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Forum: Pentax Forums Giveaways
12-13-2014, 05:18 PM
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Confirm! Confirm! Confirm! Confirm! Confirm! Confirm! Confirm! Confirm! Confirm! Confirm! Confirm! Confirm! Confirm! Confirm! Confirm! Confirm! Confirm! Confirm! Confirm! Confirm! Confirm! Confirm! Confirm! Confirm! Confirm! Confirm! Confirm! Confirm! Confirm! Confirm! Confirm!
31 Confirmations for a 31mm (I thought 3 million might be a bit much) :-)
Thanks!
Dear Adam Santa,
I've been really, really good all today
(or at least some of it),
and this chance to win a such a prime lens
is a gift far better than a BB in the eye,
sitting through another pageant this week,
or my typical egg-nog induced regret.
So thank you for this,
and for Pentax Forums!
Congratulations Adam and Pentax Forums (each and every one of us)!
- Cedar (who may have started a "Dear Pentax Forums" letter instead before getting in the holiday spirit (and wanting to avoid notice on the naughty list))
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Forum: Pentax Forums Giveaways
12-10-2014, 01:20 PM
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'Twas the night before 3-mil-post, when all through the forum,
[...]
And he whistled, and shouted, and sorted lenses by name:
On K mount, on S mount, on M-42.
On T mount, on C mount, on Pentacon-Six,
[...]
But I heard Adam exclaim, as he posted (out of sight)
“Happy Lighting to all, even at night!"
Dear Adam Santa,
I've been really, really good all today
(or at least some of it),
and this chance to win a such a prime lens
is a gift far better than a BB in the eye,
sitting through another pageant this week,
or my typical egg-nog induced regret.
So thank you for this,
and for Pentax Forums!
Congratulations Adam and Pentax Forums (each and every one of us)!
- Cedar (who may have started a "Dear Pentax Forums" letter instead before getting in the holiday spirit (and wanting to avoid notice on the naughty list))
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-18-2012, 05:30 PM
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Using your (anyone's!) MC7 teleconveter can you freely turn the focus on an auto-focus lens (with the camera set to MF/Manual-Focus)?
I ask as I just picked a used MC7 up and am having trouble physically manually focusing with it attached. With the camera switched to manual focus I can't easily turn the focus ring on the lens, and it's very 'jerky' when/if it does "give"! Certainly not smoothly enough to actually focus on anything.
Is this typical/normal for the MC7 (used with auto-focus lenses), or is there an issue with my MC7 copy?
FWIW I'm initially pleased with the image quality (vs cropping), and it does auto-focus if given good enough lighting and contrast, but the inability to manual focus (auto-focus lenses) makes it rather unusable for most circumstances.
Hopefully I'm missing something, as the vendor doesn't have another to replace it with. :-(
Thanks for any insights!
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
12-02-2010, 08:33 PM
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I'm currently betting it's a problem with my copy of the flash.
I tried the flash on a K20d, K10d, K100d, and all show up as either TTL (and not pTTL) or don't show up at all (Lightning bolt keeps flashing - although it does trigger), and all flash at 100% ONLY.
Did you check that the firmware version on yours is current? (Hold the "Mode" button while turning on the flash, current for the Pentax version is 1.1). I can't find the post now but I read in another post that firmware 1.1 was required for the K7/K5's - alas mine already was at 1.1, and re-flashing had no effect.
I have another Metz 48 AF-1 shipping to me. If it is the flash (and I don't get two bad copies in a row) then I should be able to confirm my "old" one as defective next week or weekend.
FWIW Metz tech support was wasn't great. After being bounced around they told me I could ship my brand new flash in for repair at my expense, and that repairs would take several weeks. As I'd only had the flash a few days, and was not interested in waiting untold many weeks, or paying shipping both ways for repair of a new flash I'll wait and if the new one works I'll simply be returning the old one to the store. Bah!
