All Forum Comments
Comment by Clarky posted on First results Pentax SMC DA*300MM F/4 at 03/05/2008 - 23:37
Quote:
Will check, thanks for advice.
Quick question, the inner workings of SLRs are all pretty delicate, what can I touch and not touch to see if it's a sticky seal? The shutter is a no-no, and it has always been an article of faith with me that I don't touch the mirror assembly. Should I just try to flip it down, or will this cause damage?
I would just give the top of the mirror a nudge with the tip of a pair of tweezers or something similar. Don't force anything, and you shouldn't have to touch anything with your fingers.Will check, thanks for advice.
Quick question, the inner workings of SLRs are all pretty delicate, what can I touch and not touch to see if it's a sticky seal? The shutter is a no-no, and it has always been an article of faith with me that I don't touch the mirror assembly. Should I just try to flip it down, or will this cause damage?
Comment by Clarky posted on Mirror stuck up on MZ-3? at 12/05/2008 - 18:51
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Tried it, no joy, mirror still resolutely stuck up. Its buzzing like mad, suggesting it's not intentionally holding the mirror up but something is making it stick.
Anyone know how the mirror is actuated up and down? I'd imagine the mirror is held down by springs and actuated electrically into the upwards position. I'm trying to figure if it's a spring/stick fault or an actuator fault.
The foam light seal hasn't degraded and become sticky has it. Maybe the mirror is stuck to it : Long shot but might be worth checking. Mannesty wrote:
None in the house - the *istD uses different batteries.Quote:
Cheers to all, once I can find the grip I'll try it out. Our of interest, the battery warning didn't come on, is time-degradation a different issue to exhaustion in batteries?
Are you in such a remote part of the world that you can't get new batteries?johnriley wrote:
Some designs lock up the mirror when the batteries are too low to function properly, so that's the first place to start.
As is always the bloody case, I don't have any fresh batteries and my AA-using battery grip has gone walkies!Some designs lock up the mirror when the batteries are too low to function properly, so that's the first place to start.
Cheers to all, once I can find the grip I'll try it out. Our of interest, the battery warning didn't come on, is time-degradation a different issue to exhaustion in batteries?
Tried it, no joy, mirror still resolutely stuck up. Its buzzing like mad, suggesting it's not intentionally holding the mirror up but something is making it stick.
Anyone know how the mirror is actuated up and down? I'd imagine the mirror is held down by springs and actuated electrically into the upwards position. I'm trying to figure if it's a spring/stick fault or an actuator fault.
Comment by Clarky posted on Mirror stuck up on MZ-3? at 12/05/2008 - 11:07
Interesting shots
You say its a waste doing macro without a tripod. I shoot 80% of my macro shots handheld and only occasionally will i hook it up too my monopod.
I find using a tripod outdoors just too cumbersome
It all comes down to getting enough light on the subject with a fast enough shutter speed to avoid camera shake. Thats why i use a flash almost exclusively. I won't go outside without my ringflash or dual head flash no matter what the lighting conditions are like.
I look forward to your flower shots, good luck
You say its a waste doing macro without a tripod. I shoot 80% of my macro shots handheld and only occasionally will i hook it up too my monopod.
I find using a tripod outdoors just too cumbersome
It all comes down to getting enough light on the subject with a fast enough shutter speed to avoid camera shake. Thats why i use a flash almost exclusively. I won't go outside without my ringflash or dual head flash no matter what the lighting conditions are like.
I look forward to your flower shots, good luck
Comment by Clarky posted on Tamron 90mm Macro at 03/05/2008 - 04:46
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Got a lovely surprise just now...
I'm at work, picked up a box that I thought contained birdsound CDs and stuff, but then saw the delivery note attached was from Intro2020, the Pentax distributers.
It could only mean one thing!
In the box was a nice, shiny, new DA*300mm.
Had a very quick play, but had to put it away again as I'm supposed to be working.
Will try it out properly tomorrow.
Dan
You lucky stiff Got a lovely surprise just now...
I'm at work, picked up a box that I thought contained birdsound CDs and stuff, but then saw the delivery note attached was from Intro2020, the Pentax distributers.
It could only mean one thing!
In the box was a nice, shiny, new DA*300mm.
