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Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
04-15-2023, 10:26 AM
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I voted #2, but 5, 7, 12 and 14 were all there for me.
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Forum: General Photography
09-28-2021, 01:09 PM
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A lot of interesting stories here. And a good mix of young and older users. Growing up my mom always had a camera around, mostly Kodak 127s of one sort or another. She had an art minor in college and was a good painter, but oddly enough a poor photographer. When I went off to college in the late '60s I had a roommate who had a Pentax Spotmatic. Like my mom, I wanted to take some photos of the adventures I had while in college and my roommate let me borrow his camera from time to time. I liked the feel of the Spotmatic and never had any trouble focusing or metering. It made some nice photos for me.
Between my BA and grad school I went to Europe and decided to buy a camera of my own. We could mail order cameras from Hong Kong for very reasonable prices back then. You just had to be patient while they were shipped. I had a friend with a Nikon F, an FTn finder, and a Nikkor f/1.4 lens. They were huge, heavy and you could hear the shutter fire from a block away! I ordered a silver Asahi Spotmatic with a Super Takumar 50mm f/1.4 lens. I kept it for a while, but sold it so I could buy a black lacquer Spotmatic and an 85mm f/1.9 lens. I liked being able to get closeups without getting that close and the same shot a 50 could get from a few steps back. I later added a 28mm f/3.5 lens an that was my kit for many years.
After marriage, grad school, and a job I got a Pentax PZ-1p with a SMC Pentax-FA 28-105mm f/F4-5.6 lens. This was my first auto focus and first zoom lens. My wife loved it because I could see up an shoot much quicker than I could with the manual camera. Most of my photos were family gatherings and vacation spots so she really appreciated that she didn't have to stand around waiting for me to take the picture. I think that's sort of funny since I could get the image we wanted in a single shot or maybe two. She had a point and shoot little Fuji and would take much longer to get things just right, but she didn't count her own time, just mine.
I finally decided to go digital much later than most and bought a Pentax *stDS. I liked it's size and shape. I had also acquired a Spotmatic II and Spotmatic F and full set of screw mount lenses from 17mm to 300mm by then. I also had a couple of Pentax bayonet bodies and a few lenses for them. It seemed only reasonable to stick with the Pentax line since I could still use any of my lenses on any of my cameras. I since bought a Pentax K10D and more recently a K-70.
I have always like the feel of the Pentax in my hand. They seem to be generally smaller and more streamlined that the competition. I also like the Takumar and Pentax lenses. They too were usually more compact than other brands and were at least as good if not better than some of the other glass out there. Best of all you can still interchange any and all of the lenses. Well, except for some of the new digital lenses. I wish Pentax had a better variety of flashes or that they standardized their system so you could use other brands of flashes. I have never given any serious consideration to any other brand of camera or lens.
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Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
06-16-2021, 02:35 PM
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I chose #1 just because I like landscapes. However, they are all great photos. I'm really impressed by the lighting on several of the photos. Well done!
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-27-2014, 09:19 AM
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The Pentax Super Takumar and SMC 28mm lenses are fairly common and great lenses. The work out to about 42mm on a digital camera, so not too wide unfortunately. The Pentax 24mm is another fine lens, but much harder to find and more expensive if you do. I'm still looking for a 20mm.
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Forum: Film Processing, Scanning, and Darkroom
03-22-2014, 04:59 PM
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I've been using VueScan with my Canon 4000FS scanner for years and really liked it. I also used it with my flatbed and ADF scanning with my Epson 4490. But since my Canon scanner is failing, I've started using the Epson to scan my negatives. I tried using VueScan, but ran into the same problem -- it can't pick out the individual frames. I've not found a way around this problem so switched to the Epson software. It doesn't allow for multiple outputs (I could pull JPEG and TIFF simultaneously with VueScan and my Canon), but the output is much better than I expected. Best of all it finds the individual frames without any problems. My only problem was figuring out how to orient the negatives in the holder. So I'd say try the Epson software, you may like it after all.
