Showcase Pentax 50mm f2.8 (fixed) Auto 110

[pellicle]

Hi

... Pellicle likes to use bits of paper, I used Lens Baby discs, others seem to like the adapter with variable aperture..

ouch ... thats rough ... I was only suggesting paper (preferably black card) thinking of it as a cheap way to see if its worth other options.

For me aside from a few experiments I just use wide open now. So I actually like using them "nude"
;-)

... anyway, is that bottom picture with f8?

 

[gnarlydog australia]

I understand the need for an aperture control on a lens but the beauty sometimes lays in a "challenged" lens that forces me to create different images. If I need to "report" an important event than I would reach for something a bit more versatile (M.Zuiko 45mm f1.8 is brilliant) but somehow 3 days in the sticks with a fixed f2.8 has showed me that if am more creative I can get different images than the usual one I come back with from the same place.
Here used down low, really low, with a 10mm extension ring for close focus

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Snail shell_c by gnarlydog, on Flickr

If I had control over the aperture would I get a better image? Not sure.
I would get a different image that maybe I would like less? but somebody else maybe would like more

 

[richardp]

Hi



ouch ... thats rough ... I was only suggesting paper (preferably black card) thinking of it as a cheap way to see if its worth other options.

For me aside from a few experiments I just use wide open now. So I actually like using them "nude"
;-)

... anyway, is that bottom picture with f8?

Sorry, didn't mean it to be rough!!

But you're right the bottom one is f2.8, (foreground intentionally out of focus). I try the creative stuff Gnarlydog refers to sometimes.....

 

[pellicle]

Sorry, didn't mean it to be rough!!.

its ok ... I didn't feel your remark was rude ... its sort of a common vernacular over here in Australia.
"geeze mate, that's a bit rough" usually means something like "that's a bit difficult" or other things too ... so rough gets used in different ways here.

I'd probably call many of my solutions "rough n ready"

Eg making my own sensor swab out of an ice cream stick.

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[richardp]

its ok ... I didn't feel your remark was rude ... its sort of a common vernacular over here in Australia.
"geeze mate, that's a bit rough" usually means something like "that's a bit difficult" or other things too ... so rough gets used in different ways here.

I'd probably call many of my solutions "rough n ready"

Eg making my own sensor swab out of an ice cream stick.

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Thanks for explaining!

The sensor swab looks interesting, what is the material on the end? And how often do you find yourself needing to swab your sensor?

PS that is a serious question not a smutty wisecrack.You opened a can of worms on a certain other thread...

 

[gnarlydog australia]

a bit more exploring with the possibilities of that fixed aperture... I am liking it, that it makes me work on composition to get the sharp bits to create the image and the blurry one complement it?
Or maybe I am totally barking up the wrong tree... more fart than art...

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Spiky abstract_c by gnarlydog, on Flickr

 

[gnarlydog australia]

OK, so after some futzing and consideration I bought a +1 close-up filter for the lens but in reality that translates to more futzing in the field when taking pictures: unscrew the hood, screw on filter, re-screw the hood... NOT my style
I have played with freelensing technique before with poor results (kept the lens too far way from camera throat) as images often appeared rather soft and purple (light leak onto sensor).
Recently I gave the Pentax-110 50mm another go for close-ups, this time just by partially removing the lens (not too far) from the camera body.
And while I was at it I even tried to tilt it to increase depth of field. It worked

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Evening dragonfly_c by gnarlydog, on Flickr

Holding the camera and lens with the lens simply between my fingers while trying to get the correct focus was a bit tricky and a few exposures were rather rubbish but some were keepers.
Considering that the depth of field is rather thin at close up subjects with a 50mm lens at f2.8, by tilting the lens in the desired direction gave me substantial more subject in focus

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Silver and gold_c by gnarlydog, on Flickr

 

[pellicle]

Back in 2009 I was mucking about with this concept. Funny that a particular tosser on a different forum told me how it couldn't work, despite pictures.

in my view ...: lens tilt on a Panasonic G1

 

[gnarlydog australia]

Back in 2009 I was mucking about with this concept. Funny that a particular tosser on a different forum told me how it couldn't work, despite pictures.

in my view ...: lens tilt on a Panasonic G1

I am a late Micro 4/3 adopter but I had a fair bit to do with field cameras (4x5") a few years ago.
The Pentax-110 50mm has limited "tilt" function since the image circle is at the limit of the 4/3 sensor but enough to make close-up images worth while with increased DOF.
I have a tilt adaptor (LensBaby style) for Canon FD to M4/3. The widest SLR lens I have is a 28mm f2.0. It works rather well but the problem I have is bulk and weight: I hate schlepping. The Pentax-110 lenses are however brilliant for backpacking in the backcountry (aka bushwalking) where I can only afford to take two small lenses max.

