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Viewfinder calibration on the Pentax istD s

kasperbergholt
Posted 14/11/2024 - 18:40 Link
Hello clever people,


A follow-up question on the Pentasx istD s.

On the Pentax K10D there's a 'slider' making it possible to align focus with my moderate nearsightedness, if I remember correctly it's the same on the K5. On the K1 it's even more precise with the small wheel.

But there does not seem to be any adjustment options on the istD s. Can someone confirm this? Perhaps the function is hidden somewhere else?

And, in addition, is there any adjusments possible on the ist D (non-S)?

The focus I get now is not correct / suffient, and the autofocus beep confirmation does not seem very precise.


Thanks in advance!
-- Kasper Bergholt
Edited by kasperbergholt: 14/11/2024 - 18:50
PRYorkshire
Posted 14/11/2024 - 19:55 Link
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The istD has a slider above the eyepiece
Paul

K1000, Espio 140, ist, istD, K70, K3iii and numerous lenses, just don't tell my wife.
johnriley
Posted 14/11/2024 - 22:13 - Helpful Comment Link
As does the *istDS. This is the dioptre correction adjustment and it is to make sure your eye is focusing on the focusing screen without straining. The optical distance of the screen is about 1 metre, so some may find it hard to see a sharp image. Point the camera at a light, blank surface and change the setting till the etched lines in the viewfinder are sharpest. Then forget about it.

This will set the viewfinder up for your eyesight and manual focusing in particuylar will then be much easier.
Best regards, John
davidwozhere
Posted 15/11/2024 - 00:49 - Helpful Comment Link
While the slider is in full view on the DS it is necessary to slide the eyecup up and off the istD in order to access it. Don't forget that there are extra eyepieces available (sometimes - e.g. on ebay) to correct the view even more -- I have one on my K5.
Both the *istDS and the K5 are incurably addicted to old glass

My page on Photocrowd
kasperbergholt
Posted 15/11/2024 - 17:29 Link
Thanks all, excellent advice!

The slider is indeed there below the rubber. But it's well hidden.

Any recommendations as to the upgrades available on eBay?

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-- Kasper Bergholt
Edited by kasperbergholt: 15/11/2024 - 17:32
Posted 15/11/2024 - 18:12 Link
Do you mean the additional dioptre adjusting eyepiece that clips onto the camera's eyepiece?

I used a +3 on my ME Super which doesn't have adjustment built into the camera. I don't know if this would fit on your camera
kasperbergholt
Posted 16/11/2024 - 09:57 Link
MikeInDevon wrote:
Do you mean the additional dioptre adjusting eyepiece that clips onto the camera's eyepiece?

I used a +3 on my ME Super which doesn't have adjustment built into the camera. I don't know if this would fit on your camera

.

Good question. I guess both the dioptre and the eyepiece itself - anything that could enhance the the focusing precision.

Got inspired by this comment:

"Don't forget that there are extra eyepieces available (sometimes - e.g. on ebay) to correct the view even more -- I have one on my K5" by davidwozhere.

But everything's got a lot better after finding the slider below the rubber
-- Kasper Bergholt
Edited by kasperbergholt: 16/11/2024 - 09:58
Posted 16/11/2024 - 12:39 Link
I've tried the one I use on my Pentax ME Super film camera and it fits on both DSLRs I have a K-50 and a K-1, see this link:

link
Posted 16/11/2024 - 12:42 - Helpful Comment Link
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davidwozhere
Posted 16/11/2024 - 23:51 Link
Try this link
Though I have to say I was surprised at the prices!
Both the *istDS and the K5 are incurably addicted to old glass

My page on Photocrowd
johnriley
Posted 17/11/2024 - 10:02 Link
It used to be possible to have an optician fit your prescrition into the Pentax correction holder, and I suppose it likely still is.
Best regards, John
PRYorkshire
Posted 17/11/2024 - 13:53 Link
kasperbergholt wrote:
Thanks all, excellent advice!

The slider is indeed there below the rubber. But it's well hidden.

Any recommendations as to the upgrades available

I bought a replacement eyecup from SRS and it has a slot in to adjust the slider.
Paul

K1000, Espio 140, ist, istD, K70, K3iii and numerous lenses, just don't tell my wife.
Edited by PRYorkshire: 17/11/2024 - 14:19
kasperbergholt
Posted 19/11/2024 - 09:14 Link
Thank you for the feedback (& valuable knowledge shared), davidwozhere, johnriley and PRYorkshire. It's appreciated!
-- Kasper Bergholt

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