Best of luck to you.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
11-29-2010, 09:20 PM
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Besides Fry's, check your local Best Buy if you have one.
Best Buy dosen't seem to offer the K5 online yet but does carry the K7 (which I understand to have the same body as the K5), as well as the Kr and Kx. My local one even sometimes has in-store stock; and if not you may be able to order one to the store (which might facilitate return if you can't stand the ergonomics or such).
Back when I purchased my K100d, Austin had at least 4 camera shops that carried Pentax. Now, even with the years of interesting Pentax offerings, I don't think Austin has a single one.
Since the K5 uses the same body as the K7, I chose a 50 minute drive to Fry's to handle an in-stock K-7. I would have been happy to buy the K5 locally but they didn't have any (yet?)... not even in the computer.... and had a salesperson who wanted to argue that the K7 was Pentax's latest and the K5, if it existed, was an earlier model. Oh bother.
But it was still better than my experiences at Precision Camera of Austin. Even back when they carried Pentax (*sob*) I had salespeople there repeatedly try to convert me from Pentax.
Oh well. Bah.
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
11-24-2010, 09:26 PM
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Thank you for your response!
Alas I've already tried that (several times in fact) and besides seeing the reset indicator/message there is no change in behavior. I even tried "re-flashing" the firmware (v 1.1) - but again, no change.
Since I've reset and re-flashed the flash unit, cleaned both sets of contacts, and can't think or find any settings on the camera (K20d) that could cause it to either not communicate or that would set the flash to TTL mode, I'm guessing it's defective hardware.
Thankfully I'll have access to a friend's K10 next week [the waiting!] so I should be able to run a differential to determine which piece of the puzzle (camera or flash) is misbehaving then.
Can anyone please confirm that you indeed get a "pTTL" indicator and not just a "TTL" on the flash's LCD?
Thanks again.
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
11-22-2010, 08:58 PM
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It seems that either my new Metz 48 AF-1 flash is not 'talking' with my K20d (or vice versa).
The K20d does not seem to 'see' the flash unit (I get a slow lightning bolt flashing instead of a solid one).
When I trigger the shutter the Metz does flash, but at 100% regardless of power needed.
Likewise the Metz shows TTL (and NOT pTTL) on the display, always displays "zoom 105 mm" (or 18 mm if I drop the diffuser)(and not MZoom) regardless of actual focal length used. I've tried holding the "Mode" button to reset, but the result is the same.
I've tried re-seating the flash _several_ dozen times, and it sounds like the pins are engaging. Is it normal for the back of the flash's base also seems to end well past the end of the hot-shoe bottom. Looking from the front with the collar up the front of the flash base seems to sit flush with the metal 'bump/rectangle' in the front center of the hot-shoe.
So... is it possible this is a problem with a camera, flash setting, or ideally the user?
Anything obvious I've missed?
Is there an easy way (without another Pentax or Pentax flash unit - unless of course you happen to live in the Austin TX area) to determine which is the culprit?
Thanks in advance.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
12-18-2008, 05:15 PM
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Good to see a good number of us on both sites. :-)
If my K100d wasn't already my backup, or if my kids were just a few years older, I'd grab one without hesitation.
Happy holidays!
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Forum: General Talk
12-18-2008, 05:11 PM
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FWIW I'll vouch for them. :-)
They have four sites (woot.com sellout.woot.com shirt.woot.com and wine.woot.com), each offering only one item a day, usually at a significant discount.
I've made dozens of purchases through them, had only one problem, and they made it right.
Cheers.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
04-24-2008, 08:24 PM
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
04-24-2008, 08:17 PM
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[8] Review Screen Overlay which includes shutter speeds & aperture should also include ISO.
With scalable sensor sensitivity ISO has become as easy and flexible a setting as shutter speeds & aperture. Pentax has embraced this concept by providing TAv & SV modes, and this critical piece of information should be available on the 'limited/essential' review screen - ideally below or across from Tv "& Av.
