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mike_herdering

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Posts posted by mike_herdering

    Another new lens from Pentax......

    in Pentax

    Posted

    <p>Javier, I've had the lens for about a month now. I use it on the K20D, K-7 and K-5 (which has been returned due the sensor stains). The 18-135 focuses quickly and quietly, and if anything, the camera seem to hunt less with it. Though, the hunting is more a function of the available light and the cameras focusing ability, i.e. the K20D hunts more in a given low lighting situation than the K-7. The 18-135 is smaller in diameter and length than the 16-45, but is heavier, and fully extended the 18-135 is longer. It's a good focal range for me and I think it'll become one of my most used lenses. Some examples of what I've done with it can be seen in the last 3 photos here: http://www.mcherderingphotography.com/arizona-0.html<br>

    Eric, the zoom ring feels fine to me, no problems with smoothness.<br>

    Mike</p>

    Pentax K7 @ Tri-State

    in Pentax

    Posted

    <p>If you look closely, you will find that it is a gray market camera, that is not covered by a US warranty. Also, they may say they have it in stock, but usually don't ship until a week or more after it was ordered. Good luck.</p>

    Into the Wood with Medium Format Cameras

    in Medium Format

    Posted

    <p>I recently picked up a Pentax 645N because I wanted to get into medium format, but didn't want all the extra weight. I already carry around a couple DSLRs with a Sigma 10-20mm, a Tamron 70-300mm and a Pentax 24-90mm for in between scenes, plus a tripod, spare batteries, filters, etc. The 645N with FA 45/2.8 add about 6 extra pounds, but it could be worse.</p>

    Pentax 645N Brain Dead?

    in Medium Format

    Posted

    <p>Thanks John. As indicated above, I got it working. It appears to have been the Mid-roll Wind-up Button that got it going. I can confirm that if there's no film in the camera, AF doesn't work and the Viewfinder Display only displays ‘1000 F—‘ regardless of aperture or shutter speed settings. I was also wondering if NiMH batteries would work with it and they do. I've put 2 rolls through it, now I just have to get them processed.</p>

    Pentax 645N Brain Dead?

    in Medium Format

    Posted

    <p>Yuri, thanks for the reply.<br>

    I fiddled with it, and pressed the Mid-roll Wind-up Button a few times and heard a ‘click’. I put the batteries back in, turned it on, and it made a whirring sound as though it was trying to rewind the film (which wasn’t there). I tried putting a roll of film in, pressed the shutter release, and ERR showed up on the LCD. Dooooh! I pulled the film holder out, pressed the Mid-roll Wind-up Button again, and heard a click, put it back in, turned the power back on, pressed the shutter release and it rewound the film (I suppose I put it in backwards). I pulled the film out, put the empty back on, and it did the same as before, no AF, no shutter release. I tried to load another roll of film, and now IT WORKS! The AF works, the viewfinder display indicates the correct settings, and it takes pictures! Yes, a new old camera with quirks.</p>

    Pentax 645N Brain Dead?

    in Medium Format

    Posted

    <p>John, David, thank you for the quick replies.<br>

    John, I've tried with and without film, same result. The 645N doesn't have any sort of manual advance that I'm aware of. I'm hoping the problem is a quirk that I can get beyond.<br>

    David, yes, I got the manual, in advance of the camera arriving. Unfortunately the troubleshooting section doesn't cover this scenario.</p>

    Pentax 645N Brain Dead?

    in Medium Format

    Posted

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    I’m posting this in a number of Pentax/MF fora in the hope of finding a simple solution to my problem. I apologize if you encounter this elsewhere.<br /> <br /> I received a used Pentax 654N with a 75mm FA645 f2.8 lens yesterday that isn’t working. I’ve photographed with 35mms for over 30 years, and with Pentaxs (Pentaxes, Pentaxia, ?) since the mid 80s, so I know my way around cameras. I’m pretty sure this one is busted, but it’s my first 645, or MF for that matter, so I’m hoping someone here with experience with the camera can point out something simple I’m missing.<br /> <br /> The symptoms are:<br /> 1) With new batteries, it will not auto focus or advance a roll of film.<br /> 2) The top LCD is functional (ISO can be changed), but the Viewfinder Display only displays ‘1000 F—‘ regardless of aperture or shutter speed settings on the camera.<br /> 3) With the lens set to AF or MF, and the battery holder (with batteries) freshly inserted, when the shutter release is fully pressed, there is a ‘click’ from the front of the camera (I suspect it is the shutter trying to release) and the Viewfinder Display turns off and will not come back on until after the battery holder has been removed and replaced. With the lens set to AF, MF, or the lens removed, the Viewfinder Display illuminates when the shutter release is pressed half way, and goes off several seconds later.<br /> <br /> I bought it from a well-known east coast (USA) camera retailer. I’ve emailed their support department and got the auto-reply “Our support center is currently closed in observance of the Yom Kippur Holiday, please try emailing again on September 29th”. I will try them again Tuesday, but am hoping to take some test shots this weekend.<br>

    <br /> Thanks in advance for any help you can lend.<br /> <br /> Mike</p>

     

    M42 traveling lens series begins - Schneider 135mm

    in Pentax

    Posted

    <p><!-- [if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --></p>

    <p >Hi Rose. I understand. Actually there were two purposes for my response. I wanted to give Javier an easy link to me so he can get my address, and I was wondering where in California he is. Once again, thank you for going through the trouble to do this for all of us.</p>

     

    m42? adventure idea

    in Pentax

    Posted

    <p><!-- [if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --></p>

    <p >Thanks, Rose. Yes, I’ve visited this forum (along with a couple other Pentax forums) a few times over the past couple years, and I’m not as verbal as some. I tend to pipe up only when I think I have something worthwhile to contribute, which in retrospect, isn’t often. ;-) About me, I’ve been shooting with a Pentax since the 80’s. My first Pentax was an ME Super, and then I got an LX. I got an *istD in ’04, a K10D in ’07 and a K20D last year. I’ve got around 17 lenses now, from a DA 10-17 fisheye to an old Tamron SP 500. So, I guess I have a CBA as well as well as LBA. I shoot mostly landscapes and wildlife, as well as panoramas. I have a couple m42 adapters, and access to an old Vivitar 200mm, which I tried them on, but that’s it for m42. All my other stuff is K mount.</p>

    <p >I didn’t make any reference to having an unused CZJ (I did make a reference to comparing the Schneider to my SMC A 135 though). Given what I’ve read about them, if I had a CZJ, I’d probably use it! Yes, I do struggle with LBA, my last was a 31 Ltd., which produces great images. So far, about the only thing regulating my LBA is a lack of space (my wife is very understanding).</p>

    <p >Oh, and I live in southern California (Arcadia), and the Schneider is fine with me. Thank you again for the consideration.</p>

     

    m42? adventure idea

    in Pentax

    Posted

    <p><!-- [if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> Rose, thanks for the generous consideration. I imagine the shipping, via UPS, would be less than $10 in the US, depending on the insurance and weight. I think basic insurance covers $100. I don’t know the value you place on your Schneider 135, but if it’s less than that, it would be covered. If I’m selected to be a recipient, I promise to send it on in the same, or better, condition than I received it. We could post photos and the tracking numbers as it moves from recipient to recipient. This could be fun!</p>

    m42? adventure idea

    in Pentax

    Posted

    <p><!-- [if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> Hi Rose. This sounds intriguing. It’d be interesting to compare either 135 to my SMC A 135. So, how would it work? The lens gets shipped all over the continent and we post photos after we’ve sent it on its way? If that’s the case, please count me in.</p>
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