pgavalis

Maybe if any of you had any experience as a Police Officer, your opinions would be different. We are wanted when you call and disrespected if you don't. I don't condone his attitude nor do I support the punk's, but a with a little education and experience your opinions would change dramatically.

I'm not quite sure if this is what you are looking for but I just picked up an AF280T and it's pretty compact for a flash. Works great.

Thanks folks. I realize it's a bit odd. I just started saving files this way and it has become habit. The original stays as is...one copy saved as jpeg, one as tiff, and original (usually tiff). Thanks again.

This question may belong in another forum but I am primarily a Pentax user so I

am asking other Pentaxians for opinions. This is my workflow if/when I do any

editing/framing etc....open in adobe ps elements, make changes, resize and save

as jpeg copy, go back one step to original size, save as tiff. Is that ok? Am I

losing any quality by saving as jpeg copy first then going back one step to

original size and saving as tiff?

Thanks all! I found myself thumbing through the local yellow pages looking for Gadgets or Lens Anonymous since I am really starting to enjoy this camera! I may sell off the 135/3.5 and 70-210 for a Takumar 135/2.5..do you thinks it's worth it? Hopefully I will enjoy the 50/1.7 enough that I don't want to purchase the 1.4. Matthew, thanks for the info on naneupro that I never heard of! I will be going with the monopod (since I think it is more my style), battery grip (in a couple months) and cable release, for now anyway. Then I am done...I swear.

Thanks Markus. I will scratch the meter from the list right away. I have a Vivitar 70-210 macro and the purple fringing is overwhelming on ANY highlights at all...maybe I am using it wrong but I followed the instructions on using the MF lenses and tried different settings with the focal lengths from 70-200 (no problems with the 135). Suggestions on used tripods/brands or sizes and filters/brands? I haven't used the other lenses yet because they have not arrived, trust me when I say the moment they do arrive, they will be used. I am trying to maximize my gear with "low" cost but mid-high quality. And as stated, a bag is an absolute must and I am assuming just about any brand of backpack style bag is effective...just wanted some input on what is being used and what is liked/disliked. Thanks again for your quick reply...Pete.

Alright, maybe this info has already been posted but it is pretty general and I

am trying to dismiss a multi-forum/posting search. I currently have the K10d,

540 flash, GorillaPod, 50-200 zoom, 135/f3.5, 70-210 (that I hate), 50mm 1.7

(yet to try) and 70-300 (also yet to try). I am looking to round off my gear

before I get crazy with purchases and end up with stuff I won't use or need. I

am looking for some suggestions regarding an inexpensive but solid tripod,

backpack, remote, additional lighting and/or any other gear you deem necessary.

I have been nearly as successful as HinMan in my purhcases and I have about

$300 left. A gear bag is an absolute must, and probably a full size but

portable tripod. Should I get or do I need a light meter? Can I get by with the

50/1.7 or should I make the leap for a 1.4? Portraits/people, macro/studio, and

streets are my ultimate goals in subjects. A Pocket Wizard or generic remote?

Suggestions would be appreciated..keep in mind I am very open to purchasing

used gear. Thanks for your help, Pete.

I have family/friends hunting for the 100 macro. I will be looking for the 35mm. Thanks to all for your interest and input. I love this camera, I just hope I can master it!

I have read almost every thread regarding lens choices for the K10d and

compatibility...and sadly, I feel the migraines starting again. I have a Pentax

50-200 that I am somewhat satisfied with for outdoor/bright light stuff, but I

would love a couple few budget minded suggestions for another one or two

lenses. You can keep them brief if you like. By 'budget' I mean relatively

cheap lenses with high IQ. I know, we all would love that scenario, but I am

referring to stuff I can get on ebay or used, in store lenses for under

$300..under $200 even better. Third party suggestions are fine with me as well.

Mostly intersted in the prime lenses, and I would love to grab one of

those 'pancakes' but I need to stay on the lower end until income tax season! A

multi-purpose macro suggestion would be great! Your top-three, budget lens

Christmas Wish List! Thanks for your help, Pete.

This might be a good spot for me to jump in...guess what all...I finally bought it. The K10D with the 50-200. (I was promised a prime for Christmas). RC, I am by no means a pro, and I have had this camera for less than a week, and after owning a Sony R1 I have to say that this camera is way more than I expected. I will be posting my own 'average joe' review of this beast pretty soon, but for now I wanted to let you know I just put up a few photos I took on my first outdoor venture.

