|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
08-19-2010, 09:41 PM
|
| |
Ok thanks for the replies! I was under the impression that most out-of-warranty repairs by Pentax (or Canon, Nikon, etc) would be so expensive that I did not even think about it. I guess I should just try it and give Pentax Canada a call first.
|
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
08-19-2010, 11:58 AM
|
| |
My beloved FA31 Limited's focus ring seems to have some kind of loose part (I can hear something rattle when I shake the lens) in the focus ring, so the focus sometimes gets stuck around 1-2m. And unfortunately it's already out of warranty.
Is there any shop in Toronto I may send this to to get a repair? Or possibly Canada, or maybe US? I know a lot of people seem to be recommending Eric to repair anything Pentax, but has anyone in Canada try that before and get hit with some hefty custom charges (especially with FA31 Limited...) when their package gets sent back?
Thanks :)
|
|
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
09-09-2009, 06:09 AM
|
| |
@PolishMike Thanks for the comment. I did not even bother wiping off the water from the front element. It would get wet within seconds anyway, so there's really no point keeping it dry.
@Barnstar Yeah it definitely was fun. Maybe not when I choked on water a few times though :p
In regards to the build quality of K10D/K20D and 16-50mm, I was thinking if it could be the lens too, but I would think a leak around the lens mount could cause a bigger problem. But when I checked the back of the lens and the metal mount on the camera, they were actually dry. As for why the inside of the front element fogged up, I guess one possibility is it was a 25 degree day, my lens has been in the sun for 5 hours, and the water in the fountain was quite cold (not sure, but 10 degree-ish?). So I guess the fog could form inside a bit.
I did notice some water forming around the ON/OFF switch on the camera. Seeing how both times the problems were somewhat related to the switch, I have a feeling the switch could be a weak point on the camera. And it's possible since it moves a lot, compared to most other parts that don't move at all.
If anything, it does live up to the weather-resistance claim from Pentax :)...I guess just not as weather-resistant/proof as most other ppl :(
|
|
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
09-08-2009, 03:57 PM
|
| |
Late June I was taking photos at the Pride Parade in Toronto. It was raining prior to the parade, but I was still taking photos in the rain with my K20D and Pentax DA* 16-50mm. After about 2 hours in the rain the camera started showing some small signs of trouble - camera taking at the moment it is turned on, and unresponsive buttons and autofocus. I was frantically drying the camera because the parade would be starting in 30 min. Fortunately for me, just as the rain stopped, the parade started, and my camera suddenly started working again. Too bad I don't have any photos that showed how wet the camera got or how heavy the rain was.
Now just three days ago I was taking photos for school's frosh week, and one of the traditions that we do is a downtown walkaround and having a water fight in the water fountain at Nathan Phillips Square in front of Toronto Citty Hall. I thought I would use my backup K10D, and the Pentax DA* 16-50mm combo, this way if anything happens to the K10D I still have my main camera.
Here is the intensity of the water fight (this was shot in the middle of the fountain at 16mm and cropped to around 5.5mp, so I was actually close to the water fight, not staying on the side of the fountain):
You can also check out the rest of the photos here: F!rosh Week 0T9 - a set on Flickr
Basically, the combo lasted a good 10 minutes before it started showing some signs of trouble - camera constantly on (whether switch ON or OFF), and unresponsive buttons. I quickly got out of the water and dried my equipment with a dry towel. The camera was still showing signs of trouble for the next 2 days, including constant ON (still), and camera date reset everytime it's turned on. By the end of the 2 days, all these problems finally went away. The lens suffered a bit of condensation just inside the front elements, but I put it under the sun and now all the fogginess is gone and no signs of mold or anything.
CONCLUSION
- Pentax system is very water-resistant - or at least you should be confident enough. Most people in the last two situations (actually, no one for the second situation) would even take out their DSLRs. And if they did, chances are, they might die pretty pretty fast.
- Still need to be very careful and watch out for how wet your environment is to adjust how long you should stay in there. It will still fail when the threshold is reached.
- Dry the camera whenever you have the chance, to make it last even longer.
- Taking photos at a water fight = bad idea. Not that the camera might fail, but I choked on water too many times :p
- It feels good to walkaround in the rain or a water fight and have people look at you unbelievably
Just to share my stories :)
|
|
Forum: Sold Items
02-02-2009, 08:24 PM
|
| |
| |
|
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
01-20-2009, 02:26 PM
|
| |
K20D is $849 at Aden - you should be able to price match that at whatever shop you are talking about (I'm guessing you are talking about Henry's?)
|
|
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
12-17-2008, 10:55 AM
|
| |
Pentax K-m Digital SLR Review
9/10 for overall, which seems very positive. I'm quite surprised to see this in the conclusion: "The noise performance is good although I feel it's been capped too low".
|
|
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
12-17-2008, 09:03 AM
|
| |
The white doesn't look bad, and it stands out from the crowd. If only they make it weather-resistant (snow-resistant!) I'll definitely buy one right away!
Not sure if this has been mentioned, but I think Pentax did make an effort to try to minimize the amount of dirtiness on this white camera. Did anyone notice all the black parts on the camera and the lens are the parts where you fingers would touch the most?
|
|
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
12-03-2008, 10:15 AM
|
| |
Just for the record, I'm not from Henry's or anything...just want to share this great deal.
Henry's has the K-m with DAL 18-55mm kit for $549CDN (that's $440 USD), and it comes with free a gadget bag! The deal is even on top of the first page of Henry's latest flyer!
Compared to D60 with 18-55mm VR at $569 and Canon XS with 18-55mm IS at $549, I think this makes K-m a very very attractive, if not the most, choice :)
|
|
Forum: Sold Items
11-18-2008, 08:05 AM
|
| |
| |
|
Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
10-24-2008, 01:50 PM
|
| |
Hi guys, I am wondering if any of you has ever used a flash gun outdoor during rain, and if you do, what protective measure did you use? Thanks!
|
|
Forum: Sold Items
10-22-2008, 01:59 PM
|
| |
PM sent for the teleconverter.
|
|
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
06-29-2008, 03:16 PM
|
| |
Oops, I never read that post and realized they have such bad history...thanks for the warning!
|
|
Forum: Sold Items
06-16-2008, 04:33 AM
|
| |
| |
