Photo Sharing: Pentax

[Daisy14'sDH]

Since most of the other Pentax threads have died and are pretty much buried thought that us Pentaxians could have our own space as well! I know you guys are out there so lets give forum members a visual reason to consider Pentax!

I'm pretty new at DSLR use and have just started trying HDR, this was a 6 exposure. I think I may have went a little over the top with the saturation, but it just screamed at me to do it!

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/20110325-HDR1.jpg

[edolyne]

I just became a Pentaxian this week when I purchased the K-5 and DA* 16-50. I have used Canon, Sony, Nikon and Olympus and had an Olympus kit but for the low light work that I was trying to do the camera just did not shine. After taking some time to investigate and look at the work produced by Groucho I was amazed by the K-5 capabilities and Pentax in general.

After I bought the camera at Adorama we took the 1.5 mile walk up to Times Square to visit the Disney Store. So here are the first few images I shot with the K-5 from our walk and the Disney Store.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5176/5561982027_7bd6101e55_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5300/5562557886_e48a2f0eca_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5148/5562557408_2eae3b8256_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5267/5562556932_214aaa3d41_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5303/5561979641_16424433f5_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5293/5562555750_285060813b_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5142/5562555250_30b204b3f5_b.jpg

[ukcatfan]

Love it!!! and nice shots :thumbsup2

[Daisy14'sDH]

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/20110325-ShipHDRDistance.jpg

[MinnieForMe]

How did you take the picture of that ship? It is incredible. My pictures are so dull and non colorful. Maybe, someday I'll figure out how to run my K-X. Please post your settings.
When I see an incredible picture I like to figure out why the photographer used the settings they did. It is not natural at all for me.

[Daisy14'sDH]

I used the Multi-exposure setting on the Kr it can only bracket 3 at a time. I set it to 1 stop diefference per shot, then took to sets, -3,-2-1. Then 0 +1 +2. Combined them through CS5 HDR merge program. Then tweaked it in LR3. Took a while on my laptop (old and slow) 20-30 minutes each.

I think it is similiar to the process some other posters are using.

My friend and I have been planning this trip for a long time, we had to wait for the weather to be right!

[MinnieForMe]

You lost me at the second sentence! ROFL! That shot is amazing!

Michelle

[Daisy14'sDH]

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/20110320-IMGP0164.jpg

[Daisy14'sDH]

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/20110320-IMGP0245.jpg

[Gianna'sPapa]

Just wanted you know that you aren't the only Pentaxian out there. This is the first image taken in over a month! We're just getting back on our feet after a month of illness. I liked the clouds.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5098/5576158036_85f6640810_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5576158036/)Afternoon Sky (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5576158036/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[Daisy14'sDH]

The clouds are beautiful! We'd have fun looking for Disney characters in those for hours! Yay, another Pentaxian!

Please Pentaxians, let us unite!

Don't be shy, just because we aren't using big white lenses doesn't make us less (unless you are using Lenses like this (http://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-FA-Star-250-600mm-F5.6-Power-Zoom-Lens.html) which of course would make most CaNikonians shudder in fear!

Post away, good and bad! Lets learn from each other and inform others!

[dennise]

Purchased the Kx for my husband because he has an old Pentax that we were told that the lens could be used on the Kx. Haven't done a lot with it as yet. I installed the software, but can't find the pictures that I downloaded. No very techno.

[Daisy14'sDH]

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/20110325-ShipandDock.jpg

[Groucho]

I just became a Pentaxian this week when I purchased the K-5 and DA* 16-50. I have used Canon, Sony, Nikon and Olympus and had an Olympus kit but for the low light work that I was trying to do the camera just did not shine. After taking some time to investigate and look at the work produced by Groucho I was amazed by the K-5 capabilities and Pentax in general.

After I bought the camera at Adorama we took the 1.5 mile walk up to Times Square to visit the Disney Store. So here are the first few images I shot with the K-5 from our walk and the Disney Store.
Nice! The K-5 is amazing, isn't it? It's such a fantastic all-around package; I wouldn't trade it for any other DSLR at any price. It's near perfect IMHO; nobody else makes anything quite like it. :thumbsup2

Just wanted you know that you aren't the only Pentaxian out there. This is the first image taken in over a month! We're just getting back on our feet after a month of illness. I liked the clouds.
A month? :scared1: My sympathies, I'm glad to hear that you're doing better. Imagine a month-long sickness overlapping a Disney trip - ugh! Hopefully you had a pretty free calendar during the sickness!

OK, I guess I'll add a few... I'm still (!) going through my photos from my January trip. Here's some just uploaded...

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5177/5578521318_38330603d2_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/44681804@N05/5578521318/)Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover at night (http://www.flickr.com/photos/44681804@N05/5578521318/) by Groucho Dis (http://www.flickr.com/people/44681804@N05/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5291/5578521094_d18ffb2f23_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/44681804@N05/5578521094/)Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse at night (http://www.flickr.com/photos/44681804@N05/5578521094/) by Groucho Dis (http://www.flickr.com/people/44681804@N05/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5180/5575470143_e4ca396698_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/44681804@N05/5575470143/)Shrunken Ned's Junior Jungle Boats at night (http://www.flickr.com/photos/44681804@N05/5575470143/) by Groucho Dis (http://www.flickr.com/people/44681804@N05/), on Flickr

25,600 ISO? No big deal. :teeth: (BTW, that's a Pentax shirt I'm wearing in the picture. Shameless, I know!)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5223/5557090145_7ba9fa5e5f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/44681804@N05/5557090145/)Haunted Mansion, hitchhiking ghost (http://www.flickr.com/photos/44681804@N05/5557090145/) by Groucho Dis (http://www.flickr.com/people/44681804@N05/), on Flickr

[Daisy14'sDH]

Groucho! I was wondering when you'd show up! Lol, glad you are here!

Is the Robinson photo with the 10-17? I have the 12-24, and am debating now on going wider, but I think I want to stay with the Recatlinear lenses, so the obvious choice is the Sigma 8-16mm, but if I get that would I need to keep the 12-24? But there is no way the Sigma is as sharp.... choices...

[MinnieForMe]

Groucho:
What lens were you using for your hitchhiking ghost picture? I never thought of taking pictures without flash in the past because my P&S couldn't do it. It might be a whole new world for me at the Magic Kingdom this year. LOL.

Michelle

[Gianna'sPapa]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5221/5578266563_c75956a466_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5578266563/)U505 Bow Starboard (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5578266563/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

Funny story, until last night when I processed the picture in PSE, I didn't realize the DD and DGD were in the picture!

[Golf4food]

Downtown Jacksonville in a light rain at night:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4076/4758741856_464e8c7148_b.jpg


Alas, twas taken on naught but a K-7. :( No fancy K-5 for me (yet). :)

[Gianna'sPapa]

Downtown Jacksonville in a light rain at night:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4076/4758741856_464e8c7148_b.jpg


Alas, twas taken on naught but a K-7. :( No fancy K-5 for me (yet). :)

Nice, one of my favorite cities!

[Gianna'sPapa]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5186/5581347532_bc812b1f9d_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5581347532/)Jefferson 8 by 10 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5581347532/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5176/5581343962_d6d226fcd5_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5581343962/)Kennedy Center 810 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5581343962/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[Groucho]

Groucho! I was wondering when you'd show up! Lol, glad you are here!

Is the Robinson photo with the 10-17? I have the 12-24, and am debating now on going wider, but I think I want to stay with the Recatlinear lenses, so the obvious choice is the Sigma 8-16mm, but if I get that would I need to keep the 12-24? But there is no way the Sigma is as sharp.... choices...
Thanks for the welcome! Yes, the treehouse was with the 10-17mm. I don't have an UWA (honestly, I tend to not care for UWA pics very much, and it doesn't help that UWA and HDR seem to go hand in hand a lot of the time!) so that's my only really wide lens. I have heard a lot of good things about the 12-24mm, it would probably be my choice if I was buying an UWA. I don't know much about the 8-16mm but I think I've heard good things, but I'm no authority on UWAs.

You can always defish a fisheye shot and get something pretty close to an UWA.

Groucho:
What lens were you using for your hitchhiking ghost picture? I never thought of taking pictures without flash in the past because my P&S couldn't do it. It might be a whole new world for me at the Magic Kingdom this year. LOL.

Michelle
That was with my ol' Pentax 50mm F1.4. I actually don't use it that much as I think my copy is slightly "off" - it misfocuses slightly; not much but enough that you can sometimes see it when shooting at a very larger aperture like F1.4 or maybe F1.7. I can tweak it in-camera but just haven't gotten around to it. Still, it's a great lens; unfortunately it's not as cheap as it used to be.

Your K-x has very good high ISO performance; you should be able to get a decent hitchhiking ghost picture with it and a reasonably fast (at least F2.8) lens. Put the ISO up to 6,400 or maybe even 12,800 and you should do well.

