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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
06-17-2019, 10:03 AM
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Hello again
As you can see, a lot of time has passed. The Pentax repair service in Germany (I do live in France, but work in Germany), a company called Rüdiger Maerz GmbH in Hamburg, so not part of Pentax, after a bit of toing and froing sent me a new tripod foot for just under 50€, only trouble was that it did not have the helicoil insert either. So I am now the proud owner of two such tripod feet. Original Pentax quality, but without the insert absolutely useless. According to Rüdiger Maerz GmbH, the helicoil insert cannot be bought separately from Pentax (or anywhere else afaics). I have no idea why Pentax would sell a spare part that cannot be used and Rüdiger Maerz GmbH has unfortunately declined to give me an explanation, I guess they have the money and I have the problem.
Anybody got any new ideas? Would it make sense to contact Pentax in Japan? They might be interested in the disappointing support I have received from their German representative.
Bob, if the offer is still open, I would love to exchange one of my two useless tripod feet with one that can be used still, if you are sure you do not need it any longer.
Best
Rainer
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
04-29-2019, 01:22 PM
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Hello Bob,
yes, I am in the Alsace region and thanks for the offer. The repair people have told me that I can get the plate of the tripod mount for sth like 50€ with shipping and other unnecessary fees, so there is a solution. Of course the helicoid is not on sale and I suspect that you need a special tool to insert it properly.
I will check with a local repair shop if they have ever come across such an issue and might have a less costly and faster solution.
Well, I did get the lens cheap.
Best
Rainer
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
04-28-2019, 07:21 AM
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Thank you for your suggestions.
I think having an adaptor plate between the tripod-mount and the arca-swiss plat adaptor would be very awkward on the tripod and in the camera bag.
I did look at the links and I much prefer paying for the tripod-mount plate if that is the only alternative.
The coil threaded inserst must be what Pentax is doing as standard, but I did not find the right insert in the EZLOK brochure. Any solid insert will be too thick, so would include drilling an M10 hole into the plate.
I should get some feedback from the Pentax repair people in Germany. I am also waiting for a reply from the person who sold me the lens (but they are no experts at all).
This is complicated stuff I find.
Rainer
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
04-26-2019, 08:17 AM
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Hi, on the pictures you see a 3/8 to 1/4 insert which did not fit, alas, and I did doublecheck with an m8 screw (perfect fit).
Checked with your search suggestion and nothing came up. I had done this in Europe and no results either I am afraid.
I think drilling and tapping a 3/8 (about 9.5) into an M8 hole could be just about possible, so thanks for the suggestion. Can always glue the insert (3/8 to 1/4) if the thread was not clean.
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
04-26-2019, 06:13 AM
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Hi
The bottom picture has no insert, this is what was cut into the aluminium. I suspect that the insert in the top picture (400mm lens) is some kind of helicoil in the M8 thread, but I have not been able to find out where to get one that then makes this m8 into a quarter inch, so at this stage everything is just speculation on my part.
Thanks for your thought.
Rainer
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
04-26-2019, 04:38 AM
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Hello everyone,
I have recently purchased an FA 4/300 in beautiful, almost unused condition at a very good price. I checked with a few snaps and everything was fine. Couple of weeks ago I then realised that the tripod mount would not fit my quarter inch tripod, nor a 3/8, as the thread is simply M8 (metric 8mm if you are on the other side of the pond). I wasted a lot of time with the online Pentax support (German language) who simply had no idea what they were talking about and today called the Pentax repair service, who will try to find out if the plate that sits on the tripod ring can be ordered as a spare part. Fingers crossed.
Anyway, from what I can see it appears to me that the M8 thread is drilled as standard into tripod mount plate, and then a fine insert reducing from M8 to imperial one quarter inch is inserted. On my FA 5.6/400 I have the insert, but not on the 300. See also the photos attached (top: 400 with 1/4, middle comparison of both, bottom 300 with M8).
