RE: Super Program Vibration - an Overblown Issue
I once had a SP. Shots at 1/60 sec with it looked like shots taken at 1/15 sec taken with other bodies. Since I hardly ever use a tripod camera vibration is important to me. Although I really like the features and looks of the SP I sold it. What is interesting is that the Program Plus, with a lower sync speed, but similar looking shutter is very good for hand held shots. BR - 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: Super Program Vibration - an Overblown Issue
What is interesting is that the Program Plus, with a lower sync speed, but similar looking shutter is very good for hand held shots. I've never noticed this particular difference between the Super Program/A and the Program Plus/A before. However, while I employ SP's for a lot of different uses (including occasional tripod use at slower shutter speeds), my two PP/PA's (one of each) are used 99% of the time as my dedicated whale watch bodies, which typically have a long lens on one and a longer one on the other, whose shutters therefore are hardly ever fired at speeds slower than 1/250 sec. However, I just dug out two Popular Photo reviews of the two models (Super Program, January 1984, and Program Plus, December 1984) that show quantitative vibration test results - yes, indeed, the PP did show significantly less vibration than did the SP (although the PP's vibration level was still just slightly higher than average). Although the speed(s) used for these measurements was/were not mentioned, the tests would seem to support your observation, Bruce. Fred - 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 .
Super Program Vibration - an Overblown Issue
I really think this issue is vastly overblown. My own semi-scientific observations have led me to believe that the majority of the noise and vibration of a properly adjusted SP happen on mirror return, not mirror up. It doesn't matter how much noise or vibration (other than aesthetically) occurs on mirror return as the shutter has long been closed. It just seems like the SP has a stronger mirror return spring - possibly to deal with the faster motor drives available for this camera. Also the SP has a bit less heft to dampen the commotion then say a K2 or KM DMD. Also, there is NO shock absorption on mirror return. It's metal on metal without any visible dampening. I thought there would be bumpers that the mirror would rest on, but the resting position of the mirror is SO critical to focusing accuracy, you can imagine the trouble this could cause. In short, I don't think (on average) the SP has any more of a mirror-up slap vibration problem than many other MF Pentaxes without MLU. My samples include an old Spottie, K1000, and an ME... (not a huge sample, I know, but I've handled a few others) On the other hand my MZ5 seems much better in this regard, even though it's lighter. It's a shame it's VF stinks for MF... Just my humble opinion... Chris L. School Publications Guy Christopher Lillja Publications Coordinator The Pennington School www.pennington.org - 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: Super Program Vibration - an Overblown Issue
You are right. I just checked mine out at B, where you can separate out the vibrations from the up and down movement into two steps. I did a test with a small cup of water balanced on the flash shoe to get a quasi-objective measurment of the vibrations (looking at the ripples in the water). The vibrations on the upswing of the mirror were not too bad at all, comparable to my other cameras. Visit my home page at http://ca.geocities.com/spirope/photopage.htm _ Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com - 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: Super Program Vibration - an Overblown Issue
- Original Message - From: Christopher Lillja Subject: Super Program Vibration - an Overblown Issue I really think this issue is vastly overblown. My own semi-scientific observations have led me to believe that the majority of the noise and vibration of a properly adjusted SP happen on mirror return, not mirror up. It doesn't matter how much noise or vibration (other than aesthetically) occurs on mirror return as the shutter has long been closed. Depends on if you want to use a Super Program with a long lens.. Did your semi-scientific observations involve the actual exposure of film? 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 .
