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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
05-08-2021, 01:11 PM
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To me, borrowing my lenses would be like somebody asking to borrow my husband. NOT!
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
12-16-2020, 09:43 PM
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You're right. I didn't want him to feel pressured to explain what he was thinking/doing re the Kx, but that's pretty stupid I guess. I will have an honest conversation with him about it. Appreciate your input.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
12-15-2020, 01:17 AM
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My son is a jeweler and purveyor of minerals at the gem and mineral shop that he and his wife recently opened in Newport, RI. He needed a better camera for his jewelry work and so I gave him my Kx and a couple of lenses, including a fast 50 with macro. I honestly don't remember which particular lens it was, but I was trying to set him up with a good system. He seemed to be a bit overwhelmed with it when I asked how it was working out. He said that he mostly likes a small but good point-and-shoot. He seems to be quite satisfied with his own setup and gets good pix. Now I wish I hadn't sent that camera into oblivion. (Idiot!)
I am reluctant to question him about the fate of that setup, but it seems a waste to let him keep it if he's not using it. The Kx was one of my favorites. I mentioned that it has good resale value but he is a very busy person and never really told me what he had done. How can I ask him to sell it or return it so it's not simply sitting in a case not being used? I don't want to seem like an Indian giver, but my effort to involve him with Pentax has fallen on its face and I'm stuck about what to do. Any suggestions? I sure would love to have him become a Pentaxian but I seem to have overstepped there.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
11-18-2020, 05:03 AM
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While I do hear that we should restrict our conversation to "Pentax users in the wild", it's nice to hear from members who have not been heard from. I apologize for running off the rails, but with Covid around, this thread might suffocate from lack of input. That would be a shame.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
11-17-2020, 08:00 PM
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Oh, of all the photo "stuff" that I don't have and would LOVE to have, is the 645. Awesome!
As for being off topic, I disagree. Anything that documents the use of Pentax equipment should be relevant, since it shows not only that we do use it, but how and why. That in turn shows which equipment keeps Pentaxians happy. If only corporate was stressing how regular people and devotees at all levels love these cameras and lenses was thrown under a spotlight, then perhaps the "professional" stamp that sucks people into buyng heavy, expensive canacons would have less appeal and Pentax could take a bow for its production of user-friendly gear that doesn't require one to sell a kidney to be a photographer.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
11-15-2020, 08:59 PM
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Some time ago I discovered a nylon "lunch box" that's turned into my go-to camera case. Mind you, I have a number of camera cases of all kinds, but this one is the one I favor. Before the pandemic, we were traveling a lot and I had a rule that if it didn't fit into this case, I wouldn't take it. It's very compact, light weight and thermal lined. A typical load would be my K-50, wearing my 15 Limited, plus my 40 XS, Pentax 50-200, and something I consider an art lens, like the Petri Orikkor 135 or 50, or a macro, or even a bit of lunch. I've done away with neck straps and love my wrist strap now. So I always have a weatherproof combo in a kit that weighs 5.5 pounds or less. Works for me.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
11-12-2020, 01:51 PM
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Well, red cars are to cops what red flags are to bulls. I drive a sports car and NEVER would buy a red one. That said, I believe bulls are color blind, but that doesn't debunk the myth.
Do appreciate all your reflections on Pentax's colorful cameras. I do envy those who managed to get the rare blue K-01's from France. I've talked to hunters who know photography, and the reason they give for all-black cameras is that silver could catch the light and flash so it alerts animals. No doubt true, but since most animals (that I know of) are color blind, that doesn't restrict the rainbow colors Pentax offered. Humans are another story. I have a friend who is a world-class cellist. She was disciplined for having a bright yellow case. It seems that they stack the cases at the back of the stage behind curtains and DEMAND black cases in the event that the material might fan open and reveal the cases--at least that's the reason given. Conformity, however, has never been my bailiwick. Given a chance, we tend to restrict our own freedom in order to present ourselves as "cooperative". Boooo.
It's interesting that silver and silver-striped lenses usually claim a premium price from collectors. I guess he rarity (and beauty) of those lenses is the driving force for that, however contradictory it appears on the surface of things.
I think characters like Iris Apfel are a credit to fun, independent thought , but the rise in international conservatism threatens even that innocent expression.
Fashion icon Iris Apfel on color, quarantine and her longtime partnership with UT - Entertainment & Life - Austin 360 - Austin, TX |
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
11-11-2020, 11:27 PM
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All the reasons I've heard for basic black camera bodies mirror those for keeping instruments in black cases, but I think it all boils down into tradition--serious people don't have pink cameras--or red, or white or any color that might scare a deer or show up when one is trying to avoid spooking the natives. Not to worry a moot point, but history shows cameras covered in leather (and "pleather") that really don't age well, and black paint is prone to the same elements as all the other colors, IMO. I use my white K-01 more than any other camera I own and it has stayed rather pristine, surprisingly. Good paint, it is.