 

Please keep in mind these are the very first outdoor photos I took with the K10 and I applied very minimal and simple Picasa processing. There is a much greater learning curve with this camera than I anticipated, but I am chomping at the bits with anticipation. I already see that this camera will truly meet all of my photographic needs for quite a long time. Check out the photos and stay tuned.

 

Thanks again to all for the input, suggestions and opinions...the best forum on the net.

I may be a new 'paying' subscriber to this site but it was my understanding that this forum, meaning "Pentax", was for anything pertaining to Pentax, which includes the equipment, techniques, opinions, troubleshooting, critiques, reviews, help, etc.

 

This site IS 'gear oriented', as is just about every thread in every forum on this site. Maybe not the initial thread or question, but somewhere, somehow, the gear ends up as part of the discussion....whether it be the memory card, flash, tripod, camera, lens, settings, editing software, printer, paper, scanner, ink, monitor, cropping, etc., etc. When is the last time you checked the 'details' or 'more properties' tab on any photo or included it in any your own photos? Why? Why read any camera reviews or post any opinions on them? You feel like capturing an image...what do you grab? A: your gear.

 

"Photography" has three main elements and ALL are necessary AND relevant: light, subject matter, and a recording medium (aka, GEAR). Take away any ONE and you essentially have nothing. So to pose a question about "photography", (taking away the gear), would mean to only ask about the lighting and subject matter. And, in most situations, unless you strictly shoot outdoors and without artificial light, your forums would dwindle down to the best time of day to take a photo and/or positioning of your subject matter relevant to your light...because anything other than available natural light, is gear.

 

Anybody who HAS offered an opinion about what gear I should get based on my $$$$, I thank you. I am fairly certain that at one time or another, every single person on this site has pondered his/her gear. The next time one of your buddies or family members asks you what kind of camera you use or what gear to get, just tell them "it's not relevant".

The last thing I need is an 18yr old to look up to. That's a compliment. Guy is a natural.

The b/w with the peace sign is one of my favorite 'street' photos. Awesome. Pete.

Outstanding stuff Jeff! Wow about sums it up. Great intimate shots. More!

Zane, thanks. I anticipated the "get over it already" comments and duly noted. Your recs. (non-brand specific) are what I am looking for. Thanks a mill. Pete.

Thanks Debbie! It is not JUST between those two, maybe I should have added I prefer to purchase New and Now. I compared just about everything on just about every website. I know, I know, I should compare with actual use/prints but I don't have that luxury. I narrowed it to those because I think they will suit my needs. If there is another system/line/brand out there that I can get this month, for my $1000, I am all ears. Thanks for your quick and respected opinion.

I have learned that if I submitted this question, or my original, my answers/replies would be pro-whateverforumIpostedin. My original question in this thread has been answered, I think, since it does make sense and was a factor I never considered. Maybe I should re-ask my original, since now I am leary about a limited supply of lenses Pentax has to offer (and I think Justin is trying to bully me).

 

What I like MOST: people/streets/portraits.

 

What I will do and like: sports/nature/travel/studio (macro,etc)/PS.

 

What I have: cheap tripod/laptop/desktop/epson 1280/scanner/patience/nightmares of Justin's responses.

 

What I want: DSLR and whatever lenses I can get by with to cover my current interests and budget.

 

What I don't have: brand loyalty/lenses/fear of Justin.

 

What I can spend: $1000 or less.

 

What I have held/played with: Oly 510/Pen K10/Nikon D80/Canon 40d.

 

What I narrowed it down to based on all of my above except for the 'held/played' and Justin's scare tactics and unbiased opinion of his last name vs. my career choice: K10 or 510.

 

Time frame until next lens/camera purchase: 2 years, assuming I follow my gradual/realistic curve to 'success'.

 

If any of you decide to even respond to this unoriginal and insecure question that probably NOW belongs in a different forum, PLEASE try to keep it 'real' and don't counter each other's opinions... even though I/we sometimes enjoy it. There are hundreds of debate-able threads out there and like most (or just the Type A) 'enthusiasts' I am REALLY struggling with this decision.

 

Thanks a ton for all your contributions so far. I've read every one of them twice. Pete.

Justin, I surely hope you didn't take that to be a critique about your opinions or your work...afer reading some of your other responses it was moreso directed at you because I thought you were pro-Pentax...just fyi, and your reply was well done and appreciated.

 

Debbie, I put Sony on there because I really like the setup of the R1. The buttons and functions are right there where you (I need/want) them. It was easier to figure out than my old Rebel SLR. And when I saw the release of Sony's 700, I popped a couple more Tylenol.

