Thanks for all your input, but I still don,t know, what the new firmware actually achieves . How do I find out?
Is it worthwhile to update?

Regards, Horst

What does the new firmware update do for the K5?
I am very weary to upgrade things, unless they are really worth while.
To tell the truth, I am worried I do something wrong and the camera doesn't work at all anymore.

Regards, Horst

Well, I used my Spotmatic until I bought the Super-A, Even so the Spotmatic it was long ago discontinued.
I used my Super-A until I bought the K5, even so the Super-A was long ago discontinued.
Now I am using my K5 and give a dam'n if it is soon to be discontinued.
If I want another, I'll buy it second hand.

Greetings,
Horst

You have to click on the little cross where the picture should be. I don't know how else to do it.

Hi, here is an example of approximatly 240mm (10") of Extention tubes.
It is a Transistor chip of about 1.5mm X 1.5mm.
The picture is now approx 40 years old.
It was taken with my Spotmatic, a super Takumar 50mm f1.8 with the extention tubes and a reversing ring. The light was a normal desk lamp of about 40W shining close from one side. The exposure time was about a minute and a half. I can't remember what f-stop I used. However the dof
is very shallow. I used a very sturdy tripod.
The picture here was scanned from a print with my Canon 5600 scanner.
I wanted to show, that with extention tubes you can just about photograph anythin small. These days with DSLR's it is a lot easier, because you can instantly check if you need more or less exposure time.
Horst

Hi Matt, the comments on this forum are very helpfull. It gave me something to think about.

I agree, that the thyristors, when connected to a DC voltage stay switched on, as long as the current through it is larger then the holding current.
With a Bulb flash, this in itself should not be a problem, because the bulb open circuits after it has fired. No current can flow until a new bulb is inserted. The SCR has then long switched off again.


The problem I believe is more the initial high discharge current when firing.
It makes a lot of sense, as pointed out by you, to use some sort of interface which requires a low triggering current. Especialy since I dont know the chararistics of the SCR used. So it is better to be save than sorry.

Thanks, Horst

Thanks for that Matt. Save me a lot of testing.

Kind Regards, Horst

Thanks for the Info.
I thought that the trigger is electronic, but wasn't sure. I will check if the centre contact needs to be positive or negative.

I should be able to connect a 3 volt battery in series with a resistor and an Led and see if it flashes for a moment.

Most of the bulbs I have, are non FP. They use the X-Synchronisation, but with a fastest speed of 1/50 sec.

I have some FP bulbs and realise you have to use the M Syncronisation, which is not available anymore.

Thanks again, Horst

Hi, I have lots and lots of various Flash bulbs . I also have an assortments of flash guns, Leica Rolley etc.
I like using flash bulbs, because they are not as brillinat white like electronic flashes. They create a slightly warmer picture.
Does anyone know, If I can use them on my K5 Camera without damage to the synchro socket? Some of the guns use a 15 or 22V battery with a 100uF capacitor.
Does the K5 have mecanical contacts or elecronic contacts and are they , if electronic, polarity sensitive?
Can anyone help me with this?
Horst

It may seem a bit strange to all you perfectionists, but besides using extention tubes, (always with a tripod). I also used many times Close up lenses. dont laugh. They have some advantages.
1. They dont loose light for focussing. You still have the full aperture available. When taking the shot,you can close down as far as required.
2. They are very easy to use and
3. they don't really affect the picture quality when stopped down to say f8 or f11.
4. It does not affect your automatic functions of your lens. Autofocus may be a problem, but you can always set it to manual focussing.

However I don't know if they are available in any other size as in 49mm.
I use mine with any 50mm lens that has a 49mm thread.

Horst

I have a set of Automatic extention tubes for the K-mount. They have all the electronic contacts and the aperture lever, but not the Autofocus connection.
I suppose autofocus would not work to well with extention tubes.
The tubes are made by MARUMI of Japan and are mechanically of excelent quality.

Horst