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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
04-13-2024, 10:44 AM
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Pentax lenses work well with an adapter with the following caveats: Your lens must have an aperture ring and you will have to focus manually as the adapters don't support automatic focus.
Your lens will always be at the set aperture, so it's best to focus with the lens wide open and then stop down to the taking aperture to secure the most accurate focus as is possible.
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Forum: General Photography
04-11-2024, 06:22 AM
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This article took a long time to research and write. I might say three decades! I find it's worth diving deep into a contentious topic, if only to gain clarity in my own mind. Hope it's useful for others. That Elusive "3D Pop" Defined is available on my blog. Contains simple explanations of MTF, DOF, and sharpness that will help beginners cut through the technical details. Examples provided from three Pentax lenses.
TL;DR
3D pop is a desirable characteristic of an image where the subject is rendered with a pleasing dimensionality that allows it to be clearly distinguished from its environment. This effect is created by a combination of ideal light, appropriate subject to background distance, and perspective. Furthermore, it requires a lens that is free from optical defects, with high measurements for sharpness and contrast, at least in the part of the frame where the subject is located. Furthermore, a lens that does not perfectly correct field curvature can enhance 3D pop.
Background blur and separation are not the same as 3D pop, though they might enhance the effect. A wide open aperture is not essential and might even be counter-productive. Instead, choose the aperture that most clearly isolates the subject.
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
03-21-2024, 04:07 PM
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Two or three years ago I acquired a cane to help with a few problems. I found that using my camera with a wrist strap was awkward with the cane, so I bought a Cotton Carrier camera harness. I dislike neck straps and found the harness to be perfect solution.
Alas, time has marched on, and now the cane is not always an adequate balancing tool. Also I find that I no longer want to carry my camera bag.
At first I looked at golf carts, Frisbee-golf carts, and some other somewhat strange alternatives. I even thought about making my own cart.
Then my wife, concerned about some balance problems I sometimes have (and with no concern whatsoever for my photography), suggested I get a walker. A walker! The very thought of one made me cringe.
But then I had an idea — a rollator! A rollator is that heavy duty walker with 4 wheels and a seat that you see some folks use. Visits to Amazon and Google quickly found that there are all-terrain rollators with pneumatic tires. A perfect solution.
So check this out. An all-terrain rollator with pneumatic tires (12" front and 10" rear), a seat, brakes, a carry bag, and the all-important beverage holder. My camera bag perfectly fits in place of the bag in the photo. I just have to rig up a bracket for my tripod and then off I shall go.
I chose this one from a selection of 5 or 6. Of course it difficult to make a choice from Internet info with no hands-on opportunity. But this one looked very good. It arrived today. Doing the assembly, I was very pleased with it. It is well designed and built and nicely finished. Now I can't wait to get out and about with my camera — it's been a while.
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
03-13-2024, 05:23 PM
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Doing the math, that makes this camera a 622.5n. ;)
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
02-28-2024, 10:45 AM
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
02-18-2024, 11:14 AM
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Thanks to one and all for the suggestions. For the last 20 years I've been shooting with Canon DSLRs (5D - 5D Mark IV) and more recently the mirrorless R5. I have gotten used to using the in viewfinder histogram. Also with the R5 I can see changes to exposure directly off the sensor.
Getting used to a new camera system takes a some effort, especially since the instruction manual is a bit opaque in how it describes setup options. At several crucial points it doesn't say how to get to the right screens to make the changes needed.
It was my mistake with respect to saying there weren't 1/3 F-stop increments. I just wasn't paying the right amount of attention to the results of what I did. I have now made the necessary changes to the other parameters and will just have to live with lack of a reshot in viewfinder histogram.
My initial reaction is the camera does everything I wanted it to. Just waiting for the rain to stop sometime in the next week to take it out for a real outing.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
12-27-2023, 04:01 PM
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I don’t understand that assessment: shutter dial on top and aperture dial on the lens dates back a lot farther than 1958. I sometimes wonder if those who decry the buttons and wheels of the DSLR with the controls falling to the hand while keeping the viewfinder to your eye have actually used both UX options. One of the advantages of my old MX (to me) was I could see both shutter speed and aperture set in the viewfinder but changing shutter speed while holding the camera to my eye still wasn’t that convenient. On my DSLR I can vary all at will with ease while the viewfinder stays at my eye. What’s not to like??
