re: I must eat crow (or, how I was sold on digital imaging)
Christian Skofteland wrote; "...I walked into the local one-hour photo lab and proceeded to use the Kodak Picture Maker." I've used one of these a few times to scan prints, like you I was in a hurry. I liked the quality I got for what I paid. I didn't realize they have a negative/slide scanner as well. That's worth trying. I have a photo (not image) of one of my dogs on the office wall that was a quickie from the Kodak Picture Maker. By now, it's been there over one year, I could have had a quality enlargement made. But it's definitely a better print than possible with our best printer on site. People don't believe me when I tell them it's a digital print. The Kodak printer is a piece of work. I accidentally dropped a finished print and it floated into the printer while making the next print. I got to see the Walmart people work on the printer, since I really screwed it. There was a separate film for each of the three colors (magenta, cyan, yellow). K - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
RE: OT - digital to slide conversion
Thanks, to those who responded to my question about the digital image to transparency situation. Several good suggestions. Out local high quality digital lab doesn't offer the service because the quality is usually very poor even with a ultra high resolution file. The tech recommended copying a flat screen projection. He did say that a couple of local shops offer the service, but the quality is poor when projected. As it turns out, the people in my department weren't interested in the stability of the image, that thought hadn't occurred to them. They just thought it would be easier to use a slide projector to cover different shifts here at work, although I haven't seen a standard slide projector used here in years. All current training material is on video tape, on the company's intranet, or in a Powerpoint (or similar) presentation. My partners just are just confused by technology. I plan on using digital for most work here on site and then if something is really needed in 35mm transparency, I'll either restage and reshoot with a real camera ; ) (very little news-breaking or artistic material) or copy as suggested. K - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
OT: Hinky (was - Super Program/A problems)
Naw, he got "Hinky" from the movie "The Fugitive." One of the Marshal Service deputies says "Hinky" describing the fugitive, and Tommy Lee Jones character asks the deputy the meaning of "hinky" and tells him not to use words that have no meaning around him. Unfortunately I didn't recognize a Pentax camera being used by any of the newspeople in the movie. Frank Theriault wrote: Hi, Jeff, I'm in TO too, and I (and my circle of acquaintances) use "pooched" all the time. "Hinky" is a new one on me, though. Methinks it originates somewhere west of Mississaugua. :-) - -frank Jeff wrote: > Hinky? Pooched? Wow, and I thought my Canadian was odd. - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
OT - digital to slide conversion
My work group, the training department for a large chemical company, just had a meeting where I was given the task of upgrading some of our photo related equipment. Most of our work will be in digital, as most of the training has transferred to computer based. We have extensive slide files, some of which need to be copied to digital. Many of these slides were taken with an MESuper and an MX (which I can't find.) There was the obligatory Canon AE1 on a shelf and a Nikon macro-lens (also can't find the Nikon body). The last photographer to work in this department, who retired 10 years ago, purchased the Pentax equipment. I don't know who bought the other junk. ; ) (Now that I think about it this post is only slightly OT.) First thing I'll probably do is purchase one of the Pentax/HP digital cameras. (Can't wait for the MZ-S/digital, and the budget isn't that fat.) I also have to purchase a new video camera and a slide/film scanner. The PDML has already given me some ideas about the scanner purchase. But there was a new issue raised. At least new to me. I can understand if you're limiting your recent photography (last 5 years) to digital you might occasionally take that good photo that you'd like to share with others in print form. But for some reason, which could not be explained to me, my cohorts foresee the need to convert a digital image file to a transparency. We're not talking a large transparency for display purposes, we're talking about your everyday, ordinary slide that you could drop into a slide projector. It was done in the past by a local professional lab, but no one could tell me which lab. I still don't understand the purpose or need since we have digital projectors and we're copying the slides to digital, but I'm sure that if it's done someone on the PDML knows how. You might even be able to explain a purpose. Understand we're not talking about esthetics here, I'd use the MESuper for that, most of the recent photos have been taken with an inexpensive Olympus digital at the shortest focal length, strong back lighting, crooked horizon, etc. They make me cringe. Does anyone know how to convert digital images to common sized transparencies? Expensive/inexpensive? Why? Thanks. K. - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
OT: Re: Sports photographer mentality?
