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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 01-17-2017, 08:27 AM  
can anyone help me out with lens id
Posted By Pirate
Replies: 15
Views: 3,111
Ahoy!

Unless it's a trick of the light, the image posted of the Tokura lens MC mount and rear lens element seems to show either fungus or haze, If this is the case, keep it away from all other lenses and use it as a paperweight or doorstop as it'll cost way more to have pro cleaned than the value/worth of the lens itself. Hopefully I'm wrong, but if not do keep it off your camera body and away from other optics.

As for using it on a DSLR, you'll need a MC to K-Mount lens adapter (preferably a chipped version) as the camera then knows a lens is attached and you'll have both image stabilisation and a focus confirmation 'beep'. Using a plain adapter, the camera won't know a lens is fitted and therefore won't allow the shutter button to be depressed, so a menu change needs to be made to turn off any lens fitted functionality. There are several manual focus mounts such as M42, M39, SR, MC, MD and I'm a fan of M42 screw-mount for which I have a chipped-lens adapter and requires no camera menu changes as the camera 'sees' the lens. Of the M42 lenses,my current favourites are the Helios, Prinzflex, Asahi Pentax and *Jupiter brands (* best Jupiter lens models are the alpha-numeric models and not numeric such as 11A instead of 11 as they're vastly superior and normally have curved aperture blades).

Is any of this of use to you or have you since discovered all you need about using MF lenses on DSLR bodies?
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 01-17-2017, 07:53 AM  
Rounded aperture blades, benefits?
Posted By Pirate
Replies: 13
Views: 6,509
Ahoy!

I think this website both shows and explains the differences so well that even I can understand it. I'm sure this will be of use to all shooters. You can read about it and view images on this website using a Sigma AF 500/4 telephoto lens just to cover focal range and whether any particular lens type produces images differently.

I appreciate this is an old thread, but the question like many others, will always be asked and it's therefore as relevant today as it was before and will be in the future, so no bad thing to cover the subject from an older thread IMO.
Forum: Photographic Technique 12-10-2016, 04:56 AM  
Macro The place to discuss macro and close-up photography
Posted By Pirate
Replies: 20
Views: 5,187
Ahoy!

I'm unable to post on what might be considered 'more suitable' threads (I'm assuming from my low thread posts), though having owned several Cosina and Vivitar model of the lens, the 'plastic fantastic' deserves its nickname as it really is, though I digress. For USA members, have a look at evilBay item: 252667851649 (it isn't mine nor do I have anything to do with the vendor) and it also has the matched 1:1 macro adapter.

It appears to be an earlier version compared to those I've owned (I currently have a mint Vivitar version boxed complete - lucky me), but for the price, surely it's a 'no brainer' . . . isn't it? Well, I think it is. Do a search for the Pentax brand of the same lens and you'll likely see the ridiculous prices being asked for it compared to the Cosina or any of its rebranded versions of which Vivitar is one. OK, so it says 'for parts not working', but as the item description doesn't state what issue(s) it has, I'm guessing that it's a selling ploy in order to negate the item being returned due to the listing condition type. Even if the AF didn't work, for macro shooting it's normally done in MF anyway, but that aside, it's all about the optics as this lens can produce results you could easily think was taken with a Tamron 272EP which is widely accepted as being one of the best dedicated 1:1 macro lenses.

In summary, the AF 100mm F/3.5 1:2 MC Macro is likely to be the best 'bang for buck' lenses bar none based on the optics alone, though the body is made from entry-level plastic and has a course and slightly noisy AF motor. I love mine and I have several images posted online taken with it, so maybe someone will ask the seller a question to establish the real condition status of the lens, and with that, I'll leave it to you on the other side of the pond to follow-up on.

Have a good weekend.
Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II 08-05-2014, 04:06 PM  
New K-5 firmware version 1.16
Posted By Pirate
Replies: 121
Views: 48,056
Ditto! No problems at all with v1.16 from the Japanese site (English), but I find it puzzling as to why the Japanese site has firmware v1.16 and it's not on the UK site for example.