Anyway, what we really want is a Pentax large format film camera. Yeah. No kidding. :p
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
11-30-2023, 03:19 PM
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If you apply graphite just spray or sprinkle some of the powder on a rag, work it in to the rag a bit. Then "polish" the center post with the impregnated rag.
It could be the holding mechanism is binding and not opening up enough. You may just need to clean the mechanism.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
11-27-2023, 09:38 PM
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One thing to know is that the autofocus works best if it has a high contrast element to focus on. If you can find an edge with both bright and dim at the distance you want the focus to be at, then focus there, and then immediately switch to manual focus, and then don't touch anything. More reliable yet is to use manual focus and live view with magnification.
Note that all of the images ramseybuckeye posted have at least some edge where very dark and comparatively light edges appear. These are ideal autofocus targets. Put the autofocus target right in the spot that has both light and dark right at the autofocus point.
Another thing to remember is that the center autofocus point is the most sensitive one. It's OK to use the center point to focus and then recompose to move the camera to where you want the framing to be. You can half-press the shutter button, hold, and then recompose and then shoot, or turn off the shutter button focus and just use back button focusing, or again, focus and switch to manual focus without again toucing the focus ring.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
11-24-2023, 03:08 PM
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So who else got this pleasant surprise delivered today?
Comes with a letter thanking me for buying a K3MkIII from them.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
11-07-2023, 10:35 PM
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Just go with your K-3 II. It's not that big. If you want it a bit smaller, used a prime lens.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
11-07-2023, 11:00 AM
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In my experience, the size of the lens has a bigger impact on being conspicuous than the camera, so maybe you just need a smaller lens like the DA21 for it (although I don't find the 20-40 to be large at all). The downside is that the DA21 is slow and lacks weather sealing. A lot of street photographers use the Ricoh GR series; if you don't want to spend $1k+ for a GRIII, you could probably find a used GR or GRII for a lot cheaper. The biggest downside of the GR is that it doesn't have a viewfinder, which is a deal-breaker for some, but I never found to be a problem. As for myself, I prefer my Fuji X camera with one or two of the "Fujicrons" when I want a low profile, but I could get by with a Pentax body as long as it has a small-ish lens on it. Ultimately, how you conduct yourself with have a greater impact than any gear you're carrying. If you want more advice, there are plenty of good street photographers on YouTube that you could probably learn from (maybe start with "Samuel Streetwise").
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
10-25-2023, 12:50 AM
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Hi Everyone,
I just want to say hi to everyone who is interested and to say that I work for DxO as one of their product liaison's we now have 6 of us in the team my region is English speaking countries outside of the Americas, we have other is in China Japan, Germany, France and the USA. The reason of this post is to introduce myself and say if anyone has any DxO related question to please reach out and just ask and to also alert me by using the '@MichaelWPlant' notation.
I look forward to being able to offer my help when needed to the Pentaxians on this forum.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-22-2023, 01:25 AM
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They should make (if it is possible with a reflex-type mount) a set of primes, either from scratch or by revisiting the DA limiteds that are 1) small, 2)WR, 3) optically good starting from max aperture, 4) with silent and fast AF motors, 5) not too expensive.
Basically like the Fuji X 16mm f2.8, 23 f2, 27 f2.8, 50 f2, ...
It's definitely not gonna happen :D But in my opinion it would change the perception of the Pentax APSc as a modern and viable option when viewed as a whole, as a system. Some leneses are good but they are very dated in concept and design, they will not attract people into the system.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-15-2023, 02:15 AM
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Where I live I actually do need a weather resistant camera and lens, although funnily enough I don't own one at the moment -- apart from a tiddly little Optio W30 which actually takes very nice photos. With the Dartmoor winter approaching, getting myself set up with a really properly waterproof DSLR option within my (very tight) budget is starting to feel like a priority, so it'll probably just be an old K10D with an 18-55mm WR.:)
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
10-12-2023, 03:30 PM
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Hi Minimonster, here is a simple test to diagnose if there's any meaningful power supplied to the camera from the battery and/or USB charger.
- Attach a lens to the camera. Don't forget to remove the lens cap. :)
- Make sure that the power switch is set to "off".
- Look into the optical viewfinder.
- If it's much darker than you expect, your camera is not receiving any meaningful power from anything.
