K 18mm f/3.5 Horror Story with Happy End (long)
Hi everybody, Many here know that I shoot a lot of interiors and architecture. Although happy with my 15/3.5 and other lenses, I was in the market for a K 18mm, which is known to be the best corrected ultrawide lens made by Pentax (mainly wrt distorsion). Well, I had found once a guy in Rome selling one of those for 500 euros. I sent him a message asking for more informations, he replied saying that the lens was ok and asked for 600 euros... (!?!) I passed on, that time, as you can guess. Recently another ad showed the same price of 500 euros. There was no sure evidence, but the seller seemed to me the same of the other time (same first name, although different email address). I called him and managed to meet him in Rome last Tuesday. We met near his office and I started checking the lens, you know, the usual things. It was far from brand new, and had a little scratch on the front element (along the edge, though, so I thought it wouldn't have affected the pictures). Mounted on the LX I had brought with me the infinite was a little closer than it should (say at 15m), and looking through the finder the edges seemed a bit soft. He was indeed the same guy of the first ad, and there was something indefinable that suggested me to stay away from that lens, but I'm a strange guy, so I bought it. Fortunately I planned to stay in Rome that night, hosted by a friend of mine, Maria. I met her near her place and immediately after we had to pick up a female dog of a friend of her who lived in another part of the city (Rome is quite big...). So, for more than a couple of hours I almost forgot to check better the 18mm. Then we had dinner and eventually got back to her flat. There I started to check the lens better and found it to distorce quite a lot... What? Wasn't it well corrected? And what's that strange softness that stays there even when I stop down the aperture? I didn't sleep well that night... In the morning my friend Maria had to wake up early but when her alarm clock started ringing I was up already... Before the breakfast I spent half an hour taking pictures of the buildings in the street and of every straight line I could find. Then I took a couple of pictures with the lens completely stopped down. There was a 1 hour lab near there so I rushed in as soon as they opened. In the meanwhile I was trying to contact the seller at home and on his mobile phone without success. Needless to say, I was starting to worry. When I had the prints in my hands I was more than angry. The lens behaved like it had collected all the possible optical flaws... It's performance was closer to a - imperfect - glass marble... Apart from the center (bad anyway) there was nothing sharp in the pictures, not to mention the corners which got darker when stopped down. At f/22 there was a evident vignetting - the kind you find when you improperly stack filters on a wide angle. I found that the vignetting was caused by the mount of the built in filters. The seller had said that he had the lens CLAed by somebody there in Rome so my guess is that they weren't able to mount the lens back in the right way. I was eventually able to find the seller on the cell phone and proposed an exchange (he had something else interesting to sell). We scheduled an appointment, at the same place of the day before, during the lunch break. He said it should take few minutes to go from the office to his house, so no great problem. When I was waiting, quite in advance, I sent him a message saying: don't forget the money in case I don't want to buy anything else. He replied something like: 'I have no time to waste, I already spent the money so the choice is to you, or the 18m or the others. Bye'... I called him immediately. I used my calmest tone, but at the same time I tried to let him understand that he was trying to cheat me and I wasn't the last of the idiots. He tried to apologize and said that a lot of people does the same, buy a lens, then want him to take it back, and so on. He even said that he had to go back and forth... I then told him that if he had to drive for 5km, I had driven for 200, and he hadn't even lost a day at work. When he said that he didn't run a shop so I shouldn't ask for my money back I replied: 'the fact that you don't run a shop doesn't give you the right to be dishonest.' To make it brief, I had my money back. He saw the pictures and agreed that the lens did not work. I did offer him what I thought was right for the other two lenses he was selling (about 2/3 of what he was asking - really too much) but, after thinking about that for far too long, he refused. He wanted the pictures I took to show them to the repairman and I was so silly to give him the prints without asking for the money I paid to that expensive lab... Now, guess what? He then sent me a message with two pictures he took last year and asked me if those showed the same problems. I pointed them out and then he replied that he had found the same defects in other
Re: OT: Survival Kit
Hi, Saturday, August 30, 2003, 1:28:40 AM, you wrote: When I first saw a list of the contents of the SAS survival kit I was amused, 1 tea bag: In survival situation, first sit down and brew a cup of tea. Sounds dumb until you think about it. The worse thing you can do is react with panic, anything that helps you avoid that is a good idea. Tea?! All is lost... don't worry. If you don't like it you can always dress up as a Mohawk and throw it into Boston Harbour... -- Cheers, Bobmailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Comparison of BW film
- Original Message - From: Gianfranco Irlanda Subject: Re: Comparison of BW film Hi Bill, You are right, as always! I wasn't aware about the Ilford films, but I forgot that Kodak changed the BW line recently (I had to face a strange way to identify the new films vs. the old ones...). Do you know what kind of changes have been made to the emulsions? What about the Ilford traditional films (HP5 and FP4)? I fear I am woefully ignorant of the actual changes. I bought a piss pot pile of the old stuff while I still could get it, and haven't had to buy much new yet. I think FP4+ has gotten a bit contrastier, and the flesh tone isn't as nice as it used to be, so I expect the red sensitivity also has changed somewhat. William Robb
RE: Will all be revealed
To be honest I don't think anybody working for Pentax outside of Japan knows when the hell they are getting them! I was told today September 9th, here in BC, Canada. I was dropping off some film and the owner of the shop I deal at said the Pentax rep has a *ist D and will be bringing it with him on his next trip to Prince George in a week or so. He has promised to phone me when the rep is in so I can run over and see this in the flesh ...so to speak. Cheers!
FW: Will all be revealed
Evening all, Time in the Uk is 23:10 and in Japan almost morning, today is the big day for all of us, the official launch (according to Pentax UK) of *istD. Ziggy It doesn't appear to be today, I'm waiting of Pentax UK to confirm. Can someone please confirm whether it says 06/09/2003 on http://www.digital.pentax.co.jp/ja/ist-d/index.html to right of the camera. Ziggy
Low prices on pentax clear out some prices lower
Hi I have a few things left Pentax 15mm 3.5 SMC -A $750US mint with case Pentax LX with FA-1 finder $420US ex recent cla Pentax FA 20mm 2.8 $380US mint with original box Pentax FA 50mm 1.4 $140US mint with original box Pentax fd-2 fb-2 finder for lx good condition $100US i accept paypal
Re: 1.7X AF adapter compatability.
Hi John, Good to see you back here. Sorry about the siicone valley job situation, my brother has had problems wit that as well.But it's nice to hear you're shooting a lot of motorsport. I haven't done a thing in that genre since I saw you at Long Beach, but I have been shooting some cars for buff book mags. Of course I still prefer shooting women and fashion. Much nicer to work with than cars. Welcome back.
Re: OT: Once is not enough
I bought a Western Digital 80 gig firewire drive a couple of years ago. i generally lay off all my raw high res scans to CDs, but my finished files were once stored only on my firewire drive. Well, the Western Digital drive died with a couple hundred photo files on it some six months ago. I looked into data recovery but the recommended firms all wanted several k to do the job. Well, I put the drive in a closet, upgraded my computer system and scanner and rescanned many of the files. Glad I did. On Friday, August 29, 2003, at 11:12 AM, William Robb wrote: - Original Message - From: Mark Roberts Subject: Re: OT: Once is not enough I've never been able to make myself purchase another Western Digital drive! They still suck. William Robb
What the...
