Pentax general discussion

[amyy]

The camera arrived today!!

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

READ THE MANUAL!!!! Enjoy, I remember my first few shutter clicks... sheer bliss...

 

[Groucho]

KEH gets mentioned a lot for used equipment, too. I've never bought from them but I think ukcatfan has?

I know some are nervous about it, but I've had good luck with ebay, too. And, of course, it can't hurt to check Craigslist, but you will mostly find older film lenses on there, usually manual focus ones. I love 'em but if you're not used to manual focusing, you might find them frustrating.

 

[MinnieForMe]

The camera arrived today!!

Mine is expected to arrive today! We'll need to compare notes!

Anyone have any suggestions for a small bag that will hold the K-X, and both lenses?

 

[RBennett]

Mine is expected to arrive today! We'll need to compare notes!

Anyone have any suggestions for a small bag that will hold the K-X, and both lenses?

I have always loved my Lowepro Slingshot 100AW. It lets me hold my K-x, with one lens attached, a zoom lens, and then usually either a prime/UWA lens. That's just in the main compartment. Then it has two other areas for filters, lens cloth, batteries, remote, car keys, or whatever. I (personally) think it's one of the better ones out there for carrying essentials but not being too awkward. I have heard a few ladies say it was uncomfortable to them though, with how it sits across their shoulder.

 

[ukcatfan]

KEH gets mentioned a lot for used equipment, too. I've never bought from them but I think ukcatfan has?

Yes I have. The lenses I bought were exactly as described and the prices were good. I cannot remember the exact prices since it was over three years ago, but I think the Pentax 50mm f/2 was about $45 and the Tamron 80-210mm was only around $25.

 

[MinnieForMe]

It arrived. I'm impressed with how fast it takes pictures. Is the Live View totally useless or is it because I'm trying to focus in a dark room in the house? It's raining out so I wasn't about to take it outside.

I did try to shoot some pictures through the porch screens and the results were clear at 50 mm and completely hazy at 200mm.

I'm not liking the weight of it at all -- too heavy for me. I'm sure I will get use to it but the 4/3rds are looking better.

 

[zackiedawg]

It arrived. I'm impressed with how fast it takes pictures. Is the Live View totally useless or is it because I'm trying to focus in a dark room in the house? It's raining out so I wasn't about to take it outside.

Basically, for practical purposes the live view isn't really usable for general shooting. It can help for an odd shot, some tripod shooting where manual focus is critical to zoom in for detail, etc...but it's very slow to focus, and has the delay for the mirror to flip down and up before the shot. Live view for most DSLRs will function this way, and isn't really designed for casual walk-around shooting. For that, Sony DSLRs, Sony's NEX mirrorless, or the micro 4/3 cameras are the way to go.

I'm not liking the weight of it at all -- too heavy for me. I'm sure I will get use to it but the 4/3rds are looking better.

Actually, if the KX is too heavy for you (and it's one of the lightest DSLRs out there!!) then you're pretty much going to have to look to the compact mirrorless cameras out there. Note: 4/3 cameras aren't the light ones - it's "micro 4/3" - those are the ones that drop the mirror assembly, and shoot using a live view type interface like a P&S camera. Olympus EPL1, Panasonic GF1 are both examples of micro 4/3 cameras. The other option are the APS-C mirrorless cameras, of which there are two - the Samsung NX10 or the Sony NEX3 & NEX5. The Sonys are the smallest, and newest - they are just hitting the market now. Any of those cameras should be smaller and lighter, and will also work much better in live view modes...but will lose out on a few performance specs compared to the KX, like continuous shooting speed and manual control/customization ability.

 

[MinnieForMe]

Basically, for practical purposes the live view isn't really usable for general shooting. It can help for an odd shot, some tripod shooting where manual focus is critical to zoom in for detail, etc...but it's very slow to focus, and has the delay for the mirror to flip down and up before the shot. Live view for most DSLRs will function this way, and isn't really designed for casual walk-around shooting. For that, Sony DSLRs, Sony's NEX mirrorless, or the micro 4/3 cameras are the way to go.



Actually, if the KX is too heavy for you (and it's one of the lightest DSLRs out there!!) then you're pretty much going to have to look to the compact mirrorless cameras out there. Note: 4/3 cameras aren't the light ones - it's "micro 4/3" - those are the ones that drop the mirror assembly, and shoot using a live view type interface like a P&S camera. Olympus EPL1, Panasonic GF1 are both examples of micro 4/3 cameras. The other option are the APS-C mirrorless cameras, of which there are two - the Samsung NX10 or the Sony NEX3 & NEX5. The Sonys are the smallest, and newest - they are just hitting the market now. Any of those cameras should be smaller and lighter, and will also work much better in live view modes...but will lose out on a few performance specs compared to the KX, like continuous shooting speed and manual control/customization ability.

Darn! It's the continuous shoot that I LOVE! This baby is fast or fast compared to my point and shoot! I may have to start working out to strengthen my arm muscles. LOL!

I'm off to a butterfly place for a fairy birthday party for my daughter's classmate tomorrow. I'm going to play and play to see how I really feel about it.