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
09-21-2010, 01:51 PM
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Very nice. Now if we could only find some film.
Vern
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
07-02-2010, 08:25 AM
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I've look (briefly) at the Stroboframe. It didn't seem to work as smoothly as the Custom Bracket devices.
I don't know if flipping the camera is a benefit or a problem. Flipped, it puts the flash head off by 90 degrees from the picture orientation. Some of the other flash brackets do this too. If the flash angle is wider that the lens, then there is no problem. However, if the lens is wider than the flash (or nearly the same as the flash) you risk vignetting on the edges. It's probably not a problem, but that's why I chose a bracket that keeps the flash and the image in similar alignment.
Vern
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
06-30-2010, 12:22 PM
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Congratulations. I have a similar model bracket that I like very much:
Custom Brackets - CB Junior Flash Rotating Bracket - CBJUNIOR -
I think the model you point out is more recent and a simplified a little. My adjust both the height above the camera and the length of the overhang so the flash head can always be centered over the lens. Frankly, it's over kill for me. I'd save a few bucks if I were doing it again. The Custom Bracket stuff is very well made.
I've never used an anti-twist plate. Just screwed things down as best I could. I suspect they would help depending on the application.
Vern
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
01-12-2010, 11:00 AM
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I have a couple K2 bodies and quite like them. But for me they are a newer and improved version of the ESII that I also have. As I see it, there are two things to consider: 1) shooting (metering) style, and 2) size of the camera.
If you only care about manual exposure the MX has only that. If you like aperture priority metering, then the K2 is your camera. And, you can still go manual with it. It has a matching needle system. A transparent blue needle tells you if your are on auto or what the shutter speed is in manual mode. The floating, black needle tells you the shutter speed on auto. As you turn the aperture dial, the needle moves to show the cameras chosen shutter speed. In manual mode it indicates whether you are over or under exposed.
The K2 is the same size and weight of the screw mount bodies. They it feels right in my hands, but I have fairly large hands. I don't have any downsized bodies except my *stDS. The MX is smaller than the older body styles. You will have to decide which feels better to you. Both are good cameras.
Hope that helps,
Vern
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-09-2010, 07:39 PM
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All my Super Takumars are in their original cases. My bayonet lenses, Ms, As, and FAs are on a shelf in my closet. I've looked at the Lowe-Pro lens cases, but they are too big for most of the Pentax lenses so I try to keep a separator between the lenses when I put them in a shoulder bag. I'm not really satisfied with that method. It's also a question on how much do I want to pack -- I uses primes for the most part.
Vern
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
12-05-2009, 12:08 AM
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I'm trying to replace a missing cord. I've got the battery pack, but need to hook it to the flash somehow. Wire alone shouldn't be a problem, but the connectors are rather odd. There's a slot in one and a ridge on the other. The for the sake of the polarity for one thing. I suppose you don't want 330 volts going the wrong way. But it also means only one end can attach to the flash and only the other end can attach to the battery pack. I don't see why that would be important. I was surprised that the US office seems just to take what it gets from Japan. It seemed they didn't even know what the part number was.
Vern
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
12-04-2009, 07:54 PM
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I need to find a power cord for a TR Power Pack 2, any ideas on where to find one? I called Pentax parts who transferred me to the main office. They fumbled through their stuff and said they would have to call me back. Doesn't sound too hopeful. Any chance of a aftermarket cable having those weird connectors?
Thanks,
Vern
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
10-14-2009, 10:14 PM
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3RiC,
I used to think I wanted a KX, but as I got looking at the manuals I realized the KM was closer to the Spotmatic I've had for 40 years. I now have a SPII and SP F besides and they all have the same needle on the side. This is the kind of meter the KM has. If you've used the screw mount cameras you will be right at home with the KM.
