Pentax general discussion

[Daisy14'sDH]

Which 1.4? I have the FA and its my new favourite!

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Love seeing the pentaxians here. I am not worthy to post pics yet, but enjoy seeing other people's great shots. I am also in the k100 to K-x upgrade club. Love my stormtrooper! I am somewhat lens limited with only the 18-55, 1.4/50 and the 50-200. I am enjoying the baseball shooting right now.

I wouldn't exactly say you were lens limited. With those three lenses you can do quite a lot. The zooms are not the fastest, but with the high ISO capability of the K-x, you will be able to surprise yourself. I have all three of those lenses and although I have purchased faster glass, those are my old reliables. Practice with those lenses and you won't be disappointed. My copy of the 50-200 is an excellent copy and it finds itself mounted to my camera even though I have a 70-200 f2.8. The lens is very lightweight and produces great images. There seems to be a discussion of which is the "better" lens the 50-200 or 55-300. I tend to lean to the 50-200, because of the results I have achieved with it. Good luck and practice and you won't be disappointed.

Below is a picture taken at the Chicagoland Speedway 2009 night race with the 50-200. It is a picture of Helio Castoneves' car traveling at 195+ mph. The lens was mounted on my K10D, which does not have the high ISO capability of the K-x. The light reflection on his helmet visor is from the LED lights on his steering wheel. I have posted this picture before, but it is one of my favorites. I have many similar examples taken with the 50-200. I don't recall doing any PP with this image and if I did, it was minimal. This is pretty much straight out of the camera.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Hoping to be a Pentaxian soon...hope to buy my first DSLR in the next few weeks!

Let us know which one you purchase and don't forget to ask questions, practice and post images! Good luck and welcome to the Pentaxian world!

 

[Me!Thatswho]

I would like to add myself to the list of lurking Pentaxians.

K20D
DA 18-55mm
Sigma 70-300mm DG APO
SMCP-FA 50mm f1.4
Vivitar Series 1 28-105 Macro f2.8
Sear MC 135mm f/2.8 Telephoto

 

[amyy]

So if someone was wanted to invest in a quality camera is this good place to start (and end)?

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

I would like to add myself to the list of lurking Pentaxians.

K20D
DA 18-55mm
Sigma 70-300mm DG APO
SMCP-FA 50mm f1.4
Vivitar Series 1 28-105 Macro f2.8
Sear MC 135mm f/2.8 Telephoto

Welcome aboard!!

 

[ukcatfan]

So if someone was wanted to invest in a quality camera is this good place to start (and end)?

It sure is! It is the best bang for the buck around. Plus, it comes in more than a handful of colors. http://www.pentaximaging.com/slr/

Here is a review from DPReview. http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentaxkx/

 

[photo_chick]

I've always thought Pentax makes a great camera. If I hadn't had an investment in Canon when I got my first DLSR I'd likely have gone with a Pentax.

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

Maybe I'll update the first thread with all the official Pentaxians? LMK your input...

 

[seven dwarfs]

I hope to join your club soon! I have been shopping for almost a year for a new camera. I know just enough about photography to get me in trouble. I plan on buying a 'help me out book' and may even take a class or two. I have six children and want to be able to take great photographs of them. I also travel in our RV alot. We have a trip planned to Mt Rushmore and Yellowstone. So, my question is which would be better for me a Pentax k-x or a Pentax K7? I like the idea that the K-x is easier to learn on and use. I like the idea that the k7 is weather resistant/dust proof but I worry it may be to advanced for a beginner. Help!

 

[amyy]

Would I want to shop around for the price? thanks

I was also thinking of subscribing to one magazine. What would you suggest? (I know there is a lot to read on-line but I still like getting magazines.)

All I have ever used is a point and shoot with or without flash if necessary. So if I read the manual, DIS boards I will be able to figure out how to use it?

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Here's my take on the Pentax line. First, let me preface this by stating we (DW & I) have been shooting with a Pentax SLR for 30 years, first film and then over the last several years digital. In film, we had the Pentax LX which was the flagship SLR for Pentax for many years. When it came time (after several digital P & S) to move to the DSLR, we purchased the K10D. At the time, the K10 was the flagship of the line. When the K20 became the flagship and the K7 announced, we purchased a second K10 at a ridiculous price. That's the background, now today, we have the K7 flagship and the Kx entry level. Coming from the flagship SLR, I may have been disappointed at least in my mind, with an entry level camera. I like the controls better on the K10/K20 series of cameras, ie., dual wheels, top LCD, weather sealing, battery grip, etc. This is strictly a personal preference because the Kx has shown itself to be an excellent entry level camera with good pixel count and high ISO capabilities. The rub in the Pentax arena is why didn't Pentax give the K7 the high ISO capabilities. Who knows! For your situation, IMHO it will depend on your experience with SLR's. I did not find the K10's controls to be overwhelming. Remember its the nut behind the viewfinder that makes the picture. Both the K7 and Kx will serve you well. I do like the color selection on the Kx, especially with the new colors being introduced into the US. My goal is to see what is next down the road as a replacement for the K7 and determine if I want to upgrade. Right now our K10's serve us well. Good luck with your purchase and I encourage you to ask questions, read and practice.

