Re: 500mm/4.5?

2005-02-04 Thread Anton Browne
I find the lens good for portraits - though you have to shout directions at the model. I find the The Pod (bean bag that screws into the lens' tripod bush) and then rested the top of the tripod a good option. Attaching the lens direct to the tripod though rigid seems to result in jitter through

Re: 500mm/4.5?

2005-02-03 Thread Anton Browne
I find it quite good for portraits, the only thing is you have to shout directions at your model. The slight awkwardness of the manual diaphragm isn't an issue as you can leave it wide open. Cornelius Nuzzlemuff III -- Whatever you Wanadoo: http://www.wanadoo.co.uk/time/ This email has

OT: screen cleaning - help, please

2003-08-03 Thread Anton Browne
Bernd, the wisdom has always been 'never use a wet means of cleaning the screen'... to late, never mind. You say the mirror box foam is rotting, this means the light trapping around the back is probably turning to goo. Don't make matters worse, I suggest. Take the camera to a good technician

Re: OT request

2003-08-02 Thread Anton Browne
Err this is surely no Austin Allegro (Princess or otherwise)? AB __ Join Freeserve http://www.freeserve.com/time/ Winner of the 2003 Internet Service Providers' Association awards for Best Unmetered ISP and Best Consumer

eBay Dilema

2003-07-30 Thread Anton Browne
I recently sold a lens on eBay, when the buyer received it he said there was a tiny bit of fungus on the front element which could only be seen at the right angle and that if he sold the lens he wouldn't get what he paid for it (a strange thing to say in my opinion). I checked had the lens

KX voted Top Stealth Camera?

2003-07-28 Thread Anton Browne
Yesterday I used my KX in earnest for the first time - I also have a K1000 (which I shall soon sell) an MX and LX's, all cameras have been CLA'd. I had long suspected that the KX had the sweetest quietest shutter and using it yesterday after a long spell of using mainly LX's and occasionally

Re: LX Motor Drive Problem

2003-07-27 Thread Anton Browne
One of my LX winders would stop with the red light on indicating the end of the roll (when only part way through) the camera would lock up and I'd have to switch the winder off and then on again. Not a disaster but inconvenient and sometimes I'd miss a shot. I tried new batteries to no avail. I

LENS it is, LENSE it is not

2003-07-15 Thread Anton Browne
Don't wish to be boring but can we eradicate the growing tendency to stick an e on the end of lens. It's incorrect, unnecessary, and a waste of a keystroke. Unless of course these folk are using the Tasmanian Aboriginal spelling, in which case I apologise profusely AB

Creep No More

2003-07-01 Thread Anton Browne
I have fashioned an inexpensive solution to my LX creeping when positioned vertically on a tripod with a 300 or similar heavy lens. I use Manffrotto quick release hex plates. On these plates there are some redundant holes (I'm sure they are there for a reason but I haven't discovered one -

Re: Creep No More

2003-07-01 Thread Anton Browne
that's cheap only if you have already bought into a Manfrotto with their hex quick release system. the least expensive head is already more than he was going to pay, let alone tripod legs that take the head. Very true but I was posting for others who may have a problem as well. That said I'm

RE: WARNING: an honest Pentax question!

2003-06-26 Thread Anton Browne
Cotty Okay, I've had one and one half bottles of wine, so judge as you may. Are you sure the mirror went up??? I have discovered that the MX has a design fault. The interlock system that prevents the firing of the shutter until fully wound on, is crude. Apparently a Pentax designer/engineer

Re: pentax smc 500mm f4.5 or tamron 400mm f4?? suggestions

2003-03-31 Thread Anton Browne
The 'compression' of the planes, or 'telephoto' effect, would be just the same in an image taken with a 28 mm wide angle lens as one made using a 500 mm or any other telephoto. I may have said this before ... a couple of years ago. Don Okay, apologies, we all learnt long ago that perspective is

Re: pentax smc 500mm f4.5 or tamron 400mm f4?? suggestions

2003-03-30 Thread Anton Browne
Hi I have just acquired - and have been using - a late version SMC 500 4.5, I also have an SMC-A 400 5.6. The telephoto effect and the compression of planes is much more noticeable with the 500mm lens. The manual diaphragm is a slight drag but not too bad with an auto camera. I focus at f4.5

Re: Little Pentax quiz (Keep Guessing!)

