Groucho, it's all your fault!

[stlkeeler]

OK, I went to the camera store intending to buy a Nikon D60 or D80. Or maybe a Canon xti. What did we come out with? A Pentax K200D! And it's all your fault!

I have almost always bought Canon and have had excellent luck with them. After doing some research online, I decided that Nikon was the way to go for my next one. I expecially wanted that 18-200mm lens. (I know-it's expensive-but I waaant it) Last night when I got home from work, my daughter was at my house and gave me all kinds of grief about spending 8 hours yesterday looking at different sites. And you know her best site? Your gallery! She loves your pics. She has a film pentax from about 15 years ago so she had it in her head that she had to have another.

So, thanks for making my pocketbook somewhat lighter!

I have a question about your fireworks pics. On the details about them (I haven't looked at all of them) it says ISO is 400, yet your commentary says it should be 100-200. And it says "flash - no flash"? I guess I really don't know how to read the information. Could you help me understand? I know I need to read the book but I can't get to it right now - someone else is hogging it... and I'm at work (shhh-don't tell anyone).

Thanks!

 

[ukcatfan]

Welcome to the Pentax and DSLR families! Between Groucho and I, we should be able to cover most of your questions.

If you are looking for a superzoom lens, check out the SMC-DA 18-250mm. It is essentially a re-badged Tamron, but Pentax adds their SMC to it, which makes it a little better. If you were to find a significantly better deal on the Tamron version though, that would not be a deal breaker to me.

IMO, the single best deal lens purchase for the line is the SMC-FA 50mm f/1.4. It is super sharp, has very good bokeh, and is very affordable being less than $200.

You probably already know this, but you should qualify for the rebate on the body.

Kevin

 

[Groucho]

OK, I went to the camera store intending to buy a Nikon D60 or D80. Or maybe a Canon xti. What did we come out with? A Pentax K200D! And it's all your fault!

I have almost always bought Canon and have had excellent luck with them. After doing some research online, I decided that Nikon was the way to go for my next one. I expecially wanted that 18-200mm lens. (I know-it's expensive-but I waaant it) Last night when I got home from work, my daughter was at my house and gave me all kinds of grief about spending 8 hours yesterday looking at different sites. And you know her best site? Your gallery! She loves your pics. She has a film pentax from about 15 years ago so she had it in her head that she had to have another.

So, thanks for making my pocketbook somewhat lighter!

First, thanks for the kind comments (and thanks to your daughter) - that's very flattering!

Congratulations on the camera, I think you'll like it. Like Kevin said, you should qualify for the new $100 rebate, too. And like he said too, there is that 18-250mm that's pretty well-loved by its owners, and of course it'll have IS on your camera.

I have a question about your fireworks pics. On the details about them (I haven't looked at all of them) it says ISO is 400, yet your commentary says it should be 100-200. And it says "flash - no flash"? I guess I really don't know how to read the information. Could you help me understand? I know I need to read the book but I can't get to it right now - someone else is hogging it... and I'm at work (shhh-don't tell anyone).

Thanks!

The "Flash" section in the photo summary on my site is there all the time, so it will either say "no flash" or "Compulsory Flash" (meaning that I forced it to fire) or something similar. The vast majority are, of course, "no flash".

I checked around my site, and sure enough, my 4th of July photos are ISO 400 - and honestly, I don't remember why. Either it was an oversight or I was experimenting with letting more light it, though that seems strange as if I was doing that, I could have just gone to a larger aperture. So, I guess the answer is, I don't have any clue why I did what I did. To be fair, all my WDW/DL fireworks photos are at ISO 200!

Oh, and if your daughter still has her Pentax, you could drag out the old lenses and use them on your new camera! Set the aperture to "A" on them, or if there's no "A" setting, you have to change a setting in the Custom menu on the camera and "stop down" to meter - we can explain that if you do have such a lens(es).

 

[ghost1000]

I think Groucho and UKCatfan must get some sort of kickback from Pentax - their posts helped me decide on one myself

But also after handling them all the Pentax just feels the best to me.

 

[ukcatfan]

I think Groucho and UKCatfan must get some sort of kickback from Pentax - their posts helped me decide on one myself

But also after handling them all the Pentax just feels the best to me.