 

[ukcatfan]

I like the controls better on the K10/K20 series of cameras, ie., dual wheels, top LCD, weather sealing, battery grip, etc.

I do sort of miss the top LCD and wish I had the option of a battery grip, but I have gotten over 2nd wheel envy with the K-x. By accident I realized that you do not have to hold down the button to switch the function of the wheel. If you just press it, it toggles between functions. This little change has meant a lot to me! Weather sealing would be nice, but I typically do not get in situations where I would need it.

 

[RBennett]

I do sort of miss the top LCD and wish I had the option of a battery grip, but I have gotten over 2nd wheel envy with the K-x. By accident I realized that you do not have to hold down the button to switch the function of the wheel. If you just press it, it toggles between functions. This little change has meant a lot to me! Weather sealing would be nice, but I typically do not get in situations where I would need it.

I found that out yesterday too by mistake. I was shooting a karate tournament and at one point I clicked the button to change the exposure amount. Well when I clicked it again it changed another factor.

 

[DisneydaveCT]

First my equipment,

K100D
SMC DA 18-55MM 3.5-5.6
Pentax FA 28-105mm 4-5.6
Pentax F 70-210mm 4-5.6
Pentax A 50mm 1.7

Recently, I took a trip to photograph some lighthouses in Southern Maryland. After getting home I noticed that I had two pieces of dust...flying snakes in the sky. No matter what I lens I used, they showed up in pictures.

Any suggestions on how to clean the camera?

 

[ukcatfan]

First my equipment,

K100D
SMC DA 18-55MM 3.5-5.6
Pentax FA 28-105mm 4-5.6
Pentax F 70-210mm 4-5.6
Pentax A 50mm 1.7

Recently, I took a trip to photograph some lighthouses in Southern Maryland. After getting home I noticed that I had two pieces of dust...flying snakes in the sky. No matter what I lens I used, they showed up in pictures.

Any suggestions on how to clean the camera?

Sounds like sensor dust. Start with a Giottos Rocket Blower. Be sure to use fresh batteries and hold the camera with the mount facing down. Read the manual for the specific instructions on the mirror lockup function to make sure you do it correctly.

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

I have the same thing, I didnt notice until I was using long exposures trying to shoot some lightning...

 

[Groucho]

I wouldn't exactly say you were lens limited. With those three lenses you can do quite a lot. The zooms are not the fastest, but with the high ISO capability of the K-x, you will be able to surprise yourself

True. My first WDW DSLR trip was with my *ist DL and the 18-55mm, 50-200mm, and 50mm F1.4. (OK, and my Zenitar 16mm fisheye too. ) When I look back at the shots from that trip, I am still pretty pleased with the results. They are some pretty solid, reliable lenses.

I would like to add myself to the list of lurking Pentaxians.

Welcome and nice avatar! Good night, ding-a-ding-ding-ding-ding...

I hope to join your club soon! I have been shopping for almost a year for a new camera. I know just enough about photography to get me in trouble. I plan on buying a 'help me out book' and may even take a class or two. I have six children and want to be able to take great photographs of them. I also travel in our RV alot. We have a trip planned to Mt Rushmore and Yellowstone. So, my question is which would be better for me a Pentax k-x or a Pentax K7? I like the idea that the K-x is easier to learn on and use. I like the idea that the k7 is weather resistant/dust proof but I worry it may be to advanced for a beginner. Help!

With our K-x, my wife just leaves it in "P" mode all the time - as I often do on my K-7. The big difference is that you lose the scene modes - but really, how many people use scene modes on a regular basis? (I'm sure some do, but I think most people just leave their camera in Auto mode.) You don't have an Auto mode but you do have a "Green" mode which is virtually the same thing. You gain a lot of functionality - the top LCD, second wheel, a much nicer rear LCD, bigger and brighter viewfinder, sturdier construction, sealing, faster speed, quieter shutter, long-lasting li-ion battery, etc, etc... but you lose some high ISO capability as well as the color choices. No red K-7s! I like our K-x but I do find it a little limiting sometimes just because I'm used to the extra external controls of the K-7.

 

[Swmhc]

OMG !! Check this out !!! I WANT THIS CAMERA !!

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/05/rainbow-colored-pentax-k-x-requires-sunglasses-to-use/

 

[Me!Thatswho]

Welcome and nice avatar! Good night, ding-a-ding-ding-ding-ding...

Thanks. And, I'd like to give a to your username and avatar as well. After all, as the wise man himself once said: "I've got the brain of a four year old. I'll bet he was glad to be rid of it."