|
Forum: Ricoh GR
04-01-2019, 09:31 AM
|
| |
How is it an issue? Does it make it hard to use by locking up or making the user push right instead of up? That would be a problem.
The pulltabs on every zipper I have all have this "design flaw". When I pull a "There's Something About Mary" zipping up my jeans because of it, it will be a big problem.
|
|
Forum: General Talk
02-12-2019, 02:44 PM
|
| |
500px is requiring a password reset from all members when you log on.
A mess, but at least they're dealing with it. If you use the same logon credentials for multiple sites, it would make sense to change your passwords for those other sites too.
|
|
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
09-09-2018, 02:11 PM
|
| |
A message from Adam and the PF Moderating Team:
In recent weeks and months we have received feedback - primarily from new members, but a few established ones too - regarding unnecessarily harsh, dismissive, rude and/or aggressive responses, especially (but not only) when someone raises concerns, doubts or criticisms of the Pentax brand.
PentaxForums is a brand-specific enthusiast site, and most of us here are Pentax enthusiasts. New members with critical views of the brand have a responsibility to understand the dynamics of the community they're participating in and consider the effect of their posts, and we've updated our Welcome & Forum Rules sticky post to reflect this, with guidelines for new members. Even so, all of our members - new and old - have a responsibility to respect each other's opinions (even when we disagree), remain courteous and friendly at all times, keep an open mind, and avoid jumping to conclusions, making personal comments or name-calling (terms such as "fanboy" or "troll", for example). We each represent these forums whenever we post, and it's incumbent on us to present our community as welcoming, respectful, tolerant and helpful to all.
We might reasonably hope that our most established members in particular would take this responsibility to heart, to ensure the continued popularity and longevity of our community and the brands we all support.
When faced with a post where you feel the only option is to dismiss it or "shoot it down", please consider the wider effects of your response. If rules have been broken, report the post to a moderator using the "yellow triangle" report post feature (not by PM, please) and avoid further involvement in the discussion until a moderating decision has been made. Otherwise, please be mindful of the standards referred to above when responding.
Most of all, please strive to be friendly and respectful at all times. There is never just one way to offer (or counter) an opinion. However ill-conceived or inflammatory a post may seem, responding in kind does nothing to help our community and its reputation.
The moderating team will not hesitate to take appropriate action against members who consistently impact the forum atmosphere in a negative way.
Thank you very much for your consideration, and - as always - many thanks for your valued contribution to the forums! :)
|
|
Forum: Pentax Price Watch
10-07-2018, 09:56 AM
|
| |
.
I'd like to ask each of the above commenters if they have ever actually owned the Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 lens? Also, have they ever owned a Pentax SMC Pentax M or A 50mm f/1.4 lens?
If they've never owned the Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 lens, I wonder on what they are basing their comments (such as "the Pentax mf lenses would kill this Zeiss"). Such sweeping comments sound to me like over generalizations by photographers who have little (if any) experience with this Zeiss lens.
I've owned 4 different copies of this Zeiss lens. While I not my favorite Zeiss 50mm lens (the Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 Milvus is much MUCH better) this older Zeiss "Classic" version 50mm f/1.4 lens does perform well if one works to its' strengths (Zeiss colors, wide open performance).
This 50mm f/1.4 ZK lens for sale on ebay is going for about twice what a ZF version of this lens goes for. I would not pay $500 for this ZK version, rather, I'd prefer to save $200 - $300 and buy this same lens in the ZF mount and adapt it to K mount.
Also, comparing lenses to me is more of a personal thing, based upon ones own visual preferences and style of photography. I've owned a couple of Pentax f/1.2 lenses, and never much cared for them. But I'd never put them down just because I don't happen to care for their performance at wider apertures.