Had a very quick play, but had to put it away again as I'm supposed to be working.
Will try it out properly tomorrow.
Dan
I am expecting some very good pics from you
Seriously, I can't wait for your for your first offerings
Comment by Clarky posted on First results Pentax SMC A*300MM/F4 at 03/05/2008 - 12:41
Great shots Martin. A little soft in some of them but a good start.
I don't think my old eyes will be up to the manual focus though
Keep em coming.
I don't think my old eyes will be up to the manual focus though
Keep em coming.
Comment by Clarky posted on First results Pentax SMC A*300MM/F4 at 03/05/2008 - 04:06
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Matt wrote
Look all brawn and no brain to me
Matt wrote
Look all brawn and no brain to me
Your right Matt his head does look a little disproportionate
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Hefty wrote
Was this with the new K20D / Sigma 180 combo? Nice pose but not quite as sharp and detailed as some of your other recent pics...
It was with the K10 and the pentax D-FA. Its not one of my sharpest shots but i liked the pose Hefty wrote
Was this with the new K20D / Sigma 180 combo? Nice pose but not quite as sharp and detailed as some of your other recent pics...
Still haven't got the sigma 180mm as yet
Quote:
Don Wrote
I think Clarky's got some kind of weird circus, full of trained insects.....
I got the tools, the know-how, but am sorely lacking in the patience department....
Anybody interested in seeing a series of well lit, well composed, macro shots of insects that have had the shoe/newspaper treatment? They sit real still....
Just for that Don i'm not going to show you my dung beetle doing his trapez act. Don Wrote
I think Clarky's got some kind of weird circus, full of trained insects.....
I got the tools, the know-how, but am sorely lacking in the patience department....
Anybody interested in seeing a series of well lit, well composed, macro shots of insects that have had the shoe/newspaper treatment? They sit real still....
Quote:
sockpuppet wrote
Pictures like that are the reason I want a decent macro lens.
Start saving those pennies you won't regret it. sockpuppet wrote
Pictures like that are the reason I want a decent macro lens.
Comment by Clarky posted on Assassin Fly?? at 02/05/2008 - 14:45
I'm not 100% on the identity of this fellow but i couldn't find any specific reference to it.
But i like the pose
But i like the pose
Comment by Clarky posted on Assassin Fly?? at 02/05/2008 - 12:19
I watched a documentary tonight on the manufacture of lenses. Specifically the Carl Zeiss plant. Some fascinating stuff i thought.
The most interesting part was the way they applied the coatings to the lenses. It consisted of three elements in the form of a paste, Aluminium, Magnesium and a third element they didn't mention. Secret ingredient i assume
The paste was then ground into the glass in precise amounts and for different time lengths. Quite a time consuming process.
This made the lenses less reflective to light thus eliminating flare.
I figured the coating would be extremely tough as it is impregnated into the glass
Only one guy works the coatings part of the process, but he can do several dozen at a time
I would say Pentax would have a similar process and adding a removing different elements and the length of time each lens is processed dictates whether its an SMC or not. :
A lot of you egg heads may already know all this but i had no idea how it was done and found it very interesting
I can see now why lenses are so expensive.
The most interesting part was the way they applied the coatings to the lenses. It consisted of three elements in the form of a paste, Aluminium, Magnesium and a third element they didn't mention. Secret ingredient i assume
The paste was then ground into the glass in precise amounts and for different time lengths. Quite a time consuming process.
This made the lenses less reflective to light thus eliminating flare.
I figured the coating would be extremely tough as it is impregnated into the glass
Only one guy works the coatings part of the process, but he can do several dozen at a time
I would say Pentax would have a similar process and adding a removing different elements and the length of time each lens is processed dictates whether its an SMC or not. :
A lot of you egg heads may already know all this but i had no idea how it was done and found it very interesting
I can see now why lenses are so expensive.
Comment by Clarky posted on Lens Coatings?? at 02/05/2008 - 11:35
Fabulous shot Gary and a deserved winner. Congratulations.
I have seen this shot before, did you enter it into one of our comps :
I have seen this shot before, did you enter it into one of our comps :
Comment by Clarky posted on Latow International Digital Competition 2008 at 02/05/2008 - 11:40
How close to it were you when you took the shot :