Hin's Tech Corner

How to protect Pentax Limited Lenses

2009-11-04T09:49:00.000-08:00

I have plenty to offer why I love Pentax. I plan to enter the contest in photo.net with the price of Pentax DA Limited lens case designed by Ned Bunnell. I saw the lens case in Yvon's Pentax blog. But in case any of you enter the contest and doesn't win the lens case, anyone interested in my $1.50 idea for 6 lens protection. I don't have a nice picture to show or get harassed. I have been using plastic cups from Ikea to shield my lens from unexpected hitting when I carry them in my bag. Not as slick as the limited lens case but for all those who enter the contest, think about going to Ikea to get these plastic cups that are of the similar size to limited lens

It can't fit the bigger lens but I find them quite good to hold the limited lens, or a 50mm, or even a small zoom so that I can place my lens in a lesser accident prone position to fall on an uneven surface or let the lens to have scuff marks in rubbing each other.

Contest aside, you all should go to Ikea to try my $1.50 for 6 limited plastic cups idea while Hin can enter the contest as the winner and loser at the same time with a single entry.

Impressions & Notes:

Very inexpensive to get for a pair of six. There are other sizes that are more like a bowl in shape. Bigger sizes are available that may fit the larger zoom lens
Lightweight and works well as a holder in a backpack
Color coding in green, blue, red and yellow can easily help me to sort my lens into groups for DA limited, primes and FA limited
Once I take out my lens with this holder, I have no fear in leaving it in the wind as the cup is more steady to lay on a flat surface as compared to the lens alone
You have to try it to see if it fits you.

Response to Pentax limited-edition 'Korejanai' K-x

2009-11-02T19:29:00.000-08:00

The Pentax K-x Korejanai Robot Model digital SLR with matching lens,
shown alongside a Korejanai robot.
Photo provided by Hoya Corp.

I learned about Korejani K-x from OnlinePhotographer and imaging-resource. I then participated in a heated discussions in dpreivew Pentax forum thread where a Pentaxian posted a thread on Pentax Reduced to this?? Of course, in the discussion, I will jump in to make a fair statement on behalf of Pentaxian community. I believe on Pentax K-x and I see no harm with a limited special edition of Pentax K-x that has toy like color. Pentaxian may jump the gun with unwarranted criticism and some others and I will tend to think more on the positive side. I especially appreciate a kind Pentaxian soul who shows a photo

Pentax Reduced to this?? started from Undah
Really, I simply ignore all the doom and gloom posts about Pentax going under. Then I see this post and wonder, is this what pentax has been reduced to?

I blurted out in laughter when I first saw this image.

Full article:
http://www.imaging-resource.com/NEWS/1255722321.html

Reply from stanton11 on Pentax Reduced to this??

Title: Re: I will have my last laugh

.. the next time you are in the Amazon, trying to photo shoot the scarlet macaw

Photo by stanton11

with your black, loud clacking scare-bird photography unit.

I'll be in stealth mode with my rainbow k-x.

I have my utmost support and a big bravos to stanton11. I wish I can find stanton11 flickr account information so that I can make a contact with stanton11. It is a good lesson to be learned that not all people think alike. And there is a good reason for the Korejanai K-x. The most humorous that we can draw from the scarlet macaw with a black camera and that of a colorful Korejanai K-x will be along the line of the reaction from the Macaw.

With the normal black camera encounter, the Macaw will say it out loud and clear with Boring, Boring...

With the colorful Pentax K-x, the Macaw will be singing the unusual song with Pentaxian Great

As for HinTheMan, I am more decided to get Pentax K-x white one first while waiting for K-7 to come down in price. I wish I can get the white K-x with a red handle but the default white K-x with a black handle will do fine for me.

Tamron SP 35-80mm f/2.8-3.8 adaptall-2 (01A)

2009-10-23T20:31:00.001-07:00

I just managed to find this adaptall-2 lens. What attract me most about this lens is its size. I intend to find the Tamron SP 24-48mm but that is a rare lens to find for another time. I have small hand and as show in the above picture, you have a rough idea that this zoom is way smaller than my normal zoom with Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 and Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8. In reality, I am covered very well in my normal zooms along with good primes. The LBA thoughts of trying all the un-tapped adaptall-2 lens lure me to give this a try. The lens is dead cute for its size. Here is another shot of this cute lens next to a salt shaker

When I tried out this zoom lens, I noted that I don't have the 62mm lens hood and I found out flare is very evident in this zoom and I then added my 62mm metal lens hood from eBay store heavystar and add a 62mm sky 1 filter and pictures are much improved with lens hood mounted. I am most fascinated with the close up capability that are up to 1:2.5 in the long end of the zoom in roughly 60mm to 80mm. With the 2x TC mounted, the close up can go up to 1:1.25 which is excellent for a zoom. Though the aperture ranges from f/2.8 in 35mm to f/3.8 in the 80mm end. The AE apertures can still be set for f/2.8 in the 80mm end in Av mode.

When I tested the wider end in f/2.8, sharpness is pretty decent but more use are needed to confirm my finding. The bokeh is very nice on this lens along with good color. I found a lot more over-exposure in f/4.5 and smaller. Most of the time, I find the need to dial in -0.3 to -0.7 Ev compensation. It is kind of odd. Metering seems erratic with this zoom lens in smaller apertures. And in bigger apertures, I find metering more accurate and I don't see the darker image in wider aperture like other lenses that I most often run into with vignette in wide open aperture especially in the corner.

1/100 sec, f/2.8, 35mm, iso 500, 0 Ev

1/100 sec, f/2.8, 75mm, iso 400, 0 Ev

1/250 sec, f/2.8, 75mm, iso 400, 0 Ev

1/100 sec, f/4.0, 75mm, iso 800, 0 Ev

1/100 sec, f/4.5, 75mm, 250 iso, -0.7 Ev

Impressions & Notes

Size is cute and small
Color is great on this zoom
Sharpness very decent in wide aperture
Weird over-exposure in close up shot when aperture is smaller than f/4.5
Filter size is 62mm
Flare is evident without lens hood. When mounted with 62mm lens hood and a 1A sky filter, I find flare better controlled
Close up in 1:2.5 happens in the 60 to 80mm end, close up are found decent in initial tests
Overall a very promising small adaptall-2 zoom that I will study more and share with my readers.

Oktoberfest with Tamron SP 80-200mm f/2.8 adaptall-2 30A

2009-10-19T17:19:00.000-07:00

I have been waiting for an opportunity to test out my new used adaptall-2 lens with Tamron SP 80-200mm f/2.8 adaptall-2 30A. It is really a beautiful lens to own. When Oktoberfest in Yahoo! campus was arranged from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. I was all for the event with the 30A zoom. I can't drink any alcohol and beer and wine is not my thing. I felt bored when I got to the festivity. But as soon as I aim my lens at the beer ice chest, Oktoberfest 14th annual mug from Yahoo! and live performance. My enthusiasm was well and alive. Due to the late afternoon, lighting was even but a bit on the dark side, I shot most in f/4.0 to f/5.6 setting. The sharpness and bokeh in the Tamron SP 80-200mm f/2.8 adaptall-2 really did its job wonderful for me. I felt like I have accomplished my task well in finding a manual focus zoom with fast and constant aperture in f/2.8. Bokeh, sharpness and color are quite good in the testing. The lens is a bit on the heavy side. A monopod will come to mind in my next investment.

1/40 sec, f/4.5, 135mm, iso 320, +0.7 Ev

1/40 sec, f/3.2, 150mm, iso 250, 0 Ev

1/100 sec, f/5.0, 180mm, iso 320, +0.3 Ev

1/125 sec, f/5.0, 180mm, iso 320, +0.3 Ev

1/200 sec, f/5.0, 135mm, iso 320, 0 Ev

1/100 sec, f/4.0, 135mm, iso 250, 0 Ev

Impressions & Notes:

Consistent with my initial impressions, the lens delivers in terms of bokeh, color and sharpness
Apertures from f/4.0 to f/5.6 in the late evening deliver results that are rich in color and contrast. Bokeh is soft, smooth and seems very pleasant on the green background
I had a lot of fun shooting live performance in 180mm with a lot of detail in the facial expressions of the performers.
A bit heavy to use it for a longer duration. A monopod is high on my to-buy list to work with this heavy zoom.
I don't have its default tripod ring collar and I have no idea how to find its original tripod ring. My 3rd party tripod collar for Canon 70-200mm f/4.0 L lens with 66mm diameter seems to fit but a bit tight to close the screw knob.
Focus and Zoom ring is very pleasing as noted in my initial impressions
Zoom makes event photography more fun as excitement and flexibility is right in the zooming to frame the shot with great ease and this adaptall-2 zoom does not disappoint for event photo with emphasis in outdoor setting requiring longer reach. And this zoom lens helps greatly with good bokeh and depth to iron out interesting subjects for portraits and candid.
Overall a highly recommended adaptall-2 fast zoom lens worth consideration if 80-200mm f/2.8 in a heavy zoom lens speaks in volume to you.