Cesar Matamoros wrote about the "Sports photographer mentality"... "I usually take photographs for a local triathlon. I tend to take pictures showing crowds, advertising, and the like. This year, due to nepotism, I was ´relieved´ of my duties.." In a similar vein (sort of), for the past several years, I've worked security for the World Championship Saddlebred Horse Show, held in my home town (some of the workers, like me, work on a volunteer basis to earn money for charities, with the pay going directly to the charity.) It's a week-long affair, with a lot of very rich and famous horsemen and women from all over the world. Security's job is to ensure that only people with the proper credentials (trainers, grooms, and press) are allowed access to the ring around the show ring, and that they do not take food, drink, pets, etc. down to the ring. I've met and spoken with several photographers in the horse business, some were very interested in seeing the MZ-S, even though most were using Nikon or Canon. I usually start the conversation by joking with them that their camera brand is not on the accepted equipment list. I've yet to make an attempt to work with them. From our conversations it appears that most have a very full time job. I'm too close to full retirement benefits in this job. Last night I stopped a lady going to the ring with a mixed drink. She proceeded to inform me that no one could expect her to stand in the press box all night and take photos of those horses all night without some alcohol to get her through the ordeal. I hadn't even noticed the camera. Sure enough, she had a press pin, but wasn't dressed like most of the press row photogs. She was dressed like most of the spectators/owners, like going to a very formal party. I told her that in my experience alcohol and photography didn't mix very well, since my focusing ability drops proportionately to the amount of alcohol consumed. That started a long discussion. She proceeded to tell me that she had been given the job of photographing several horse shows for a trade magazine and she was on her fourth camera. The magazine had assured her that she couldn't break this one since she had killed the first three. She wasn't worried about focusing, "The camera does that." Then she proceeded to show me the "cute" little icons that selected the camera functions. When I finally noticed the camera, it was a Minolta Maxxum QTS1 or QSTi, which appeared to be an entry level auto-focus SLR, with a definite consumer grade zoom. Sure enough, she was traveling to the most important horse shows all across the United States with her publisher/editor and taking photos of competitions. She only needed 4 or 5 photos of each show for the magazine, and knew which classes, horses, and riders would be most interesting to her magazine's audience. Here was a lady with a great part-time job, and she apparently wasn't interested it doing a good job and apparently had little skill to offer. It's amazing to me how many of the wrong people get the good jobs. I probably need to send her magazine some examples of what a good camera and operator can do. But then again, as in Cesar's case, maybe I'd be fighting nepotism. Sorry, just needed to vent my ire. - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: Miracles Happen!
Wheatfield Willie wrote: > That's an interesting take on "Would you like to see > my etchings?". We are photographers here. The correct phrase is "would you like to help me develop something in my darkroom" WW How true. That line's been around almost as long as photography. I must confess to using it myself in my younger days. And occasionally something really did develop. I bet the previous line was developed around the same time as hieroglyphics. - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: Multicoated filter on a single-coated lens
Thanks, to everyone who responded about the Lenspen and the carbon black. Shel Belinkoff wrote: "I was looking through "Requiem" last night and noticed that none of the pictures I saw of photographers with their cameras had filters on their lenses. And this was in a war zone. What was also interesting was how these unprotected lenses produced so many remarkable photos." You're right. Normally my group didn't use filters for lens protection. But I had learned that if I was going to be susceptible to heavy salt spray and wanted a clean lens later in the day to have some sort of filter on the lens. Another point, was that if the photog was having his/her picture taken, they knew about it. They knew to appear macho they had better take the sissy filter off of the lens. ; - ) K - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
RE: New List Rules! Read This!
Got me, too. I reread it twice Chris and still didn't catch it when all along it was right there in front of us in the address. I didn't get to read the pdml yesterday, so I'm sitting here in the office waiting to get right down to work, when I think, "Yeah. I am a little tired of 100 posts per day. Maybe it wouldn't be too bad having some limits, even if it meant there wouldn't be these great threads about the merits of one film versus another, one lens versus another, or one scanner versus another, or cancerous beef versus MacDonald's stockholders." Then Doug pops up and bursts my little bubble. Sheesh, I haven't had to deal with this kind of shenanigans at work for a few years. No wonder I was still asleep on the job. K. - -Original Message- From: Doug Brewer [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Sunday, April 01, 2001 2:28 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: New List Rules! Read This! - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: KMP update (2)
Boz, Cool. Good update. I have no problems seeing the pages on my browser. I like the comments on the pages for the M40/2.8 and the FA43/1.9. In my case this makes the difference. I do not envy you the work. The resolution test numbers are great, but the difference between the two (Fred and Yoshihiko) is a little confusing. Myself, I would only use these types of numbers if I was comparing several lenses of the same focal length, such as the recent discussion about the M85/2.0 versus other 85mm Pentax lenses. I think emphasizing the "readmefirst" link is a good idea. I seem to forget that exists. K. - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re. O.T. we're talking basketball slaughter of USC (was O.T. Rolling blackout in Ca.)
