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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
09-06-2017, 04:11 PM
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More info:
I compared informations from Kenko website, Kenko shop and Amazon jp.
According to this page: Series- Kenko Global Site - Kenko has few filter series, and its "middle" series seem to be Pro1D, then RealPro, then Zeta, Celeste. I went to Kenko shop and looked at the prices. There were not Kenko Zeta ND filters (strange), there were Kenk Pro series (probably older, priced lower than Pro1D), then Pro1D series and then Kenko Pro1D Lotus series, priced almost two times higher than Pro1D... Looking at the Amazon jp prices, Kenko Pro1D Lotus are priced even higher (c.a. 15%) than Kenko Zeta...
The inconsistency between Kenko website and their shop is strange to me, but it seems that Pro1D Lotus series might be better filters than Pro1D (at least they are much more expensive). I guess I will take a risk and buy one, since the price is good.
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
09-05-2017, 09:43 AM
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Thank You. So I guess Kenko Pro1D (and I guess Lotus is almost the same, but easier to clean) is positioned under Kenko Pro1d Pro, seems to be the middle Kenko line. It is also in the price range of the Hoya HMC series so it is probably lower line and quality than Hoya ProND. I guess I know everything I need to :)
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
09-04-2017, 01:01 PM
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Hmm, are You sure You aren't comparing lower Kenko lines with higher / different Hoya lines? I continue my research and there are informations about Hoya and Kenko being the same and about being different. The first info is from the distributor (Tokina Hoya Kenko company) and the second from Hoya employee. So... You may be just right.
EDIT: according to this UV filters test, Hoya and Kenko aren't the same and You are right. On the other hand in this polarising filter test Kenko is better than Hoya...
MadMathMind, could You tell me, what kind of Kenko filters did You have? (PL, ND or UV)?
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
09-04-2017, 09:35 AM
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It's useful info, that Hoya (and I guess Kenko as well) have different grades of multi-coated filters, thanks. As I guess, no-smc filters are even worse, so I am trying to avoid them above all.
As I have limited budget, my choice is restricted to used one filters that I can buy at lower price, atm I can buy one of the two above for reasonable price. As for now, newer Kenko filters seem to be rebranded Hoya filters for Asian market. There is the possibility Kenko Pro1d may be the same as Hoya Pro1 digital, that seem to be very good filter. But it is also possible, that I am wrong. Maybe someone here has more info on that...
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
09-04-2017, 02:37 AM
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Thanks for suggestion Angel. So far it seems it was just oxidation, but that info may be helpful in the future!
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
09-04-2017, 02:34 AM
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Hello. Do You know anything about Kenko Pro1d Lotus ND filters?
Google Translator
I found Kenko and Hoya are owned by the same company and some suggestions that Kenko filters are identical to Hoya and some strong evidences that it is not always true.
As I understand Hoya Multi Coated filters are very good, filters with older coatings are worse. I tried to find information about Lotus coating and I failed. Can anyone (possibly from Japan, as those seem to be dedicated for Japanese market) tell me more about those filters?
Also - any experience with ND filter from Amazon.com : Hoya 77mm Digital Filter Kit : Camera Lens Filter Sets : Camera & Photo ?? It is basic filter and it has older coatings, I guess?
I assume Kenko shoult theoretically be better than those Hoya, since it alone costs more than whole Hoya set?
Michael
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Forum: Photographic Technique
09-04-2017, 02:25 AM
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Meike seems to be still in business. I tried to search for longer p-ttl cables but the only ones I managed to find are shorter than 2m. Also, they cost no less than c.a. 20$ (from China), so I guess that longer cords will cost even more and I think, that putting that money into quality ND filter will be better investment. With ND filter I can use my two YN flashes, not only one Metz, and I can access manual mode (it's a pity, Pentax doesn't have manual mode in HSS).