Pentax K-x -- Be Interesting

2009-10-17T13:43:00.000-07:00

With the color selections from 100 colors, it may become a daunting task to choose a color that fits your style. The color selection from Pentax K-x draws a bunch of unfair criticism from the Pentax community and perhaps the outsiders of Pentax community. I don't understand why is there complaints on addition of choices. I always like choices. Pentax or any other companies and retailers will not hold your hands in sticking with the black body that you dearly love. "No black body, no business with me" would be a silly saying as the black color is one of the four default colors in US and I think the majority will still stick with the black color. But why complain on something that Pentax makes in turning its entry level camera interesting with color choices besides the improvements on its features. It is debatable if the color choices is a business risk to take. If I were Pentax, I will start small like 25 colors with some of the limited edition colors hand picked by Hin and try to draw less criticism from the black only and the so-called enthusiasts and the black-only professionals who treat any change from the norm as childish, teenage and not a good idea.

Perhaps, the toy and carton animation like color edition draws the most criticism but people should note that Pentax plans for 100 limited order for this type of color. My son at 7 was jaw dropping when he sees this camera and I ask him for an honest answer if he wants his Daddy to go for one in Christmas, his answer is a definite NO. But does that make me and my son think less of Pentax, a definite NO for sure. Quite on the contrary, we think more positivelt about Pentax and I feel a proud Daddy to show my son that his Daddy's blog is behind a unique company with bold and out of the box thinking.

OnlinePhotographer Article on Pentax K-x

Guys, nobody ask you to buy this limited editor of Carton like color and I am sure this will simply run as a hot limited edition item similar to the special edition of Pentax K-m in the white edition that only limit to 1000 copies for purchase.

And many complain on OnlinePhotographer on the display of Pentax K-x in Japan in store

OnlinePhotographer Article on Pentax K-x

Come on, this is just a display for people to pick up in the K-x in store to get the color appeal. It is not the final packaging. At least I don't believe that Pentax will sell a body wrapped in plastic shell without a manual, CD, charger and the accessories that comes in a sturdy box. Please don't jump in conclusion with our USA buyer experience over how Pentax Japan runs its retail business and marketing deployment and realization for "Be interesting."

I think if the marketing scheme really catches on with wonderful execution. The Canikon may go back to the drawing board and they may get confused if this color scheme thing takes off in the entry level. Maybe the next entry level from Canikon will go something similar along the same thread of thought in color appeal to color blind the masses who love Canon and Nikon.

Each may come up with 101 colors that you can choose in Canikon look alike color schemes for body, hand grip and battery grip.

Canon -- you pick any color you want. By the way, the black one will cost you much more.

Nikon -- you can pick any color you want except the black one, special order with upgrade fee is optional for Dark Forces version.

Wow, the Canon L lens can finally come in color other than white, that would be awesome. And the VR lens come in red to morph into Very Red for the VR acronym, that would be totally fantastic, don't you think?

I think it is a bold move from Pentax.
It looks so ridiculous that it actually looks pretty.
And it looks so trashy that it looks artsy as well.
It looks so awful that it looks awesome and tempting.
It looks so childish that it looks so creative and with a fresh touch.
And it looks so stupid in design that it actually looks
like a genius design in the making.
It looks so painful to accept as a Pentaxian that
it looks so exciting to embrace as a renewed Pentaxian on spirit

-- Hin's copyrighted quote for Pentax K-x campaign-- be interesting.

Pentax K-x or K-7, which to get first

2009-10-14T19:28:00.000-07:00

I really don't know what to do with my upgrade plan to Pentax K-7. Originally, I was thinking of upgrading my Pentax K20D to Pentax K-7 when Pentax K-7 happens to get close in price to $1K. Now that with the Pentax K-x that comes with white color that I love as a backup and travel light and do it all camera. I am as confused as ever when I come to a purchase decision point that I find myself stuck and not sway one way or the other. I was not expecting the desire for K-x as much as I want an upgrade from K20D to a K-7. Pentax has done its jobs right and I am indecisive in what to get first. I am sure many of my readers and buddies are sharing the same dilemma. And I place a comment on Ned Bunnell's blog post on K-x test shots with this question:

Ned, whatever magic that you and your Pentax great colleagues have done on the high ISO noise, can you think of back-porting the improvement as an option to Pentax K-7 so that we are in full blown of improvements on noise not just on K-x but also on K-7.

It would be odd to see substantial improvement on noise on the entry level camera from Pentax but not on the flagship product with K-7.

I am likely to get K-7 and K-x and it would have been nice if K-7 has the high ISO capability with the K-x.

Just a thought, please forgive me to be straight. We need honest talks and right to the point. Hope you take it positively.

I find it intriguing that Pentax seems to pull out their best performance in noise control into the making of Pentax K-x. Its sample pictures in ISO 3200 and ISO 6400 are very appealing to me to say the least. Unlike certain Full Frame enthusiasts who have been whining their discontent in not having full frame, their story mainly concentrate on the best in noise control which Pentax is not the best option but I would say this -- Pentax K20D are quite good up to ISO 800 with solid performance and very reasonable for shots up to ISO 1600. However, shots beyond ISO 1600 seem to degrade quite drastically subject to the lighting scenes and lens mounted. I did a shooting for staged dance performance and I can attest that many of my shots in ISO 400 to 1600 come out very satisfactory for me and quite a number of keepers and good shots between 1600 to 3200 but it really gets to my comfort zone to shoot anything above ISO 1600 and not worry about noise.

With the coming of Pentax K-x with a Sony Cmos sensor, likely the similar one shared by Nikon latest top models, I am baffled to find much improvements on noise in ISO 3200 to 6400. With K-x, my impressions so far seem to indicate that I can shoot confidently from ISO 1600 to 3200 and not have to worry too much about noise.

What happens to K-7, if I have to give my impressions. It looks as if K-7 is at best in par with K20D and vary slightly both ways in terms of noise. I am not trying to step down on Pentax like RH and others are as Pentax K-7 is really a total revamp with a leap of bold moves with lots of improvement and substantial features on video, level indicator, better frame rates at 5.2 fps, quiet AF and better body overall just to name a few. All improvement really make K-7 a good competitor to Nikon D300 and Canon 50D for me. But the similar noise performance in K-7 seems to give competition reasons to doubt on the wonderful flagship product of Pentax. It would have been a clear winner if K-7 has the noise improvements made in K-x.

I am still undecided as to which camera to get first. Should I get a K-x first and then K-7. Or should I go with K-7 and forget about K-x. I am sophisticated guy who wants the best from Pentax and yet I am a stylish guy who may go out the extra miles to compromise for a smaller and more stylish camera for traveling and backup purpose.

I need to think it through as I don't want to rush into the decision. Patience will reward me for the ultimate dual body system that I need.

Related:

Surpassing RiceHigh blog in Alexa and mozRank

2009-10-12T19:36:00.000-07:00

Picture in Oktoberfest with
Tamron SP 80-200mm f/2.8 adaptall-2 30A

I don't have as much traffic as RH blog. I write mainly to share my photography experiences and RH of course reports all problems and issues with his added opinions, measurebation, and spins on various reported issues and problems. He is the ultimate measubator and I am totally not. I respect him as a friend, but I don't agree with him on his untiring work in stepping down on Pentax.

Originally Posted by RiceHigh when his blog reaches 1 million pageview

And in term of the site "popularity", mine is still the highest Alexa ranked unofficial Pentax dedicated site, amongst all the Pentax sites of different types, themes and natures (exclude forums but include all other information-sharing websites like the excellent K-mount knowledge base by Bojidar Dimitrov and those semi-official blogs like Ned's or Yvon's etc. (which I think Yvon's site is actually a commercial one as his books and related products are promoted and there are Ads whereas Ned's one is both semi-personal and semi-official)).

I checked today based on a Mozilla Firefox plugin called Quirk Search Status. I have surpassed RH blog by a margin today. It is too early to celebrate until I can confirm my Alexa ranking further. But here are what the plug-in reported to me in my Firefox browsing of my blog and that of RH home page.