Just on the off-chance: has anyone come across such an issue in the past, or better still, anyone know if I can get an insert (M8 to 1/4)?
I know, I won't be holding my breath...
Right now I am swapping the plate with insert between the 300 and 400 lenses which works fine.
Best
Rainer
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
07-20-2018, 06:02 AM
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Hi
In the past I have read a few comments about problems with the 25mm for the 645 system, but I have not managed to get to the bottom of it. I know that there are a few people here who have used this lens and some that are still using it. I am not asking about the optical quality or not of the lens, just what caused functional issues, in particular mechanical problems. I know that SDM was a bit iffy, but that seems to be the case with other lenses too and is not too expensive to fix. One person stated that the lens was 'falling apart', and it would be good to know if this was an issue with DFA and DA. Another person mentioned poor optical performance after a knock or fall and again, I would like to understand what exactly happened.
Thanks in advance.
Best
Rainer
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
05-27-2018, 12:36 PM
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Wow, I knew this was a bit of a wide question, but did not think I would get this scope of answers. Let me remind you: the Fuji GFX is no use to me as I do not get on with EVFs. The only alternatives for me are the PhaseOne (way too expensive, too big and heavy) and Hasselblad H series (same applies). So in effect, I will stay with Pentax.
Yes, the 645 is big and heavy, but I am fine with this. If I want a small and lightweight camera, I take my Nikon D610. If I want to enjoy photography, I take the 645.
What has really helped me is the long-term perspective that rdenney has so eloquently painted: no matter what (if anything) succeeds the 645Z, it will always be a good camera. Up to a point, this is exactly the experience I am having with my 'ancient' 645D. So in the end I find myself in a good position: wait for a good 645Z offer to drive by while enjoying my 645D. If Pentax release a new and fantastic 645Z successor (I really wish them well with this), then the Z will lose value as it will be so outmoded. If Pentax gets out of MF altogether, the Z will lose value up to a point, as professionals will get out of it. Either way, I will probably get another 15 years out of the Pentax system, probably just enough for me.
Thanks for your input everyone!
Rainer
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
05-21-2018, 09:06 AM
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Hi
A lot of speculation in this question, but I am finding it hard to make up my mind. And of course I do not expect any obvious answers, more like getting the temperature out there.
The 645Z is a noteworthy upgrade to the 645D in my view. I am happy with the 645D and the results I am achieving (the photographer needs to improve, the gear is good), but of course having more DR, better focus control with live view should be useful. So I could upgrade, but do not have to.
One thing that is holding me back is that Pentax does not seem to have a clear roadmap for the 645 line. 100MP chip ordered, but is it coming, is it going to be DSLR or mirrorless? Is there going to be a successor to the 645Z at all? So I keep on waiting and wonder if I am doing the right thing.
There is one certainty though: I do not see any alternative to the Pentax 645 at this point in time in the market for someone like me who does not get on with EVFs.
Appreciate your thoughts.
Best
Rainer
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
05-21-2018, 08:50 AM
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Hello Bob,
Thanks, so just what I thought. Will be a very tight fit then.
Hi johnha
Yes, ideally there would be a bag just a bit bigger/deepter and just as comfortable and not heavier. Still looking for it, though. The trouble with the bags that open towards your back is always that if something sticks out, it will stick into your back.
I will put a piece of wood of the same dimension into the bag to see if it stretches enough for these two lenses.
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Forum: Site Suggestions and Help
05-21-2018, 08:41 AM
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Hi Adam
Thanks. That would explain why I never saw an FA55, but did not really look for one either.