Thanks :) That's exactly what I am planning to do :). Only difference is, that my Tamron Adaptall 70-200 3,5 has terrible contrast problems on the long end, so I use 85@1.4 for that task - but its OOF blur should even be a bit better/stronger that Tamron has at 3,5.
@alamo5000, @BrianR - Natural light can give You beautiful results, I admit. I want to use flashes (or at least have such possibility), because there are situations where You have nice location but low natural light quality, light is too diffused, not giving enough contrast, etc...
and sometimes You just can't get the same effects using natural light only - and I just want the effect that needs flashes :)
I decided that I rather buy ND filter than p-ttl cord, I also decided to increase budget and I will try to hunt for some used but better ND8-16 filter. I will also take look at Neewer ND filter (thanks, BrianR - I hoped for such suggestions), I asked for information how they behave with longer lens.
Thank You all for suggestions :)
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
09-04-2017, 01:59 AM
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Hello. Did anyone tested Neewer ND8 for sharpness loss with longer (85mm and more) lens? Usually cheap filters do quite well on wider lens but real problems appear with longer lens...
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Forum: Photographic Technique
09-01-2017, 05:54 AM
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I looked at that link, eva, but I cannot find there anything, that I didn't know and write in my post... Did I miss something?
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Forum: Photographic Technique
09-01-2017, 03:40 AM
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Hello.
I'd like to make some daylight headshots with addition of flash light and with very shallow DOF. For that I am planning to use 85/1,4 lens and 1-2 flashes. I have Metz 58-AF1, two YN 560III and 560-TX, quite a big light reflector. I'd like to obtain effects similar to this photo: https://photos.headshotcrew.com/styles/large/s3/photos/08/02/13/150823_Kiara...?itok=qkI86-RK
I understand, that for daylight using wide aperture with standard flash will be impossible because of sync times. So I'd like to ask You if I have any cheap options to try to do what I want to do (I am very tight on budget atm) ;).
1. Using p-ttl cord with my Metz 58. Seems fine (leaves me with only one lamp, though), should be cheap - but I can't find cords longer than 1m... Is there a reason? Why hadn't the good people of China done something, that seems to be so easy to do?
2. Using ND filter. Seems cheap, should allow me to use my YN lamps. But it seems there isn't affordable (<10$) solution with acceptable optical quality (or maybe there is?). I can copy with color cast...
3. Using Metz on camera in HSS mode and both YN 560 III in S2 (ignore preflash) mode and full power - like on this page. Will it work with Pentax and its sync time, that is almost twice slower than Nikon's? This method seem to lack settings flexibility (cannot change flash power).
4. Just making these portraits in the evening. Cheapest option without doubt :)
I'd prefer cheap/good ND filter suggestions, that solution seems easiest to apply and allows me to use my two lamps, but I am not sure if such (good/cheap) combo does exist.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
08-30-2017, 06:06 AM
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
08-30-2017, 05:37 AM
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Hello Reed, sorry for answering so late. I had too many things on head. I unfortunately deleted those pictures. Meanwhile I had to send one of my K-3's for warranty replacement, then I calibrated 30/1.4 for that new body. So far everything seems perfect, maybe only most peripheral AF points have problems, but it seems it's normal with such bright lens.
The body that had problems with 30/1.4 is now working perfectly with my Sigma 17-50 (every AF point) .
Thank You all for answers, they were very helpful.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
08-28-2017, 07:22 AM
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Does isopropyl alcohol remove insulating oxidationor will I need dedicated fluid? I see, that many people use isopropyl alcohol for cleaning connectors.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
08-28-2017, 05:59 AM
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Thank You all! will try to determine where can I get that fluid in Poland :)
Why moving flash forth and back didn't remove the insulating oxidation?
EDIT: I found some "Fluids for cleaning electric connectors". I guess this shoud work?
EDIT2: Are Pentax hotshoes gold-plated?
