Hin's Photo Corner

With several forum member inputs, it is possible that my minor negative impression on K-x build is due to the white color. My copy is the beautiful white color. I love white and hence I pick on white color even if it means the feeling of cheaper plastic. Given the choices, I prefer the style over the norm and that is my irrational impulse in buying and there is not regret.




I pair up the DA 40mm limited with the K-x white and it looks dead gorgeous to me for a small form factor and lightweight. I bought the combination for traveling light and hence, I will not think of the need of battery grip unless the grip has portrait shooting button with green button.



Impressions & Notes

• It is more of a style thing for one's preference. I love white and I am dead happy to have a white camera. Forget about the potential of smudges, the glossy type of surface seem to work out well for cleaning
• Specific to the white color choice, I am not too impressed with the build material. It is a personal impressions not shared with other members. Perhaps, the white color with smooth surface lead me more into the impression of cheap plastic. I was assured by other members who have chosen on blue and black that their impressions are rock solid like the older models as in K100D and K20D.
  
• White seems to go well with the black limited lens. It is a compact body especially when I mount the DA 40mm f/2.8 limited
• White goes okay with silver limited but other color may seem to match better. I think both the blue, brown, especially the golden silver, the normal black and perhaps others will work well for the silver limited colors.

Related:

• Pentax K-x white arrival
• Pentax DA primes on Pentax K-x White
• Pentax K-x White in Disneyand
• Pentax K-x White in Seaworld Part 1 | Part 2
  
• Pentax K-x White with DA and FA Limited Lenses
• Pentax K-x User Setings
• Pentax K-x Monochrome and Infrared filter
  
• Pentax DA primes on Pentax K-x White
• Pentax K-x White on High ISO
• Pentax K-x High ISO Habit
• Pentax K-x -- Be Interesting
  
• Pentax K-x or K-7, which to get first
• Pentax DA 21mm limited on FF bodies
• Pentax K-x HD Test Videos
• Pentax K-7 videos
• Pentax Limited Lenses
• Hin's Camera Gear

I just got my white K-x. I prefer to pick up red on the hand grip but I don't want to wait and special order from Japan

The white K-x is beautiful as others have noted. I am a bit weary of the build material with light plastic as I get used to the sturdy material as in the K20D, K10D and I don't think it matches the build material as in the K100D that I had. More use will tell. The LCD is very useful with the latest update on the screen user interface and I don't seem to mind the missing of red dot in focusing and the top LCD. Test pictures come out decent even for the DA-L 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

I am accumulating primes with Tamron adaptall-2 hoping to get 17mm, 24mm, and 28mm for wide angle needs with my film bodies. I recently got 51B on the 17mm from another great forum member. It is quite interesting to see a prime with built-in internal filters. I plan to use the 17mm with my film gear and the view is quite wide in the film body. Some LBA product shots to share:



The Y2 is a yellow filter, I see darkening color in 81B and some other change in 80B. When I asked around for the use of the filter, I learned that 80B and 81B are used for warming effect.

17mm is not wide when used on aps-c camera with my K20D but it is very wide when I put it on my Pentax SuperProgram and Pentax MX and the view is quite spectacular. I noted some distortion in the test shots and I think more use will help. I am hoping for a small sets of mixed primes and zooms to be used with my film gear stepping out of my comfort zone into film where one has to think in composing a picture.

• Tamron SP 17mm f/3.5 (51B) -- this prime
• Tamron 24mm f/2.5 (01B)
• Tamron 28mm f/2.5 (02B)
• Tamron SP 35-80mm f/2.8-3.8 (01A)

All the adaptall-2 have aperture rings and with the adaptall-2 p/k-a adapters, they will work fine in SuperProgram as well as MX for street scenes, candids, close-up and portraits. My nostalgic film experience is my high point with the adaptall-2 lens series. And I can adapt to another system using the same sets of lens for Ricoh xr-p or Nikon F series of 35mm camera. Oh my gosh, I wish I can use them with my 645N camera and I can surely benefit from the adaptall-2 system. With usage in both Pentax film bodies, my Pentax digital bodies with K-x and K20D, and my Praktica MTL5 in M42 mount, I can't complain how adaptable the adaptall-2 system is. Bravos to Tamron who came out with such a great system for ease of adaptation to one's system of their choosing.


