|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
10-01-2016, 07:02 PM
|
| |
The seller has volunteered to accept a return due to the mistake, even though the post states no returns. So returning is actually an option.
I am going to sleep on it, but I will probably take steps to return it tomorrow. Thanks for the input!
Still disappointing. It was a beautiful lens.
|
|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
10-01-2016, 04:18 PM
|
| |
One of the nice things about Pentax is the ability to use old lenses on modern cameras.
My suggestion would be to acquire an older lens without the bells and whistles of the newer lenses. Pick a lens that looks "fun" to you... Something that will inspire you to want to use it to your full potential.
Mine is a fun macro zoom I absolutely love to use for flowers, bugs, and other close up details. Every lens setting has to be set manually, forcing me to learn to use my camera to its full potential. I strive to take pictures worthy of this lens.
Having a lens like this helps keep me motivated, and stops me from relying too much on Pentax's collection of automatic settings. If you want to be the best photographer in the Philippines, I am thinking that is the sort of lens you need to add to your collection next.
As a bonus, they tend to be a lot cheaper than the modern lenses, too. You can get a lot of mileage out of a small but smart investment. Just make sure to find a lens that really speaks to you, instead of just a random antique!
|
|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
10-01-2016, 03:59 PM
|
| |
Short Version:
I bought a 300mm zoom lens claiming to be a K mount but it's actually a Nikon F mount. What would you do?
Long Version:
So... I played eBay roulette this week and purchased a lens labeled as "Sigma Zoom 100-300mm f4.5-6.7 DL for PENTAX K-Mount". There were no pictures of the mount itself listed, so I knew it was a risk, but the price was right.
Turns out it is a Nikon F mount. It has a tab that prevents it from being inserted into the camera, and I can tell from the end cap that the diameter of the mount is a little smaller than the K mount, and the lens is built to rotate the opposite direction of Pentax's in order to snap into place.
I have read on the forum of people shaving off the tabs to force the lens into place and using them even though they don't lock into place. (I would be hesitant to do that since this is a larger zoom, although it is much lighter than my other 300mm zoom). I also know that there are adapters for different camera mounts, so I could look into one of those. Return isn't an option, but I could resell to someone else I suppose. Everyone else I know who has a DSLR uses a Canon, so gifting a Nikon lens to a friend isn't an option.
I am not really bothered by it, as I said it was really cheap. I don't want to keep it if I am not going to use it. The lens itself seems to be in pristine condition; I believe most of its life has been spent in a lens box with a UV filter installed and both lens caps attached. I was very disappointed that it had the wrong mount.
I am just hoping to draw suggestions from those with greater experience. :)
|
|
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
09-27-2016, 09:34 PM
|
| |
Pushing buttons does send electrical impulses to drain any residual charge. While I haven't had this issue with my Pentax, I have had it with a larger electronic device, and trying to start the item while unplugged allowed it to shut down and reboot. I did eventually have to exchange the item (warranty "repair") for this issue, so I would keep an eye on your camera and take it seriously if this issue repeats itself.
|
|
Forum: Pentax Price Watch
07-29-2015, 08:00 AM
|
| |
I did not have a bag yet, so I bought this - it arrived yesterday. It has enough room to safely fit all the camera gear I currently own, so it was perfect for me. It doesn't feel like an expensive bag, but it doesn't feel cheap either, so again, perfect for what I have to work with. :)
|
|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
07-28-2015, 08:23 AM
|
| |
It was $15 with caps for both ends (so replacements for some nicer lenses), and it takes decent pictures with the wide open aperture, so I'm not worried about it. It will never be my favorite lens or anything, but I can use it.
Is the mechanism very complicated? I've rebuilt engines before (lawnmower, electric drill, etc), but never something this potentially delicate.
|
|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
07-27-2015, 08:53 PM
|
| |
I can move it, about a quarter inch or so, with my finger - and the diaphragm still doesn't move from wide open.
If I lightly shake the lens it gives off a soft jingling sound from the ring. (My other lenses also do not do this).
Video of two lenses while D moves the aperture ring for me. The first one is the JCPenney one in question, the second is a well-functioning Sears brand I bought from a forum member here.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/135100033@N02/19885757358/in/datetaken/
From the confusion in some of the replies, I am confident saying that the JCPenney is indeed broken, and stuck at the 2.8 aperture setting, potentially due to bad/old lubricant.
Many thanks for the confirmation!
|
|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
07-27-2015, 08:25 PM
|
| |
I have four other lenses, and with each of those, when I turn the aperture ring I can see the diaphragm moving inside the lens. (Yes, I did notice that they're all wide open when installed in the camera, but I'm talking about holding the lens only in one hand and turning the aperture ring with the other).