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
05-20-2018, 04:54 AM
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Hello,
Just considering the options for a wider lens than the ancient 35 I have. One important element is size, as I mostly carry the 645D, 3-4 lenses and a Feisol travel tripod. All this needs to go into a relatively small backpack (evoc CP 18l, details here: CP 18l - EVOC - PROTECTIVE SPORTS PACKS). This setup allows me to hike for uo to 10 miles without feeling punished afterwards. One limitation of the backpack is its depth of 160mm. When I look at the lens database here, I see that the DA 25 is 148mm long and the DFA 28-45 is 151 long. However, when I measure my A 120 macro, I get 132mm with caps and the database here states 110mm. If I add 22 mil to the 148/151, both lenses are just too long. So before I give up on anything wider than 35 I wanted to hear from those who have got the two modern wide lenses what the actual size of them is, so when you try to put them into your bag with caps mounted (no filter).
Just in case somebody has this query: obviously I have my lenses on infinite when measuring.
Thanks for your replies.
Rainer
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Forum: Site Suggestions and Help
05-20-2018, 04:34 AM
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Could you also add the 645 A 2.8/55, if this makes sense for such an old lens?
You have the FA (with a picture of the A version) and the D-FA versions currently only afaics.
Best
Rainer
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
01-14-2018, 10:55 AM
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Hi, I am using it on the 645D. Gives you an extra clear view of the centre of the viewfinder, so definitely helps with focusing. This is not an ideal set-up, because the eyecup will have to be removed, the outer ring of the viewfinder unscrewed and then the magnifier will have to be screwed on. Great if you can leave it on for a while. painful if you need to remove it when the camera goes into the bag. Also remember that you only see a small part of the view in the centre, so for off-centre focus you will need to move the composition to focus first and frame again afterwards. All eminently doable and part of the slowing down pleasures of photography.
I paid some 70€ for it and found this money well spent.
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
11-19-2016, 02:11 PM
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Hi,
I do realise that this is a bit of an old thread, but would like to add that I do get the aperture information when using my A-lenses on the 645D. What I find strange is that the focal length of the A-lens used to be transmitted to the 645N and included in the information exposed onto the film.
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
03-23-2016, 07:36 AM
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Thank you for your replies. The nodal rails all lack the geared focusing functionality. Sliding works fine if you just need to find a predetermined position, so for panoramas, but as one of you confirmed, is no fun if you are trying to catch up with a run-away snail (for example). Looks like I will have to shell out for the Kirk FR-2. Pity about the weight (more than 600g in my world) though.
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
03-21-2016, 11:21 AM
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Hello everyone
Maybe some amongst you have got experience with the various focusing rails that are available out there. I am looking for an arca compatible quick release system. I was hoping for the Novoflex Castel Q rail that is reasonably light and has enough reach to double up for finding the nodal point on lenses below 200mm (all theory, have not checked this). Unfortunately, the quick release adapter on the Castel Q seems to be slighly incompatible with the really right stuff camera plate for the 645D. The next suggestion is the Kirk FR-2 (heavier, nicer, but shorter), but I am wondering if this one has sufficient reach for the nodal point with the longer lenses. I will be happy with single-row panoramics (I hope). My hope was to avoid humping two rails about (or leaving the wrong one at home). Guess an alternative would be to go for two sets of camera plates if there is no more elegant solution.
Anybody out there who has worked with a similar setup? Is a sliding rail an alternative, or just pain when doing macro?
Thanks for your thoughts.
Rainer
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
04-01-2014, 11:46 AM
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Hello
Just to close this: the repair cost me 100€ (some 125 dollars), so I got off lightly. Still waiting for the first films to come back but a testfilm was without shake (even if it was horribly processed). Good to go again and more light now.
Rainer
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Forum: General Talk
03-24-2014, 01:20 PM
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Ah, toll, Darmstadt wäre ja schon bald. In Wiesbaden haben die dann evtl. schon die 645DII. Danke für die Hinweise.
Gruß,
Rainer
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Forum: General Talk
03-14-2014, 11:41 AM
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Hallo Linus,
leider hatte der Laden in Paris keine 645D vorrätig. Falls Sie doch einmal nach Landau kommen in den nächsten Wochen, würde ich mich über eine Nachricht freuen.