After 2 weeks of waiting, my MX was finally ready to be pick up this afternoon. Consider they asked C$190 for labour C$35 for parts, they must did hell of a job to ask that much. I attached my FA24 and brought the camera outside the service centre and see if it focused at infinity. Shocking, totally shocking!!! The lens hit infinity when the subject is 1 meter away. I knew something was wrong and talked to the guy, and he didn't believe me and said it was my lens (why am I not surprised by his reaction?). He tried 2 of his own lenses and confirmed the problem. Needless to say, I was totally fed up. What else did they fix if the focus wasn't fixed properly. I check the printed invoice carefully and it explicitly said focus adjusted (yeah right). And to make the matter worse, they adjust the meter and replaced the velvet straps with the foams. Gee... I did not even ask for that because the meter was dead on and the straps were in tip top condition. What the hell were they thinking? I had those velvet straps installed 2 years ago and now I have to paid extra just because of their idiotic mistake? They didn't fix anything I requested, but fixed things that were perfectly fine. How the hell they stay in business if they could not even do a simple job like this??? And $35 for those stupid foams? Gee... I think I am ready to smash the MX right in front of the manager if he couldn't give me a satisfied answer next Tuesday. Sorry I have to vent here, I feel better now... Alan Chan http://www.pbase.com/wlachan _ Help STOP SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail
Re: OT: Survival Kit
Well ... that reminds me. I brought two cedar-lined zinc trunks from Africa when we came here. The wood is on the inside of course. One was lost in a fire. The other is filled with all kinds of garments - bush-jackets and things like that. I think my kilt is in there too. I have not used, or even looked at, that stuff for years. I'll do that today. There are at least two black-fly nets as well and a lot of other stuff for tropical African camping. Don ___ Dr E D F Williams http://personal.inet.fi/cool/don.williams Author's Web Site and Photo Gallery Updated: July 31, 2003 - Original Message - From: Bob Walkden [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Dr E D F Williams [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, August 29, 2003 11:16 PM Subject: Re: OT: Survival Kit Hi, Friday, August 29, 2003, 11:43:09 AM, you wrote: For uncivilised places one needs - besides the things already mentioned such as flares, weapons, cell-phones (where they would work), radios and GPS receiver add to the medical list: brandy, crepe bandages, vodka, painkillers, strong (morphine) and mild (a codeine/aspirin combination), vodka, a steroid in a syringe ready for injection and snake-bite antiserum, (the last two are for places where there are dangerous snakes) adrenaline, a good antiseptic, brandy and if you're out for more than a few days - antibiotics and vodka. three tropical suits riding breeches for winter and summer bush shirts a sola topi a double-brimmed sun hat a camp bed and sleeping bag long boots to deter mosquitoes at sundown quinine pills to protect against malaria slabs of black chocolate for energy metal uniform cases a cedarwood trunk lined with zinc to keep ants out silk pyjamas to avoid typhus cleft sticks I want some cleft sticks, please. ... We can have some cloven for you. --- Evelyn Waugh 'Scoop' -- Cheers, Bootmailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
I went shopping for a *ist D today.
I went to town today to look for shoes - I found a pair - and thought I'd wander past the camera shops to see what they could tell me about the *ist D. I'm in Melbourne Australia. First stop was Camera house. They say they have been promised stocks of the *ist D by mid September and that their catalogue is already being printed with it in it and a price of Price on arrival. Next stop was Ted's. They have them in their computer and are taking orders of the body only for AU$2700 - about US$1750 - including 10% GST. Or you can buy it with the 18-35 for AU$3000. I was tempted, but I prefer to buy from Michael's (the next shop up the street) so I told them I would think about it and went for a walk up the street. At Michaels I asked if they had any price on it and they said AU$3000 body only. I prefer Michaels but not for $300, so I mentioned Ted's price and asked if they could match it. After looking he went away to ask permission. He came back and said he could match it, so I said I'd take one. So I am now waiting for the shipment to arrive and a phone call to tell me to come pick it up. The only question left is who will be the first person to put a picture on PUG taken with a *ist D? If I get it before the September deadline I plan on it being me. Leon http://www.bluering.org.au http://www.bluering.org.au/leon
Re: K 18mm f/3.5 Horror Story with Happy End (long)
Hi Gianfranco, so you have won a little war ... That could make me more distrustful in ebay-transactions. At least you had the chance to see the item. So, strange guy, you have possibly learned to act a little more on a gut level. Have a nice weekend Bernd
Re: Once is not enough
I've just taken my four month old PC back to the shop for the second time. The SATA drive died first time around, so when I got the replacement I bought a second one and tried to setup the onbaord RAID to do drive mirroring. I never got it to work and it looks like the drive may have gone belly up again. It gets halfway through loading windows and then reboots - even in safe mode. The trouble is that XP dosn't have drivers for SATA drives, so you need to load them from floppy but of course they are all on CD. Anyway I have taken it back to the shop and will let them sort it out. Meanwhile I'm back to using Dad's old iMac which desperately needs rebuilding too. Paul Ewins Melbourne, Australia
Battery problems with Optio 230
Hi all, I bought my girlfriend and Optio 230 on eBay and although all the functions seem to work it seems to have a problem with batteries. It shos the batteries as being exhausted way too early. The Lithium battery that came with it gave up after about 25 shots, so she replaced it with a set of alkalines and they showed up as depleted almost straight away. She then tried another brand new set of Alkalines and again it stopped working after about 5 minutes. They show up as fine with a battery tester as you would expect. I've put a set of Nimh rechargeables in it and they are OK so far, but would really like to have the option of using regular Alkaline batteries as well. I've had similar troubles with the DigiBino 100, but it doesn' like the Nimh either. Has anyone had this sort of trouble with any of the Optio range? thanks, Paul Ewins Melbourne, Australia
Re: I went shopping for a *ist D today.
Hi Leon, did you order the body only or the 18-35 kit? Paul Ewins
RE: Sobig virus question
Yes please. Email me of list and I can send you my address. Thanks Alan -Original Message- From: John Francis [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: 29 August 2003 22:33 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Sobig virus question P.S. I teach at a College 16+ yrs of age and they have never seen DOS, so I am collecting old DOS's to show them the 'history of DOS'. I have many but if anyone has any realy old ones (3.00 or 4.01) of either MS or PC or DR (or any others) could I have disk images plse? I believe I've got a set of DOS 4.01 floppies around somewhere. If I can find them you're welcome to them; it's been quite a long while since I had a machine that could read 5 1/4 floppies. Come to think of it, I believe that machine (a Gateway DX2-66/V) ended up in the hands of another Pentax user and occasional poster to this list.
RE: OT: Survival Kit
Lyme disease Hey, you lookin at me? Cheers, Cotty ___/\__ || (O) | People, Places, Pastiche ||=| www.macads.co.uk/snaps _ Free UK Mac Ads www.macads.co.uk
Re: Battery problems with Optio 230
Paul, My Nikon Coolpix 990 doesn't last very long on alkalines - 20-30 shots is all - that's on 4 batteries. My daughter's Optio 230 does ok on Nimh but remember that it only takes two. So they don't last as long as in the Coolpix - but I suspect that two sets probably last as long. HTH, Bruce Saturday, August 30, 2003, 12:23:25 AM, you wrote: PE Hi all, PE I bought my girlfriend and Optio 230 on eBay and although all the PE functions seem to work it seems to have a problem with batteries. It shos PE the batteries as being exhausted way too early. The Lithium battery that PE came with it gave up after about 25 shots, so she replaced it with a set of PE alkalines and they showed up as depleted almost straight away. PE She then tried another brand new set of Alkalines and again it stopped PE working after about 5 minutes. They show up as fine with a battery tester as PE you would expect. PE I've put a set of Nimh rechargeables in it and they are OK so far, but would PE really like to have the option of using regular Alkaline batteries as well. PE I've had similar troubles with the DigiBino 100, but it doesn' like the Nimh PE either. PE Has anyone had this sort of trouble with any of the Optio range? PE thanks, PE Paul Ewins PE Melbourne, Australia
Re: K 18mm f/3.5 Horror Story with Happy End (long)
[tale of woe alas with happy ending snipped] Great tale of buyer beware, Gianco, but Fortunately I planned to stay in Rome that night, hosted by a friend of mine, Maria. I met her near her place and immediately after we had to pick up a female dog of a friend of her who lived in another part of the city I didn't sleep well that night... I wanna know what kept you awake, and do you have any photographic evidence ?? ;-) Cheers, Cotty ___/\__ || (O) | People, Places, Pastiche ||=| www.macads.co.uk/snaps _ Free UK Mac Ads www.macads.co.uk
Re: UK pricing for *istD!
Gotta remember that the SRP of the 10D is £1500 - STREET price is £1250. Once initial demand has passed (possibly even before), I can see the istD selling for £1200 or maybe even less... It is just that the SRP of £1,400 appeared to be a lot higher than many UK photo magazines had been suggesting! I am waiting to see what the online dealer who sold me the *ist SLR at a great price is going to sell the *istD at. The *ist SLR camera was being discounted as soon as it was available for sale and I am hoping the same thing will happen with the *istD, although if it is going to be in short supply this might not be likely. In addition I am checking on a number of German online retailers to see what their prices are going to be, Harry Harold Owen [EMAIL PROTECTED]
RE: UK pricing for *istD!
