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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
04-03-2018, 06:14 AM
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Thanks for all the advice folks. I took the leap and ordered a K70.
First impressions - a tiny bit deeper on the grip than the K-S2 so fits more into my hand (still not on a par with my K-r though) but otherwise feels/behaves just like my K-S2. Keep casting my eye over the K3 though ...
Anyway, one of the first pictures below taken with the 18-135 - appropriately enough the first tulips of the season over here. Never know we had snow on the ground 24 hours earlier!
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-30-2018, 11:45 AM
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Hi guys, need some advice from the folks here.
My K-S2 has finally bitten the bullet from the dreaded aperture block problem, so I'm looking for a replacement.
The problem is (and the reason my head hurts) is the fact that getting my hands on different models requires a 2.5 hour drive at least. I will probably need to buy then and there so want to be armed with as much info as possible beforehand.
The K-S2 was an upgrade from my K-r but much preferred the feel of the K-r in my hand so would like to find a more comfortable fit this time so another K-S2 is out. The KP is out (too pricey) and the K-3ii is also out since it has no flash - I don't use one much so don't want to carry a separate one around
This narrows the choices to the K-70 and K-3. I mainly shoot landscapes and wildlife (not macro) along with the occasional fast moving vehicle (car events and air shows).
So which of the two would you recommend and, since the K-3 would be a used one, what would be a good number of actuations?
Thanks in advance
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-21-2017, 10:36 AM
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Yes, the biologist on board said one of the whales had a cold so that was possibly a contributory factor. The smell was not a surprise considering what they were up to.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-20-2017, 11:17 PM
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Yes, it was really fascinating with the sea lions. They would dive with the humpbacks and then pop up just before them so you could use them to locate the whales resurfacing, so you would get spells where nothing was at the surface at all.
Distances were typically between 50 and 200ft but as you can see some did get a lot closer with a couple coming up right next to boat to have a look at us - one at the front and one at the back. I can officially say that whale breath stinks! ��
It wasn't my 55-300 that was the problem it was my K-S2. It's suffering from the dreaded aperture block problem so I was nursing it along for most of the hols - hence the K-r as backup!
One thing I forgot to mention in my previous post - both lenses had circular polarisers fitted.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-20-2017, 01:29 AM
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Used this lens most of the time on holiday, only broke the 55-300 out for the whale watching. Definitely handles great in full daylight but I kinda like the early morning shot ...
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
10-20-2017, 01:08 AM
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No evidence of Pentax on my recent trip to the states unfortunately and I quite agree about the border officials in the US! Would it hurt them to smile at least one in a while?
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-20-2017, 01:05 AM
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Well, finally back after an amazing holiday. We went from Santa Cruz on a 60 foot Legacy and we paid to go on the upper deck which really paid off. It was a 3.5 hour cruise and for 3 hours we followed a couple of groups of whales and sea lions feeding, fabulous!
Regarding equipment I had my K-S2 with the 55-300 attached (it just about behaved) and I handed my mum my K-r with the 18-135. I also shot some short video clips with the iPhone.
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Forum: Pentax K-S1 & K-S2
10-20-2017, 12:14 AM
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Well I'm back after an absolutely amazing trip where somebody was looking after us after having missed the Las Vegas and Napa Valley incidents by 2 weeks and a few days respectively.
Thanks to everyone's advice we checked for Route 1 and drove down from Santa Cuz to the Big Sur and back again - you're right about the views, wow!
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
09-05-2017, 06:49 AM
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The last gasp for the hydrangeas
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
09-03-2017, 09:44 AM
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Here's an interesting find. A K5 with 1 year guarantee BUT ~83K actuations for £200 - is that a good price? A good camera?
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
09-03-2017, 08:35 AM
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I'm leaning towards taking the K-S2 with the K-r as backup since I am one to suffer from "upgrade-angst" as you put it. Also may consider renting a K3 to see how I get on or even see if I can get it repaired while I'm there at pentax camera repair.
Hmm, choices, choices ...