 

[pellicle]

Hi

I am a late Micro 4/3 adopter but I had a fair bit to do with field cameras (4x5") a few years ago.

we're drifting off topic here, but yes me too:

in my view ...: Toho FC-45X 4x5 camera: long term usage review

that was in 2010, so its nearly 17 years and I still use my ToHo

The Pentax-110 50mm has limited "tilt" function since the image circle is at the limit of the 4/3 sensor but enough to make close-up images worth while with increased DOF.

indeed, and the small amount of extension makes the projected area a bit bigger too. But as you observe I've stuck with 35mm lenses for the better coverage. Back when I had TS-E canon lenses I found that I used tilt more on my 90 and shift more on my 24 ... so I just settled on a tilt adapter for my OM lenses (couldn't find one for FD back then) and mainly use the 50mm f1.8

in my view ...: a different slant on things

of course it adds weight, but I don't take it as part of my minimalist kit.

however brilliant for backpacking in the backcountry (aka bushwalking) where I can only afford to take two small lenses max.

agreed ... now days for me that's the P20f1.7 and the [P14f2.5 or O45f1.8] ... but I'm pretty much over the 110 thing these days. Back when there was nothing in the 50mm range I liked it, but now that I have the O45f1.8 I seldom see the benefit in the Pentax 110 ... that's not to say never which is why I still have it ;-)

 

[NicholasHerum]

My Dad picked up a Pentax 110 system from the Army PX in Germany in the late 70s or early 80s before I was born. He kept the camera all these years. He tried to get it running but it's currently dead. The lenses work fine however.

These photos were taken with my phone for demonstration purposes.

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These photos were taken with the 50mm f2.0 which is my favorite lens of the trio.

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I enjoyed the Pentax 50mm so much that it inspired me to get the Panasonic 42.5mm f1.7.

 

[barry]

@NicholasHerum, nice shots!
FYI if it's a 110 Super, it won't cock and fire without a battery.

 

[ean10775]

I just found an Auto 110 set in a box of my grandfather's old cameras. Based on a few initial shots around the house, I'm quite impressed. These lenses are sure to be a lot of fun.

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Untitled by Eric, on Flickr

 

[pellicle]

I just found an Auto 110 set in a box of my grandfather's old cameras.

What othet lenses did you get?

 

[ean10775]

What othet lenses did you get?

Just the standard kit: the 18mm, 24mm and 50mm along with the close up filters.

 

[barry]

Just the standard kit: the 18mm, 24mm and 50mm along with the close up filters.

Those filters seem to be pretty rare; my parents had two Auto 110 sets but no filters that I've found. I later bought another set in a red box that had lots of filters, including close-ups. Seems like may have been multiple types of kits sold.
My parents also had the 70mm lens, and after it was dropped, my dad bought the second set (a 110 Super, probably used) to replace the lens.

I haven't come across the 20-40mm zoom or the 18mm hyperfocal lenses yet.

 

[ean10775]

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P2261968 by Eric, on Flickr

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P2261964 by Eric, on Flickr

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P2261974 by Eric, on Flickr

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P2261975 by Eric, on Flickr

 

[beameup]

I just picked up a couple of these lenses - 18 & 50 - for equiv. of $10 USD each. Will followup when I get the adapter from China.
I received 2 adapters through Lazada for about $15 each. The lens mount is well made and I leave them permanently attached to the lens'.

 

[Mike Wingate]

Going to look out for a 50mm lens.

 

[richardp]

Thanks for giving a bump to this thread Mike. I love the colour with this lens, must use it more. Here's a few from 2018!

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