 

Doug, you're right on it about the tripod and thought process. I know that is where (tripod use) I need to improve. I think my thought process is there, it's the 'bringing it to life' end of it that I want to conquer.

 

You are all great and I TRULY appreciate everyone's time and opinion. I am not a follower by nature, so I think I am going to stick with my original choice and be the best I can be with what I use. The market-share aspect never struck me...after 5 years of college, 45k, and a Marketing Major....pffft...what a maroon. But then again, I have probably forgotten more than a lot of people know.

Thanks Javier and Debbie. Debbie, I sensed a tad bit of sarcasm in there, good stuff. You hit on part of my decision making process, what camera is right for me? I think it will have to be the Pentax (but not in the 'awe shucks, I have to get a Pentax' sense) but because of the image stab. and I love to walk, stop, shoot, look, walk, etc. When I finally make the leap to do this for money, I will undoubtedly turn to one of the Big Two (or Three if Sony keeps it up).

Wow. Lightning fast and incredibly helpful responses! The market share and shear volume of the Canon/Nikons in the world never occurred to me (brain freeze). Michael, I hear ya'. I wish I was to that point already myself. The goal was to sell my R1 which would cover the balance of my budget, and two failed sales later, I am still here (the downside to ebay).

 

Part of my struggle is the decision between holding off until I can afford to build on a system, as William pointed out, and just 'upgrading' from my R1. I also realized part of what William referred to after my post...the thought and process of setting up and taking a photograph and the elementary realization that most of what I have been doing is handheld 'snapshots', even if I put some thought into the composition, etc....it won't be on par with the photos I favor, unless I use the right tools and take the time necessary to produce the results I want.

 

A lot of this is just me talking out loud but I am very glad I asked and your input so far has been very helpful.

This post may upset a few people, Justin, no offense...but bear with me. I have

viewed hundreds of galleries/photographers on this site. I recently posed the

question about whether I should buy a K10d or E-510. I have tried both (in

store) and they both are great for the $$$ and I am still leaning towards the

Pentax.

 

I still have not made a purchase, yeah I know...but that is me, it's "how I

roll" so to speak. My hesitation is not necessarily an assurance of having the

best equipment for the money, resale value, and capabilities but after viewing

so many photograhers and checking the 'details' of the photo, I have found the

vast majority of the photo's I like, or the kind I would like to capture, tend

to be taken with a Canon or Nikon. I think my attraction to these photo

(grapher's) is not only the composition, but the detail and exposure/metering

(?) of them. Has anyone found this in their own experience? ie., favorite

photos taken with what seems to be the same equipment?

 

Now don't get all grumpy and start firing back about my "type A" traits, I am

not saying anyone with a Pentax system can't match the Nikon or Canon but I

have come across VERY few photos that grab me that are taken with a Pentax

DSLR. If anyone can point me to some photographers that you think do

outstanding portraits/people, streets, b/w...it would be highly appreciated.

 

Again, please don't take this as an attack against the skill level of you (and

me soon to be) Pentax owners. I know there is a learning curve to getting the

best results from any camera (and I am still on the flat end of the curve) but

this "coincidence?" is really bugging me. It's an honest question/opinion that

I have not been able to answer for myself so your input is requested. Thanks to

all, Pete.

Nice stuff Justin. Reflections is awesome.

More rambling. David suggested looking at the 330, which added to the migraines, although very appreciated and considering the LCD style, it is still on my list of "look at, play with, and keep on or delete from the list", BUT can anybody tell me why the 330 is still priced so high? I am assuming it is all based on supply (not many left) and demand but is that it?

Well I went to the local BB today. And since they didn't have and Pentax or Olympus out on display, I was forced to play with the 40d....WOW! I think I tinkered with it for 20 minutes. THEE most fun camera I have ever held...but it also felt a little heavier than my R1 although I haven't checked the weight comparisons. I just don't think I can justify the cost at this point. I will be headed to Norman's Camera this weekend, hunting for the Pentax.

 

I played with my R1 some more tonight and I still really like it. If I can sell it, I will be buying the body and an all purpose zoom. Suggestions for keeping it under $1000? I think I can get the body for 650. A zoom and a fixed would be ideal.

 

If any of you are still looking at this thread, please take a gander at some new photos I added and make comments as necessary. Maybe I don't need to get rid of the R1 just yet, but I have this itch...I'm sure you have all been there. Thanks again for all your input so far, Pete.

..............in response to my last....I should add that I am on the path of 'ready to be serious about learning' so please don't read into my user friendly remark as a cop-out (no pun intended) to wanting a point/shoot. I have my Fuji f31fd for that.