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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 02-06-2024, 04:35 AM  
Good walking zoom on my Pentax ME.
Posted By sfkazimierczak
Replies: 21
Views: 710
It might not be as well regarded or as prestigious and definitely isn't as optically capable as Stack of Primes and M35-70, but I found SMC Pentax-A 35-70mm F3.5-4.5 to be a very nice fit on a ME Super. It keeps the set compact and is kind of enough for a city walk. It's also dirt cheap.
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 05-31-2023, 10:17 PM  
Is my ME Super deceased?
Posted By sfkazimierczak
Replies: 7
Views: 904
Hi,


I have had the same issue with my first ME Super. I've contacted several camera specialists and they all said that repair would be uneconomical. Since then I bought two more ME Supers from which one is in full working order (while looking like a dog) and the other has LED issues (while looking like a brand new camera). I guess what I'm trying to say is that ME Supers are getting old and it shows. I would only recommend self-repair if you are really experienced with your soldering iron and have proper tools i.e. JIS screwdrivers. There are instructions available online and some YT videos on how to dismantle the camera.


I suspect that the small metal connector that is soldered to the smaller circuit on the right broken off and now your ME Super shoots only in 1/125. If so you could just try to solder it back on, but it seems tricky at least to me. Good luck anyway!
Forum: Welcomes and Introductions 08-24-2022, 11:45 PM  
Third pentax fully committed now
Posted By sfkazimierczak
Replies: 9
Views: 803
Welcome to the forum! Do you still have your SFX?
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 08-05-2022, 11:39 PM  
What is your eBay success rate on vintage cameras?
Posted By sfkazimierczak
Replies: 60
Views: 2,651
Most of the cameras I have were bought either on ebay.de or equivalent sites i.e. polish Allegro.

Pentax P30 from Allegro had little crack on the body, but works perfectly.
Pentax SFX from Allegro had one of the strap holders broken but other than is fully functional
Pentax Me Super from ebay, bought as is, worked until I’ve broken it but it is still repairable and I intend to do it one day.
2nd Pentax Me Super from ebay, bought as is in a bundle, works great.
Pentax Mz-M from ebay, bought as is in a bundle, broken motor wheel (predictable)
Pentax Z-70 from ebay, works great
Pentax SFX from ebay, bought as is, works great but had some battery related issues
Ricoh G500 from ebay, bought as is, works great,
Lomo 166B from Allegro, works great.

Most of these cameras I bought in a bundle with other cameras or lenses I wanted to have. All the lenses and other accessories from these buys were in good shape to say the least and are fully functional. All of that stuff was cheap. As for now I’am waiting for a Z-20 and 3rd Me Super. I will update on that in a week.
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 06-16-2022, 02:20 AM  
Pentax ME Super shutter not locking
Posted By sfkazimierczak
Replies: 2
Views: 420
Hi,

I've had many different issues with ME Super but I never had this kind. Thing with any ME Super is that it is an old camera. More often than not previous owners didn't bother with servicing them. Most of parts that control shutter and mirror locking are accesible through the bottom of a camera, after removal of bottom plate. That's the first place I would look at. Does your camera behave that way in every mode? Did you try 125X or B?
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 01-12-2022, 08:04 AM  
LX Light Leak Diagnosis?
Posted By sfkazimierczak
Replies: 23
Views: 1,064
I respectfully disagree. In my case there were two distinct areas on damaged rolls, so I thought it were light leaks. Turned out it weren't. Although it did look different from what Chrodo7 posted.
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II 01-12-2022, 07:05 AM  
Advice? - Pick one only: D-FA 24-70mm f2.8 vs D-FA* 50mm f1.4
Posted By sfkazimierczak
Replies: 48
Views: 4,550
Its simply the matter of what you value more. Two stops of light or ability to catch more in your frame without walking away from the subject? I only shoot full frame on film so it's a different approach but please, hear me out. Every time I take my film camera on an evening walk I take 50mm 1.7 lens as its the fastest lens I own. And there were many occasions when I wanted to fit more in a frame, but couldn't get far enough. With film it means taking 28mm 2.8 with me and pushing film or buying faster film. But with digital sensor and ability to push your exposure in post that problem disappears. But if you don't need versatility of a zoom and portraiture is your main thing then fast 50mm is your way.
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 01-11-2022, 11:50 PM  
LX Light Leak Diagnosis?
Posted By sfkazimierczak
Replies: 23
Views: 1,064
Hi. I know it might be a long shot as well, but did the camera went through some kind of security scanner? I had a similar problem on my ME Super. I have a scanner at work and didn't think it was that powerful, but as it turns out it is. I was confused what caused light leaks in my camera and then I realized they appear only on rolls I had with me in my office. Now I always remove my camera from my bag before security check and everything is ok. Well, was because my MES stopped working altogether but that's a different thing. Other than that it does look like a bad hinge seal.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 01-11-2022, 02:26 AM  
K-5 vs K-50
Posted By sfkazimierczak
Replies: 24
Views: 1,978
I think that discussion on whether K-5 or K-50 is better than the other is academic. If it were my money I wouldn't even considered the K-50. Maybe live view is better, although I think it's a very subjective issue. Focus peaking? Sure. Very useful and definitely a thing missing from my long running K-5ii, but I would never trade it for reliability of high end Pentax bodies. I'm a happy user of K-5ii since late 2014. I never had any issues with it, while K-50 solenoid problem is almost permanent guest here on Pentaxforums. I don't want to undermine K-50 as it was a great camera in its time and still is for those luckier users but we are considering used cameras here with no warranty. As far as KAF4 lenses are considered I don't think its a big deal here as well. There aren't many of them and apart from 55-300 they are kinda expensive. Micheal here is looking for a used camera, so I don't think ordering brand new 16-50 would be his first choice when searching for a lens. But I might be wrong and his camera bag might be full of brand new KAF4 lenses.
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 12-03-2021, 02:05 AM  
Film choice and processors.
Posted By sfkazimierczak
Replies: 41
Views: 1,849
Hi Stephen.