Vern
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
10-08-2009, 01:26 PM
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TheTenaciousOne,
What to do til it arrives? Why, keep looking for an automatic camera like a Z1p. That's a terrible camera you picked up, it's completely manual! I'll send you my address and take it off your hands for you. :D
Seriously, it's a great camera. The only trouble is now you will want to built a collection of those great Pentax SMC lenses. The K lenses are basically the SMC Takumars with a new mount. I think they match the size of the body better. M lenses are smaller and seem to be more plentiful. Relatively cheap. The A series are becoming a little harder to find, but I'd look for them first. They are easier to use on your digital cameras.
The other things I might look for are a flash, light meter, shutter release cable and tripod. You can use a Vivitar 283 on the KX where it would fry your K-7. An incident light meter is handy to have for any of your cameras. Something with a dome. Gossen or Sekonics are good. There are others. If you use a tripod you'll want a cable release. Why use a tripod? There's no anti-vibration feature in the KX.
Vern
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
10-08-2009, 12:58 PM
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Sometimes I find the brochure more helpful than the manual for general questions and operation of the camera. You probably didn't get that when you got the camera. You can download it from Pentax-Manuals.com on the literature page: Pentax Manuals - Literature. It's the Z1P leaflet in the middle of the right hand column.
The beauty of the Hyper Program feature is that it will maintain the proper exposure even if you want to make some adjustments. If you open up the lens to blur the background a little, the camera will increase the shutter speed to compensate for the increase of light. This starts on p. 43 of the manual and is explained on p. 45-46. How the camera chooses the exposure value is explained in the Program Line section on p. 96-97. If you use a Pentax F or FA lens, those lenses tell the camera what their sweet spot is and the camera uses that for the exposure in the MTF mode. The Program Lines are charted on p. 127-128.
The PZ/Z-1p is a great camera. I think it might be the best camera Pentax ever made. Take time to play with it and learn how it works. It's not always obvious how the functions work. The manual isn't exactly in English either. But learning how to use it is worth the trouble.
Vern
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
09-18-2009, 06:12 PM
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I bought one of those screens from jinfinance the image in the view finder was quite nice. I had some trouble at first, as noted in the next posting, but once I got on the coverings off it was fine. There was a loose sheet of plastic which I tossed and thought I was done. But there were more. A protective sheet was stuck tightly to both sides of the screen. I had to dig a little with my fingernail, but got them up. Once properly installed, no complaints.
I've been intrigued by the choices offered by focusingscreen, particularly the grid. I have also considered the Pentax LL-60, but it lacks the fine focus elements. I have equipped both my PZ-1p cameras with the FK-60, golden section, focusing screens. I quite like them but wished they too had a microprism.
Vern
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
09-18-2009, 05:08 PM
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I've had Pentax camers since 1970. They've always worked well for me and I had a nice collection of lenses, both screw and K mount. So, when I finally decided to try a digital camera, what else would I choose than a Pentax. I have a *stDS and K10d. I'm not sure I'll get another one any time soon, but I still have all that glass.
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
09-17-2009, 11:53 AM
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I haven't watched Spotmatic sales too closely because I sold off my chrome body for a black one back in 1970. However, I have watched ebay sales for Spotmatic F's. The black SPF's seem to go for nearly double the chrome ones. With a lens of some sort, the black bodies go for about $145 while the chrome ones go for about $75. I've only recorded two body only sales of black SPF's at about $175. Why they were so expensive is anyone's guess. Chrome bodies, no lenses, were going for about $50+. My numbers are a few years old as I've got what I was looking for.
Spotmatic II's have a similar price disparity. Black SP2's with lenses were going for about $90 while their chrome brothers were only selling for about $65. Body only was about $45 vs $30. Here with the SP2's I think people were buying lenses more than cameras. The body just came with the lens they wanted.
The few Spotmatics I've recorded prices for came out about the same when comparing black vs chrome: $60 vs. $65. The reason the chrome cameras sold for more was because they mostly had 50mm f/1.4 lenses.
I've sometimes wondered, since all the new cameras seem to be black maybe the chrome would be a nice change. A little nostalgia. So, I have one of each for my SP's and SP2's. But I quite like my black ESII and K2. There is something about that black lacquer and knowing that when it was new most everything else was chrome.