Here's another shot from the 50mm F1.4, at 12,800.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5061/5570548740_f75c46988a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/44681804@N05/5570548740/)Pirates of the Caribbean, "hairy leg" pirate and parrot (http://www.flickr.com/photos/44681804@N05/5570548740/) by Groucho Dis (http://www.flickr.com/people/44681804@N05/), on Flickr

Golf4food, don't feel bad, the K-7 is still a pretty amazing camera! It's just the high ISO performance that isn't up with the latest sensors... other than that, it's still very, very good IMHO. (Mine is up on Craigslist though! :teeth: )

[zackiedawg]

Hey, Pentaxians...I figured I'd come in here and join your party, as an old-time film Pentaxian...I took a few snaps around my neighborhood with my old Pentax K-mount Osawa 28mm F2.8:

ISO1600, 15 seconds, F2.8:
http://www.pbase.com/zackiedawg/image/133653007/original.jpg

ISO200, F8:
http://www.pbase.com/zackiedawg/image/133653008/original.jpg

ISO3200, F2.8 handheld...a night blooming plant:
http://www.pbase.com/zackiedawg/image/133653012/original.jpg

ISO800, 10-seconds, HDR in-camera at 1 stop, aperture at F8 - my house:
http://www.pbase.com/zackiedawg/image/133653013/original.jpg

This was an unbelievably dark scene - none of this was even visible to the eye - I used the distance scale to estimate focus, stopped down to F8 for additional depth, exposed at 15 seconds using HDR1 and ISO800...then duplicated the exposure twice and blended in screen mode for a 2-stop push to ISO3200 equivalent:
http://www.pbase.com/zackiedawg/image/133653014/original.jpg

The next day I also brought the Osawa 28mm along while birding so I could snap a few daylight photos with it too - stopped down to F8 in A priority mode at ISO200 - it's a pretty sharp lens:

http://www.pbase.com/zackiedawg/image/133653015/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/zackiedawg/image/133653017/original.jpg

Surprisingly contrasty too, for an older lens. Of course, it helps that I know where the lens has been and how it's been treated since 1977 - since I'm the original owner!

[Gianna'sPapa]

Beautiful images!!:thumbsup2 You have to love some of the old glass!!

[Gianna'sPapa]

I discovered this display outside a Doctors building. I have no clue as to what it means or what it is. I searched online with no success. It was so out of place and beautiful.

Update:I learned this morning that this is a Thai Spirit House. http://www.thailand.com/travel/historical/historical_shrine.htm

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5069/5596683337_5d2ae9e12c_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5596683337/)
Temple Display2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5596683337/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5184/5596682677_f3efcba12c_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5596682677/)
Temple Display (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5596682677/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5029/5596683973_e5610c09a5_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5596683973/)
Elephant Temple (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5596683973/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5142/5597277232_befd27c424_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5597277232/)
Temple Zebra (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5597277232/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[wkrider]

Just a few of the several hundred we took during out cruise...

http://milobramble.smugmug.com/DisneyTravel2011/7-Night-Western-Cruise/IMGP1702/1214904854_DKYgX-XL.jpg

http://milobramble.smugmug.com/DisneyTravel2011/7-Night-Western-Cruise/IMGP1719/1214905724_BBvjB-XL.jpg

http://milobramble.smugmug.com/DisneyTravel2011/7-Night-Western-Cruise/IMGP1786/1214912192_6BMWN-XL.jpg

http://milobramble.smugmug.com/DisneyTravel2011/7-Night-Western-Cruise/IMGP1921/1214921032_NuRAA-XL.jpg

http://milobramble.smugmug.com/DisneyTravel2011/7-Night-Western-Cruise/IMGP1938/1214922460_tfBw8-L.jpg,http://milobramble.smugmug.com/DisneyTravel2011/7-Night-Western-Cruise/IMGP2455/1214967493_3rKm9-L-1.jpg,http://milobramble.smugmug.com/DisneyTravel2011/7-Night-Western-Cruise/IMGP2314/1214963011_pe9ej-L.jpg

http://milobramble.smugmug.com/DisneyTravel2011/7-Night-Western-Cruise/IMGP2090/1214948694_cKngt-XL.jpg

http://milobramble.smugmug.com/DisneyTravel2011/7-Night-Western-Cruise/IMGP2226/1214958821_etYqp-XL.jpg

http://milobramble.smugmug.com/DisneyTravel2011/7-Night-Western-Cruise/IMGP2287/1214961349_XVpvk-XL.jpg

http://milobramble.smugmug.com/DisneyTravel2011/7-Night-Western-Cruise/IMGP2402/1214964850_CHGny-XL.jpg

[Gianna'sPapa]

Just took this today with the Sigma 100-300mm @ 300mm

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5102/5614694714_45430d25e7_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5614694714/)
Moon Afternoon (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5614694714/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[edolyne]

We just got back from Disney and I have a ton of images to process through. Here's one from the flower and garden festival at Epcot.

http://www.edolyne.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/IMGP2625.jpg

[Golf4food]

Nice, one of my favorite cities!

Really? Makes you pretty rare (or weird) it seems. ;) Lots of people seem to really not like J-ville very much. It's home, though, and I like it well enough.




Golf4food, don't feel bad, the K-7 is still a pretty amazing camera! It's just the high ISO performance that isn't up with the latest sensors... other than that, it's still very, very good IMHO. (Mine is up on Craigslist though! :teeth: )

Oh, sure. I love everything about it except the high ISO performance. I'd love to upgrade to a K-5... someday...

[Gianna'sPapa]

[QUOTE=Golf4food;40717001]Really? Makes you pretty rare (or weird) it seems. ;) Lots of people seem to really not like J-ville very much. It's home, though, and I like it well enough.
I was stationed there back in the 60's (NAS Jax) for training (the Marines used Navy schools). I had two conferences there several years back. I'm a museum member in Chicago and loved the MOSH. I have had good times and memories of the city. Its not that far from all the attractions that northern and central Florida have to offer. Nice city!

[disneymomma01]

Hey all of my fellow Pentaxians!! I am in the process of planning my daughters Dream trip granted by the Dream Factory. :cool1:
I cannot wait to get down there with my K-X!! Hoping to be able to bring back some amazing shots!! The shots I have seen on this thread are AMAZING!! (but what do you expect from a Pentax?!?!) :)

[Gianna'sPapa]

Welcome to the thread! I hope you have a great trip and remember to have fun!!:rotfl2:

[Gianna'sPapa]

A couple from my 2010 WDW trip archive file that I did a little additional PP. I like the results. (From Hall of Presidents)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5143/5621011018_ca9f637eb0_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5621011018/)
George Washington 2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5621011018/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5069/5620423393_37bea482a7_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5620423393/)
Lincoln (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5620423393/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[MinnieForMe]

Thanks for the welcome! Yes, the treehouse was with the 10-17mm. I don't have an UWA (honestly, I tend to not care for UWA pics very much, and it doesn't help that UWA and HDR seem to go hand in hand a lot of the time!) so that's my only really wide lens. I have heard a lot of good things about the 12-24mm, it would probably be my choice if I was buying an UWA. I don't know much about the 8-16mm but I think I've heard good things, but I'm no authority on UWAs.

You can always defish a fisheye shot and get something pretty close to an UWA.


That was with my ol' Pentax 50mm F1.4. I actually don't use it that much as I think my copy is slightly "off" - it misfocuses slightly; not much but enough that you can sometimes see it when shooting at a very larger aperture like F1.4 or maybe F1.7. I can tweak it in-camera but just haven't gotten around to it. Still, it's a great lens; unfortunately it's not as cheap as it used to be.

Your K-x has very good high ISO performance; you should be able to get a decent hitchhiking ghost picture with it and a reasonably fast (at least F2.8) lens. Put the ISO up to 6,400 or maybe even 12,800 and you should do well.

Here's another shot from the 50mm F1.4, at 12,800.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5061/5570548740_f75c46988a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/44681804@N05/5570548740/)Pirates of the Caribbean, "hairy leg" pirate and parrot (http://www.flickr.com/photos/44681804@N05/5570548740/) by Groucho Dis (http://www.flickr.com/people/44681804@N05/), on Flickr

Golf4food, don't feel bad, the K-7 is still a pretty amazing camera! It's just the high ISO performance that isn't up with the latest sensors... other than that, it's still very, very good IMHO. (Mine is up on Craigslist though! :teeth: )


I never thought to put my ISO that high. 1600 and I start getting nervous! I'm willing to give it a try! There is no flash photography in the Haunted Mansion so just my f2.8 and a high ISO. Should I take my first shot in manual or do it in AV? I wonder if in AV if it will set my shutter speed high enough to get a clear picture??? How many trips through the Haunted Mansion do you bet it will take me to get the picture? LOL!

[ukcatfan]

Michelle, you might want to look at the 35mm f/2.4. I have had it for about a month now and really like it. While I have not had the chance to try it out at WDW, I have to say that it is the fastest focusing lens I have. (DA 18-55mm, DA 50-200mm, FA 50mm f/1.4, A 50mm f/2, and some cheap junk lenses that are not fast at anything!) From everything I have read and can tell, it is basically the more expensive 35mm f/2 in a plastic shell. It is unbelievably lightweight though! Basically I am impressed.

[MinnieForMe]

My husband is going to come after you for even suggesting it. LOL. I've purchased four lenses this year and I've only just begun as I keep telling him. He asked what I wanted for Valentine's Day and I said a lens. So, can you suggest a good price for this new baby? I won't have it for this trip but perhaps I'll have it for my next!

[Daisy14'sDH]

Love the photos evryone! Keep them coming :)

[ukcatfan]

I'm husband is going to come after you for even suggesting it. LOL. I've purchased four lenses this year and I've only just begun as I keep telling him. He asked what I wanted for Valentine's Day and I said a lens. So, can you suggest a good price for this new baby? I won't have it for this trip but perhaps I'll have it for my next!

I paid $209 from B&H with free shipping.

