For a classical portrait lens as John pointed out you're looking at about 55mm, longer lenses may be OK depending on the size of your 'studio' (you often need enough room behind the subject as well as in front). That said, any lens can be used for portraits in the right circumstances. A 50mm f/1.4 would also be about right and are quite plentiful.

As you have the 55-300 you might experiment with focal lengths around 55, 70 and 85mm etc. to get an idea of which focal length you're happiest with.

John.

[quote:3496ace15f="vic cross"]John. The sample images are good to see. Also I remember seeing your "CHIPS" shot way back in 2012 I think? I didn't know it was on an EI2000. It's amazing just how good it was "and I suppose still is" for 2.25 megapixels.quote]

Yes the chips shot was posted in 2012 but taken in 2003. I have a whopping 128Mb CF card in it - cost a fortune when I bought it.

The EI2000 was only 2.25Mp but it would go down to ISO 25, a 6"x4" dye-sub print was almost indistinguishable from a 6"x4" print from film - only tiny artifacts give it away close up.

I've found a couple more images from mine on here:

https://www.pentaxuser.com/photo/comp-313/roller-blades-61266

And the last shot on this thread (shot through a telescope and double-glazing):
https://www.pentaxuser.com/forum/topic/cruising-airliners-and-experiments-with-teleconvertors-34181

John.

Hi Vic, the steves-digicams link has sample images after page 6 or 7:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/c912_samples.html

One of mine is here:
https://www.pentaxuser.com/photo/user-15258/chips--chips-and-more-chips-42949

As a camera it is quite nice to use, apart from the limitations of the built-in zoom, 2.2MP and max 400 ISO - it is still quite effective.

John.

Hi Vic,

There was a review in Pentax User magazine circa 2000 (sadly I've mis-placed my copy). There were also a couple of early web reviews: dpreview & steves-digicams.

I found the receipt for mine the other other day (wince), sadly both the original & replacement original batteries no longer hold charge, but it runs reasonably well off AA Lithiums with the AA battery cradle.

John.

Sad to say AP has declined a lot since I used to buy it. I bought one a few weeks ago, I'm unlikely to be buying another. It says a lot about a publication when the most interesting part are the ads for used gear.

The P50 is quite a good camera - M, Av and two programs (depth & action) and will take the Motordrive-A (3fps) which is much smoother than the MEII winder and has a vertical release (takes 8x AA batteries though).

John.

I think the P30T colour was introduced to match the grey colour of the F series lenses when the A lenses went out of production. Other than that I think the P30n had a horizontal split-image and the T had a diagonal one. The P30T split-image may also have been less susceptible to blacking out due to the kit lenses becoming slower zooms.

John.

For Sale: Pentax Cable Switch F - Locking electronic release for the SF, Z & MZ bodies - about 3 feet long. Boxed with instructions, like new.

£20 posted to the UK, cleared cheque, bank transfer or paypal with fees.

John.

For Sale: FA PZ lenses 28-80 & 28-105 - both with broken zoom switches (PA->AS switch) - a weak point on both these lenses. The switch in question controls the PZ effect modes on the Z series bodies (Zoom-Clip etc.) and has no other function on any other bodies. Apart from some discrete-ish black tape over the switch, the lenses work OK.

The zoom rings on both lenses click between PZ & manual zoom as expected and the power zoom works on my K-5 (should work on any body with PZ/SDM contacts I expect?).

These are 'FF' lenses with aperture rings & 'A' settings with screw-drive AF - ideally suited to use on a film camera but will of course work fully on digital. I'm only selling as I have other examples of them both (these were used in my film bag). Both of these are hefty lenses weight wise.

28-80 f/3.5-4.7: Gets a battering on the forums but is better than many really appreciate. This example isn't the best, there's a small mark on the very edge of the front element - unlikely to have any effect.

£20 posted to the UK.

28-105 f/4-5.6: Considered better than the 28-80, this is in good condition (apart from the switch).

£45 posted to the UK.

Bank Transfer, cleared cheque or Paypal with fees.

I'll try to get some photos organised shortly.

John.

For Sale: An original Z-1 instruction manual (119 pages).

Apart from a half-inch tear along the binding of the front cover it's in good condition - no significant marks etc.

£8 posted to the UK - Bank Transfer, cleared cheque or Paypal with fees.

John.