-Original Message- From: Harold Owen [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: 30 August 2003 10:22 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: UK pricing for *istD! Gotta remember that the SRP of the 10D is £1500 - STREET price is £1250. Once initial demand has passed (possibly even before), I can see the istD selling for £1200 or maybe even less... It is just that the SRP of £1,400 appeared to be a lot higher than many UK photo magazines had been suggesting! I am waiting to see what the online dealer who sold me the *ist SLR at a great price is going to sell the *istD at. The *ist SLR camera was being discounted as soon as it was available for sale and I am hoping the same thing will happen with the *istD, although if it is going to be in short supply this might not be likely. In addition I am checking on a number of German online retailers to see what their prices are going to be, Harry Harold Owen [EMAIL PROTECTED] Guys, The price war will be very interesting and Pentax may already be dead in the water, look at the prices, body only; *istD 1400 GBPrecommended Olympus E-1 1400 GBPrecommended Nikon D100 1399 GBPstreet Canon D10 1299 GBPstreet Canon EOS 300D 899 GBPexpected ( 1000 GBP plus lens advertised ) The street price has to be no more than 1100 GBP or else it will be a dead duck. Has anyone out their placed an order for one? Regards, Ziggy
UK *istD Price
See http://www.dpreview.com/ Regards, Ziggy
Re: I went shopping for a *ist D today.
On Sat, 30 Aug 2003 17:25:21 +1000, Paul Ewins wrote: Hi Leon, did you order the body only or the 18-35 kit? Hi Paul, Just the body. I have a 20-35, so I don't feel any great need for the 18-35. I am considering the 16-45 later though. For wide angle stuff I can see myself still using the MZ-S, so I may not even get that. An A15:3.5 could be tempting though :) Leon http://www.bluering.org.au http://www.bluering.org.au/leon
Re: What the...
After 2 weeks of waiting, my MX was finally ready to be pick up this afternoon. Consider they asked C$190 for labour C$35 for parts, they must did hell of a job to ask that much. I attached my FA24 and brought the camera outside the service centre and see if it focused at infinity. Shocking, totally shocking!!! Sorry to hear that. Sorry I have to vent here, I feel better now... Good. Still, I guess you should save some of that anger for later so that you'd be*really* convincing when you talk with the manager. Regards, ukasz === www.fotopolis.pl [EMAIL PROTECTED] === internetowy magazyn o fotografii
Re: Battery problems with Optio 230
When I was deciding on what digital to buy, I read a lot about batteries. Sadly I can't point you to the article that explained the reason why you can't use alkaline batteries, but in most digitals that use NiMH or Lithium, they go to that sort of battery because of the high amperage drain. Alkalines simply are not designed for heavy drain for any period of time at all. A voltage tester doesn't put the battery under a drain. In actual use, any excessive amperage drain will rapidly deplete the charge, the voltage drops, and the battery becomes essentially useless! Alkaliines are for light to moderate drains. Cameras use a lot of milliamps! Keep a set for emergency use if you want, but as you've found, emergency use doesn't mean you can finish shooting the rest of the wedding, or the last three days of your long awaited vacation! Buy and use the rechargables. They work. Alkalines don't. That's why the owner's manual says to use something else. The engineeers designed around a certain battery type. Believe them. keith whaley Paul Ewins wrote: Hi all, I bought my girlfriend and Optio 230 on eBay and although all the functions seem to work it seems to have a problem with batteries. It shos the batteries as being exhausted way too early. The Lithium battery that came with it gave up after about 25 shots, so she replaced it with a set of alkalines and they showed up as depleted almost straight away. She then tried another brand new set of Alkalines and again it stopped working after about 5 minutes. They show up as fine with a battery tester as you would expect. I've put a set of Nimh rechargeables in it and they are OK so far, but would really like to have the option of using regular Alkaline batteries as well. I've had similar troubles with the DigiBino 100, but it doesn' like the Nimh either. Has anyone had this sort of trouble with any of the Optio range? thanks, Paul Ewins Melbourne, Australia
FA 28-90/3.5-5.6 - Any Good?
Has anyone got any views on this lens, is it worth buying? Cheers, Matt
Re: What the...
Well, Alan, This is the place to vent about such things... So, are they going to remedy the situation? Or is that what you find out next Tuesday? Maybe if you bounce the MX off of someone's head, it'll fix the focusing problem. Not that I ever advocate violence. g cheers, frank Alan Chan wrote: After 2 weeks of waiting, my MX was finally ready to be pick up this afternoon. Consider they asked C$190 for labour C$35 for parts, they must did hell of a job to ask that much. I attached my FA24 and brought the camera outside the service centre and see if it focused at infinity. Shocking, totally shocking!!! The lens hit infinity when the subject is 1 meter away. I knew something was wrong and talked to the guy, and he didn't believe me and said it was my lens (why am I not surprised by his reaction?). He tried 2 of his own lenses and confirmed the problem. Needless to say, I was totally fed up. What else did they fix if the focus wasn't fixed properly. I check the printed invoice carefully and it explicitly said focus adjusted (yeah right). And to make the matter worse, they adjust the meter and replaced the velvet straps with the foams. Gee... I did not even ask for that because the meter was dead on and the straps were in tip top condition. What the hell were they thinking? I had those velvet straps installed 2 years ago and now I have to paid extra just because of their idiotic mistake? They didn't fix anything I requested, but fixed things that were perfectly fine. How the hell they stay in business if they could not even do a simple job like this??? And $35 for those stupid foams? Gee... I think I am ready to smash the MX right in front of the manager if he couldn't give me a satisfied answer next Tuesday. Sorry I have to vent here, I feel better now... Alan Chan http://www.pbase.com/wlachan _ Help STOP SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail -- Jazz is about capturing the moment -Herbie Hancock
Re: A Contest-was: I went shopping for a *ist D today.
Hi, Leon, Congrats on your order. I'm sure the little elves in Japan (like they're made in Japan! g) are busy making yours right now. But, you have a great idea for a contest. Whoever posts a Starkist D image first ~should~ win something. A bottle of Scotch? A good Aussie wine? A good Canadian whine? (Geez, it's freaking cold out today!). A crate of Tri-X? Anyone got any ideas? cheers, frank Leon Altoff wrote: snipThe only question left is who will be the first person to put a picture on PUG taken with a *ist D? If I get it before the September deadline I plan on it being me. Leon http://www.bluering.org.au http://www.bluering.org.au/leon -- Jazz is about capturing the moment -Herbie Hancock
Re: *istD - my first homepage...
Hi Bob, on 27 Aug 03 you wrote in pentax.list: www.mycroft.de that's a very elegant and simple design. Thanks - that's partly because of intention, partly because of limited capabilities ;-) I see you provide an explanation of the name Mycroft. In case you don't already know, or in case others who've read your explanation don't know, I shall point out that Mycroft is the name of Sherlock Holmes's older brother. Yes, you're right. I already knew that, but because I had read that fact in an article on Heinlein's work. I should read A.C.Doyle's work, too. He was reputedly smarter, but lazier, than Sherlock, and worked in some mysterious capacity for the British Government. Perhaps this explains why Heinlein chose the name for a computer - some people think they're smart. The Moon is a harsh mistress is from 1966 - man what were they ingenuous at that time ... ;-) Cheers, Heiko
The Pentax signpost - new content on my homepage
Hi, I've added a list of Pentax websites to my homepage (www.mycroft.de). You can find them here: http://www.mycroft.de/plinks.htm It might not be complete or best structured, but I hope it is a beginning and a help. Fell free to send me links that you are missing or suggestions for improvement. Please keep in mind - it is under construction. Cheers, Heiko
Re: OT: Survival Kit
I hold with Weston, who (I think it was him) said: If it's more than 500 yards from the car, it's not photogenic. And he lugged LF equipment. The only concessions I make to mother nature: bug spray (when appropriate), a silver hip flask filled with water, a hat with a wide-ish brim, and tennis shoes. Dan Scott wrote: Mostly I just take my camera gear and film in a daypack, empty ziploc bags, a reflector, along with either the monopod or the tripod, some MMs or hard candy, water, extra set of batteries, a field guide, BL 5X pocket magnifier, pen and paper, and my hat. And I always have my wallet with a CC and some cash, my keys and a knife with me. If I were to really get off the beaten path I'd take my hiking kit, too: REI backpack (circa 1976), SVEA 123R stove, fuel bottle, water bags, TP, trowel, bandaids, tweezers, deet, aspirin antihistamines, various freeze dried munchies, a reflective ground cloth, parachute cord, a little bit of soap and my mummy bag. I'd probably borrow my wife's cell phone if there was a chance cell phone towers were in reach. Dan Scott On Wednesday, August 27, 2003, at 10:59 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I've put a pocket sized survival kit and a mini sized survival kit together based on stuff from the equipped to survive web page, http://www.equipped.com/ -- based on John Wiseman's SAS book, etc. Sort of fun. Sometimes I go pretty far off the beaten path taking landscape shots. Since I'm getting older and my knees and other things are getting older too, it seemed like a good idea. Normally this stuff is just aimed at backpackers, etc. But, hey, photographers can walk around a lot too! Just throwing the idea out there for your enjoyment. Marnie aka Doe :-)
Re: What the...