Hin's Tech Corner: http://www.techtheman.com

Google page rank: 0/10 (I have 0 rank, yet to be resolved with Google)
Alexa rank: 452,745
mozRank: 4.0

RiceHigh blog: http://ricehigh.blogspot.com

Google page rank: 3/10
Alexa rank: 593,690
mozRank: 3.67

Just a tiny bit of success that I overjoy at the moment. I want to share my enthusiasm with Pentaxian. I can' beat RH in terms of his popularity but at least I can chip in to praise Pentax for what it is good at and the Pentax credits that are long due from its consumers and bloggers who value them fairly. And in my blog, I have included all other Pentaxian blogs that can share a fair view on photography along with Pentax gear, you can see all the Pentaxian blogs update and the list will only get longer as I am going to make more Pentaxians friends to share our concerted efforts in appreciating Pentax gear on a fair basis.

RH has become a friend of mine and I do respect him as a good blogger and a kind friend to me in the blogging community. I was wrong about a month ago trying to wage a war with RHTrashyGreen campaign with trashy and insulting wording wanting to defend Pentax and its community to his onslaught of efforts seemingly stepping down on Pentax gear with issues and with much success in his popularity.

His work in his blog does hold Pentax accountable to all the reported issues and known problems and we should consider that as a plus to certain degree to the Pentax community. We don't need to react with doubts and hate but rather let Pentax reacts to his reports to come out with another k-7 that is better than k-7, another k-x that can be more bold than the current k-x, and perhaps a 645D that an average Joe in us can save up for. Well for the latter, maybe in retirement bidding on impulse on a 645D parts-only-and-as-is and hopping our next generation as in my two boys have gotten a degree close enough to fix it up for HinTheMan in retirement.

RH comments to me in my blog is exceptionally kind as we do share common interest in appreciating some of the Pentax gear in the past such as his Pentax F* 300mm f/4.5, Pentax K100D, and probably many of his precious babies -- the Pentax prime lenses. He is a unique person with a character we may not understand. It is quite difficult to be kind to him and his work but I will do my part to be open and treat him with honor and respect whenever I can. As I learned from his comments, this world can do better with less hatred but with friendship, warmth, and kindness.

And before I end this blog post, I have a YouTube video showing how ugly that a fight can go and I vouch not to fight as in this Hong Kong movie, both superstars in Hong Kong were no longer with us. Instead, I will invite RH to enjoy the movie with me and we can engage our similar and yet very different approach and objectives in blogging with Pentax products.

I invite my readers to be open minded and kind to RiceHigh as he has done that to me and others who are open minded.

Related:

Quirk Search Status -- FireFox Add-on download
Approaching 400K Pageviews with Despair -- Hin's Tech Corner
RiceHigh Blog reaching 1 million Page View -- RiceHigh blog
Yoda Meets Pentax -- Swear No More and Bash No More
Pentax K-x tagged blog posts
Pentax K-7 tagged blog posts
Pentax 645N
Pentax K100D
Hin's Camera Gear

CFL Lightbulbs Explained

2009-10-09T17:30:00.000-07:00

I want to follow up on my green efforts in finding practical ways in home remedies with easy to do efforts in making my home energy efficient. In the documentary movie of Inconvenient Truth, I learned about Carbon Dioxide emission and that Coal burning is involved in 50% of the electric power generation in the United States. That alone is a huge cause of carbon dioxide emission from US alone as a responsible country with higher goals to conserve energy and preserve our environment. How can we all chip in to help? In conserving with less electricity usage, not only can we save on our monthly electric bills, we are directly helping to preserve our environment in burning less coal.

As mentioned before in my Going Green in Blogging efforts, one of my set simple goals is to study all energy saving light bulbs available for my family. And I find this wonderful clip that explain plainly in English what Compact Fluorescent CFL Lightbulbs are all about. Most of the material are known and well presented in a easy to remember and understand manner. I would research into the dangerous component that exists in small amount of mercury in those CFL light-bulbs and learn ways to recycle them properly. This clip is well worth seeing with your family

Update on CFL recycling

As we learned form reading up discussions on CFL, the biggest complaint is right on the recycling need due to the presence of mercury. How much mercury is present in each light bulb? I can't honestly tell but from my casual reading, it should be a concern if one ever get the CFL ligh-bulb broken. Here are few tips that I gathered from the web

Ikea is one of the stores that provides recycling of CFL light bulbs. It is renowned as one of the green companies that advocate energy saving with their CFL light bulbs products.
In the recycling companies like BFI or Allied Waste Management, I am sure the monthly bill has the contact number for one to inquire about the recycling of CFL light-bulbs
I will ask the following CFL carrying stores that I think are quite responsible companies selling CFL, I will check and report back -- Walmart, Lowes, Orchard Supply and Homes Depot.
In the event that a CFL light bulb is broken. First thing to teach our kids is to stay away from touching the broken glass along with these tips:
- Open up nearby windows to improve air ventilation and avoid physical contact
- Use glove and paper towel and a little brush to sweep away the broken glass. Be aware of open wound and avoid contact from broken glass. Wrap in sturdy paper bag and store in container that is ready for safe delivery to recycled place

Green Bokeh
Natural Lighting -- Zero cost

Picture taken with
Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 1:1 Macro on Flowers

Blue Lights
likely CFL light-bulbs
Foundry Network

Picture taken with Pentax K100D
Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4

Exclamation! Cafe in Yahoo!
with CFL

Picture taken with Pentax DA 35mm limited

Incandescent Light Fixture
I love the lighting but I hope
the Japanese restaurant owner can replace with CFL

Picture taken
Vivitar 135mm f/2.8 1:2 close-focusing, Komine

Tamron 75-250mm f/3.8.-4.5 adaptall-2 104A Initial Impressions

2009-10-08T16:08:00.000-07:00

What attracts me to try out this adaptall-2 lens with 104A that is a non-SP version of adaptall-2 lenses is the extra focal range that goes to 250mm and the lighter weight. I can't yet figure out as part of the lens barrel is made of plastic though the material is of heavy duty and I still feel strongly that the Tamron adaptall-2 lens is of unusual build quality that are up in par with the other SP adaptall-2 lens that I have a chance to try out. The lens surprises me with positive impressions as it is not well talked about in adaptall-2.com site and which noted it as above average performer. Specifically, I get lured into this with the comment about its lightweight. Speed is quite good in the range of f/3.8 to f/4.5. And guess what, it closely resemble the range in Pentax DA* 60-250mm f/4.0 and it is not too far off in the speed.

with 2x conv
close up goes from 1:3.4 to 1:1.7
not bad for a $30 TC -- yet to try

Tamron SP 01F 2x Teleconverter

Its close focus ratio is 1:3.4 which comes in handy for this zoom. When combined with Tamron SP 01F 2x Teleconverter, it can reach 1:1.7 in magnification ratio in minimum focusing distance of 1.2m or 4 feet. I like the lens starting from 250mm in the push-pull one touch zoom design that goes from 250mm to 75mm and it goes with clear scale of zoom position in 75mm, 90mm, 105mm, 135mm, 180mm and 250mm. All happen to be the critical focal point that will work well with the SR focal length setup on my Pentax K20D.

All test shots are done hand-held

1/100 sec, f/8.0, 250mm, iso 400, 0 Ev

0.3 sec, f/4.0, 75mm, iso 640, 0 Ev

1/13 sec, f/4.5, 250mm, iso 500, 0 Ev

intentional out-of-focus to see bokeh

1/8 sec, f/4.5, 250mm, iso 800, -1 Ev

1/20 sec, f/4.5, 75mm, iso 640, 0 Ev

With the Tamron SP Flat-field 2x teleconverter mounted, I have a difficult time in obtaining focus lock and I switched on MF to make the shots. Bokeh in out of focus shot are more rounded than without and I can't explain it yet.

1/50 sec, f/8.0, 500mm, iso 500, 0 Ev
with Tamron SP 01F 2x TC

1/5 sec, f/4.5, 500mm, iso 800, -0.7 Ev
with Tamron SP 01F 2x TC
intentional out-of-focus to see bokeh
ringed light is more rounded when TC is mounted
why the difference

Initial Impressions & Notes

Too early to draw conclusions but I am very impressed in its lightweight and wide open aperture performance
Ease of use and the extra reach to 250mm gets the most attention from me especially when its speed is so close to Pentax DA* 60-250mm f/4.0.
As said, speed in f/3.8 -4.5 is plenty for this zoom
I have not tested its close up in 1:3.4 magnification setting
I find it a charming lens to use in panning car movement at night as it is lightweight and its Tamron adaptall-2 focusing ring wins my heart again in manual focusing that is precise, smooth and allow fast focusing in reaction to scene -- top notch in manual focusing
Use with 2x adapter does has the problem in losing too much light making it difficult to obtain focus at night. I will re-test the use of 01F TC in day time to draw conclusion
500mm test pictures with 01F 2x TC are reasonable but heavy cropping from 250mm test shots yield about similar and close results. I don't have trained eyes to see the advantage. But one thing is for sure, with the 2x TC mounted, you feel more excited in taking the pictures of the moon filling the frame way better than without the TC mounted
A value lens for sure to be paid attention. My copy is in mint condition and I paid $50.00 with buy it now pricing.

