All Forum Comments
Comment by Mannesty posted on Lowepro Vertex 100 Premium Backpack £49.99 at 20/01/2010 - 16:56
I think that by now, the OP has ditched his new camera, and taken up golf instead. It's far less confusing. Pointless, but less confusing.
Comment by Mannesty posted on Pentax Lenses for Dummies at 20/01/2010 - 16:35
johnriley wrote:
Perhaps the birds in Japan swim a lot?
Well, I have heard of 'flying fish', and penguins can swim as well as most fish.Perhaps the birds in Japan swim a lot?
Comment by Mannesty posted on Pentax Lenses for Dummies at 20/01/2010 - 09:14
Anvh wrote:
Btw do you know what a bird's-eye lens is, is it the same as a fish-eye?
Stefan, this lens was never put into production. Only pre-production examples exist, and probably not very many of those.Btw do you know what a bird's-eye lens is, is it the same as a fish-eye?
The birds-eye lens has a FOV of 180 degrees. I'm not sure if there is any difference between it and a 180 degree fish-eye lens.
Comment by Mannesty posted on Pentax Lenses for Dummies at 20/01/2010 - 09:10
That clears up a mystery for me too. I have two 'E' models, and they both operate the shutter of my DSLR's. I don't think the zoom button does anything for the K10/20D.
Comment by Mannesty posted on Pentax Remote Control E & Remote Control F - differences? at 19/01/2010 - 23:23
Anvh wrote:
Peter you've SDM wrong it stands for Supersonic Direct-drive Motor
I know I'm the worst some time
Also it's easier to copy paste from the Pentax site btw link
Here is a link to helpful site about K-mount lenses, I've linked you to the Terminology link
Thanks Stefan, edited. I have spent hours on Boj's site and I've never seen that page before.Peter you've SDM wrong it stands for Supersonic Direct-drive Motor
I know I'm the worst some time
Also it's easier to copy paste from the Pentax site btw link
Here is a link to helpful site about K-mount lenses, I've linked you to the Terminology link
Cut 'n paste doesn't cement the knowledge into my little grey cells though. It could also be copyright theft.
Thanks for the links.
Comment by Mannesty posted on Pentax Lenses for Dummies at 19/01/2010 - 23:18
C'mon, we've only just got started.
There are 'soft' lenses, tilt 'n shift lenses, constant aperture zooms, quick shift manual focus, power zoom lenses . . . .
OK, I'll stop now.
There are 'soft' lenses, tilt 'n shift lenses, constant aperture zooms, quick shift manual focus, power zoom lenses . . . .
OK, I'll stop now.
Comment by Mannesty posted on Pentax Lenses for Dummies at 19/01/2010 - 23:12
SMC - Super Multi Coated - If the lens doesn't have these letters on it, it will be multi coated, but will not have the benefit of the superior SMC coating.
Early screw threaded Takumar lenses are highly regarded but Pentax reused the name Takumar on some budget K mount lenses which are not SMC coated.
M42 screw mount lenses can be used on K (bayonet) mount cameras with an adapter. If you go this route, invest in the Pentax adapter to guarantee focus at infinity.
The earliest K mount lenses have no suffix but are generally referred to as K series.
These were followed by lenses having the M suffix, as in SMC Pentax-M. These are fully manual lenses and have no A setting on the aperture ring. These lenses, together with Mft and K series lenses, can only be used stopped down on a Pentax DSLR when the body is set to Manual exposure mode. In all other modes the image will be exposed at full aperture.
SMC Pentax-A series came next. These lenses have the A setting on the aperture ring allowing the aperture to be set on suitably equipped camera bodies. Setting the lens to A and setting the aperture on the camera is the recommended way of using these otherwise the same restrictions apply as M series lenses and earlier.
AF lenses were then introduced having the suffixes F and FA as in SMC Pentax-F. These lenses also have the A setting on the aperture ring and is the recommended setting for Pentax DSLR's.
The first AF lenses having no aperture ring had the suffix FA J.
Then came the digitally optimised range, DA. These have no aperture ring and the aperture must be set on the body.
D-FA lenses are digitally optimized but have an image circle to suit 35mm cameras.
