Pentax-DA 50-200mm F4-5.6 ED WR

How it has impacted my photography

By PF Staff in Influential Photo Gear on Jan 13, 2013

I got my first DSLR-a Pentax-only four years ago. To make it work for me, I bought gear and I sought help from friends, from blogs and from forums like this one. Eventually, a very simple lens taught me to use my camera. That lens was the smc PENTAX DA 50-200mm F4-5.6. I had the WR model. I feel this is the thing that has had the biggest positive influence on my photography.

The smc PENTAX DA 50-200mm F4-5.6 ED WR is a medium telephoto zoom lens. It has Pentax's Quick-Shift Focusing System, ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass, and is available with or without weather sealing. It is just 3.1 inches (79.5mm) in length (when not zoomed) and weighs only 10.1 oz (285g). The retail price for the WR model is around $250 and the non-WR versions (the same lens optically) are less than half of that used.

This lens covers a wide range, is easy to own and takes pretty nice photos. However, is not exceptional. The 50-200mm is actually a little hard to use and that is how it helped me.

My kids and the 70mm limited lens

By PF Staff in Influential Photo Gear on Jan 11, 2013

Hello to all fellow Pentaxians,

I have discovered, like so many users of the Pentax-DA 70mm limited lens, the joy of such a small gem of an optic. Whilst many have waxed lyrical of it's clarity and resolution, I'd like to say how it has made my photographing of my kids a real delight. It has given me the focal length to get close, but also keep my distance so as to not 'interfere' with what they might be doing.

The Pentax MX

By PF Staff in Influential Photo Gear on Jan 11, 2013

Nearly thirty-two years ago, my father bought a camera. It was a Pentax MX 35mm SLR with a Pentax 50mm f/1.4 prime lens. He had been taking pictures for quite some time, and even had his own makeshift darkroom, but he did not own an SLR yet. The Pentax MX was worth two months of his salary at the time, but he still decided to go for it, for I was about to be born. Today, I am going to write about that camera. If you are wondering how that ancient piece of equipment affected my photography, read on.

Me

Making the Rails with Photo Director 2011

By PF Staff in Influential Photo Gear on Jan 9, 2013

Cyberlink's Photo Director 2011 is a photo cataloging and editing software program much like Adobe’s Lightroom, but it is more user friendly, easier to learn and less costly. Like Lightroom, Photo Director 2011 includes a Library mode where photographers can access all of their photos, rate the best pictures from a shoot and add keywords for a rapid search. Photos can also be exported and shared online at Flickr and Facebook.

In the Adjustment mode, Photo Director offers a complete set of editing tools for white balance, tone, levels, and sharpening, and also includes numerous presets that can quickly change, improve and add to a photo's impact. As a bonus, the online website offers many more preset freebies. In short, Photo Director is a superb tool for photographers. I find it helps with my work flow immensely.

First Love: Olympus Camedia D150

By PF Staff in Influential Photo Gear on Jan 9, 2013

In January 2001 I bought my first digital camera and immediately a paradigm shift occurred in my photography when I transitioned from analog to digital.   My new digital camera, an Olympus Camedia D150 held multiple advantages over film as I had more creative control, instant feedback and substantial cost savings in the hobby I love.

A very small LCD back with minimal information.  The menu selection was very simple and the viewfinder was used for composing your images.