Going Green in Blogging

2009-10-06T14:34:00.001-07:00

It is unusual for me to talk about something not related to lenses, cameras and what I have learned in photography. If you are the regular visitors who look for another blog post of camera equipment, you have to bear with me for some minor changes. I am not an environmentalist but as a photographer, I visit Wild Life Refuge and Park with regular tours for visitors like me to get closer to our natural environment. I am extremely thankful to volunteers who spend their valuable time in educating the current and next generation on the importance of conservation of our environment. Be it in conservation of our natural resources and learning to save our environment with use of renewable energy and fuel's alternatives, and urgenct with global climate changes, I am supportive of measures that preserve our natural environment as well as our natural resources.

I am as naive as I can be as I am somewhat confused as to who to listen to and trust for advice, what is true behind the scientific data numbers and what are really at stakes in our environment. What are the simple things that we all as citizens of the earth can do today that we won't regret in the future? What are the odds that if we don't react responsibly today and that our future generation can still enjoy the parks the same way that we enjoy them today with great pictures and videos? I am taking an unusual initiative and step to study and learn as much as I can on environment and include my findings as part of my blogging articles. I want to be informed and make conscious choices in voting on particular environmental issues in California and educate myself and my family to go green in living and pick up our duties in conserving energy usage and find affordable means of transportation and renewable energy. I don't own a Hybrid car such as the Toyota Prius as I find them not as economical as I thought they would be. Is there other alternative that are both safe and cost effective to consider?

Every time that I see a mallard pair, I become the duck-aholic photographer. I shot all these green shots last weekend with Tamron 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di LD Macro and I can't imagine someday that our environment become hostile to many animals that we can hardly find them in their natural habitats or the trees are no longer as green as they should be

I am studying home simple remedies that are energy efficient and start to find places that I can recycle batteries properly. Some of the studies that I plan to look up

Solar power panel, is it cost effective? I talked to Sun Solar Power in a presentation in San Mateo, it is not if I plan to live in the residence in less than 5 year time frame, it has to be at least 7 years.
About energy efficient light bulbs, which are the best. I am dumb founded to find many of my energy light bulbs to fail shorter than the claimed hours, darn it.
How come an average Japanese person is using 1/2 of energy as compared to average person in US. I am learning about this in http://californiareport.org/ and http://www.kqed.org/news/climatewatch/ with this wonderful article Keeping up with the Sakakis in Japan
There is so much that we can learn from the Japanese who stay focused in reduction on energy consumption. However, with the onslaught of electronic devices, what are the guidelines to watch for consumer electronics? Do our industry set guidelines for electronic devices.
How truthful is the inconvenient truth documentary that I watched in awe and got aspired from our previous vice president with Al Gore. Youtube clip in next paragraph.

I always like to shoot green tree leaves in back-lit scene and the brilliant light shining through the leaves vividly gives me comfort and inspiration for a green initiative that has come alive in my blog. Please join me in paying close attention to our natural environment and make it our daily efforts to think, plan and preserve our environments that we have no regrets in leaving our footprints for the future generations to come.

All photos taken with Pentax K20D and
Tamron 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di LD Macro

Sigma 28mm f/1.8 II in Mid-Autumn Festival Night

2009-10-05T18:37:00.001-07:00

I am the idiot who sold the Lady Queen in Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8 limited and replaced the Lady Queen with two lens with very different functionality in Sigma 28mm f/1.8 II and Pentax DA 35mm f/2.8 1:1 macro. I bought the Sigma for its fast speed and a used price about $165 and the I got my Pentax DA 35mm f/2.8 1:1 macro limited with a good bargain price about $375.00 new with Prodigal2000. Do I miss the Lady Queen. Hell Yes unfortunately. I don't think either of the two replacements can replace the IQ in the 31mm limited. But darn it, I feel much easier in taking out my lens and shoot the lens as a tool as an equal partner and I don't want to give any of my lens any special treatment like others do. I could imagine some of my Pentaxian friends will have a shrink with lock to protect their 31mm limited and they would have a difficult time to take out the lens in traveling. I will always question why one buys a lens that they will worry in scratching and leaving marks rather than enjoy it for what it is good for -- taking pictures. Though I truly miss my Lady Queen for its enormous image quality and superb color, I do find significant comfort and ease of usage with my competent replacements for the 31mm limited

I don't use my Sigma 28mm f/1.8 II quite often as I would love to as I have a tendency to stay with zooms in outings in the weekends and vacation. I busted my prime with 28mm this weekend with Mid-Autumn festival with lanterns and moon cake and a visit to Don Edwards SF Bay Wildlife Refuge for its Shark Day event.

1/40 sec, f/1.7, 28mm, iso 2000, 0 Ev

1/50 sec, f/2.2, 28mm, iso 1600, 0 Ev

1/10 sec, f/2.2, 28mm, iso 2000, 0 Ev
Flare noted, not sure if I mounted the
lens hood

1/10 sec, f/2.5, 28mm, iso 2000, -1/3 Ev

1/6 sec, f/2.5, 28mm, iso 2000, 0 Ev

1/3 sec, f/2.5, 28mm, iso 2000, 0 Ev

1/10 sec, f/1.7, 28mm, iso 3200, 0 Ev

We ended the day with mooncake
1/40 sec, f/1.7, 28mm, iso 500, 0 Ev

Impressions & Notes

Though the lens maximum aperture was stated i f/1.8, all shots wide open in my K20D reported as f/1.7
The lens is not big and has a 58mm filter size. It is not the same as the latest DG or EX Sigma lens, build is all plastic and not of the same quality as in DG and DC Ex lens lineup
Lens is easy to handle like a 50mm in size. Close up is found decent on flowers but I don't think it has magnification ratio greater than 1:4, likely 1:6.
Flare is noted in extreme lighting when my neighbor lighting shined through the front of my lens. It was possible that I forgot to mount the lens hood.
An overall budget fast prime that do reasonably well at night but nothing in sharpness and color that would stand out like the 31mm limited. Color rendering is better in Pentax 35mm limited and the 31mm limited lenses.

REI Ultrapod II mini-tripod & Big Lenses

2009-10-02T14:52:00.000-07:00

The REI Ultrapod II mini-tripod has been my best companion that I always kept it together in the case of my DynaTran Amvona tripod. My recent table top product shots of heavy lens is a testament that this mini-tripod can take on heavy weight. I can always count on it for product shots of my gear. I used it on a 3.5 lb lens with Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 180mm f/2.8 in M42 and my latest Tamron SP 80-200mm f/2.8 adaptall-2 30A, it is not a problem for the 1 foot long mini tripod. It is as dependable as I can hope for a product that cost me little when I got it in REI store online about the time that I bought my Pentax K100D in 2007.

3.5 lb Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 180mm f/2.8
on Ultrapod II

Debuting Lens with an attitude

Maybe close to 4 lbs
with Tamron SP 80-200mm f/2.8 adaptall-2 30A
with metal hood, and 01F 2x teleconverter
and Canon 70-200mm f/4.0 ring collar

There is a tip that I can share with my readers in hooking up the tripod without a quick release. While there may be an option to buy separate quick release for mounting head, I simply use it as is originally designed. I collapse the three legs and use the collapsed legs to aid to make it easier to screw in the nut onto the mounting hole on tripod ring or camera body. Not the perfect solution but this way of planned mounting will make the mounting task easier.

With legs collapsed
Velcro strap is in place to tie up the legs

Mount using the collapsed legs to
aid the mounting in clockwise direction
screwing nut onto the the mounting hole in
tripod ring or camera body bottom

again, legs collapsed and mount first onto lens
tripod mounting hole

Impressions & Notes

Very sturdy and value add for a small mini-tripod. I hope I can find copies to buy as give-away gifts planned for subscribers, commenter, friends of this blog page
A great gadget to use in hiking with small setup
Absolute joy to use with point & shoot camera
Velcro strap may not be strong enough to hold a heavy setup.
No issues on using it on table top for set up from 3.5 to 4 lbs
Tip in mounting includes using the collapsed legs and Velcro to secure the mounting screw nut onto the mounting hole with ease while turning the collapsed legs in a clockwise direction.