Paulo Ernest wrote: But not in the middle of "March Madness" when my USC Trojans are in the "sweet sixteen" for the first time in history. GO SC. I hope you don't have a black out during the game, when my Cats defeat your Trojans. :-P I want you to see just how great Kentucky's team is. :-) I was one of the student photographers for the UK newpaper when "the Baron", Adolph Rupp was still the Baron of basketball coaches. Yes, this is the first time USC has made it to the sweet sixteen in the 64 team format, but didn't they make it to the final four in '54 and the sweet sixteen in the 24 team format in '61 or '62? Sorry I won't be around for an answer or any further friendly ribbing, but I have to run to catch a plane. Just gotta unsubscribe for a week and be back after the games. No, I don't have tickets to the games, just the same ol' work. I hope the hotel has good reception on the TV. K. - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
RE: KM (and other K bodies): Stepless shutter?
I haven't been called an "ol' salt" in a long time. I still have a set of salty utilities hanging in a closet to prove I earned the nickname way back when. I have only a few years less time than Len with Pentax, and I still use the same Spotmatic I bought way back in '67 or '68. I think it was '67 or '68. The Alzheimer's is kicking in at the moment and it gives me fits with dates. You know how it is with us old guys. I remember it was submerged in salt water, with yours truly, during a friendly unannounced visit to another country in '73, and it's still reliable, but could use a face lift. It looks similar to the utilities - a salty Spotmatic. One of my Pentaxen is a KX, and I can't really tell if it has a truly step-less shutter. I just always set it at the detents. It does sound different when I set it between detents, but that doesn't really prove anything. If you know of a good repair shop where you can strike up a friendship, they would have a shutter speed tester, and they may just be as inquisitive as you are. (Or you could build a tester if you really want to know, but that's a lot of work.) A simpler, less accurate test, but maybe more expensive than a friendship would be to use an electronic flash and vary the shutter speed above (faster than) the flash synchronous speed. You know how you get half a frame if your camera has a 1/60th second flash synch and you set the shutter speed at 1/125? Experiment with film and a flash and vary your shutter speed and see if you truly have a step-less shutter. K. Lon wrote: I'm still awaiting the final word on whether the K-bodies have stepless shutters; I've gotten replies both ways so far. Hopefully some old cranky guy who hates all the "new-fangled" stuff will give me the definative answer. So how about it, all you salty Pentax veterans, is the shutter stepless? Lon - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: 200mm f4 Super-Takumar lens
Hey Chris, Where are ya'? I tried sending the attached to you, but it was bounced right back at me, saying, "Host connect failed - destination host not responding." I tried it three times, no go. Anyhow, here's the message. K. To: Chris Brogden <[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: 200mm f4 Super-Takumar lens Chris, Just received the lens. It is very nice! That's not too bad, 2 weeks to get a letter to you, and 4 days to get a package to me. Again, Thanks. I can't wait to try it out. K. - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
OT: Graflex Norita
Collin Brendemuehl wrote Any of you folks ever use one? (Graflex Norita) Midwest Photo recently got in a couple of bodies and several lenses. It's designed a lot like the Pentax 6x7 -- interchangable finders, 6x6, FP, 75mm LS lens, etc. Nice looking outfits. How are the lenses? I used a couple of Noritas back in the '70s. Our Marine Corps photo lab acquired a couple with six lenses (only 3 focal lengths) for testing. We used the Noritas for about 6 - 9 months. At the time I thought the lenses were very good. The normal and short telephoto were very sharp, but not terribly fast. The wide angle was OK. I wasn't acquainted with the term Bokeh at the time, but my memory of that was favorable. Not great, just favorable. I remember having a young photo officer who complained that the backgrounds in several photos on a newspaper spread were "out-of-focus" and having to explain to her that that was what I wanted, and had to use PanX to achieve. I used these cameras in the studio, around the base and town (Norfolk, Virginia), and in the field (Middle East and Turkish Thrace.) The lenses were heavy and relatively sturdy (they sink like a stone in the Mediterranean, not my fault, but the radio announcer working with me) and were not suitable for field work which was photojournalism, but I assume you know that they're heavy. They used a locking collar on the lens mount of the ones we had and that collar was flimsy. One of our guys dropped a wide angle while trying to change lenses, and the collar was destroyed. We took the lens to the Navy Combat Camera Group's repair service and two local civilian repair shops. The rest of the lens checked out OK, but we couldn't find a replacement collar. They couldn't straighten it enough to make it work. (Today, I have access to a machine shop where it could be easily repaired.) The camera was fairly new, but not recently released, so you would have thought there would have been parts available. The camera body was very sturdy. The viewfinder was bright and easy to focus. I don't remember the light meter, as most of this work was with hand-held meters. I liked the camera, but it was way too heavy to carry in my primary job. We returned the cameras, minus two lenses, after the test and I wrote a recommendation to use the camera with limitations, but that didn't happen within the next few years. You're right, it has a strong resemblance to the Pentax 6x7, Basically, I thought it was a great camera, maybe not as good as the original Pentax 67, but well worth using. K. - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: Battery drain :(was: Best shot you _know_ you missed - What do you shoot)
