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Forum: General Photography
02-05-2020, 09:12 AM
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Sorry you bought a Japanese model or have to send it back to have it worked on. Mine went to the Midwest to get the upgrade. Manhattan is over 8 hrs away from me so not gonna be a random trip to Adorama or B&H to see what's new. I didn't go to a Ford dealership I went to a trade show at a convention aimed at professional photographers and their businesses. If there was a deal on a K mount Sigma Art I might have bought it... and as I said before there were Sigma lenses in the B&H show catalog, just not what I was interested in. My only error was expecting and hoping for more from Ricoh in the US market. Other brands are now touting things Pentax introduced on the K1 as innovations for their new products. APS-C is still the go to chip even in the upper end of mirrorless. There will be no migration to full frame like it was in the world of film. But if the camera units aren't moving, Ricoh will keep building copiers or whatever they deem to be the source of their bread and butter. I won't jump ship but I might buy a dinghy and upgrade my E mount Sony with a broken in model.
---------- Post added 02-05-20 at 11:25 AM ----------
Everything is relative. I wasn't saying it was worse for me than anyone anywhere else. I have been shooting Pentax with Pentax glass for many years and knew when they bombed with their first digital camera and quickly fell behind everyone else theirs was going to be an uphill struggle. There are no camera shops in my area anymore. A friend had a place called Camera City which eventually became Camera Town, then Camera Village, Camera Neighborhood, Camera Parking lot and finally a Walgreens Drug Store. He now works for Canon professional product division (commercial movie cameras, etc. but he said all the manufacturers stopped making product available to the local stores to the point where he couldn't survive. When I wanted to see a K1 I was told I would need to go to Philadelphia PA over 4.5 hrs away. I ordered it from Adorama sight unseen and I haven't had a moment of problem with the body. The manufacturers will do what is best for business. Always have and always will. It's ok to want an increasing selection of products and cutting edge R&D. It doesn't mean you will get it.
---------- Post added 02-05-20 at 11:45 AM ----------
Nothing remains the same and everything changes. High megapixel phones with build in goodies will satisfy most photographic needs for most people. Times do change. If you are old enough to remember Dick Tracy speaking into his wrist radio to call headquarters you realize that only your imagination limits the future. Most folks want easy. They don't care about gear or how to capture the light or aperture or image stabilization or purple fringe. They just pucker their cheeks and take that selfie. Getting a camera as a gift was a big deal. Today it requires studying a manual the size of a Tolstoy novel. With youthful attention spans on the wane the book is daunting and the phone is an easy point and click. Goodbye camera business. So all things considered we belong to a techie club striving to achieve perfection regarding folding light via a computer shaped like a film camera and capturing the true essence of our subjects for the client and/or our own satisfaction. It doesn't take much to take an image. Look up pin hole camera (camera obscura effect). That is simple.
Kinda feel like shooting some film.
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Forum: General Photography
02-04-2020, 03:56 PM
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Very true and I thought I was in the groove until I went to that show. Truth be told this trade show was less about the camera and more about vendors for printing, light systems, carriers, nick nacks and doo dads. The classes I attended were more about getting more use out of Photoshop. But most centered about how to run a business and sell and promote your product. I was simply struck by dominance of mirrorless products (I own a Sony E mount system as well) and the sudden rise of LED modeling lights in lieu of speedlights. B&H was in residence and their brochure offered deals on K mount lenses in Pentax as well as Sigma. I am well covered and had no urgent need.
I am really happy that norm has me figured out, however, his responses to my post show a touch of irritation with my apparent ignorance or lack of clarity. Brands look after their clients in order to maintain their custom. We are willing and able to choose to go elsewhere. I chose not to. I have been very happy with the K1 for what I shoot. When I travel I use my Sony, No apologies for my opinion. Be well
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Forum: General Photography
02-04-2020, 11:37 AM
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Once you buy into a system you have a tendency to stick with that system. That is your supporting the brand. Over the years your investment in equipment grows. If you only shoot weddings you know what you need. If you only shoot portraits or landscapes or advertising copy the same is true. If you have everything you need, great. I want more choices. Within a 200 mile radius I can buy a Leica system hands on but there is not a Pentax retailer to be found and I live in an area with 1.2 million cell phone photographers.
According to the responses to my initial post it appears folks being satisfied means I should be satisfied. I did my homework before committing to my K1. I am sure I made the right choice. But I'm unconvinced Ricoh has any plans to further penetrate the US market with the brand. I understand the market's shrinking and DSLR sales are tanking. But you don't stop marketing.