After 2 weeks of waiting, my MX was finally ready to be pick up this afternoon. Consider they asked C$190 for labour C$35 for parts, they must did hell of a job to ask that much. I attached my FA24 and brought the camera outside the service centre and see if it focused at infinity. Shocking, totally shocking!!! The lens hit infinity when the subject is 1 meter away. I knew something was wrong and talked to the guy, and he didn't believe me and said it was my lens (why am I not surprised by his reaction?). He tried 2 of his own lenses and confirmed the problem. Needless to say, I was totally fed up. What else did they fix if the focus wasn't fixed properly. I check the printed invoice carefully and it explicitly said focus adjusted (yeah right). And to make the matter worse, they adjust the meter and replaced the velvet straps with the foams. Gee... I did not even ask for that because the meter was dead on and the straps were in tip top condition. What the hell were they thinking? I had those velvet straps installed 2 years ago and now I have to paid extra just because of their idiotic mistake? They didn't fix anything I requested, but fixed things that were perfectly fine. How the hell they stay in business if they could not even do a simple job like this??? And $35 for those stupid foams? Gee... I think I am ready to smash the MX right in front of the manager if he couldn't give me a satisfied answer next Tuesday. Sorry I have to vent here, I feel better now... Sorry to read of your troubles Alan, hope things work out. As a point of information, I would heavily advise anyone sending a camera in for a repair and/or CLA to strip the machine back to it's absolute bare necessities. This means removing anything and everything that isn't bolted on to the camera. Straps and anything else attached especially. I don't even send a camera in with batteries inserted! No case either - bubble-wrapped and boxed in a cardboard box only. Use a crappy old generic body cap, not your favourite shiny Pentax original that you've had for 18 years. It will disappear to be replaced by a piece of rubbish. Repair shops are full of cameras awaiting to be repaired, and depending on levels of incompetence, all their associated bits have a habit of become fully interchangeable with each other, and frequently do. I've been there and got the (wrong) shirt... As for botched repair work, fore-warned is fore-armed. Let others know and consider alternatives next time. Good luck with the manager! Cheers, Cotty ___/\__ || (O) | People, Places, Pastiche ||=| www.macads.co.uk/snaps _ Free UK Mac Ads www.macads.co.uk
Disk drives
Hi all, I have just put another drive into my PC -- a Samsung 65 Gb. I was running out of space and needed to do something in a hurry. So: Instead of using fdisk, as I've always done in the past, I partitioned the drive with Partition Magic which seemed to do the job in a flash. I chose FAT32 over NTFS because I use WIN 98 as well as XP professional (plug-in C: drives). Now: I have transferred about 5 Gb of scans (.JPG, .PSD, .TIF etc) to one of the drives and all seems well. I can open files and copy them and work on them. BUT ... when I look at the properties of the two partitions (G: and H:) the file format is RAW. Now this has never happened before and this is the first time I've added a drive to the PC since I installed XP at least a year ago. What do the experts amongst us have to say about this? Shall I go on, or stop now and reformat the drives? They seem to behave quite normally and it may be that some id data in the FAT table may be telling XP that it's 'RAW' when it's not. Could this be a Partition Magic glitch? Don ___ Dr E D F Williams http://personal.inet.fi/cool/don.williams Author's Web Site and Photo Gallery Updated: July 31, 2003
Re: What the...
The biggest problems I run into with repair orders these days are 1) the repair instructions are ignored, and 2) the item is not checked (I mean no checks) for spec compliance after repairs.These arise with ever more frequency and I suggest that wherever possible one make provisions for these possibilities in procurement procedures. Otis Wright Alan Chan wrote: After 2 weeks of waiting, my MX was finally ready to be pick up this afternoon. Consider they asked C$190 for labour C$35 for parts, they must did hell of a job to ask that much. I attached my FA24 and brought the camera outside the service centre and see if it focused at infinity. Shocking, totally shocking!!! The lens hit infinity when the subject is 1 meter away. I knew something was wrong and talked to the guy, and he didn't believe me and said it was my lens (why am I not surprised by his reaction?). He tried 2 of his own lenses and confirmed the problem. Needless to say, I was totally fed up. What else did they fix if the focus wasn't fixed properly. I check the printed invoice carefully and it explicitly said focus adjusted (yeah right). And to make the matter worse, they adjust the meter and replaced the velvet straps with the foams. Gee... I did not even ask for that because the meter was dead on and the straps were in tip top condition. What the hell were they thinking? I had those velvet straps installed 2 years ago and now I have to paid extra just because of their idiotic mistake? They didn't fix anything I requested, but fixed things that were perfectly fine. How the hell they stay in business if they could not even do a simple job like this??? And $35 for those stupid foams? Gee... I think I am ready to smash the MX right in front of the manager if he couldn't give me a satisfied answer next Tuesday. Sorry I have to vent here, I feel better now... Alan Chan http://www.pbase.com/wlachan _ Help STOP SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail
Re: Disk drives
if you want to be absolutely safe, backup and reformat using XP. your version of Partition Magic might be too old to set the right flag bits on XP. otherwise, search on the Powerquest site. Herb - Original Message - From: Dr E D F Williams [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, August 30, 2003 9:32 AM Subject: Disk drives Hi all, I have just put another drive into my PC -- a Samsung 65 Gb. I was running out of space and needed to do something in a hurry. So: Instead of using fdisk, as I've always done in the past, I partitioned the drive with Partition Magic which seemed to do the job in a flash. I chose FAT32 over NTFS because I use WIN 98 as well as XP professional (plug-in C: drives). Now: I have transferred about 5 Gb of scans (.JPG, .PSD, .TIF etc) to one of the drives and all seems well. I can open files and copy them and work on them. BUT ... when I look at the properties of the two partitions (G: and H:) the file format is RAW. Now this has never happened before and this is the first time I've added a drive to the PC since I installed XP at least a year ago. What do the experts amongst us have to say about this? Shall I go on, or stop now and reformat the drives? They seem to behave quite normally and it may be that some id data in the FAT table may be telling XP that it's 'RAW' when it's not. Could this be a Partition Magic glitch? Don ___ Dr E D F Williams http://personal.inet.fi/cool/don.williams Author's Web Site and Photo Gallery Updated: July 31, 2003
Kicked off pent discuss any ideas?
I was recently kicked off the mailing list because, as the note from Pntxdiscuss stated, my computer Macintosh generated too many MIME extensions. I think it has to do with AOL when I respond to an item by highlighting it and hitting reply. This, I believe generates something called a MIME. I have not done a lot of research on this. Hoping someone here may have experienced a similar problem... Any suggestions... Thanks Vic
pentax close-up lenses
I haven't been able to determine if the pentax close-up lenses are single element or multiple element like the ones Nikon made (makes?). If they're single element are they really any better than the generic diopters? Thanks.
Re: Kicked off pent discuss any ideas?
I was recently kicked off the mailing list because, as the note from Pntxdiscuss stated, my computer Macintosh generated too many MIME extensions. I think it has to do with AOL when I respond to an item by highlighting it and hitting reply. This, I believe generates something called a MIME. I have not done a lot of research on this. Hoping someone here may have experienced a similar problem... Any suggestions... Thanks Vic I am using AOL. For a long time I was reduced to using their web email. Tedious. Now I don't have to. Go here: http://www.expita.com/nomime.html Configuring Mail Clients to Send Plain ASCII Text It discusses how to do that with AOL's mail client. If you still have problems I can tell you step by step what I do. The crucial part is Select All and Normal Text. Also I never use the reply button. I Copy then Paste. Somehow the reply button (with highlighted text to be quoted) will always add MIME or HTML, regardless. HTH, Marnie aka Doe :-)
Re: serial numbers
If you get anything on an LX, let me know! grin keith whaley Steve Desjardins wrote: Is there a site where I could get serial number information to date cameras that I bought used? I'm curious about an MX and a 645. No big deal here, just curious.
