pgavalis

<p>I spent about 2 hours of reading and surfing yesterday, trying to figure out the wireless system with my 540/K20. I followed every single step and watched the Pentax tutorial video on syncing/wireless and could not get it to work. I did this at least 4 times, over and over again and could not get the K20 to go to the Wireless Flash Mode, until I realized that I still had my Tak 50/1.4 on the camera. Threw on the Sigma AF and BAM! Works like a charm. I know it doesn't provide any real 'answer' but it may save some other 'off-camera-flash-newbie' a great deal of time and frustration.<br>

And thanks again to all those who answered my "what to buy" question. I opted for some additional lighting accessories and after playing with the wireless flash yesterday, I am PUMPED about learning! This forum rules. Pete.</p>

<p>#6 is my favorite! All are stunning, Javier. Great stuff!</p>

<p>Paolo and Justin, thanks. Looks like it will be some off camera flash stuff. Justin, you had me all excited about getting a 'pair' of everything until I checked current prices on Amazon and recalculated your numbers. Dave, I'm glad someone enjoyed my sense of humor! I do think the off-camera flash experience will be fun and I really need to learn to master the flash I already have. Thanks to all.</p>

<p>Does anyone have an opinion on the off camera set-up? Can I use my current flash and one of the Vivitars as the set-up or do they both (off camera) need to be the same or have the same output, etc. It's off to see the strobist....da dada da da da da.</p>

<p>Bob, thanks. I wish it was cash for I would do just that, classes on lighting. I do like the book idea however.<br>

Somanna, thanks as well. I can get software relatively cheap if I need it and my PC needs nothing...new and big.<br>

Michael, I know. I feel naked not having at least a 28mm but I sold off most of my LBA collection (about a dozen lenses) to help get the K20 and Sigma. I have read how truly great the 50mm is for the price and I was hoping you/others would not have supported that reasoning...but assuredly I appreciated it and I added another check mark to it's side of the tally. I suppose I could sell off the 135's and 2x rear converter to support what I WANT but was hoping to avoid that so I had a couple 'disposable' lenses on hand.<br>

Thanks to all, you're helping more than you think.</p>

<p>Thanks, Michael. I could use some ink and paper although I don't do a lot of printing. But, using gift $ for overpriced Epson 1280 ink is definitely a good idea because pulling that money out of my own pocket for ink gives me a knee-buckling stabbing pain each and every time I do it.<br>

Zane, thanks...another good idea with the memory cards. I only have one 2gb and one 1gb.<br>

Keep them coming people! Please!</p>

<p>Wow, I have not been here in quite awhile!! But, I do need your help on spending my $200 GC at a major online marketplace. What I have: K20D, Sigma 70-200 f2.8 APO EX DG MACRO LOL OMG MY BFF, a few older MF (Tak 50/1.4, a couple cheapo 135mm (2.8 and 3.5), an older 2x rear converter, the 540 Flash, a remote, tripods, a behemoth of a gear bag/backpack and a bunch of accessories/filters.<br>

I did some reading in the other posts and ended up wanting either the Pentax 16-45/f4 or the Sigma 24-60/f2.8. however, one is unavailable (thanks to someone in this forum!!!) and the other is out of the price range. I was hoping for a nice zoom like the ones I just mentioned but I also do not have ANY additional lighting, a battery grip, a wide angle lens, a smaller daypack/bag, and could use a new M42 ring.<br>

I have no idea on how to use additional lighting (unless it's continuous) and I don't necessarily shoot too much wide-angle stuff. The 50mm/1.4 is sadly taking 1st place so far (sad only because I had my mind made up on getting a fast zoom to match the Bigma and this seems like the next best alternative). I could probably find another $25 without getting kicked out of the house but that would be it. I do realize it's just another version of a "what should I get/what do I need question" but I want to spend this soon before I am forced to use it on Wii/DS games, a cute sweater, MP3 downloads or anything else that wouldn't be MINE! Hope your New Year's are off to great starts. Pete.</p>

I have a PK screwmount adapter in my K20d but there seems to be a bit of rotational 'play' in it. Maybe a millimeter,

but enough to annoy me. It may even be .005 millimeters to small, not sure. Does anyone else have this problem or

know if it's possible to adjust the screws or flange to make it snug. I had two but cannot find the other and I know it

fit with nearly no, if any play at all.

Just a side note as I forgot to mention above. I was referring to the use of MF lenses on the K10d and now K20d.