Tamron SP 80-200mm f/2.8 adaptall-2 30A

2009-10-01T19:17:00.001-07:00

I am thrilled to receive my new used lens with Tamron SP 80-200mm f/2.8 adaptall-2 30A. It is my upgrade and replacement for Tokina AT-x SD 80-200mm f/2.8 with 'A'. I have not seen a lens of this weight over 3 lbs and even the lens hood is a metal and has a leathery gripping sleeve similar to those found in the the focusing ring sleeve. It is such a well built lens and I think this is the BEST adaptall-2 lens that I have ever touched. I thought of disposing of my other Tamron SP 70-210mm f/3.5 adaptall-2 19AH but I was glad no one shows serious interest when I listed it for $120. The 30A cost more in the ball park of $200 to $350. I once saw a used one for $200 and I hesitated due to its weight. And this one that I get don't come with a tripod collar ring and I happen to have a matching Canon 3rd party tripod ring for cheap. It will do fine for now

Metal lens hood reverse mounted
The most heavy duty lens hood that I have seen
extremely well done in mounting and dismounting
solid like a industrial steel pipe with style
Model #: 82FH

A temporary tripod ring with 66mm
for Canon 70-200mm f/4.0 L lens

The most heavy duty metal lens hood
that I have ever used

Filter size is 77mm

The focusing ring is again top-notch like the 19AH
no zoom creep,
quick focusing with precision
about 3/5 turn in the focus throw
This lens make you scream with joy in manual focusing

Lens Hood and Tamron SP flat field 2x Telconverter 01F

With 2x Teleconverter 01F mounted

Rightly deserves the Tamron adaptall-2 p/ka adapter

I tried out few test shots in wide aperture and normal use. I was blown away with great bokeh, sharpness and ease of use with the lens. It is no doubt quite heavy but I see it as second nature when a lens can offer outstanding image quality at wide aperture. I will hopefully study the lens and share with my friends soon.

1/250 sec, f/2.8, 85mm, iso 100, +0.3 Ev

1/200 sec, f/5.6, 150mm, iso 200, 0 Ev

1/60 sec, f/5.6, 150mm, iso 200, 0 Ev

1/100 sec, f/5.6, 150mm, iso 200, 0 Ev

1/80 sec, f/5.6, 150mm, iso 200, 0 Ev

Impressions & Notes

This is the best manual focus zoom lens that I have ever used.
I consider myself extremely lucky and not shy away from the heavy weight.
I will test more and update my impressions.
I am so far blown away with image quality and build of this zoom lens. It is in another class by itself in the SP adaptall-2 lens collection.

Pentax 600mm setup with Kenko 2x AF TC on Pentax F* 300mm f/4.5

2009-09-29T17:27:00.000-07:00

I was about to sell my new Tokina/Kenko branded Pz-AF 2x Teleplus MC7 converter. I bought it new about $90.00 and I used it last with some reasonable moon shots with Pentax F* 300mm f/4.5. I don't have a reliable setup of tripod and ball-head and I test the same setup further in a birding tour with Don Edwards SF wildlife refuge. I brought along the setup and before I knew it, a Pelican fly by filling big part of my view finder and I take few shots hoping for a reasonable shot to convince myself to keep the TC.

I spotted the White Pelican from a good distance
from the 600mm rig
1/1600 sec, 600mm, f/6.3, iso 1600, O Ev

I missed 2nd shot in the framing and the 3rd one is
the sharpest of the bunch with no editing
1/1600 sec, 600mm, f/6.3, iso 2000, O Ev

1/1600 sec, 600mm, f/6.3, iso 1600, -1/3 Ev

They all landed in an area far away from me
the 600mm rig kept me in a good distance from the birds

Next come the black necks

leaving the Pelicans behind

A candid shot on the marsh landing plants

with focal b&w

Impressions & Notes

Not the best in IQ but very much hand-holdable setup that I can shoot without a tripod
If you expect AF to work reliably, don't buy this TC as you may get disappointed. Though it has the power zoom contacts that look like the SDM contacts, it is not found to work with Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 in auto-focus.
Though the TC worked with F* 300mm with AF, the motor noise and AF seem to take a long time to travel to focal point, I ended up shooting all birds flying shots in manual focus mode along with TAv where I set the shutter speed to a fast shutter as in 1/1600 sec and set Av to f/6.3, probably the lowest that is allowed after the TC is mounted.
Unlike the time that I shot the moon with this set up, the manual focusing seem to work better than AF as I can get more responsive to the birds movement in MF. With the moon, the AF pretty much stay about the same spot not changing. With the birds, things around the birds as well as panning their movement kept the focusing to re-focus and somehow make the shot more difficult to do in AF than MF. Shame, I don't know how to explain it well, it is an odd feeling why MF works better than AF in this difficult shooting scenes with the birds.
I had similar bad experience with AF on the F* 300mm f/4.5 without the TC that I divide my shots to have a balance between AF and MF subject to the scene and shooting conditions. There are many times that the AF foul up on me especially with AF.C and panning birds with distracting backgrounds or background with low contrast. And I can hardly rely on the semi-working AF for panning the birds movement.
I am going to keep the TC as I find it worth keeping for $90 to bring my 300mm into a workable 600mm lens. Of course, there are many cons that go with the TC approach in degradation of IQ. My approach in assessing the usefulness on the TC is making the shot with compromises and the TC does let me stay at a good distance in not disturbing the wildlife.

Vivitar 70-150mm f/3.8 from Kiron with 2x multiplier

2009-09-28T18:53:00.000-07:00

I have several versions of the Vivitar 70-150mm f/3.8 made by Kiron and I like the two touch zoom the best out the three that I have owned in the past. I sold all but kept the last one in M42 mount in 2 touch zoom design as I like Av mode with M42 lens without the extra step in stop-down metering.

Vivitar 70-150mm f/3.8 in K mount -- one touch zoom
Vivitar 70-150mm f/3.8 in K mount -- two touch zoom
Viviar 70-150mm f/3.8 in M42 mount -- two touch zoom is my current one

left to right
Vivitar 70-150mm f/3.8 from Kiron --
two touch zoom in K | m42 mount
Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8
Vivitar Series 1 70-210mm f/2.8-4.0 from Komine

It is relatively smaller and should not be considered as a big lens when compared to the DA* zoom or the Vivitar series 1 zoom. It covers a useful range for portrait and candid shots that require a longer reach. Combined with the 2x Kiron multiplier, you have a range of 70-150 in f/3.8 and 140 to 300mm with lost of 2 stops close to f/6.3 to f/7.1. I have not used the multiplier on this lens as I find the focal length 70-150mm really fit my needs as in DA* zoom. It is smaller and lighter than DA* making it an easy candidate to bring along.

I tried it out over the weekend with some candid shots in f/3.8 indoor, results are quite reasonable and when stopped down to f/5.6 and more, the lens is really sharp and the 1:4 close up in the 70mm is quite useful for flowers

1/60 sec, f/3.8, 150mm, iso 400, 0 Ev

1/50 sec, f/3.8, 150mm, iso 400, 0 Ev

1/40 sec, f/3.8, 150mm, iso 400, 0 Ev

1/50 sec, f/3.8, 150mm, iso 400, 0 Ev

1/50 sec, f/6.3, 70mm, iso 200, 0 Ev

1/40 sec, f/8.0, 70mm, iso 200, 0 Ev

1/50 sec, f/6.3, 70mm, iso 400, 0 Ev

Impressions & Notes

Lens is relatively small with a good focal range from 70-150mm.
With multiplier, it can go to 140 to 300mm
Constant aperture in f/3.8 is quite useful
Wide open aperture is a touch soft but which lens is NOT at wide aperture. With the candid test shots on my boys, I am very impressed already, more use will tell.
Very sharp overall for this lens
A great street performer that is not intimidating and heavy to bring as an alternative to bigger lens as in DA* 50-135mm.
Close up focus happens in 70mm end and it is roughly 1:4
Filter size is 52mm
The built in hood is not nice but I find it too small to be reall useful
Color tend to have a blue cold tone
I like the two touch zoom design, as any focusing will less likely move the zoom position
Very nice and decent lens to get on a budget
Best strength in this lens is all the sharpness and smooth and quick focusing ring that is good with fast action shot. I would love to get back focus trap, I will experiment on slipping a piece of aluminum foil in between the K-mount and the lens rear to enable focus trap
A value and inexpensive lens not to be missed

Kiron 2x matched multiplier
Vivitar 70-150mm f/3.8 in m42 mount initial test shots -- 2-touch zoom
Vivitar 70-150mm f/3.8 in K-mount -- 1-touch zoom
Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8
Genuine Pentax M42 adapter
Hin's Camear Gear

Pentax 1 Lens Choices

2009-09-26T20:31:00.000-07:00

Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5
Versatile 1 lens for a good focal range
1:2.3 close up in 70mm is extra sweet in walk-around