Skip, You may be right, there may be no current drain on the battery. I don't know for certain. I based my assumption on my past experience with the MESuper and my battery operated analyzers and laptops which drain the battery much faster while in standby mode than when off. I should have been more clear that my statement was an assumption. Also, I misunderstood your original post, and thought you were leaving the camera on ALL the time. You (Skip/"dosk") wrote: Anyway, I'm not really talking about keeping the switch on ALL the time! (Keeping it on in the bag was a mistake, of course...) But if I were at a sporting event, say a basketball game I was shooting, I most certainly would keep the camera on constantly whilst it was hanging around my neck! (And would probably miss my best shot anyway, while changing rolls...) Been there, done that; both leaving the batteries on in the camera bag, and changing rolls or lenses while the SHOT was occurring. I agree about leaving the camera on during an "event". I do the same. K. - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: CdI magazine feedback (was: Re: F, A, FA and FA* lens-except)
Pål wrote: Frankly, I don't think people should care about this at all. The point I'm trying to make out is that there often is a far cry from these tests and real life performance. This is exactly what I was trying to say. I've heard a lot of Pentax owners complain that the magazine tests don't compare to what their real-life experience is. I've sometimes heard the same from the few Nikon and Canon owners I know. At least that was one point I was trying to make. The other point I was trying to make was if Pentax Clover is close to the people at CdI, maybe he ought to feedback some of these type of comments to the lens testers to update their articles to include reflections from real-life. And in a way you made this second point for me. I wrote it, but I didn't read it, and so it wasn't clear to the real-life world. Thank you for bringing that to my attention. - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
CdI magazine feedback (was: Re: F, A, FA and FA* lens-except)
Pentax Clover has posted several times extolling the virtues of CdI magazine. Other's have written disagreeing comments. I'm not in any position to comment either way, I've never read CdI. I usually judge my lenses by my own experience. I use lens tests and the comments of others only when I consider purchasing another lens. (I wish this type of discussion was available when I bought the M28/2.8). Pentax Clover exhibits a very strong loyalty of his friends at CdI. That's good, I like people who are loyal to and trust their friends. (NOTICE!!! I didn't say anything about blind trust.) My question is for Pentax Clover. Have you forwarded any of the comments and reasoning from non-believers (of CdI's tests) back to your friends at CdI? One of the best things you can do for someone who writes technical reports, is to provide constructive feedback to enable them to improve upon their reports. (It's very easy to develop a technical writing format that everyone else dislikes, and just stick with it because no one told you how much and why they disliked it. Read: Voice Of Experience. Oh Yeah!) Look specifically at Pål's comments below (not just Pål's, I just picked his message to respond). Someone at CdI should be able to look at these comments and all the others that have been posted and ask themselves why or how are these comments applicable. (I've rewritten some of Pål's comments for brevity. I don't know that Pål's comments are correct or incorrect, but it's his view point.) comments and ratings on "all" parameters are few. lens' final image in actual use does not agree with CdI test. FA* 85/1.4: appears this lens was rated 5 star by CdI, but consensus of users says this is not so. Pål says users consider an A* 85/1.4 better than FA* 85/1.4 CdI test are frequently contradictory to other tests Again, Pentax Clover I support your loyalty to your friends at CdI, and I've enjoyed your viewpoint. K. PS> Actually, many similar comments are often stated about the other magazines tests. Seems I noticed the same on the some of the other discussion groups. Do I see a pattern here? - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: Madison Skyline
Congrats, Collin! > One kind comment to me about my gallery shot was to send info > on to the Madison CofC. So I did. They like is and asked about > my pricing! How thrilling. Now all I need is a new pricing schedule. > It's been a few years since having one so I've got to make one. > Should be fun. Thanks, > > Collin - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: Okay, kids, put your books away, we're having a pop quiz
Mike Johnston etched: "Okay, hot shots. You want to try your hands at my "How to Tell If You're a Real Photographer" quiz? This was going to be an article in _PT_. (I have it around here somewhere and I'll bet I could find it.) I consists of 50 questions about photography that "any real photographer should know." Of course you'd be on your honor to take it cold and score it honestly, but I wouldn't worry about honesty on the Pentax list...heck, it's not like this is a bunch of ratty Nikon shooters or something. Anybody game to put their knowledge to the acid test? - --Mike" Sounds like fun! Actually, it would be kind of interesting to see just how much I do remember from way back when, and how much I just think I remember. Back on the subject of who is and who isn't a photographer: back 30 years ago as a young Marine Corps photog, I had to deal with the senior enlisted photogs who were photogs because they had been in the job for a certain number of years. Most of them had never taken a decent picture while I was working in that lab. They expected us younger guys to do all the work, which was fine with me I loved the work (even when it got a little dangerous). One had taken an award winner several years prior to our meeting, but I never saw him pick up a camera in the 2 years I worked for him other than to take one home. Another was so dense that he destroyed some slides of a field with morning dew, high grass, spider webs, and the sun rise. I was trying to teach a lieutenant about photography, depth of field, exposure, composition, etc., and she wanted to see her slides when we returned to the base a month later. All of the film was sent back to headquarters for processing and use in analysis of new methods and tools for combat. The Staff Sergeant had thrown them in the trash after seeing them on the light table because they weren't related to our assigned work. One of the other young photogs said that the lieutenants photos were pretty good. My point is, and this echos something someone else said earlier, the two staff sergeants could probably have passed any test, they were highly trained, but if they ever had it they no longer had the soul of a photographer. - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