Personally, I like the colors because I am less likely to lose something in the woods if it's bright red. I do wish I'd had the money to custom order a K-01 in a couple of "wild and crazy" combinations, just for the fun of it. I'm afraid Pentax' shot at that has doomed future experimentation in that direction. Guess I'm a fan of whimsy.
To me, it seems that Pentax has failed--all other considerations aside--to creatively promote/advertise their products, just building great cameras and throwing them out into a busy, indifferent world. It's a shame and we will probably be the last generation of dedicated owners. Having used them since the '70's, I can only say I feel privileged to have participated during the exciting years.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
11-11-2020, 07:34 PM
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When Pentax came out with all those custom colors, I had hoped that it would attract photographers who want to customize their equipment so they would be recognized, to help ID it, etc. Instead, it seems that professionals think it's tacky or childish or something. What a shame. My white and red bodies have attracted quite a few friendly queries and comments.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
11-11-2020, 01:27 PM
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You're right. She continues to produce beautiful art. Can't argue with that. But I do grieve for the two camera sets that are sitting around unused. Somebody somewhere would just about die for those. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make her pick up the soap. c:
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
11-11-2020, 01:31 AM
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She always used her old iPhone to take her pix and they were lovely. Watching me with my cameras, she decided go for a DSLR, but before I could recruit her, her grown children had pitched in and bought her an entry-level Canon setup for Christmas. I never saw her actually use it though. Then she met a widower and they are a pair now. He is a techie type--has all kinds of toys. He also had two Hasselblad Lunars, untouched in their presentation boxes. He gave one to her, hoping, I think, to go shooting together.
My friend is an artist, mostly dealing in framed abstract art that she creates from her photos in PhotoShop. Well, guess what. I haven't seen either the Canon or Hasselblad lately, She seems to prefer her iPhone 7. It takes all kinds. ;)
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
11-01-2020, 05:18 PM
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My best friend's husband worked in a good camera store. He developed his own B/W film at home. When my dog ate my old Voigtlander range finder, he recommended the Spotmatic F and 50mm f 1:4 lens. I bought it and fell in love with the preview button that taught me so much about DOF and developing my own film. I still love it but can't afford film on Social Security. Now I have many old manual lenses (mostly M42's) and am having a ball with my Pentax K-50 and K-01. Wouldn't abandon my Pentax cameras for anything.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
10-16-2020, 07:35 PM
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That problem only occurred on the American Outbacks from 2006-2010--no other platform. It did, however make the Outbacks highly unstable even at low speeds under certain circumstances, without warning. No others models had that problem. I still have our last Subaru, my 2009 WRX wagon. Except for body panels that are always falling off (really), and the damn-stupid weak clutch because of the Hill Assist feature, it's a great car and a lot of fun to drive, but I'll never have another Subaru again. I've never had the first problem with a Pentax, starting in the 1970's. LOVE them.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
10-16-2020, 12:54 PM
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CAUTION: We were going on our fifth Subie and just as addicted to them as to Pentax cameras. Still love my cameras, but the Subies have problems that management won't own. My husband and I were almost killed when our 2007 Outback developed a rare but very dangerous problem with the rear differential that causes the back wheels to go faster than t he front wheels. Suddenly it darted into the wrong lane in front of a truck. Husband managed to tweak it back into its lane, but then it spun out into a tree. It was at night, and with broken headlights, we were T-boned by an oncoming truck. Turns out a representative number of Subaru Outbacks from 2006 to 2010 had that problem and Subaru ignored it. There's a long discussion about it on line and repeated requests for help were ignored (for everybody) by Subaru central. Hopefully these cars will be off the road soon, so nobody will be further damaged. Just a note to warn people, as Subaru wouldn't recall them--wouldn't want to hurt sales!
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
10-21-2019, 06:04 PM
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-18-2019, 04:50 AM
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ThorSanchez, thanks for the reply. I've always wondered about that. Does anybody else have both and want to tell about that?
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-17-2019, 06:34 PM
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ThorSanchez, I notice that you have both the SMC DA 40mm f/2.8 XS and the SMC DA 40MM Limited. As one who owns the 40 XS (and totally loves it), I wonder how an owner of both feels about them, by comparison.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
09-19-2018, 12:09 AM
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grhazelton, while I'm no pro, I've shot fireworks from the hip on various occasions with good luck. I even did it with a point-n-shoot with good outcome--no flash, special filters or other stuff, just hand held. I'm tough and can handle the loathing. Sorry for the duplicate and a couple I wanted to remove, but can't seem to.
Here are some of the pix:
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
08-12-2018, 06:06 PM
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Mike, I wish I had your faith in major brands. Witness how Apple has ignored the fatal flaws in their products, over and over. I know for sure that Subaru is ignoring issues, like the ghostwalking that their 2005-10 Outback has, which is severe and nearly killed me and my husband .