You will hear a lot of different opinion on one lens solution. Please don't take it personal from my negative opinion towards one single lens solution as I normally don't agree on one lens solution as I don't think that is the right idea to have in a dSLR system where you buy it to have the flexibility of using different lens designed for different specific purposes. But I will see the needs in traveling with less lens and minimal to zero lens change while in certain segments in traveling plan, weight reduction and easier usage with family as well as functional and quality compromises to have all-in-one zoom lenses

My version of 1 lens solution involves few combination to make the best use of my system with both zooms and primes

1. Weekend walk-around

I like to spend quality time with my family where I compromise on focal range in using a range that I use mostly for candid, portrait and landscape

All shot with Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5

Fireworks with tripod

candid

decent outdoor portrait

2. For vacation that compromise towards 1 lens solution

I will take three lens to cover range with 2 zooms and make up the miss of speed and IQ with 1 fast prime

Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 (e.g South Lake Tahoe) or Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8
A tele-photo zoom such as Tamron 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6. An ideal candidate will be Pentax DA 55-300mm f/4.0-5.8 followed by Pentax DA 50-200mm f/4.0-5.6
A fast prime for nighttime or indoor such as Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4 or the 43mm f/1.9

with Pentax FA 50 f/1.4

50mm is your friend at night

50mm in wedding candid shots

3. For the absolute elite travel with limited primes

I will bring a trio or quad of limited or fast primes and bring two at a time. Plenty to choose form subject to your own liking and how you see fit.

Prime trio samples -- You have to bust the prime in Pentax world as they offer the best and unique choices of primes

#1: 21mm/40mm/70mm -- the most compact one due to Pentax pancake design
#2: 15mm/43mm/77mm -- almost the widest range except with DA 14mm f/2.8
#3: 21mm/35mm/50mm/77mm -- Hin's current limited trio that key on functional in landscape, macro, and portrait in traveling, add 50mm for nighttime and need of fast speed.
#4: 12-24mm/43mm/70mm -- ok, one zoom which is more versatile in landscape shots
#5: 21mm/43mm/77mm -- a safe bet for a balance between FF and APS-C

Travel with Pentax DA 21mm f/3.2

Candid with Pentax DA 35mm f/2.8

Portrait with FA 77mm f/1.8 limited

Only carry two primes at a time to get close to 1-lens compromise while leaving the unlikely used prime in the car or hotel.

Pentax DA 35mm f/2.8 limited, DA 40mm f/2.8 or FA 35mm f/2.0 as a catch all lens
Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8
Pentax DA 21mm f/3.2 limited or 14mm or 15mm limited for wide angle
Pentax FA 77mm f/1.8 or DA 70mm f/2.4 for portraits
A fast normal such as 43mm limited and FA 50mm f/1.2 for the need of speed

4. Popular 1-lens do it all lenses

Pentax or Tamron 18-250mm
Sigma 18-250mm
older variants of Tamron or Pentax 28-300mm

I have seen a lot of outstanding shots from both Pentax and Tamron 18-250mm. It is one lens that is not to be missed in consideration if the strict criteria of 1 lens with no lens change is of utmost importance to you and that you don't mind lower speed and heavier lens to carry for the entire trip among other compromises in 1-lens do it all approach.

If I ever have accumulated enough fund, I would venture to get a used copy of either Pentax 18-250mm or the Tamron 18-250mm. And I wonder if Tamron 18-270mm will be made available for Pentax mount as that may change my LBA decision for the Pentax 1-lens selection.

With input from Street_Vision and RiceHigh in the comments to this article, I research more into both Tamron 18-250mm and Pentax DA 18-250mm. For a long time, I get the impressions that they are the same lens and re-badged in Pentax for the DA lens. When money suffice, I will invest on a used copy of either lens for 1-lens do it all purpose lens for traveling and weekend needs. My very admired friend in PentaxForums by the name of Robert Fortson often highly recommend this lens and so is this article from http://dchome.net that is mentioned by RiceHigh in his valuable inputs in the comment of this blog post. Thanks to RH for the eye-opening link for great photos that one can do with this popular 1-lens do it all zoom lens.

http://www.dchome.net/viewthread.php?tid=761396

Very impressive to say the least.

5. Your manual focus primes

And last but not the least is in not forgetting your manual focus primes. They can easily rival the best and the latest. With careful planning to mix new primes with old primes, new zooms with old primes, you can achieve dynamic setup that the 1-lens do it all options will lack behind by a bigger margin in terms of quality, weight in carrying one lens at a time, and gain of speed and characters with the old charms. Use your creativity to make lens change to be functional segment in the day. For instance, morning indoor breakfast and late night dinner with a fast prime that adds wonder to your charming vacation.

Spiratone 20mm f/2.8 in K-mount -- I should have kept it
Cosina 24mm f/2.8 in K-mount -- my nighttime go-to lens in travel
Cosina 55mm f/1.2 in Kmount -- your fast lens at f/1.2 on a budget
SuperTakumar 35mm f/3.5 in M42 -- very small prime like a pancake
Pentax SuperTakumar 105mm f/2.8 in M42 -- likely the smallest 105mm that I have seen
Jupiter 9 85mm f/2.0 -- the cult russian classic
Kiron 70-150mm f/3.8 with 2x matched multiplier -- very sharp zoom on a budget
Pentax M 40mm f/2.8 -- the MF pancake that can rivals the latest with DA 40mm f/2.8
Pentax A 50mm f/1.7 -- actually all the Pentax 50mm with SMC coatings, they all tend to be small, sweet and with character for a different kind of metal charm.
Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm f/2 in M42 -- the zeiss glass is amazingly cute and surprisingly wonderful to use.

2008 New Year with
Cosina 24mm f/2.8 in K-mount
Drunken Year In the Past

with Cosina 55mm f/1.2 in a aquarium

dinner with Cosina 55mm f/1.2

Travel with Spiratone 20mm f/2.8 in K-mount

candid portrait with
Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm f/2 in M42

You are not bound with rules in the mixing. The good old glass are not the limited lens that cost you a bundle and make you a cry baby if you drop or lose them. And the old prime may serve better as a thief deterrent scheme in both its appearance in disguise of its value and most have sheer solid metal body that can induce injury when you throw it to your harm's way.

Related

m42 adapter for auto-mount m42 lens

2009-09-25T18:48:00.000-07:00

note the added inner ring to work with the diaphragm pin
Comes with the extra tool like other 3rd party adapter
for dismounting purpose
Left: M42 adapter with extra ring to work on auto-mount m42 lens
Right: Genuine Pentax M42 adapter

I bought this adapter from my good friend Alex in http://forum.mslenses.com/ and I asked Alex to charge me the regular he charges for his other clients. I got it shipped for $17.00 from Hong Kong, similarly priced like other 3rd party adapters.

This 3rd party adapter has an important function that is not found in all adapters that I have used. Not even the genuine adapter has the added feature: it works with M42 lens that does not have the A/M switch. When one uses an M42 lens, one has to switch the Auto/Manual diaphragm to manual so that the pin on rear is depressed while allowing the blades and diaphragm to close down for the stop-down metering to work in Pentax dSLR or the other K-mount in SLR cameras.

In the K-mount with KAF2 on Pentax K20D or something similar, what is missing is a mechanism to hold the auto-mount diaphragm governing pin in place for the blades to close down in stop-down metering. And this adapter has the extra ring on the back that is designed to depress the pin down, effectively serve as an M switch in a normal Auto/Manual diaphragm switch. I was quite pleased to try it out on a recent LBA purchase of a Lentar 200mm f/3.5 auto-mount m42 lens. You see the pin on the end in photos next to this paragraph. I have another auto-mount m42 lens that is exactly like this with a pin that all of my Pentax K-mount bodies can't handle the stop-down metering without alternation. There are several ways to do the alternation and the most prominent one has been using tube to place under the pin to shorten the pin which allow the diaphragm to go freely upon stop-down metering.

The new adapter from Alex works extremely well for the auto-mount lens that I have just purchased. There is no known label on the adapter and I will share my experience with the adapter when time allow. So far, it has work quite well for me when I mount it on 2 lens: one lighter with a 35mm f/2.8 and one quite heavy with my new Lentar 200mm auto-mount M42 lens. The later one misses the switch for Auto/Manual diaphragm switch. And the adapter comes in handy for my use.

