All Forum Comments
Comment by Jonathan-Mac posted on Used K-3 III in Liverpool (Gumtree) at 08/02/2024 - 15:07
The repair is very difficult as you need to take the camera apart completely. The gear is right at the centre. I took an MZ-5 apart a few years ago, having ordered replacement brass cogs from a company in Poland, but I wasn't able to do the repair or put the camera back together again. It's just not worth it.
Comment by Jonathan-Mac posted on Pentax MZ-7 mirror motor gear repairer? at 07/02/2024 - 12:02
I just bought one of these for my phone though in 512GB capacity. Seems to work well so far.
Comment by Jonathan-Mac posted on Just arrived in the post... at 02/02/2024 - 11:47
I don't think there's anything that fits the bill to be honest. Anything faster will be bigger and heavier. The 70-210/4 or a DA* 200/2.8 would be options but are too heavy and expensive (not that I'd recommend a DA* lens with Super Dodgy Motor anyway).
You either need to spend more for a bigger and faster lens or keep within budget and weight restrictions and accept the slower maximum aperture.
You either need to spend more for a bigger and faster lens or keep within budget and weight restrictions and accept the slower maximum aperture.
Comment by Jonathan-Mac posted on Tele-zoom lens advice, please... at 01/02/2024 - 16:47
Very nice results.
Comment by Jonathan-Mac posted on Some film shots with ME Super at 29/01/2024 - 20:50
JanM wrote:
Being an avid Pentax camera and lens user I thought I would suggest a topic for discussion that might get back to the Pentax marketing department.
Personally I do not see me investing in a new film camera, I already have two older functioning excellent film cameras. Nor would I want an AFC camera whose claim to fame is an improved view finder or one that only takes black and white images. I gave up black and white years ago once I could afford color film and processing. I would wish for with no particular order
1. An AFC sensor camera that incorporated the features of the K1, third multi selector knob, built in GPS, illuminated controls and an articulated viewing screen.
2. A mirrorless K1 with improved updated electronics.
3. A digital K1000, that offers all of the manual controls of the K1000, the same size camera but with a digital sensor and updated electronics.
4. An Adapter that would allow me to attach and use the modern third party lenses to my existing Pentax cameras.
5. A software update for my K3 and K1 that would allow me to use the camera screw driver autofocus system for lenses with SMC motors.
1. Do you mean APS-C?Being an avid Pentax camera and lens user I thought I would suggest a topic for discussion that might get back to the Pentax marketing department.
Personally I do not see me investing in a new film camera, I already have two older functioning excellent film cameras. Nor would I want an AFC camera whose claim to fame is an improved view finder or one that only takes black and white images. I gave up black and white years ago once I could afford color film and processing. I would wish for with no particular order
1. An AFC sensor camera that incorporated the features of the K1, third multi selector knob, built in GPS, illuminated controls and an articulated viewing screen.
2. A mirrorless K1 with improved updated electronics.
3. A digital K1000, that offers all of the manual controls of the K1000, the same size camera but with a digital sensor and updated electronics.
4. An Adapter that would allow me to attach and use the modern third party lenses to my existing Pentax cameras.
5. A software update for my K3 and K1 that would allow me to use the camera screw driver autofocus system for lenses with SMC motors.
2. Why would people buy such a camera when it doesn't have a viewfinder or has an electronic viewfinder but still the registration distance (and therefore size) of a DSLR?
3. Simply not possible due to the thickness of the sensor and associated electronics. The nearest is the Nikon ZF but that's mirrorless.
4. Not possible in most cases without corrective optics that would massively downgrade the IQ.
5. Now this one actually seems realistic
Comment by Jonathan-Mac posted on What would you wish for? at 15/01/2024 - 08:35
Anything from the K-5 II onwards will be fine. Bear in mind that anything other than the K-1 or K-1 II has an APS-C sensor, which is half the size of a negative from 35mm film, and results in a 1.5x change in the field of view for any lens, so a 50mm would have the field of view of a 75mm lens etc. The bonus is that longer lenses are longer still and the drawback is that wide lenses are far less wide. Your old lenses will work fine on a DSLR but with this "crop factor" and of course manual focus (which is much more difficult on a DSLR than on a film SLR).
As for lenses, it really depend on whether you like primes or zooms, prefer range or faster aperture. The 16-85mm is better than the 18-135mm but more expensive. The Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 will provide more speed than these others and excellent image quality for a reasonable price.
For primes, there are 35mm f/2.4 and 50mm f/1.8 plastic primes that are cheap and perform reasonably well. There are plenty of other options but it depends on what you want to shoot.
As for lenses, it really depend on whether you like primes or zooms, prefer range or faster aperture. The 16-85mm is better than the 18-135mm but more expensive. The Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 will provide more speed than these others and excellent image quality for a reasonable price.
For primes, there are 35mm f/2.4 and 50mm f/1.8 plastic primes that are cheap and perform reasonably well. There are plenty of other options but it depends on what you want to shoot.
Comment by Jonathan-Mac posted on May I ask for some guidance please at 30/12/2023 - 07:55
I gave up getting third-party batteries for my K-3 as they never hold as much charge as the genuine ones and stop working completely sometimes in less than 18 months. I bought a genuine Pentax one from SRS and that works great, though that was when they could be had for about 55 GBP in the post-christmas sales, now I see they're 80 GBP and no sales, which is what I paid for my genuine Panasonic one for my mirrorless camera. It hurts but it's the worry-free option.
Comment by Jonathan-Mac posted on Batteries at 28/12/2023 - 08:33
I imagine you'd be using some artificial lighting so it doesn't really matter as long as it's reasonable modern.
For general use and also small details I'd say the DA 35mm f/2.8 Macro Limited is the best choice. It's a great lens and compatible with any Pentax DSLR with an APS-C sensor (or on a K-1 in crop mode, which I think is around 16MP).
For general use and also small details I'd say the DA 35mm f/2.8 Macro Limited is the best choice. It's a great lens and compatible with any Pentax DSLR with an APS-C sensor (or on a K-1 in crop mode, which I think is around 16MP).
Comment by Jonathan-Mac posted on What camera would be optimal for shooting product images of leather jackets? at 20/12/2023 - 08:17
If it's M42 then it's compatible with Pentax cameras so I see no harm in selling it here. M42 is sometimes know as "Pentax screw mount" after all.
Comment by Jonathan-Mac posted on Non Pentax Sale at 18/12/2023 - 11:03
https://www.gumtree.com/p/digital-cameras/new-pentax-k-3-mark-iii-camera-black-/...