Was hoping to buy new Pentax DSLR

[Glennis]

Hi all
I was hoping to either purchase the Pentax K-x or K7 (either with 18-55mm Kit lens K7 the WR) My plan is to use my old Pentax K-mount SMC 50mm M f1.7, SMC 80-200mm zoom M f4.5 lenses and other peripherals and use the new kit lens as my quick autofocus happy snappy. Much to my horror I have just looked down the barrels of the old lenses with a strong lamp and I can see a slight haze on the elements- it doesn't look like fungal hyphae just a very fine haze. Any advise on where to get assessed/cleaned or do- it- yourself (I used to service microscopes and their lenses) as I was hoping to use the old lenses on a trip to Tassie at end of week!? Might have to use the kit lens though. I am near Newcastle in the Hunter Valley.
Thanks for any advice
Glennis

PS by the way best price for K-x(18-55 kit) is to get Officeworks to price match with Ted's $699.95 less 5% which takes the price down to$664.96 OR the K7 with 18-55 WR kit from JBhifi with an 8Gb Sandisk Extreme for $1394!

[Kym]

Pricing...

http://www.staticice.com.au/cgi-bin/search.cgi?q=pentax+k-7&spos=3
http://www.staticice.com.au/cgi-bin/search.cgi?q=pentax+k-x&spos=1
http://www.shopbot.com.au/m/?m=pentax+k-7
http://www.shopbot.com.au/m/?m=pentax+k-x

Dust on the lenses?
Maybe just a good service/clean from a pro shop or CR Kennedy?

[Glennis]

Thanks Kym
Interesting prices there. The haze appears to be inside the lens elements. Not all of them and I am pretty sure that it won't be fungi as looks more like a light fogging if you know what I mean. I might have go at taking one apart - nothing to lose really.

[tim71]

Hi Glennis,

you might find this site useful wrt cleaning your lenses

good luck let us know how you go

cheers,

Tim

http://www.mypentax.com/sitemap.html

[seriousblack721]

Hi there, *Edited : new members cannot promote commercial sites : Last warning : Admin*

All of your old lenses will work perfectly with either the K-x or K7, as this is what i use. My FA 50mm 1.7 is now my most favoured lens, after sitting in the cupboard unused for years.

Can't help on the haze issue though.

tan. :)

[Glennis]

Thanks Tim71
That is a good site. I will have a go later today to pull the 50mm apart and clean - looks fairly straightforward as long as I can get the front bezel off. I think the haze will come quite easily once apart. Will let you all know of the success or not!
Thanks seriousblack721 I'll check B&H out as well as Digital Camera Warehouse

[David Woods]

Glennis

Fungus normally looks like spider webs, is the haze affecting the shots, if not I wouldn't worry about it?
Regards
David

[Glennis]

Hi David
No there is no web like material just slightly foggy (or Hazey) The lenses have been in storage for quite some time! I only have my old Pentax ME Super to try them on and its shutter is totally erratic. I think I will buy a K7 with the 18-55mm WR lens kit anyway and hope I can get at least my 50mm cleaned up in the meantime.
Cheers Glenn

[seriousblack721]

Just to let you know that admin removed my references to two websites - one in Australia and one in the US, where you can purchase the K7 for less than the prices you have posted.

Sorry for trying to help. :(

[Glennis]

No Worries seriousblack721. I am going to buy locally as we are going to Tassie on the 26th June so I want to take it with me!
Hopefully I will get some decent shots to share here
Cheers Glenn

[OzzieTraveller]

G'day Glennis

The slight haze you mention might in fact be a loss of fusion between one or more elements within the lens
My rec. would be to get new glass to match the camera

Regards, Phil

[Glennis]

Hi everyone
I am hoping it's not the cement between elements! Looking at it, it appears to be similar to the fog or haze you get on the windscreen of your car (on the inside surface) after a hot day - like plasticiser from your dashboard condensing on the glass. I am following a tutorial from www.my.pentax.com to pull one of my lenses apart. Will let you know of the outcome.
Many thanks
Glenn

[Glennis]

Just an update -checked lenses more carefully and I think I have major issues with the cement between an element. So plan B.
Thanks OzzieTraveller for your reply
Cheers Glennis

[OzzieTraveller]

G'day Glennis

I know I have another comment above ... Re- I want to buy a Pentax dSLR ~

I wish you luck :confused013
I have yesterday been to 8 shops in & around Canberra looking at their current offerings of cameras and NONE are offering Pentax Cameras
I did not see a single Pentax, large or small in any of the shops I visited
101 other brands, incl the 2 well known ones used by many APers

What the hell are Pentax doing to promote their cameras - maybe Kym might know

Regards, Phil

[Kym]

meh! Good shops have Pentax gear :) Adelaide shops have Pentax gear!

http://www.staticice.com.au/cgi-bin/search.cgi?q=pentax+k-7&spos=3
http://www.staticice.com.au/cgi-bin/search.cgi?q=pentax+k-x&spos=2
http://www.shopbot.com.au/m/?m=pentax+k-7
http://www.shopbot.com.au/m/?m=pentax+k-x
CameraStore above is Diamonds aka Photographic Wholesalers in Adelaide

http://www.teds.com.au/Pentax-SLR-Cameras