Inner ring will depress the diaphragm pin correctly
serve to switch the m42 to Manual diaphragm

Impressions & Notes

Mounting is exactly the same mechanics as the genuine and 3rd party adapters
The extra inner ring is designed to work with auto-mount diaphragm m42 lens without the Auto/Manual (A/M) switch that are found in most M42 lens. Some older version of M42 lens seem not to have the A/M switch and by default they go into Auto-diaphragm which will yield problems for Pentax dSLR with KAF2 mount.
The adapter comes with dismount or removal tool similar to Bower or other 3rd party adapter
The machining on the adapter can be improved. I will communicate to Alex to see if the machining on the metal edges on the adapter can smoothed out with finer edges.
Though the adapter comes with removal tool, I found myself very surprised that I can actually dismount the adapter using my two fingers as shown in next picture. This is a big feature not to be missed for those auto-only m42 lens that don't have the A/M switch for auto and manual diaphragm settings.

I can dismount with two fingers
similar to genuine m42 adapter
I need to test it more. But as of my first impression, the adapter works beautifully for two m42 lenses that I tried. It work well with the auto-mount m42 lens

Yoda meets Pentax -- Swear No More

2009-09-23T06:37:00.000-07:00

------
Yoda Training 102 -- Swear No More
Yoda Mod 101 -- Bash No More
------
Say NO to RHTrashyGreen
------
All coming to get you -- Yogi Be Warned
---

"Very few PF members have followed my blogs like they do with RH blogs. I wrote the Nikon Dark Force story a while ago when I got tempted with Nikon D90.

Excerpt from my fictional writing on Sept 15, 2008
about one year ago when D90 tempted me

"Originally Posted by TechTheMan Blog post

Nikon Dark Forces with D90 -- Yoda Training

What did Yoda say to Luke Skywalker when he switched from Nikon to Pentax?

"Your VR lenses, you will need them not."

"Don't be too tempted by the Dark Side, may the Pentax SR forces be with you"

With the continued temptations. Luke SkyWalker tried to borrow the stick from Master Yoda and made a monopod out of the good old stick from Master Yod. And he asks Master Yoda to teach him to shoot with steady hand without VR. And Luke compromises on his 1/4th second hand holding shutter limit capability and intend to stay strong with the Nikon dark forces of marketing.

Temptation still runs strong and Luke comes to Master Yoda for better advice. Master Yoda snaps him on the face and quickly grab back his stick. He then pads on Luke and say, "Luke, are you nuts! I need my stick for the movie. I look old and I can't do without my stick. The hellwith your Nikon dark forces." And Luke replied, "my Master Yoda, you look younger without the stick, you may find girlfriend easier. No need to hide in a movie." And Master Yoda thinks for a moment and kicked Luke from the bottom, "What girlfriend, there isn't any of my kind." Luke pointed to Wall-E and Master Yoda is furious and hit Luke harder and completely whack him from top to bottom. His Nikon thoughts vanishes in a sub-zero second rate but the misery remains.

Luke disappeared into the dark journey with a fainted heart but a good lesson from Master Yoda. He keeps thinking what he should have done with the mess he has created with his master. Stick no more! His hands now shakes faster than his Nikon can burst in 4.5 shots per second. His head and butt hurts with the physical pain inflicted by the encounter with Master Yoda. His spirit is up though as Master Yoda asks him to clear his mind and conscience with Wall-E to get his thoughts straight. Wall-E follows the honorable request and keeps company with Luke and cheers him up with lots of movie on demand from Wall-E collection. And Luke recovers gradually with his vision, thoughts and senses.

Luke finds peace with Master Yoda walking with a stick like before, and they are coming for a reunion to plan for the Nikon dark forces attack with D90. Luke is with Yoda and stays strong against the Nikon dark forces. He trains himself up with Wall-E who helps him with video and movies in supersonic definition in the latest camyoda format not found in D90. And Wall-E always have great movie capture from 8mm, hi-def to supersonic definition on demand and on-archive.

Life seems not as bad as we thought but the questions remain with others tempted by the latest Nikon dark forces with Nikon D90."

Inspired with discussion in photo.net with Miserere

what
the
f@*k

:lol:"

Be warned! Master Yoda uses his walking stick violently upon bashing and swearing kind of language. He is known in the universe as the true master that whack out the followers with a Pentaxian emblem of "I swear no more, Yoda training 102." Take it from the life victim of 102, HinTheMan, with a 102 emblem sealed on his forehead. I kid you not and I will never ever forget that whacking stick from master Yoda.

Learn it NOT from the master but from the follower who now swears ONLY in the confine of his signal free hijack bedroom stealth storage-rack with dark force knock out look alike nano-console and xPod filled with Yoda game-pad on-demand module NOT allowed by master Yoda. PM me if you are interested in the xPod module that stab and curse our dearest master Yoda at your delight LOL moment with Lol645D time and K-xC mood driven settings. And I ran the bork consortium on Lol645D which currently has two members -- the designer and the richest dude in DeepShiz09 Quandrant D700 Sector 5D.

I see no Yogi reply and I wonder if this is way out
of line but I dream on whenever I can afford to find
a moment for Pentaixan thoughts to fight
the norms of bashing and swearing
in Pentax community
----
Your Best Pentaxian
HinTheMan -- Jay Leno Not

Design a compact dSLR for 2 million Crumpler Bag

2009-09-21T17:31:00.000-07:00

I remember the outstanding commercial of a faucet company with a name like Kohler or another brand. A valued customer brings in a a wonderful faucet that looks like a piece of art to an architecture company. The valued customer take out and carefully place the valued piece of faucet design on the table and have one single request to the architect -- design your masterpiece around this faucet.

In a similar way of commercial flow of logic and idea, I ask Pentax to design a compact dSLR that is worthy of my beautiful 2 Million Dollar Crumpler Bag which is small, compact, stylish, comfortable, speak volume in its presence for the owner and has a soul of its kind for personal gadget in storage.

Prototype of the camera request is using my Pentax SuperProgram, an excellent 35mm film SLR camera, mounted with Pentax DA 21mm f/3.2 limited, a pancake of thin size lens, for the ideal size of an compact dSLR that will fit my beloved Crumpler small size bag.

Illustration photos were shot with Pentax K20D and Pentax DA 35mm f/2.8 1:1 macro limited

I would hopefully find out soon how the digital DA 21mm work on my SuperProgram without an aperture ring and the mechanics of choosing the aperture as in a digital body as my Pentax K20D. Few has mentioned wide open aperture metering. As soon as I manage to figure out what 400 b&w 35mm films will go well with the test. Please let me know of your favorite b&w film that is inexpensive and easy to try out on a HinTheMan's budget which is starting low and gradually experiment to find that best bang for the bucks.

Pentax K-xC Plan Revealed -- Request to Pentax Corp.

2009-09-18T15:05:00.000-07:00

Silver Limited

BlueBlack Limited

HMBashyWhite Limited
Hin Man Pick

RHTrashyGreen Unlimited

MarsLanding Limited

PF_CA_Ready_Camper

The color selection from Japan is mind boggling and I hope it gets noticed and cheer on the positive momentum not even seen in the recent substantial major releases of Pentax k-7 and Pentax K20D. Both are outstanding leap of advances in APS-C cameras in the Pentaxian community.

Now, I can't decide on white versus the blue. Oh my Gosh, maybe Rice High will blog about how bad Pentax does on the coloring schemes. And he will likely launch a campaign in his blog to solicit voting from how odd Pentax throw this color scheme at consumers. He may file lawsuit on color blindness from the K-x launch.

But for me, how many K-x will I get tempted to buy. I am pretty darn sure that it is over one. A request to Pentax Corp., can we make it BUTTONIZED feature so that a menu is popped up on demand to choose color for body and grip. And color liquid metallic body will activate in 0.02 seconds with the chosen color. K-x color scheme can default to user defined criteria set on temperature, lens mounted, scene detected, and mood swing detection, along with Pentanic Random modules with an open API for the Pentax Tech Savy and Pentax Hacker Community. The default preferred facelift on-demand color include sliver limited, black limited, m42 oddies, Zeiss glass suitable, camouflage green, RiceHigh trashy green, Canon white L look alike, Nikonian DarkForce, White Trooper Call, Sub-zero Color White, Red-hot Mars landing among others. That is the next Pentax K-xC to die for.

If you look at PentaxForums RH profile , I actually extend my friendship to him. He has since left the PF just like usual in all other forums. I really like him on his in-depth analysis and his initial enthusiasm on Pentax k-7. I consider him as a great resources and friend who are unique. But he chose again to go on his WORST human side in accusing Pentax for every single negative opinions that he and others can think, dream, buzz around and talk about.

But his continued bias and echo of Pentax issues are beyond what anyone can imagine that does more harm than good to the Pentax community. Unfortunately, people including myself love bashing and rumors. I am here to SAY NO to Rumors and SAY NO to RH for his completely biased and negative views which blind sighted the entire Pentax community by repeating every single thread of discussion in the internet that has an issue related to Pentax. He is the echo of every negative thoughts and potential negative opinions and as a result, issues and known problems are magnified 10+ if not more. Negative thoughts spread like cancer with no cure. We can only stop it by SAYING NO to rumors and SAYING NO to RH.