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Forum: General Photography
02-04-2020, 07:43 AM
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You certainly have a lot to say but you miss my point. I've been shooting Pentax 35 mm for over 40 years and even though I dabbled for a short time with Nikon in digital went back with the K10, K5II and eventually the K1 Mk2. I have plenty of the Pentax glass and have been in sales for over 40 years. I know how the crap is spread at a trade show, however I was an interested customer. He wanted to sell me a lens but didn't even have any K mount stock to ship. My watching the flow of trends has to do with what I want. I am happy you are happy and have everything figured out. But my feeling that Ricoh hasn't supported the brand here in the US is just as valid as your satisfaction with things in Canada. I guarantee the brand sees more support in your country and the UK than it does here. So, if you don't mind don't play me as a fool for speaking my mind.
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Forum: General Photography
02-04-2020, 06:32 AM
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Spoke with Sigma Rep recently...
Stopped at the Sigma booth at the PPA convention in Nashville TN last month and asked about any plans for more Art lenses to fit my K1. He was quite blunt. Not enough sales to keep building the K mount lenses. Tamron has stopped as well. There are lenses out in the market but are old stock and will not be replaced nor updated. Economies of scale dictate that according to market share it isn't wise to shift focus away from the strongest brands. He suggested some of the newer Chinese lenses citing how much they have improved but would operate as manual. (As a side note, Pentax/Ricoh products and or accessories had no place at the convention. (Nikon wasn't featured either, however there were lenses and other accessories being shown and were available)
It was disappointing that my gear wasn't even an afterthought with thousands of photographers crowding the aisles of the trade show floor. Those I met had never even seen the K1 or were familiar with its fine points. They could talk your ears off about their Sony or Canon or how they switched to mirrorless APS-C cameras. Fuji had their impressive array of medium format cameras on display...priced similarly to the Pentax stalwart 645Z. I just feel like Ricoh needs to crap or get off the pot. I actually started researching what it would take to switch to another system. If they aren't going to support me ....
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
02-15-2019, 07:30 AM
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Sorry...my lousy sentence structure. The Yongnuo can be fired as slave by the Cactus but isn't read by the K1 as having flashed; unlike while sitting atop the camera hot shoe shooting in PTTL mode.
I will do further testing when my additional gear arrives. I really like the 585 and the Cactus gear. Good value for the money. Don't know if the same value for price in the UK.
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
02-15-2019, 04:08 AM
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My Yongnuo 585 fires as both master and slave and is quite a good option at a killer price point. If the K1 can't tell the flash fired it hasn't recorded your shot with the metered settings. The histograph will show you either under or over exposed the shot. It therefore increases your editing time and potentially screws with color temperature and tone as well.
I shoot Raw DNG with the camera set to manual so I am controlling all aspects of the hardware. I have ordered the Cactus V6II and have downloaded the Pentax firmware update. It should take care of any PTTL issues. I shoot off camera flash with most of my portraits in studio or theater settings. No worry about stressing the hot shoe. I have 2 speedlights that work as mater and slave via the hot shoe. For off camera I may need a couple more V6II PTTL for large groups.
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
02-14-2019, 08:40 AM
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No. As I said only my Yongnuo RF585EX designed specifically for Pentax cameras is PTTL capable either as Master or Slave. Off camera flash controller is what I am referencing. The K1II is not recognizing my Cactus as having fired...but does remote activate all attached speedlights. I am in the process of looking to go PTTL all the way, but want the off camera option as well via Hot Shoe PTTL capable transceiver.
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
02-13-2019, 07:03 AM
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Cactus has released a firmware update that allows for TTL on mixed brands of flashes and cameras...however Pentax and Canon are not included (probably due to the lads wanting to keep things proprietary). On the Cactus website there is a sub web page dedicated to their new X-TTL series of gear. Take a look there.
I'm having issues with my K1 MkII not recognizing my Cactus system. My Cactus system will fire 4 flashes including my 540 BUT the metadata reports the flash(es) did not fire leaving me with having to manually adjust settings to match the room.
I have used Cactus flashes mounted on top the transmitter without issue. It is a bit clumsy but nobody really cares what your rig looks like as long as it works. The Yongnuo has Pentax compatible flashes with built in P-TTL and are able to act as on camera triggers for each other. (Unfortunately Pentax decided not to build the radio transiever into the K1). .At this time Yongnuo makes a trigger called RF-603 IIN3 that appears to work with various Pentax cameras with mixed results. Really inexpensive.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
07-18-2017, 08:26 AM
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On the nose. Mistook wifi for wireless. Went with 2 Cactus receivers (5s) and their RA60 flash which can act as controller or receiver. The shoot came out ok but worked me to death.