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
08-28-2017, 04:28 AM
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Hmmm, hmmm - as strange as it seems to me, it is possible, that You have right... I scratched central pin a bit with scissors and now lamp failed only once in over thirty shots (its fail rate was c.a. 70% before). What is the best way to clean hotshoe (pins have fine pattern on them, I wouldnt like to damage it)?
To be honest I suspected this might be the reason too and I tried to wipe hotshoe connectors with a tissue and then slide lamp forth and back for some times but it just didn't work. So I thought, that It is not possible, that somewhat sharp pin of the YN 560 couldn't remove something, that covers hotshoe connectors. Anyone could explain me why that happend?
(All my flashes and controllers worked with that body without problems before so it's not compatibility problem. Also problem is camera-side, since I tested it with more than one flash with exactly the same result.)
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
08-27-2017, 03:56 AM
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Hello. My K-3 hotshoe sometimes works and sometimes not. In some cases it starts to work after turning camera 90 deegrees left or right or after gentle tap near the flash mount, fires few times then stops again. I don't know exact construction of this element, but it looks like an unsoldered wire or loose connector of some kind, I guess?
EDIT: It seems problem occurs only with my YN 560 III flashes and YN 560 TX (Nikon version). My Metz 58 seems to fire everytime, although behaves a bit strangely (in manual mode sometimes changes zoom after turning camera left or right...).
So I have few questions :)
1. Do my guessings have a sense? What other thing could possibly cause this kind of malfunction?
2. Is there a way to access hotshoe connector easier than on that video (thank You, Carman!)
You Tube
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src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GKK5cpdpPE4?controls=1" allowfullscreen>
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3. Any other advices are welcome (link to service manual, other videos, etc.)
Michael
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
07-21-2017, 05:02 AM
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Thank You all!
Problem appeared when using Sigma 30.1,4 HSM, some side AF points have very consistent focus problems, while other didn't.
Recently I retested my body with Sigma 17-50 HSM (with DIY Lens align grade) and focus error was marginal/didn't exist (need to confirm, but it is possible that those errors were due to my problems with exact camera positioning and alignment).
Still, problems with 30 1,4 seem to be very consistent, some af points seem to focus very well, while others don't (does't matter if they are extra sensitive or not). I will do some more tests and post the results and examples here in few days.
Clackers, below are the links where I got that info from (or so I thought). Now I see it was probably a misunderstanding/overinterpretation on my side.
RiceHigh's Pentax Blog: K-3 Debug Mode and Menu
and here: RiceHigh's Pentax Blog: K-x Debug Mode Tutorial - AF Adjustment
Problem appeared when using Sigma 30.1,4 HSM, some side AF points have very consistent focus issues, while other didn't. Recently I retested that with Sigma 17-50 HSM and focus error was marginal/didn't exist (need to confirm).
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
07-19-2017, 08:51 PM
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Hello,
I have read somewhere, that it is possible to adjust every AF point separately. Is that true?
My K-3 seems to have different FF/BF problem on side AF points (although it needs confirmation). I entered debug mode, but instead of seeing every AF point with its correction, I see "AF Area Test", "AF Area Number" and Focus correction that seems to be general and not intended for separate AF points.
Michael
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
07-06-2017, 10:10 PM
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Oh, that's unfortunate. I hoped that my experience is more common (more photos after drop than when full). Maybe it works like that with DSTE batteries...
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
07-06-2017, 04:21 AM
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Hello. I am just testing one of the two DSTE D-li90 batteries that came few days ago. So far so good - over 500 photos before indicator shown 2/3 capacity, then over 300 before it went down to 1/3 and now over 400 and I still can't kill it. (No flash, no top lcd light but I used lcd screen to preview photos quite often. Lens - Sigma A 30 1.4).
Therefore I have a question - what is Your experience with K-3 battery indicator? In my old K20D it was like 400-500 with full indicator, then +/- 100 photos with 2/3 and only 40-50 with 1/3. This one seems to be different. Just tell me, how many photos are You getting with every indicator level?
