All Forum Comments
Comment by Kimbo posted on 'Focus on Imaging' 2007 show at 19/01/2007 - 05:52
Excellent work Brian......now whereabouts did they supposedly leave all that 'lunar-lander' stuff?
Comment by Kimbo posted on K10D shoots The Moon at 05/01/2007 - 15:36
I don't know about changing screens between models but if the K100 screen is fitted in the same way as the one in the DL (most likely is), then it is certainly removable. It's quite a fiddly job and I managed to scratch mine when I removed it to clear away some dust.
Don't even attempt it unless a) you're confident that you'll be successful or b) you don't care about the risk to the existing screen.
For viewing purposes, I find the penta-mirror to be perfectly adequate but the fact that the entire assembly is somewhat poorly sealed (at least in my DL), means that dust is a real problem and I know others have experienced it too.
Obviously it's a cost-cutting exercise but I don't think Pentax have done themselves any favours by employing the mirror system and perhaps should have designed it out when upgrading the DL to the K100!
Don't even attempt it unless a) you're confident that you'll be successful or b) you don't care about the risk to the existing screen.
For viewing purposes, I find the penta-mirror to be perfectly adequate but the fact that the entire assembly is somewhat poorly sealed (at least in my DL), means that dust is a real problem and I know others have experienced it too.
Obviously it's a cost-cutting exercise but I don't think Pentax have done themselves any favours by employing the mirror system and perhaps should have designed it out when upgrading the DL to the K100!
Comment by Kimbo posted on K100D mods (am I nuts?) at 27/12/2006 - 14:47
I once had a Hoya 35-70mm one-touch zoom in PK mount that I used on my ME Super, wasn't a bad little lens at all!
Comment by Kimbo posted on Pentax and Hoya at 27/12/2006 - 14:29
It bugs me too............does that make me a 'typist'
Comment by Kimbo posted on Atricious spulling mistokes! ! ! at 16/12/2006 - 04:08
Let's be fair, he's made some valid points and they have been raised before. There's nothing wrong with healthy debate and there's nothing wrong with his Z1, it remains one of the finest 35mm AF cameras ever made and it's a Pentax!
Pentax are great innovators and we've seen a succession of variants and new models in recent months that have raised their market profile dramatically and the alliance with Samsung has been a major influence.
If Pentax can bring a full frame model to the market when their competitors are abandoning theirs, we could well see Pentax establishing themselves in the pro sector too and I wouldn't put it past them!
Large frame cameras are great for studio work but they're not nearly so convenient out in the field.
I'm not saying that a Pentax FF DSLR will happen and at the present time, it does look unlikely but it certainly could and it wouldn't be too difficult for them to produce a full range of suitable lenses.
Pentax are great innovators and we've seen a succession of variants and new models in recent months that have raised their market profile dramatically and the alliance with Samsung has been a major influence.
If Pentax can bring a full frame model to the market when their competitors are abandoning theirs, we could well see Pentax establishing themselves in the pro sector too and I wouldn't put it past them!
Large frame cameras are great for studio work but they're not nearly so convenient out in the field.
I'm not saying that a Pentax FF DSLR will happen and at the present time, it does look unlikely but it certainly could and it wouldn't be too difficult for them to produce a full range of suitable lenses.
Comment by Kimbo posted on DON'T BUY PENTAX DIGITAL LENSES!!! at 12/12/2006 - 16:27
Yes George but if a full frame DSLR can be introduced to the market at a similar price to the APS-C models we have today, then most buyers would go for that. Obviously the smaller sensor models will become cheaper still but in today's economy, any sub-£1000 camera is within most people's reach.
The Z1-P was a remarkable achievement at around £800 and while it wasn't a tremendous success, it did sell pretty well for a flagship model.
Whether or not buyers actually need specific features, they do tend to buy the most expensive that they can afford and eventually a full frame Pentax DSLR will become viable.......we can only wait to see if it ever exists!
The Z1-P was a remarkable achievement at around £800 and while it wasn't a tremendous success, it did sell pretty well for a flagship model.
Whether or not buyers actually need specific features, they do tend to buy the most expensive that they can afford and eventually a full frame Pentax DSLR will become viable.......we can only wait to see if it ever exists!
Comment by Kimbo posted on DON'T BUY PENTAX DIGITAL LENSES!!! at 12/12/2006 - 15:35
I can't help but agree with everything said so far but I don't discount the possibility of anything. Just look at how prices for technology have tumbled, who would have thought just a few years ago that computers with flat-screen monitors, multi-core processors, gigabytes of dual channel memory and hundreds of gigabytes of storage could cost less than £1000?
Size and weight are important for many people but consider the success of the earlier Canon EOS film bodies, they were big and chunky but the EOS1000 in particular was tremendously successful. Anyone wanting an SLR is more likely to opt for a high spec. at the right price over something that 'feels' like they're getting less for their money.
Of course much of it is to do with marketing and salesmanship but if it works!!!
So who's to say that they can't come up with a cheaper way to produce a larger sensor or decide on our behalf that we need a radical re-design and that we want something bigger and heavier?
