Help with SDHC card for Pentax K-X and basic start up questions

[Gabrielsbigtrip]

BEGINNER ALERT

I just purchased the Pentax K-X as my first DSLR camera.

Can anyone help me on what to look for in a SDHC card?

So far, from reading, it seems I should look for at least a class 4 or higher??

Thanks in advance.......I have researched what camera to pick to the point of brain fry and I just don't have it in me to do it all over again for the card.

 

[Anewman]

BEGINNER ALERT

I just purchased the Pentax K-X as my first DSLR camera.

Can anyone help me on what to look for in a SDHC card?

So far, from reading, it seems I should look for at least a class 4 or higher??

Thanks in advance.......I have researched what camera to pick to the point of brain fry and I just don't have it in me to do it all over again for the card.

Really no big deal unless you are shooting video or bursts that fill up the buffer on a regular basis.

Faster card will also speed up transfer to your computer, but again not that big a deal.

If you are concerned about any of the above, get as fast a card(higher class equals faster) you can get from a reputable brand. I have read about many cases where no name brand that says Class 10, performs slower than a Class 6 from a big name..

 

[LordAthens]

I would recommend staying with Lexar Professional or any of the Sandisk Extreme cards. That's not to say that PNY, Danaelec, Kingston, etc are bad, but Lexar and Sandisk have been the 2 industry leaders in flash memory for a long time. Their products can be trusted. I have almost 10 year old Lexar 1gb CF cards (paid $429 each for them new!) that are still going without issue, 1 of which was even washed in my jeans.

I typically prefer Lexar over Sandisk, but they're both fine. B&H usually has pretty good pricing on them. I just picked up a 2pk of 16gb Lexar Pro's for $74 and 2 32gb for $70 ea.

 

[Gabrielsbigtrip]

Thanks to both of you.

Since I am just starting - I have no idea what I will need. I would think I want to take HD movies and would want a card that would do well with that.

I am off to look at the Lexar cards.

After that....a class on Photography or a "How to use a DSLR for Dummies" book

Thanks again.

 

[ukcatfan]

I pretty much use Kingston exclusively. I have one Transcend Class 6 card that will only do two minutes of video at a time (BTW, I have the K-x). My Class 6 Kingston cards work great and I have had no problems over about eight years of using them. While they do not have as popular of a name as Sandisk, I believe they they are still part of the most respectable memory companies out there. They are also well respected for computer memory. I would not do a Class 4 card from anyone on the K-x though.

 

[Gabrielsbigtrip]

I pretty much use Kingston exclusively. I have one Transcend Class 6 card that will only do two minutes of video at a time (BTW, I have the K-x). My Class 6 Kingston cards work great and I have had no problems over about eight years of using them. While they do not have as popular of a name as Sandisk, I believe they they are still part of the most respectable memory companies out there. They are also well respected for computer memory. I would not do a Class 4 card from anyone on the K-x though.

Yes, you mentioned the K-X in another thread and that is what made me even take a look at it.

I purchased a SanDisk Extreme III 4 GB Class 6 SDHC Flash Memory Card from Amazon for 14.99.

I hope that will be good enough to get me started. I needed something cheap for now. In the next month or two.....I will most likely get an 8 or 16.

Thanks ....it seems if I stay at Class 6 or higher and stick to the names everyone has mentioned above...I will be okay.

 

[ukcatfan]

Yes, you mentioned the K-X in another thread and that is what made me even take a look at it.

I purchased a SanDisk Extreme III 4 GB Class 6 SDHC Flash Memory Card from Amazon for 14.99.

I hope that will be good enough to get me started. I needed something cheap for now. In the next month or two.....I will most likely get an 8 or 16.

Thanks ....it seems if I stay at Class 6 or higher and stick to the names everyone has mentioned above...I will be okay.

That card will be just fine. For price comparison's sake, I bought my last 8GB Class 6 Kingston card for $13.99

 

[Gabrielsbigtrip]

Well at that price....I will definitely check that out for the next card!