Vern
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
09-07-2009, 09:59 PM
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Oh no, not LBA again! I confess, I have a series of Super Taks from 28mm-200mm for my Spotties, a series of SMC Taks from 24mm-300mm for my F and ESII. A nice set of M lenses for my KM and K2. And a few A's and FA's. They FA's are for my PZ-1p and K10d. I also have the DA 18-55mm and 50-200mm I got with my *ist DS. I too would like an A35 and A85, but I'm not it too big a hurry to find one. Each new lens gets close scrutiny these days starting with the complaint, not another lens!
Good luck in your quest.
Vern
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
09-07-2009, 08:23 PM
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Luc,
I don't think the A 35mm is an especially rare lens -- that is I don't think only a few were made. I think the problem is that anyone who has one is keeping it.
Think about it: K mount, electronic aperture reading, and an effective 52mm lens when mounted on a Pentax digital camera. It's the perfect normal lens for anyone who want a manual focus lens on his DSLR.
That said, I've seen a couple sell on auction this year and several sold last year. The prices ran from 100-200 US$. The average was about $120.00. So be patient and one will turn up. They are tricky to search for because you have to specify it's the lens you are looking for. Otherwise you'll get all the 35mm cameras too. Good luck.
Vern
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
08-14-2009, 01:58 PM
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K
Primes - 1
Zooms - 1
M
Primes - 7
Zooms - 0
A
Primes - 4
Zooms - 1
FA
Primes - 3
Zooms - 4
DA
Primes - 0
Zooms - 2
Takumar (K)
Primes - 1
Zooms - 0
Super Takumar (M42)
Primes - 11
Zooms - 0
S-M-C Takumar (M42)
Primes - 11
Zooms - 1
110
Primes - 5
Zooms - 0
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
07-24-2009, 08:48 AM
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It's not a Spotmatic case. My origianal 1970 case is stitched all the way around the front of the snout. I don't beleive any of the screw mount bodies came with a case like that. My guess is that this belongs to a K mount body of some kind. I have a K1000 in a case like this. But I didn't buy either of them new so I can't say for sure. The K1000, KM, KX, and K2 all have the Spotmatic sized bodies. I have three of the four. Odd thing is that it's tough to force a SP case onto a K camera. The tripod screw doesn't seem to be in exactly the same place as on the screw mount bodies.
Vern
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
06-15-2009, 08:35 PM
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Not being an electronics guy, I can't give you any details. There are some custom electronics in the ES series that can fail over time or with damage to the body. The problem then is getting replacements. The only source is another ES body.
Vern
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
05-13-2009, 02:19 PM
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Take a looks at Kim Coxon's Pentax-Manuals web site. He has manual for the Z-1 which is the same as the US PZ-1, Pentax Manuals. He also has some lens manuals on the accessories page, Pentax Manuals. The SMC PENTAX-FA LENSES 8/03 manual includes a few pages on the Power Zoom.
Vern
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
04-18-2009, 11:35 PM
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I appreciate the comments so far. SOldBear, I grew up in California but now find its climate sort of damp -- compared to some real desert. I'm not too worried about humidity or fungus though I know it's a problem elsewhere. I have my Super Takumars in their original cases in a old overnight case. My SMC Tak's, M's, A's, and FA's are on a shelf in a closet. They get air, but are out of the way. Still, I'm wondering if I should box them up somehow. Put them a case of some sort. Pad them perhaps in case they get shaken up a little. Still, I want to keep the various models together and know which lens is which without have to look to closely if I'm in a hurry. I've got at least a 28, 35, and 50 in every category of Takumar or Pentax lens.
I find I get more consistent results using the A lenses on my digital bodies. Whereas the M lenses are just fine on the PZ-1p. The SMC lenses are easier to use on the F and ESII, so I keep them separate from the S Tak lenses for my Spotmatics. It's still fun to use the old stuff you know.
Vern
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