Most of the above lens ranges also include a number of models with a 'star' suffix. These are highly prized lenses, made by hand in Japan, and are of the highest optical and mechanical quality. They are also very expensive.
The FA and DA ranges also have a number of lens models designated 'Limited'. These are manufactured to a very high optical and mechanical standard and are also expensive.
Until recently the focus mechanism employed a camera body mounted motorized screw drive. Pentax are now utilizing a lens mounted drive motor designated SDM, or Supersonic Direct drive Motor. Most SDM lenses also have the legacy screw drive mechanism but some newer models like the DA* 55mm 1:1.4 SDM lens has this omitted and is therefore SDM only, or manual focus.
That's about it I think. You can research lenses further here.
EDIT: Thanks Stefan.
Early screw threaded Takumar lenses are highly regarded but Pentax reused the name Takumar on some budget K mount lenses which are not SMC coated.
M42 screw mount lenses can be used on K (bayonet) mount cameras with an adapter. If you go this route, invest in the Pentax adapter to guarantee focus at infinity.
The earliest K mount lenses have no suffix but are generally referred to as K series.
These were followed by lenses having the M suffix, as in SMC Pentax-M. These are fully manual lenses and have no A setting on the aperture ring. These lenses, together with Mft and K series lenses, can only be used stopped down on a Pentax DSLR when the body is set to Manual exposure mode. In all other modes the image will be exposed at full aperture.
SMC Pentax-A series came next. These lenses have the A setting on the aperture ring allowing the aperture to be set on suitably equipped camera bodies. Setting the lens to A and setting the aperture on the camera is the recommended way of using these otherwise the same restrictions apply as M series lenses and earlier.
AF lenses were then introduced having the suffixes F and FA as in SMC Pentax-F. These lenses also have the A setting on the aperture ring and is the recommended setting for Pentax DSLR's.
The first AF lenses having no aperture ring had the suffix FA J.
Then came the digitally optimised range, DA. These have no aperture ring and the aperture must be set on the body.
D-FA lenses are digitally optimized but have an image circle to suit 35mm cameras.
Most of the above lens ranges also include a number of models with a 'star' suffix. These are highly prized lenses, made by hand in Japan, and are of the highest optical and mechanical quality. They are also very expensive.
The FA and DA ranges also have a number of lens models designated 'Limited'. These are manufactured to a very high optical and mechanical standard and are also expensive.
Until recently the focus mechanism employed a camera body mounted motorized screw drive. Pentax are now utilizing a lens mounted drive motor designated SDM, or Supersonic Direct drive Motor. Most SDM lenses also have the legacy screw drive mechanism but some newer models like the DA* 55mm 1:1.4 SDM lens has this omitted and is therefore SDM only, or manual focus.
That's about it I think. You can research lenses further here.
EDIT: Thanks Stefan.
Comment by Mannesty posted on Pentax Lenses for Dummies at 19/01/2010 - 22:54
This topic might help.
Constructing an HDR image from one raw file does work. Stefan is technically correct in that the Dynamic range doesn't change, but the range of the image that you can 'see' is greatly improved if executed sensibly.
For example, if you were to increase the exposure by 1 or 2 stops, you might reveal some detail within the shadow of the doorway.
This could be saved and used as a psuedo-HDR composite to good effect.
You can download a freeware HDR prog from www.picturenaut.com. It works very well.
Constructing an HDR image from one raw file does work. Stefan is technically correct in that the Dynamic range doesn't change, but the range of the image that you can 'see' is greatly improved if executed sensibly.
For example, if you were to increase the exposure by 1 or 2 stops, you might reveal some detail within the shadow of the doorway.
This could be saved and used as a psuedo-HDR composite to good effect.
You can download a freeware HDR prog from www.picturenaut.com. It works very well.
Comment by Mannesty posted on How to blend different exposures at 19/01/2010 - 15:49
A SMCP-FA 50mm for sale here if you are quick.
Comment by Mannesty posted on Fast fifties: Pentax vs Sigma at 19/01/2010 - 14:40
They now have the Lowepro CompuDayPack bag in stock for £24.99. £99.99 RRP.