Do you have any suggestions on other items that a true beginner should have to start out with the K-X?

 

[ukcatfan]

Everyone with a DSLR needs some sort of sensor blower. I prefer the Giottos Rocket Blower. Never use canned compressed air as it could ruin your sensor. Then I also suggest a lens pen/lens brush combo. A good strap is always a plus. I have an OP/Tech Pro Loop with the longer strap option and I really like it because I can use it messenger style. Many also like the Black Rapid and a Crumpler, but I do not remember the model name on that one. If you are willing to invest a little in a good AA charger, the Maha Powerex MH-C9000 is awesome! It was honestly worth every penny. I personally do not get into filters too much for protection, but a nice circular polarizing filter is one that any outdoor shooter should have in the bag. If you can find one in stock, I also suggest getting the stock Pentax lens hood. That is the best way to protect a lens in my opinion and it also keeps out unwanted light.

 

[Groucho]

Agreed on the lens hood. It is almost a must. I think you can get copycat ones off eBay for fairly cheap for the 18-55mm kit lens.

For SD cards, I have used a variety and haven't had any go bad. My usual cards are a trio of Sandisk Extreme III 8gb cards. A few Black Fridays ago, they had a deal where, after rebate, the three cards cost me $5. Not each - $5 for all three. Including shipping. That price was enough to get even a skinflint like me to use the normally-expensive Sandisk cards!

In December, in anticipation of a big trip with my new 16mp K-5, shooting raw and with some videos, I picked up a 32gb Transcend class 10 card. It is a little bit slower than the Sandisks, I'd say, but not enough to make a real difference. Plenty fast enough for video, and I never had a problem with the camera buffer filling up waiting for the card.

Your 4gb card should do nicely as long as you're shooting jpgs and not too much in the way of videos. Videos take up a lot of space. I would also recommend shooting in raw, or maybe raw+jpg, if you ever anticipate yourself learning more about post-processing your photos in the future. Shooting raw now and archiving them will give you the option to go back in the future and improve the photos later.

 

[MinnieForMe]

Don't forget good rechargable batteries. The best suggestion I ever received was to buy enloops. They never seem to run out! I love them!

 

[MinnieForMe]

UKCATFAN:
Do you keep the hood on your lenses all the time? I thought they were only useful outside. I've yet to put the hood on my 28-75.

 

[ukcatfan]

UKCATFAN:
Do you keep the hood on your lenses all the time? I thought they were only useful outside. I've yet to put the hood on my 28-75.

I use it for protection of the lens and keep it on all the time except when using the built-in flash. It causes a shadow.

 

[Groucho]

It can also help indoors; there are still lights inside that you don't want shining on the lens. They're a lot dimmer than the sun, but it's still a good idea to keep it on most all the time.

The Eneloop (or similar low-discharge/precharged) battery suggestion is a great one! Those are definitely essential for the K-x.

 

[Gabrielsbigtrip]

I just purchased a hood on Ebay.

Amazon has this kit for $17.95:

Kit includes:
♦ 1) Giottos Rocket-Air Blower Professional AA1900
♦ 2) Lenspen Lens Pen Cleaning System
♦ 3) Precision Design 5-Piece Lens Cleaning Kit
♦ 4) Cameta Microfiber Cleaning Cloth

The Giottos Rocket-Air Blower is very powerful and easy to use cleaning system. The super air stream blows off dust particles, even those attracted by static electricity. Giottos' patented and unique rocket base design allows the Rocket-Air to stand by itself and prevents accidental blocking of the inlet valve as well as making it easy to store. The inlet valve prevents back flow from the air tube. This air blower is an excellent way to remove dust off sensitive equipment parts without physical contact. It works great when used on digital camera sensors, lenses, telescopes, computer keyboards, microscopes, communications equipment, musical instruments or just about any precision equipment.

