One More Pentaxian On The Pile

[almo]

Today my metamorphosis from a Canonite into a Pentaxian is all but complete.

Yesterday I got my 30 year old film body with an equally old manual 50mm lens. And today; today I got my K10D and the Sigma 28-300mm, which looks like the beercan lens, but feels like the Bigma... It is easily the heaviest lens I have yet owned.

I am still awaiting delivery of the battery grip, extra batteries and the 18-55mm DA.

I am in ecstatic awe of this camera so for. I'd say it is certianly the most technologically advanced camera I've ever owned. It feels great too, but I am really missing the V-grip. The images so far have been great. At well north of a grand, this is the most I have ever put into one system. Not much to most of you guys, but huge for me. Unless something catastrophic happens I think I can safely state that I'll be a Pentaxian for many years to come.

Here are some pics...








Here are some of my first shots with ethe K10D!!!

First shot with the new camera...


This was actually on my way to shoot ducks at the lake...




Going Macro with the SMC 50mm f/2...


Couple of ISO 800 shots...




And, last but not least. A test to see if it really works like they say. I can now say without doubt, YES!

And, that with a 30 year old lens!

[jgredline]

Very cool!!! and congrats

[spiraleyes]

Nice! Great shots!

[Alison]

Nice to see it with and without AS. You look so happy and content John.

[spiraleyes]

Ok, I'm seeing tons of those 50mm lenses on eBay for cheap. I'm considering getting an older macro lens or perhaps a decent zoom.

Since these lenses will all be manual focus, should I even waste my time with them?

[almo]

Ok, I'm seeing tons of those 50mm lenses on eBay for cheap. I'm considering getting an older macro lens or perhaps a decent zoom.

Since these lenses will all be manual focus, should I even waste my time with them?

Hell yes you should!

They don't make lenses like that anymore. And, they are cheap, very, very sharp, fast, and bright!

BTW... in macro settings, most serious photogs manual focus anyway.

[almo]

As an added note, I have found that the focusing screen on the K10D is perfect for manual focusing. I think Pentax had that in mind when desiging the camera.

[spiraleyes]

My jaw about hit the floor when I saw how cheap some of those older lenses were going for.

I have my eye on a few, it's good to have some confirmation that older glass is quality glass.

Now, what older brands are reputable? I tried doing some searching, but I didn't find a whole lot on the 3rd party manufacturers.

Here's a cool site about everything K Mount from Pentax:

http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/

[almo]

My jaw about hit the floor when I saw how cheap some of those older lenses were going for.

I have my eye on a few, it's good to have some confirmation that older glass is quality glass.

Now, what older brands are reputable? I tried doing some searching, but I didn't find a whole lot on the 3rd party manufacturers.

Here's a cool site about everything K Mount from Pentax:

http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/

I like Pentax, of course, and Beck, Tamron, Sigma, Tokina (The best of the 3rd party lenses). Tamron had the adaptall that were pretty good too.

I personally would not go too far back, because there is age to think about. 40 years has typically been where I drew the line.

[spiraleyes]

I was thinking 25-30 years as a maximum age.

[almo]

I was thinking 25-30 years as a maximum age.

Even better. 30 is good. I have had some a bit older, maybe 35. I had one that was about 45 years old. It was a gift though. A very dark lens, even when wide open. Anything from the late 60's to the early 80's is perfect.