I think that in terms of color negatives you can't go wrong with the Kodak Portra family. I love the 160 variant. But since it's not the cheapest film out there I'm also using a lot of Kodak ColorPlus 200. As much as I would like to shoot Fujifilm, their color negatives are either unavailable or quite expensive. I managed to secure 2 rolls of Pro400H, but I'm saving it for summer weather. If you would like to try something new, then Lomography films are an interesting alternative to old household names. Just keep in mind that what might be sold as a 36 frames roll is in fact a 30-ish frames roll. I was really dissapointed when winder in my SFXn stopped after 28 frames of Metropolis XR.

In my opinion BW is much more interesting right now in terms of what is available on the market. You got your usual Ilford/Kodak/Foma/Rollei films, but also very interesting niche products from Adox and Lomography. I was pleasantly surprised with Lomography Babylon 13. It's very low sensitivity film and it is not DX coded, so make sure your camera has manual asa setting that goes that low.

Have fun!
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 11-26-2021, 12:20 AM  
film camera lenses
Posted By sfkazimierczak
Replies: 28
Views: 1,581
Meter may have been right, but frames might got bad exposure due to different reasons. Maybe a faulty shutter is to blame. Were you travelling with by plane? If so, X-ray scanners might have ruined your film. If the camera in question is healthy and without faults, changing lenses mid roll shouldn't do anything to your film.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 08-25-2021, 01:31 AM  
K-5 II Question - How does it compare to the K-70 (any red flags due to its age)
Posted By sfkazimierczak
Replies: 37
Views: 2,197
I'm still using my K-5ii that I bought new few years back and I'm shooting film as well. It's a brilliant camera. I follow Pentax releases closely and only thought about updating when K-3iii has been released. It's a great body to work with and to learn with. The only thing that it is lacking is a good AF performance. I've never had any problems switching between film bodies and my K-5ii. It always feels natural as most of my cameras are Pentaxes. Being a flagship of its era it is very well built and tough. 8000 clicks is nothing for that body.
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 06-06-2021, 12:39 AM  
Weird exposure problem with Pentax ME Super [picture]
Posted By sfkazimierczak
Replies: 7
Views: 676
Ok, so I think an update is due. I shot a 24 frame Kodak Gold 200 AND add an additonal stripe of foam to the hinge side of the door. Film came out nicely, without any issues. Thank you for any suggestions!
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 06-02-2021, 01:18 AM  
Merging the optics from an A50 mm F1.7 to a M50 mm F1.7?
Posted By sfkazimierczak
Replies: 15
Views: 1,179
I don't recall seeing such a lens here but as you already have both lenses, there is a very simple way of finding out. However if I were you I would try to repair the aperture ring in A version. It should be much easier than changing complete optics.
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 06-02-2021, 01:00 AM  
Weird exposure problem with Pentax ME Super [picture]
Posted By sfkazimierczak
Replies: 7
Views: 676
As I wrote in the original post, shutter problem is out of the question. If that was the issue, stripes/patches would have different orientation as ME Super has vertical travel curtains. Thanks for help anyway. I will try one more film and if the problem continues send the camera for service. Tomorrow is my nieces first birthday - perfect opportunity to shot a whole roll in a short time.

Thanks!
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 06-01-2021, 10:42 AM  
Weird exposure problem with Pentax ME Super [picture]
Posted By sfkazimierczak
Replies: 7
Views: 676
Thanks Steve.