Seems crazy to think it's been several months since it's release date that other Pentax websites haven't yet incorporated it for local downloading and updated the relevant firmware page accordingly.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 07-09-2014, 01:45 PM  
Pentax FA 100mm macro
Posted By Pirate
Replies: 15
Views: 2,034
Ahoy!

I entirely agree about true 1:1 macro lenses. I own the Tamron 272E and have owned many other 1:1 and 1:2 macro's, but my reference was specifically with respect to the Cosina AF 100/3.5 MC macro as it's native 1:2 is vastly superior compared to it with the 1:1 adapter fitted as it doesn't always focus correctly and it softens towards the outer edge of the image. I have some beautiful images taken using it in 1:2 mode in addition to those with the Tamron 272E on the interweb, and they compare with each other pretty much identically, though the Cosina (or any of it's variants) costs a fraction of any true 1:1 macro, and for the price, it's one of photography's gem lenses in terms of price and IQ. I love the Cosina simply because of what it is. I don't think there's anything that can match it like for like and it's just insane that K-Mount owners are prepared to pay ridiculous money for the Pentax version which is the exact same lens (it's madness)!

The supplied 1:1 adapter lens is a total POS and superior +1, +2 or higher magnification adapter lenses can be bought from Amazon for not a lot of money, but I'll stand by my comment that it performs best in native 1:2 mode, and even if images from it were put alongside true 1:1 macro lens examples, I don't think most people would be able to tell the difference. The 'plastic fantastic' is just a gem of a lens optically, and I've owned about 5x copies of it over the years in addition to 50/3.5 1:2, 50/2.8 1:1, 105/2.8 1:1 and 90/2.8 1:1, so have a fair amount of personal experience with various makes/models, so I wasn't saying 1:2 is better than 1:1, just that the Cosina provides optimum IQ without the 1:1 adapter in native 1:2 mode.

Hope that clears up any misunderstanding.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 06-21-2014, 02:35 PM  
Pentax FA 100mm macro
Posted By Pirate
Replies: 15
Views: 2,034
Why don't you just search for a Cosina/Vivitar/Phoenix/Soligor/Promaster AF 100/3.5 MC Macro? It's native 1:2 but it should have a 1:1 adapter lens, but it's pretty pointless as native 1:2 is vastly superior. It's known as the 'plastic fantastic' and there is a Pentax branded version which costs insane money but it's the exact same lens. The Cosina in USD is around $90.00 used. It's constructed from smooth hard plastic and the AF motor sounds like a coffee grinder, but the optics are just sublime.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 03-01-2014, 02:30 PM  
Sigma TS-41 Tripod collar - alternatives?
Posted By Pirate
Replies: 6
Views: 6,047
Ahoy!