Useful Resources:

• Adaptall-2 site on Tamron 17mm f/3.5 (51B)
• Ken Rockwell hated the adaptall-2 mount
• More to be added as I don't see much in search

Related

• All adaptall-2 related articles
• Tamron SP 17mm f/3.5 (51B) and Ricoh xr-p
• Night Walking Scenes with 51B
• Tamron SP 35-80mm f/2.8-3.8 adaptall-2 (01A)
• Tamron SP 80-200mm f/2.8 adaptall-2 (30A)
• Tamron SP 70-210mm f/3.5 adaptall-2 (19AH) in Gilroy Garden
• Tamron 75-250mm f/3.8-4.5 adaptall-2 (104A)
• Tamron adaptall-2 p/ka adapter
• Hin's Camera Gear

I am totally naive on film! Specifically, I don't know what my 1st roll of b&w will happen with my SuperProgram using DA 21mm f/3.2 limited. Magically, it seems to meter in Program Auto mode when I tried it earlier. When I tried two shots using the DA 21mm on the SuperProgram, the Programmed Auto mode picks up f/3.5 in ASA 400 iso film in a indoor setting with shutter speed of 1/30 to 1/60 sec. And I don't see the vignetting around the corners.




MX not metering with DA primes

I am asking around on potential known issues that I will run into. And I mounted my DA 40mm f/2.8 limited onto my MX that I just received from impulse purchase but I don't have the batteries to try out the metering. Once I mounted the pancake DA prime lens, they look appealing and fits into the form factor of a small SLR. The bad news from others are that the MX won't be able to meter without the aperture ring. It does not have the Av, Sv or the important one and only P mode that can work on the SuperProgram. It is not ideal as the camera picks out the aperture for you.

After spending my money on a nice used copy of Pentax DA 40mm f/2.8 that works well in my K20D and the white K-x that are coming in a few days, I can hardly find the reason to get an Pentax M 40mm f/2.8 unless I can find one that is around $100.00. Last year, I bought a used copy of Pentax M 40mm f/2.8 for cheap around $75.0 with a reason in probably separation of element that look like watercolor in reflection upon close examination. I sold it later for $50.00 with full disclosures, the thing is a beauty in the past and present. I really wish the DA to have an aperture ring and it will fit perfectly with the MX. And I really like the form factor of Pentax DA 40mm f/2.8 and it is a good thing to be shorter than 50mm for normal lens, good close up at 0.4 meters similar to FA 50mm f/1.4 and fast AF.


After a test roll of film, I may go about asking a quote on fixing the light sealing from Eric. Or the other alternative is to learn to do the sealing myself.

I am NAIVE on film, I really like my SuperProgram, can someone clue me in why I should fall in love with the MX. I know the viewfinder is bigger but the SuperProgram has so much to offer with Av, M, Tv, B mode and I especially love the extra grip in SuperProgram for better ergonomics in the field. Yes, the Tv mode works in M with two buttons to adjust shutter as mentioned by Steve, very nice to have. The viewfinder in SuperProrgram is about 0.82 magnification [92 % coverage] which is small compared to MX 0.97 magnification [95% coverage]. Please feel free to tell me more what you like most about MX besides the viewfinder. The MX only works in M mode, that is harder for me to get used to after using digital Av and TAv mode for a while.


