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Forum: Repairs and Warranty Service 03-04-2024, 03:04 PM  
Failed SDM on DA* 55, what to do?
Posted By CarlJF
Replies: 29
Views: 1,087
FWIW, I relived a 17-70 with the AF trick but in liveview. Basically, just pressing the AF button while in liveview for a long time, and repeat. Not much to lose by trying…

Otherwise, there are tutorials to manually unstuck the SDM after disassembling the lens (or at lest the mount part). Once you got to the motor, you can try to move it by turning the mechanism back and forth with a screwdriver. Obviously, you have to be somewhat of a tinkerer to do this…

Good luck!
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 10-27-2021, 09:24 AM  
Questions about the Tamron SP-AF Di 90mm f/2.8 1:1 Macro Lens
Posted By CarlJF
Replies: 7
Views: 1,111
For the very long AF throw, that’s why there’s a lock switch on the lens. To prevent it to go all the way from macro distance to infinity…
Forum: General Photography 06-04-2021, 04:35 AM  
Who says kids these days want MILC?
Posted By CarlJF
Replies: 8
Views: 1,139
One or two years ago a young teen asked me if he could look into the viewfinder of my K-3. His reaction was:”Wow! It looks even better than virtual reality!”. Funny.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 05-26-2021, 09:59 AM  
Sigma Lenses Past Their Service Life
Posted By CarlJF
Replies: 9
Views: 1,106
Option 1: You can bring the lenses to a independent repair shop and ask if they can do something about it. Honestly, there's probably not much they can do if they need parts and can't have them from Sigma... But not much to lose by having the shop check the lenses.


Option 2: Use the lenses as manual focus ones.

Option 3: Sell them on ebay "AS IS for parts only", get whatever money you can get and buy a new lens.

Option 4: Only if option 1 isn't available and you don't mind tinkering, search for tutorials on how to dismount the lens and try to repair yourself. Again, this might not be useful if you can't have the parts but sometime a good cleaning, lubrification and screwing loose parts can do wonders.
Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing 05-18-2021, 07:11 AM  
How Many...
Posted By CarlJF
Replies: 48
Views: 2,408
I process only the best ones, which usually are those posted on PF and elsewhere. For the others, jpg are good enough for pictures having no other goals than be kept as memories.

Processing from the raw file isn’t better but it should be better once you get the hang of it. The Topaz software are good but more specialized tools than multi purpose post processing software. LIghtroom is very good and it’s very easy to find tutorials and how to for it. DXO is also quite good and allow to quickly get a very decent picture. On1 is fun to use for its preset but becomes somewhat confusing when trying to do more custom adjustments (but maybe I’m just too dumb to understand how it works).

If you save your pictures as DNG (or DNG + JPG) you can also fine tune the jpg by using in camera raw processing. It’s not as versatile as a post processing but will still allow you to play with most important settings, (like color balance, white balance, contrast, sharpness…), crop, add filters…
Forum: Pentax K-70 & KF 05-17-2021, 09:26 AM  
Think I was sent a returned camera by Jessops
Posted By CarlJF
Replies: 20
Views: 1,838
I don’t know about Jessops, but I know that for online orders some store will do a quick check and take note of the serial number. But they usually tell you about this.
Forum: Pentax K-70 & KF 05-12-2021, 12:12 PM  
On Camera Fill Flash for Backlit Subject Outdoors
Posted By CarlJF
Replies: 18
Views: 2,304
For the color, there are many presets you can choose in the camera or even create your own custom ones. It's another good reason to not use the full auto "green" mode since you then let the camera decide which color setting to use... I would also suggest shooting in DMG + JPG instead of JPG only. The reason being that if you have the DNG file you can generate multiple JPG trying different color settings (and adjust other parameters like white balance, sharpness. contrast...) to find the one pleasing you most. You then simply use this setting when shooting the same kind of picture.

Now, if you really want to fine tune the color and other processing aspects, using a processing software (Lightroom, ON1, DxO...) is the way to go. You can even give a try to the software included with camera (Digital Camera Utility). But it's a whole other question...

EDIT: You can look at this page for examples of each color preset: http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/custom_image/
Forum: Pentax K-70 & KF 05-11-2021, 09:28 AM  
On Camera Fill Flash for Backlit Subject Outdoors
Posted By CarlJF
Replies: 18
Views: 2,304
As said above, posting a picture would help…

If the picture is washed out with the flash, it could mean overexposure due the sync speed of the popup flash. On a sunny day, this speed can be too slow and you have to close down the aperture a lot (then leading to diffraction problem and decreased sharpness and perceived contrast).

