anyone happen to know how well this will fit a K200D? I am concerned about the height of the rear lip.
Cheers,
Jos
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
12-31-2009, 11:51 AM
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Thanks for all the replies.
I have the K10/K20 plate from RRS, and it definitely doesn't fit the K200D. But I've emailed RRS to ask which of their generic plates will work best. I'll post their response in case anyone else comes looking for the info.
Cheers,
Jos
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
12-20-2009, 11:39 AM
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Hello. I just bought a mint condition used K200D for my wife for Christmas, so we can share lenses and I can see my K10D again.
For tripod work my K10D and ballhead use a Really Right Stuff plate and clamp. Are there any Arca-style plates for the K200D? I haven't been able to find anything so far.
RRS seems to make a "generic camera" plate. Anyone used this with a K200D?
Thanks in advance.
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
12-20-2009, 11:25 AM
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Go to an outdoor sports store (like REI in the States or MEC in Canada) with your camera. Try on lots of different gloves and see how well you can work the controls with them on. You want the thickest glove that still allows you to accurately work the camera, which probably won't actually be very thick and will depend entirely on your own hand size and the cut of the glove. You also want snug, but not to the point of reducing circulation.
A good material to try out is Gore Windstopper fleece, which gives you the thin and lightweight benefit of fleece but has a windproof (and water resistant) membrane sandwiched inside. This makes a huge difference for warmth. I ended up with some North Face Windstopper gloves with a rubber pattern laminated to the palm and fingers which work great for me.
One more thing: since you want a really good fit (snug but not too tight) and fingers are so sensitive, try on different "versions" of the same kind and size of glove. There's enough variation in the manufacturing tolerances that two "brand X medium" will fit slightly differently.
Jos
Vancouver, BC
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
09-10-2009, 11:53 AM
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I have a dilemma regarding a DA* 16-50 lens repair.
When I first bought my copy a while back, it seemed to test out well. But over the first few months of use I started to notice what I believe is the usual decentering/alignment problem: the sharpest area of focus is the lower left quadrant, but it's really only noticable at wide apertures, and when shooting flat subjects. In those conditions, the upper/ upper right area shows blurriness and slight ghosting.
Overall, the lens is great: the sharpness and image quality under most conditions is outstanding, and the weather sealing has opened new opportunities for shooting - a wonderful thing on the rainy Pacific coast.
Due to needing to use the lens, I had to wait until the warranty was almost expired before sending it in. Pentax Canada had the lens for two months, and eventually sent it back with only a "focus adjustment" performed. The alignment/centering issue was unchanged, and now the lens was out of warranty.
I've since sent the lens back to Pentax Canada, requesting a replacement lens as they seem unable to repair this one, and expressing my opinion that the warranty should still be honoured as it was still active when I first sent it in for this specific issue.
In response, they say the lens "meets manufacturer's specifications", and they can't find a problem with it. They say the "focus adjustment" they performed when I sent it the first time concluded their warranty obligations, and the lens is no longer under warranty. However, they've offered the following:
1) To send the lens to Japan for confirmation of their diagnosis. (No idea how long this will take, or if there will be any difference in the outcome.)
2) To send a replacement "demo lens", as a goodwill gesture. They say this lens will be mechanically and optically perfect, has never been sold, and would have been used by a store or sales rep for demonstration purposes. They can't provide the serial number in advance, and it's a "one-time-only" offer with no extension of warranty - no recourse if there's a problem with it.
The problem: sending the lens to Japan could take months, and might not change anything. Accepting the demo replacement leaves me no further recourse, and considering the reputation of the lens there's a slight possibility that the demo might actually be worse than my current copy, which I was fairly happy with.
What would you do? Any advice or opinions would be appreciated.
Jos
Vancouver, BC
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-24-2008, 10:01 PM
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There's a form you can find somewhere on the Canada Border Services website that will allow you to get one round of import taxes refunded in the event of something like this. You just have to prove that you shipped the item back to the States once for a replacement (a shipping receipt would probably do the trick).
Jos
Vancouver, BC
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-24-2008, 09:52 PM
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Hi. I'm in Vancouver, and haven't ordered from B&H but have from Adorama. Here's my experience cross-border shopping online:
1) If you choose an expedited delivery method like FedEx, it will take one or two days to get to you. (FedEx International Priority will be one day, International Economy will be two.) You'll be able to track the shipment's progress on FedEx's website using the package tracking number B&H will provide. If you choose the regular postal system (US Postal Service handing off to Canada Post), I'm not sure how long it would take. Longer. ;-)
2) You'll have to pay both GST and PST, as well as a "customs brokerage" charge to whomever brings your package across the border. The brokerage charge is included in FedEx's international rates. (However, since FedEx will have to pay the GST and PST on your behalf, they'll tack on an additional service charge of $10.) Canada Post charges something like $5 or $8 for customs brokerage.
As for duties, I've done several orders from the U.S. (flash unit, memory cards, lens), and have yet to be charged any duties. Not sure why, but it seems there isn't any on photographic equipment.
3) For FedEx, yes, they have devices that will let you pay the taxes and service charge by credit card upon delivery, at your door. (I doubt they take cash or cheque.) Canada Post would send you a package notice, and you'd have to go to the post office to pay the taxes and brokerage fee when you pick it up.
4) I'm not positive about this one, but I don't think you need warranty cards for anything. I think they're for information purposes. The thing that gets you warranty service is your proof of purchase. The trick there is that you'll have a receipt from a U.S. retailer, which may require you to send the lens to Pentax USA for warranty service. But again, I'm not 100% certain on this. I don't know if Pentax Canada cares where you bought an item. They may.
5) If you receive a substandard lens, you would have to pay to ship it back. Generally, you have to pay one-way to the destination (whether back to B&H, or to a repair centre) and they pay to return it to you.
In January, I received a DA* 16-50 from Adorama with a centering defect. I had to pay to send it back to them, and they explained that if I wanted to exchange it I would have to pay the return shipping back to me, for a total of three rounds of shipping charges. I decided not to, and requested a refund instead. Adorama chose to ignore my request and instead sent me an exchange at their own expense. Luckily it was a good copy the second time.
Last tip: avoid UPS. I haven't used them, but have heard that they charge exorbitant customs brokerage charges that aren't included in the shipping charge, unlike FedEx. (Note that UPS is not the same as the USPS.)
And as a passing opinion: I understand the appeal of lower prices, but I personally won't buy lenses online any more. For lenses, I've come to feel it's more important deal with a store directly, in person.
Lot of info - hope it helps.
Jos
Vancouver, BC
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
01-10-2008, 12:12 AM
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My K10D also shoots everything tilted 1 degree to the right. I believe the culprit is the reflex mirror: when looking into the body of the camera, my mirror is very slightly but visibly tilted relative to the rest of the camera. I believe explains the discrepancy between what the viewfinder shows and what the sensor captures.
Hopefully that's not a difficult thing to fix.
-Jos
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