At any rate, I have put together a one-page synopsis of several YouTube videos about Chinese guitars, discussing various problems that they have.
Synopsis of Chinese Fake Martins and Telecasters
Carla Kelly, Luthier—8/12/2018
Chinese Telecaster
• Slipping tuners
• Multiple finish flaws
• Nut of poor design, material and execution
• Fret ends not trimmed right
• Tuner drillings massively out of alignment
• Neck not flush with body—would hugely affect playing
• Hole for inset bridge plate very sloppy fit
• Screws on bridge adjustment missing
• Strings not properly aligned to neck
• Bridge plate misaligned
• Total waste of money
Chinese Martin D45S
• No case (paid for one)
• Whole guitar very dusty
• Unmatched, grainy (“not so nice”) top
• Internal sticker out of place
• Abalone binding is a cheap plastic sticker
• Peghead logo is poor
• Bridge is a cheap (“nasty looking”) piece of plastic
• Mahogany bridge and fretboard instead of ebony
• Would break up if played hard, unlike a true D45
• Asked for no Martin badging but got it anyway
• Needed serious setup on neck ($100 by luthier)
• Good value for the money but not even close to a D45
Bottom line: The guitars with fake branding are being confiscated now by customs’ agents, so don’t even try to buy one. If you do, the quality is a crap shoot from guitar to guitar and it’s illegal in the US to sell one. They usually need substantial work by a luthier to get them set up so they’re playable. The wood is often quite poor; because they just slam them together, there is no quality control. The practice by the Chinese factories that produce them is to close down whenever they get too much bad feedback and open with a new company name. They don’t take returns (which would be prohibitively expensive anyway), so IF you even get it, you’re stuck. As a luthier, I found the fake Martins to have almost no sustain and tinny trebles. The bass, like most rosewood dreadnaughts, is deep and warm, but on the fake, is muddy. The many problems they come with don’tt bode well for longevity. There are nicer guitars for the money, for sure; but some people will just love having a “Martin” to show off, and a lot of players can’t tell the difference.
The 1970’s Japanese “lawsuit” guitars were much better built, used quality materials, and have stood the test of time. I’ve owned dozens, repaired bunches. They were hand-made copies of American guitars without the fake branding. (It’s a little-known fact that the Japanese sent their luthiers to Spain for training before they began making “lawsuit” guitars.) The Chinese have no compunction about stealing the good names of American manufacturers and delivering crap; I wouldn’t buy one but I’m a luthier and brand theft offends me. No doubt some are good guitars, with work. According to some who have bought them, if you deal directly with the factory instead of going through the MANY distributors, you get a much better outcome. |
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
07-09-2018, 07:57 PM
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You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him pick up the soap.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
04-21-2018, 03:17 PM
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I always wonder what it is that makes us rare?
He had not one but two late-model, neck-hung Pentax cameras;
really want to know what made him chose and stick with Pentax/K-1?
It can't have been a yearning for comradeship.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-15-2018, 11:52 PM
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LordLucan, I copied the links in your post to send to my brother-in-law who has been wrestling with my late computer crash that cost him a week of agony trying to reconstruct my files--since the cloud storage we used as a backup was unusable for some reason. We had discussed how cloud storage isn't the end-all that some people think, so I thought he might be interested in those articles. Thank you!
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-14-2018, 05:13 AM
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It rains on your parade, I guess.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-14-2018, 12:19 AM
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normflex, may I presume that you are talking about my Voigtlander rangefinder? If so, it did not have bellows. It was a tiny little camera which looked a bit like a little Leica (which I realize only now that I've been up on line trying to identify it but can't). It was one from @ the '50's I think. The little old camera guy told me that although it wasn't very expensive, being used, it was a good camera--and I loved it because it could actually fit in my pocket, a very cute little camera. Being new to photography at the time (early '60's), and having no manual for it or Internet to look it up, I just stumbled along, but never really got the hang of all the focusing and metering. It was definitely a crap shoot and I was pretty poor so never could just shoot away. After my cur ate it, it was several years before I managed to afford my wonderful Spotmatic with the f1.4, 50mm Takumar. That camera provided me an integral education, given that it had a light meter and a DOF button. I took a lot of satisfying pictures with it until one day the winder stripped out. I just wore that poor thing out.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-13-2018, 01:45 PM
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Alex645, you have made some very good points. I had discounted Polaroid and Kodak, forgotten about Mamiya, Minolta, Yashica, etc. Sigh. Currently I am enamored of the M42 Kuribayashi Petri lenses; they remind me of that old German rangefinder (Voigtlander I think) that my dog disassembled, but which I never really understood and never got that many good shot out of. Given that the Pentax is so dissed these days, it stimulates me to nostalgia that creeps into fantasizing. I do appreciate that you are "herding cats" at times. Thank you.
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