Pentax SMC K 28mm f3.5 Lens Review

The Pentax K 28mm f3.5 Wide Angle lens is quite rare, you don't see too many coming up on Ebay.
It is very well received by most reviewers and some believe it to be one of the best lenses Pentax ever made, not sure if I agree, still a very good lens.

I had, and sold the M version of this lens. The optical formula is different for the two lenses but I have to say that I couldn't see a lot of difference in images that I took. I suppose with lenses, it all about how hard you look and what you're looking for. I kept this one, and it certainly is the rarer of the two.
As with all the Pentax lenses I have, or have had, the build quality is excellent, with very smooth focus. It's quite heavy, but feels very nice in use. This lens is of course "Super Multi Coated" resulting in better transmission of light.

• Focal Length:     28mm
• Aperture:            f3.5 thru f22 in half stops up to f16 5 blades
• Focus Throw:     50 degrees approx
• Min Focu:           30cm
• Filter Treads:      52mm
• Weight:               286 gm
• Elements:           8 in 7 groups

F3.5 Close Focus

F3.5 Bokeh

"Out House" Valhalla Vic

Rubbish day in our street

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX10

My wife and I are keen snorkelers. Trying to Explain to others the wonders and beauty that's under the water was just becoming to hard, this meant  purchasing a camera that wasn't afraid of the water.
I spend quite a long time trolling through reviews without really finding a clear winner, they all had their good and not so good points.
I eventually decided on the Sony TX10, this guy is water proof to 5 meters and can take a knock or two.

Sony TX10 With Lens guard slid down

All things considered I would have to give this little camera a 8.5/10 score.
Its been on many trips with us both overseas and at the Great Barrier Reef and has never let me down.
Couple of tips, always set the camera to "Underwater Mode" before getting in the water, as you can't use the touch screen after that.
The quality and clarity of underwater shots vary immensely being dependent on water depth the amount of particles in the water and the angle of the sun.
I also move my divers watch from my left to right arm so I can loop the strap through its band. If your wearing a "stinger suit" you can then tuck the camera in the sleeve leaving both hands free to get back on the boat.
Its not easy taking pics under water, just be prepared to take many and delete many, as with most things you get better as you go along.
I have always followed the washing instruction supplied with camera, and have no leaks or issues so far.

OK a select few pictiures, I have hundreds, possibly thousands.

Dinner on the beach. Navini Island Fiji

Turtle Lady Elliot Island QLD Australia

Black Tip Reef Shark Navini Island Fiji

Manta Ray. Lady Elliot Island

Clown Fish. Navini Island Fiji

Blue Fin Trevally. Navini Island Fiji

Clown Fish (Nemo) Vanuatu

Fujifilm XT-1 Extended Eye Cup

I have  just received my recently ordered "Long Eye Cup" for my XT-1 Camera.

I've found at times I need to shield light coming in from the side, to do this I use my hand, which is not a big problem until you are using a manual focus lens, then you need three hands.


This is a third party Cup being manufactured in China by JJC Photographic Equipment Co Ltd.
Model EF - XTL  
A$13.00 through Ebay.

It's made of Silicon just like the original, and appears to be of very high quality. It slides on perfectly and looks great.

Unfortunately I wear glasses, so it doesn't help a great deal as there is still a great big gap between my head and glasses. 
But with the glasses off, it does a good job of keeping stray light out from the sides.

I can almost get enough correction out of the XT-1's diopter adjustment to allow removal of my specs, but even if I could it still means you have to wear them on your forehead whilst taking pictures.
This eye cup is of course deeper than the standard one, which can make things a little difficult if you slide your camera into its bag or case.

I think this cup will certainly help many people with stray light problems, and is worth trying out.