Re: Anyone ordered an *ist D yet?
Has anyone out their placed an order for one? Regards, Ziggy __ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software http://sitebuilder.yahoo.com
Re: Anyone ordered an *ist D yet?
Hi Everyone, I already ordered the *ist D from Adorama, body only. No FAJ 18-35mm f5.6 for me. Currently I don't have a zoom wider than my Tokina 28-80mm f2.8 ATX PRO, but I do have the Pentax FA 20mm f2.8 which will at least get me close to 30mm. I will probably get the DA 16-45mm f4 when it is released. Eventually I will need a wider prime, perhaps the Pentax 15mm A f3.5 or the Sigma 14mm f2.8. I heard that Pentax will release an FA 14mm f2 in the future, I HOPE NOT! Why an expensive f2 instead of 2.8? That would be crazy. Who needs f2 in that sort of lens? A Fellow Pentaxian, Ryan Has anyone out their placed an order for one? Regards, Ziggy __ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software http://sitebuilder.yahoo.com
Re: Future DSLR's
Marnie wrote: But being able to have a telephoto lens cheaper is greatly, vastly, immensely appealing. Marnie, there is no (emphasis) telephoto multiplication factor in using standard lenses on an APS-sized digital slr. Everyone writes as if there were, but that is just a convenience of expression. With an APS-sized sensor, you are just using the center of your lens. Guess what? You already have that capability. Just crop the center of the image and enlarge it to the size you want. It will appear as if taken with a longer lens. A full-frame sensor would also preserve that capability. You would still be able just to crop and enlarge the center of the image, as if the image were taken with a longer lens. The APS-sized sensor is not giving you cheaper telephoto lenses, just lower image quality. Joe
Re: OT: Sobig virus question
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I am getting 1 sobig email per MINUTE. From whom? Everybody at random? Mostly pdml members, what? I haven't got any since I installed and activated my Norton Antivirus program. It looks at each and every incoming file, including email. If none come in, none can go out... People REALLY need to install antivirus, there are many free ones out there so if anyone here does not have one please install one. Thing is, Al, if you're still getting some, your own anti-virus program must not be working, or you'd never see them. So I believe, anyhow. Much good luck in eradicating them! Thanks Al http://www.usefilm.com keith whaley If you want to know what a pif file is http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/using/productdoc/en/default.asp? url=/windowsxp/home/using/productdoc/en/windows_pif_create.asp What is the legitimate use is a .pif file? Thanks William Robb
RE: Anyone ordered an *ist D yet?
Yes Bill -Original Message- From: Ryan Charron [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, August 30, 2003 12:44 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Anyone ordered an *ist D yet? Has anyone out their placed an order for one? Regards, Ziggy __ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software http://sitebuilder.yahoo.com
Re: Kicked off pent discuss any ideas?
I was recently kicked off the mailing list because, as the note from Pntxdiscuss stated, my computer Macintosh generated too many MIME extensions. I think it has to do with AOL when I respond to an item by highlighting it and hitting reply. This, I believe generates something called a MIME. MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) is a protocol that regulates how attachments, styled text etc are sent via mail. You probably have your mail program set to sending out bold, underlined or otherwise styled text. See if you can find a setting that makes your mail plain text. anders - http://anders.hultman.nu/
RE: OT: Sobig virus question
I see them just bouncing off, I'm not infected just annoyed at the volume of them hitting my box. I run my AV so I can see who is infected, i.e. if it's a family member etc, so I can clean off their box if they ever get a bug. My forum email address is posted everywhere so they mostly are coming from people on lists such as this, which is why I made the announcement. -Original Message- From: Keith Whaley [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, August 30, 2003 1:00 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: OT: Sobig virus question [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I am getting 1 sobig email per MINUTE. From whom? Everybody at random? Mostly pdml members, what? I haven't got any since I installed and activated my Norton Antivirus program. It looks at each and every incoming file, including email. If none come in, none can go out... People REALLY need to install antivirus, there are many free ones out there so if anyone here does not have one please install one. Thing is, Al, if you're still getting some, your own anti-virus program must not be working, or you'd never see them. So I believe, anyhow. Much good luck in eradicating them! Thanks Al http://www.usefilm.com keith whaley If you want to know what a pif file is http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/using/productdoc/en/default.as p? url=/windowsxp/home/using/productdoc/en/windows_pif_create.asp What is the legitimate use is a .pif file? Thanks William Robb
RE: Sobig virus question
Well its not life or death but it is a shame that they are being lost and I for one find that once people have used DOS and configured it(emm /qemm/himem.sys and sorted config.sys and autoexec.bat etc) optimally, that they have a far better understanding of windows which still has a lot of 'DOS' in it even 2000 and xp. Its m more the early DOS's like 1.0 and 2.0 the=at I am missing (I don't have 4.01 either, which was a milestone in DOS) So if it is pos then yes plse if it is a lot of work ok thanks anyway. Alan -Original Message- From: Lon Williamson [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: 30 August 2003 16:52 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Sobig virus question I'v probably got most DOS versions from about 2 on, but finding and imaging them would take me a long time. How badly do you need them? John Francis wrote: P.S. I teach at a College 16+ yrs of age and they have never seen DOS, so I am collecting old DOS's to show them the 'history of DOS'. I have many but if anyone has any realy old ones (3.00 or 4.01) of either MS or PC or DR (or any others) could I have disk images plse? I believe I've got a set of DOS 4.01 floppies around somewhere. If I can find them you're welcome to them; it's been quite a long while since I had a machine that could read 5 1/4 floppies. Come to think of it, I believe that machine (a Gateway DX2-66/V) ended up in the hands of another Pentax user and occasional poster to this list.
Re:Low prices on pentax clear out some prices
Hi Everyone, Has anyone bought stuff from this guy before? Sorry I haven't been following PDML closely recently. Thanks, Ryan Date: Sat, 30 Aug 2003 12:08:08 +0930 From: adphoto [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: pdml [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Low prices on pentax clear out some prices lower Message-ID: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hi I have a few things left Pentax LX with FA-1 finder $420US ex recent cla Pentax FA 20mm 2.8 $380US mint with original box Pentax FA 50mm 1.4 $140US mint with original box Pentax fd-2 fb-2 finder for lx good condition $100US i accept paypal __ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software http://sitebuilder.yahoo.com
Re: Future DSLR's
Joe - Thank you for your easy-to-understand explanation. I have been so confused about this and have tried to understand it. In finally makes sense. It's about equal to what a digital zoom does on some of the cameras. It essentially is zooming in on the center of the image and is making that part of the image and enlarging it so it will fill the whole frame (thus a not-so sharp image). The only thing making me want a removable lens DSLR is that I felt I could get a 450 lens ( or thereabouts) out of my rather inexpensive Tamron 70-300 zoom. That sounded good, but to me sharpness and clarity is more important. Let me know if I am misinterpreting what you said. Thanks again. Kathy Leickly
Re: OT: Sobig virus question
Al Shaikh wrote: I see them just bouncing off, I'm not infected just annoyed at the volume of them hitting my box. I run my AV so I can see who is infected, i.e. if it's a family member etc, so I can clean off their box if they ever get a bug. My forum email address is posted everywhere so they mostly are coming from people on lists such as this, which is why I made the announcement. I understand! Well, no I don't. What's an AV, please? keith -Original Message- From: Keith Whaley [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, August 30, 2003 1:00 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: OT: Sobig virus question [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I am getting 1 sobig email per MINUTE. From whom? Everybody at random? Mostly pdml members, what? I haven't got any since I installed and activated my Norton Antivirus program. It looks at each and every incoming file, including email. If none come in, none can go out... People REALLY need to install antivirus, there are many free ones out there so if anyone here does not have one please install one. Thing is, Al, if you're still getting some, your own anti-virus program must not be working, or you'd never see them. So I believe, anyhow. Much good luck in eradicating them! Thanks Al http://www.usefilm.com keith whaley If you want to know what a pif file is http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/using/productdoc/en/default.as p? url=/windowsxp/home/using/productdoc/en/windows_pif_create.asp What is the legitimate use is a .pif file? Thanks William Robb
Re: A Contest-was: I went shopping for a *ist D today.