That said, full auto mode is usually not the best way to get the most out of a back lighted scene. You may have to play with both exposure (or exposure compensation) and flash exposure compensation, or get in mostly manual mode, to get a result that pleases you. It could also take a few shots to get it right. And even then, you can rapidly get to the limit if what the popup flash can give you.
Forum: General Photography 05-07-2021, 08:43 AM  
Focusing Beyond Infinity.
Posted By CarlJF
Replies: 34
Views: 2,276
It just means the focus ring can be turned passed the infinity point. This extra play is needed for the autofocus system to work correctly and compensate for thermal expansion or contraction. Obviously, nothing is in focus beyond this point…
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 05-07-2021, 05:15 AM  
Developing in camera - is the same as shooting JPEG?
Posted By CarlJF
Replies: 12
Views: 1,687
With the same preset the jpg will be the same. But with in camera processing you can generate multiple jpg with different settings from the same raw file. It’s very useful to correct the white balance or exposure (maybe up to 1-2 stops) after the shot. If you only have the jpg, you’re pretty much limited to filters.
Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II 05-06-2021, 07:04 AM  
Possible new K-3II owner
Posted By CarlJF
Replies: 20
Views: 2,362
For slide scanning with PS, results from both cameras should be pretty close. In fact even a K-70 would work just as well…

For other uses, it’s mostly a matter of personal preferences and budget. They’re both good but different cameras… The K-P isn’t a successor to the K-3II. They’re on parallel paths, targeting different peoples. Only you can tell which one would be a better fit for you.
Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II 05-04-2021, 07:02 AM  
Poll: Should I Buy a K-5 This Week???
Posted By CarlJF
Replies: 46
Views: 3,522
It’s an okay price, nothing less nothing more. It’s not a deal too good to pass on since you can easily find used k-5 and lenses for about the same price.
If should buy the kit and found out you’re not liking it, you could resell it for about the same price. So, you might not need it but not much to lose either by trying it…
As others said, the two lenses are among the weakest in the Pentax lineup. They’re mainly interesting because of the WR sealing, if it’s something useful to you. But if you’re more into IQ, I would suggest looking at getting some other lenses. Prime lenses like the DA18 1.8 and DA35 2.4 can be found used for less than 100$ and will provide much improved IQ over these zooms.

So, go for it or not, it’s your choice.
Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing 04-30-2021, 04:10 PM  
Terrified of RAW but want to try out something that's easy to use
Posted By CarlJF
Replies: 48
Views: 4,242
BTW, you can also just process the RAW directly from the camera trying different jpg presets and custom settings. It's quite useful to know how to fine tune a jpg to your liking right from the camera, only keeping the software processing for more heavy or serious work.
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II 04-29-2021, 10:06 AM  
DA 10-17 fisheye
Posted By CarlJF
Replies: 61
Views: 4,732
The DA 10-17 is a very good and "creative" lens. And yes, it's different than a rectlinear one (like the 11-18) and get some work to get hang of it and control the effect to get what you want. Every people are different, some people will love it, others will never be able to get something good out of it. I guess it's mostly a matter of mindset on how you think the picture rather than any technical qualities or flaws of the lens.

I really love mine and it's one my favorite Pentax lens, although it's only to be used in specific settings when I know it should work and give something interesting and different than the usual UWA.

A few pictures (all with a K-3 and DA 10-17 "original non HD"), many if not all would have been impossible with a UWA because they all have a much widewr AOV:









Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II 04-23-2021, 07:28 AM  
Old Canon & Minola User; considering Pentax K-1
Posted By CarlJF
Replies: 9
Views: 877
For a professional activity, it’s way better to stick with Canon. Gear is easy to find, to rent and more importantly to get repaired if needed. This is particularly true if you have access to their professional service which is top notch. Many pros stick with Canon only for this reason, they know Canon will back them rapidly in case of problems, even lending them gear on the spot if needed. As a professional, reliability should be your #1 priority. You don’t want to have to cancel a shooting, miss a contract or a deadline because you had some gear problems and have to wait a few weeks for the repair... You don’t take pictures for your own pleasure but because you have a job to do and be paid for. No picture = no money and can even cost you penalties if you have to cancel a contract at the last minute.