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
09-02-2017, 12:03 PM
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Fell in love with the colour produced by this lens.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
09-02-2017, 09:02 AM
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So, here's the problem. My 3yr old K-S2 has developed the dreaded aperture block failure 2 WEEKS before I head off to California for a 24 day fly-drive. :mad:
I basically get underexposed/black images for the first few shutter releases after I switch it on or if its been left on standby and then it behaves. Obviously can't get it fixed in time to go so I'm trying to decide on the following options:
1. Take it as is and keep my fingers crossed it doesn't completely die on me. Buy a replacement in the US if it does.
2. As option 1 but take my K-r as backup.
3. Buy a K70 before I go.
What would people suggest - and before anyone brings up the K3 I'm reluctant to spend an extra £200 when I could potentially be shelling out £600 just before heading off for the K70 alone. Would also have to buy new since there aren't any secondhand options around in the UK that aren't on eBay at the moment.
Thanks in advance guys
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
09-02-2017, 05:40 AM
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One thing that is a little worrying here in the UK is the disappearance (again) of Pentax cameras in the stores. In the past year stores that usually had 2 or 3 models on display have suddenly gone back to the usual suspects (Canikon and friends) so I can no longer go and get my hands on the new models, grrr!
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
08-31-2017, 01:59 PM
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Unfortunately not :(. If that's the case I may have to bite the bullet and find somewhere to get it fixed here in the UK
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
08-31-2017, 10:55 AM
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Hi all
I've just started to experience a very strange phenomenon with my K-S2. When I switch it on sometimes the very first picture taken produces a completely black image. It seems to be completely fine after that and only happens the first time.
Its happened when different lenses are attached and not after it's been sat unattended - I'm currently in the process of refreshing my way around the camera in time my hols.
What is worrying me a little is, having looked around the forum, it appears that it could be the first signs of the dreaded aperture block problem. Does this sound about right?
Any advice appreciated
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Forum: Pentax K-S1 & K-S2
08-30-2017, 02:13 PM
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Absolutely stunning Ecofly!
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
08-30-2017, 01:01 PM
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Regarding looking at Amazon, if you are not in a hurry I recommend looking at their deals.
They just had an event over the Bank Holiday weekend here in the UK and I managed to score the 35/2.4 and 50/1.8 for £50 and £61 respectively. :D It may mean a late night as these were posted/started at 12.00am - needless to say the 35mm was sold out in 5 minutes!
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
08-30-2017, 12:56 PM
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Thanks photoptimist, 2 weeks and counting! Now if I can just finalise my lens lineup ... :o
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
08-30-2017, 12:03 PM
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Oh don't get me wrong I don't have anything against American beer specifically, I just don't like beer/ale of any sort - it makes me ill unfortunately :fedup:
Give me a distilled beverage any day!
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
08-29-2017, 11:09 PM
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No, no, no, as long as it doesn't affect the picture the speck can stay where it is!
I just wanted to check that it wasn't going to cause any other problems - definitely not interested in messing around with something I don't really understand.
Thanks for the advice guys! :)
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
08-29-2017, 11:45 AM
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Wouldn't have a clue how to do that I'm afraid - never had cause to start taking apart a camera before!
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
08-29-2017, 11:16 AM
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Viewfinder is clean, lens is brand new. I've tried to take a picture but need 3 hands for it - I'll try breaking out the tripod in the morning! I've taken an EXTREMELY bad one in the meantime that shows the speck in question (it's about the only thing that's come out clearly!) :D
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
08-29-2017, 10:01 AM
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Hi Adam, no joy I'm afraid. None of the surfaces visible have any dust or dirt on them. It seems like it's somehow inside the camera - very strange!
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Forum: Pentax K-r
08-29-2017, 09:53 AM
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Just digging through and sorting out all my old photos and came across this rather sweet scene from 2015. The donkey sanctuary on the Isle of Wight had a brand new arrival - 2 days old at this point and yet to 'go' so visitors were put on watch.
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