Further, comparing this older Zeiss lens to a much newer and more expensive Pentax lens (DFA50), is probably not an apples to apples comparision. Of course the DFA50 is a better lens, and it costs three or four times what this older Zeiss costs also.
|
|
Forum: General Talk
12-30-2017, 01:12 PM
|
| |
As the New Year looms near, I'd like to wish every member of these forums all the very best for 2018 - I sincerely hope it's a year filled with all you wish for, but most of all, safety, peace and happiness :)
I also wanted to make a PentaxForums-specific wish for the year ahead... That we enjoy each other's company and contributions here more than ever, and do our best not to instigate - or get drawn into - confrontation, for the benefit of all members :)
Maybe I've been looking for it more, or perhaps I just see more of it since becoming a moderator in early 2016. But it seems to me that, whilst the majority of discussions here are friendly and civilised, there's an increasing amount of negativity, intolerance, friction, disparaging and personal comments, bickering, and emotionally-charged opinions expressed in confrontational ways. I've even seen comments from some long-established members stating that they actually avoid certain types of thread or - worse still - take a break from the forums because they foresee trouble brewing :( That's such a shame... Frankly, I think we're better than that.
I'm not preaching. I am far from perfect, I realise :o I've been known to be opinionated (and frequently wrong! :p), reactive, defensive and too easily drawn into conflicts... but I really try not to be that way, and do my level best to avoid arguments, even when my instinct is to react. I'll try harder still in 2018 :)
There are so many choices available when expressing what we're thinking. In the year ahead, when we (myself included) feel the need to critique, disagree strongly, voice an opposing opinion, challenge certain statements, or somehow "defend our honour" in light of others' comments, I hope we can all step back, take a breath, and consider whether our immediate reactions and responses might be expressed in a more courteous, friendly and helpful way - even when faced with someone who tries our patience and / or doesn't extend us the same courtesies. I say this not as a moderator, but in my capacity as a regular member, participant and grateful beneficiary of help from these forums.
One of my favourite lyrics from a song (Sting's "Englishman in New York"):
If "manners maketh man" as someone said
He's the hero of the day
It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
Be yourself no matter what they say.
If you've bothered to read this far, I thank you - and, once again, here's wishing you and your loved ones a wonderful 2018 :)
|
|
Forum: General Talk
12-31-2017, 07:49 AM
|
| |
Many happy returns of the day to everyone.
|
|
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
12-15-2017, 08:52 AM
|
| |
I feel like the technology is still so new, I bet people are going to start taking images with these cameras in really interesting and striking ways. It is easy to be a naysayer.
|
|
Forum: Pentax Price Watch
12-05-2017, 02:44 PM
|
| |
I have on occasion, but it is a bit of hand full as others have mentioned. :D
|
|
Forum: Ricoh Theta 360° Cameras
09-16-2017, 12:27 PM
|
| |
Good luck! If that doesn't work out I was thinking we could do one of our own.
|
|
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
09-29-2017, 12:12 PM
|
| |
I've been here very little lately; all throughout the end of summer took a toll on me with long work contracts, out of state travel and three deaths in the family the most recent of which was my mother. I just wanted to post this here, a design for her benediction at the memorial on Sunday - and what's more, the're all film shots, new and old. :)
I hope everyone is well around these parts.
 |
|
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
09-01-2017, 09:28 AM
|
| |
Not mine but I came across this - using a K1...
:cool:
|
|
Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
07-17-2017, 07:58 PM
|
| |
I used the OEM charger for the tests. One thing I want to do next is compare the OEM charger to the Wasabi and another 3rd party charger I have.
|
|
Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
07-10-2017, 05:55 AM
|
| |
Happy squirrels galore! :):)
I counted 6 of these spread out on the cedar fence the other afternoon. Ate so much they were about to pop! :lol:
 IMGP8212-800-K1 by James Williams, on Flickr
|
|
Forum: Sold Items
07-10-2017, 02:39 AM
|
| |
The review should go live in August.
|
|
Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
06-18-2017, 10:13 AM
|
| |
Happy Father's Day everyone,
After getting my K-3 about 2.5 years ago, I picked up a pair of Wasabi batteries, which worked well to compliment the OEM battery. But recently, the Wasabis have been giving poorer performance. I used all three in pretty regular rotation, so they all have similar use. So it seemed to be time to look for some new batteries.
After much searching, I could not find any actual Ah measurements of capacity for the batteries, just discussions on how they seem to perform (or not) in camera. From a different project, I had a constant current Ah measurement circuit that can integrate the current down to a set cutoff voltage. This seemed like a great opportunity to collect some data.
So first I tested my 2.5 year old batteries. I used a cutoff voltage of 6.8V under load. In my K-3, this is where I get the one bar remaining (pretty much dead) while in live view mode. I got the following results:
Pentax OEM: 1.17 Ah
Wasabi (1): 0.35 Ah
Wasabi (2): <0.01 Ah
OK, it looks like the Wasabi's have not withstood the test of time.
Now it's time to evaluate some new batteries. So I decided to buy a collection of third party batteries from very cheap to abut 1/2 the OEM cost. I got two more Wasabi batteries (claimed to have 2.3 Ah) for $25 (that included a charger, since it was still cheaper per battery), two DSTE batteries (claimed to have 2.8 Ah) for $14, and a single Watson battery (claimed to have 1.8 Ah) for $22. I an them through a couple charge and discharge cycles and got the following results:
Wasabi (3): 1.07 Ah
Wasabi(4): 1.13 Ah
DSTE(1): 1.01 Ah
DSTE(2): 0.97 Ah
Watson: 1.49 Ah
Unfortunately, I do not have a new OEM to test (I didn't want to drop $50 on a new one). So the comparison is incomplete. But clearly, the Watson is the hands down winner for initial capacity. And it had a more honest Ah rating.
For those interested in the weights:
Pentax 77g
DSTE 71g
Wasabi 73g
Watson 77g
As a bonus investigation, I dissected one of the old Wasabis to see what is inside. What I found were two 18490 li-ion batteries. I thought, maybe I can rebuild with new cells. Not a common cell, and the vast majority of raw cells are only rated at 1.1 Ah (there was one that claimed 15, but I am skeptical). I'm starting to wonder if the Ah spec claimed by some manufacturers is based on summing the two cells, when it should be rated as one cell, when wired in series.
I will keep testing these over time to see how see how well the brands hold up. This is a small sample and I would love to test a new Pentax and another Watson, but I can only justify so much money to the project. But I hope this helps others in looking at third party batteries.
|
|
Forum: Photographic Technique
06-20-2017, 04:02 PM
|
| |
I normally don't like using ring flashes but I thought it was about time I took these guys out to cut their teeth together on some bug photography. The lens Is 2:1 with the Dental macro close-up filter. They are all 200iso f22.1/4flash
Pentax K5
Pentax 080Cflash
Pentax-A Dental Macro 4/100mm
Pentax 2:1 Dental Closeup Lens Attachment
 |
|
Forum: General Talk
06-05-2017, 09:03 PM
|
| |
I woke up this morning to a rainy day, and I thought it would be an good day to go to the camera store for a few things I needed. I usually shop online, but every so often I head to the camera store where I can pick things up and hold them. I typically buy one or two things more than planned.
Here is how today's plans spooled out.
At breakfast I tell my wife I am going to head to town to the get some stuff for the camera. Since it is raining, I already know she won’t be keen on me going out. Here is what I hear during the course of breakfast.
“It’s raining out and the roads will be dangerous.”
“If you must go, take the mail by the post office on the way.”
“You really should stop at the bank and cash a check.”
“By the way, you can go to Walgreen’s and pick up the prescriptions. They’re ready.”
“I think I’ll go along with you.”
“Let’s wait until after the Price Is Right.”