[MinnieForMe]

Wow! That's cheap for a prime. So when will they release a cheap 50 mm prime? I think they are still over $350.00 which seems crazy to me when they were so much cheaper a few years ago.

[Daisy14'sDH]

Meet Jack and Dianne, 3 exposure HDR at f 11, Kx, ISO 100 processed with CS5 HDR merge.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/20110415-JackDianneHDR.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/20110415-JackDianneHDR-2.jpg

[Gianna'sPapa]

From our last IndyCar race. One of my favorites.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5225/5626059891_def4ba5823_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5626059891/)
Gold helmet 810 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5626059891/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[Gianna'sPapa]

My heartfelt thoughts and prayers go to all those affected by the weekend storms, but this just isn't right! This is nothing major and will be gone by later this morning, but it is like pouring salt into an open wound. Winter's last little insult!:rotfl2:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5186/5631164210_34538835db_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5631164210/)
April Snow 1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5631164210/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5021/5630582413_0a404f582e_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5630582413/)
April Snow 3 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5630582413/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[ukcatfan]

This is our Ellie in the Easter spirit!

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/223092_1852143235751_1605884553_31843658_1934633_n .jpg

[Gianna'sPapa]

I was finally able to get out to our local short track, Rockford Speedway. Now, I actually feel the race season has started. Next up, Nationwide stand-alone race Chicagoland Speedway, June 4th! ( I will make it back to the short track before then though)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5108/5650100322_2f38daa7cd_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5650100322/)
Rockford Speedway 7 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5650100322/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5106/5650098032_8ddbbf6dce_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5650098032/)
Rockford Speedway 2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5650098032/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[Gianna'sPapa]

Two versions of the same image. I can't decide which I like best!:rotfl2:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5227/5664855276_3aa31b2c30_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5664855276/)
Epcot Fountain Cold (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5664855276/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5228/5663600952_d82a716b29_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5663600952/)
Epcot Fountain Warm (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5663600952/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[Daisy14'sDH]

I like the first!

[DisneydaveCT]

There are some impressive low-light and night-time shots on this thread that I have used a high ISO 3200 or higher. Whenever I push my Pentax K100D past 800 I get noise. So I will put forward two questions. A) Any suggestions on how to minimize the noise (looks like the grain of film) and B) Is there any softward to use to clean-up the noise?

[Gianna'sPapa]

Most of the nighttime pics are done with a tripod and remote control. I use ISO 100, whatever f-stop I need to achieve the DOF I want and the remote either on bulb mode or I let the camera choose the shutter speed. Sometimes I do both and adjust. You will be surprised how little post processing is really necessary. If you want to do some special effects i.e. HDR or whatever then that will take some PP. The below photo was taken that way.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/5187459076_8e628e3f40_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5187459076/)
Night Train Station (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5187459076/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

PS I also have Topaz Labs Denoise 5 plug-in for noise reduction with my PSE 8.

[Gianna'sPapa]

I almost forgot, both now and when I'm shooting, don't forget to turn off your shake reduction when on the tripod. For the handheld, lowlight shots, for the most part, those are done with fast lenses, f1.4/1.8. Also, I really don't worry too much about people walking in front of the camera with a long shutter speed as they either don't appear or look like ghosts. Sometimes it actually adds to the image, IMO.

[Daisy14'sDH]

As Gianni said use a tripod and a low ISO, I use Lightroom 3 and PS5 for processing, which cleans up the noise in all the other shuts that have a faster shutter speed and Higher ISO....

[Gianna'sPapa]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5028/5683731519_35b716b95e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5683731519/)
Roy & Minnie (2) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5683731519/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[Daisy14'sDH]

Heres a shot using ISO 3200 (I think) or 6400...

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/20110428-IMGP1528-2.jpg

[Gianna'sPapa]

We have a pair of nesting Cardinals in our front hedge. This is the Dad.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5221/5688794850_72da00be59_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5688794850/)
Cardinal Afternoon 2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5688794850/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[MinnieForMe]

Has anyone turned off the default settings with the K-X and used ISO 100?

[Gianna'sPapa]

Just another of our nesting Dad.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3506/5696120941_d33d6eeb5e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5696120941/)
Cardinal 5_7_11 (2) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5696120941/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[Daisy14'sDH]

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/20110506-IMGP1185.jpg

[metropetro]

I also discovered this display outside a Doctors building. I have no clue as to what it means or what it is. I browsed online with no success. It was so out of place and beautiful.

[Daisy14'sDH]

Statue of Queen Victoria in Hamiltons Gore Park, I didn't have any time to do much composition over the weekend, it was Open Doors Hamilton which meant that most public buildings, including Theatres, Churches, and Museums were free admission. We took our Cub Scout group through a bunch of them at a hectic pace!

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/20110507-StpneLion.jpg

[Daisy14'sDH]

Canadas Wonderland's newest ride called Windseeker. Its 301 feet tall, tough to tell with this photo. 12mm 3 exposure HDR

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/20110506-WindSeeker.jpg

[Gianna'sPapa]

Canadas Wonderland's newest ride called Windseeker. Its 301 feet tall, tough to tell with this photo. 12mm 3 exposure HDR

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/20110506-WindSeeker.jpg

Cool!:thumbsup2

[Gianna'sPapa]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3266/5709933693_6421022781_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5709933693/)
LMA Fire (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5709933693/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[Daisy14'sDH]

Thanks GP, I can't wait to go on it! Have to wait a few more weeks for it to open though...

I've never seen a commercial iron before! It looked so dramatic just sitting there ready for anything! lol, this was in the costume department at Theatre Aquarius... yes I am the geeky guy that takes pictures of mundane objects!

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/20110507-IronCubsOpendoors.jpg

[Daisy14'sDH]

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/20110506-IMGP1075.jpg

[Daisy14'sDH]

Is ti just GiannisPapa and myself? Step up Pentaxians!!!!

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/20110514-Untitled_HDR2.jpg

[ukcatfan]

Our oldest DD went to prom tonight!!!

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/231059_1895304314751_1605884553_31903986_1504423_n .jpg

[Daisy14'sDH]

Thats a beautiful Dress! She looks perfect! Hope it was a magical night for her, curious, what was the Theme for the Prom?

[ukcatfan]

Thats a beautiful Dress! She looks perfect! Hope it was a magical night for her, curious, what was the Theme for the Prom?

Thank you!!! I cannot remember, but she thought it was a cheesy theme. ;)

Now, she and her friends are headed for the beach for a few hours. SO, it is going to be a few hours before we get to go to sleep...


How do you like my makeshift backdrop? :rotfl2: It was either artificial plants or a plain sage green wall.

[Gianna'sPapa]

Our oldest DD went to prom tonight!!!

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/231059_1895304314751_1605884553_31903986_1504423_n .jpg

Beautiful, very nice! I like the backdrop!

[Daisy14'sDH]

I didn't even notice the "back drop" lol, I was too busy admiring her dress!

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/20110514-FunnelCakes.jpg

[Daisy14'sDH]

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/20110514-ThunderMountainTrack.jpg

[HPS3]

What software do you use to edit your pics, they are awsome.

[Gianna'sPapa]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5268/5729264040_ff705feee2_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5729264040/)
Moon 3 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5729264040/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[ukcatfan]

What software do you use to edit your pics, they are awsome.

I could be wrong, but those shots could be from the in camera HDR mode. The K-x and newer models have it.

[Daisy14'sDH]

I don't use the in body mode anymore but it was fun when I did! I now use CS5 for HDR, and LR3 to clean things up.

And thanks for the kind words!

[Daisy14'sDH]

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/20110514-BatSideView.jpg

[disneymomma01]

I cannot wait until our trip to get my K-X out & snap the way Disney should be snapped!! ;0) October 1-8 are the days...I will definitely be back with LOTS of pictures!! :cool1:

[disneyfanUSA]

Hey guys here are a few of mine from a trip to NYC last weekend!

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k42/yankeesgirl255_2006/IMGP0001-1.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k42/yankeesgirl255_2006/IMGP0003-1.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k42/yankeesgirl255_2006/IMGP0079-3.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k42/yankeesgirl255_2006/IMGP0086.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k42/yankeesgirl255_2006/IMGP0089.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k42/yankeesgirl255_2006/IMGP0097.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k42/yankeesgirl255_2006/IMGP0114-2.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k42/yankeesgirl255_2006/IMGP0117.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k42/yankeesgirl255_2006/IMGP0125-1.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k42/yankeesgirl255_2006/IMGP0146-1.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k42/yankeesgirl255_2006/IMGP0158.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k42/yankeesgirl255_2006/IMGP0169-1.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k42/yankeesgirl255_2006/IMGP0175.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k42/yankeesgirl255_2006/IMGP0176.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k42/yankeesgirl255_2006/IMGP0177.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k42/yankeesgirl255_2006/IMGP0183.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k42/yankeesgirl255_2006/IMGP0189-1.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k42/yankeesgirl255_2006/IMGP0190.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k42/yankeesgirl255_2006/IMGP0197-1.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k42/yankeesgirl255_2006/IMGP0206.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k42/yankeesgirl255_2006/IMGP0225-2.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k42/yankeesgirl255_2006/IMGP0233-1.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k42/yankeesgirl255_2006/IMGP0273-1.jpg

[disneyfanUSA]

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k42/yankeesgirl255_2006/IMGP0292.jpg


http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k42/yankeesgirl255_2006/IMGP0298.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k42/yankeesgirl255_2006/IMGP0301.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k42/yankeesgirl255_2006/IMGP0304-1.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k42/yankeesgirl255_2006/IMGP0314.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k42/yankeesgirl255_2006/IMGP0316-1.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k42/yankeesgirl255_2006/IMGP0337.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k42/yankeesgirl255_2006/IMGP0364.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k42/yankeesgirl255_2006/IMGP0368.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k42/yankeesgirl255_2006/IMGP0399.jpg

[Daisy14'sDH]

Hamiltons Historic Dundurn Castle, one of our cities finest buildings! So frustrating, Photobucket is ot allowing me to resize the photo!!! Maybe its time to change to Flickr...

