Pentax is a Japanese camera company which produces compact digital cameras, and APS-C and medium-format digital SLRs.
30
votes
7answers
2k views
Do I really need a fast 50mm lens?
Everyone I speak to says that a 50mm lens is the best and beats them all as an all-rounder. I was wondering whether to get myself a decent, fast 50mm as well. However I'm still not 100% sure whether I ...
22
votes
1answer
5k views
What are the differences between E-TTL, i-TTL, and P-TTL?
Canon, Nikon and Pentax each have their own TTL flash metering systems, respectively E-TTL, i-TTL, and P-TTL. They all use a weak preflash that is metered and used to calculate flash power level ...
18
votes
4answers
2k views
What do Pentax, Sony, and Olympus DSLRs offer that differs from Canon and Nikon?
We have a question and answers outlining the significant differences between the "big two" DSLR brands. I'm interested in the other DSLR makers, and how the cameras they make compare in terms of ...
16
votes
3answers
1k views
Can I use old Pentax lenses on newer Pentax DSLRs?
Can I use old Pentax lenses from the film days on the newer Pentax DSLRs?
Are there any caveats or exceptions? Are adapters or modifications needed?
13
votes
9answers
17k views
Which prime lens for Pentax?
My girlfriend is buying a Pentax K-5 (I already have a Pentax DSLR so we thought it made sense for us to be able to share lenses), and she's not sure about which lens to get with it, so I've been ...
13
votes
3answers
2k views
Do you have advice for buying my first lens after kit 18-55mm (sub-$300)?
I’m looking to buy my first lens beyond the kit 18-55mm for my Pentax K-x. As a student my budget limits me to around a sub $300 offering. I am new to photography, and so I have a hard time answering ...
12
votes
7answers
785 views
Should I invest in a high-end body or better lenses?
I've got a good-old Pentax K100D body with a kit 18-55 and a couple of 50mm manual focus primes.
I'm trying to get back into photography, but slow (and some times lack of) focusing does not give me ...
12
votes
4answers
3k views
What flash options are there for the Pentax system?
I am a relative newcomer to the photography world and am slowly building up a set of gear based around my Pentax K-x. Next on my list of priorities is a flash. As I have virtually no experience in ...
12
votes
1answer
2k views
Why do some professional cameras have dual memory card slots?
I have noticed that some cameras such as the Nikon D300s, Canon EOS 1D Mark IV, or Pentax 645D have dual memory card slots.
What is the purpose of having multiple memory card slots and why would you ...
10
votes
3answers
864 views
What Pentax macro lens do you recommend for outdoor activities?
I am a Pentax K20D owner, and now I'd like to buy my first macro lens.
Candidates I consider are:
Pentax-D FA 100 mm F2.8 Macro 365 g, 560 €.
Pentax-D FA 100 mm F2.8 Macro WR weather-resistant, 340 ...
8
votes
2answers
558 views
Extension tube set elements
My extension tube set (Soligor for Pentax AF + P/KA) was not working correctly on my DSLR, so I checked the tubes, and found an interesting difference. It has three tubes (12mm, 20mm, 36mm).
This is ...
7
votes
3answers
530 views
Upgrade advice pentax to canon + which canon 50D/60D or 7D
So I have a Pentax K20D/18 - 250 tamron which was the unexpected result of a court case with a shop over broken K100 Super 2 years back. While I love the camera itself I've become frustrated with it's ...
7
votes
6answers
6k views
Is there a Canon equivalent of the Nikon D3100? If so, what is it?
I am looking to buy an Entry level DSLR, and had decided on Canon system due to lens availability with friends, and general popularity amongst my peer group here.
I am planning on general ...
7
votes
2answers
1k views
What extension tube options are there for the Pentax system?
From the reading I have done on extension tubes, I understand that some are just 'dumb' tubes while others have electronics that may allow for metering and autofocus to still work. Further, from this ...
7
votes
1answer
358 views
How *Auto* Are Pentax Auto Extension Tubes?
While asking for extension tubes for a Pentax DSLR, Pentax replied:
As requested, please find the following extension tubes available.
Product 30535, auto extension tube set B Product 30551, ...
7
votes
3answers
1k views
How should I chose a manual focusing screen for my Pentax K10D?
I am considering buying a split focusing screen, replacing the original one. I would like to use some split/microprism screen to ease the focusing of the manual lenses. I own both kit lenses (18-55, ...
6
votes
2answers
2k views
Pentax K-5: Is it worth using the Premium JPEG quality setting?