Request to Pentax Corp.

Please make the color choice an international and global choice.

We are the world and Pentax serves the world with no boundaries.

And among other features, the color scheme for Pentax K-xC that I will die for:

Buttonized control for color
Supersonic Liquid Metallic Color Control with Open Source API
User Defined Modules for Color FaceLift with criteria
- Temperature
- Humidity
- Mood swing detection based on K-x Super HandGrip
- Pentanic Random Color Modules with Open Source API
- Security Alert Stealth Mode
  - Flashing Orange Alert from strangers not Pentaxianized upon purchase
  - Enemy detection with Open API for plugin module
  - RH mode -- Self Destruction with customized timeout and warning alert
  - Bashing Mode -- RHTrashyGreen color activation upon swearing and bashing detection
- GeoTargetting color with open source API for customization
  - Country color
  - Planet detection color
  - Galaxy Exploration Fake
- Lens Mount Backward Compatible and 3rd party Color Match
  - M42 oddie color in Chrome
  - Zeiss color in Zebra Black & White
  - Canon White L Lens look alike
  - Nikonic Dark Force
- Limited Self Detection for limited edition color
  - Silver Limited
  - Black & Blue Limited
  - White Limited
  - Chrome Limited

Pentax K-x Color Selection -- Hin's Favorite

2009-09-17T11:19:00.000-07:00

This is the color pick that I will go about in choosing my custom selected color for Pentax K-x. I like white and I love red to go with white. I am no RiceHigh and he picked green color for his Pentax K-m which is not to my taste for camera. I love green but not for camera. Perhaps, I have different taste for camera. I don't know what RH is up next in trashing and bashing Pentax. He may complain too much color to choose from and whine about the headache with choices. He is there to trash Pentax 24/7 and I am here to focus on the good and positive news from Pentax.

Bravo to Pentax who is bold and offers consumers with choices. Congratulation to everyone who stay put with Pentax in the tough economic time with severe competitions. I am here to stay and I look forward to hearing more great news from Pentax. It would be a awesome setup to have a Pentax K-7 as main body and a 2nd body with Pentax K-x that is smaller, lighter and it goes with style that one can choose to one's liking. Be it the RH green or the stylish White and Red from Hin, it is up to one's choosing. We love Pentax and I hope Pentax knows.

Related:

Approaching 400K pageviews with despair

2009-09-15T20:53:00.000-07:00

I want to celebrate the milestone but I really can't. I am lost with this blog and I am about to give up on improving the blog, there is essentially no feedback from any users visiting this blog. I have asked my Pentax buddies to give me clues and critiques to improve the blog. I have removed the voting widget in soliciting ideas after getting a meager 2 votes in a month. Thanks in particular to the two buddies who have actually voted. It is like crying out loud repeatedly for help and I am talking to thin air with no reply, not even an echo in a remote distance that shows somebody actually cares. It is sad and sickening to the bones why I can't get help from friends. Tonight, I do feel like a pathetic pig with no idea where I am heading in order to raise readership for the blog.

What is wrong with my blog page that no body leaves any comment. There is close to zero user engagement. Maybe my blog page has a bug in the commenting section as Robin has mentioned a couple of times. Please try it again as I have removed word verification in the comment set up.

My face will be purple if I reveal my subscriber count. Thanks to those readers who actually subscribe to my blog. In appreciation, I am coming up with give away to subscribers in the months ahead. I can't figure what to offer but here are working gear that I have thought about

A working Pentax Super Program with user manual
A nice and cute Super Lantar 28mm f/2.8 in M42 mount
A working copy of Vivitar 283 Thyristor flash
A Sunpak 433 Thyristor flash
A new copy of Spectra Light Flash Diffuser
A REI ultrapod II mini-tripod
A micro-tools wet cleaning toolkit

among the gear that I have. If you have not subscribed, please see the top right links for subscription or that in the bottom banner. For your convenience, here are the links:

Subscribe RSS -- I use google reader

Subscribe by Email

To learn more about RSS subscription, I recommend my readers to visit http://problogger.net article on What is RSS? Problogger was found by Darren Rowse whom I get inspired in blogging.

If you are a RSS or Email subscribers, I thank you sincerely for your subscription and please comment on this blog post with your email so that I can include you for my 1st giveaway. Please don't leave me in the dark with no comments and feedback. I will update this blog post for the official date for the giveaway. Also, please do comment if you have any suggestions for the blog. I need critiques for improvements with suggestions and topics of interest. I want to learn photography and reinvent our love of photo along with my readers and subscribers, your comments and suggestions are very much appreciated.

Tamron SP 70-210mm f/3.5 19AH in Gilroy Garden

2009-09-14T19:08:00.000-07:00

I am in the process of upgrading my 70-210mm zoom to an AF one. I took out my favorite Tamron SP 70-210mm f/3.5 adaptall-2 19AH zoom in the weekend with my boys in Gilroy Garden. Thanks to my good friend for the special Back to School coupon. We enjoyed the trip with a great discount for $10 per person. It is a great treat for my boys.

I had two copies of the Tamron Adaptall-2 P/KA Adapter and the same mishap of missing apertures come back again in the shooting. I thought I fixed it last time with scraping the connectors. But the problems comes and go in Av aperture mode. With a wiggle, sometime the f/stop come back to display. Whenever I get a problem with loose connection, I get F-- in the display whereas the aperture information is actually recorded with the picture. Unlike my previous adapter, my new adapter has no problems going to f/3.5 for the zoom. I need to sand off the contacts on my new adapter and see if the problem goes away.

I told others about this manual focus zoom. In my opinion, it easily beats all the first three versions of Vivitar Series 1 Zoom 70-210mm that I have tried. In terms of sharpness and ease of focusing, this is the best zoom that I have used. It may take some time to get used to. I like the focusing ring design with long focus throw and smooth and quick focusing with precision. And best of all, there isn't any zoom creeping that happens with the Tamron zoom as compared to version 1 and version 3 of the Vivitar Series 1 zoom.

Impressions & Notes

This lens grows on me. The more that I use it, the more I like it over the Vivitar Series 1 zoom.
It is not an easy lens to use due to its longer length. Weight is very similar to the Vivitar Series 1 zoom.
Sharpness is the best in this zoom along with superb focusing and zoom ring. I rate this zoom with the best manual focusing ring that I have used.
It engages you in precision focusing while you can zoom in and out without loosing your focus point. The lens has a CF which stands for continued focusing but I am not sure if that is what I refer to.
I find minor PF/CA but I can't tell if is better than the Komine Vivitar Series 1
The close up is at 1:2.6 and I favor my positive experience with Vivitar Series 1.
Color and contrast are more vivid and better in this zoom than the Vivitar Series 1 zoom

Related:

Pentax K-7 Video from Stanchiou

2009-09-10T19:06:00.000-07:00

I have a very gifted contact in flickr StanChiou and Stan has outstanding landscape pictures with his Pentax gear. Stan has done many amazing videos with his latest Pentax K-7. And I found his video clip showing this video with three different lens:

Pentax DA 14mm f/2.8
Pentax FA 35mm f/2.0
Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8

I especially like the segment from the 35mm, it has great color and bokeh seen in the background in the dark. Though k-7 don't have AF once in video mode, I think Stan has done an outstanding job in getting the subject in focus throughout the clip. Also, it seems the video works well in indoor and low lighting scenes. I encourage readers to visit Stan's blog page for his work and his YouTube video page to see more of his Pentax K-7 videos.

Related:

Fireworks with Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5

2009-09-09T10:56:00.000-07:00

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to see slideshow

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All pictures were shot in South Lake Tahoe in a beach far from the the fireworks. I cropped most of the pictures to get much closer. I used tripod but forget to stabilize the tripod with more weight in the center hook provided with my tripod. I should have been more aware of the weight and steady issues in the shooting. Overall, I can't complain much about the travel lens with Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5. It did the job fine for me in the Labor day long weekend trip with my family.

Shot before the fireworks

Impressions & Notes

I used manual mode in f/5.6, iso 400 and shutter speed among 1/3, 1/4 and 1/2 seconds.
Tripod was used along with my wireless F remote, I forgot to stabilize the tripod with added weight. Since I shot the entire series in a sandy beach location, the added weight would have prevented minor movement
Some shots have overexposure clipping highlight in the core of the fireworks, less seen in my previous trial with Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 and Pentax DA 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 fisheye.
I should have attempted smaller apertures as in f/8.0 and smaller and see for a difference