Impressions & Notes

• Both DA 21 and DA 40 seem to meter reasonably well in the Programed Auto mode in SuperProgram
• With consultation from others, MX can't meter with the DA lens
• I don't see the vignetting in DA 40mm f/2.8 limited for sure. When I tried DA 21mm f/3.2 on SuperProgram, the wide angle view is wonderful and I don't see the obvious vignetting from viewing the view-finder corners. Unlike the time that I play with DA 18-55mm kit's lens, I can see obvious darker corners in the wider ends of the DA kit's lens
• All are to be confirmed when I develop my 1st film roll using both DA 21 and DA 40 with Pentax SuperProgram
• I so desire more on lenses with an aperture ring so that I can choose to share with the nostalgic find in the film world. My DA lenses will envy my primes with FA 50mm f/1.4, FA 77mm f/1.8 limited, Cosina 55mm f/1.2 along with all of my Tamron Adaptall-2 lenses that have a aperture rings with AE for AutoExposures when I couple the lens with adaptall-2 P/K-A adapter
  

Update:

• Results are reported in Pentax DA 21mm f/3.2 limited on FF bodies (results)
  

Related:

• Pentax DA 21mm f/3.2 limited on FF bodies (results)
  
• Pentax DA 21mm f/3.2 limited
• Pentax DA 40mm f/2.8 limited
• Pentax M 40mm f/2.8
• Pentax pancake clones with M lenses
• Design compact dSLR with Crumpler 2 MDB
• Pentax Limited Trio in Traveling
• Hin's Camera Lens
  

I am someone who are careless and sells with no fear but buy back when I think I want to try it again. I still remember the day that I sold my ex-LadyQueen 31mm f/1.8 limited. Being frugal actually is more expensive when it comes to lens purchase.

I stayed away from thinking about the queen as I don't see it fit in my gear when compared to my documentary Pentax DA 35mm 1:1 macro limited lens. I call my 35mm limited as my best documentary lens as I shot all of my LBA/CBA shots exclusively from DA 35mm limited. To prepare a small combo for traveling light with K-x, I have been looking for a used copy of pancake limited and I just got it yesterday


and I have finally given in for the Pentax K-x white which should come anytime well before thanksgiving. I don't really need the 40mm limited but it is a perfect match to the K-x for traveling light and small with elegance. And the pancake primes and FA limited primes are one of the reasons to stay loyal, unique and interesting as a Pentaxian.


Initial Impressions & Notes

• It is smaller and thinner than my Pentax DA 21mm f/3.2 limited. It is likely the smallest prime. I forget if it is any bigger than the Pentax M 40mm f/2.8 that I once have
• I am glad that my used copy come with lens hood and the original lens cap with 30.5mm size.
• With the lens hood mounted, it looks thicker but for lens protection sake, I have the lens hood mounted all the time.
• Unlike the 35mm limited, I get more correct exposures or tiny slightly over-exposures.
• AF seems quick and responsive with my K20D in indoor setting
• Somehow, I found it very odd that the Pentax logo was printed on the inside of the lens cap instead of outside like the other lens caps in the limited lens
• Minimum focusing distance is at 0.4m, quite nice for closeup in a normal lens.
  

Related:

• Pentax FA 43mm f/1.9 limited
• Pentax K-x White Indoor High ISO with DA 40mm f/2.8
• K-x white in Disneyland
• Articles tagged for K-x
  
• Articles tagged for Limited Lenses
• Pentax K-x White Indoor High ISO with DA 40mm f/2.8
  
• Pentax DA 21mm limited on FF bodies
• Pentax M 40mm f/2.8
  
• Pentax DA 21mm f/3.2
  
• How To Protect Limited Lenses
• Pentax Clones for Pancake
  
• Pentax 1 Lens Choices -- traveling trio
  
• Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8 -- Lady Queen
• Pentax DA 35mm f/2.8 1:1 macro limited -- Best Documentary Lens
  
• Hin's Camera Gear

It is definitely my fun lens to bring my boys to museum and I find it great even in indoor setting, the PF works to advantages in tech museums that purple actually may look cool.


