Thanks, Matt.

I need to look into this further. Perhaps the time has come for an upgrade.

Matt,

In Elements 3, can you batch process PEFs, or does each have to be done individually?

Thanks

G

Why not just ask Pentax?

Here in the UK they are supplying parts for the Z1-P, which is an earlier camera.

Go here for UK and international contact details:

https://www.pentaxuser.com/pages/links.htm

George

In my last post, when talking about FAJ lenses, I said they won't work with K and M lenses. I meant, of course, Kand M cameras.

HJ,

See the second link on my earlier post for full details of which lenses work with what.

You are confusing AF and AL with Pentax lens suffixes, which appear after the words "SMC Pentax" on all good Pentax K mount lenses.

Manual focus lenses have the following suffixes:

None (but called "K" lenses - aperture must be set manually)
-M (functionally the same as K)
-A (aperture can be set manually or by the camera)

Autofocus lenses:

-F (aperture as for -A)
-FA (same as -F)
-FAJ (aperture can NOT be set manually - so K and M lenses don't work)
-DA (as -F and -FA, but smaller image, so only suitable for digital cameras although it will work on all others, leaving some of the image area blank)
-D FA (works properly on all cameras, but "optimised" for digital)

I think this summary is correct; no doubt others will point out any errors.

G

HJ,

Any -A, -F, and -FA lens will work with both your cameras.

However, the best bargains are the -M lenses, which won't work on the ZX50.

One possibility would be to ditch the ZX50 and buy any other Pentax camera other than the *ist (film version), ZX30, and ZX60. Then you will be able to use -M and K lenses (K lenses are Pentax lenses without a suffix, like -A, -M, etc.), as well as those mentioned above, on both cameras.

You can probably buy a K1000, Super A, or ME Super on Ebay for less than you could sell the 50 for. However, these are old. A cheap and good
alternative is the sturdy old SF1, which is the Volvo of the Pentax camera line. Many of those on sale have had very little use, and are sold for peanuts.

If you plan to shoot a lot of film, rob a bank and buy a *ist DS. It'll work out cheaper.

Kim,

Yes, indeed, I meant you. Since JR's advice is invariably excellent, you will, I hope, take it as a compliment that I confused you with him.

G

Humble John,

Your post would be far easier to read if you would press the carriage return key occasionally to create what is known as a paragraph.

Also, the normal conventions regarding capitalisation and punctuation are worth observing. It's about making life easier for the people you hope will give up their time to help you.

Lecture over.

There are three possible reasons for your poor results:

First: your technique (as others have suggested), in which case all you can do is read up on the subject and practise.

Second: a faulty camera; though this is unlikely.

Third: some older Sigma lenses do not work properly with newer Pentax cameras. This is allegedly because Sigma refuse to pay Pentax a royalty to discover how the computer in the camera communicates with the lens. As a result, the camera may be using inappropriate shutter speeds or not focussing properly.

In any event, cheap Sigma lenses are usually of poor quality, and will not satisfy you once you get more experienced and demanding.

Take JR's advice and buy a couple of decent SMC Pentax lenses. You can safely buy any SMC Pentax lens with the suffix -A, -F, -FA or -FAJ. Even if the problem is your technique, in time you'll be glad to have good lenses.

Second-hand SMC Pentax 28mm, 35mm, 50mm and 135mm lenses are all good and relatively cheap (except for the large aperture versions).

Another good zoom, to complement the one JR recommends, is an SMC Pentax 70-210mm. There are two versions: -A and -F; different optically, but both very good.

If you buy a 28-70, check it carefully because in a few cases there have been element separation problems. Buy this lens from a dealer so that you get a guarantee. In the States, B&H, Adorama and KEH are all reliable. For any other lens, Ebay is probably the best bet.

Good luck.

PS: You might find these helpful:

http://stans-photography.info/

http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/

Kim C,

The OM1 came out in 1972, three years BEFORE the K series cameras and lenses, not afterwards.

No doubt Pentax had planned that the K series would have a life of perhaps ten years, but when the OM1 proved to be so successful they were forced to change their strategy and quickly design a complete new camera and lens system in order to compete.

I suspect they probably started designing the M series before the introduction of the K series, but it took three years or so to complete the process. Meanwhile the K series was introduced as planned because it was impossible to continue selling screw-mount cameras when everybody else (of importance) had gone to bayonet.

But I agree about the quality issue. The M series did sometimes sacrifice a little quality in the pursuit of size reduction. Also, the SMC Taks were amongst the finest lenses of all time, and were built without concern for minor considerations like cost.

It's well worth while having an SMC Tak in the arsenal, not so much for use, but just to fondle occasionally and remind oneself of what a REALLY well-made lens feels like.

G

I think most, if not all, of the K (SMC Pentax) lenses were in fact simply SMC Taks with a bayonet mount. They only lasted a year or two before being replaced by the M series, which must have been in the pipeline at the time the K series was introduced.

G

There is no contest. The A* 1.4 is one of the best lenses ever made for a camera in the history of photography.

The M is a very good lens, but not in the same league.

However, the 1.4 is a heavy beast, and big.