All Forum Comments
Comment by George Lazarette posted on anything worthwile here? at 12/10/2007 - 20:12
Quote:
I love the lenses and the Pentax colour, but at the end of the day I'm not getting the shots. I'm not blaming the equipment, but I think sometimes equipment is like a glove... either it's a good fit for you or it isn't.
I started with a Canon DSLR. Canon for me was all about sharp sharp sharp. As I've matured and learned to develop BW film, I've become more interested in tonality than sharpness. Hence the interest in the K10D.
I'm just rambling now. My only concrete criticism of the K10D was the autofocus, but once I went manual focus only that problem disappeared.
Who knows? I'll probably still hang around here a little. I'm still a Pentax user, just film bodies only
Interesting. Did you ever have a *istD? I've owned a number of Pentax bodies, starting with a Spotmatic SPII in 1973. My favourite was the Super A, which I owned concurrently with a Z1-P.George Lazarette wrote:
Why is it not? Enquiring minds wish to know.
I don't really know, George. I've taken 1600 shots on my K10D in 3 months versus 1600 shots on my RD1S in 18 months. I have literally hundreds of great shots from the RD1S and only a handful from the K10D. My ME Super and MX get used tons too, and I get loads of good shots from those.Why is it not? Enquiring minds wish to know.
I love the lenses and the Pentax colour, but at the end of the day I'm not getting the shots. I'm not blaming the equipment, but I think sometimes equipment is like a glove... either it's a good fit for you or it isn't.
I started with a Canon DSLR. Canon for me was all about sharp sharp sharp. As I've matured and learned to develop BW film, I've become more interested in tonality than sharpness. Hence the interest in the K10D.
I'm just rambling now. My only concrete criticism of the K10D was the autofocus, but once I went manual focus only that problem disappeared.
Who knows? I'll probably still hang around here a little. I'm still a Pentax user, just film bodies only
The latter was vastly more capable, but I never grew especially fond of it. I feel rather the same way about my *ist D and my K10D. The latter is better in every way, judged by specifications, but it's big. The *ist D is a jewel by comparison.
The comparison isn't precise, because the quality of the photographs on the film bodies was identical (if using the same lens), whereas the K10D will always beat the *ist D in normal conditions. So I tend to use the K10D, except when travelling light.
But I respect it rather than love it, and I can see how some people might find that their attititude to the camera has an adverse effect on their picture-taking.
G
Comment by George Lazarette posted on Doom and Gloom at 13/10/2007 - 14:40
Quote:
I don't think Pentax users have any need to be defensive. There are some things which Pentax does better than anyone else. In my subjective opinion, Pentax colour is the best, and backwards compatibility with lenses too. I would have to say from my experience (20D) Canon autofocus and high ISO is generally better. This Fuji S5 thing supposedly has the best dynamic range. Canon and Nikon have full frame, so might be more suitable for those who like wide angles better. Olympus and Pentax are generally smaller than the others. Pentax and Canon and Nikon have weathersealed bodies. These are all just different flavours.
What I think is incredible is how many of the boxes the K10D ticks at such a low price, even if it's not for me.
Why is it not? Enquiring minds wish to know.I don't think Pentax users have any need to be defensive. There are some things which Pentax does better than anyone else. In my subjective opinion, Pentax colour is the best, and backwards compatibility with lenses too. I would have to say from my experience (20D) Canon autofocus and high ISO is generally better. This Fuji S5 thing supposedly has the best dynamic range. Canon and Nikon have full frame, so might be more suitable for those who like wide angles better. Olympus and Pentax are generally smaller than the others. Pentax and Canon and Nikon have weathersealed bodies. These are all just different flavours.
What I think is incredible is how many of the boxes the K10D ticks at such a low price, even if it's not for me.
G
Comment by George Lazarette posted on Doom and Gloom at 12/10/2007 - 20:07
It's a bit ironical really, two years ago Pentax decided to open a new lens factory in order to clear the backlog of lens orders.
They then brought out the K10D, and now they can't cope even with the new lens factory, and need another one.
I suspect the new zoom lens will in fact be built by Tokina at their factory as Pentax certainly don't appear to have the capacity at present. That's why it has jumped the queue.
G
They then brought out the K10D, and now they can't cope even with the new lens factory, and need another one.
I suspect the new zoom lens will in fact be built by Tokina at their factory as Pentax certainly don't appear to have the capacity at present. That's why it has jumped the queue.
G
Comment by George Lazarette posted on Doom and Gloom at 11/10/2007 - 15:18
Chirpy,
One of the great attractions of this forum, to me, is the lack of CWWs. I get quite suicidal when reading DePressingReview because of the negative attitude of so many contributors there.