I wish!!!

I seriously have my eye on a 10-17mm, but I just cannot pull the trigger.

Kevin

 

[gokenin]

Word of advise stay away from the Pentax Primes once you go there its a whole new level of LBA. You get the autofocus ones then you eye the limited then the manuals and the m42 taks get intresting. Speaking from experience suffer from LBA 4 zooms, 9 primes ranging from 20mm to 300mm, two limiteds. 2 DSLRS K100 & K200 and a film SLR PZ-1P and still looking. thinking of getting the DA 55-300 to replace the old tamron 70-300 but dont know yet

 

[stlkeeler]

Welcome to the Pentax and DSLR families! Between Groucho and I, we should be able to cover most of your questions.

If you are looking for a superzoom lens, check out the SMC-DA 18-250mm. It is essentially a re-badged Tamron, but Pentax adds their SMC to it, which makes it a little better. If you were to find a significantly better deal on the Tamron version though, that would not be a deal breaker to me.

IMO, the single best deal lens purchase for the line is the SMC-FA 50mm f/1.4. It is super sharp, has very good bokeh, and is very affordable being less than $200.

You probably already know this, but you should qualify for the rebate on the body.

Kevin

Thanks, Kevin, for the welcome. I hope I can ask you guys lots of questions as a lot has changed in the last 30+ years it's been since I've had a SLR. Re-badged? SMC? Bokeh? Are you speaking a different language? I did get the mail in rebate and also got another $100 off the extra lens we bought. It's a 50-200mm. So, I just have to use 2 lenses to get the range of that $700 Nikon one.

First, thanks for the kind comments (and thanks to your daughter) - that's very flattering!

Congratulations on the camera, I think you'll like it. Like Kevin said, you should qualify for the new $100 rebate, too. And like he said too, there is that 18-250mm that's pretty well-loved by its owners, and of course it'll have IS on your camera.


The "Flash" section in the photo summary on my site is there all the time, so it will either say "no flash" or "Compulsory Flash" (meaning that I forced it to fire) or something similar. The vast majority are, of course, "no flash".

I checked around my site, and sure enough, my 4th of July photos are ISO 400 - and honestly, I don't remember why. Either it was an oversight or I was experimenting with letting more light it, though that seems strange as if I was doing that, I could have just gone to a larger aperture. So, I guess the answer is, I don't have any clue why I did what I did. To be fair, all my WDW/DL fireworks photos are at ISO 200!

Oh, and if your daughter still has her Pentax, you could drag out the old lenses and use them on your new camera! Set the aperture to "A" on them, or if there's no "A" setting, you have to change a setting in the Custom menu on the camera and "stop down" to meter - we can explain that if you do have such a lens(es).

We just have the original lens that came with the camera. It's something like 30-80mm. Didn't buy any extras then.

We're leaving for Orlando Sat. then cruising on Sunday. My DGD can't hardly wait anymore. We've been booked for over a year. One night they're supposed to do fireworks. Obviously, there is nothing to focus on. So, do we just set to infinity and point towards the sky? Also, how do we turn off the auto focus? I tried to take a pic of a plant outside the window. I focus on the plant, turn the dial to M (or vice versa) and it will still focus on the window. Does this problem have something to do with that focal length I keep reading about? I still haven't been able to read the book. (I'm at work-again). I'm off tomorrow, so I plan on playing. Any other tips on indoor, low light situations or the shows since we will have almost no time to practice? Please be specific. Remember, I know nothing...

I think Groucho and UKCatfan must get some sort of kickback from Pentax - their posts helped me decide on one myself

But also after handling them all the Pentax just feels the best to me.

I agree. (Not about the kickbacks but the handling) I liked the Nikon but they didn't have what I wanted. So, I was ready to walk out. Then I asked to see a Canon. I didn't like that one at all! It was very awkward. I couldn't find the shutter release. I had to bend my finger funny. It was very light - I thought that was a good thing but DD said she felt like it might break easier. So, we were about to walk out again. Then I remembered my DD likes Pentax, so we asked to look at it. It felt a lot like the Nikon and it had some (almost all, actually) of the features I liked on the Nikon. Plus, it's weather resistant. SOLD!