But, you have a great idea for a contest. Whoever posts a Starkist D image first ~should~ win something. A bottle of Scotch? A good Aussie wine? A good Canadian whine? (Geez, it's freaking cold out today!). A crate of Tri-X? Anyone got any ideas? A roll of Royal Gold 25? (To remind you what film can do better than digital) Expiration date September 2000, I believe. But always kept refridgerated. Leon Altoff wrote: The only question left is who will be the first person to put a picture on PUG taken with a *ist D? If I get it before the September deadline I plan on it being me. There may be a little competition for that - I'm sure there are several on order at various US mail-order houses. It rather depends on how soon the cameras get to the various distributors.
RE: Future DSLR's
Kathy After reading one of Ansel Adams' books, The Camera, it's pretty easy to understand. A lens of a given focal length projects the same size image on the film regardless of format or film size. In other words, if a 300mm lens projects an image 1 inch high on your film, it will be 1 inch high regardless of film size. This means that on an APS sensor, the image would be larger than the frame, but on 4x5 sheet film it would only take up 1/4 of the height of the film. So, with an APS size sensor, the magnification would be the same as 35mm, but your subject would take up 1.5 times more space on the film, making it the equivalent of 450mm in 35mm format. Bill -Original Message- From: Kathleen [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, August 30, 2003 1:35 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Future DSLR's Joe - Thank you for your easy-to-understand explanation. I have been so confused about this and have tried to understand it. In finally makes sense. It's about equal to what a digital zoom does on some of the cameras. It essentially is zooming in on the center of the image and is making that part of the image and enlarging it so it will fill the whole frame (thus a not-so sharp image). The only thing making me want a removable lens DSLR is that I felt I could get a 450 lens ( or thereabouts) out of my rather inexpensive Tamron 70-300 zoom. That sounded good, but to me sharpness and clarity is more important. Let me know if I am misinterpreting what you said. Thanks again. Kathy Leickly
RE: A Contest-was: I went shopping for a *ist D today.
Don't forget that there are some folks on the list who have already taken photos with an *istD. Bill -Original Message- From: John Francis [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, August 30, 2003 1:48 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: A Contest-was: I went shopping for a *ist D today. But, you have a great idea for a contest. Whoever posts a Starkist D image first ~should~ win something. A bottle of Scotch? A good Aussie wine? A good Canadian whine? (Geez, it's freaking cold out today!). A crate of Tri-X? Anyone got any ideas? A roll of Royal Gold 25? (To remind you what film can do better than digital) Expiration date September 2000, I believe. But always kept refridgerated. Leon Altoff wrote: The only question left is who will be the first person to put a picture on PUG taken with a *ist D? If I get it before the September deadline I plan on it being me. There may be a little competition for that - I'm sure there are several on order at various US mail-order houses. It rather depends on how soon the cameras get to the various distributors.
RE: OT: Sobig virus question
Anti Virus = AV -- I understand! Well, no I don't. What's an AV, please? keith
Re: Future DSLR's
Joe - Thank you for your easy-to-understand explanation. I have been so confused about this and have tried to understand it. In finally makes sense. It's about equal to what a digital zoom does on some of the cameras. It essentially is zooming in on the center of the image and is making that part of the image and enlarging it so it will fill the whole frame (thus a not-so sharp image). You (and Joe) both miss one important point. That 6.1mp sensor in the *ist-D will produce a better digital image than you would get by taking the central portion of an image shot on a 6mp full-frame digital camera such as the Contax (or the 'MZ-D' we saw from Pentax eighteen months ago). That enlarged image would be the equivalent of the digital zoom prevalent on consumer digitals. The limiting factor in digital images, at present, remains total pixel count. To get a cropped image from a full-frame sensor equivalent to that from the smaller sensor in the *ist-D would require a sensor with double the pixels. So not only would you have to pay the significantly higher price of a full-frame sensor, you'd have to pay for a 12mp camera, too. To give you some idea; the Canon EOS-10D costs around $1,500 - the 1Ds costs five times as much. In other words; the alternative to this focal-length multiplier is only 'free' if you've paid five times as much for your camera. The focal-length multiplier is a side effect of the fact that the sweet spot for sensor size, at present, is around the size of an APS frame. Any larger and the sensor becomes very expensive to manufacture; much smaller and the image quality deteriorates because either the individual pixels are too small, and their signal-to-noise ratio goes down, or there are less pixels overall. It's not a true freebie, even then; the cost comes if you want to use wide angle lenses. To get the effect of a 20mm lens on a full-frame image means you'll need a 14mm ultrawide - not a cheap proposition.
Re: OT: Sobig virus question
I see them just bouncing off, I'm not infected just annoyed at the volume of them hitting my box. I run my AV so I can see who is infected, i.e. if it's a family member etc, so I can clean off their box if they ever get a bug. Which would work, if only the 'From:' address in a virus really showed who the email came from. Sometimes you can work out who sent the mail by examining the rest of the headers, but most of the time there's just not enough information there. My forum email address is posted everywhere so they mostly are coming from people on lists such as this, which is why I made the announcement. ... or from people who have visited a web page containing your email. Sobig trawls the browser cache for email addresses. Just how do you know who is sending you those virus-laden emails, anyway?
Re: What the...
Was that Vancam? Oh, man, they are butchers. My F*300 4.5 was focussing strangely, with scratchy noises, and when I took it there, and the guy put it in a vise WITH NO PROTECTION AT ALL! A METAL VISE! I asked him to take it out, and it was only then that I noticed that the body of the lens had come unscrewed just past the built in hood. I tightened it up by hand and it has been fine ever since, but it still has vise marks on it from their alleged 'technician'. I guess you won't go there again. I know I won't. C. On Saturday, August 30, 2003, at 02:24 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Date: Fri, 29 Aug 2003 23:20:26 -0700 From: Alan Chan [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: What the... Message-ID: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed After 2 weeks of waiting, my MX was finally ready to be pick up this afternoon. Consider they asked C$190 for labour C$35 for parts, they must did hell of a job to ask that much. I attached my FA24 and brought the camera outside the service centre and see if it focused at infinity. Shocking, totally shocking!!! The lens hit infinity when the subject is 1 meter away. I knew something was wrong and talked to the guy, and he didn't believe me and said it was my lens (why am I not surprised by his reaction?). He tried 2 of his own lenses and confirmed the problem. Needless to say, I was totally fed up. What else did they fix if the focus wasn't fixed properly. I check the printed invoice carefully and it explicitly said focus adjusted (yeah right). And to make the matter worse, they adjust the meter and replaced the velvet straps with the foams. Gee... I did not even ask for that because the meter was dead on and the straps were in tip top condition. What the hell were they thinking? I had those velvet straps installed 2 years ago and now I have to paid extra just because of their idiotic mistake? They didn't fix anything I requested, but fixed things that were perfectly fine. How the hell they stay in business if they could not even do a simple job like this??? And $35 for those stupid foams? Gee... I think I am ready to smash the MX right in front of the manager if he couldn't give me a satisfied answer next Tuesday. Sorry I have to vent here, I feel better now... Alan Chan http://www.pbase.com/wlachan
Re: UK pricing for *istD!
I have. $2699 CDN with the 18-35. C. On Saturday, August 30, 2003, at 07:43 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Date: Sat, 30 Aug 2003 10:42:40 +0100 From: zoomshot [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: UK pricing for *istD! Message-ID: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit -Original Message- From: Harold Owen [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: 30 August 2003 10:22 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: UK pricing for *istD! Gotta remember that the SRP of the 10D is £1500 - STREET price is £1250. Once initial demand has passed (possibly even before), I can see the istD selling for £1200 or maybe even less... It is just that the SRP of £1,400 appeared to be a lot higher than many UK photo magazines had been suggesting! I am waiting to see what the online dealer who sold me the *ist SLR at a great price is going to sell the *istD at. The *ist SLR camera was being discounted as soon as it was available for sale and I am hoping the same thing will happen with the *istD, although if it is going to be in short supply this might not be likely. In addition I am checking on a number of German online retailers to see what their prices are going to be, Harry Harold Owen [EMAIL PROTECTED] Guys, The price war will be very interesting and Pentax may already be dead in the water, look at the prices, body only; *istD 1400 GBPrecommended Olympus E-1 1400 GBPrecommended Nikon D100 1399 GBPstreet Canon D10 1299 GBPstreet Canon EOS 300D 899 GBPexpected ( 1000 GBP plus lens advertised ) The street price has to be no more than 1100 GBP or else it will be a dead duck. Has anyone out their placed an order for one? Regards, Ziggy
Re: A Contest-was: I went shopping for a *ist D today.