No dedicated thread, but it should fit in nicely here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-dslr-discussion/24709-another-idea...-add-k20d.html |
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
04-23-2008, 10:28 AM
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Ben,
I have no budget for most glass over 300mm, and so have been following the threads on the 'Samyang/Phoenix' F8 mirror 500mm closely. :)
Do you mind sharing your experience with the Walimex f/6.3 500mm?
Any images to share with us yet?
Thanks.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
04-21-2008, 10:21 AM
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I've never been on safari, and my kit is noticeably 'long glass' deficient (as I'm now somewhat wallet deficient), but I'd strongly recommend that in addition to your primary (long) glass, you carry at least one backup lens. After all, if you have it, you might not need it. But then I take a backup lens even when just day kayaking. :)
I have the 18-250mm Pentax and IMO it's a very decent choice as a backup/supplementary lens. Partly because of it's range, and partly because of it's small size. And your primary glass is unlikely to be anywhere near that wide. :)
The Tamron 70-300mm is my longest glass, and while lacking the versatility and compactness of the 18-250mm, you'll have 50mm 'extra 'reach' and a decent macro. Like others have said, it can be a bit soft at 300mm, but in my images I haven't noticed it being softer than the 18-250mm at 250mm.
If you're considering the Sigma 50-500mm and haven't held it before I suggest you do. I've only played with one for an afternoon but it's very different from any consumer lens I had tried before.
I wish I knew more about Pentax's long glass selection. One disadvantage of all three above choices is that I don't believe any of them are dirt / moisture sealed.
Best of luck on safari, and I'm extremely jealous. :)
On the topic of long glass deficiencies. Does anyone here know anything about the manual focus Pentax SMC 135-600 F6.7? How it performs, sample pictures, what it should cost used? I've run across two of these in the last two months but have no useful knowledge of them. Any help appreciated. Thanks.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
04-21-2008, 12:10 AM
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Thank you. Two products I can use, combined. It looks quite handy.
They do not however seem to have a 2.7" version. :(
I sent them an email asking them to consider adding it to their lineup, and do request than anyone with (or considering) a K200 or K20 do the same.
A lot of emails from Pentax folks here might just be noticed. :)
Thanks.
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
04-20-2008, 11:54 PM
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I like the color in this one though. :)
The biggest thing I'd look to improve is that, to my eye, it looks a bit blurry.
This could be tripod movement; are you using the mirror lock up delay function?
You also seem to have Contrast & Sharpness turned up in the camera. You might try dropping both to normal and see if that helps. Ironically, I've found that "over" sharpening & contrasting often looks blurry.
I am a PP novice, but you may want to try shooting at 'natural' settings, or in raw, and then applying any masks you want to it.
I've been coveting a BIGMA (Sigma 50-500mm) for some time now, and I'm afraid that now that you've started me down this path it's only going to get worse. :)
Any constructive critisism or suggestiosn to improve my images anyone?
In the "moon behind the trees" shot, I think the moon is way too bright - looking more like a street lamp or the sun. But trying to expose for the moon, the trees disappeared entirely. I'm not very PP capable, any way 'in camera) to correctly expose the moon w/o loosing the trees? Is this something multi-exposure could help with? Thanks in advance. :)
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
04-20-2008, 08:15 PM
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Thanks for sharing these!
Your shots inspired me to also be "not very original", and I'm very happy with the results. :)
I also have a Tamron 70-300mm, and despite it being my 'longest glass', had never thought about being 'enough' to shoot the moon.
I took some shots with the 70-300mm solo, but the "full moon" image below is with the addition of a Tamron 1.4x teleconverter.
While I certainly don't think my images are stellar, and it certainly could have been clearer, I'm happy with my first attempt.
And I'm amazed at what a $120 lens and a $60 teleconverter can accomplish.
