Thread: First impressions of my new K-01

After playing for a week, I have some additional thoughts.

Many years ago, I owned a twin lens reflex, and tested a view camera with the idea of buying it if I liked it. With those exceptions all of my photography, in the last forty years has been with various Pentax SLR's.

The LCD screen allows me to compose a picture as I was able to do with the TLR and View. A viewfinder would be wasted on me. If I want a viewfinder, I will use my SLR.

I love the "Brick" look and feel; solid, heavy and comfortable in my old arthritic hands.

Although the rubber flap covering the I/O ports has caused me no problems yet, it is a stupid design and I will always wounded what the designer was thinking.

I am happy with my decision to get this camera.

I am happy with my decision to get this camera.

Me too.

Originally Posted by wrangler

No matter how I set up any of the three digital Pentax cameras that I have owned the K-M lenses that I own will not stop down the aperture. This experience concurs with the exceptions to lens compatibility in the manuals. The screw mount lenses that I have make provisions to stop down manually. Those lenses work fine. I have read about breaking off the lever that is used to stop down the lens in the old film cameras. I don't understand how that works and am not willing to sacrifice any of my lenses to try it. I think that if you use these lenses on these cameras you are shooting at wide open aperture; the higher shutter speeds available on dig cameras compensate. But what do I know, my learning curve is still vertical.

M and K lenses stop down fine , but only shooting in M.
Hit the green button, iris closes, camera meters, sets shutter speed, bingo !
In Av and other modes, these lenses stay, as you say, wide open.

Pete

I'm going to have to learn to read owner's manuals more carefully!! I read that in Av mode the aperture stays open, and I stopped reading. In manual mode the "green" button must equal depth of field preview.

No green button on my K110D, but depth of field preview turns on meter while stopped down!

Just goes to show that even an old dog _______. Thanks for helping me learn!

Originally Posted by wrangler

I'm going to have to learn to read owner's manuals more carefully!! I read that in Av mode the aperture stays open, and I stopped reading. In manual mode the "green" button must equal depth of field preview.

No green button on my K110D, but depth of field preview turns on meter while stopped down!

Just goes to show that even an old dog _______. Thanks for helping me learn!

Needed some fresh eyes
mmm the green button
Pete

I heard the gnashing and wailing from the ether at threat of lens surgery...
rushed to the rescue !
One of the glories of Pentax is their faithful following of the lens mounts to various extents.

Originally Posted by Transit

I heard the gnashing and wailing from the ether at threat of lens surgery...
rushed to the rescue !
One of the glories of Pentax is their faithful following of the lens mounts to various extents.

I NEVER considered lens surgery; but I did buy a KA 50 for $24 to supplement my K 50 from my MX. But now , I can use my K 28 mm 2.8 and get the results that I want.

A note about the "lens surgery". Breaking off the aperture tang of -M series lenses. It works wonderfully, in live view (as in the K-01), but will darken the view finder as the aperture is stopped down on the other Ks. I chose the surgery rout for mine, with the understanding that the lens would probably not ever be used for any other body. The Pentaxians recommended method, was just too cumbersome for me. My approach gives me instant response to fast changing conditions/situations. I understand the reluctance to "cripple" a good lens. And it's not for the cautious or prudent. But hey, I'm very adventuresome!

I've been using the "Brick" for a couple of months now, and have taken several hundred pictures with it. It took me a while to get all of the settings to suit. I bought an MX new, because I prefer the control of a manual camera. I drive a 22 year old car with manual transmission, and crank up windows, again because I want control. I don't like technology interfering. The K-01 is set to spot metering and spot focus so I can pick the meter point and focus point. I have to say that the Brick fulfills all of my expectations for a Pentax camera. In my hand, it feels as solid as the MX. Manual focus and focus peaking are great. I look forward to many years of using this camera.

I have read with interest comments on this forum, and the Pentax forum about the strengths and short comings of K-01; and have reached the following conclusions: people that have tried the K-01 and find fault with the lack of viewfinder and slow auto focus generally only have experience with DSLR's. Those, like me that really like the thing, have lived with manual filmSLR's, Twin lens reflex, view cameras, cameras that required slow methodical input from the user.

No value judgement here, just a casual observation.