there’s a new place to look for old pentax cams and lenses. thanks for the tip, Joey Reyes (In My Mind’s Eye).
its just underneath the lrt carriedo station, the store sells used guitars, amps, electronics and what not. maybe all imported from japan (radiated?) hahaha.
there were a few pentax stuff, the first thing that caught my eye was an me with a m50 1.7, and another body with a m50 f2. there were other cams but they didnt interest me. too bad the 50 1.7 had a stuck filter (prrying it open may need more brute force than i was willing to give it.)
the m50 f2 was starting fog ever so slightly.
get this, they have a promo! buy 2 and slash 50 percent off their individual prices. neat.
pentax hunting in quiapo got a little bit more fun.
In my recent hunting trips to Hidalgo in Quiapo, I sensed that its almost a ghost town for Pentaxians… almost no Pentax lenses are on the shelves (of course I’m talking about used stuff here, new pentax bodies you can find in ACEL)… some Pentax items I saw was either broken, fogged up, with missing lenses, etc… chilling.
After some more indepth scrutinizing and employing my hunting strategies, here are some of the very few Pentax stuff I saw…
zenith ( I think) 16mm 2.8 fisheye (MF) @ Alan’s
tamron 10-24 (af, new in box) avenue
Its either people love their Pentax too much that they don’t wanna sell it for cheap Hidalgo prices… or people with their old Pentax stuff think their Pentax stuff don’t have enough value to sell…
My first featured Pentaxian is also one of the very first Pentaxians I ever met. His name, Joseph Noel “Joey” Reyes. “Like the director!” Those were the exact words I spoken when he said his name.
The event took place in Quiapo, Hidalgo (mismo!) in Jojo’s stall (in front of PhotoConcept). I was shooting a Hidalgo segment for my program, Balik-Bayan on QTV11.
I think they were on a lens hunting mission, he was with other Pentaxians Mau Carillo and Bong Manayon. I chanced upon them and interviewed them. Found out they were shooting Pentax and I was amazed that Pentax had digital SLRS! I was still shooting film back then, and was aiming to buy a Canon DSLR (I was in my ‘rebel’ phase).
They eventually pointed me to DigitalPhotographer.com.ph, and the rest was history!
Here’s a link to that interview:
and the full segment
And here’s our short Q and A with the man himself, Mr. Joey Reyes…
I was in high school. my sister allowed me to play with her husband’s spotmatic f while my best friend taught me how to meter my shots. I unofficially shot some for the school paper, some gatherings with friends, but that was it then.
While working for the araneta center in the 90’s, I rediscovered pentax photography. Part of my work as leasing officer was to scout new tenants for our spaces. I had to shoot their storefronts, displays, etc., making sure that the guards in the other malls didn’t see me.
I became active in the church at the same time and started shooting some events with my spotmatic and two takumars – 50mm and 28mm.
One wedding soon came up where I got paid two hundred pesos, which was what the couple could actually afford to give me then. The amount didn’t matter. I was just happy I was able to shoot. I soon decided to pursue photography further.
Many weddings and years later, I met willy tan of sanly corp and he helped me out with my gear purchases. I started THE MASTER’S IMAGE, one purpose of which was to provide service to couples who really don’t have money to spend. Later, tmi became INNOTECH IMAGING SOLUTIONS to reflect the widening scope of our services.
I had the opportunity to shoot some for Microsoft phils, and other big corporations. Looking forward to do more corporate work. Pet photography is also a possibility in the coming year.
Why Pentax?
It’s the brand I grew up with. I haven’t tried any cam except for a canon 350d which is sold after a month.
What are you packing?
K10, k20, da* 50-135, fa 50/1.8, fa 35/2, sigma 105/2.8 macro, sigma 18-125
If you were to be trapped in CaNikon Island, what body and lens combo would you bring?:
The one’s I have now
My dream lens is:
Tamron 70-200/2.8, pentax da 14/2.8, some other wide and macro things. A sigma 24-70 is interesting to have.
But I’m perfectly happy with my:
Current line up because that’s the one I have right now.
What is the cure to LBA? (Lens Buying Addiction):
Having no cash. An angry wife helps too.
Interesting “Pentax ba yan? (Is that a Pentax?)” Moment:
Canon photographer: anong memory card nyan?
Me: sd card
Canon photographer: sd? Walang kwenta yan.
(then canon comes out with their hi-end cams using sd cards….)
Invent a Pentax slogan:
“kung ayaw n’yo, huwag n’yo…”
“it’s all the camera you’ll ever need”
THANKS, ALAN!!
Many thanks to Joey Reyes, our first featured Pentaxian!
here are a few snaps from my trip to Ilocos Norte for a TV show shoot. I tried to look around for Pentax stuff but wasnt lucky.
I didnt even get to meet Ilocos Pentaxian Alaric Yanos (from DPP).
Ilocos Norte is a nice province, old and nostalgic. Kind of reminds me of Taal, Batangas. Laoag City has a small town charm with a brewing commerce and industry vibe. you can feel that someday it will just boom with activity.
I just found an SMCP M 28mm f2.8 at Moy’s stall in Hidalgo, Quiapo. The lens was clean, snappy aperture blades, nice to hold. no fungus.
price 3,500.00 quoted
for those wanting a wide (35mm) lens, or a semi wide lens (dslr), perfect for street shooting. i got a copy of this lens just for the hyperfocus (panfocus?) ability at f8 (1.5 meters to infinity in focus). so i just literally point and shoot, when i have good light.
I almost missed it. I had searched all the other halls of Megatrade (1,2, and 3) looking for the big Pentax get together, Doc Mark’s Seminar and the launch of the K5 and Kr. I forgot where the venue was exactly. Then I asked the people in the Camerahaus store (5th floor Megamall).
“Boss, san yung…”
“Dun po.”
I haven’t finished my question yet. Maybe they got asked that question a lot.
The show was about to start. I arrived just in time. The room was half full. only a few seats left.
Apple Chua introduced Robenson from Camerahaus, he talked about Camerahaus’ commitment to Pentaxians (or something like that… or at least i hope that’s what he said. 🙂 )
Then aboard came Apple again introducing Doc Mark Dimalanta. most Pinoy Pentaxians know Doc Mark. but for those who dont, here’s a few quick links:
He talked about Pentax, his long time love affair with Pentax, how Pentax gave him wings when his leg was broken and was diagnosed not to be able to walk normally again.
He gave us a history lesson on Pentax. He gave his K7 a bath of bottled water pointing out Pentax’s amazing weather-sealing.
He then moved on to the introduction of the Kr and K5. I wouldn’t go into details of the K5 and Kr. Googling would yield better results. 🙂
After the talk, I looked over my shoulder (I was sitting 2 rows from the front) to see that the room was already full and some people were standing already.
We had a group hug courtesy of Doc Mark. And here are the pics… well except the group hug. We’ll have to wait for Doc Mark for that.
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