 

[Master Mason]

You get used to the size.... when I got my d40 it seamed huge, now it's just normal, and my old xt feels like a toy.

 

[MinnieForMe]

You get used to the size.... when I got my d40 it seamed huge, now it's just normal, and my old xt feels like a toy.

That's what I suspected. It's just a shock when you hold it after your point and shoot! LOL.

Does the livefeed get any better in good lighting situations? I may have to wear my contacts all the time to use the viewfinder instead of live feed.

Can you see me justifying Lasix for my eyes because of a camera? I do!

 

[ukcatfan]

That's what I suspected. It's just a shock when you hold it after your point and shoot! LOL.

Does the livefeed get any better in good lighting situations? I may have to wear my contacts all the time to use the viewfinder instead of live feed.

Can you see me justifying Lasix for my eyes because of a camera? I do!

Live view does focus better in better light. It still will not be very fast. I do not know how bad your eyes are, but try out the diopter. It can be adjusted to work for most people's eyes. It is the little ridged bar above the viewfinder.

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

I use other forums, thrift shops and numerous garage sale web sites to acquire new equipment, BTW I finally have my 18-250 on the way, I'm really excited it means I can sell 2 other lenses and put the money towards a faster 100mm ish prime! or 12-24...

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

I thought it was big for the first while, now when I see other DSLR users I really see how small it is! Half of the other people have cameras with battery grips and these huge lenses...

 

[zackiedawg]

Exactly! My own feeling is that the Kx would feel small for me. I'm a big guy with fairly large hands - I actually feel more comfortable with a larger camera and a big grip...and when I shoot birds and wildlife, I'm walking around with a 3-foot long, 8Lb rig!

 

[zackiedawg]

Does the livefeed get any better in good lighting situations? I may have to wear my contacts all the time to use the viewfinder instead of live feed.

It will be a little faster in better light - but still pretty slow for focus...and every time you press the shutter, the camera will still have to drop the mirror, confirm AF, lift the mirror, and fire. All that mirror flipping will give you a 1/2 second to 3/4 second delay from pressing the shutter to taking the photo. The camera really isn't designed to be used in live view mode. You'll be heating the sensor, which can introduce noise, getting slow focus, and adding extra wear to the mirror assembly. And you aren't supposed to go past 5 minutes in live view.

You can probably learn to adjust to viewfinder - if the sight through it is a problem, consider picking up something like an eyepiece magnifier. Pentax makes a good one that magnifies the view 1.2x - mild but might help you see details a bit better (ME53). There are other options too, like angle-finders.

If live view is something you find you absolutely cannot live without, then you may want to go with one of those compact mirrorless cams. Otherwise, see how you do with the viewfinder...play around with the diopter control to adjust it for your vision - you may even be able to get it clear without your glasses needed - so you can fit your eye flush to the finder, just by pulling up your eyeglasses. Or check out the magnifiers.

 

[NYY2SMP]

Question, Did you get a warrenty on your pentax K-x

 

[MinnieForMe]

Question, Did you get a warrenty on your pentax K-x

Yes, the four year one! The warranty has saved us many times on different items so for the money I went with it. It does not cover dropping it like Ritz's does but I'm not handing this one to my children. Well, that's a lie my 12 year old has already tried it out and given his approval!

I'm surprisingly getting use to the viewfinder and the weight. I DON'T WANT TO RETURN IT!

In your real life if you ever come across a petite woman carrying a Pentax and a folding chair with a cane say "hi". I've come to the conclusion I'll just carry a chair to have the ability to use both of my hands. LOL. Where this is a will, there is a way!

Today should be a great day to photograph. 18, 4-5 year old's, in a butterfly place. I'm only going to shoot in automatic but don't yell at me yet. It's my 1st DSLR and it's not 24 hours old yet! LOL.

 

[NYY2SMP]

Yes, the four year one! The warranty has saved us many times on different items so for the money I went with it. It does not cover dropping it like Ritz's does but I'm not handing this one to my children. Well, that's a lie my 12 year old has already tried it out and given his approval!

I'm surprisingly getting use to the viewfinder and the weight. I DON'T WANT TO RETURN IT!

In your real life if you ever come across a petite woman carrying a Pentax and a folding chair with a cane say "hi". I've come to the conclusion I'll just carry a chair to have the ability to use both of my hands. LOL. Where this is a will, there is a way!

Today should be a great day to photograph. 18, 4-5 year old's, in a butterfly place. I'm only going to shoot in automatic but don't yell at me yet. It's my 1st DSLR and it's not 24 hours old yet! LOL.

did you get the warrenty from pentax as in off there website?

 

[ukcatfan]

I'm surprisingly getting use to the viewfinder and the weight. I DON'T WANT TO RETURN IT!

It is always a little strange for someone coming from a digital p&s because they typically have not used a viewfinder in a decade, if ever. Keep with it though because it is a much better technique because it keeps the camera much more stable. LV is good for odd angle where you cannot look through it and for tripod work. I have also used it to preview the histogram on tricky exposures.