Thanks!
Hope everyone has a great holiday!

 

[elizke]

I'm sooooooooooo jealous. I am really really wanting one of these. I have been obsessing, trying to decide between a Canon XSi, a Sony A300, an Oly 510, and a Pentax K200. Something about the Pentax photos keep pulling me, and I really think it's the one for me as my first DSLR.

But I can't spend the cash yet, so I just peruse the forums and pine away. I hope maybe in a few months I can obtain one myself.

In the meantime, will you post some newbie photos so I can see what I'll be able to do in a few months? People always post expertly done outdoor photos, but I'd really like to know what it can do if you are in a hurry and just snap a photo.

And congrats on the new cam. I think it's a great choice.

 

[stlkeeler]

I'll be glad to, just as soon as we get back and I get them downloaded and figure out how to post. I will probably need my DD to help. She is more computer savy than I. I think I have it saved somewhere on my home computer how to post. I already have a photobucket account but nothing in it, yet. I am the ultimate planner...

 

[ukcatfan]

Thanks, Kevin, for the welcome. I hope I can ask you guys lots of questions as a lot has changed in the last 30+ years it's been since I've had a SLR. Re-badged? SMC? Bokeh? Are you speaking a different language? I did get the mail in rebate and also got another $100 off the extra lens we bought. It's a 50-200mm. So, I just have to use 2 lenses to get the range of that $700 Nikon one.

Re-badged - Someone else made it and the brand you bought just slapped their name on it. The 18-250mm was made by Tamron, but Pentax added their SMC and a Pentax label. This is a fairly common practice in lenses.

SMC - Super Multi Coating - a Pentax exclusive coating that basically reduces flare and gives a better end result (not that other brands are bad though )

Bokeh - the out of focus area of the background (and sometimes foreground) Good bokeh is hard to measure. It should just look pleasing to the eyes. Therefore it can be somewhat subjective.

I have the DA 50-200mm and have been very pleased with it. It is a much better lens than my old Tamron 80-210mm.

Kevin

 

[ukcatfan]

One night they're supposed to do fireworks. Obviously, there is nothing to focus on. So, do we just set to infinity and point towards the sky? Also, how do we turn off the auto focus? I tried to take a pic of a plant outside the window. I focus on the plant, turn the dial to M (or vice versa) and it will still focus on the window. Does this problem have something to do with that focal length I keep reading about?

You are confusing the manual exposure with the manual focus. The manual exposure mode lets you control the aperture and shutter speed. You switch to manual focus with a switch on the front by the lens. If you have the standard kit lens (DA 18-55mm), then that and the DA 50-200mm have quick shift MF. As long as you keep the shutter half pressed, you can automatically switch to manual focus by just turning the focus ring. It automatically disengages the auto focus and keeps your manual focus setting as long as you keep the half pressed shutter button. As soon as you let off the shutter button it goes right back into AF. Be sure a lens offers this feature before you try to do it. If it does not, then you could damage the lens or camera by torquing it.

Kevin

 

[Groucho]

It felt a lot like the Nikon and it had some (almost all, actually) of the features I liked on the Nikon. Plus, it's weather resistant. SOLD!

Just out of curiousity, what feature(s) did you think that it might be lacking vs the Nikon? It should match or beat the D60 in pretty much every category outside of the number of shots it can take in continuous shooting before slowing down, and have most of the features of the D80 - the big losses there would be the extra buttons and front control wheel.

Tips for fireworks... well, yes, I usually set it to manual focus and set it near infinity. Manual focus is a little slider on the left side of the lens mount, I think it's marked M and AF - spinning the wheel on the top left to "M" is for manual exposure mode, where you pick the aperture and shutter speed by hand and it won't attempt to correct them.

If you are going to be shooting fireworks with a static object in the foreground (like if you're shooting Wishes, the Magic Kingdom show), you may want to manually focus on the castle ahead of time and take a test photo, then review the photo and zoom in to make sure the focus is nice and sharp. Ideally you use a tripod and a smallish aperture (F8-11 or so), so it's easy to get things in focus. (The larger the aperture - ie, the lower the F-stop number, the smaller the depth of field, or the amount of distance that's in focus at any given time.)