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/20110507-Dundurn.jpg

[Groucho]

Long time no visit for me! Last visit date was 4/2 according to Disboards... nothing like standard real-world busyness to get in the way of forum activity!

Lots of nice shots posted in here... too many to comment on individually since it's been so long!

I never thought to put my ISO that high. 1600 and I start getting nervous! I'm willing to give it a try! There is no flash photography in the Haunted Mansion so just my f2.8 and a high ISO. Should I take my first shot in manual or do it in AV? I wonder if in AV if it will set my shutter speed high enough to get a clear picture??? How many trips through the Haunted Mansion do you bet it will take me to get the picture? LOL!
I think I tend to leave the camera in "P", but of course, that's a fairly customized "P". I keep thinking later that I should be used shutter priority and set it to 1/50th or 1/60th, maybe 1/30th... since you're constantly moving, you need to keep the shutter speed fairly high. Nothing else matters is the picture has too much motion blur. You may want to change your metering mode; spot metering is generally your best bet, so it meters on exactly what you're pointing at, rather that trying to pull detail out of backgrounds that are virtually invisible in real life, and blowing out all the detail in the important part while it's at it.

There are some impressive low-light and night-time shots on this thread that I have used a high ISO 3200 or higher. Whenever I push my Pentax K100D past 800 I get noise. So I will put forward two questions. A) Any suggestions on how to minimize the noise (looks like the grain of film) and B) Is there any softward to use to clean-up the noise?

I almost forgot, both now and when I'm shooting, don't forget to turn off your shake reduction when on the tripod. For the handheld, lowlight shots, for the most part, those are done with fast lenses, f1.4/1.8. Also, I really don't worry too much about people walking in front of the camera with a long shutter speed as they either don't appear or look like ghosts. Sometimes it actually adds to the image, IMO.
A good point but it's also nice to remember that shake reduction is automatically turned off when using bulb mode or the 2-second delay. This, for me, takes care of almost all the times that I use the tripod - bulb mode and a remote shutter release for fireworks, or 2-second mode for static objects.

Our oldest DD went to prom tonight!!!

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/231059_1895304314751_1605884553_31903986_1504423_n .jpg
She is very cute but I might ask the guy if there was a strong wind behind him on the way there - I've never seen hair like that before! :teeth:

I've almost done going through my photos from my January trip... here's a couple.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2789/5705231949_96be635b5f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/grouchodis/5705231949/)
Yet another SSE fisheye (http://www.flickr.com/photos/grouchodis/5705231949/) by Groucho Dis (http://www.flickr.com/people/grouchodis/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5022/5691662909_9bf3d1ab3e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/grouchodis/5691662909/)
Sunset over World Showcase (http://www.flickr.com/photos/grouchodis/5691662909/) by Groucho Dis (http://www.flickr.com/people/grouchodis/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5301/5648233514_dd1ec11be3_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/grouchodis/5648233514/)
Main Street Electrical Parade, Goofy (http://www.flickr.com/photos/grouchodis/5648233514/) by Groucho Dis (http://www.flickr.com/people/grouchodis/), on Flickr

..............
How about a shot of my latest DSLR?

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5109/5748595485_34f881e3ba_z.jpg

:scared1: Yes, a Nikon invaded the Pentax collection! Don't worry, it's not staying. :) I got it in trade for my K-7 - and together, it's worth about $500 more than the K-7 was so it was kind of a no-brainer. (D90 + 18-200mm VR.) I played with it a little and I really felt almost like I'd never used a DSLR before - I couldn't figure out how to do just about anything! It took me a while before I could even figure out how to do some very basic things, and I really can't stand the way high ISOs are listed as "hi1" or whatever, rather than the actual ISO. I also never did figure out how to get it into video mode, I have no idea what a couple of the buttons or sliders do, and at one point, I got it into a mode where all the settings except white balance were grayed out until I shut it off and on again. Strange! The focus is pretty fast though (probably faster than the K-7, maybe a little slower than the K-5, from purely objective observations), but overall, I was a little surprised that it wasn't more impressive. Oh, and the lens creeps, too, which I haven't seen with an OEM lens before. The only lens I've owned that did was my old Tamron 28-75mm.

So, it's up on Craigslist now... the last thing I need is is a second system! :crazy2:

[Daisy14'sDH]

OMG!!! I cant beleive you posted a pic of a D90.... I'm a little hurt, but releived its leaving your so capable hands! Love the Goofy pic!

[ukcatfan]

She is very cute but I might ask the guy if there was a strong wind behind him on the way there - I've never seen hair like that before! :teeth:



Thank you. Yeah, I cannot understand this new crop of teenage boys. Luckily this one is just her best guy friend. They didn't even share one dance together and she left with a different group of kids.

[Daisy14'sDH]

Lol, she ditched him!!!

[Gianna'sPapa]

From the DW's flower garden.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2427/5751630006_a4e7883d34_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5751630006/)
Iris White 5_23_11 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5751630006/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5188/5751085063_5508a4391e_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5751085063/)
Second Rose (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5751085063/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3157/5751084303_56e2ea2c0e_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5751084303/)
Yellow Flowers (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5751084303/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[Daisy14'sDH]

Main Staircase at Dundurn Castle

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/20110507-DundurnStairs-1.jpg

[Daisy14'sDH]

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/20110507-DundurnStairs2.jpg

[Daisy14'sDH]

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/20110507-StPaulsSide.jpg

[Daisy14'sDH]

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/20110529-OrbiterStitch.jpg

[Daisy14'sDH]

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/20110529-SledgeBehemothtrain.jpg

[Daisy14'sDH]

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/20110529-Sledghammerbetter.jpg

[Daisy14'sDH]

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/20110529-Batloopwithtrain.jpg

[Gianna'sPapa]

Our friend Justin Allgaier won Saturday's Nascar Nationwide Series race at Chicagoland Speedway. Its a special time, when working a race and a friend wins! Congratulations to the Turner Motorsports #31 Brandt/STP Chevrolet team!!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3305/5803494092_5428d7b618_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5803494092/)
Justin Chicagoland (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5803494092/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5317/5803493526_33951f58c9_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5803493526/)
Justin FL Chicago (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5803493526/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3616/5799422728_b744e78842_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5799422728/)
Josh Wise PS (1) 6_4_11 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5799422728/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2448/5802938927_4cd51c00c6_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5802938927/)
Mike Massaro Pit Reporter2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5802938927/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2025/5798872433_cfab753c4e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5798872433/)
Justin 31 Winner 6_4_11 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5798872433/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[Gianna'sPapa]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5277/5807600550_33bf1e4e61_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5807600550/)
Navy Pier Childrens Museum Night (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5807600550/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5023/5807603098_df380e42b4_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5807603098/)
Navy Pier Ferris Night (2) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5807603098/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5066/5807033843_5c7ab5b06b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5807033843/)
Chicago Skyline from Navy Pier (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5807033843/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5108/5807036699_4fb26f3341_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5807036699/)
Chicago Skyline from Navy Pier (3) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5807036699/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[Daisy14'sDH]

Great Shots!!!

Heres one from my daughters dress rehearsal for her recital on Saturday!

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/20110608-IMGP3550-3.jpg

[Gianna'sPapa]

Great Shots!!!

Heres one from my daughters dress rehearsal for her recital on Saturday!

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/20110608-IMGP3550-3.jpg

Very nice, love it!

[Gianna'sPapa]

U-505, Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3631/5821421940_9678f7d0ab_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5821421940/)
U505 (5) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5821421940/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[flick]

Hi,

I do not have any pictures to post (for now any way), but I do have a question about Pentax DSLR cameras. I am looking at getting my first DSLR and I have been doing a lot of research and I think I want a Pentax K-R. Do you think this is a good first camera or will I be disapointed. I do not want to spend a ton of money because I have no idea how to use a "real" camera. I have been using a point and shoot forever. What I want to use it for is my vacation and (this might sound stupid) my furkids. Thanks for any advice. :goodvibes

Kim

[Gianna'sPapa]

The Kr is a very good upper entry level camera. Pentax introduced the Kx several years back and it was touted as being one of the best entry level cameras. Folks are still buying the Kx today. The Kr was built off the Kx platform and added some things that weren't in the Kx, ie, visible focus points and a few others. I don't think you will be disappointed with the camera. Saying that, I would recommend that you start studying about photography. There is an educational component to learning how to use a DSLR. Yes, you can put it on automatic and use it as a P & S, but why? There are some online tutorials and there is a book by Bryan Peterson, Understanding Exposure, that is very good at explaining the photographic triangle of ISO, aperture and shutter speed. Purchasing the camera is only the first step. Have you thought about what lenses you will want? Most everyone starts with the 18-55 kit lens and maybe a kit zoom lens. When I say kit, I am referring to a basic consumer lens that will work well in normal conditions. There are lenses out there called all-in-one's that have a larger range of zoom that don't call for changing lenses (18-135mm, 18-200mm, 18-250mm). These lenses give you convenience, but there is a trade off in that they struggle in lowlight conditions. Sometimes folks will forgo the kit lens and purchase a camera body with an all-in-one.

