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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 08-08-2020, 12:53 AM  
Just bought a *ist DS
Posted By Cthulhugan
Replies: 17
Views: 2,399
A *ist DS was my first DSLR. I found that it worked better with high quality, “low static discharge” NiMH AA batteries. I used Sony Cycle Energy, IIRC. Even with those, I always carried AT LEAST one spare set. Eneloop is another brand that works well, by the reports on this forum. Other rechargeable AAs did not last very long at all. The camera seemed to work best with the recommended lithium batteries, although those were pricey, and single use. Alkaline AAs worked, but very short life. I had a K-x too, and it took a couple of firmware updates before it really worked well with rechargeable AAs. IIRC there was a late firmware update for the *ist DS to add SD-HC card support. If your camera does not have the latest firmware, update it, but be sure it doesn’t run down the batteries during the update. If that happens, it can render the camera unusable. Maybe get a fresh set of the recommended lithium batteries (CRV3 IIRC), or a set of Lithium AAs, if your rechargeables are not lasting very long.
Forum: Post Your Photos! 08-02-2020, 02:48 PM  
Night Comet Neowise
Posted By Cthulhugan
Replies: 2
Views: 594
This is from a couple of weeks back. I don't think I quite nailed the focus, but even in Live View with high magnification it was hard to judge. I've been meaning to try again, maybe from a darker location and with Astrotracer, but haven't managed to do so yet.



Comet NEOWISE, click through to view on Flickr.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 03-15-2020, 01:30 PM  
Connecting a K70 camera to my Mac computer
Posted By Cthulhugan
Replies: 9
Views: 3,282
Many iMac and MacBook computers already have an SD card reader built in.
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 10-24-2019, 08:39 PM  
Shutter not working with a new lens.
Posted By Cthulhugan
Replies: 8
Views: 1,650
I used to have one of these as well. Once you’ve enabled the Use Aperture Ring custom setting as per the video above your shutter should fire. Since a mirror lens has a fixed aperture, there is no need for using the Green Button to meter. I found that both M and Av modes work as you would expect.
Forum: Welcomes and Introductions 10-19-2019, 10:51 AM  
Pentax k-x firmware
Posted By Cthulhugan
Replies: 9
Views: 645
Check the name of the unzipped file. Sometimes it can be changed, e.g. adding a “-2” or “-3” ordinal if you unzip more than once, or unzip multiple versions.
Forum: Pentax KP 10-13-2019, 10:03 AM  
Sensor cleaning
Posted By Cthulhugan
Replies: 15
Views: 2,462
I’d be concerned about the adhesive on duct tape, which doesn’t always stay put, and it might transfer onto the sensor.
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 09-21-2019, 07:12 PM  
Shutter jams/shooting with 100x
Posted By Cthulhugan
Replies: 4
Views: 1,078
I think it means a power problem or a shutter problem. IIRC, cameras of that era, like my Pentax Super Program, have “electronically timed” shutters. They require battery power to operate, except at one mechanically timed setting, which was 125X (1/125 of a second, with ‘X’ flash sync) on my Super Program. If the battery is drained, the shutter could misoperate except when set to that one special setting. If a new battery doesn’t fix it, it might need a repair shop.

My Super Program had a button to illuminate the meter in the viewfinder at night. It was a big power hog, and could drain a battery far too quickly. If your ME has one, and you were using it, that could explain things.
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II 09-19-2019, 07:26 PM  
Depth of Field - is there no mode selection for it?
Posted By Cthulhugan
Replies: 30
Views: 3,374
One possible implementation would be to have the camera adjust the aperture as the lens is focussed and zoomed to keep the same DoF. Maybe not a mode, but a “DoF lock” feature. I suppose that could be useful when shooting activity with a large range in subject distance. I can’t say I’d have use for that, but some might.
Forum: Pentax KP 09-08-2019, 10:50 AM  
Sensor cleaning
Posted By Cthulhugan
Replies: 15
Views: 2,462
Sometimes, in order to see dust spots, hairs and hot pixels in one of my images, I have to go over it at 100% magnification (200% on my new high-DPI Retina display). My K-3 is great at dust removal, much better than my K-x and K-01. I used to have to use the blower frequently, and the icky-sticky pen once every year or two. I think I’ve only had to resort to the blower twice in the 5 years I’ve had the K-3, and I’ve never needed to use the sticky pen on it. My rate of shooting has dropped, but not by that much. The ultrasonic cleaning mode on the K-3 is way better than the sensor-shake mode of my older cameras.
Forum: Pentax K-01 04-29-2019, 11:37 PM  
Help me not to part with my beloved K-01
Posted By Cthulhugan
Replies: 51
Views: 6,565
An alternative to investing in a faster lens could be better noise reduction software. I got quite clean results from my K-01 up to around ISO 1600-3200 with good software (I use Topaz Denoise, others are as good or maybe even a little better). There are other reasons to shoot at lower ISOs, so it may not be the best choice for you. I also had the previous-generation Sigma 18-50/2.8 EX DC Macro on my K-01, and found it easy enough to use, but I also put up with the DA*50-135/2.8 on it, so I might just be a masochist ... :-)

