All Forum Comments
Comment by MattMatic posted on "additional" contact on MZ-5n and MZ-3 bodies at 30/05/2003 - 20:14
Lurach,
It's no digital trick
Think about it - 35mm has a frame size of 36mm x 24mm. Imagine the hole behind the shutter where the film sits. Now replace the film with a CCD (ie digital film). However, that CCD is quite a bit smaller than the whole 35mm frame. The ratio is the same (ie 3x2) but covers a "crop" of the whole 35mm frame.
What will happen is that your 50mm lens (in normal 35mm terms) will be focusing a 36mmx24mm image, but the sensor will be sited in the middle. As a consequence the image will appear as if it were taken with a longer focal length lens.
In a way this can be quite useful. Most lenses are sharper around the middle.
The end result should be fabulous anyway. If you get a chance to see any real Nikon D100 images, or Canon 10D or D60 images - I could live with them all However, having a neat Pentax that means I can carry digital and film with one set of lenses and flash equipment will be even better.
Matt
It's no digital trick
Think about it - 35mm has a frame size of 36mm x 24mm. Imagine the hole behind the shutter where the film sits. Now replace the film with a CCD (ie digital film). However, that CCD is quite a bit smaller than the whole 35mm frame. The ratio is the same (ie 3x2) but covers a "crop" of the whole 35mm frame.
What will happen is that your 50mm lens (in normal 35mm terms) will be focusing a 36mmx24mm image, but the sensor will be sited in the middle. As a consequence the image will appear as if it were taken with a longer focal length lens.
In a way this can be quite useful. Most lenses are sharper around the middle.
The end result should be fabulous anyway. If you get a chance to see any real Nikon D100 images, or Canon 10D or D60 images - I could live with them all However, having a neat Pentax that means I can carry digital and film with one set of lenses and flash equipment will be even better.
Matt
Comment by MattMatic posted on New *istD Digital Body at 30/05/2003 - 20:03
Lurach,
Hmmm....
The actual focal length itself cannot change, otherwise the images would be blurred
However, the effective focal length is 1.5x the lens. Hence, a lens marked as 200mm will behave as a 300mm.
In actual fact what is happening is the CCD area is smaller than the 35mm frame so you are getting a centred crop of what you would have on 35mm. This is perfectly in line with the competition, and personally I don't see this as a real disadvantage.
...that's one reason I invested in a 20-35mm It's very nice for my Z1, and will work well with the *istD when I can get my hands on one!
Matt
Hmmm....
The actual focal length itself cannot change, otherwise the images would be blurred
However, the effective focal length is 1.5x the lens. Hence, a lens marked as 200mm will behave as a 300mm.
In actual fact what is happening is the CCD area is smaller than the 35mm frame so you are getting a centred crop of what you would have on 35mm. This is perfectly in line with the competition, and personally I don't see this as a real disadvantage.
...that's one reason I invested in a 20-35mm It's very nice for my Z1, and will work well with the *istD when I can get my hands on one!
Matt
Comment by MattMatic posted on New *istD Digital Body at 30/05/2003 - 15:18
Paul,
You'll have no problem getting lenses for the ME Super.
Yes, it is bayonet (not M42 screw thread - that was for the older cameras). If you are looking for the fitting symbol, you need "PK" (as in Pentax K fit). Note that even though the ME Super is manual focus you can still use the autofocus lenses (ie "PAF"), but you'll have to focus them
Lenses that I have used in either PK or PAF variants: Tokina, Pentax, Sigma, and Vivitar (Series 1). Other lenses are well reported, such as Tamron.
You need to weigh up the size, minimum f-stop, sharpness, weight of the lens. As with all things some things will make you shudder, while others you'll love - you have to try them!
As far as lense range goes, it depends what you are taking! The "standard" zoom range these days is 28-200mm. Personallly, I find 20mm and 24mm very very nice for landscapes and "arty" shots, while a 300mm comes in very handy for outdoor shots of animals and people.
There is a huge amount of second hand lenses on the net. Some places give a good warranty too - definitely worth the effort. Try:
www.mxv.co.uk
www.parkcameras.co.uk
www.ffordes.co.uk
www.clocktowercameras.co.uk
(I've dealt with the top three with great success)
There'll be a ton in London too, plus the usual Jessops chain.
Maybe try doing a Google seach within the UK...
Hope that helps,
Matt
You'll have no problem getting lenses for the ME Super.
Yes, it is bayonet (not M42 screw thread - that was for the older cameras). If you are looking for the fitting symbol, you need "PK" (as in Pentax K fit). Note that even though the ME Super is manual focus you can still use the autofocus lenses (ie "PAF"), but you'll have to focus them
Lenses that I have used in either PK or PAF variants: Tokina, Pentax, Sigma, and Vivitar (Series 1). Other lenses are well reported, such as Tamron.
You need to weigh up the size, minimum f-stop, sharpness, weight of the lens. As with all things some things will make you shudder, while others you'll love - you have to try them!
As far as lense range goes, it depends what you are taking! The "standard" zoom range these days is 28-200mm. Personallly, I find 20mm and 24mm very very nice for landscapes and "arty" shots, while a 300mm comes in very handy for outdoor shots of animals and people.