FS: SMC Takumar 1:3.5/24mm
I recently asked the PDML if anyone had ever purchased any photo equipment from Stan Tamulevich. A few people responded off list and a few responded on list that they had had good dealings when purchasing photo equipment from him. I purchases a VERY nice, absolutely mint, Takumar 35mm lens, with a satisfaction guarantee and asked some generic questions about where and how often he has lenses for sale. He responded with the following 24mm SMC Takumar (that's a universal screw mount for all you K-heads.) It's out of my price range this week, but I thought I'd pass it on to the PDML. Keith, I have a mint minus (mint for all practical purposes) SMC Takumar 24/3.5 (screw mount). Priced at $195 postpaid. These are getting harder to find and I am sure you are aware of the difficulty in finding nice one. I dont have original caps for it, but will include a set of generics. Stan If you're interested contact Stan Tamulevich at <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> (I'm sure the quoted postage is for US delivery only, but he might negotiate sales elsewhere.) K. - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: Moose's Infamous Teddy Bear Exposure Test
Shel, Good link. I'm gonna' have to try this. Thanks. Shel wrote: Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2001 07:06:37 -0800 From: Shel Belinkoff <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Moose's Infamous Teddy Bear Exposure Test http://www.moose395.net/teddyb.html This, and variations of this, is a pretty good way to determine the proper exposure, and exposure compensation, for any new film/developer or camera/film combination. You might find it of some value. - -- Shel Belinkoff - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: if it has 4 legs
I'm afraid Wheatfield Willie has been staring at the snow too long. Can we get him some help? ;-P In SASKATCHEWAN if it has four legs, we call it Sweetheart. HAR William Robb - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: MF lens block...
Mafud wrote: "OK Tiger ~anyone~: which PENTAX bodies "beep" to confirm focus?" The ZX/10 also beeps to confirm focus. The beep is "tied" to the focus indicator in the viewfinder. Of course the beep can be turned off. and then you just use the ground glass screen or the focus indicator. Some times the beep is kind of handy when I'm concentrating on the rapidly changing composition in low light. (That was never a problem 30 years ago.) I was in a situation Saturday where I wouldn't have been able to hear the beep if I wanted to. I kept wishing for earplugs. Needless to say, it was not an "acoustical camera" situation. K. - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: cities vs. no cities
Chris, I would rather leave my name/city out of a list posted to the web. I'd rather avoid the spammers. I don't mind being included in a mailing list. Sorry, about the extra work, but you know how it is when you volunteer. Chris Brogden wrote: However, I'm wondering how everyone would feel about having their cities posted on a web page. Personally, I don't care either way, myself, but I just assumed there would be resistance. Any thoughts or suggestions, anyone? Again, public replies are fine for this. Thanks! - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
FS - fully automatic spotmatic rangefinder?
Check out the attached Yahoo auction description for another good laugh. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy ! Also makes me want to trust this new person to photo equipment auctions. http://page.auctions.yahoo.com/auction/48934107 - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: Reducing excessive sharpness in portraits - 1st try
annsann wrote, "All of you guys seem to think that what *that* woman didn't like about the picture was (just) the wrinkles. But what I would be more displeased with from a vanity point of view is the heaviness in the neck. I think cropping a lot around her very animated face with only the slightest bit of retin-a treatment would please her a lot more. Good point/view. I was just looking at the improvement in the wrinkles. Someone else commented on the appearance of overdone pancake makeup. These points reminded me of when I was doing portraits years ago. I would have loved to have had the PC tools for improving photos. But back then, I think a computer was called an abacus. ; ) Our studio had an 'artist' who oil colored the quality portraits, and I now remember thinking that she made people look too unnatural. I was 20 or so with a heavy 4:00 shadow, and she made a portrait of me look so smooth skinned that I could have been 13 or 14. My parents, nor my girl friend, wanted the finished work because it was not pleasing to them. I imagine you're very right about the amount of softening and cropping. I'll have to pay attention to these sentiments when I start experimenting with a digital darkroom. K. - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: Reducing excessive sharpness in portraits - 1st try
Herbet Brasileiro wrote, "I got a shot...taken with a FA100/2.8...the subject didn't like the picture... So I followed Aaron tips and here's the result www.itsmysite.com/herbet. Herbet, that's a fantastic difference! You've gotta show it to your friend! I gotta try this! I just purchased a new Compaq last night, gotta get it up on line. OT question: Has anyone noticed that shopping for computers can be very similar to shopping for cameras from some of the sleazy mail-order dealers, or tires from most tire dealers? i.e. do you want batteries with that ZX/M?; do you want your tires balanced?; do you want a PC that will outlast the ride home?; do you want that extra 64MB of RAM installed without voiding your warranty?; do you want fries with that? K. - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
securing camera on tripod ?