2003-03-24 Thread Anton Browne
Is it the little orange shutter cocked indicator? Regards Anton __ Freeserve AnyTime - Go online whenever you want for just £6.99 a month for your first 3 months, that's HALF PRICE! And then it's just £14.99 a month after

THE ICELANDERS

2003-03-18 Thread Anton Browne
__ Freeserve AnyTime - Go online whenever you want for just £6.99 a month for your first 3 months, that's HALF PRICE! And then it's just £13.99 a month after that. For more information visit http://www.freeserve.com/time/

FS on www.loot.com 50mm 1.2 £150

2003-03-10 Thread Anton Browne
Search under Pentax. I have just got home with his SMC 500mm f4.5 (new version) in great condition for £195. Genuine guy offering bargains. Also a 135 f2.5 for £75 (don't know if it's Takumar or SMC. Good luck AB __

Re: Spotmatic at Work

2003-03-05 Thread Anton Browne
'The boss said I'm free to take it home and use it, it just has to remain NIST property.' I would go right ahead, let it remain their property for 1000 years, I'd get the CLA done too - keep the receipt of course just in case. AB

Re: *IST SLR On sale in the UK?

2003-03-05 Thread Anton Browne
Yup, most things here in the UK are 50%-100% more expensive than the USA and other places... but then I guess the majority of the population of this planet haven't even got... AB __ Freeserve AnyTime - Go online

Re: *ist D price issues (WAS: Re: *Ist focusing issues)

2003-03-05 Thread Anton Browne
I'm concerned that Canon or Nikon, with their deep pockets, will lower the prices of their DLSRs just long enough to knock Pentax out of the race. I don't think that will happen as long as Pentax don't over-price. There are thousands, no I guess millions of screw and K mount lenses out there

Re: bitch and moan

2003-02-28 Thread Anton Browne
'It's all been positive as far as I have read. Heck if this *ist-D is under a grand I'd get one!' And if it's not you'd. bitch moan bitch moan bitch moan bitch moan bitch moan bitch moan bitch moan bitch moan bitch moan? AB :-)

Re: Bodies: K2 vs. KX vs. LX

2003-02-24 Thread Anton Browne
I think it has to be the LX, for the meter that can go to minutes, the TTL flash - and later when your funds have recovered - the waist level and angle finders. The mirror lock-up on the MX seems to be a 'fortunate' bug but on mine it's unreliable. Tap the shutter too hard and it fires, too

LX Erratic Shutter

2003-02-22 Thread Anton Browne
I finally received my erratic-shutter LX back from Pentax Europe with the erratic shutter still fully in evidence. I took it in to Pentax UK in slough and confronted the Technical Supervisor once agtain, he tested the camera and confirmed the behaviour he then said there's nothing we can do,

Some Protest Snaps

2003-02-16 Thread Anton Browne
Well done Peter ( Australia). I was part of the March in London (my first ever) reported as being well in excess of 1 million people and some reports claim nearer 2 million. The biggest ever march in Britain! Are you listening Tony? I took my KX with 105 2.8 and an old original metal Olympus

LX TTL Multi-Flash advice please

2003-02-11 Thread Anton Browne
I am booked to do a female portrait session. I have had some success before using natural light and the Lastolite Triflector. This lady however requires the photos to be taken in the evening on return from the hairdresser... natural light is out (it's dark by 19:00 in the UK in February). I

Re: I've converted to the dark ( digital ) side!!!!

2003-02-05 Thread Anton Browne
Hey Brendan How nuts will they go when in as little as 2 months (in my experience) the picture starts fading away to oblivion. Never mind I guess, just print another one. Someone could make money out of this (I mean other than ink manufacturers) you could keep selling the same picture to the

Re: Sigma 14mm 2.8 ???