I checked the seals and they seem fine. Film was a regular, boxed, off the shelf Kodak Tri-X. Is it worth taking some cheap film for another test roll? Also, when the camera arrived It had a Fuji Superia 100 loaded inside. I took that film to the lab and although it looks a bit under-exposured, there is no sight of these patches.
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 06-01-2021, 10:25 AM  
Weird exposure problem with Pentax ME Super [picture]
Posted By sfkazimierczak
Replies: 7
Views: 676
Hi,


I recently bought a Pentax ME Super. It felt good and everything seemed to work. However after I got my first roll of film back from the lab I began to doubt in my seemingly successful purchase. Some of the shots have very distinct, over-exposured area. On some frames that area have pin sharp boundary, on others it looks like a regular light leak. My first suspicion was shutter failure. Then I remembered that ME Super has a vertical shutter, and patches on my film are horizontal. Then I tried to find some correlation between shooting mode and abnormal exposure but that theory also fell apart as some correct shots were done manually and others in Av. What do you guys think might be the problem? I took this photo of the film in question. I lined up the frames in order, so you can see that these patches do not appear in the same spot, as a normal light leak would. As you can see these over-exposured patches extend beyond the frame.


Oh! And I do know that some of the frames are simply bad photos. It was a calculated risk, but gosh I’m bad at math.
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 06-01-2021, 12:07 AM  
P30n Shutter Release Button Not Working
Posted By sfkazimierczak
Replies: 10
Views: 4,002
Hi,

I have a little suggestion. Does the advance lever advance the film? Lever in P30 is screwed in with a center screw. It's visible only after removing the plastic cover. Sometimes that screw comes loose and what might seems like a working advance lever isn't actually doing its work. That was the issue with my P30 when I got it years ago.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 04-06-2021, 04:53 AM  
Pentax-F Zoom Repair
Posted By sfkazimierczak
Replies: 10
Views: 1,501
I took apart a few of the F and M series lenses and also some lenses from different manufacturers like KMZ Tair 3s. All with mixed results as in some cases damage was beyond reasonable repair. However I suggest focusing on infinity rather than something in your room. In my opinion it is much easier to calibrate infinity focus than properly measure distance from a sensor (or a film) to lets say a plant or a vase or a mug.
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 03-18-2021, 11:54 PM  
Pentax Auto 110 Intermittent Shutter
Posted By sfkazimierczak
Replies: 3
Views: 666
I had the same problem with a Lomo cassette around august 2020. I've shot around 10 frames before the problem occured. I was away from home so I just took the casette out and put it back again. Problem occured around 10th frame. I wasted 4 frames on winding and now I'm on a 19th frame. Year ago I had a different roll of Lomo Tiger 200 and shot the entire roll without issues.

Also, I've never had similar issues with different pocket films in the past i.e. Fujifilm, Kodak and Agfa. Maybe it is just a faulty batch.
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 03-13-2021, 03:37 AM  
The ME Super is back
Posted By sfkazimierczak
Replies: 7
Views: 1,077
It really looks like new. Go with the Portra 400. Such a nice camera deserves it. I also bought ME Super recently. Still waiting for it to be delivered but I already got the film. I went with a Tri-X.
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 06-12-2020, 07:23 AM  
Pentax MX Failure
Posted By sfkazimierczak
Replies: 26
Views: 2,957
I'm pretty good when it comes to DIY stuff. I've serviced some of my lenses etc. but I would never attempt to repair the MX on my own. Unless it's what stevebrot have said - that you consider it a junk camera. I know because I've opened few cameras before and it was always stresful. Your local camera repair shop should be able to fix that mirror issue.
Forum: General Photography 03-01-2020, 04:08 AM  
The Shadow of the K1000
Posted By sfkazimierczak
Replies: 16
Views: 1,618
I don't think there is anything like K1000 shadow. Maybe people say that on the internet, because DPReview suggested Pentax should make a digital K1000. People don't buy Pentax not because of some ancient analogue camera that hasn't been in production since 20 years. They don't buy Pentax because of bad autofocus performance and absence of any viable video options. And the reason behind the success of new Fujis is not their retro looks. It is great AF performance, great video and a lot of different features. Even if genreal public don't shoot in 4K, they will want that option in their camera. Would the digital K1000 sell? It would if it could hold the candle to others. O, and there is one other thing from my experience with Pentax brand. Every conversation I had in my life about Pentax cameras (not on the internet) went exactly the same way: "Pentax? Oh they it used to be a great brand". These words were always spoken in the same way, just as the Pentax brand would not exist anymore. And that's what poor marketing does to you.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 01-17-2018, 10:41 AM  
Wide angle lens(used) for 300$
Posted By sfkazimierczak
Replies: 19
Views: 1,678
Hi!

Have you considered manual focus lens? You could get old SMC 24mm f2.8 for less than 200$ and save money for tripod or something. From the lenses you listed above I would get the 21mm Limited.
Forum: General Photography 06-03-2016, 12:04 PM  
Pentax user makes a couple of Adorama videos
Posted By sfkazimierczak
Replies: 4
Views: 1,317
Useful, interesting and for me even a bit shocking. Thanks for sharing :)
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