Lens recommendation!

**clackers** · 02-24-2015, 12:09 AM

Originally posted by max_pyne

With flash 1/100 without 1/40

If the flash is the only light source, the shutter speed can safely be 5s, and the subject will be super sharp because the flash only lasts around 1/10,000s.

In practice, there's other, ambient light present where the subject moving will cause a blur - getting the balance right is a skill to be learned.

kjphilippona · 02-24-2015, 07:18 AM

Yes, this is what i am trying to learn

I was hoping that i could purchase a lens that was fast enough to take pictures in low light and not have to run the ISO up so high that everyone looks like they are made of stone. I will have to purchase a good flash and start learning how to use it, so the next time i have my grand daughter i can take good pictures. Like it was mentioned, i sent pictures to all the Aunt's and they were so happy with the quality of the pictures!

**UncleVanya** · 02-24-2015, 07:25 AM

Originally posted by kjphilippona

Yes, this is what i am trying to learn

I was hoping that i could purchase a lens that was fast enough to take pictures in low light and not have to run the ISO up so high that everyone looks like they are made of stone. I will have to purchase a good flash and start learning how to use it, so the next time i have my grand daughter i can take good pictures. Like it was mentioned, i sent pictures to all the Aunt's and they were so happy with the quality of the pictures!

The problem is that those faster lenses don't give you enough depth of field for the types of photos you wanted. Flash is king in this case. However I find that shooting up to ISO 3200 or even 6400 with my K50 is quite usable.

kjphilippona · 02-24-2015, 07:37 AM

It has been a long time since using a flash on my Olympus OM-10, are today's flash very user friendly or do i need to go back to school

**UncleVanya** · 02-24-2015, 07:45 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by kjphilippona

It has been a long time since using a flash on my Olympus OM-10, are today's flash very user friendly or do i need to go back to school

That's an "it depends" question. Some would say yes, some no. P-TTL which is the way Pentax flashes work is supposed to be easy but it seems a bit clunky at times to me. Some recommend just getting an :AUTO type flash and not using P-TTL but I get pretty good results sometimes. Mostly I'm still learning myself.

sterretje · 02-24-2015, 11:18 AM

A common complaint is that pTTL does not give consistent results. I'm not experienced enough to blame pTTL, it might just as well be user error; but the times I use autothyristor-mode on the flash I tend to get more consistent results. It requires a little more work though (but not much).

Originally posted by UncleVanya

but I get pretty good results sometimes

**UncleVanya** · 02-24-2015, 12:34 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by sterretje

A common complaint is that pTTL does not give consistent results. I'm not experienced enough to blame pTTL, it might just as well be user error; but the times I use autothyristor-mode on the flash I tend to get more consistent results. It requires a little more work though (but not much).

I'm the poster child for still learning flash after all these years. I need a student driver type sign for my flash.

**UncleVanya** · 02-24-2015, 01:52 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by UncleVanya

I'm the poster child for still learning flash after all these years. I need a student driver type sign for my flash.

Please note I did not say, "Student Flasher"...

kjphilippona · 02-24-2015, 06:49 PM

LOL, we shall iearn togather Grasshopper!

**timmijo** · 02-25-2015, 07:34 PM

Since my first purchase of a Pentax DSLR (the wonderful little Pentax K-r), I have only had pop-up flash. Now, with my Pentax K-30 (a huge step up for me), I still only have pop-up flash. Oftentimes, when using my pop-up flash, I will lower my ISO to 100 and my aperture to around f/8. With the shutter speed as high as it will go once the pop-up is activated (1/180), I get very nice pictures this way. