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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
05-13-2012, 02:10 AM
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Push down the release button of the exposure compensation wheel, it's the same as the locking system of the prism finder, then gently turn that wheel back and forth a few times, doing so you are 'cleaning' the contacts.
Do the same with the ASA setting wheel, by pushing down that square button on the extreme left side of it.
In all cases do it gently!
As they are not gold plated, the oxidation of these contacts is normal when the camera has been unused for a rather long time...
If this does not work, send in the camera for repair.
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
12-29-2012, 02:51 AM
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The Aperture priority AE of the LX is superb!
In my film days, I shot with 3 of them simultaneously on several locations, mostly industry, on FUJI Provia, H400 and Tungsten.
I had two tripods with an LX on each and had them shoot the darkest parts of the production halls in AE for hours, and, meanwhile, used the third one handheld for details (if possible). Having 9 lenses, this was easily done.
In order to control the working status of the camera, I made an little LED light that was connected to the sync port of the camera showing if the exposure was still going on. The sync port contact is closed while exposing...
Do use the silver oxide batteries!
But, the release button can shortcut and drain the batteries, I had this happening once, the little switch inside the button was worn out...
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
10-02-2012, 08:46 AM
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I ran into the same situation long time ago.
What I made then was a DIY indicator light that could be connected to the PC socket.
It was a very small and weak LED light, as used on a keychain, and powered by an even small 1,5V battery that was switched, via a short PC cable I soldered parallel on the original switch.
When the shutter opened, and thus closed the PC contact and doing this during the exposure time, the partially blinded LED served as an indicator.
Simple, cheap and efficient...
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
10-04-2012, 12:25 AM
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I have the K10,K20 and the K5. I almost forgot all about the K10, but the K20, switched on or not, makes a 'clunky' noise when handled, that's the sensor's SR system.
The K5 is, compared to the K20, a silent camera, no "clunk" when handled, but there is something like a little ticking sound, caused too by the sensor's SR system which is deferent now, that can be heard in a 'gentle environment'....
An other reason for that clunky noise can be the lens, so can this clunk be heard with a 'naked' body?;)
Is this K5 a new one? You are talking about a lousy packing, normally Pentax packs its stuff the right way, thus well protected, in a rather small but nicely designed shiny silver on black coloured box.
Oh yes, one of the main 'items' of the digital tsunami is, among others, paranoia...
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-13-2012, 07:39 AM
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Putting a lens element attacked by fungus in your mouth was a trick I learned from a former engineer of the famous Oude Delft optical factory in Holland!
I did it a few times and never felt sick, I only swallowed by accident an element once, but I could recover it a few days later and, be reassured, all fungus was gone, I just had to wash it...(*)
(*) I am NOT kidding, hauling a bucket around was not very funny!
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
02-07-2012, 08:27 AM
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Try WD-40 but be careful not to use to much, it's better to rub twice with a little bit of that product than wanting to clean all at once. Do not touch the lens with WD-40, you never know.
If, after that WD-40 treatment, the plastic seems somewhat 'dry', then rub it with some Ballistol (German gun oil), it will look nice again and this product conserves synthetic materials too.
Alcohol is not that wise because the lens elements are cemented wit a product that might solve in alcohol.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
12-05-2011, 12:08 AM
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Halleluja, look at this one I saw on TOP:
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
11-17-2011, 12:30 AM
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Good heavens, are you shooting underground nuclear reactions?;)
Before all these super electronically controlled high speed bells and whistles existed, wonderful pictures of any kind were shot all the time!
Yes, all camera's have limitations so does my Hasselblad, Linhof and Leica (and Pentax LX). These tools have cost me an arm and a leg, but they never stopped me from earning an acceptable living.
Of course, it is very tempting to shoot all these 'eyeburning' pictures, but can't it be done the 'slow' way? Sit down, take e deep breath, and ask what the hell you are about to do, how and why...
Anyway, good luck!
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
10-13-2011, 05:29 AM
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I had to shoot something on film, so I took my LX, after all thous years, it seemed somewhat close to the K5 in size and in weight too, but that's all.
Here they are, next to each other, the K5 + grip + DA 21mm Ltd (which is almost a 35 mm on FF) and the LX + winder + SMC-A 35 mm F 2.8.
See the evolution in the ergonomics?
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
10-10-2011, 10:53 PM
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I finally received that EYE-FI card yesterday, it took about 7 days to be shipped from the Netherlands to Belgium (it's about 144km from Waalwijk to here; I think it came by a horse pulled lorry, which is very ecologic;)).
Anny way, it works as a charm! It's transmitting Raw files, fast enough to my taste, if the camera is whit in 4m to 5m from the MacBook.
It just took me some time to realize that the Eye-Fi Card (having it's own SSID and WAP2 password) had to be added as a full AirPort network.
It's funny to see that pictures, shot when the Eye-Fi is not connected, are transmitted in a later stage when there is a connection. Pictures shot yesterday evening where appearing this morning when the camera and the MacBook were fired up, and the Wifi was connected.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
05-19-2011, 11:08 PM
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The DA 15 mm, and the DA 21 mm as well, are among the finest lenses for interiour shoting! I use them all the time so look here what I have done with : PHOTOEIL and here : PHOTOEIL
Just a very few pictures in these books are shot with the DA 35 mm and the FA 50 mm, both very good premes too, but the DA 15 mm is a real gem...
BTW, these lenses are the reason why I stick with Pentax.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
10-13-2010, 12:39 AM
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Isn't it strange that when it comes to professional status, they all refer to the ad hoc service, FF and a bunch of exotic glass?
I am working as a pro. photographer for about 30 years now, and perhaps 'felt' the need for this kind of service (and extra stuff) for about 5 times. In most of this cases I could find my way out of that temporarily trouble by using my imagination and technical/professional skills. I have to admit that, at the time, I was shooting Hasselblad, Linhof and Pentax LX.
Now I am working with a K20, just one, and only 4 limiteds (I have a family to feed and university to pay for) for about 2 years now, and only had 1 more or less serious problem with a DA 21 mm limited which was solved whit in 4 days by Pentax Europe in Germany (I live in Belgium).
I am shooting mostly on location and abroad, Spain, Gibraltar, Morocco, the south of France in high and sometimes unbearable temperatures, nasty dust and moister, like in steel plants, power plants, construction yards, epoxy work shops (very fine dust and aggressive fumes) and bronze foundry's (for sculptures).
This camera and lenses never let me down and I never had the need for some extra spear gear nor ad hoc service (yes, I am knocking wood every day).
I do not understand what the problem is, just take care for your gear and it will take care for you…
The results could be seen in the recent 5 books (out of 41) and the brochures that were published in the last 2 years. At the end of the month, book number 6 will come out, and do believe me, it looks very fine. We, the publisher, editor, author, designer, the pre press and I, have seen the printed proofs and we were all surprised by the very fine quality the K20 and the limiteds are delivering, even on 60 cm wide spreads!
Do I need Canikon? No! Do I need FF? No! Do I need MF? No!
The next most important thing to have, is a good and performant computer with the right 'stuff' on it and some trained skills to work whit it, this does it (almost) all.
Only, when it comes to the very highest and supreme quality demands, then I shoot 4"x5" sheet film on my Linhof, when well scanned, no digital camera system can beat that (yet).
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
10-15-2010, 12:32 AM
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I never use an on-camera flash, it's the worst light one can shoot in, even with diffusors or other things alike. Perhaps the on-camera bare-bulb technique is in some situations doable, depending on the atmosphere...
Most of the time I shoot in existing light on a tripod (100 ASA), that's why they are made for.
I barely go over 640 ASA, I do this just when the need is high and I absolutely can't find a way to use a tripod, like when the staircase is on fire…
When I really do need artificial light, then I have two systems in my pocket.
- A very nice, performant but huge and heavy Multiblitz system consisting of three 3200 Joules generators plus a dozen of deferent flash heads and three mono blocks of 1000 Joules each, and a lot of different reflectors. This system just fits in my Volvo 855 with a shoe spoon.
- A nice ARRILIGHT Tungsten light kit of 3200°K 800 Watt halogen light heads. This system is the most mobile one but it needs some stable and strong power supplies ( +/-30 Ampéres) so it isn't always that practical on location...
Light is as important, if not more, as the camera…
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
08-15-2010, 01:11 AM
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Last friday, I went to check the colour proofs (the CMYK separations for printing) for my new book on the work of the sculptor Willy Peeters. He, the one responsible for the pre-press, was amazed by the quality of my work. Besides the values of the contents, he wondered about the technical quality of the photos too. He was so surprised when I told him that all was shot with the K20D and the limiteds, that he had to go and sit down for a while, really, he couldn't believe his eyes!
The book is due for the 19 Th. of september, just before Photokina opens. The book will be presented to the public that day on the Ijzerenberg estate in Winksele near Leuven at 16:00h.
This is the 4 Th. book I shoot with Pentax, first the K10 and now with the K20. In October there will be an other one published ( #5) on interior design for witch I finished shooting last week. The publisher is very much pleased with the quality of my work.
Now, I am currently working on two books, all K20 and limited lenses.
Who said that Pentax is not a pro's camera?
Stop nagging and go out shooting!
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
08-12-2010, 11:13 PM
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When I reed what some people are posting on this forum, you know, the ones who know — and can do everything better, I feel ashamed!
I have learned a lot about DIGITAL photography over here. When I joined this forum; I was, after more than 25 years of professional ANALOGUE photography, a near novice in the Digital world, I felt I knew nothing. I joined the Digital Pentax camp because I started working with the LX back in 1985. I took up the LX as a 35 mm slr parallel next to my Leica M gear (and Hasselblad and Linhof).
I never felt that I did wrong by choosing Pentax!
When I see what a K20 + the ltd. lenses + a good computer + the right app. + experience can do compared to 35 mm colour reversal film, I wonder what and why we want more. Perhaps a little of this and that, just to satisfy or obsessions. But, after all, we should be thankful for what has been achieved in the last 10 years, it's amazing!
If you are no more pleased with Pentax, then please do go, and leave us in peace, BUT STOP BASHING!
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