How do I use the K5?

Warren · 01-12-2012, 07:09 PM

I bought my wife a K5 for Christmas. She would like to learn how to use it, meaning all the features. Why they are there and why use them and when.

Does anyone know of a excellent online course she can enroll in or is there a book you would recommend?

Thanks

mattdm · 01-12-2012, 07:43 PM

That's a lot to learn! What is her current familiarity and skill with photography?

twitch · 01-12-2012, 08:02 PM

Have you seen this? Sseems to be what you are after

sterretje · 01-12-2012, 11:57 PM

Nice present for your wife

If there is no experience at all, she can start reading about basics of photography on e.g.
Cambridge in Colour - Photography Tutorials & Learning Community
The Luminous Landscape

A book that is often advised is Bryan Peterson's "understanding exposure".

I can not advise on something specific for the K5.

vonBaloney · 01-13-2012, 12:36 AM

You can't beat a real class interacting with a teacher and other students. Check out the better camera stores (many are offering such classes these days) or if you have a local "learning annex" type place. It won't be specific to the K-5, of course, but she'd be instructed that "now is the time to read up on such and such feature" for your particular model. Can be too overwhelming with no guidance...

aurele · 01-13-2012, 01:22 AM

did she read the manual ? Because all the meaning of the features are well explain in it.

**Rondec** · 01-13-2012, 05:57 AM

In general, to learn photography, look at Scott Kelby's digital photography books. They are geared towards Canon/Nikon users, but the same principles to apply.

Yvon Bourke has an e book about the K5 that is pretty good: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-k-5-forum/127109-yvon-bourque-k-5-ebook-out.html.

**ChipB** · 01-13-2012, 11:03 AM

If your wife has little to no photography experience, I can recommend the books by Bryan Peterson -http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_1_7?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&fie...+p%2Caps%2C304. His book, Understanding Exposure, I would consider the starting point - then you can branch out from there.

And, she simply needs to "play" with the camera and make note of what seems to work for her and what doesn't.

Nice present!!

Mike Cash · 01-13-2012, 11:17 AM

Originally posted by aurele

did she read the manual ? Because all the meaning of the features are well explain in it.

If she had no experience, that would make her cry and take the camera back for a refund.

jogiba · 01-13-2012, 01:17 PM

Pentax K-5 Review - Introduction - PentaxForums.com

Pentax K-5 Review - Walkthrough - PentaxForums.com

**interested_observer** · 01-20-2012, 08:46 AM

One place to look is doing a search on Google for Pentax K5 related videos....

pentax k5 - Google Search

Don From The Radio · 01-20-2012, 09:15 PM

I highly suggest you have her sign up for a photography course at the local community college. Photography books and camera instruction manuals can be very intimidating to the inexperienced.

**Ash** · 01-20-2012, 09:20 PM

I'd also reckon she should start slow, and learn to enjoy the basics of framing, composition and lighting first. There are a number of features that may never be used, but learning about exposure modes and HDR may add some value from the start of her journey. The resources linked above are fine sites.

01-12-2012, 07:09 PM	#1
Warren Guest	How do I use the K5? I bought my wife a K5 for Christmas. She would like to learn how to use it, meaning all the features. Why they are there and why use them and when. Does anyone know of a excellent online course she can enroll in or is there a book you would recommend? Thanks

01-20-2012, 08:46 AM	#11
interested_observer Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tumbleweed, Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,707	One place to look is doing a search on Google for Pentax K5 related videos.... pentax k5 - Google Search

01-12-2012, 07:43 PM	#2
mattdm Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boston, MA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,948	That's a lot to learn! What is her current familiarity and skill with photography?

01-12-2012, 08:02 PM	#3
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	Have you seen this? Sseems to be what you are after

01-12-2012, 11:57 PM	#4
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	Nice present for your wife If there is no experience at all, she can start reading about basics of photography on e.g. Cambridge in Colour - Photography Tutorials & Learning Community The Luminous Landscape A book that is often advised is Bryan Peterson's "understanding exposure". I can not advise on something specific for the K5.

01-13-2012, 12:36 AM	#5
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	You can't beat a real class interacting with a teacher and other students. Check out the better camera stores (many are offering such classes these days) or if you have a local "learning annex" type place. It won't be specific to the K-5, of course, but she'd be instructed that "now is the time to read up on such and such feature" for your particular model. Can be too overwhelming with no guidance...

01-13-2012, 01:22 AM	#6
aurele Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Paris, France Photos: Albums Posts: 3,217	did she read the manual ? Because all the meaning of the features are well explain in it.

01-13-2012, 05:57 AM	#7
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,652	In general, to learn photography, look at Scott Kelby's digital photography books. They are geared towards Canon/Nikon users, but the same principles to apply. Yvon Bourke has an e book about the K5 that is pretty good: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-k-5-forum/127109-yvon-bourque-k-5-ebook-out.html.

01-13-2012, 11:03 AM	#8
ChipB Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Eau Claire, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,701	If your wife has little to no photography experience, I can recommend the books by Bryan Peterson -http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_1_7?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&fie...+p%2Caps%2C304. His book, Understanding Exposure, I would consider the starting point - then you can branch out from there. And, she simply needs to "play" with the camera and make note of what seems to work for her and what doesn't. Nice present!!

01-13-2012, 11:17 AM	#9
Mike Cash Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,950	Originally posted by aurele did she read the manual ? Because all the meaning of the features are well explain in it. If she had no experience, that would make her cry and take the camera back for a refund.

01-13-2012, 01:17 PM	#10
jogiba Banned Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Millstone,NJ Posts: 6,491	Pentax K-5 Review - Introduction - PentaxForums.com Pentax K-5 Review - Walkthrough - PentaxForums.com

01-20-2012, 09:15 PM	#12
Don From The Radio Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Delaware Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 344	I highly suggest you have her sign up for a photography course at the local community college. Photography books and camera instruction manuals can be very intimidating to the inexperienced.

01-20-2012, 09:20 PM	#13
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	I'd also reckon she should start slow, and learn to enjoy the basics of framing, composition and lighting first. There are a number of features that may never be used, but learning about exposure modes and HDR may add some value from the start of her journey. The resources linked above are fine sites.