I was thinking that...

Will get some more shots off on it, and see if I can get it to work, but I shouldn't have to get my eye in for an inifity shot!

I notice he said it came with pouch, UV and rear cap. Stupid me though it would come with a lens cap - lens is actually fine since the UV is the pseudo lens cap...

Likewise he said it was mechanically sound and in a "dream condition" - he didn't say it could focus!

To be fair I hadn't realised manual lens would have a focussing issue!

He will just say it's my camera to be honest. I live in Germany, and that's what happens here - "the customer is always wrong, or at fault, and should in fact apologise for daring to question the authroity of the seller".

Will see how it goes!

My 18-135 and 8-16 needed -5 and -6

I tuned this one too with catch in focus and gradually turning until it fired. Not sure if this was the right way, but to my eyes it looks like a -10 (maybe more, but got no time to ender the mod menu now....)

Haven't exensively tested it, but still looks out

I know the feeling - I solf my 50mm 1.4, and kept my manual 50mm 1.7

I thought it would be the other way round!


But...am I expecting too much from the 28. Inifity isn't focused.

Well I went for a 28mm 3.5

Paid about 55 quid. With a description extolling the virtues of the mecahnical quality and how it always had a UV filter on it to protect it, I was a bit surprised that the UV seemed to be in lieu of a lens cap! Surprised read pissed off. It did come with a retro leather pouch though - guess I'm supposed to hang that on the lens if I'm not using it and don't want to demount the lens.

Filter was causing major flaring, so that's already gone. Problem solved.

But...it doesn't seem able to focus to inifinity. Can I do anything about that or have i simply got en ebay lemon?

Thanks for the suggestions

I had a look though your landscape stuff David. Very nice. I noticed you used the 16-45 as your go to lens. The few with the 28mm stood out though, seemed really contrasty. Is that a characteristic of the lens or post processing?

35mm is a possibility too, of course, that's why I wasn't discounting the 40mm as an auto - although I don't think any filters will work with that!

Hiya in need of some advice - I spend probably 50% of my time on landscape photography, the rest mainly on street photography.

I'm off to iceland in 6 weeks, and really want to emerse myself in some lanscape photography. I also think filters are the way for me - I spend so much time artificially adding them in Lightroom now, I think it's time to try the real thing. Looking at a set of Cokins.

So I'm looking at the lenses I have and considering what would make a good combo with the filters (ND, grad), and considering the focal lengths I like the most.

currently my line-up is K5 +
18-135mm
SMC 50mm 1.7 M
FA 50mm 1.4 (currently on ebay)
Sigma 8-16mm

For whatever reason I just never took to the FA, I actually prefer the 1.7. and the whole experience (and frustrations) of the manual! So, the FA 50mm f1.4 is up for sale on ebay to fund something else. Intially I was thinking of a 40 or 70 Ltd to complement the 50. Or some more manuals (or both!)

Now - as I want something I can use for lanscape, speed doesn't matter so much for remote tripod use, but it does a bit if I'm planning to stitch panoramas on the hoof. Low light shouldn't be too much of an issue in Iceland over the summer solstace (!), but I know I will get dusky type light from previous experience. Not forgetting the low-light capabilities of the K5.

Now I'm in a quandry. Without spending silly money there's no filter options on the sigma. My last trip I took about 400 with it (out of 1400). Of these about 200 at lower than 10mm, of which I would say 40 are standouts, with maybe 20 of these also possible at say 10mm. That's a big lense to lug around normally for 20 pictures. So I am considering its future anyway.

So....

lenses I'm looking at:
40mm (XS or Ltd) or 70mm Ltd to replace the FA 50mm 1.4. (but filters?)
SMC 28mm f3.5 Manual (filters?)
24mm 2.8 Manual (filters?)

Selling the 8-16, for a sigma 10-20 (but a step down in quality?).

I think the 15mm and 21mm are out of my budget - any other legacy lenses owrth considering?

Any tips on the compatibility of filters or the quality of the legacy lenses?

I could just stick with the 18-135, but I fancy some prime quality for the trip!

Thanks

Ian

The new 35mm DG?

Interesting to see how that will fare against some of the Pentax faithful? What is it though, £800?

Good luck with your decision. If you find yourself in the market for a 50mm f1.4, I'm selling mine, great condition. Feel free to PM me.

Not an easy decision though, good luck!

Ian

Hi Lenny,

As I've not been able to sell the 50mm as quick as I'd hoped, I'll probably be sticking with that for the trip. If I see a great deal on the 70mm then all well and good, but if not then I might send you a PM to see if you've still got it to sell when I return.

Heading to Japan in a couple of weeks, and wondering whether it's worth waiting til I get there before plumping for a new lens.

I know Japan is a panorama paradise, and i've already picked up an 8-16 (almost too wide, but I'll reserve judgement), but it's my honeymoon and some portrait photos will be in order!

I've got my 50mm 1.4 up for sale over on the bay(I prefer my 1.7 manual - although I can't say why!), and with a bit of extra cash aim to pick up a 70mmm 2.4.

Now - I'm wondering whether I should buy before I go, or wait til I get there.

Older forum articles seem to indicate a few years ago that Japan was more expensive than here, but I have also seen articles that it's a buyers paradise.

Anyone any recent experience of Japan as a buyer? Obviously I will compare prices, bu once I'm there it's too late!