There is a huge amount of second hand lenses on the net. Some places give a good warranty too - definitely worth the effort. Try:
www.mxv.co.uk
www.parkcameras.co.uk
www.ffordes.co.uk
www.clocktowercameras.co.uk
(I've dealt with the top three with great success)
There'll be a ton in London too, plus the usual Jessops chain.
Maybe try doing a Google seach within the UK...
Hope that helps,
Matt
Comment by MattMatic posted on Advice needed on getting lenses for ME Super at 29/05/2003 - 12:09
Netbutcher,
Try here: http://www.pentax.com/docstore/index.cfm?show=6
You'll find the Optio-S in two parts near the bottom
Matt
Try here: http://www.pentax.com/docstore/index.cfm?show=6
You'll find the Optio-S in two parts near the bottom
Matt
Comment by MattMatic posted on Pentax Option-S User Guide-English to Download ? at 29/05/2003 - 12:00
It's worth also checking out the following second hand suppliers (because you get a guarantee with them too ):
www.mxv.co.uk
www.ffordes.co.uk
www.parkcameras.co.uk
And here's one I found with Google:
http://www.camera-centre.co.uk/secondhand_SLR.htm
(they have a K1000 with Sigma 28-70 for £100. Maybe check out their guarantee options too)
There are plenty of other sites around. Worth doing a Google...
Matt
www.mxv.co.uk
www.ffordes.co.uk
www.parkcameras.co.uk
And here's one I found with Google:
http://www.camera-centre.co.uk/secondhand_SLR.htm
(they have a K1000 with Sigma 28-70 for £100. Maybe check out their guarantee options too)
There are plenty of other sites around. Worth doing a Google...
Matt
Comment by MattMatic posted on PENTAX K-1000 VS PENTAX ZX-M at 21/05/2003 - 12:45
Hi!
Looks like it was 1985 they stopped:
http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/bodies/M/MX.html
(BTW, check out the main site: http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/ for all things Pentax related.)
Matt
Looks like it was 1985 they stopped:
http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/bodies/M/MX.html
(BTW, check out the main site: http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/ for all things Pentax related.)
Matt
Comment by MattMatic posted on MX - when were they made until ? at 12/05/2003 - 10:44
Joanna,
Further to John's reply...
A: Definitely. Mounting is no problem at all.
B: Aperture priority or manual are your only options on the ME (if the lens has an "A" setting, you cannot use it, you must always have a specific aperture set on the lens ring).
Yes, it will meter okay - as well as any other lens
Hope that helps,
Matt
Further to John's reply...
A: Definitely. Mounting is no problem at all.
B: Aperture priority or manual are your only options on the ME (if the lens has an "A" setting, you cannot use it, you must always have a specific aperture set on the lens ring).
Yes, it will meter okay - as well as any other lens
Hope that helps,
Matt
Comment by MattMatic posted on Will a Sigma Hyperzoom fit on an ME Super and meter ok??? at 11/05/2003 - 14:20
Andrew,
Why don't you give Pentax a call? Maybe they can still repair the MX. Telephone: 01753 792792.
They turned around my MZ5 very quickly, and were very helpful on the phone.
(If you are a member of PU, you get 20% discount - make sure you mention that & check it appears on the estimate should you send it in.)
Hope that helps,
Matt
Why don't you give Pentax a call? Maybe they can still repair the MX. Telephone: 01753 792792.
They turned around my MZ5 very quickly, and were very helpful on the phone.
(If you are a member of PU, you get 20% discount - make sure you mention that & check it appears on the estimate should you send it in.)
Hope that helps,
Matt
Comment by MattMatic posted on Reliable Pentax Repairer ? at 08/04/2003 - 13:41
Andrew,
I noticed the advert in the latest Pentax User mag:
Try Asahi Photo Ltd, tel: 0208 908 2931
http://www.asahiphoto.net/
Looks like they may be able to help
Matt
I noticed the advert in the latest Pentax User mag:
Try Asahi Photo Ltd, tel: 0208 908 2931
http://www.asahiphoto.net/
Looks like they may be able to help
Matt
Comment by MattMatic posted on Reliable Pentax Repairer ? at 11/04/2003 - 16:04
The extra contact provides digital information between camera and flash. For instance, if you put an AF360FGZ on the MZ5 and you change the lens zoom, the flash follows.
Check out: http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/index.html - it's an excellent site for all things technical and Pentax
If you haven't already got one - get one I muddled along for years with "compatible" flashes as I was never that happy with the Pentax build or style of the flash guns. When the AF360FGZ came along, and I had upgraded to a Z1 (still have and use my MZ5 and the wife has an MZ10 too), I bought it from the spec alone. It has a great diffuser built in with a catch light too (for highlighting the eyes), and always, always produces superb results. The quality is just amazing - portraits, closeups, fill in, telephoto - all produce lighting that is very natural indeed.
I've just received some more Provia back with some fill in macros... I'll have them scanned and on the web by the middle of next week (check in at my PBase site).
Hope that helps
Matt