Igor wrote: "I purchased an old (original aluminum) Tiltall tripodbodies..could not be secured on the tripod's head. The hole in the bodies is just not deep enough for the screw to push the body against the head..." When I purchased my then new MESuper, it came with a spacer just for this situation. Page 31 of the owner's manual states the tripod screw should protrude no more that 5.5mm (0.22in). Trying to force a longer screw into the tripod socket could damage the camera. One option is to get a machinist to trim your older tripod screw to the correct length. If that's not an option, the spacer goes between the camera base and the tripod head. I've since lost the original spacer for my MESuper, but I've made replacements out of teflon sheet. Many chemical plants use teflon sheet material for gaskets, your local hardware store or automotive parts store may have something similar (neoprene, nylon, etc. about 1/8" thick. It's a simple matter to use a gasket cutter and punch to create a replacement. It measures ~2" outside diameter, with a 1/4" center hole. Over the years, I've had to replace mine 3 or 4 times for use with some older equipment. A freind with an MX doesn't have the problem, because he purchased his tripod after the MX, and the same is true with my newer tripods. Good Luck! K - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org.
Re: CHEM. POISONING (was: Toxicity) (Longish, but full of memories)
Dan wrote: Always nice to hear there is another Marine on the list. S/F - All us jar heads gotta stick together. Dan wrote: I bought my first Pentax while serving as a Marine in Viet Nam. One of my friend photogs at the University of Kentucky was a former Marine photog, a section cheif in Nam. Maybe I should hate him, he's the guy that convinced me to join. This guy had 3 Spotmatics (all black) and 2 complete sets of everything Pentax offered at the time, late 60's. Every lens, every filter, every accessory. I couldn't get him to sell me anything. Not even lend me a 85mm or Tele-Takumar. If I remember correctly, his photo section purchased so much Pentax equipment in Tokyo, that the store would occassionally give him an "extra." That's why his name isn't mentioned, the miltary might still hold a grudge. I lost contact and wonder how he's doing today, but I'm sure his Pentax equipment is in very well worn condition, much like my Spotmatics. - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org.
Re: CHEM. POISONING (was: Toxicity) (Longish, but full of memories)
JoMac wrote: the photographic lab at Naval Air Station Miramar, San Diego, California had to produce a moderate to humongus number of panchromatic and color 8 x 10 prints in short order. The Kennedy job involved over 24 hours of printing from 4 x 5 dupe negatives using six enlargers. We took turns processing these prints, by hand.. Wow! Very close to my memories, though I didn't realize that sailors were taught these mass production procedures. I did work with several Marine Corps photogs that appeared to have no problems with chemical exposure while we were still in the business. One did develop severe problems with warts on his hands. Sickbay said the warts were being aggravated by the chemicals and required him to wear latex gloves. Another developed a very bad case of blood poisoning. If I remember correctly, he had very dry, cracked skin at the time, and was working strictly in the color print lab. He was transferred out of the photo MOS (job assignment.) Today, I have the same very dry cracked skin hand problems that JoMac described. Now to explain why I didn't think sailors were taught these mass production techniques... While assigned to headquarters of the Atlantic Fleet Marine Force in the early '70's, we frequently were tasked to produce massive press releases on the order of those described by JoMac. At the same time I was frequently assigned aboard a ship with a very nice photo lab during NATO exercises. After spending a couple of days with an AMTRAC platoon on another ship without a darkroom, and assaulting a beachhead, I returned on the first evening of the actual exercise to develop not only my film (~30 rolls B&W and 15 rolls transparency) but the film of every Marine Corps photojournalist, public affairs officer (PAO), and combat artist above the rank of Gunnery Sergeant (read commissioned officers/gentlemen.) That was about a dozen other people. Some of them shot a lot of film that first day. After printing all the contact sheets, the senior PAO comes down to the photo lab from the officers' mess and selects around 30 B&W negatives that he wants several hundred 8x10s of each for immediate release to the civilian and military press. Since I was the lowly corporal, and probably the only one of these photogs who actually knew anything about a darkroom, I figured I was going to spend the remainder of the exercise in the darkroom. One of ship's photo lab Chiefs thought this wasn't fair that I was going to spend the entire exercise in the dark, so he offered to have his sailors make the prints for me during the night, they worked the night shift anyway, so I could get 3 or 4 hours sleep and take photos the next day. I explained the PAO's cropping requirements and the techniques JoMac described. I even printed 2 negs and in effect demonstrated the techniques. When I awoke at 4:00 (3 hours sleep) I found the sailors had made exactly 150 prints of 1 negative. They were printing/developing them one at a time. After that I always figured they didn't teach those