Image here is resized, but a 100% version is available at: Flickr Photo Download: Austin Safari by Moonlight
Image here is resized, but a 100% version is available at: Flickr Photo Download: The moon for cheap!
Thanks again!
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
04-18-2008, 03:51 PM
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You can... but it's 'strobe' effect is very annoying to most subjects.
And when you do press the shutter they're likely to have either looked away or shut their eyes.
Some form of non-visible light (like most flash unit's AF assist beams) would definately be preferable.
So... how much would we pay for a non-visible AF only lamp to mount in the flash shoe?
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
04-18-2008, 03:38 PM
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What did you think of the K20D's ISO 6400?
It's NOT why I bought it, but it's better than sand IMO. :)
And it's definately not pretty at 100%, but I think they're usable... at 5x7 anyway. :)
It's not like ISO 6400 is something you're likely to use if you have other options... and you asked for samples not art. :)
Some PP would probably help as well. :)
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
04-18-2008, 12:21 PM
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Howdy Partner (we're required by law to say that),
Why is it that all you Texans ever talk about is SIZE? :-)
Actually there is an interesting thread on whether the megapixels matter here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/25315-lenses-r...atch-k20d.html
My reason for choosing the K20D over the K200D was for the additional controls.
It's not just one extra dial. It's all the extra controls (AF mode 3-way/AF-Point 3-way/Metering 3-way/AF Button/Bracketing Button/User Mode) - the improved user interface makes this camera much more intuitive and speedy than my otherwise excellent K100D.
Less digging thru menus to change basic settings (AF mode/AF Point/and Metering in particular), coupled with the extra control dial, mean less frustration and more shots captured. This alone was worth the $405 price bump for me.
Multi-Exposure has already proved itself worthwhile, and I image Interval Shooting will be useful as well. Compared to my K100D the viewfinder is noticeably brighter, and it fits my (BIG) hands better.
The K20D is also supposed to have better SR/AF/NR/IQ, but I can't quantify those without a K200D to compare with. Which if I had a K200D, I'd be quite willing to do. :)
And while I certainly did not buy the K20D over the K200D for the MP increase or for the ISO 6400, I probably would have in hindsight. The larger (quality) image size has already let me crop useful photos that would have merely been 'tiny blips and blobs' before.
So... it was worth the $405 price difference for me. Your mileage may vary and I respect that. Having shot the Pentax ME Super, K1000, *ist, K100D, K10D, and now K20D... I know that Pentax makes good cameras. :)
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
04-18-2008, 11:17 AM
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Congratulations.
I think registering for glass and photography equipment in lieu of stemware, toasters, blenders, etc, is quite brilliant. I just wish my wife and I had been so enlightened. ;)
I wish you and your spouse, and your new photo gear, much happiness.
As to your dillemia, since you likely have no way of knowing which glass you registerr for will actually be gifted... have you considered renting?
CameraLensRentals [http://www.cameralensrentals.com/shop/default.aspx]CameraLensRentals.com - Online Camera Lens Rentals for Canon,Nikon, and PENTAX Cameras[/url] (see pentaxforums thread here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/24688-finally-...-s-lenses.html rents a wide selection of Pentax lenses to consider.
For a honeymoon and traveling light, I'd suggest the Pentax 18-250mm. If taking two or more lenses, you of course have far more options.
That way you have glass to take and use, and can continue saving for the upcoming 70-200mm f/2.8.
Toasters? Really. Give me glass everytime.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
04-18-2008, 10:57 AM
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"Display Sensitivity" is a much welcomed setting my K20D.
It does not exist on my K100D.
I can check on the K10D next week.
Can check any other cameras if you'll ship it to me. ;)
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
04-18-2008, 01:48 AM
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
04-17-2008, 11:29 PM
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I thought I posted this, but my browser crashed. Sorry if it ends up posting twice. :(
Update: I had the Flickr permissions were set wrong. You should now be able to access/download the 100% crops. Sorry!
