Re: extension tube question
Cory Waters wrote: The el-cheepo extension tubes online are totally dumb. By that I mean they don't have any electrical contacts and whatnot. With the newer DSLRs and the crippled mount or whatever, I would assume one would really want a set of tubes that's A compliant. Maybe I'm wrong about that though since Even the $180 versions that are on BH's site (on backorder maybe forever) are only K versions. So, Dos one just buy the cheep-o versions from Ebay, use lenses with aperture rings, and use the green button method? I bought a set of Vivitar's from ebay that had all the electrical contacts including AF when I had an *ist D. since there are no optical elements in the tubes, I wasn't concerned about brand. Christian -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
extension tube question
The el-cheepo extension tubes online are totally dumb. By that I mean they don't have any electrical contacts and whatnot. With the newer DSLRs and the crippled mount or whatever, I would assume one would really want a set of tubes that's A compliant. Maybe I'm wrong about that though since Even the $180 versions that are on BH's site (on backorder maybe forever) are only K versions. So, Dos one just buy the cheep-o versions from Ebay, use lenses with aperture rings, and use the green button method? CW Tried to use jedi mind tricks to get Nico to forget he'd loaned his D-FA 100 macro but it didn't work. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: extension tube question
- Original Message - From: Cory Waters Subject: extension tube question So, Dos one just buy the cheep-o versions from Ebay, use lenses with aperture rings, and use the green button method? Thats the way I do it, though I use bellows, not extension tubes. The principle is similar though. I've had enough problems with stop down metering on the k10/K20 that I would tend to not trust anything that knocks the amount of light down, either by stop down metering or extending a lens out to allow for accurate metering. William Robb -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: extension tube question
Kenko sells a set with full contacts, (I think they make one with a screwdriver pass through as well). You can usually get the full contact version for between $150 and $175 in a camera store if they're in stock. I'd expect a better price on line somewhere. Cory Waters wrote: The el-cheepo extension tubes online are totally dumb. By that I mean they don't have any electrical contacts and whatnot. With the newer DSLRs and the crippled mount or whatever, I would assume one would really want a set of tubes that's A compliant. Maybe I'm wrong about that though since Even the $180 versions that are on BH's site (on backorder maybe forever) are only K versions. So, Dos one just buy the cheep-o versions from Ebay, use lenses with aperture rings, and use the green button method? CW Tried to use jedi mind tricks to get Nico to forget he'd loaned his D-FA 100 macro but it didn't work. -- Vote for Cthulhu. Why settle for a lesser evil... -- Dr. Jerry Pournelle -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Extension Tube Question
I've seen A-class extension tubes. But does anyone make one with the AF mechanism coupled through? Or would it be better to take a little 1.4xTC and strip the optical guts out of it? Sincerely, Collin Sent via the WebMail system at mail.safe-t.net
Re: Extension Tube Question
Collin Brendemuehl let his curiosity get the best of him when he asked: I've seen A-class extension tubes. But does anyone make one with the AF mechanism coupled through? Or would it be better to take a little 1.4xTC and strip the optical guts out of it? Kenko makes an AF tube for Pentax. I have one but I've found very little use for the AF capabilities. In my experience, AF can't handle the precise focusing requirements in macro work. It might be useful when coupled with an AF telephoto when you want to get closer than the lens' minimum focusing distance. I don't have an AF tele to try it with (yet). IMO, you'd be ruining a good TC for something you'd very rarely need. Tom Reese
Re: Extension Tube Question
Collin Brendemuehl wrote: I've seen A-class extension tubes. But does anyone make one with the AF mechanism coupled through? Or would it be better to take a little 1.4xTC and strip the optical guts out of it? Doesn't a TC alter the lens aperture information provided to the body? S
Re: Extension Tube Question
On Jun 22, 2005, at 8:08 AM, Tom Reese wrote: I've seen A-class extension tubes. But does anyone make one with the AF mechanism coupled through? Or would it be better to take a little 1.4xTC and strip the optical guts out of it? Kenko makes an AF tube for Pentax. I have one but I've found very little use for the AF capabilities. In my experience, AF can't handle the precise focusing requirements in macro work. It might be useful when coupled with an AF telephoto when you want to get closer than the lens' minimum focusing distance. I don't have an AF tele to try it with (yet). I agree with Tom: AF in an extension tube is mostly inconsequential. When I'm using tubes, I want a tripod and a fine geared rackmount for stability and precision focusing. Godfrey
Re: Extension Tube Question
On Jun 22, 2005, at 7:59 AM, Steve Jolly wrote: Collin Brendemuehl wrote: I've seen A-class extension tubes. But does anyone make one with the AF mechanism coupled through? Or would it be better to take a little 1.4xTC and strip the optical guts out of it? Doesn't a TC alter the lens aperture information provided to the body? No. Light falls off as you add lens extension by the amount dictated in the Inverse Square Law, but the aperture doesn't change. A TTL meter simply reads less light. Godfrey
Re: Extension Tube Question
On Wed, Jun 22, 2005 at 08:44:28AM -0700, Godfrey DiGiorgi wrote: On Jun 22, 2005, at 7:59 AM, Steve Jolly wrote: Doesn't a TC alter the lens aperture information provided to the body? No. [...] Godfrey The Pentax 1.7x AF adapter does alter the maximum aperture information; it shows my 300/2.8 wide open as f4.5 But it's the exception; I don't know of any other TCs that do this. A full AF TC, with the digital signal pin contact, is unlikely to be able to change aperture information; Pentax haven't released a specification for how lens-to-body digital signals are encoded.