There are many options out there and all the manufacturers produce quality products. I have used a Pentax slr and dslr for thirty years and am not disappointed in their cameras. My DSLR's are now 4-5 years old in terms of technology and every time I think of upgrading they produce an image that blows me away! I am a happy Pentaxian. Good luck with your research and if you put a little effort into learning about your camera, you won't be disappointed.

[HPS3]

[QUOTE=Daisy14'sDH;41410332]Great Shots!!!

Heres one from my daughters dress rehearsal for her recital on Saturday!

[IMG]http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/20110608-IMGP3550-3.jpg[/

This is beautiful!

[flick]

Thank you so much for your response Gianna's Papa! I have another question, would you go with the K-X instead or the K-R? It is funny that you mentioned reading up on how to use he camera, I work in a library! Before I even started looking at cameras I loaded my Amazon wish list with books. I think I have the one you mentioned but if not I will add it. Thanks also for the info on the lens kit. Hopefully one day soon I will be able to add to this thread. :)

Thanks again,
Kim

[Gianna'sPapa]

Since its the latest rendition and if the difference in cost is not an issue, then I would go with the Kr. I like the visible focus points which I have on my cameras. I joke that the more I learn, the more I learn I don't know! But it's true, there is always a new technique or twist that you can bring to the table. That's what makes it fun, it's almost impossible to get bored when you are constantly learning and trying new things. Because of the options DSLR's bring to the table, it just opens all different photographic possibilities. Not that you can't do things with a P & S, its just easier. Good luck and have fun!

Terry

[flick]

Terry,

Thanks again for all your advice. :goodvibes

Kim

[Gianna'sPapa]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3372/5837631149_af9c921c68_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5837631149/)
Asiatic Lily Red ver 2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5837631149/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[Gianna'sPapa]

I'm still working on the race photos, but the first seems to be one of the favorites. I did finish (I think) the garage area images. Below are just a few.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5157/5852863424_a0c061a949_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5852863424/)
Kanaan Crash Aftermath (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5852863424/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2744/5854181150_39641ce51a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5854181150/)
Garage 2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5854181150/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

Winning car being prepped.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2518/5854198956_6aff8ff7d8_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5854198956/)
Garage 11 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5854198956/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2752/5853671255_4257a72b2c_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5853671255/)
Garage 22 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5853671255/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

Two Legends AJ Foyt and the "Captain", Roger Penske.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2572/5854232560_1c0529611d_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5854232560/)
Garage 25 Legend A.J. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5854232560/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2531/5854238336_c0c2e00a0e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5854238336/)
Garage 28 Roger (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5854238336/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[Daisy14'sDH]

Wow Gianni! You must be in your glory now that race season is in full swing!

Here is one from last weekends dance recital, its one of my favourites the way the lighting worked really added some depth I think!

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/IMGP5208-2.jpg

[Gianna'sPapa]

Wow Gianni! You must be in your glory now that race season is in full swing!

Here is one from last weekends dance recital, its one of my favourites the way the lighting worked really added some depth I think!

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/IMGP5208-2.jpg

I agree, I like it!

Yes I am. If we didn't have a wedding to attend this weekend, I would be at our local short track! We are already in the planning stages for our race in September. It will be the first NASCAR Chase race. In addition, we will also have Camping World Truck and Nationwide Series. All that will be a Friday night, Saturday and Sunday afternoon races. There will be no sleep that weekend!

[Daisy14'sDH]

This is beyond a 100% crop using my DA 50-135, at f 2.8 1/180th, ISO 800 (I think might have been 540) at around 110 feet using a Kr

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/IMGP4635.jpg

[iggbees]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3234/5858688894_072b3a5130_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/iggbees/5858688894/)
Nice Day (http://www.flickr.com/photos/iggbees/5858688894/) by Kristin W. (http://www.flickr.com/people/iggbees/), on Flickr

[Daisy14'sDH]

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/IMGP4608.jpg

[Gianna'sPapa]

I was at the Rockford Speedway for the winged sprint cars and midgets. Afterwards they had a fireworks display.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5151/5899598307_6f04b39897_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5899598307/)
Rockford Fireworks Blue (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5899598307/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5313/5899600045_ddb3589cfa_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5899600045/)
Rockford Fireworks Green (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5899600045/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6049/5899602105_c1c4599ede_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5899602105/)
Rockford Fireworks Red (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5899602105/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5270/5899604149_6093ffd2e9_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5899604149/)
Rockford Fireworks Blue and White (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5899604149/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[Daisy14'sDH]

Canada Day Firewroks at Canada's Wonderland

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/IMGP8210.jpg

[Gianna'sPapa]

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6122/5922362941_d79b433ab8_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5922362941/)
Wagons of Steel 'Off' the Line (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5922362941/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[Gianna'sPapa]

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6150/5924847322_7fca972525_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5924847322/)
7000 HP (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5924847322/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[Golf4food]

Pics from the birth of our first baby, Christopher, three weeks ago, taken on my K-7 with the 35mm f/2.8 DA Ltd Macro:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6003/5870176514_448671a561_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5107/5870130128_06b2feb357_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3163/5870349180_74a8e43b2b_b.jpg

[Daisy14'sDH]

Beautiful baby!!!

I have to learn how to do layers with my HDR processing, if anyone has any suggestions or a link to a tutorial I would very much appreciate it!

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/Windseekerrunning.jpg

[Daisy14'sDH]

I was all done processing my pics tonight and then I saw Preludes photo of Ripleys 4D theatre. I was going to post a portrait of my daughter but I took a multi exposure of ours Ripley Theatre in Niagara Falls tonight when we were there celebrating my sons 12th birthday and had to go back and process it, I wasnt going to but thought it is a fun pic!
Yes its cartoony looking (my son says it looks animated)
But like Enrique says "Baby I like it!"

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/Ripleys4D.jpg

[Daisy14'sDH]

I tried taking family portraits yesterday this is DW and DS at the same garden where me and the missus had our wedding photos done... I think my lens is front focusing a bit now that I see the pic! grrrrrrrrrr....

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/IMGP8397.jpg

[Daisy14'sDH]

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/RipleysinHDR.jpg

[Daisy14'sDH]

My little ray of sunshine...

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/IMGP8370.jpg

[Gianna'sPapa]

We had a major storm go through breaking the heat wave.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6008/5962844671_359419255b_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5962844671/)
Lightning 1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5962844671/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6136/5962845405_dc47562bb8_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5962845405/)
Lightning 2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5962845405/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6006/5962846233_2acfc03c4b_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5962846233/)
Lightning 3 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5962846233/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6147/5962847011_30f05df263_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5962847011/)
Lightning 4 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5962847011/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6145/5962847821_f479d1ca3c_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5962847821/)
Lightning 5 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5962847821/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6003/5963405722_07fd10678a_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5963405722/)
Lightning 6 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5963405722/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[Gianna'sPapa]

Taken by the DW with our new Sigma 30 on the K10D

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6013/6009241872_72d0f48e7a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6009241872/)
Dragonfly Janet (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6009241872/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[Daisy14'sDH]

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/IMGP8752.jpg

[Gianna'sPapa]

From our Test and Tune night at Rt. 66.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6143/6041064785_308c28ec8e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6041064785/)
IMGP4279 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6041064785/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[Groucho]

Great shot just above this, GP! Looks like one of the old center spreads from Popular Hot Rodding.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2752/5853671255_4257a72b2c_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5853671255/)
Garage 22 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/5853671255/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

Wahoo! I love me some Lotus. :teeth: Here's a shot of mine, finally back under its own power after two summers of work. (Funny how much harder it is to work on cars when the kids are around!)

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6068/6051352101_429a7db9c1_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/grouchodis/6051352101/)
Summer is the season for... (http://www.flickr.com/photos/grouchodis/6051352101/) by Groucho Dis (http://www.flickr.com/people/grouchodis/), on Flickr

Pics from the birth of our first baby, Christopher, three weeks ago, taken on my K-7 with the 35mm f/2.8 DA Ltd Macro:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5107/5870130128_06b2feb357_b.jpg
Congratulations! I'm sure your life has changed already... mine sure did. Your shot reminds me of one I took of my daughter in the hospital...

http://www.cathythelibrarian.com/gallery/d/1404-2/Leila-009.jpg

Here's a recent Disney non-theme-park shot... this is inside Disney's New Amsterdam Theater in NYC, where the Mary Poppins show performs.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6124/5986561448_aa9d8395fb_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/grouchodis/5986561448/)
New Amsterdam Theater interior (http://www.flickr.com/photos/grouchodis/5986561448/) by Groucho Dis (http://www.flickr.com/people/grouchodis/), on Flickr

[ilovepete]

------

[Gianna'sPapa]

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6205/6058477224_aa48d95e40_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6058477224/)
T/Sgt. Keisha Gwin-Goodin (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6058477224/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[Daisy14'sDH]

Vivitar 100mm Macro @ f8 (I think) ISO 800

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/IMGP0052.jpg

[Gianna'sPapa]

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6184/6072247440_187a7b6876_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6072247440/)
IMGP4768 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6072247440/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6064/6072246834_e311a110d5_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6072246834/)
IMGP4837 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6072246834/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6210/6071708087_2d3649fec1_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6071708087/)
IMGP4825 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6071708087/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6187/6072248466_4410b8a720_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6072248466/)
IMGP4781 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6072248466/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6061/6072249958_a3e4f1a874_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6072249958/)
IMGP4782 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6072249958/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6088/6072255752_0b4090364b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6072255752/)
IMGP4820 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6072255752/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[Daisy14'sDH]

Those are awesome!!!