The TS-21 is the standard collar for most Sigma lenses, and the TS-31 and TS-41 are variants which make for easier carrying (the 31 and 41 have mouldings for fingers), but the prices go through the roof!
Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories 03-25-2013, 12:43 PM  
1.08x-1.58x Magnifying Magnifier Eyepiece
Posted By Pirate
Replies: 17
Views: 4,835
Just type into the evilBay search box: 1.08x-1.58x zoom viewfinder eyepiece for results.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 03-17-2013, 08:29 PM  
Sigma 120-400mm DG OS HSM for Pentax - anyone tried it yet?
Posted By Pirate
Replies: 107
Views: 29,526
Sigma TC's are designed for use with IF lenses (internal focus) which have no rear element movement and usually AF is only retained with a maximum F4 aperture. They wont be any good with a standard zoom lens, and apart from that, the IQ will be destroyed as it's not brilliant to begin with and AF speed will be reduced to a crawl (no good at all for a moving subject). You will be far better off with a 300mm F/2.8 prime or a Sigma 100-300mm F/4 both of which can utilise the Sigma TC's and are both far superior to the 120-400 (OS + non-OS), 150-500 and 50-500. As for the Sigma 150-500mm, you'll be better off with the BIGMA 50-500mm which has better IQ. Also remember that any in-lens OS will draw it's power from the camera battery, so ideally use a VG with a second battery installed and/or take some spares if out in the field for long periods, else turn off in-lens OS in lieu of in-camera OS to save battery power. If you can't source or afford a 100-300/4 or 300/2.8, I would recommend the 120-400 OS HSM, then the 50-500. The 150-500 would be a decision of last resort and only IF it's absolutely necessary because nothing else is available and needs must, but there are better options out there.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 03-16-2013, 09:03 PM  
Sigma 120-400mm DG OS HSM for Pentax - anyone tried it yet?
Posted By Pirate
Replies: 107
Views: 29,526
The 120-400 isn't stellar by any stretch though it's a decent enough tele-zoom. Personally I rate the Sigma AF 100-300 F4 EX DG (IF) APO way above the Sigma 120-400 (OS or non OS versions) by direct comparison (I've owned many copies of both BTW). But if any UK Pentax owners are looking to buy the Sigma 120-400 DG OS HSM APO, then SRS Microsystems have it on special offer both on their main website and their evilBay outlet for £499.00 delivered + the obligatory 3 year Sigma (UK) warranty when registered online. Also for reference, the Sigma AF 50-200 OS DC HSM is a marvelous little lens (under £100.00 from SRS) which I bought in-lieu of the Sigma 70-200/2.8 APO OS DG HSM which can be bought from Onestop-Digital for under £800.00 delivered.
Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio 03-16-2013, 10:23 AM  
Viltrox JY-670 Ring Flash
Posted By Pirate
Replies: 20
Views: 15,555
These are Marumi re-brands though it's not listed for Pentax/Samsung! There are CaNikon and Sonolta versions though (I owned one for the A-Mount) and it's a cracking bit of kit. My query is that as Pentax shares the universal hot-shoe mount with all but Sonolta, would a CaNikon version work on a K-5 or are there voltage differences between the brands that share the universal mount?

I haven't checked to see if the JY-670 has TTL metering like the Delta, but if it does, then for the price, it's a bit of a bargain. The Delta is available from Foto-Tip via evilBay.
Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II 01-16-2013, 08:34 AM  
sigma HSM compatable with K5
Posted By Pirate
Replies: 11
Views: 4,812
Ahoy!

Having just ordered and received this lens, after connecting to my K-5 and turning off the in-camera IS and turning on the camera OS, I can't see any effect in the viewfinder or feel any vibration through the lens. I've contacted the vendor to see what can be done (replace or send to Sigma UK) and am awaiting a response, but I am unsure if the K-5 supports HSM (the AF and zoom work perfectly) and the IQ is very, very good, so I'm confused as to why I'm not seeing the OS effect via the viewfinder. Hopefully this will get sorted, but if anyone has any suggestions in the meantime, please chip-in.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 01-08-2013, 07:43 AM  
Sigma vs Pentax Lenses (& Pentax SDM problems?)
Posted By Pirate
Replies: 58
Views: 15,998
I'll take the Sigma 17-70mm if you'll post/ship it to/within the UK ;) Which version is it: F/2.8-4.5 DC Macro or F/2.8-4 OS?
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 11-18-2012, 06:45 AM  
Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro AF (PENTAX)
Posted By Pirate
Replies: 15
Views: 5,597
It also reduces IQ if left on when in use. Modern lenses don't require filters per-se unlike the older models as lens coatings aren't as good as modern optics, thus using UV or other 'protective' filters reduces IQ especially on telephoto lenses. They're OK for storage and movement, but not for use on the camera as IQ is degraded.

The Tamron 70-200/2.8 is an excellent fast tele-zoom, and it's Achilles heel is it's AF speed and focusing in anything other than decent light conditions (it tends to hunt). The plus side is price (especially on the used market), IQ, colour reproduction and build quality, though apart from colour, the Sigma equivalent beats it as it's a faster lens physically, though a shade more expensive.
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