I wish!!!

I seriously have my eye on a 10-17mm, but I just cannot pull the trigger.

Kevin

Now why would you want one of those crazy lenses?

All that wackiness and it can still pull off pretty close to normal shots at 17mm:

OK, Pentax, if you're reading this - I'll take the 16-50mm F2.8 as my commission, thank you very much.

 

[ukcatfan]

Now why would you want one of those crazy lenses?

Sticking with the theme of the thread, "Groucho, it's all your fault!"

I had been wanting it for a while, but after I actually got to use yours in person, I was hooked! We are thinking about taking a trip to the World in a few weeks, so I had better go ahead and buy it soon if I want to use it there.

Kevin

 

[stlkeeler]

You are confusing the manual exposure with the manual focus. The manual exposure mode lets you control the aperture and shutter speed. You switch to manual focus with a switch on the front by the lens. If you have the standard kit lens (DA 18-55mm), then that and the DA 50-200mm have quick shift MF. As long as you keep the shutter half pressed, you can automatically switch to manual focus by just turning the focus ring. It automatically disengages the auto focus and keeps your manual focus setting as long as you keep the half pressed shutter button. As soon as you let off the shutter button it goes right back into AF. Be sure a lens offers this feature before you try to do it. If it does not, then you could damage the lens or camera by torquing it.

Kevin

Kevin, thanks for clearing me up. I did have a few minutes to start looking at the book tonight. I found the manual focus switch. The first and only time I owned a SLR was back in the 70's and I don't think they had automatic anything then. At least mine wasn't. Everything was manual. All the cameras I've had since then have been P&S ones. That "on the fly" thing is pretty cool - I'm going to have to practice.

 

[stlkeeler]

OK, we were playing around tonight. My DD showed me how to do stuff - I just hope I can remember it all. She took a few pics of a plant outside our door the other day after the rain. She was trying to get the droplets on the leaves. We posted them on my photobucket acct. I tried to put the link in my siggy. I didn't want to bother everyone with them yet. Could someone look and tell me what went wrong and why they're only focused in the center? Or is that how they're supposed to look? On vacation, I want the whole picture to be clear usually. I think they were done on auto everything. I don't think macro...

Thanks for looking!

How do I make the url into a hyperlink?

 

[0bli0]

congrats, Linda. you'll be very happy with the Pentax!
i love my 10-17 fisheye. love the shots, groucho!

 

[ghost1000]

Well I just placed an order for the last bit of stuff for our trip...

It will bring the Groucho/UK inspired damage to:

K200d w/ kit 18-55 lens
50-200 f/4-5.6
Pentax-f 50mm f/1.7 - found a decent deal on one and read some reports that preferred it to the 1.4 for low light shots since it is sharper wide open

shutter cable release
SLR Zoom Gorrillapod
Giottos mini-ball head
circular polarizer
star filter
step up ring to use the filters on the prime
eneloop batteries
optech pro loop strap

and since I couldn't decide which would work better in the park - two different bags.... a Slingshot 200 sling-backpack and a Tamrac Express 7 for when I'm in a messenger mood


Oh not to mention several books too...

Did I forget anything?

 

[Groucho]

On vacation, I want the whole picture to be clear usually. I think they were done on auto everything. I don't think macro...

Thanks for looking!

How do I make the url into a hyperlink?

To make the URL into a hyperlink, put "url" at the beginning and "/url" at the end, and put square brackets around it instead of quotes. You can also do this by clicking the little icon over the text box that has a little link of chain in front of a blue globe.

As for your photo... the difference is all depth of field. DSLRs have a larger sensor which translates into more depth of field. The shot that I looked at had an aperture of F11, which usually is a lot of DoF, but you're also close to the subject, which means less... this is one of those things that you can look at graphs and charts about but you may learn it just as well with experimenting. Still, it's probably not a bad idea to read some depth of field tutorials. I know there's a DoF calculator somewhere that people link to sometimes, that'll give you the exact information.

congrats, Linda. you'll be very happy with the Pentax!
i love my 10-17 fisheye. love the shots, groucho!