Nearly every single image (99%?) I have in my portfolio was the result of a MF lens. I have probably owned 30 MF lenses in the last year with some duplicates. I have found that it is without question, the copy and/or quality of the lens makes a huge difference in IQ, namely- focusing issues BUT there seems to be no rhyme or reason to the results. I have owned lenses that cost only a few dollars and produced incredible and surprising results, on par with some of the more expensive versions. I found the key to using MF lenses is to experiment with all of the stops with a variety of settings. Some of these lenses may only produce quality images at f8, some only wide open or stopped al the way down. It is time consuming, and sometimes frustrating but it has helped me achieve new levels of patience and altered my thought process when composing an image. Hin Man has posted some great examples of cheapo MF lens images with super IQ. If a MF lens won't focus in any of the settings, dump it and maybe try another version/copy. I have kept sme cheapo's and wrapped a sticky around them for it's now, only purpose (Great for close-ups at f4, beautiful bokeh at f3.5, super sharp but bizarre bokeh, etc.). Now I just keep a list of the lenses in my backpack that specifies what settings I liked. I am still considering the switch to the faster 'pro' AF lenses but for now, with my budget, shopping for cheap MF's is fun and educational.

I didn't realize the biggest complaint was too many images and not enough critiques. I thought the biggest complaint was the rating system which seems to be unrelated to the quantity of images. And I completely disagree. The year 2008 and there is a desire for generalization on the web? If I was a new visitor/member and wanted to scan through some photos to check out some new ideas on how to photograph a fish, I certainly would not want to have to fumble through 1,000's of other bird and cat photo's. Seems pretty simple that sub-categories, or a sub-category dropdown-box could be included in the 'general' heading to allow for more specified photography. It's not about MORE submissions, it's about streamlining or organizing the images already here and those to be posted, which for the more specialized photographer, would undoubtedly attract even more critiques...IF that is the concern.

http://www.photo.net/photo/7516726

Mis, I just read your post and went to the forum. I hope the copy/paste worked but this is an example. Take away any technical aspects and, to me anyway, this is a stunning image and inspires me to utilize available lighting and maybe even take more risks in grabbing a shot. I am not saying a lot of these images are fame-makers, but it can be rather educational and give us all a lift when thinking about trying something new.

Does anyone else feel there should be updated/new categories added to the Critique Forum? Photography is

extremely vast and I am sure PN has studied the most frequently used categories but the categories listed seem

VERY general. Don't misunderstand what I am getting at...I love this site and how they manage it and have no gripes

with anyone. I just think the categories could be expanded to include many more 'sub' categories, whether it be

Flash Photography, Natural Lighting, Modified Equipment, Video Stills, etc. I'm sure many of you have other ideas

and I think we all would like to hear them. I feel this may increase everyones participation in many more forums and

will give us all a boost in surpassing any 'peaks' we think we have achieved and give PN (and the rest of us) a push

into the next generation of photography.

I am posting this here because this is the forum I read the most, but feel free to bump me somewhere else if you feel

it's necessary. I don't know about everyone else but I have seen some incredible and unique images in the critique

forum over the last 2 days....including mine, of course. Ha! I have had occasion to visit the forum and be totally bored

with all images posted for the day but these last 2 days have been incredible. I really have no reason for adding this

thread except for how 'humbling' and vast photography can be. Just when I think everything has been photographed in

every possible way, I come to this site and visit the Critique Forum and can be blown away by at least one image.

Kudo's to PN for providing an outlet to those who post inspiring and unique images.

Thanks to everyone for your input. I had not yet tried the usb cable and just found it this afternoon, buried in one of the 12 pockets in my backpack. I plugged it in about 30 minutes ago and all of the images downloaded without any problem, even the ones that were jumbled. I still don't understand why this happened, but right now I really don't care! Thanks again, Pete.

I have just returned from my vacation and I am in need of extreme help. I brought my k20 and took 236 shots (full res)

on an SD Ultra II, 2GB card. I could not find my trusty camera-pc cord so I attempted to insert the card into the

laptop and download the images. It told me the card needed to be formatted (already was) and I had never before

attempted to dl pics directly from the card. I hit the Cancel button (since this would have deleted all images), put the

card back in the camera and all the pics were still there. When we found a 4/1 card reader laying around, I inserted

the card and all the pics were downloaded with Picasa. I think there were 236 photos. While we were reviewing them,

all appeared initially but as we neared the last 30-40 images they (the last 30-40 images) started going blank or

became jumbled (like a tv screen). Of course they were some of my best shots!!! I put the card back in the camera

and all images were still there and there were no issues at all when previewing them on the k20 itself. I tried several

downloads, rebooting laptop, etc....several variations, and these pics will still not download properly but ARE on the

card. The 'properties' shows that they are full images with all exif data intact. Any idea what is happening or

happened? Can these images be saved? I deleted almost all images from the card, through the camera, other than

the ones in questions but whenever I dl them, they appear for mere seconds before blanking out or jumbling. I

apologize greatly in advance for the lengthy post and will gladly send a genuine sharks tooth to anyone that can

help. Thanks all, Pete.