Related:

• The Tech Museum
• Xanh in Mountain View
• Pentax DA 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 fish-eye fun with kids
• Pentax fish-eye on Meteor Attempt
• Pentax DA 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 on baseball & fireworks
  
• Hin's Camera Gear
  

Impressions & Notes:

• Water droplets look like diamonds on my backyard
• The zoom work like a true macro prime
• Sharpness and color is amazing in the close-up distance
• The close up in this zoom seems stronger than its wider and faster end
• With 01F 2x TC, I would expect greater close up in 1:1.25
• Ringed lights are circular and it makes great bokeh in off-focus rendering areas
  

Related

• All adaptall-2 related articles
• Tamron SP 35-80mm f/2.8-3.8 adaptall-2 (01A)
  
• Tamron SP 80-200mm f/2.8 adaptall-2 (30A)
• Tamron SP 70-210mm f/3.5 adaptall-2 (19AH) in Gilroy Garden
• Tamron 75-250mm f/3.8-4.5 adaptall-2 (104A)
  
• Tamron adaptall-2 p/ka adapter
• Hin's Camera Gear

From left to right in the picture:

• Tamron 200mm f/3.5 adaptall-2 (04B)
• Tamron SP 35-80mm f/2.8-3.8 adaptall-2 (01A)
• Lentar 200mm f/3.5 in M42 auto-mount, needs alternation due to auto-only diaphragm

I am always on the look out for a good 200mm prime. Now I am testing Tamron 200mm f/3.5 adaptall-2 (04B) that are on the left of the picture. What impresses me the most about the Tamron 200mm f/3.5 adaptall-2 is the small size and form factor that is like a 100 mm prime. The speed in f/3.5 is decent and the focusing ring is like many other good Tamron adaptall-2 lens that is ideal for precise focusing and ease of use in the field for quickly get to the focal point. It also has a built in lens hood which I find handy to have. Filter size is 62mm and it can share the same filter and lens cap with few of my other adaptall-2 lens.

I only use the lens for some snapshots and more use will tell. So far, I like the handling the most as I feel all along in the weekend as if I am using a 100 mm in size and weight. Even if I mount the Tamron adaptall-2 01F 2x TC on it, the overall size is about equal to the Lentar 200mm f/3.5 in M42 mount. It has the label for "Close Focus" though when I try some close up shots, I am not pleased with the minimum focusing distance of about 5 feet or 1.7m. Close up is better with other lens but for the 200mm, the DOF in street scene as well as flower shot may be pleasant. More tests in the field will tell. I took some snapshots with Pentax K20D while visiting my church on Sunday





Impressions & Notes:

• Very compact in size and the short overall length, size and weight is like a 100 mm prime.
• Close focus is not a good performer as minimal focusing distance is at a distant value like 5 feet or 1.7 meters. It is good compared to other 200mm prime but still too big to be effective like a true macro lens
• Built in lens hood very handy to have in the field though a bit too small
• Filter size is 62mm that shares the same size as 01A, 19AH, 104A and perhaps many others to make a combo adaptall-2 easier with similar lens cap and filters
• Sharpness is seen very reasonable, it can be better but not bad when I test it indoor in difficult lighting with singer moving in strumming the guitar
• Ease of use with great handling is the best impression that I have on this prime. Though a good zoom as in 19AH or 30A may rival the quality of this 200mm prime, the size and lighter weight really stands out in this prime. Almost the smallest of the 200mm that I have seen.

Related

• Hiking with Tamron 200mm f/3.5 adaptall-2 04B
• All adaptall-2 related articles
• Tamron SP 35-80mm f/2.8-3.8 adaptall-2 (01A)
• Tamron SP 80-200mm f/2.8 adaptall-2 (30A)
• Tamron SP 70-210mm f/3.5 adaptall-2 (19AH) in Gilroy Garden
• Tamron 75-250mm f/3.8-4.5 adaptall-2 (104A)
• Tamron adaptall-2 p/ka adapter
• Hin's Camera Gear