Trends change and first time users buy what is presented to them with little regard for the design of obsolete models.
It seems we grew tired of the push-button designs of the late 80's and 90's and so the top-plate dials were reintroduced but there have been generatons of people who have grown up using mobile phones and games consoles and have no idea what a 'dial' is......so who knows, perhaps we'll go back to all buttons again!
I really think we should keep our minds open, tomorrow things could look very different!
Size and weight are important for many people but consider the success of the earlier Canon EOS film bodies, they were big and chunky but the EOS1000 in particular was tremendously successful. Anyone wanting an SLR is more likely to opt for a high spec. at the right price over something that 'feels' like they're getting less for their money.
Of course much of it is to do with marketing and salesmanship but if it works!!!
So who's to say that they can't come up with a cheaper way to produce a larger sensor or decide on our behalf that we need a radical re-design and that we want something bigger and heavier?
Trends change and first time users buy what is presented to them with little regard for the design of obsolete models.
It seems we grew tired of the push-button designs of the late 80's and 90's and so the top-plate dials were reintroduced but there have been generatons of people who have grown up using mobile phones and games consoles and have no idea what a 'dial' is......so who knows, perhaps we'll go back to all buttons again!
I really think we should keep our minds open, tomorrow things could look very different!
Comment by Kimbo posted on DON'T BUY PENTAX DIGITAL LENSES!!! at 12/12/2006 - 14:35
teogin,
no need to apologize, you may very well be right - time will tell!
Many forum members have expressed a desire for a 'full-frame' DSLR and have speculated as to the specification of a K1D (such an obvious name that Pentax are bound to choose something different!) but it will come.
Just look at the number of 6MP variants that have been produced over the past 18 months or so, Pentax needed something radically different and the K10D fits the bill. A 10MP APS-C sensor + Pentax's expertise derived from experience with the D range should see them go from strength to strength and the results could well rival their FF counterparts. The DA range of lenses will have a decent life-span but I feel that full-frame will eventually come.
At that time, Pentax will have developed a system to compete favourably with it's FF competitors and will have been sufficiently successful to have a new line up of suitable lenses.
The future of photography is largely digital and not all pieces of equipment will be fully compatible with the older technology and we just have to accept that things move on.
Go digital, stay analogue or use both......the choice is yours and there's nothing wrong with whatever choice you make!
no need to apologize, you may very well be right - time will tell!
Many forum members have expressed a desire for a 'full-frame' DSLR and have speculated as to the specification of a K1D (such an obvious name that Pentax are bound to choose something different!) but it will come.
Just look at the number of 6MP variants that have been produced over the past 18 months or so, Pentax needed something radically different and the K10D fits the bill. A 10MP APS-C sensor + Pentax's expertise derived from experience with the D range should see them go from strength to strength and the results could well rival their FF counterparts. The DA range of lenses will have a decent life-span but I feel that full-frame will eventually come.
At that time, Pentax will have developed a system to compete favourably with it's FF competitors and will have been sufficiently successful to have a new line up of suitable lenses.
The future of photography is largely digital and not all pieces of equipment will be fully compatible with the older technology and we just have to accept that things move on.
Go digital, stay analogue or use both......the choice is yours and there's nothing wrong with whatever choice you make!
Comment by Kimbo posted on DON'T BUY PENTAX DIGITAL LENSES!!! at 12/12/2006 - 05:10
I too can recommend the Tamron SP 500mm.
Do bear in mind that you'll effectively have a 750mm lens on a DL2, so you'll probably need a fast shutter speed and a sturdy tripod most of the time.
You'll also need an Adaptall 2 mount in Pentax KA fit and then you'll have full use of the lens on all of your cameras - even with converters if you so wish.
If you now think that the mirror lens is bit much, you might also consider the Tamron Adaptall 2 135mm F2.5 (manual focus) or the 200mm version, both are excellent performers and balance quite nicely on the small and light DSLRs.
Any original Pentax lens will be a great asset but the Tamrons are good and often available for a fraction of the price.
Do bear in mind that you'll effectively have a 750mm lens on a DL2, so you'll probably need a fast shutter speed and a sturdy tripod most of the time.
You'll also need an Adaptall 2 mount in Pentax KA fit and then you'll have full use of the lens on all of your cameras - even with converters if you so wish.
If you now think that the mirror lens is bit much, you might also consider the Tamron Adaptall 2 135mm F2.5 (manual focus) or the 200mm version, both are excellent performers and balance quite nicely on the small and light DSLRs.
Any original Pentax lens will be a great asset but the Tamrons are good and often available for a fraction of the price.
Comment by Kimbo posted on Mirror Lens for DL2 at 09/12/2006 - 01:53
Myself and quite a few forum members are regular visitors to Focus and I think an exhibition is an ideal way to compare products from different manufacturers. It's nice to be able to wander around freely and chat with people that really know their stuff.
I'll most probably go again this year because I'm lucky enough to work just 15 minutes' walk away from the halls - parking the car is no problem (sorry folks, it's a small private car park) but I must say that I'm very disappointed