[Gianna'sPapa]

Thanks, it took me two hours to get all the mud off my camera and lens!!:eek:

[Daisy14'sDH]

Gotta love the Pentax weather sealing! I NEED a K-5!!!!

[Daisy14'sDH]

My Favourite Umpire of all time Charlie!

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/IMGP0070.jpg

[Gianna'sPapa]

Gotta love the Pentax weather sealing! I NEED a K-5!!!!

So do I NEED one, those were with my K10D. It has some weathersealing but not with the Sigma 70-200 2.8. The front glass took a mud clod hit and two more on the side of the lens. No damage!!

[itsmetigress]

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z478/odms204/IMGP8538.jpg

Playing with my new K-r..still tons to learn but lots of fun

[Daisy14'sDH]

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/IMGP9035.jpg

[Gianna'sPapa]

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6079/6082129519_9b1788408a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6082129519/)
IMGP5044 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6082129519/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

And the flipside.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6184/6083086306_bbf8c32e0d_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6083086306/)
IMGP5070 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6083086306/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[Gianna'sPapa]

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6199/6088895809_37be401a07_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6088895809/)
IMGP5428 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6088895809/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6208/6089009359_116e78517b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6089009359/)
Motorcycles on the Line (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6089009359/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6189/6089011549_6e1a0c37fe_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6089011549/)
Purple Chevy II SS (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6089011549/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[Daisy14'sDH]

JUMP!

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/IMGP0271.jpg

[itsmetigress]

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z478/odms204/Disboards/IMGP9078.jpg

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z478/odms204/Disboards/IMGP9074.jpg

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z478/odms204/Disboards/IMGP9062.jpg

The grand re-opening of the Disney store at the Fl mall, she had Buzz swooning like that all day.

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z478/odms204/Disboards/IMGP8990.jpg

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z478/odms204/Disboards/IMGP8944.jpg

[Groucho]

Gotta love the Pentax weather sealing! I NEED a K-5!!!!
Well, you could always pick up a K200D for cheap; they are fully sealed. Of course, it would probably make more sense to get a K10D if you're getting one from that era! Either way, the weathersealing is fun!

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5087/5368594147_e0170c7a13_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/grouchodis/5368594147/)
Splash Mountain on-ride, big drop (http://www.flickr.com/photos/grouchodis/5368594147/) by Groucho Dis (http://www.flickr.com/people/grouchodis/), on Flickr

Lots of car stuff in this thread... less than two weeks until the vintage races at Watkins Glen, I am looking forward to getting back there after missing a couple years!

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1012/5183639178_cd2dc2b2bd_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/grouchodis/5183639178/)
1932 Alfa Romeo P3 Tipo B (http://www.flickr.com/photos/grouchodis/5183639178/) by Groucho Dis (http://www.flickr.com/people/grouchodis/), on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/5185901149_d89939c171_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/grouchodis/5185901149/)
Visibility dropped to almost nothing at the chicane. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/grouchodis/5185901149/) by Groucho Dis (http://www.flickr.com/people/grouchodis/), on Flickr

[Gianna'sPapa]

Lots of car stuff in this thread... less than two weeks until the vintage races at Watkins Glen, I am looking forward to getting back there after missing a couple years!

I guess I have to take responsibility for the car stuff. I have spent the past few weeks working the other side of our complex (Dirt Oval and Route 66 Raceway). We have the first race in the Chase for the Sprint Cup coming up in less than three weeks. Its going to be big with all three national series, three concerts and Wed/Thurs we have the short track off road series! Lots of photo ops. I can't wait to see your shots from the vintage races. Those bring back a lot of memories growing up!

[harrismargaret9]

Those are really nice pics. I loved all the pics. I especially liked the one with the bee and the effects shown on the pictures. Nice work on the photos.

[Daisy14'sDH]

DA 12-24 at 12mm, 30 seconds, f13, ISO 100... I think! Yep just checked lol! This is a ride at Canadas Wonderland that I thought about trying this on for years. Last night I finally had the chance!

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/IMGP0987.jpg

[Daisy14'sDH]

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/IMGP1113-Edit-Edit.jpg

[Daisy14'sDH]

HDR, done in Black & white. Tell me honestly what you think.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/IMGP9380_1_2_5-Edit.jpg

[Gianna'sPapa]

HDR, done in Black & white. Tell me honestly what you think.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/IMGP9380_1_2_5-Edit.jpg

Its a cool photo. Maybe its the size or the internet, but I'm not seeing the depth with the b&w that I do with color. Its different.

[Daisy14'sDH]

Thankyou for you input, I'll post a colour version after I recolourfy it (IS A WORD DONT ARGUE IT lol) in the meantime here is another

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/IMGP9553_4_5_6_7_8.jpg

[Daisy14'sDH]

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/IMGP1572_73_76_77_78_79_80-3.jpg

[disneymomma01]

We will be travelling down to WDW for my daughter's Dream trip Oct 1-7!! I will be taking my Pentax K-X with me & I cannot wait!!!! I cannot wait to come back & share what I shoot with some fellow Pentaxians!!! :goodvibes

[Daisy14'sDH]

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/IMGP9464_5_6_7_8_9-Edit.jpg

[Gianna'sPapa]

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6168/6169677612_7db1711fa4_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6169677612/)
#2 Blue Deuce (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6169677612/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6170/6169697688_a99ec97885_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6169697688/)
Goodyear Blimp (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6169697688/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

I'm trying something I've never done before... I ordered a used/like new K-5 with another 18-55 lens (that will give me three) from Amazon Wharehouse Deals for $768 with twelve months no interest and free shipping. I can sell one of my 18-55's to also help offset the cost. I couldn't resist the price!

[Daisy14'sDH]

Nice deal! WOW!

[Gianna'sPapa]

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6151/6173032843_d28b97e7c8_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6173032843/)
IMGP6256 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6173032843/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6159/6173034321_e71d319435_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6173034321/)
IMGP6257 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6173034321/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6165/6173035873_eeb022795e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6173035873/)
IMGP6258 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6173035873/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[Daisy14'sDH]

Not the best photo. I know lol! But it was taken from about 6 Km's (3.75 miles) away! I used my 40 year old Pentax SMC "M" 200mm f4 lens on my Kr. 6 seconds ISO 100, I think around f 16... 17th floor of the Best Western Lake Buena Vista, you can just make out the castle behind the Contemporary

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/IMGP5126.jpg

[Gianna'sPapa]

It has been a weird Fall for colors. Some trees completely barren of leaves and others just now changing. Here are a couple from our block.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6230/6319016898_9a2e1d9876_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6319016898/)
Burning Bush (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6319016898/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6119/6318498709_725a108f42_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6318498709/)
Fall Street (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6318498709/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[HPS3]

Those colors are beautiful. We don't have a fall like that down here in southeast Louisiana.

[Daisy14'sDH]

I'm so proud of my son, now whenever I go out to shoot anything he wants to tag along, my Kx has become his! He loves the Lowepro Slingshot 100AW. This day here, I forgot to turn it back to Auto Focus for him and it was in Manual as well! He was in complete Manual focus and control, he played with the "numbers" to make his photos look the way he wanted lol!


http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/IMGP6653-1.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/IMGP6651-1.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/IMGP6650.jpg

[Daisy14'sDH]

Not saying Pentax photographers are crazy... but that one is!!!

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/IMGP6786.jpg

[Gianna'sPapa]

On my Downtown Elgin Walkabout testing my new camera, I came across this guy (or gal).

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6091/6343522428_e48516cb2b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6343522428/)
Elgin Walkabout Seagull (2) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6343522428/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[Gianna'sPapa]

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7159/6528310741_5b561b0186_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6528310741/)
POP Generations Gap Bridge (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6528310741/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7027/6528307749_20bc6ae7b3_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6528307749/)
POP YoYo Night (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6528307749/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7033/6528303973_cd0eec439b_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6528303973/)
POP Bowling Pins Night (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6528303973/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[MinnieForMe]

Hi:
Great pictures everyone! I'm finally ready to buy a flash for my K-X. I know I've asked for suggestions in the past but I couldn't find your responses in the excessively long other thread.

I've looked at the Pentax AF 540FG and the Sigma EF 530 Super as well as a 600 series.

Any suggestions? I want to use it for extra lighting at Tae Kwon Do (at most 20 feet away and to be able to bounce the light indoors).

Thanks.

Michelle

[Gianna'sPapa]

I have been using the Sigma 530 series (ST and Super) on our cameras for the past several years. I have no complaints. The 610 series (according to a tech at Sigma) is the same as the 530 series except it is more powerful. The Pentax flash has not been upgraded in several years and is less powerful than the Sigma. I prefer the Sigma Super model because it has the wireless trigger and all the controls on the back. The ST is a more basic model with a swivel head and you use your camera menu to control the flash. Both flashes will do the job for you.