Similar: How do I choose which resolution (megapixel) and compression (normal, fine, superfine) to shoot in?
The Pentax K-5 has a JPEG quality setting called "Premium", denoted by four stars, which ...
6
votes
2answers
601 views
Pentax to Canon Adapter
My dad has an old Sears KS-2 + 50mm f/1.7, which from a bit of research seems to use a Pentax K-mount.
I've looked around a bit and found a Pentax to Canon adapter, which says it supports ...
6
votes
2answers
177 views
Is a Pentax K1000 relevant today, and how can I get the best use of it?
I wanted to know what is the relevance of a pentax K 1000, a 35mm SLR in the present date. The one I have is almost 20 years old and I want to how can I make the most of it with respect to the film ...
6
votes
1answer
554 views
Does the older but still more expensive Pentax K-5 offer any advantages over the new K-30?
I was looking to buy a Pentax K-5 in the next couple of months. But with the announcement of the new K-30 im now currently questioning that decision. Is there any reason to go for the more expensive ...
6
votes
2answers
1k views
Are there any radio flash triggers capable of P-TTL?
All the popular radio TTL flash triggers, like PocketWizard or RadioPopper, seem to be only available in Nikon and Canon flavors. Are there any models capable of transmitting Pentax P-TTL data?
6
votes
1answer
259 views
What are the differences between Pentax weather sealings - DA★, WR, AW?
Pentax has in current product line weather-sealed lenses with three different markings -
DA★ on primes and fast zooms;
WR on consumer zooms and 100mm macro;
AW on some newer primes.
What are the ...
5
votes
4answers
2k views
Why am I getting poor AF results with my Pentax K10D?
I've been using Pentax K10D for a while and I'm a bit frustrated with performance of auto focus on that camera. Very often the images are not sharp enough despite taken in with decent lens (e.g. ...
5
votes
2answers
215 views
What type of filters should I get for high sunny conditions?
I'm planning a trip in Sri Lanka and Maldives Islands next month. In such sunny conditions, I would like to buy filters for a Pentax K20-D, to be able to take pictures of the sea, the beach, etc. (but ...
5
votes
3answers
312 views
What's the difference between vertical and horizontal shutters?
I've always thought that shutters were composed of two vertical curtains that moved along the sensor in order to expose it (at least for most DSLRs). Recently I've bought a Pentax K1000 that ...
5
votes
1answer
487 views
What's the small white plastic dome on old Pentax lenses?
My old Pentax lenses have a small white dome between the aperture ring and the focus ring. See the photo below:
The clear white dome calls to mind the larger white plastic domes used in light ...
5
votes
2answers
440 views
Can I use aperture ring of Pentax FA lens in aperture priority mode?
I'm considering getting an FA Limited lens for my Pentax DSLR. The FA series has an aperture ring with an "A" setting for control by camera bodies that support it.
Can I instead use the aperture ring ...
5
votes
1answer
143 views
How to avoid switching “modes” of 4-way controller on Pentax K-5?
I quite enjoy ergonomics and user interface of Pentax K-5, except this one thing that drives me nuts.
I shoot almost exclusively using a selected focus point, and the arrow buttons have two "modes" ...
5
votes
1answer
2k views
Is there an enhanced third-party firmware for Pentax SLR cameras?
I am wondering whether there is a kit for making software improvements to the Pentax K-x camera.
What I'm after is something akin to the CHDK, which is a firmware enhancement for many Canon ...
4
votes
3answers
244 views
Will an external flash for Pentax K-7 work for Pentax K-5?
I'm looking for a cheap flash, and found this one. It states that it works for Pentax K-7; will it work for my Pentax K-5 as well? I don't know what to look for in the specifications.
4
votes
2answers
666 views
Pentax P-TTL: Why and when does underexposure occur and what can I do?
Pentax's P-TTL flash metering system tends to be unreliable and may underexpose at times. When and why does the system underexpose and what can I do? I want to know the situations that cause flash ...
4
votes
2answers
225 views
What would cause a Pentax SDM lens to stop autofocusing, and what can I do?
I've read many reports that the SDM autofocus motor in some Pentax lenses may stop working after several months or years of use. Why does this happen, and is there anything I can do to prevent ...
4
votes
3answers
394 views
Pentax-K 50mm lens, thread of 49mm or 50mm?
I really want to do some monkey macro photography. I am a student with almost no time and money, and want to take some hobby pictures in my spare time.
I have the Canon EOS 450D (Rebel XSi/Kiss X2). ...
4
votes
1answer
206 views
How can I use Pentax lenses on a Lumix FZ18?