Re: Extension Tube Question
The Pentax 1.7x AF adapter does alter the maximum aperture information; it shows my 300/2.8 wide open as f4.5 Very interesting! thanks john. Godfrey But it's the exception; I don't know of any other TCs that do this. A full AF TC, with the digital signal pin contact, is unlikely to be able to change aperture information; Pentax haven't released a specification for how lens-to-body digital signals are encoded.
Re: Extension Tube Question
- Original Message - From: Collin Brendemuehl Subject: Extension Tube Question I've seen A-class extension tubes. But does anyone make one with the AF mechanism coupled through? Or would it be better to take a little 1.4xTC and strip the optical guts out of it? AF is gonna be pretty useless with tubes, so why bother? William Robb
Re: Extension Tube Question
Kenko has a 25mm one. they don't make the 12mm in Pentax mount. Herb - Original Message - From: Collin Brendemuehl [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: pentax-discuss@pdml.net Sent: Wednesday, June 22, 2005 10:40 AM Subject: Extension Tube Question I've seen A-class extension tubes. But does anyone make one with the AF mechanism coupled through? Or would it be better to take a little 1.4xTC and strip the optical guts out of it?
Re: Disappointed - Pentax technicians couldn't answer extension tube question.
But the fact is it all depends on people not a company. Nevertheless such persons should not work for any big company. Instead of giving you correct information she/he was rude. What a guy! If she/he did not know the answer he/she should call Pentax service or somewhere. Pity. But when you set any lens on non-A position you should expect some overexposure with you PZ1p! Cheers Alek - Original Message - From: Kathleen [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, August 04, 2003 12:50 PM Subject: Re: Disappointed - Pentax technicians couldn't answer extension tube question. Not only did the tech not know about extension tubes, but he was arrogant, as well. I've never had to call them about anything before, but when you get that kind of treatment for just asking a simple question (including not getting an answer), I'm sorry I invested in their equipment at all. In addition, I phoned them on Friday at about 10:00 a.m. their time. He told me that they were closing for the day in 2 hours (nice hours for customer service), and maybe they would call me back on Monday if someone knew the answer to my question. Kathy L. - Original Message - From: Alek Kozak [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, August 04, 2003 2:51 AM Subject: Re: Disappointed - Pentax technicians couldn't answer extension tube question. It is very strange, indeed. Another field where Pentax does not care about clients. And the stuff...Uhhh Cheers Alek - Original Message - From: Mark Cassino [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, August 01, 2003 8:10 PM Subject: Re: Disappointed - Pentax technicians couldn't answer extension tube question. The Pentax tubes lack the electrical contacts needed for the body and lens to communicate. In this case, the term auto in the tubes' name means that they support open aperture metering, but that's all. They don't support program modes when the lens is set to A and the camera will default to center weighted and spot metering only, no matrix mode. But, when the aperture is manually set the metering should be accurate. I have a pair of Vivitar extension tubes that do have both the aperture coupling and the contacts, and I'd suspect other third party brands are out there that also support the full functionality. I'm surprised that no one at Pentax understood how their tubes work, and I've long wondered why Pentax has not updated their brand of extension tubes. Hope this helps - MCC At 12:28 PM 8/1/2003 -0400, Kathleen wrote: I'm really disappointed that the Pentax people couldn't answer a simple = question about their own (Pentax) extension tubes with their own camera = (PZ-1p). I just got Extension Tube Set B (Auto) made by Pentax from KEH. They are in great shape, except when I try to use them, the only information that shows in the viewfinder is the shutter speed. Where the F-stop should appear, there is just a blank. This happens whether I am in automatic or manual mode. Also, the autofocus won't work (which I really don't care about because I focus manually most of the time anyway).