Well... the local "brand new", in-store 50-135mm didn't have a warranty card, so I spent the extra $9 and bough it from Amazon (gold box).
It arrived late today, and it was too dark to take any photos today. Or so I thought. Foreshadowing. ;)
My first images with the 50-135mm come about because my wife asked me about all the strange butterflies outside on the honey suckle were.
Naturally I grabbed my camera and ran out into the dark to photograph whatever it was for identification. :)
They're "White-lined sphinx moths" (Hyles lineata) aka "Hummingbird Moths", and like their namesakes, they were never once still.
They hover, and dive, hover and dive.
Even hovering - not sitting - as they visit each flower.
A real challenge for the AF (with that awful on-board "flicker flash"), which performed far better than I would have expected.
Very impromptu. On-board flash (my flash is out on loan and it was dark!). ISO 1600. No PP, except cropping & flickr's auto-resizing for posting (link to full size 100% crops below), auto-metered, contrast/saturation/sharpness all at 0. Jpegs straight from the camera. Best 3 of ~10 shown.
I've never shot this type of scene before, and so don't know how the lens really compares to my others, but from this limited test set, I'm happy with the lens.
- The AF was smooth and quick, surprising considering.
- MF is a bit odd as the focus ring rotates 'past' both range ends (um... is this normal?).
- It zooms nicely and firmly, holding with no creep evident.
- Inverted petal hood blocks AF/MF switch when it really didn't need to. :(
- I already wish the zoom and focus rings were reversed. :)
My youngest child is sick; perhaps the doctor's office will provide a more diverse test set tomorrow. :)
100% crops can be had from my "lens test set" on flicker: Lens Check, Lens Check, 123 - a set on Flickr
 
100% crops can be had from my "lens test set" on flicker: Lens Check, Lens Check, 123 - a set on Flickr
Constructive (photographic) suggestions and comments are always welcome. :)
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
04-17-2008, 11:24 PM
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Update: I had the Flickr permissions were set wrong. You should now be able to access/download the 100% crops. Sorry!
Well... the "brand new" in-store 50-135mm didn't have a warranty card, so I spent the extra $9 and bough it from Amazon (gold box).
It arrived late today, and it was too dark to take any photos today. Or so I thought. Foreshadowing. ;)
My first images with the 50-135mm come about because my wife asked me about all the strange butterflies outside on the honey suckle were.
Naturally I grabbed my camera and ran out into the dark to photograph whatever it was for identification. :)
They're "White-lined sphinx moths" (Hyles lineata) aka "Hummingbird Moths", and like their namesakes, they were never once still.
They hover, and dive, hover and dive.
Even hovering - not sitting - as they visit each flower.
A real challenge for the AF (with that awful on-board "flicker flash"), which performed far better than I would have expected.
Very impromptu. On-board flash (my flash is out on loan and it was dark!). ISO 1600. No PP, except cropping & flickr's auto-resizing for posting (link to full size 100% crops below), auto-metered, contrast/saturation/sharpness all at 0. Jpegs straight from the camera. Best 3 of ~10 shown.
I've never shot this type of scene before, and so don't know how the lens really compares to my others, but from this limited test set, I'm happy with the lens.
- The AF was smooth and quick, surprising considering.
- MF is a bit odd as the focus ring rotates 'past' both range ends (um... is this normal?).
- It zooms nicely and firmly, holding with no creep evident.
- Inverted petal hood blocks AF/MF switch when it really didn't need to. :(
- I already wish the zoom and focus rings were reversed. :)
My youngest child is sick; perhaps the doctor's office will provide a more diverse test set tomorrow. :)
100% crops can be had from my "lens test set" on flicker: Lens Check, Lens Check, 123 - a set on Flickr
100% crops can be had from my "lens test set" on flicker: Lens Check, Lens Check, 123 - a set on Flickr
Constructive (photographic) suggestions and comments are always welcome. :)
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