jenniferfraser

<p>Oops - I posted twice....sorry.</p>

<p>Just ignore this....<br>

J</p>

<p> Hey all,<br>

<br />I really love the suggestion to look through my photos to see what kind of photos I tend to take. This is a great idea. I will do that this weekend.....<br>

In the meantime, I've been doing searches for reviews for a few lenses.....I saw these two on ebay used and I'm wondering two things....have you bought lenses online with good success (the seller has 100% feedback). Also, what are your thoughts on these two lenses used....<br>

SMC P FA 50mm f1.4 or SMC 35mm f2.4<br>

Vs. this one new? I read good reviews on it and it seems really reasonably priced. </p>

<h1 ><strong><strong>SMC Pentax-DA 35mm F2.4 AL</strong></strong></h1>

<p> I am still not sure that I understand the difference between DA an FA.....<br>

Thank you!<br />J</p>

<p>WOW!<br>

<br />First of all, thank you ALL so much for all your detailed and amazing knowledge. I really felt that I learned a lot from all of you and I appreciate your advice so much.<br>

<br />Second of all, I really loved seeing the price comparisons that Peter Z. and David did - that really makes things so clear. <br />I remember when I originally bought my camera the salesguy was saying that Pentax was much more affordable, but since I haven't really looked into price comparisons I wasn't sure. I can never really know what lens is similar to the Pentax in order to be sure that I am comparing apples to apples....<br>

David, you made a comment about 'rendering an image' - I wasn't sure what that meant....can you explain that please?<br>

Nicholas, many of the pros that you mention of the Pentax are the reasons why I went with the Pentax in the first place. I travel and live abroad - so I am often in dusty, deserty places - so I wanted a camera that could hold up to the weather elements (I live in Jerusalem at the moment, but have been in the Middle East for 6 years...) and so also I was attracted to my 18-250mm lens because it's really compact and I guess it's also light compared to others (based on what you mentioned) - although it does feel heavy to me! <br>

You asked me what kind of photography I love, as this would help with advising me on what to buy.....As I travel a lot I take a lot of pictures of landscapes and touristy places.....but my main love is shooting people, especially children. I hope to take things up a notch and would love to take photos of kids and families as a part time job. I'm not good enough yet, but I am working on it! So I think I'd like some prime lenses to help me with this goal......<br>

I was looking at two lenses, but I could really use everyone's advice. I was looking at the Pentax SMC 35mm F2.4 AL Lens and the Pentax SMC 50mm f1.4 FA Lens. But to be honest - I'm not sure whether I should start off with a 35mm, 50mm or 80mm lens. Advice?<br>

Also, I was given a flash recently by my husband (who didn't realize all the differences....etc. etc.) He bought me a Sigma EF610 dg st - I wish it was manual. I'm just learning and playing around with it at the moment - but I do feel limited already as I'm only able to control the flash through changing the aperture or physically moving the flash....I wish I had manual options. I'm not sure if I should get another flash or just stick with what I've got - as I'm not sure just how much I will use it, to be honest. <br>

Michael, you asked me why I was thinking of upgrading - and this is a really good question. I love my camera and feel that I should be buying other items like lens at the moment......but the reason I mentioned it was that I knew one day (down the line) I'd probably want something new.....and if that day did come, I just wanted to be sure that all the equipment I bought was compatible. It was so great to hear your thoughts and to know that you think the K200D is a good camera and from your description I don't think I need to upgrade at the moment....I did, however, notice that a friend of mine was able to take much better photos indoors with her Canon (I think it is an <strong> EOS 5D Mark II</strong>) - but perhaps it is just a better camera? Or that it does better in low light situations.....anyway, I found that I couldn't get good photos indoors and I hated the 'flash' look - so this is why I wanted a better flash (hence the gift from my husband). Oh, and yes, could you please explain the 'Pentax Hyper System'? Thanks!<br>

I really loved your responses and all your help - thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!<br>