2003-01-31 Thread Anton Browne
www.westcliffphoto.com This U.K. camera shop is listing a Pentax 15mm/3.5 in E++/M- condition for £449 (Euro 687 - $743) if you're interested. AB __ Freeserve AnyTime - Go online whenever you want for just £6.99 a month

Re: DSLR lifspan

2003-01-21 Thread Anton Browne
Well I missed the original message so Peter's comments about chalk marks on buildings comes out a little bit cryptic. Anyway I read in Amateur Photographer that Canon is to phase out the D60... after a lifetime of less than one year! A taste of what's to come I imagine. Me? Well my turntable

Re: FA* 24 f2.0

2003-01-17 Thread Anton Browne
Joseph I bought an 85mm A*, the guy was very honest he mentioned a small black speck on an internal element. He told me that he was disapointed when he received the lens as mint from a shop and considered returning it. He didn't and used it for a few years; the lens worked fine. I went ahead

Re: Good Deal on a 67?

2003-01-14 Thread Anton Browne
Yes I think it's a good deal and yes, I think 6X7 prices are falling. There are loads of them in UK shops recently and I think it's down to digital, I suspect folk are selling to release funds for a DSLR. If you've got a 67 and are thinking of selling I reckon now is the time to do it. In two

Nice Site

2003-01-05 Thread Anton Browne
An enthusiast for sure: http://members28.cool.ne.jp/~khmhk/index.html You have to rummage a bit but nice photos of the LX and some of the special Pentax lenses. Most of the text in Japanese... oh well. Anton p.s. thanks to Rob (I think).

Re: Diffusion options for 280T flash

2003-01-02 Thread Anton Browne
I use a universal Soften on my 280 the only possible disadvantage is that you have to put the self-adhesive holder on top of the gun. It's small enough but may mark the surface, I've never removed mine so I don't know for sure. Anton

Re: Lovely pictures

2003-01-01 Thread Anton Browne
It's so cute how pentax-fan has attempted to black out the Contax engraving on the 135mm hood :-) Oh, is that what it is? I did think the 135 hood looked a bit tatty. But the Pentax 135 A* hood is no good (it's actually for a 645 zoom). I have constructed a hood for mine out of a 77mm straight

Re: Macro Pics of BW flowers

2003-01-01 Thread Anton Browne
I'm interested in looking at sample photos of flowers, close ups (i.e. w/ macro lens), shot in BW. Anyone have any personal favorites, or a web site to refer me to? Funny you should ask that Steve, there are a few here (http://home.att.net/~alnem/html/new.html) I came across them only a few

LX Winder... yea or nay?

2002-12-29 Thread Anton Browne
I have recently acquired some LX winders for a good price that I may keep or sell on. I have never used winders before and I'm in two minds, they are lovely gadgets for sure and a convenience on some occasions. They make the LX look a tad SERIOUS however and draw attention. They also increase

Re: buying a K2 and a KX, advice?

2002-12-17 Thread Anton Browne
Hello Rodelion My experience with my KX has been fine - meter working and spot on. It's worth mentioning that these cameras are approaching thirty years old. The mirror box foam will be rotting and the light trapping around the back will be turning to goo and lubricants will be dry. I think

K A 24mm f2.8 the same?

2002-12-17 Thread Anton Browne
The K and A 24mm lenses are the same are they not? Apart from appearance. Thanks Anton ___ Freeserve AnyTime, only £13.99 per month with one month's FREE trial! For more information visit http://www.freeserve.com/time/ or call

Re: Epson cartridge life

2002-12-11 Thread Anton Browne
I Have had some success rejuvenating Epson heads by using a head-flush cartridge. General opinion seems to be that it's not worth having heads replaced as Epson charges as much as a new printer. The head-flush worked well for me and my '97 Stylus Colour (err sorry, should that be color) 800