Re: Disappointed - Pentax technicians couldn't answer extension tube question.
OTOH, current auto mechanics don't know much about carburetors these days. Also, did she actually talk to a tech, or just some front office person? Extension tubes are really relics from before macro lenes, probably the only reason Pentax is still selling them at all is they continue to have a bunch in the warehouse. Hence, no auto focus version. Ciao, Graywolf http://pages.prodigy.net/graywolfphoto - Original Message - From: Alek Kozak [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, August 04, 2003 2:51 AM Subject: Re: Disappointed - Pentax technicians couldn't answer extension tube question. It is very strange, indeed. Another field where Pentax does not care about clients. And the stuff...Uhhh Cheers Alek --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.504 / Virus Database: 302 - Release Date: 7/24/03
Re: Disappointed - Pentax technicians couldn't answer extension tube question.
Alek Kozak [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: But when you set any lens on non-A position you should expect some overexposure with you PZ1p! Why should this be the case? My PZ-1p exposes fine on or off the A position. -- Mark Roberts Photography and writing www.robertstech.com
Re: Disappointed - Pentax technicians couldn't answer extension tube question.
Date: Mon, 4 Aug 2003 06:50:20 -0400 From: Kathleen [EMAIL PROTECTED] Not only did the tech not know about extension tubes, but he was arrogant, as well. I've never had to call them about anything before, but when you get that kind of treatment for just asking a simple question (including not getting an answer), I'm sorry I invested in their equipment at all. The trouble is to get through to the right person. A few month ago I odered a replacement rail for my slide copier attachment. When I called Pentax they gave me answers like this : I don't know what this is; we don't have it ; we don't make it anymore ; it does exist only in Japan etc. Finally I came through to a person who obviously was something like a replacement part store keeping manager who told me: of course we have it ... I got the rail the next day. The upshot from this is: Be nasty and insistent In my impression their sales management is poorly trained. Some of them don't seem to know much about their own products. In addition, I phoned them on Friday at about 10:00 a.m. their time. He told me that they were closing for the day in 2 hours (nice hours for customer service), and maybe they would call me back on Monday if someone knew the answer to my question. Kathy L. I think you would get the same kind of treatment by many other companies these days. Service costs are high with no ~immediate~ turn around. Alexander __ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software http://sitebuilder.yahoo.com
Re: Disappointed - Pentax technicians couldn't answer extension tube question.
In my impression their sales management is poorly trained. Some of them don't seem to know much about their own products. Sounds like a poorly managed company which relies on luck. regards, Alan Chan _ Protect your PC - get McAfee.com VirusScan Online http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963
Re: Disappointed - Pentax technicians couldn't answer extension tube question.
I have this extension tube set too, and it won't allow any f-stop display simply because they do not have the neceassily contacts on the mount. So they basically turn every lens into K/M lens. For the same reason, you cannot use the 'A' button of the aperture ring. regards, Alan Chan I'm really disappointed that the Pentax people couldn't answer a simple = question about their own (Pentax) extension tubes with their own camera = (PZ-1p). I just got Extension Tube Set B (Auto) made by Pentax from KEH. They are in great shape, except when I try to use them, the only information that shows in the viewfinder is the shutter speed. Where the F-stop should appear, there is just a blank. This happens whether I am in automatic or manual mode. Also, the autofocus won't work (which I really don't care about because I focus manually most of the time anyway). Can anyone help me on this. I thought I read somewhere that this extension tube set would allow me to use all of the Pentax functions of my camera. (I am really upset that Pentax technicians couldn't offer me any help on this. They did say that someone would get back to me on Monday, though.) _ Add photos to your e-mail with MSN 8. Get 2 months FREE*. http://join.msn.com/?page=features/featuredemail
Re: Disappointed - Pentax technicians couldn't answer extension tube question.
