I noticed that with my new toy -- the FA31 -- the focus was often not where I wanted it to be. For example, I photographed a portrait bust, and focused on the eyes, but the back of the hair was nice and sharp. So, I spent some time today testing and adjusting the lens for my K-3 and finally decided that +8 gave the best results. That seems, on a scale of -10 to +10 to be quite a bit... Is this a common finding when adjusting the focus for AF lenses? (I spend so much time shooting old manual focus lenses this isn't something I have ever done much.)

Many thanks, Kris.

I recently entered a competition where the rules state that they do not return the prints. I nagged them until they agreed to return mine! I've never sold a print for profit, I just cover the costs. I'm always amazed anyone other than me wants one of my images on the wall!

K.

Sod's Law that the lens that caught my eye is also the most expensive one on the list... Oh well, one day I'll win the lottery...

Good luck with the sale. K.

I robbed the bank and treated myself to a new lens when Amazon was giving some amazing discounts. Here are a few of the first images I have taken with it. All K-3 / FA31.



Feb 01 Ghandi in the Square par Kris Lockyear, on ipernity



Feb 03 bulldozer par Kris Lockyear, on ipernity



Feb 06 Portico par Kris Lockyear, on ipernity



Feb 07 chains par Kris Lockyear, on ipernity

Well, I am glad to see it arrived. I wasn't impressed with the packaging, however, especially as it came from Italy, but the lens seems undamaged, thankfully.



bad box par Kris Lockyear, on ipernity

Well, I hope I am going to enjoy it... Fingers crossed they don't suddenly find out they have no stock.

K.

At the risk of giving the doom-and-gloom merchants more grist for their mills, does anyone know why Amazon are offering such amazing discounts on Pentax lenses at the moment, as noted in the news? The FA31 Ltd was £764 yesterday (RRP £1,350, SRS £1,299), a saving of £586 although I note that today the price has gone up to £899, still a saving of £451.

Kris.

The third pin only occurs on Super-Multi-Coated Takumars and is for the F, ES and ESII models that meter wide open, and thus you do not need to stop-down.

The one time I absolutely insist on a genuine Pentax part is the M42 to K adaptors. So many of the copies have problems with with the third pin, or with an extra flange preventing infinity focus, or flaking chrome that I just won't touch them. I'm sure someone here will chime in that they have a perfect Chinese copy, but I'd rather not end up with a lens stuck on my camera, or an adaptor stuck on my lens, while I am trying to find out...!

Use it as a stop down. Keep the camera on Av mode, lens on A. Set the aperture you want. Focus wide open. Shut the lens down by sliding the A/M switch with your thumb, shoot, slide it back to open up the lens to focus on the next shot. With a little bit of practice it is easier than using a K or M series lens.

Lovely images. I especially like the 55 degrees one which is a classic street photo.

K.