- If unsure, while looking through the VF, open the battery compartment and remove the battery. If you're using USB charger, disconnect it, too. If your view doesn't turn much darker, the camera was not receiving power to start with.
This test is not dependent on anything, certainly not camera setting, switch positions nor SD card door status as far as I know.
This is because K-3III uses a translucent LCD in the view finder system to show AF points and grid lines and such in black. The power required for keeping the state of this LCD (without changing it) is so low they just keep the transparent part transparent even when the power switch is OFF. That's a useful feature (otherwise you cannot get a nice bright view when the camera is off), but the power requirement is not completely zero. As soon as power is gone, the LCD becomes only partially transparent (not black but not bright).
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
10-06-2023, 12:34 PM
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The Pentax 5P cords and adapters will pass all the digital signals between Pentax cameras and Pentax flashes using the P-TTL flash protocols. (The older 4P cords are only TTL compatible.)
Regards
Chris
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
09-29-2023, 09:04 AM
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As revealed in the first 'Pentax Film Project Story'
Youtu.be
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src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FXUmpqY3nWQ?controls=1" allowfullscreen>
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they initially planned to successively launch four different film cameras:
- compact camera
- high-end compact model
- SLR model
- fully mechanical SLR camera
"We plan to market not one but a series of film cameras (...) It may be a long journey (...) we know that it will take time to develop a true high-end SLR camera (...) First, we’ll develop a compact film camera. Then, while reviewing a range of technologies, we’ll move on to develop a high-end compact model, an SLR model, and finally and hopefully, a fully mechanical SLR camera. This is the road map we’ve laid out and we’ll try to follow."
Now it seems that (1) and (2) have been merged into two relatively high-spec'ed, reasonably priced cameras, which might differ by some specifications only. The lens's focal length is the first that comes to mind, for example 28mm for one camera and 40/43/45mm for the other one.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
09-22-2023, 12:23 PM
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There's no English announcement yet as far as I can see, but Ricoh announced that Yasutomo Mori is appointed as the president of Ricoh Imaging Co. Ltd. effective Oct/01. The news release page (1st link) doesn't say anything meaningful other than that there's an important news about executive(s), you need to open a pdf document on that page (2nd link) to see what it's about:
2023年10月1日付 重要人事異動のお知らせ
https://jp.ricoh.com/-/Media/Ricoh/Sites/jp_ricoh/release/2023/pdf/0921_1.pdf
As a result of this, Mr. Mori won't be the top of the corporate planning division of Ricoh Industrial Solutions Business Unit any more, but he will continue to serve as the president of Ricoh Industrial Solutions BU, an executive officer of Ricoh, and the president of Ricoh Elemex Co. Ltd. which is a company specialized in precision machining. Even though Ricoh Elemex used to make wristwatches, they don't any more. This might be Mr. Mori's first tenure as an executive of a consumer product busness.
It seems that the outgoing president Akahane has done what he thought he had to as an ex-investment-banker specialized in restructuring businesses. Even though we don't know what Mr. Akahane really did, we know that Ricoh Imaging made a profit after years of reported losses (Ricoh Imaging Co. Ltd: Profit of ~1.14 billion JPY for FY 2022-23) and that's probably related to this change. I hope that something good comes out of this.
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Forum: Photographic Industry and Professionals
09-20-2023, 10:03 AM
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Not going to give that yahoo link the oxygen a click supplies.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 III
09-06-2023, 07:41 PM
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Forum: Product Suggestions and Feedback
08-26-2023, 12:54 AM
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100mm? I'd much prefer a modern Pentax 135mm F2 lens.
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Forum: Product Suggestions and Feedback
08-24-2023, 07:01 AM
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24 mm on APS-C provides the same filed of view as 35 mm on full frame. And 35 mm on full frame always considered as must to have. Obviously there is 21mm limited lens but it is not exactly the same.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 III
08-10-2023, 02:35 PM
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Just proves... Robots are always faster than humans!!
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
08-09-2023, 11:14 PM
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リコー 2023年夏の決算発表「カメラ事業は好調を維持」
Which means: Ricoh announces financial results for summer 2023 “Camera business remains strong” :)
??? 2023????????????????????????????
Stronger sales, probably thanks to the Pentax K3 III monochrome and the new smc and HD FA 50 1.4 lenses, which is good news :)
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