The LensPen is one of the most invaluable accessories a photographer can own. Its unique design makes cleaning your lens fast, simple and effective. On one end, a retractable soft brush sweeps dust and loose particles away from the glass. On the other end, a special dry cleaning compound is used to gently remove fingerprints and spots.

This 5-piece cleaning kit contains everything you'll ever need to properly clean your lenses, including Lens Cleaning Tissues, Lens Cloth, Lens Cleaning Liquid, Blower Brush and Cotton Swabs.

Keep your camera and lenses smudge-free with this handy microfiber cleaning cloth.



Is this a good deal? Does it cover what I would need for basic cleaning purposes?

Also, I will pick up the batteries suggested.

I am going to wait on the strap for $$ purposes : )

Gonna hit the library for some beginner books too.

TIA for the help.

I got the camera yesterday and the card hasn't arrived yet. It's killing me not to be able to test it out but I guess I can read the manual first

 

[MinnieForMe]

I never bought the blower. Where do I use it? BE NICE! Is it for when you take off the lens and see that inside area of the camera? How often do you use it?

 

[ukcatfan]

I never bought the blower. Where do I use it? BE NICE! Is it for when you take off the lens and see that inside area of the camera? How often do you use it?

Sensors get dust on them. It is unavoidable. The shaking sensor at startup helps shake off a lot of it, but it doesn't get it all. If you start to notice blemishes in your shots that are always in the same spot, it is probably sensor dust. It shows more on shots with a small aperture. To test to see if you have it and how bad it is, set the aperture to something like f/22 and take a pic of a blank surface that is intentionally out of focus. Review the shot on your computer and you will see the dust pretty clearly.

To remove it, the first step is to go into sensor cleaning mode (in the menu), hold the camera facing down with the lens off, and use a blower to try to dislodge the dust and let it fall out of the camera. Keep in mind that it is extremely small, so you are not going to actually see it work. Then re-test to see how it did. Try this a few times before resorting to a direct contact method of sensor cleaning. If that kind of cleaning method makes you nervous, there are people that you can pay to do it for you. Luckily, the blower is all that you will need in most cases. Over three years with my K100D, I only had to do a contact sensor cleaning once.

 

[MinnieForMe]

Great explanation. Thank you!

Why did I think there was an automatic sensor cleaner on the K-X? I'm such a dreamer!

I'll add the blower you recommended to my next Amazon purchase!

 

[ukcatfan]

Sensors get dust on them. It is unavoidable. The shaking sensor at startup helps shake off a lot of it, but it doesn't get it all. If you start to notice blemishes in your shots that are always in the same spot, it is probably sensor dust. It shows more on shots with a small aperture. To test to see if you have it and how bad it is, set the aperture to something like f/22 and take a pic of a blank surface that is intentionally out of focus. Review the shot on your computer and you will see the dust pretty clearly.

To remove it, the first step is to go into sensor cleaning mode (in the menu), hold the camera facing down with the lens off, and use a blower to try to dislodge the dust and let it fall out of the camera. Keep in mind that it is extremely small, so you are not going to actually see it work. Then re-test to see how it did. Try this a few times before resorting to a direct contact method of sensor cleaning. If that kind of cleaning method makes you nervous, there are people that you can pay to do it for you. Luckily, the blower is all that you will need in most cases. Over three years with my K100D, I only had to do a contact sensor cleaning once.

Great explanation. Thank you!

Why did I think there was an automatic sensor cleaner on the K-X? I'm such a dreamer!

I'll add the blower you recommended to my next Amazon purchase!

You're not crazy Every new DSLR has this feature. The problem is that it only does so much. It basically shakes the sensor around and any dust not stuck well falls off to a sticky strip below it. It helps for everyday dust, but it is inevitable that you will eventually get something on it that it cannot handle. That is when you use the blower. I have had to use the blower three times in a year and three months since I got my K-x. I have not had to do a physical cleaning on my K-x.

To keep the risk down, keep the camera with a lens attached almost all of the time. Mine goes no longer than about two seconds at a time without one.