All good for next time out.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
07-15-2017, 02:50 PM
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A day's worth of research and I found my answers. My K5II I could run a couple of slave speed lights and turn the pop up off. Since the K1 has no pop up is doesn't have the on board controls, therefore I can fire a slave as long as my 450 is on the camera. Worked great. Both fired without issue. I somehow got it into my head that the K1's wifi would allow the same thing. Not wifi doing the work. You can refer to it as wifi but it means wireless. I don't have a wireless controller to run both my flashes off camera. Looks like I will have to revert to LEDs and flourescents for tomorrow. Live and learn. Thank you for your responding. I was in a bit of a panic this morning.
Mike
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
07-15-2017, 09:55 AM
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Never had an issue with my K5II but I have a photo gig tomorrow and after the latest firmware update I haven't been able to get my flash to fire off camera. Not sure K1 can operate as wireless trigger for AF540FGZ. I thought it was supposed to. Must have been dreaming. Hellp! Have I missed something? The manual is not helping. A bit stressed with shoot tomorrow.:eek:
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
07-13-2017, 12:13 PM
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Ok. I use come Sigma lenses but not sure if will detect them for auto. The manual is limited in that respect.
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
07-13-2017, 10:28 AM
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Just going through my checklist and have a question. Now that we are using Full Frame with true 35mm SLR lenses what setting do we use for ZOOM indicator on AF540FGZ?
Previously we set at Digital. Do we now use 35mm?
What is the consensus?
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
07-10-2017, 04:22 PM
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I just expect to be better at this than I am. I shoot everything in manual so the learning curve is sharp. I will post a few more. Thanks again.
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
07-10-2017, 03:59 PM
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The Gull Vocal Sextet are about to become a Septet. Although these birds are notoriously bad singers their voices are sweet music to those lost at sea.
Auto focus failed to capture the moment. Shot at 300ths in high contrast sunlight. I have not been happy with crispness of focus on almost every lens in my bag. Need a focus tuneup?
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Forum: Pentax Full Frame
07-30-2016, 06:42 AM
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Unfortunately my work with the K1 is spotty at best. There is more of a learning curve than expected and I'm not using half of what the camera can do. Work I did with my K5II is better in a number of cases in low light because I knew how to manipulate and tweak in order to limit time in post. I recently did the worst set of head shots for a production in my life with my K1 and didn't have any opportunity to re-shoot. :( Now that things are calming down I will have to study what little manual is provided and Yves ebook. Don't get me wrong, when you have it right the quality of the photos are stunning. So I'm not regretting having the full frame one bit. I waited too long, but the artistic side and the technical side have to be given equal attention in order to deliver on the promise this photographic tool affords. A Pentaxian.
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Forum: Pentax Full Frame
06-21-2016, 02:42 PM
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Interesting question. I didn't buy the K3 since I had the K5II. If I had bought the K3 and the K3II was released then I would have wondered what I missed. Truth be know I am barely past the initial learning stage (I've had my K1 for about 26 days) for this camera. Of the 500 shots I've taken I can't say I am overly impressed with what I have accomplished. I ham just trying to get familiar with what works best for me prior to a photo session I have coming up next month. I haven't hit the pixel shift nor worked much with my flash unit or shot a portrait. I am an old 35mm film guy. I wanted to return to full frame and stop having to convert this or crop that. I had made up my mind to jump to Canikon (best deal wins) when Ricoh announced the release date. I decided to wait. Same story for many folks, I'm sure. I am adjusting to different DOF settings and working to get the crisp pinpoint focus I expect in this price range. I am shooting Sigma lenses and will save up for the new Pentax releases. I don't see what you've seen on flickr or on any website as a reflection of the "art" being made with the K1. That special shot is a moment in time captured so rarely...making it special. Your likes and expectations are subjective. Rent the camera and a lens and give it a run yourself. Then you'll know. Some incredible photography was done with a simple box camera. Give us some time, please. We'll wow you eventually.
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
06-19-2016, 05:46 AM
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It's late in the season and the decay has begun to show. But there is still some beauty in the petals as they give way to time and nature. K1 at Manual with Sigma DG Art 35mm 1:1.4. Near dusk.
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
06-13-2016, 02:14 PM
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
06-09-2016, 08:57 AM
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Will do. Taking it out for a spin today.
---------- Post added 06-09-16 at 12:10 PM ----------
Top photo is NOT K1. Wrong image came up. It's macro zoom Sigma DG 70-300 mm on K5II. Sorry for error.