Mis, Got it. . I found one of the older metal/glass Pentax Polarizers. Cool little filter. 0500hrs will come early. Stay tuned....record 450lb grouper caught off the Pier this week....I'm next!

I know what you meant Hin. I added hidden sarcasm. I love finding and using the older lenses...and have numerous. They are GREAT for using in less than adequate/perfect/safe situations. Maybe you will drop it, scratch it, have it stolen, etc...then at least you ended up with some HQ images and are only out a hundred or so, as opposed to nearly a grand. Just as I am doing over this next week on vacation. I am only taking a 50/1.7, a converter, and a cheapo 35-80. Kids, beer, sand, water, beer, water, beer...normally I would bring the whole backpack but with kids, water, sand and (did I mention beer?), if anything happens to them it will be "dang it" rather than "!%#^* @($*@ !#($(@ YOUR GROUNDED!" Oh yeah, I'll give you $99 for the lens.

I disagree, Hin. Lurking and hunting for lenses like this is great fun! Cosmetic scratches and signs of normal use are expected. Obviously the fungus issue, unless had for a steal, 'could', not 'should' be avoided. Some great treasures are out there and if found, could produce some very beautiful images and possibly be turned over for a modest profit when no longer wnated or needed. "Ridiculously expensive....fungus..issues", there is ALWAYS something in the middle, and yours is testament to that. Never give up people, NEVER.

I love the Schneider pics both here and on your blog. I will be on a mad hunt for one. Incredible IQ with this lens, in all respects as far as I'm concerned. Envy has initiated. Pete.

Thanks to all for the quality replies. Roger, thanks. I think I will be looking for that Sigma 70-200. Seems to fit the range I want (some portraits, nature, sports). Mis, your insight into Amazon's true colors had me on the floor! Good stuff. The DA* 50-135 seems like an outstanding match for the k20, especially with the weather sealing but I really like that 70-200 range. Daniel, you also made me look into the lower zoom ranges and I think I will be adding the Sigma 18-50 to second on my list. Sadly I wish I had one of these zooms before I head to Venice, FL tomorrow. I am going to be very limited since I am bringing a cheapo 35-80, a 50/1.7 and a 2x-s converter. I just couldn't justify carrying all the others with 4 kids under the age of 9, white sand, blue ocean water, warm sunlight and beer wherever I go.

I have recently 'upgraded' to the K20 and love it even more than the K10. I am ready to purchase a "professional"

zoom lens (only have the manual lenses right now). There are a few new ones out there and I am looking at any of

the 2.8's. I want to start with something at 50mm or higher since that fits most of my current needs. Should I go with

Pentax, Sigma or Tamron? Anybody have a chance to use all 3 and have a preference? Seems the DA* 50-135mm

makes the most sense but if I can save cash with the same results or if there are advantages to the other brands

then I am all for it! Any input will be appreciated. I know down the road I will be in for a 16-50 and a 77 but want to

make the zoom the first purchase. Thanks, Pete.

Wow! Great images guys! From a damaged lens? Almost makes me want to consider an 'accidental' drop of mine. Nice stuff.

Bob, I use that lens (SMC Pentax-A 70-210/4) on my K10D on a regular basis and I love it. Almost all of my newest images are from that lens (or the screwmount 100/4) as well as a large majority of any outdoor portraits/snapshots you see (also most flower/plant/nature images). On my weekends off I throw it on and it rarely comes off unless it is very dark. It took me awhile to like it but now I love it. I will be posting a few images from a track meet using only this lens; tricky to focus on the runners but it is possible. I get some fringing when it's wide open but usually not enough to bother me too much. The added macro setting is a bonus as well but I find the focus area to be VERY small when in Macro mode. You won't be disappointed.

What I like about the K20d is that I only have the K10d....oh yeah, and an extra $600.

Hope nobody is offended by my laughing comment?! It's just that I didn't realize that so much math would/could/is involved! Where are the technical guru's this forum is famous for? Anybody? Beuhler?