So now, before even getting out the door, my morning outing has been delayed for an hour (you just can’t miss Price Is Right) and includes three additional stops. Oh well.
We finally leave the house about 11:15 and and the rain is pouring down. The first stop is the bank drive-in to cash a check. Then we go to the post office to mail the letters. When we finally reach the freeway, the rain is coming down in sheets and the traffic is at a crawl. The half-hour trip takes a full hour with the stops and gully-washing rain.
Finally we arrive at the Houston Camera Exchange. The rain has let up and is now just a nice spring shower. The parking lot is fairly full and the store is busy.
I wander around the store looking at a number of interesting things. But when I ask the clerk for the bits I came specifically to buy, I am told they don’t carry those things any more. I leave empty handed.
The rain has stopped and the drive home is easier and faster. But my wife says we should stop for lunch. We stop at our favorite burger joint - real meat burgers and fries from fresh potatoes. We also have to stop at Walgreen’s for the prescriptions. Walgreen’s is always a chore as the pharmacy seems to be perpetually understaffed. After waiting in line longer than necessary, I find that only half of our order is complete. I have to come back later.
So about 4-1/2 hours after leaving the house we return. The trip has only taken about twice as long as it should have. And it cost me lunch.
Once in the house and settled, I grab my laptop and go shopping for the bits and bobs I didn’t buy at the camera store today.
I’ll get back to the Houston Camera Exchange sometime, I guess. But until then, I’ll shop online.
Just sayin' . . . :)
|
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
05-28-2017, 09:35 PM
|
| |
The other day I posted photos of my new macro setup; but that was before I had really tried it out. After playing around with combinations of lenses and extension tubes and Raynoxes for an hour or two, I decided to try my hand at making a stack.
I borrowed a sewing needle with a piece of thread looped through it from my wife. The setup includes a set of extension tubes, a 2x teleconverter, a 100mm, and a reversed 50mm. I think the magnification is about 8x but I didn't take a measurement.
The photos were taken at ISO 80 at about an 8 second shutter speed and mirror up. Focusing was done manually by moving the subject stage, and I made way too many images. I used HeliconFocus (trial version) for the stacks.
Eye of the Needle 
Business End of the Needle
Your critical comments and suggestions are welcome.
|
|
Forum: Pentax Price Watch
05-29-2017, 12:46 PM
|
| |
Open wide. This picture is going to be YUUUUGE!
|
|
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
05-28-2017, 09:50 PM
|
| |
I See scaremongering is winning
Guilty then have to prove your innocence.
As I said cross off USA and Canada for holidays
Dave
|
|
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
05-28-2017, 06:42 AM
|
| |
Thank you! Thank you!!:):) I looked it up and you are exactly right. I should have thought of that since I had a male here a couple of days ago....I bet he was out "fooling around" and she came around lookin' for him?:confused:
Sure different than the male, but just as lovely in her own way. She was very tiny, much smaller than the male.
Male
 IMGP7630-800-K1 by James Williams, on Flickr
Female
 IMGP7689-800-K1 by James Williams, on Flickr
I hope they get together and work it out!:D
Regards!:) & Thanks again!
---------- Post added 05-28-17 at 08:51 AM ----------
Those are so gorgeous...feels like I am standing right there!:)
Simple... and simply lovely!:) I do hope others are clicking to view the full size shots on FLickr to see the fantastic detail you are getting with Pixel Shift. ;)
Regards!:)
|
|
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
05-28-2017, 01:00 AM
|
| |
| |
|
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
05-27-2017, 04:56 AM
|
| |
| |
|
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
05-26-2017, 08:09 PM
|
| |
Evans Lookout, Blackheath, Blue Mountains, NSW.
Taken with my dad's old Tokina 28mm, shooting into direct sunlight without a hood. Bracketed and processed with Efix. Came out ok I think;
Grand Canyon walk, Blackheath, Blue Mountains, NSW.
Taken with DA 50mm 1.8;
 |