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
06-09-2016, 05:18 AM
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Before taking that step up to the K1 (from K5II in my case) I spent lots of time searching for deals on recommended lenses priced for those not yet having turned a passion into earnings. As I near retirement I have been giving lots of thought to transitioning to hanging a shingle and offering services, but wasn't sure that rolling up to an event or a session without a Conikon toolbox in full frame was the way to go. The invenstment made over the years in Pentax and K Mount glass certainly kept the needle from moving too far in that direction, but the myth of a full frame Pentax dimmed even further by the Ricoh buyout had me eyeing the 810 and even the Sony products. After all the hoopla and wondering Ricoh delivered on their promise and the K1 arrived at a reasonable price point and has been accepted by Pentax enthusiasts and touted by critics around the globe. The fight is on.
I have old Pentax glass. After purchasing the K1 and not making money with my equipment (yet) I wanted to see what of my gear would work well with the camera. Find the gaps in lens coverage and see what I could do to fill them. I knew spending $3,000 to $5,000 for the new glass was out of the question so I began my search. My personal stash included a few Pentax FA (one of which is the SMC FA 50 mm 1:1.4) a Tokina and Sigma zooms and primes. My faves right now are the EX DG 28mm 1:1.8 and DG HSM Art 35mm 1:1.4 (just arrived). Since I've only had the K1 for a week and am just now beginning to get acquainted with its capabilities I will only include a couple of shots taken yesterday with the 28mm.
The K1 is an amazing step up. I've been shooting Pentax since the early 1970's and have never understood how one of the top camera makers could be so foolish as to let the industry pass them by and then accept their also ran status. I still have my 1968 Spotmatic sealed up and ready to go at a moments notice. I wonder how it would do with new glass...? Film is already bought and it will happen.
Can't teach an old dog new tricks? Well this old dog is excited to learn everything he can about the K1. Maybe when the time comes I can pop for the big money glass, but until then I will continue to shop!  the deals.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
10-19-2013, 12:12 PM
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Truth be known clearing the buffer after continuously shooting 25 shots takes around 11 seconds with the SanDisk Extreme. And just a few seconds more with a Professional rated Class 10. Not as critical with snaps (unless sports, etc) as when shooting video. I use PNY Professional Class 10 16 gig 20 mbs cards and SanDisk Extreme 16 gig 45 mbs cards with my K5II. Never noticed any great difference with either. I primarily have the Extreme available for occasional videos. PNY can be bought at Costco or BJ's for abut $1 a gig. The Extreme goes for $2+. Many pros use 8 gig cards. The advice given above is good, but as time with your new camera passes you'll find what works best for you. Cheers.
ps
Make sure you've downloaded all the latest firmware. One had update for reading high capacity/speed cards.
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Forum: Photographic Industry and Professionals
09-13-2013, 07:07 AM
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Everyone was a newby at one time, but I subscribed to a thread called 5 Reasons To Choose Pentax-New Pentax Marketing looking for positives. It seems that most of the thread is about FF and the dire predictions if one isn't ready to debut soon. The irony is in 2001 Pentax demo'd the MZ-D, their first DSLR with a sensor developed by Phillips. After they demonstrated the system at a Photo Expo in Fla. they scrapped it due to the photo quality not being up to Pentax standards. The MZ-D was full frame. They would have been the first with a full frame DSLR. I am more concerned with growing the brand in the US. I just upgraded from my K10D to a K5II but I really wanted the chance to shoot K5II and the K5IIs to make up my mind. It was shocking that even in Washington DC I couldn't put my hands on the cameras. I could try out a Leica ($4,000 and up) which I did, but I wound up buying sight unseen. One of my close friends closed his camera shop after 35 years due to his not being able to get product...shipped to big box stores and sold at his cost. I get it, but photo geeks read the trades and might want to see what all the shouting is about. My K5II takes superb photos and I want the Canikons to know we have the best bang for the buck. That's a great reason to buy the brand. No more being the Rodney Dangerfield of DSLRs.
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Forum: Photographic Industry and Professionals
09-08-2013, 07:18 AM
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I love my Pentax gear. But my frustration builds from the point missed by our highly dedicated user base. No FF in the near future? Get over it. I wanted to test a K5II(S) prior to purchase and could not find one within 2OO miles. I could go 1 2 mile and shoot Canon, Nikon or Sony. I bought mine online from a Wisconsin retailer only because I've been a Pentaxian for over 30 years. The head of USA Ricoh/Pentax said some troubling things in a recent interview regarding marketing.There is progress for the brand since aligning with Ricoh but who plunks down $1000 for a camera sigh unseen in these economic times? Get the cameras into stores for god's sake. By the way the US boss said their research indicates Pentaxians are not demanding thee company focus on FF. Wonder who they contacted?
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