My wife has the K-01 now, and my daughter has the Sigma on my K-x, after I upgraded to a K-3 and Sigma 18-35/1.8 Art (although the DA 16-85 now lives on my K-3, and the Art only comes out for VERY low light conditions).
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 04-05-2019, 01:34 PM  
Feedback on Lenses to Purchase for a Trip in December 2019
Posted By Cthulhugan
Replies: 31
Views: 2,426
The 8-16 is REALLY WIDE. You can’t really appreciate how wide it is without experiencing it. It is difficult to use for landscapes, at least at 8-10mm, because of this. It is best for exaggerated perspective, with a very close foreground object, and for tight spaces. The 10-20/3.5 would be a better choice generally. Slot canyons might be tight enough for 8mm, but I think you’d be OK with the 10-20. Also, the 8-16 does not take filters, but I think the 10-20 does.

I also concur with the recommendation for the 55-300 over either super zoom. The DA* 60-250 is even better, but much bigger, heavier and pricey-er.
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 02-23-2019, 12:21 PM  
Wide angle lens for K-3 II
Posted By Cthulhugan
Replies: 12
Views: 1,153
What do you already have, just an 18-55 kit lens? The 18-135? The 16-85? Do you want to go wider than that, or have better image quality at the wide end of your existing range?
Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories 02-19-2019, 07:48 PM  
Thematic The Earth's Bones
Posted By Cthulhugan
Replies: 946
Views: 71,085
Here is Mt Kidd, in Kananaskis Provincial Park, Alberta. Interesting folded strata. Click through to view larger on Flickr.




Next shot is from Kicking Horse ski resort, Golden BC:




Mt. Assiniboine, Alberta:




The Monarch, BC:




Mt. Temple, AB:




and from Lewis and Clark Caverns, in Montana USA:



Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories 02-15-2019, 07:21 PM  
Thematic Shadow Selfies
Posted By Cthulhugan
Replies: 119
Views: 6,817
A glory is an atmospheric effect similar to a rainbow or sun dog. A Glory containing the viewers shadow is called a Brocken Spectre, or a Mountain Spectre. I shot this Glory from a high ridge at Kicking Horse ski resort at Golden BC, with my shadow at its centre:



Shot with a Pentax W60 point-and-shoot.
Forum: Photo Critique 02-09-2019, 11:34 AM  
Landscape Mountain view
Posted By Cthulhugan
Replies: 18
Views: 1,841
You could try taking the “Levels” tool, and lowering the midpoint. Those are the terms in Adobe, but most apps have this tool. I will sometimes iterate through Highlights/Shadows, Levels, and Brightness/Contrast repeatedly to get the effect I want, but too many iterations gets ugly.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 12-07-2018, 06:20 PM  
New to me DAL 18-55mm WR lens not communicating EXIF to camera
Posted By Cthulhugan
Replies: 45
Views: 3,171
... or it’s just a bug in Elements.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 12-07-2018, 04:51 PM  
New to me DAL 18-55mm WR lens not communicating EXIF to camera
Posted By Cthulhugan
Replies: 45
Views: 3,171
Every program that interprets Lens ID codes needs a table to map the code to the exact lens data (name, profile, etc.). I expect that Elements is missing the DA L, probably just an oversight by Adobe. The acid test is to pull the Lens ID code directly from a DNG, PEF or JPEG using something like EXIF Tool. The fact that other software (Apple’s Preview.app, and the Forum’s EXIF display) correctly identifies your image files as from the DA-L 18-55 confirms that the correct Lens ID code is stored in the image metadata. It has to be Elements that is dropping the ball.