What depresses me is not their ludicrous over-emphasis of usually irrelevant issues, but the fact that they are, I understand, members of the same species as you and me.
Did you ever read "The Time Machine" by HG Wells? The human race had divided into two, the nice ones who lived on the surface, and some cannibalistic troglodytes who inhabited the sewers and came out at night to prey on the nice ones. Wells got the idea reading DPR, I believe.
Just hope I never meet one of them in the flesh. Makes my skin crawl just to think about it.
G
One of the great attractions of this forum, to me, is the lack of CWWs. I get quite suicidal when reading DePressingReview because of the negative attitude of so many contributors there.
What depresses me is not their ludicrous over-emphasis of usually irrelevant issues, but the fact that they are, I understand, members of the same species as you and me.
Did you ever read "The Time Machine" by HG Wells? The human race had divided into two, the nice ones who lived on the surface, and some cannibalistic troglodytes who inhabited the sewers and came out at night to prey on the nice ones. Wells got the idea reading DPR, I believe.
Just hope I never meet one of them in the flesh. Makes my skin crawl just to think about it.
G
Comment by George Lazarette posted on Doom and Gloom at 11/10/2007 - 12:53
In my view, the only conceivable reason for continuing to use film is the pleasure and control that you get from doing the processing yourself. If you're going to hand that over to a lab, there is no reason not to go digital.
G
G
Comment by George Lazarette posted on 120 film dev labs? at 10/10/2007 - 23:46
Quote:
In the past it has often made good sense to buy from Canada or the US, as prices there are often so much lower. My Z1-P and first *ist D both came from across the water.George Lazarette wrote:
Yup. But on most items the duty is very small. However, both it and the VAT are levied on the "landed" cost, which includes shipping.
Gawd. Not that surprising then, that people here are a bit reluctant to buy something expensive from the USA. I'm sure it often works out Ok, and of course if you're desperate enough for something you'll take the risk, but lots of potential for hassle and expense.Yup. But on most items the duty is very small. However, both it and the VAT are levied on the "landed" cost, which includes shipping.
G
Comment by George Lazarette posted on Frustrated over lack of Telephotos at 15/10/2007 - 12:13
Quote:
So the government wants 17.5% plus the duty?
Yup. But on most items the duty is very small. However, both it and the VAT are levied on the "landed" cost, which includes shipping.George Lazarette wrote:
All imports (with a value over £18.00) to the UK from outside the EU attract duty and VAT, except for personal possessions of people moving. Embassies and foreign military bases are considered to be on foreign soil, so they cannot "import".
So just to make sure I understand you, if I buy a lens from Joe Bloggs in the USA (he's not a business and nor am I), does that count as an import?All imports (with a value over £18.00) to the UK from outside the EU attract duty and VAT, except for personal possessions of people moving. Embassies and foreign military bases are considered to be on foreign soil, so they cannot "import".
So the government wants 17.5% plus the duty?
G
Comment by George Lazarette posted on Frustrated over lack of Telephotos at 15/10/2007 - 11:59
Quote:
All imports (with a value over £18.00) to the UK from outside the EU attract duty and VAT, except for personal possessions of people moving. Embassies and foreign military bases are considered to be on foreign soil, so they cannot "import".George Lazarette wrote:
I've just checked Ebay. Two F/FA *300mm lenses have sold in the last month for USD 1,150 and 1,050.
Do private (as opposed to from a shop) UK purchases from eBay sellers in the USA attract import duty?I've just checked Ebay. Two F/FA *300mm lenses have sold in the last month for USD 1,150 and 1,050.
Of course there are exceptions. For instance, the Isle of Man is not in the EU, but it is in the UK customs area.
G
Comment by George Lazarette posted on Frustrated over lack of Telephotos at 15/10/2007 - 11:43
I've just checked Ebay. Two F/FA *300mm lenses have sold in the last month for USD 1,150 and 1,050. Not cheap, but rather less than they cost new, so not "outrageous". An M* 300mm failed to sell at USD 880, and a K 300 (heavy but good; I used to have one) sold for UKP 102.
There was also an A* 400 1:2.8. Again, for rather less than new price.
So, they are there. For serious buyers.
G
There was also an A* 400 1:2.8. Again, for rather less than new price.
So, they are there. For serious buyers.
G
Comment by George Lazarette posted on Frustrated over lack of Telephotos at 15/10/2007 - 11:12
I really like the old Pentax SLR's. I just won an Ebay auction so I am the proud owner of a Spotmatic-II.
It comes with three lenses, are these any good (I allso have a M42 to K adapter)?
S-Travegon 35/2.8
SMC Takumar 55/1.8
Pentacon Auto 100/2.8
G