You're right Mark. It would only provide multizone metering, not usefull with macro. Sorry for the confusion. On the contrary, if you mount a digital flash on AF body, the chosen f-stop would be displayed. :-) regards, Alan Chan _ MSN 8 with e-mail virus protection service: 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus
Re: Disappointed - Pentax technicians couldn't answer extension tube question.
I appreciate everyone's reply to my question. My extension tubes don't have any electrical contacts. They must be pretty old. KEH charged me $144 for them, and now I'm thinking maybe I didn't get such a good deal. They are in great condition, though. I don't care at all about manual focusing. What I care about is that the camera (using its spot meter or center-weighted meter) gets the right exposure. I see the shutter speed in the viewfinder. Do you think that the aperture is the setting that I have it on (I rarely use the A setting). I use the PZ-1p hypermanual mode and set my aperture right on the lens. I guess I am just not sure if the camera is using the F-stop that I have set on the lens I'm using. Are you saying that it is using that setting? I really appreciate your help. Thanks. Kathy - Original Message - From: Pat White [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, August 01, 2003 5:39 PM Subject: Disappointed - Pentax technicians couldn't answer extension tube question. Kathleen, do you know what year your extension tube set B was made? It probably communicates all the features that were transmitted at that time. Older cameras, like the MX for instance, read out the aperture in the finder by means of a little window on the pentaprism, which looks down at the aperture ring. Naturally, that doesn't work when using an extension tube or teleconverter. Later cameras and lenses have electrical contacts to communicate with each other, but that didn't begin until 1983, with the KA series lenses. Take a close look at the extension tubes. They'll have a mechanical linkage to stop down the lens (that's the Auto part), but probably no electrical contacts, which would be needed to transmit the f-stop info, nor a drive mechanism for autofocus. At present, I don't believe Pentax makes extension tubes which permit autofocus. Kenko makes a tube (not a set) which does allow AF. However, the lack of AF and aperture readout shouldn't stop you from happily using your extension tubes. I have an extension tube set K, probably dating from the early '70s, that works fine with my MZ-S. It has no linkages whatever, and is really just a set of tubes. Having to stop the lens down manually is an extra step, but for occasional use, I don't mind. I agree that the folks at Pentax (if it was a technician you spoke to) should have been able to tell you this, but a junior technician might have been in diapers when your tube set was made, and not familiar with it at all. Hope this is helpful. Pat White
Re: Disappointed - Pentax technicians couldn't answer extension tube question.
Thanks for answering my question. I am going out to a local horticultural garden tomorrow morning at 7:30 a.m., and I'm going to do flower macros and am going to use them and see what happens. Kathy - Original Message - From: Pat White [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, August 01, 2003 8:43 PM Subject: Re: Disappointed - Pentax technicians couldn't answer extension tube question. Kathy, if your lens is set to 'A' while it's on an extension tube, the diaphragm will be at its minimum aperture, probably f22. If you take it off 'A', when you press the shutter button, it will stop down to the aperture you set . Until you press the shutter, it will remain wide open, for easier viewing and focusing, just as it would when mounted directly on the body. This is the Auto feature. To sum up, yes, the lens will use the aperture you set. The metering will be centre-weighted. I'm not sure whether spot-metering is available, but evaluative (multi-zone) is not. Now go take some pictures! Pat White
Extension Tube Question
Does anyone have the Kenko Uniplus Tube 25 for Pentax? The web site (thkphoto) says it is designed for autofocus, but doesn't specifically say that autofocus lenses can still autofocus with it on. Does anyone know? Keeping fingers crossed. This would answer a pressing need for closer focusing with my Sigma 70-200 f2.8. Thanks, Joe
Re: Extension Tube Question
On Sat, 15 Mar 2003 20:16:10 -0700, you wrote: Does anyone have the Kenko Uniplus Tube 25 for Pentax? The web site (thkphoto) says it is designed for autofocus, but doesn't specifically say that autofocus lenses can still autofocus with it on. Does anyone know? Keeping fingers crossed. This would answer a pressing need for closer focusing with my Sigma 70-200 f2.8. Thanks, Joe It has the Pentax AF drive pin. It allows autofocus. I've used it in autofocus mode my FA* 600/f4, F* 300/f4.5, and PZ1p. Of course, you lose infinity focus, but that occurs with any extension tube. -- John Mustarde www.photolin.com