J</p>

<p>Ok - so first of all let me say that I am no expert....and I apologize in advance for my lack of knowledge....<br>

<br />I bought a Pentax K200D and an 18-250mm lens a good few years back and I must say that for a beginner like me, I love it. But as I've gotten more and more interested in upgrading and buying new equipment and seeing just how expensive this hobby is....I've tried to buy things second hand. But I've noticed that there is so few options for Pentax - everything is Canon and Nikon. <br>

<br />I know that some different items are compatible....but I wanted to buy a flash and there just weren't any flashes for Pentax available second hand (unlike the many for Canon or Nikon).<br>

<br />And I've noticed a few treads of Pentax lovers mentioning in frustration that the prices of Pentax lenses keep rising. Why is this? <br>

<br />I'd like to upgrade my camera body in the next year, but for now I am in the market for some lenses......but it makes me wonder, should I switch brands? I'd love to pick up camera gear second hand to play around and perhaps then I should switch. <br>

So many people (both professional and so many amateur) seem to have other brands - so I wonder if I should too....ok I realize this makes me seem like a sheep following the herd. But why, I'd like to know, are so many others loving Canons and Nikons.<br>

<br />Please be kind - I really don't know much and I'd love to hear your thoughts. Perhaps Pentax is a more professional brand? Or is it just more a no frills camera without all the advertising and hupla? I just want to be sure that I should stick with it before I buy more equipment....and what better place to ask then here.<br>

So I ask you: Why do YOU love Pentax?<br>

Thank you Pentax experts!<br />J</p>

<p>Ok - so I have a question and I think this might be the best place to post it (I wasn't sure).<br>

I wanted to know if there was an easy way to see the ratings of each of my photos - without having to load each photo and then click on 'details'. It would be great if you could just load a list of your photos with the ratings - and organize them from high to low. Is that possible?<br>

<br />Also, I notice as I was looking at each photo that some of them do not have a rating, instead it says "critique only" - so does that mean that if you put it up for a critique that you cannot also get it rated?<br>

Thank you and I appreciate your patience! J</p>

<p>I am currently talking one from ppsop and am enjoying it. I was also considering better photo (as it is cheaper for the 8 week classes - although the 4 week classes are the same price) but someone said they didn't enjoy it - so I chose ppsop. <br>

I would also be interesting if people have particularly enjoyed a class or instructor from either companies - as I am looking at the June courses and finding it difficult to choose one. <br>

Jenn</p>

<p>Thanks everyone....I think I will download lightroom 3 and just see what happens....<br>

:0)<br>

Jenn</p>

<p>Hello All,<br>

I have been using the trial version of Lightroom 2 and I really like it. I want to purchase it, however, I am aware that Lightroom 3 will be coming out soon. I don't want to buy Lightroom 2 just before a new version comes out. Does anybody know if I buy Lightroom 2 just before a new version if I can upgrade for free? Another option, I suppose, is to just wait - but WHEN is it coming out? I guess that is the question everyone is wondering!<br>

Advice is greatly appreciated,<br>

Thanks,<br>

Jenn</p>

<p>Tim,<br>

I guess what I was asking is how they work together - I want to learn whether or not I need both systems or if I can use just one - and I wouldn't ask the question if I didn't already know the answer.<br>

Yes, of course I realize that I need to back up my data or I could lose it and at the moment I am looking into the best way to do this - that is why I am asking questions. Perhaps some things seem silly or obvious to you - but they aren't to everyone else. The only way to learn is by doing a little research and asking questions and that is exactly what I am doing. I am sorry that you feel that my questions are trivial, but then again you do not have to respond.<br>

Jenn</p>

<p>Great postings - <br>

I have downloaded the Lightroom 2 Trial to see how I like it, but I am wondering if I should wait until Lightroom 3 comes out before I buy. I don't want to buy a program to discover in a few months there is a better version. Does anyone know when Lightroom 3 is coming out??<br>

Thanks,<br>

Jenn</p>

<p>Thanks - some great resources for me to check out. The DAM book looks especially good. <br>