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
06-27-2017, 07:06 AM
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First, thanks for not giving me a beating for what I wrote. I am just very frustrated.
I have just read every post in this thread, tried some solutions (setting built-in flash to wireless master, resetting every setting) and no luck. I can fully straighten up my finger in time between pressing the shutter button and taking photo... :(
Now I fully understand, why I made so many missed shots during the dancing event that I did some weeks ago.
I tried using flash in manual mode before, but not in so complex and fast-changing situations as wedding receptions are (and I did it rarely).
I've read some threads on it on different forums and opinions vary... There are wedding photographers, that are recommending using ttl versions of their system (most of them) and those, that use manual flash mode. I have c.a. three weeks to practise, but still, it will be one more thing to remember and not to concentrate on shooting, which can be a bad thing on a wedding. Also, on Mets 58 AF-1 flash power settings are inside menu, not directly available, so it complicates things a bit more.
Now I have two things that I can do. Consider buying K-30/K-50 (and not second K-3) as backup body or check if I can copy with my flash in manual mode.
What about "A" mode in my Metz? Why doesn't allow to set up flash compensation below 0 in big aperture/high iso combo? I am guessing that there is small amount of light needed in such conditions and built in thyristor isn't sensitive enough?
Godox Ving 850 looks very promosing, but it seems it offers more for the money when used with Canikon?
As of Your question, Theov39, maybe someone else will be able to answer You, I've not used program mode unfortunately.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
06-27-2017, 02:32 AM
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I am sorry to admit, I have the same problem. In the next three weeks I will shoot a wedding with my K-3. I was thinking about buying second one but now it is not an option. Too bad! With this lag K-3/p-ttl combo is unusable for weddings, things happen too fast. The lag appears before preflash and it is much longer than lag between preflash and flash.
Some of You may not like this, but it is second time that I regret not choosing CaNikon some time ago. In my country used D7100's are in the price range of used K-5 II now, lens are cheaper (more availability). I'd consider this even now, but I'd have no time to sell my gear and buy new one. I also don't have money to buy Nikon now and sell Pentax later. I am writing this because I am pissed off and I want some people be aware what problems they can have choosing Pentax.
That was the whinning, now - looking for workaround.
I have Metz 58-af 1, that has auto mode (no lag). I could use it, but in low light situations and with high ISO I can't adjust flash exposure compensation down. Resulting light is too strong. It starts to happen c.a. near ISO 1000/2000, depending on aperture. Can anything be done with that?
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
06-14-2017, 01:45 AM
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Thanks fot the idea. I have serched for ND flash gels on known chinese auction portal before, but there were only color gels offered, so I thought there are not ND gels for flash. Now I see there are some on B&H and Adorama... I will try to find if I they are available in my country.
Thanks :)
I considered umbrellas some time ago, but I resigned for some reasons. First - it makes light source many times larger than flash alone, so much more distracting. Second, I was affraid that some light will be reflected back to room corner, making corner very bright (again, distraction+unnatural look). It should work ok in very high rooms, where umbrellas will be outside the frame most of the times. When I see how people use out of camera flash during events, most of the time it is without modifiers or with small, basic diffusers. Am I wrong?
Sorry about Your Sigma...
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
06-12-2017, 07:45 AM
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Thank You! I am sorry, I forgot to mention that I have K-3 and not K-3 II. I thought that K-3 II profiles will be usable with K-3 (there are some K-3 II profiles that are modified a bit for K-3 on the forum). Unfortunately with unmodified K-3 II profiles used with K-3 reds are oversaturated even more - probably my modified profiles work best at the moment.
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
06-09-2017, 02:01 AM
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It is working fine, I can tell after two or three events that I did with this setup. Exposure seems to be fine.
There is a bit too much light from YN on the left, but it was working at minimum power - I will have to find something that will work as ND filter for those lamps in orger to get more ambient light.
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