techniques to sailors. The chopper left the flight deck for the command base in the Turkish Thrace every morning at 6:00. Between 4:00 and 6:00 I was able to finish 10 more negatives, for about a third of what my PAO had requested. I got my butt chewed for a long time that morning, and was told that I could return to the field every morning to shoot photos. BUT, I was to be on the afternoon chopper back to the ship and print ALL of the requested negatives each and every night. AND I was not to rely on the Navy for anything other than the facilities. AND if I failed at this, well, he reminded that since I was a former MP I did know what a brig was like. For the next 7 days, I think I only slept while riding in a chopper or jeep, probably not even 3 hours/day. The journalist, who was junior to me, had orders to wake me if anything happened. When we got to Istanbul, after the exercise, I slept through the first 2 days of liberty. Then on the last day of liberty, I took a tour of Aya Sofya, a cathedral converted to a mosque, and the Blue Mosque, a Sultan's palace. I shot a lot of available light Ektachrome, not only of the beautiful mosques but also of a very interesting city. When I returned to the ship to develop my transparencies, I learned (the hard way) that another sailor had contaminated the E-6 chemicals. All of my slides had a purple cast. After that I had a real chip on my shoulder towards sailors. ; ) - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org.
Re: pentax-discuss-digest V1 #93
At: Tue, 23 Jan 2001 13:29:35 +0100 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hmm... They show all right in my two old browsers (Opera & Netscape 3.0), but I will check the source again. Try it again, use the exact address: http://www.volny.cz/ffranta/index.html Fr. I can read your home page, but I also see only a white screen when trying to see your photos. It's the first time I tried to access your site. K. - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org.
Re[2]: Wake up
Watch it, Bob! "My momma' lives in a trailer." Date: Wed, 17 Jan 2001 20:35:49 + From: Bob Walkden <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re[2]: Wake up Hi, Shel wrote, about obesity: > I heard that Australia is rapidly catching up the the US in this regard. So is Britain. In fact, we're rapidly turning into a nation of trailer-trash wannabe Americans. - -- Cheers, Bob - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org.
Re: A call for forgiveness.....
Delano Mireles wrote: Well y'all "told me so" DOF preview ... when am I going to use that? Auto Bracketing ... I'm not going to be lazy and just do it myself Spot Metering, Center-Weighted .. Metering, Schmetering I call out for forgiveness for not listening to your suggestions/insights!!! As of this morning I have upgraded to the ZX-5N! I'm ready for my penance now.. D, What did you have before? Did you upgrade through a mail order, or at a local store? I'm just curious as to the trade-in deal you were able to negotiate. Like you, I didn't get the ZX-5n as the PDML recommended, only because I purchased the ZX-10 before I discovered the PDML. I actually wanted the features of the ZX-5n, but got my signals crossed. Not that I'm totally dissatisfied with the ZX-10. K. - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Visit the PUG at http://pug.komkon.org.
Re: OT: advice on selecting wedding photographer
Chaso, I would agree with everything Tom V, said. Someone whose style you like. It didn't matter to me at all that one photographer was planning to wear a tuxedo to the wedding, and I didn't like the idea that he thought what he would wear was worth mentioning. (I assume a professional will not wear torn jeans and a greasy T-shirt to the wedding.) Will the photog be at your convenience on the day of the wedding? Will he have another wedding or portrait scheduled that he will have to run to before your reception is complete? Quality of the work. I looked at portfolios, current wedding albums (ready to be delivered), and proof books. As a matter of fact two studios and one independent photog offered current proof books before I asked. How do they handle your selections? One studio told us they would actually determine what size each print would be and the layout of the wedding album. Another studio and an independent offered to assemble our selections however my daughter, son-in-law, and wife wished. [They also knew that my suggestions didn't really matter. : )] For my daughter's wedding, I called several friends and former associates and asked them for quotes. A couple of these photographers upset my daughter and wife immediately. A couple were already scheduled. One place to find referrals is through the other people you will contract for your wedding. When we spoke with the caterers, they each gave us a couple of recommendations for photographers. So did the florists and the dress makers. The caterers' and florists' references also were kind enough to give us referrals for the photographers of their weddings. As it so happened, one of the caterers recommended a man I knew, but I didn't know he did weddings. He has an orchestra that my uncle performed with, and he used to repair cameras for the store where I sold cameras. We were very happy with the completed photo albums. Again, I agree with what Tom said. After covering all the bases, go with your gut. K. - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, visit http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions.