On a personal or amateur level, you can use whatever please you. It’s not really a serious issue if you don’t have easy access to some gear or have to wait for repair. The K-1 is a very good camera, but in the end only you can tell if it feels good to you or not. If you already have some K lenses, it’s certainly a better choice than a Sony with an adapter. The best for you would be to put your hands on a K-1 to try it and see for yourself how it feels. But, yes,I know it’s not that easy these days to find a K-1 for a try...
Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II 04-20-2021, 10:40 AM  
Green blurry images
Posted By CarlJF
Replies: 4
Views: 863
As said, the greenish tint is a wrong WB setting. Set it on auto or use one of the preset.

For the blurry pictures, there can be many reasons. First, the old FA 28-200 isn't exactly the sharpest lens on earth, so don't expect the pictures to as sharp as ones taken with prime or modern zoom lenses. Secondly, the combination of FL, speed and aperture aren't always the best for sharpest. In picture #2, the 1/80 speed is a bit slow for a non perfectly still subject at a FL of 113mm. SR only works with your movement, it can't do nothing for the subject movement... Picture #3 was taken with an aperture of F/18, way too small to get a really sharp picture.

On picture #1 and #3, it looks a bit foggy. So I'm wondering if there wasn't some condensation on or inside the lens...
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 04-02-2021, 11:15 AM  
Will you buy the k3 Mark 3?
Posted By CarlJF
Replies: 452
Views: 25,451
No, not at this price.
Forum: Pentax Medium Format 03-28-2021, 06:54 AM  
Will it make sense for Pentax to come up with a new 67 model?
Posted By CarlJF
Replies: 27
Views: 2,376
Although a few ones can sell here and there for a good price, it’s a long way before justifying the industrial production of thousands of units.
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 03-25-2021, 07:05 AM  
SR and zoom lens what do you set SR for ?
Posted By CarlJF
Replies: 10
Views: 796
I second this. It’s better to have no SR at all than a suboptimal one which could make thing worse.
Forum: Pentax KP 03-11-2021, 09:27 AM  
electronic shutter benefits?
Posted By CarlJF
Replies: 17
Views: 1,257
The 12-bits is only a matter of data bandwidth and processing speed. There’s no doubt that in the future, and sooner than later, both will improve enough that 14 bits uncompressed will not be too much to be processed fast enough.
Forum: Pentax KP 03-11-2021, 05:59 AM  
electronic shutter benefits?
Posted By CarlJF
Replies: 17
Views: 1,257
It’s completely silent. Which can be quite useful under some situations.

FPS is only limited by sensor reading speed and processing power. This is what allows the crazy FPS in recent mirrorless cameras, which will become standard in a few years while the high end will improve even more. The DSLR are more or less stuck at the 10 FPS limit.
Forum: General Photography 03-08-2021, 10:20 AM  
Is there a future for DSLR (outside old duffers like me?)
Posted By CarlJF
Replies: 94
Views: 5,315
DSLR will still be thre for many years, mostly due to the large established users base. But don't expect much more than what is available right now. Canon already have said that they have stopped working on new EF products, but will continue to support existing ones as long as there's enough demand. For Nikon, although nothing official was published, it's quite obvious that all their efforts are now on the Z line. Pentax still is dedicated to DSLR, but it's not clear for how long it will make sense economicaly for them to do it as they already seem to struggle a lot to maintain the K mount.

So, the DSLR might not be "dead" but rather in a sort of technological dead end. There isn't much that can be done to improve the current cameras while keeping them economically viable. Today, the more significant advances are related to software and need real time image analysis (like eye focus, on sensor AF...) to work at their best, which require to remove the mirror to read the image data directly from the sensor.

Right now, although it still make sense for someone already invested in DSLR to keep their gear, it also doesn't make much sense for most people (and particularly newcomers) to invest a lot of money in a DSLR system. DSLR will just become a niche, if they aren't already, somewhat like film camera or telemeters. There will always be people wanting them, but their days as a mainstream technology are behind.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 12-25-2020, 09:04 AM  
IPA suitable for cleaning?
Posted By CarlJF
Replies: 31
Views: 2,893
Can’t tell for the lens, but using too much IPA yourself can definitely make your pictures worst!
Forum: Pentax K-30 & K-50 11-16-2020, 08:42 AM  
AF Fine Adjustment "Apply all" an exercise in futility (K-50)
Posted By CarlJF
Replies: 24
Views: 1,860
Have considered the issue might be with the lens and not the camera? What if you try with other lenses?
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 11-06-2020, 04:53 PM  
Infinity adjustment on Pentax-F 50mm f/1.7
Posted By CarlJF
Replies: 9
Views: 876
I may be wrong, but I think it’s perfectly normal for autofocus lenses to go slightly beyond infinity.
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