Re: pentax UK repair dept

2002-12-10 Thread Anton Browne
Hello Jeff I'm sorry to learn of the dreadful service you received from Pentax UK. I'm afraid my story is no better. Pentax UK had my recently serviced LX in for a very specific repair, they said their repair involved servicing again as that's how they do it (dismantle and check all components

Re: K 28mm f2 (floating element)

2002-12-08 Thread Anton Browne
An interesting site but the link is wrong, it points to a Distagon 35mm lens in K mount (how rare is that?). The link to the 28 is below, I can't read Japanese and my computer won't display it properly anyway so don't know what it says. http://members28.cool.ne.jp/~khmhk/camera/smcp28.html

Re: K 28mm f2 (floating element)

2002-12-08 Thread Anton Browne
Whoops! Sorry Rob, you correctly mention that the link is to a 32mm custom lens and not the 28mm Anton ___ Freeserve AnyTime, only £13.99 per month with one month's FREE trial! For more information visit

Re: My December photo project for fun and hopefully profit

2002-12-06 Thread Anton Browne
Looks good, good luck. Anton ___ Freeserve AnyTime, only £13.99 per month with one month's FREE trial! For more information visit http://www.freeserve.com/time/ or call free on 0800 970 8890

Re: K 28mm f2 (floating element)

2002-12-06 Thread Anton Browne
Thanks for the info Bob It was going for £50 ($79) so I bought it. It's a very chunky lens for a 28mm, a bit like a 135 f3.5 M but heavier and very solid. I'll be using it tomorrow. AB ___ Freeserve AnyTime, only £13.99 per

Re: 50/1.2 (was Re: Depth of Field Preview)

2002-11-25 Thread Anton Browne
I think you mean that you couldn't see any difference in depth of field. Not brightness - am I correct? I doubt that you'd notice any difference in depth of field between 1.4 1.2 in camera on the focussing screen. You'd have to do a test, close focus on something and shoot at both apertures

Re: Available lighting tips

2002-11-15 Thread Anton Browne
Hello Pat Have you considered using a 2X converter - combined the lens may be over 70mm but as separate items you may get through security. You may also find a monopod useful if allowed - it gives you about two extra stops. I have found Fuji 1600 to be good, I have just tried the new Konica

Re: LX is ISO 6400

2002-11-13 Thread Anton Browne
This is a new one on me, I knew the LX went from 1600 to 3200 but know nothing about 6400. Interestingly the earlier KX goes to 6400 Anton ___ Freeserve AnyTime, only £13.99 per month with one month's FREE trial! For more

LX Erratic Shutter (Illuminati)

2002-11-08 Thread Anton Browne
More stuff and pastes - a bit of a rambling jumble I'm afraid. Anton said: 'A final thought: After twenty odd years, Pentax MUST know about this, don't you think. William said: 'One would think so, but then, this is Pentax we are talking about.. They sometimes work in strange ways. Did

Praise be to Illuminati

2002-11-07 Thread Anton Browne
Thank you all for pulling through. Now I know I'm not mad or jinxed and I can stop spending money and getting nowhere and start figuring how best to work around the behaviour... like errr use the LX on manual. It is disappointing to discover a flaw/bug such as this but better to know than not.

Help from LX Illuminati

2002-11-06 Thread Anton Browne
of the later shutter only but I may be wrong. Your help is much appreciated. Thank you Anton Browne ___ Freeserve AnyTime, only £13.99 per month with one month's FREE trial! For more information visit http://www.freeserve.com/time

More help from LX Illuminati

2002-11-06 Thread Anton Browne
shutter LX’s will display this fault at 3200 ISO. Have I just had a run of bad luck or can you confirm this? If you run the test I can put it to rest. Are you up for it? Thank you Anton Browne ___ Freeserve AnyTime, only £13.99 per

Re: New scanner

2002-11-03 Thread Anton Browne
Hello I too have read on several occasions - in computer mags - that Windows 98 will not benefit from more than 512 MB of RAM. You may have 1G installed but maybe it makes no difference; you would have to do a test to confirm. Certainly I found the move from 256 to 384 insignificant. 128 to