Marc, I am interested in the programs you talked about - ImageIngester and LRViewer. I am not sure that I really understand WHAT they do. Perhaps you can explain....<br>

Also, as I was searching for more information about backup systems - I cam across something called SuperDuper, which I guess works with the Time Machine - only I am not sure how. Can anyone shed any light for me?<br>

I get really worried about backing up my pictures - as I have already been through the pain of losing everything and I don't want to go through it again!<br>

Jenn </p>

<p>Thanks - just a few follow up questions.<br>

I have downloaded Adobe's Lightroom 2 Trial and am trying to understand how it works. I am finding the whole organizing thing a challenge - and from what I have read am I correct that instead of organizing pictures by files - they organize pictures by keywords? What if I want to still organize them by files (is that old fashioned of me??)<br>

Also, Time Machine seems like a great option - thanks. <br>

I really need to start making back up DVD's - I do occasionally - but I am not diligent about it.....<br>

Thanks,<br>

Jenn</p>

<p>Hello,<br>

I have just bought a new macbook pro - and am ready to transfer over my photos from my removable hard drive. I am looking for advice about how best to organize and save my pictures.<br>

In the past, I flipped between the software that came with my Pentax camera and the 'My Pictures' files that is just on my computer. I was never really happy with the Pentax software (perhaps because I didn't really give it enough time learning it). The one benefit that I did like, however, is that it did provide all the details of how I shot each picture.<br>

Now, I am ready to start fresh. New computer, fresh start. I am trying to figure out the best way to approach this. I'd love to hear how others save and organize their photos - including how and how often you do backups. I have lost some pictures in the past (what a horrible experience - heartbreaking!) and want to avoid this in the future. But I need a system....<br>

Suggestions?<br>

Thanks,<br>

Jenn </p>

<p>Thank you guys so much - great advice. I feel much happier now with the idea of just a DIY kind of idea, rather than buying an expensive camera bag that I know I would be happy with.<br>

Thanks!<br />Jenn </p>

<p>Hello,<br>

I have searched and searched for a camera bag that will protect my camera AND look nice. Plus, I don't want my bag to be identified as a 'camera bag' by others immediately. I live overseas and like to carry my camera with me at all times (you never know when you'll see that shot) but at the same time I don't want the locals to know that I am carrying expensive equipment with me. <br>

So at the moment I am carrying my camera in my large handbag - but I worry because there is no protection....<br>

I was wondering if my solution is to buy a foam insert to put inside my bag - which would protect my camera. I found this one on line and was thinking that it might be the answer to my problem.<br>

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/240295-REG/Billingham_520847_Large_Hadley_Insert.html<br>

I am wondering if anyone has tried anything similar or if there are other suggestions....<br>

Thanks,<br>

Jenn </p>

<p>Thanks Debbie - I am glad to hear such positive feedback. It makes me feel much more comfortable to get started!<br>

:0)</p>

<p>Has anybody tried the following online schools?<br>

* http://www.ppsop.com<br>

* http://www.betterphoto.com<br>

I am thinking of trying one, but I'm not sure which would be better. Any advice would be great.<br>

Thanks,<br>

Jenn</p>

<p>Hello - I've also been looking into NYIP course, but I have heard many mixed reviews. I am wondering if they have updated the material recently, as many complaints stated that the information was really old (but these were comments from people in 2006 and 2007 - so maybe it has changed since then?)<br>

Also, people complained that they took a very long time to send out the new booklets and that they didn't get responses about their work quickly. This is a major concern to me. I am not keen to send in photos (in this day and age it seems silly to do it the slow way) and it makes me think about other online photo courses that you communicate through email and online instead of through mail snail mail and tapes.<br>

Has anyone done or heard comments about the following online courses?<br>

* http://www.ppsop.com/<br>

* http://www.betterphoto.com/home.asp<br>

Any advice would be greatful.<br>

Thanks,<br>

Jenn</p>