Re: "Priming" new flash?
Just an extra note. Several of my "ancient" flashes recommend similar techniques for forming the capacitor. The AC electric ones as well as the strictly DC battery ones suggest forming the capacitors for a length of time. One hour is common for the AC types, but several minutes is all I remember for the DC types. Then after obtaining this "time" requirement, they seem to all recommend discharging the flash several times at highest output. One of the battery units recommends waiting for 10 seconds after the full charge indication re-lights, and then discharging the flash unit and repeating this cycle 4 or 5 times. It also recommends forming with only new (non-rechargeable) batteries. I've tried it a couple of times with not fresh batteries or rechargeables out of necessity, but had less than great results. One of the AC electric units recommends waiting for 5 minutes after full charge indication and repeating this cycle 10 times. I tend to follow these recommendations with all of my flash units. Both types of flashes recommend this procedure after 90 days of non-use. K. - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, visit http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions.
Re: Newbie needs lenses
There have been several good responses to your questions. My 2-cents worth, which will probably echo some of the previous comments. Don't purchase from ebay, or any of the other auctions, if the price gets higher than KEH or Charlotte Camera. Don't purchase from auction sites unless there is a photo. Look at the seller's other auctions. Is she/he selling a lot of other photo equipment? Does he/she say they purchased the equipment at an estate sale or yard sale or whatever? I got burned on a couple of dirty lenses, that turned out to be fungus. One was by an honest person (I think) who got the lens at an estate sale and knew nothing about cameras, but the other was one who I think (I have no proof) was slightly shady. Negative feedback by you on an auction site feels good, but it doesn't get your money back. In my case, both were willing to refund my purchase cost but not my shipping costs, so it was less expensive to write them off as a lesson learned. They were very good bargains! : ( I have purchased a few truly good bargains from ebay. Visit your local camera shops. They may have universal thread mount lenses in the storage area. I've had to dig through boxes of lenses that were considered not salable because no one wants 20-30 year old lenses and today everyone is using bayonet mounts. I've offered ridiculous amounts for such finds, and have occasionally gotten a good buy. When I get a few free hours I'm going to suggest to one dealer that I catalog his old universal lenses and see if there is anything of real value - it might take a few weeks (not hours) just to dig through the N___, C___, M, Kodak, Y, and other junk to find the right stuff ; ). I've done the same with some of the local pawn shops, especially near the Army base. Many of the pawns in my area will charge a high price for a camera with lens. But they don't always know what to do with a lens by itself, and that's where I've found a couple of bargains. But recently a couple of local ebay dealers have beat me to the lenses. These are the people who are buying anything photographic that shows up at pawn and selling it on ebay for ridiculous profits. I still kick myself for letting someone else get to a camera case that I passed by in a charitable thrift shop. The camera case was inside a locked display case which the manager would have had to unlock and I assumed it was empty. It was sitting next to some Polaroid equipment. When I walked back a few minutes later, there was a man buying the case with the enclosed Pentax ES and several lenses for $50. I'm only buying Pentax for myself, but many of the bargains I've found have been other brands for family and friends. I've had good luck with KEH and B&H on used equipment. Universal mount Takumar lenses are sometimes listed under both the Pentax and the "Classic Camera" sections of the B&H ads. This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, visit www.pdml.net and follow the directions.
Re: MZ-S for sale?
I keep seeing the subject line of "Re: MZ-S for sale?". Have I missed something? Is the MZ-S actually available for sale? It's not listed on the Pentax web page, or at any of the dealer web sites that I checked. Is this just an old thread that doesn't really apply to the sale of the MZ-S? If it is actually for sale, where and at what price? I've been out of town for 12 days, without access to my PC (but access to my Pentax cameras) and just today subscribed to the new PDML address. During the Christmas and New Year holidays my family packs ourselves into a cabin in the woods, no phones, no TV, just the family. The deer and bear were around, their tracks were clearly visible in the snow, but they were extremely camera shy this year. The only wolf we actually saw was very scrawny and appeared to have mange. And that new (to me) 400mm lens didn't help in the least when the wild life is so shy. All I was able to get was a few small birds and squirrels. Next, I just have to discover where my daughter has packed the MESuper. She was using it, but it came up missing. She assures me she didn't drop it in a snow bank under the covered bridge. : ) Many thanks to Doug Brewer, Pentax Corporation, and any other unnamed persons for enabling the continuity of the PDML. K This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, visit www.pdml.net and follow the directions.