Hi, Bill, Yeah, but ya gotta post a pic to win. I knew you guys at GFM touched them, fondled them, drooled all over them (I hope you wiped 'em off afterwards). Maybe you even took some pics wiff 'em. Of course, we're on the honour system here. No taking pics with an Optio S and passing them off as *ist D photos (oops, sorry, for you purists, I should call them digital captures). Even worse, for all you guys who've already jumped ship, no using your Canons and Nikons... cheers, frank Bill Owens wrote: Don't forget that there are some folks on the list who have already taken photos with an *istD. Bill -- Jazz is about capturing the moment -Herbie Hancock
Re: Future DSLR's
Joe - Thank you for your easy-to-understand explanation. I have been so confused about this and have tried to understand it. In finally makes sense. It's about equal to what a digital zoom does on some of the cameras. It essentially is zooming in on the center of the image and is making that part of the image and enlarging it so it will fill the whole frame (thus a not-so sharp image). This is generally true, but the image doesn't have to get less sharp. That depends on the resolution of the film/digital sensor. Both a 6 megapixel full frame sensor and a 6 megapixel smaller APS sized sensor has 6 megapixels, right? I.e. if you pack the pixels tighter on the sensor chip, you'll still get as many pixels ut of it even though the sensor is smaller. On the other hand, using a larger size of that high density sensor would give you more pixels... anders - http://anders.hultman.nu/
RE: A Contest-was: I went shopping for a *ist D today.
Ah Frank, I didn't have the sense to stick a CF card in the *istD we played with, but nearly everyone else did. And BTW, my September PUG entry is an Optio S image. Bill -Original Message- From: frank theriault [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, August 30, 2003 2:48 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: A Contest-was: I went shopping for a *ist D today. Hi, Bill, Yeah, but ya gotta post a pic to win. I knew you guys at GFM touched them, fondled them, drooled all over them (I hope you wiped 'em off afterwards). Maybe you even took some pics wiff 'em. Of course, we're on the honour system here. No taking pics with an Optio S and passing them off as *ist D photos (oops, sorry, for you purists, I should call them digital captures). Even worse, for all you guys who've already jumped ship, no using your Canons and Nikons... cheers, frank Bill Owens wrote: Don't forget that there are some folks on the list who have already taken photos with an *istD. Bill -- Jazz is about capturing the moment -Herbie Hancock
Re: pentax close-up lenses
Tom Reese [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I haven't been able to determine if the pentax close-up lenses are single element or multiple element like the ones Nikon made (makes?). If they're single element are they really any better than the generic diopters? The Pentax S33, S56, S82, T132 and T226 are two-element type. See http://www.angelfire.com/ca/erker/closeups.html -- Mark Roberts Photography and writing www.robertstech.com
Re: Kicked off pent discuss any ideas?
Vic wrote: I was recently kicked off the mailing list because, as the note from Pntxdiscuss stated, my computer Macintosh generated too many MIME extensions. I think it has to do with AOL ... Lewis replied: For me the problem was AOL. I solved it by using a free hotmail (trash account, but it works) address. Me too! That's why I now use texas.net for PDML (and only PDML) mail. Incidentally, Marnie posted a long message describing potential workarounds for the problem back around the end of June/beginning of July. I decided to stay with what I was already doing, but perhaps you will find the information she discovered useful. I believe she did.
Re: UK pricing for *istD!
zoomshot [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: The price war will be very interesting and Pentax may already be dead in the water, look at the prices, body only; *istD 1400 GBPrecommended Olympus E-1 1400 GBPrecommended Nikon D100 1399 GBPstreet Canon D10 1299 GBPstreet Canon EOS 300D 899 GBPexpected ( 1000 GBP plus lens advertised ) The street price has to be no more than 1100 GBP or else it will be a dead duck. What??? It's a bizarre statement! It like it's priced exactly where it needs to be. For many people's purposes it's a better buy at the same price as the d100 and 10D. -- Mark Roberts Photography and writing www.robertstech.com
Re: Kicked off pent discuss any ideas?
crap! he just signed up again...how DO we get rid of this guy? Just kidding, of course ;) Cory - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, August 30, 2003 9:57 AM Subject: Kicked off pent discuss any ideas? I was recently kicked off the mailing list because, as the note from Pntxdiscuss stated, my computer Macintosh generated too many MIME extensions. I think it has to do with AOL when I respond to an item by highlighting it and hitting reply. This, I believe generates something called a MIME. I have not done a lot of research on this. Hoping someone here may have experienced a similar problem... Any suggestions... Thanks Vic --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.514 / Virus Database: 312 - Release Date: 8/28/2003
Re: A Contest-was: I went shopping for a *ist D today.
Bill Owens [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Don't forget that there are some folks on the list who have already taken photos with an *istD. Yeah, but how could they we worked into the professional theme? -- Mark Roberts Photography and writing www.robertstech.com
Re: OT: Sobig virus question
[...hanging his head in shame...] keith Al Shaikh wrote: Anti Virus = AV -- I understand! Well, no I don't. What's an AV, please? keith
RE: A Contest-was: I went shopping for a *ist D today.
I got one of my Optio S shots from the camera clinic in the September open gallery. If you have a shot of TV, he's a professional :-) -Original Message- From: Mark Roberts [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, August 30, 2003 4:50 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: A Contest-was: I went shopping for a *ist D today. Bill Owens [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Don't forget that there are some folks on the list who have already taken photos with an *istD. Yeah, but how could they we worked into the professional theme? -- Mark Roberts Photography and writing www.robertstech.com
Re: enablement and disablement - Tamron 17mm F3.5
At 03:40 PM 29/08/2003 -0400, you wrote: From: Steve Sharpe [EMAIL PROTECTED] I'm saving my money for a Tamron 17mm F3.5, which by most accounts is an excellent lens. -- Steve Would that be the adaptall one? I've been wanting to sell mine for ages but can't decide how much to ask for it. It's LNIB with hood and everything. I paid 250 quid for it about 4 years ago but there's no way I'd get that now. I've even got a full range of adapters for it - K, KA and screw...and...a screw to EOS adapter to use it on a 10D (but I haven't) What's the going rate - anyone? Wendy (yes, I'm skint. You'll know I'm desperate when the black MX is up for sale) Wendy Beard, Ottawa, Canada http://www.beard-redfern.com
Re: A Contest-was: I went shopping for a *ist D today.