I could attempt a video to show this?
|
|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
07-27-2015, 07:53 PM
|
| |
I am still mastering "photography after dark" so apologies, these are a little fuzzy - but I am hoping they're clear enough to show the lens?
 |
|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
07-27-2015, 07:23 PM
|
| |
So I have been picking up some inexpensive lenses to help me identify what I enjoy most about photography, and what sorts of features I want in a lens, before I buy more modern lenses with the much higher price tags. My question pertains to the JCPenney 1:2.8 135mm that arrived in the mail today, for $15 from eBay.
When looking through the lens, there doesn't appear to be a diaphragm to regulate the aperture... I can rotate the aperture ring from 2.8 all the way to 22, but nothing seems to change inside the lens.
View through the lens, at what should be the smallest aperture setting (largest number, 22):
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/353/19447704154_d637a529b9_k.jpg
It was only $15, I can get it to take some nice pictures, and I've recommissioned the nice lens cap it came with for a new life with my new favorite lens (that also arrived today), so I'm not too worried about getting it fixed or anything. (Although if this is something that I could fix, rather than paying someone to do it, I may attempt it at some point).
Mainly I just wanted to make sure that yes, the aperture ring is not functioning correctly, and I'm not crazy. (I'm still new enough to this that it could go either way. :p)
Sample pictures below, so the lens does work! Mostly. :p
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3785/20044067456_b269c71c67_k.jpg
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/413/19883669439_109b7aba69_k.jpg
EDIT: Turned to links due to large file size, don't have the ability to resize them at the moment. Sorry!
|
|
Forum: Weekly Photo Challenges
07-27-2015, 06:48 PM
|
| |
Playing with a new lens and some basil flowers before I pinched them off. :)
|
|
Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
07-27-2015, 06:17 PM
|
| |
Looking for her "friend," a spunky squirrel who visits daily to raid the bird feeder. She does her best to drive him away once he arrives, but it drives her nuts when he's running late!
|
|
Forum: Welcomes and Introductions
07-26-2015, 10:10 AM
|
| |
Thank you. :)
Mostly I have been taking pictures of the garden and the cats, just playing around with different settings to see what changes. I was playing with the white balance last night to get a good picture of Cream (the mostly white calico). Peaches (the orange tabby) sits on command and loves the attention, so she is an easy subject.
|
|
Forum: General Photography
07-24-2015, 08:12 PM
|
| |
I have chills from that trailer. Many thanks for the recommendation! I will have to keep an eye out for it...
|
|
Forum: Weekly Photo Challenges
07-24-2015, 07:53 PM
|
| |
My test pictures, in the garden yesterday after unboxing the K-50. Needless to say I only let it get to 20% charge before I had to use it. :)
These strawberries didn't last long after I got the picture I wanted.
My orange tree - so young, and so stubborn. I keep wondering if I should remove the baby oranges, but everything I've read says that orange trees are smarter than lemons and limes, and will drop fruit it can't handle. So we'll see?
My equally stubborn peach tree. This poor branch was broken most of the way off the tree in a freak storm last month, but it keeps growing peaches. I can't safely prune it off until the electric company finally removes their wires...
And the two sets of flowers... I'm drawing a blank at what they are called.
|
|
Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories
07-24-2015, 07:26 PM
|
| |
Peaches, grudging model for my camera experiments, and one of the sweetest and yet brattiest cats I've ever met - depending on whether or not she feels she's receiving enough attention.
|
|
Forum: Welcomes and Introductions
07-24-2015, 07:04 PM
|
| |
I have always loved photography, and always wanted a really nice SRL, and finally built up the courage to take the plunge with a beautifully refurbished black-and-white Pentax K-50 body. My research said it was an awesome camera (as long as I don't intend to do video!), and very well built. It arrived yesterday, and I know I made the right decision - although so much to learn! But I will master this. :) (And now I can delete most of the "photography" apps on my phone and clear up some space. :lol:)
This forum has actually played a large role in my pursuing this. Since I am keeping a fairly tight budget at the moment (I am renovating the house), and good camera lenses are pricey and frequently specialized, I decided the best course of action for me would be to pick up a good camera body, collect an assortment of fairly inexpensive lenses, and figure out what I like doing most with my camera - and then pick up the good weather resistant lenses that will let me do more of that. This has meant that I've been learning some of the more advanced camera features already, like how to enable the aperture ring (and eventually, how to properly use the aperture ring), but it's been exciting. The information on this forum and site has been very useful in that regard. There's a ton of knowledge here, and it's been really great for my confidence in pursuing this.
Currently I own these three lenses:
Pentax SMCP-FA 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens (Silver)
AUTO CHINON K mount 50mm F1.9 Prime Lens for PENTAX PK
Pentax SMC - M f1:2 50mm Prime Lens
And these two are on their way in the mail:
JC Penney 135 mm 2.8 Lens Pentax K Mount
Pentax DA L 50-200mm f/4-5.6 WR <-- My one "expensive" purchase, but still at a discount!
I know I'm making it a bit harder on myself going this route, but it lets me explore the hobby while still putting most of my funds into the house, and it will make me learn faster (which is never a bad thing), so I'm happy. :) And I am so glad I stopped waiting and just bought it.
|