[Daisy14'sDH]

I have an older AF240z, and just recently acquired a pair of Yongnuo YN560. Everything is set manually but with some practice decent results can be acquired by setting the YN's to Slave... I will have some examples ready by the end of the week I hope!

Heres a pic just using the one YN bounced of a Gym ceiling at my sons Christmas concert

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/IMGP8830-1.jpg

Heres another pic of a boy waiting his turn... loved his pose and expression

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/IMGP8763.jpg

[Daisy14'sDH]

Heres a couple 3 flash setup shots. I am still learning how to use them, in fact my 365 project revolves around that this year so lets see how I progress!

January 1, these were shot at ISO 200, 1/125s, f6.3 on an old Vivitar 28mm Manual prime f2.8 I picked up at Value Village for $10. My first time really trying it out I bought it 6 months ago! Anyway I made this as difficult as possible with EVERYTHING Being Manual. LOL, that was at my wifes insistance that I get to know what photography is supposed to be like lol. Manual Focus, Manual Flash Settings, Manual Aperture, I love a challenge and hope that learning from the basics will help me understand exposure and setup that much more by the end of the year.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/Photo%20365/IMGP9383.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/Photo%20365/IMGP9381.jpg

[HPS3]

Cool shots! I am trying to learn OC Flash myself.

[Gianna'sPapa]

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7144/6617916429_8f3691ef20_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6617916429/)
DHS Sorcerers Hat Stage (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6617916429/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[Daisy14'sDH]

Great pic GP!
St James Cathedral with 3 minutes to spare!!! Wow this 365 project is off to a bad start when I have mere minutes to post the pic! This is a 3 exposure HDR, but a 9 exposure stitched photo to get all the details of the facade...

BTQ this is one of my first attempts with using Photoshop

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/Photo%20365/STJames2_-2_0nowires-2.jpg

[Gianna'sPapa]

Great pic GP!
St James Cathedral with 3 minutes to spare!!! Wow this 365 project is off to a bad start when I have mere minutes to post the pic! This is a 3 exposure HDR, but a 9 exposure stitched photo to get all the details of the facade...

BTQ this is one of my first attempts with using Photoshop

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/Photo%20365/STJames2_-2_0nowires-2.jpg

Thanks, not bad yourself!:thumbsup2

[wkrider]

Here are some pics of our Disneyland Christmas trip.

http://milobramble.smugmug.com/DisneyTravel2011/Christmas-2011/i-WZtbhhm/0/M/IMGP7600-M.jpg
http://milobramble.smugmug.com/DisneyTravel2011/Christmas-2011/i-7bj6t5P/0/M/IMGP7596-M.jpg
Sister-in-Law
http://milobramble.smugmug.com/DisneyTravel2011/Christmas-2011/i-szGrFzj/0/M/IMGP7593-M.jpghttp://milobramble.smugmug.com/DisneyTravel2011/Christmas-2011/i-vPHmmPR/0/M/IMGP7553-M.jpg
http://milobramble.smugmug.com/DisneyTravel2011/Christmas-2011/i-43wC5f6/0/M/IMGP7585-M.jpg
http://milobramble.smugmug.com/DisneyTravel2011/Christmas-2011/i-rFvXXcB/0/M/IMGP7531-M.jpg
http://milobramble.smugmug.com/DisneyTravel2011/Christmas-2011/i-6VtXsrW/0/M/IMGP7473-M.jpg
http://milobramble.smugmug.com/DisneyTravel2011/Christmas-2011/i-V5TM8fJ/0/M/IMGP7395-M.jpg
http://milobramble.smugmug.com/DisneyTravel2011/Christmas-2011/i-9RNVNSG/0/M/IMGP7436-M.jpg
http://milobramble.smugmug.com/DisneyTravel2011/Christmas-2011/i-PdS9L79/0/M/IMGP7378-M.jpg
http://milobramble.smugmug.com/DisneyTravel2011/Christmas-2011/i-Vsdq8Wv/0/M/IMGP7300-M.jpg
http://milobramble.smugmug.com/DisneyTravel2011/Christmas-2011/i-d5WJWfN/0/M/IMGP7287-M.jpg
http://milobramble.smugmug.com/DisneyTravel2011/Christmas-2011/i-Q437PDn/0/M/IMGP7256-M.jpg
http://milobramble.smugmug.com/DisneyTravel2011/Christmas-2011/i-H5VKjrB/0/M/IMGP7249-M.jpg
http://milobramble.smugmug.com/DisneyTravel2011/Christmas-2011/i-jJhtXtc/0/M/IMGP8282-M.jpg
http://milobramble.smugmug.com/DisneyTravel2011/Christmas-2011/i-JVbH2Nh/0/M/IMGP7233-M.jpg
http://milobramble.smugmug.com/DisneyTravel2011/Christmas-2011/i-MV9MTZT/0/M/IMGP7224-M.jpg
http://milobramble.smugmug.com/DisneyTravel2011/Christmas-2011/i-v5bGxh4/0/M/IMGP8251-M.jpg
http://milobramble.smugmug.com/DisneyTravel2011/Christmas-2011/i-gsHjnrw/0/M/IMGP7117-Copy-M.jpg
http://milobramble.smugmug.com/DisneyTravel2011/Christmas-2011/i-7LV6MWR/0/M/IMGP8191-M.jpg
http://milobramble.smugmug.com/DisneyTravel2011/Christmas-2011/i-8NhSVWQ/0/M/IMGP7061-Copy-M.jpg
http://milobramble.smugmug.com/DisneyTravel2011/Christmas-2011/i-TD4S4Vt/0/M/IMGP7033-Copy-M.jpg
http://milobramble.smugmug.com/DisneyTravel2011/Christmas-2011/i-Wddrs24/0/M/IMGP7021-Copy-M.jpg
http://milobramble.smugmug.com/DisneyTravel2011/Christmas-2011/i-HMSsVtN/0/M/IMGP7009-Copy-M.jpghttp://milobramble.smugmug.com/DisneyTravel2011/Christmas-2011/i-LcMHQZQ/0/M/IMGP7007-Copy-M.jpg

[Daisy14'sDH]

Great pics! Which bady and lens so we dont have to look up all your exif!!! lol

Heres yesterdays photo, 3 flash setup, Kr, DA* 50-135 @ 50mm, ISO 100, 1/125, f6.7. Tried processing differently than normal, normally I sharpen everything but I wanted a slightly softer look so reduced the clarity a bit. Brightened the eyes and teeth in post as well.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/Photo%20365/IMGP9483-2.jpg

[Gianna'sPapa]

An early morning shot of the castle taken while waiting for Crystal Palace reservation.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7166/6635917533_6845e348c6_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6635917533/)
Castle from CP (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6635917533/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[wkrider]

Great pics! Which bady and lens so we dont have to look up all your exif!!! lol

The body I use in the K-7 and the night pics are with my Pentax 50mm 1.2 and the days are with my Tamron 18-200.

My DW uses the K100D with the Pentax 50-200.

[Daisy14'sDH]

That is a lens I woul ove to try! 50 f1.2 would be a frustrating love affair I think! Which version do you have?

[wkrider]

That is a lens I woul ove to try! 50 f1.2 would be a frustrating love affair I think! Which version do you have?

Sorry I mis-spoke... I have the Pentax 50.. 1.4...not 1.2

this one...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/40755-USA/Pentax_20817_Normal_SMCP_FA_50mm_f_1_4.html

[Daisy14'sDH]

Lol, I have the same lens, its one of my favourites! In face I should of used it tonight dammit! Its on my short list of lenses I want to get to complete my kit.
The A* 50mm f 1.2
FA 85mm f 1.4
DA* 300mm f4
and Sigma 8-16mm!

None of them are outragously priced, and may be had for a bargain if you catch the right estate sale...

Here is day 4 of my 365 project. Tried bouncing the flashes off the table in front of my lovely wife...

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/Photo%20365/IMGP9529.jpg

[Gianna'sPapa]

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7162/6645265123_deaa3c299c_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6645265123/)
GF Fountain Poinsettia (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6645265123/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[Daisy14'sDH]

Jerry's Bell, lol! I wanted to name it! 3 exposure HDR, 50-135 @70mm, ISO 100 f 2.8, 1/90, 1/20, 1/6. Photomatix then LR3 for clean up

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/Photo%20365/IMGP9564_5_6.jpg

[Gianna'sPapa]

I was dropping off some items for the victims of the recent tornado outbreak in southern Illinois at the Speedway and this was parked outside the Admin. building. I can't wait until we start racing!!

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7206/6971219979_13442d75c7_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6971219979/)
2012 Pace Car ps (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6971219979/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7054/6825107104_f625e50c96_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6825107104/)
2012 Pace Car ds (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6825107104/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7189/6825101826_4e43051bee_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6825101826/)
2012 Pace Car rds (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6825101826/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7187/6825092762_0bdfa3e219_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6825092762/)
2012 Pace Car F (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6825092762/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[Gianna'sPapa]

Just a couple of my favorites from our December trip.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7209/6840360138_ae66ce025d_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6840360138/)
Epcot Germany Knights Window (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6840360138/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7049/6986481137_02307c5710_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6986481137/)
Swans at the Swan (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6986481137/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[Gianna'sPapa]

A few Epcot Christmas characters/castmembers

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7190/6991868411_d249b87b49_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6991868411/)
Epcot Noway Christmas Character1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6991868411/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7177/6991870809_7db31969f5_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6991870809/)
Epcot Noway Christmas Character2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6991870809/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7036/6845744932_bffb656d90_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6845744932/)
Epcot Noway Christmas Character3 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6845744932/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[Gianna'sPapa]

I'm just getting back to looking at the less obvious Christmas/Anniversary trip images. My race season starts in two weeks so its a possibility I am going to be very busy. I thought I better take a look at these before I move on!!