---------- Post added 12-07-18 at 05:04 PM ----------

A quick google found this:

Problems with Pentax lens info in exif and Adob... |*Adobe Community

It looks like Lightroom and other Adobe products are also missing the DA L 18-55.

---------- Post added 12-07-18 at 05:11 PM ----------

The correct Lens ID code for the DA L 18-55 is: 7 222

Pentax Tags
Forum: Weekly Photo Challenges 12-07-2018, 12:22 PM  
Caption Contest December 7th to December 14th
Posted By Cthulhugan
Replies: 23
Views: 2,310
“I TOLD you I can do it with one arm tied behind my back!”
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 12-07-2018, 11:22 AM  
New to me DAL 18-55mm WR lens not communicating EXIF to camera
Posted By Cthulhugan
Replies: 45
Views: 3,171
If you are getting the focal length, aperture, etc. correctly, then the data pin in the mount is working correctly. As others have posted, the lens only sends a numeric ID code to the camera, and the camera writes that into the metadata. It is up to the software reading the metadata to interpret it (i.e. Elements, Lightroom, Flickr, etc.). My DA16-85 predates my version of Elements, and is reported as a 3-digit numeric code by Elements (something like “824”). If The EXIF is using the right code, then it is Elements. If there is no lens ID code, or the wrong code, then it could either be the lens firmware failing to report the lens code, or the camera failing to read it correctly. If someone else has the same lens, they could post a SOOC JPEG, and you could try it with your software. If it’s Elements then it should behave the same as your lens/camera. If you could try your lens on another body, and it works with your software, then it is likely the camera (or the K-50 firmware). You could also try reinstalling the latest K-30 firmware to see if that is the issue.

---------- Post added 12-07-18 at 11:53 AM ----------

Correction, Elements does not report my 16-85 using a numeric code, it is Flickr that does that (the code is 8 200, although it is a JPEG written by Elements 12). Elements just shows a blank for the Lens ID. My version of Elements does the same for the IMGP0316.jpg you posted. I tried with Apple's "Preview.app" on my Mac, and it reports the lens correctly, as "smc PENTAX-DA L 18-55 F3.5-5.6 AL WR". The Pentax Forums "Show EXIF" link on your post correctly shows the lens as "Smc PENTAX-DA L 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL WR". That is the viewing software extracting the Lens ID from the JPEG, and interpreting the code itself. From this I'm pretty sure it is Elements missing the Lens ID code for the DA L 18-55 in its lookup table, and nothing to do with your lens or camera (or the K-50 firmware).
Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories 11-18-2018, 04:47 PM  
Thematic Winter - Post your Snow and Ice shots
Posted By Cthulhugan
Replies: 167
Views: 9,243
Rabbit tracks in fresh snow (Q7+ 08 Wide Zoom):



Click through to view on Flickr.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 11-12-2018, 03:00 PM  
Your favorite "Landscape" lens?
Posted By Cthulhugan
Replies: 109
Views: 10,124
I’m curious about how the DA* 11-18/2.8 images will look. Hopefully we’ll start to see some images soon, maybe early in the new year.
Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories 11-05-2018, 07:06 PM  
Thematic Post Your Cloudscapes
Posted By Cthulhugan
Replies: 5,571
Views: 360,730
Thanks! I forgot to note that it’s about 4 or 5 frames stitched together. IIRC it was hot with the Sigma 18-50 EX DC Macro on a K-x.
Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories 11-04-2018, 08:41 AM  
Thematic Post Your Cloudscapes
Posted By Cthulhugan
Replies: 5,571
Views: 360,730
Sunset, under a decaying Chinook Arch:

Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories 10-28-2018, 03:44 PM  
Pentax O-ME53 - please share your experience using it with K-1
Posted By Cthulhugan
Replies: 34
Views: 3,884
I leave my glasses on when shooting for the astigmatism correction. The diopter adjustment is only for near- or far-sightedness, it does not help with astigmatism.
Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories 10-28-2018, 10:11 AM  
Pentax O-ME53 - please share your experience using it with K-1
Posted By Cthulhugan
Replies: 34
Views: 3,884
I have the O-ME53 on my K-3, and while I can see all the info displayed in the viewfinder, I do have to shift my viewing angle. I can’t see it all at once. I do wear glasses (even when shooting, there is no astigmatism correction on the OVF), which exacerbates the issue.
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