Gruß,
Rainer
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
03-12-2014, 01:08 AM
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Hello
The reason is a stuck mirror mechanism. The devilish thing has been that the mirror seems to move correctly, but when the repair shop checked the times, they could see that these were all much too slow. So they checked the mirror movement and could see that this was slowed down.
The camera is in repair and hopefully I will have it back on Friday evening.
Of course we have glorious spring weather outside here in France/Germany, let's hope it won't disappear on Saturday morning.
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
03-10-2014, 04:01 PM
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Hello
Just an update. I called Pentax/Ricoh. They agreed that it is either the dampening mechanism of the mirror or a malfunctioning of one of the shutter curtain dampeners.
Any major repair will surpass the street value of the camera, so this is a no-go.
Apparently, the 645NII is the sturdier camera, with the 645N having some issues.
Anybody selling a 645NII in Europe? Just an aside..
I also thought of the film inserts, especially as I have been using only one all this time. I have now run a few rolls in the other two inserts, just to make sure. I should have the results on Wednesday.
Tomorrow Tuesday I will go to a local camera repair shop to hear what they have to say. At any rate, wish me luck it is just a stupid film insert. But I have checked if the alignment 'appears' in order (can't do more than look) and it seems the same with all 3 inserts. Good thinking, Silent Street.
More soon.
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
03-10-2014, 01:54 AM
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Hello again, everyone
And thank you once more for your thoughts.
I have no problem with getting a crisp scan of a crips negative, my problem is that I no longer have the ability to enlarge negatives myself, so I can only check the focus via the scanning process.
And yes, I have used those distancers on the Epson's film holders (what I referred to as extensive testing) and ruled this out as a reason by simply having a filmstrip of an older film as well as a recent film in the MF holder (old film crips, recent film blurred).
Thank you Silent Street for the explanation on the focusing screen, I will keep this in mind (I had changed it at some stage). However, this could mess up the focusing process, but not the focus of the system. If i focus on say 1 metre and the focus then is at 95cm de facto, my focus is in the wrong place of the photo, but there is focus. With my negatives, there is no focus.
I think the explanation that the dampening of the mirror when releasing is fault could be a possible cause. I do not notice any difference in the release sound, but something must give minimal shake. Tripod apparently has no influence on this, so it must be internal camera shake. I had thought of the shutter vibration, but this would have to be some vibration alright.
I will call Pentax for technical help.
Bye for now
Rainer
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
03-09-2014, 04:33 PM
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Thanks for your swift replies.
The softness does not come from bending. When I put an older film (taken with the same camera) into the scanner, together with a more recent film, I get crips scans with the old film, blurred with the new film. I also have some glasses to stop any curling, no effect. The negatives are simply not in focus, alas.
Not sure I understand the focusing screen: the image should be crisp if I set the focus to infinity, or at least the focus should be somewhere in the photo, but there isn't. You can see where the focus should have been, but only through the gentle blur.
Please keep your suggestions/explanations coming,
Rainer
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
03-09-2014, 01:27 PM
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Hello everyone
After just having restarted shooting film (mostly Ektar 100, but also two old Ektachrome 100) with my 645N, I have noticed when scanning that none of the shots were crisp. The negatives looked in focus when looking at them with a cheap 8x loupe, but when scanning (Epson 750) I notice that they were not. After extensive tests I can rule out the scanner. As I have been using the same lenses (5 of them) as before, there is no lens issue. This really only leaves the 645N, on the assumption that films cannot be badly developed when it comes to focus. Some of the photos were taken on a tripod, most of them with times between 1/60 and 1/180. Not ideal times, but okay in the past for handheld shots.
I am a bit puzzled by these findings as I cannot imagine what could cause persistant blurring. I have used the self-timer or a cable release when using the tripod. Have I overlooked anything?
Thank you for your thoughts.
Bye for now
Rainer
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