Hey thanks 0bli0! Good to see you back around here. In my trip report thread, I even had an "0bli0-style" photo in there. I took another but haven't posted it yet, a short-DoF shot of some drink bottles, one of your usual subjects.

Well I just placed an order for the last bit of stuff for our trip...

It will bring the Groucho/UK inspired damage to:

K200d w/ kit 18-55 lens
50-200 f/4-5.6
Pentax-f 50mm f/1.7 - found a decent deal on one and read some reports that preferred it to the 1.4 for low light shots since it is sharper wide open

shutter cable release
SLR Zoom Gorrillapod
Giottos mini-ball head
circular polarizer
star filter
step up ring to use the filters on the prime
eneloop batteries
optech pro loop strap

and since I couldn't decide which would work better in the park - two different bags.... a Slingshot 200 sling-backpack and a Tamrac Express 7 for when I'm in a messenger mood


Oh not to mention several books too...

Did I forget anything?

Sounds good! I certainly agree on the Eneloop (or any low-discharge NiMHs) and Op/Tech strap, too. BTW, with the Gorillapod and mini ball head, I've never used one but I'd be slightly wary how well they really hold up - especially the mini ball head if it's anything like mine, ie, a little flimsy - so when using that setup, you may want to set the camera to a two-second delay when you press the shutter, that may give it just enough time to stabilize from any movement of the mirror flipping up or you pressing the shutter. Last trip, I ended up doing many of my night shots with just the two-second delay rather than with the remote, partly because my remote was acting up a little and partly because I found it easier to do that than also manage the remote's cable dangling around.

 

[stlkeeler]

congrats, Linda. you'll be very happy with the Pentax!
i love my 10-17 fisheye. love the shots, groucho!

Thanks, I'm sure I will be as soon as I figure out how to make it do what I want it to do. I know it will take a lot of practice, but we don't have much time left before we leave. Only 4 more sleeps!

Well I just placed an order for the last bit of stuff for our trip...

It will bring the Groucho/UK inspired damage to:

K200d w/ kit 18-55 lens
50-200 f/4-5.6
Pentax-f 50mm f/1.7 - found a decent deal on one and read some reports that preferred it to the 1.4 for low light shots since it is sharper wide open

shutter cable release
SLR Zoom Gorrillapod
Giottos mini-ball head
circular polarizer
star filter
step up ring to use the filters on the prime
eneloop batteries
optech pro loop strap

and since I couldn't decide which would work better in the park - two different bags.... a Slingshot 200 sling-backpack and a Tamrac Express 7 for when I'm in a messenger mood


Oh not to mention several books too...

Did I forget anything?

How about some SD cards??

To make the URL into a hyperlink, put "url" at the beginning and "/url" at the end, and put square brackets around it instead of quotes. You can also do this by clicking the little icon over the text box that has a little link of chain in front of a blue globe.

As for your photo... the difference is all depth of field. DSLRs have a larger sensor which translates into more depth of field. The shot that I looked at had an aperture of F11, which usually is a lot of DoF, but you're also close to the subject, which means less... this is one of those things that you can look at graphs and charts about but you may learn it just as well with experimenting. Still, it's probably not a bad idea to read some depth of field tutorials. I know there's a DoF calculator somewhere that people link to sometimes, that'll give you the exact information.

Thanks, Groucho! I figured out the hyperlink thing. Maybe I should start a new thread - You're Awesome, Groucho! Like I said above, we don't have much time for playing before we leave but I know that is what it takes. I read the book some yesterday and was getting pretty frustrated. It says a lot of words but doesn't really tell me much. I need a "Dummies" book, I guess. My mind isn't what it used to be. I have a harder time understanding nowadays. Do you ever use auto anymore or are all of your pics manual something? My DD took some pics of friends and even they didn't turn out very clear. Just OK. Not really much better than my Olympus P&S.

Where did you look for the settings on my pics?

 

[ghost1000]

How about some SD cards??

I currently have a 4, a 2 and a 1 GB card and I'm planning on bringing my laptop to the hotel to clear everything off each night.