'Sides, that wasn't a production camera. Should have to be taken with your own *istD, not a loner. g Ciao, Graywolf -- - Original Message - From: frank theriault [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, August 30, 2003 2:47 PM Subject: Re: A Contest-was: I went shopping for a *ist D today. Hi, Bill, Yeah, but ya gotta post a pic to win. I knew you guys at GFM touched them, fondled them, drooled all over them (I hope you wiped 'em off afterwards). Maybe you even took some pics wiff 'em. Of course, we're on the honour system here. No taking pics with an Optio S and passing them off as *ist D photos (oops, sorry, for you purists, I should call them digital captures). Even worse, for all you guys who've already jumped ship, no using your Canons and Nikons... cheers, frank Bill Owens wrote: Don't forget that there are some folks on the list who have already taken photos with an *istD. Bill -- Jazz is about capturing the moment -Herbie Hancock --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.514 / Virus Database: 312 - Release Date: 8/28/03
RE: OT: Sobig virus question
My fault, not yours keith, next time I will be more clear. To the other person that asked, what I do is create a email account in any system I help (family, friends) and if I spot that email address in the from or to line usually labeled ([EMAIL PROTECTED]), I pretty much know they got infected and are now emailing me because of the way most of them just go through an address book and email everyone in it. It's not foolproof but does tend to warn me with enough time so I can go there and fix it. Personally, Lately I just install mandrake or some other GUI linux on their box and let them run that. This only works with complete neophytes that never want to do anything other than surf the web or check email. To them the internet is YAHOO. I have it set so it boots and opens yahoo and that's it. They don't really want anything more than communication with a few family members that are far away. They have zero admin access, they can't install or remove anything, they can't get infected by anything (almost), they can click yes on the worst damn spyware on the planet and never be bothered. Nothing installs really other than legit plugins which I preinstall anyway. Just make sure you stick the computer behind a nat router and have it autoupdate itself every night. Just remove all the icons and let them enjoy their now relatively bulletproof computer. Only problem usually is when they want something one of their friends has but usually there is an alternative software (word processing etc) that is basically 100% the same for a novice user. The other alternative is tell them to get a mac and run osx. Al http://www.usefilm.com -Original Message- From: Keith Whaley [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, August 30, 2003 4:52 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: OT: Sobig virus question [...hanging his head in shame...] keith Al Shaikh wrote: Anti Virus = AV -- I understand! Well, no I don't. What's an AV, please? keith
Re: Future DSLR's
That is both true, and not true in the case of digital cameras. If you have a 6mp camera with a full frame sensor, and one with a smaller 6mp sensor then you are not giving up much image quality with the smaller sensor so it does in effect give you a longer lens. If the larger sensor has a higher resolution then the smaller one is in effect a crop as Joe says. It is like using different sizes of film in the same camera. Anyone who has used a Rolleikin in an old Rolleiflex, or used a roll film holder on a 4x5, knows just what I mean. Unfortunately most 35mm users have not had experience with cameras that use multiple formats so do not think in those terms It is I admit kind of confusing, but one has to figure the tradeoffs. All digital cameras now on the market are tradeoffs between resolution, quality, and price and will undoubtedly remain so for some time to come. Ciao, Graywolf -- - Original Message - From: Joseph Tainter [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: pdml [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, August 30, 2003 12:54 PM Subject: Re: Future DSLR's Marnie wrote: But being able to have a telephoto lens cheaper is greatly, vastly, immensely appealing. Marnie, there is no (emphasis) telephoto multiplication factor in using standard lenses on an APS-sized digital slr. Everyone writes as if there were, but that is just a convenience of expression. With an APS-sized sensor, you are just using the center of your lens. Guess what? You already have that capability. Just crop the center of the image and enlarge it to the size you want. It will appear as if taken with a longer lens. A full-frame sensor would also preserve that capability. You would still be able just to crop and enlarge the center of the image, as if the image were taken with a longer lens. The APS-sized sensor is not giving you cheaper telephoto lenses, just lower image quality. Joe --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.514 / Virus Database: 312 - Release Date: 8/28/03
Re: Anyone ordered an *ist D yet?
Has anyone out their placed an order for one? Regards, Ziggy I told my local store a month ago to get an order in for me, to include the grip. No FAJ lens. His rep wouldn't accept the order until Pentax passed along the stock number; now that that is in place, the order is in and I am sitting waiting... stan
Re: OT: Survival Kit
No, Marnie, most of us took it seriously enough. Only we thought you meant survival kit not what stuff do you carry in your camera bag besides camera and lenses. Ciao, Graywolf -- - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, August 30, 2003 10:53 AM Subject: Re: OT: Survival Kit Dan Scott wrote: Mostly I just take my camera gear and film in a daypack, empty ziploc bags, a reflector, along with either the monopod or the tripod, some MMs or hard candy, water, extra set of batteries, a field guide, BL 5X pocket magnifier, pen and paper, and my hat. And I always have my wallet with a CC and some cash, my keys and a knife with me. Thanks. I was curious. Much of that I have in my new survival kit. And some of what you had in your other list as well. Plus I usually take my keys with me. Amazing how few took this question seriously. :-) Marnie aka Doe --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.514 / Virus Database: 312 - Release Date: 8/28/03
Re: OT: Sobig virus question
Interesting story! I'll trade you one. I have a 40 year old daughter, who is a very successful business woman, or trying hard to be. She likes her computer, a Windows PC variety, so long as nothing goes wrong. She doesn't have time to fuss around with it. Per her words... She's a real estate appraiser. Her national organization has made up some software that does most of the calculations automatically. Great software. Quite literally, no-one else makes it. This company has it all locked in... The problem is, it's PC based, and they do NOT make a version for the Mac... Sighhh. So, what happens? She gets several nasty virii. (Of course, right?) The program stops working, and she can't do her business. Does she have a virus program? Uhhh, no. Does she have any backup to all her laboriously gathered records? Uhhh. no. I could beat her over the head, she's so stupid! An IQ of more than 150, in all probability, and she's so IM-practical, it hurts! I tell her to get a Mac, but as I said, the software is not available. Sad. I see this refusal to recognize how it can hurt, all the time. Good for your relatives and friends. To have someone who watches after them... Take care of yourself! -- keith Al Shaikh wrote: My fault, not yours keith, next time I will be more clear. To the other person that asked, what I do is create a email account in any system I help (family, friends) and if I spot that email address in the from or to line usually labeled ([EMAIL PROTECTED]), I pretty much know they got infected and are now emailing me because of the way most of them just go through an address book and email everyone in it. It's not foolproof but does tend to warn me with enough time so I can go there and fix it. Personally, Lately I just install mandrake or some other GUI linux on their box and let them run that. This only works with complete neophytes that never want to do anything other than surf the web or check email. To them the internet is YAHOO. I have it set so it boots and opens yahoo and that's it. They don't really want anything more than communication with a few family members that are far away. They have zero admin access, they can't install or remove anything, they can't get infected by anything (almost), they can click yes on the worst damn spyware on the planet and never be bothered. Nothing installs really other than legit plugins which I preinstall anyway. Just make sure you stick the computer behind a nat router and have it autoupdate itself every night. Just remove all the icons and let them enjoy their now relatively bulletproof computer. Only problem usually is when they want something one of their friends has but usually there is an alternative software (word processing etc) that is basically 100% the same for a novice user. The other alternative is tell them to get a mac and run osx. Al [...]
Pentax 67II
Is there anyone in this forum who'll be kind enought to tell me, what the recommended price is for a Pentax 67II body in either UK or USA. Here in Denmark where I live, I have the notion that they are much more expensive in comparison with other countries. (Here the body costs around £2000 or $4000)! J.Diaz
RE: Pentax 67II
1500 usd new without lens -Original Message- From: Juan Diaz [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, August 30, 2003 6:19 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Pentax 67II Is there anyone in this forum who'll be kind enought to tell me, what the recommended price is for a Pentax 67II body in either UK or USA. Here in Denmark where I live, I have the notion that they are much more expensive in comparison with other countries. (Here the body costs around £2000 or $4000)! J.Diaz
Re: What the...
The guy I talked with could not make any decision at all. In fact, I don't think he cared what I complained. Alan Chan http://www.pbase.com/wlachan This is the place to vent about such things... So, are they going to remedy the situation? Or is that what you find out next Tuesday? Maybe if you bounce the MX off of someone's head, it'll fix the focusing problem. Not that I ever advocate violence. g cheers, frank _ The new MSN 8: advanced junk mail protection and 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail
Re: What the...
I am honoured. :-) Alan Chan http://www.pbase.com/wlachan I hereby vote Alan the Pentax Equipment Luck Award. Alan, I don't understand why you didn't abandon Pentax long ago! Lenses, cameras, repair, you name it and Alan has _the_ definative horror story. _ MSN 8 helps eliminate e-mail viruses. Get 2 months FREE*. http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus
Re: What the...
Geez... wish I heard that earlier. After visiting them 3 times for the MX, I have a strong feeling that they don't give a shxt about their customers, or me at least. I specifically wrote down all the problems on a MX diaphragm, and from what they have done, I believe they did not even read the paper. In fact, I don't think they fixed anything except replaced the foams (and those they shouldn't too). Alan Chan http://www.pbase.com/wlachan Was that Vancam? Oh, man, they are butchers. My F*300 4.5 was focussing strangely, with scratchy noises, and when I took it there, and the guy put it in a vise WITH NO PROTECTION AT ALL! A METAL VISE! I asked him to take it out, and it was only then that I noticed that the body of the lens had come unscrewed just past the built in hood. I tightened it up by hand and it has been fine ever since, but it still has vise marks on it from their alleged 'technician'. I guess you won't go there again. I know I won't. _ Protect your PC - get McAfee.com VirusScan Online http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963
Re: serial numbers
I only know that there are 2 versions of MX. As far as I can tell, the latters are better buy due to some improved inner parts (especially the circuit). Older MX: - serial number started from 9 - metal memo holder - Asahi... engraved on the top plate near the winding lever Newer MX: - serial number started from 9 - plastic memo holder - Asahi... molded on the plastic memo holder There inside of the camera backs are slightly different too but I don't remeber exactly. Alan Chan http://www.pbase.com/wlachan Is there a site where I could get serial number information to date cameras that I bought used? I'm curious about an MX and a 645. No big deal here, just curious. _ The new MSN 8: smart spam protection and 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail