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6227/6849212484_08a29ff4cd_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6849212484/)
MVMCP Parade Dwarfs 1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6849212484/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6235/6995336093_a637f32ae2_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6995336093/)
MVMCP Parade Dwarfs 2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6995336093/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7088/6995337869_8385e0b146_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6995337869/)
MVMCP Parade Dwarfs 3 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6995337869/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[Daisy14'sDH]

I've given up on Photobucket and need a new photo site... :(

[HPS3]

I've been happy with Flickr. Uploading and Posting are really easy.

[MinnieForMe]

Does it make a difference if you keep continuous shoot on or off with a Pentax K-X? I had it turned off but don't know if there was a good reason for it.

[Daisy14'sDH]

Continous is useful when you want to try to capture something moving quicker and you want to try to capture that exact moment if you know what I mean, you just hold the shutter button until its over. Othre than that I dont use it...

[MinnieForMe]

So, do you keep it enabled? Hi or Lo

Also, an autofocus quesion - do you generally keep it on AF-A or do you switch often between AF-C or AF-S? I can never seem to remember where in the menus to find things. I have to keep carrying the manual!

[Gianna'sPapa]

So, do you keep it enabled? Hi or Lo

Also, an autofocus quesion - do you generally keep it on AF-A or do you switch often between AF-C or AF-S? I can never seem to remember where in the menus to find things. I have to keep carrying the manual!

For normal everyday shooting, I keep my K10's and K5 on single frame shooting, AFS(auto focus single). When I'm shooting moving objects or panning (such as when I shoot at the oval race track) I may switch to continuous mode with AFC (auto focus continuous). At the drag strip, when I'm trying to get a stop action shot I may go to continuous mode with AFS. These are just available options that can be customized for individual situations. My K10's only have single or continuous mode, but the K5 has an additional continuous mode of hi/low. I have yet to use the low continuous mode.

[Daisy14'sDH]

Here she is, my new K5! and sadly probabaly the last photo I will take with my beloved Kx...

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/Photo%20365/IMGP4031.jpg

[Gianna'sPapa]

Congratulations!! Even though the K5 was a major upgrade for me, the K10D holds a major soft spot in my heart. I always keep one 'on the ready' to shoot! I think you will really like the K5 starting with the dual wheels, which allows for quicker on-the-fly changes. Coming from the Kx/Kr you should find that once you get used to the controls you will wonder how you ever did without! Because I struggle with keeping the horizon level, the onboard level has been a godsend. You already had better usable high ISO with your Kx/Kr than the K10D and I think you will find the K5 that much better. IMHO, the K5 with the stainless steel frame, titanium body, weather sealing, the 16.2 Sony sensor, an improved AF system is still the best APS-C camera on the market. With Ricoh now supporting and using the Pentax name for all its cameras, everything is starting to look very rosy for the system! They have a new lens roadmap (not to mention that all older lenses still are usable on the new bodies plus with onboard IS (SR) each one is stabilized) that looks to be impressive. Have fun with the new camera!:thumbsup2:thumbsup2

[Daisy14'sDH]

No I wasnt driving! LOL!

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/Photo%20365/IMGP2726.jpg

[Gianna'sPapa]

Today was the Chicagoland Speedway Easter Egg Dash to benefit Easter Seals. Below is the staff that staged a wonderful event for the fans and raised some money for Easter Seals. A good time was had by all!

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7063/7033448863_8210d9cdb8_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/7033448863/)
Chicagoland Speedway Easter Staff ver 2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/7033448863/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[wkrider]

Quick question for all you Pentaxians out there.

I have a K-7, when I use my Pentax 50-200 I get good AF throughout the spectrum. When I use my Tamron 18-200, the focus out at 200 is not as clear. I know that the K-7 has an AF adjustment. I am going to do this for just the Tamron lens. My question is....Has anyone ever done an AF adjustment? It does not look that difficult and if it goes bad I can re-set it but I am still curious if anyone has done it before.

Thanks.

[Gianna'sPapa]

Quick question for all you Pentaxians out there.

I have a K-7, when I use my Pentax 50-200 I get good AF throughout the spectrum. When I use my Tamron 18-200, the focus out at 200 is not as clear. I know that the K-7 has an AF adjustment. I am going to do this for just the Tamron lens. My question is....Has anyone ever done an AF adjustment? It does not look that difficult and if it goes bad I can re-set it but I am still curious if anyone has done it before.

Thanks.

It really is not difficult. It may take just a little time. There are charts and everything you can use. I prefer real use/life focusing. The first thing is to determine if it is front focusing or rear. The focus point is what you are adjusting. If your lens is just not sharp at a particular focal length then the AF Fine Adjustment is something you may not want to do. I try to find something outside (aka good light) that will allow me to determine where my camera is focusing when the aperture is wide open. Once you determine the focus point it can be adjusted by going to the (C)ustom menu. On the K5 it is number 26. You can turn it on and then it gives you a choice of Apply All or Apply One. Since this is only happening on one lens, choose Apply One. You then can adjust the focus point more to the front or rear by adjusting along the grid line. Since I use my real life focusing, I will do this several times to ensure I get the focus point where I want it. If everything gets messed up, just select 'Reset' and your back to the default. You can't hurt it. Check your manual, its all there under AF Fine Adjustment. After each adjustment, I go to the computer to view the image to ensure the change or make a further adjustment. Once your done, the camera will use your adjustment whenever that particular lens is mounted.

Its not real hard.

[wkrider]

It really is not difficult. It may take just a little time. There are charts and everything you can use. I prefer real use/life focusing. The first thing is to determine if it is front focusing or rear. The focus point is what you are adjusting. If your lens is just not sharp at a particular focal length then the AF Fine Adjustment is something you may not want to do. I try to find something outside (aka good light) that will allow me to determine where my camera is focusing when the aperture is wide open. Once you determine the focus point it can be adjusted by going to the (C)ustom menu. On the K5 it is number 26. You can turn it on and then it gives you a choice of Apply All or Apply One. Since this is only happening on one lens, choose Apply One. You then can adjust the focus point more to the front or rear by adjusting along the grid line. Since I use my real life focusing, I will do this several times to ensure I get the focus point where I want it. If everything gets messed up, just select 'Reset' and your back to the default. You can't hurt it. Check your manual, its all there under AF Fine Adjustment. After each adjustment, I go to the computer to view the image to ensure the change or make a further adjustment. Once your done, the camera will use your adjustment whenever that particular lens is mounted.

Its not real hard.

Thanks Papa, I was going to do it inside by taping a newspaper to the wall but I like your idea of going outside better. Will try it this weekend.

[Gianna'sPapa]

Today, I visited the Congressional Cemetery in DC for a Civil War Tour. I was hoping to find some cherry blossoms still on the trees and was pleasantly surprised to find this. I don't have access to my photoshop programs nor a calibrated monitor and since this is an unprocessed JPEG, I'm hoping it looks okay. It was beautiful in-person.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7069/7055743669_8845ce50c3_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/7055743669/)
IMGP5779 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/7055743669/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[Daisy14'sDH]

Nice shot! I will be passing through Savannah in 10 days and was hoping to still find some trees in bloom myself...
Heres a photo I took last month, I'm posting it because today is a POTC kinda day here...

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/Photo%20365/IMGP0810_1_3-1.jpg

[Gianna'sPapa]

Very nice! Just a few more unprocessed JPEG's from today.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7215/6913178330_1bd0473206_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6913178330/)
IMGP5903 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6913178330/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7182/6913176850_66c9766c47_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6913176850/)
IMGP5862 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6913176850/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7215/7059257779_88fd65c6a2_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/7059257779/)
Iwo Jima Night 2012 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/7059257779/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[Gianna'sPapa]

We attended the Robert Ballard event at the National Geographic in
Washington D.C. They had a Titanic exhibit that included many of the sets/items from the movie. They also had this model. I thought it ironic that this image had, in addition to the model, two reflections and there were three Olympic class ships, Olympic, Titanic and Brittanic.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7203/6920454552_1ee208d533_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6920454552/)
IMGP6417 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6920454552/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[Gianna'sPapa]

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5342/7069942085_2907dc40b4_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/7069942085/)
Titanic Stern Red Sign (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/7069942085/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[davidmolliesmum]

:thumbsup2 :yay: i'm a NEW pentaxian; not had my camera at disneyworld yet, will be practicing between now and august.... and watching this thread intently!!!:surfweb:

[Gianna'sPapa]

Welcome to the Pentax community! Which camera do you have?

[Gianna'sPapa]

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5316/6932516748_1fb5fc57a9_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6932516748/)
VN Mem Men Statue 6028 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6932516748/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

[Daisy14'sDH]

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j150/thekurlyone/Photo%20365/IMGP2457_8_9.jpg

[Gianna'sPapa]

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7059/6942527048_5154ccb308_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6942527048/)
White House Night 2012 v3 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6942527048/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7184/6942604254_3263ae7064_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6942604254/)
The Castle (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45097427@N02/6942604254/) by Gianna'sPapa (http://www.flickr.com/people/45097427@N02/), on Flickr