I have 3 very nice old Telephoto lenses for an old Pentax K1000 that doesn't work good anymore, color is shot. So my wife has a new Panasonic Lumix FZ18 camera and we thought we would try to get the ...
4
votes
2answers
166 views
How can I import Pentax lens information into Lightroom?
I'm trying to get up to speed with Lightroom, and noticed that there are no Pentax lenses listed under the Lens Corrections menus.
Is it possible to import the pentax lens information, even if I'm ...
4
votes
1answer
342 views
How should I set up a flash bracket for Pentax?
I have a Pentax K-r and a Metz mecablitz 50 AF-1 digital flash unit, and I've been having problems with red-eye. As a result, I'm considering getting a flash bracket.
I am aware that I can simply ...
4
votes
3answers
330 views
Can you achieve the Depth of Field effect with the Pentax X90?
I was flicking through some photos on flickr and started thinking that I wanted to achieve a particular effect - after a bit research I found that what I was appreciating was Depth of Field. Subject ...
4
votes
1answer
440 views
What might cause stuck focus on a manual lens?
So, today I dropped my ME Super. When I picked it up I realized that the focus ring of the 50mm f2 lens attached didnt turn.
My question is, what could cause this? Could it be that the threads inside ...
3
votes
5answers
2k views
Nikon D7000 vs Pentax K-5 vs some other camera - which do you recommend?
I have used my first camera (Sony A-300) for 2 years already. It is okay but I want something new and better, and have a budget of between 1200 and 1300 euros. A couple months ago I talked to a local ...
3
votes
1answer
77 views
Can Pentax K mount lenses be used on a 645 Reflex via an adapter?
Is it possible to use Pentax K mount lenses on a Pentax 645 via an adapter? If so, what is the name and type of adaptor required?
3
votes
2answers
233 views
How to set exact time on a Pentax K-5?
I need my photos taken with a Pentax K-5 to have an exact timestamp. When setting the time in menu, I can't see the seconds part; is there any way to reset them to zero?
3
votes
2answers
392 views
Is Pentax AF360 same as Jessops 360AFD?
I've got a Jessops 360AFD flash and I'm looking for a diffuser for it (the original one is broken). I have been led to believe it is the same as a Pentax AF360.
Is this the case? Or have I had ...
3
votes
2answers
271 views
How To Fix Badly Functioning Shutter Release-Button?
I have a compact Pentax OptionM10 which I bought in 2006 and sometimes shutter-release button works only when pressing it on edge and under specific angle, but mostly as I apply little pressure which ...
3
votes
1answer
741 views
Creating Proper Exposure with a Pentax PZ10
Not long ago, my Pentax K1000 was damaged and I upgraded to the Pentax PZ10 (both film cameras). I feel lost with trying to get the right exposure on the PZ10; with the K1000 I used a third-party ...
3
votes
1answer
1k views
How do the Pentax 18-55mm and 18-135mm compare in image quality?
I've been reading a lot about the Pentax DA 18-135mm lens and its performance compared to other lenses. I've heard that this lens is very soft at 135mm regardless of aperture. However, I've also ...
3
votes
1answer
421 views
Are there any pro wildlife photographers using the Pentax DA* 300mm?
Are there any pro wildlife photographers using the Pentax DA★ 300mm? I have spent a week searching for anyone who is using Pentax kit in wildlife photography and who is getting paid for their work.
3
votes
2answers
539 views
Why is my Pentax K-x producing artifacts and color banding?
my Pentax K-x is acting up :( In low light scenarios I got heavy color banding and 'strange' image artifacts. You can find an example here: http://imgur.com/v0lzP
I took it at ISO 400 and the color ...
2
votes
2answers
284 views
Why is AF performance different in automatic and selective mode?
How often do you use AF in selective (SEL) mode?
The reason why I'm asking is that I've noticed that on a Pentax body (K10D and K-5) the AF is a lot more accurate when in AUTO mode than in SEL mode. ...
2
votes
3answers
357 views
How can I compare the MTF results on Photozone from the Pentax SMC DA* 300mm with similar lenses from Canon and Nikon?
I have been researching the Pentax SMC DA* 300mm f/4 ED [IF] SDM as a possible wildlife lens to use with my K-5.
There are only a limited number of reviews of the lens from reputable sources and even ...
2
votes
3answers
401 views
Why is dark-frame subtraction on my Pentax camera shorter than the exposure time?
When my Pentax K-r applies long exposure noise reduction (dark-frame subtraction), the processing time required for this operation is less than the exposure time. For example, my camera may perform ...
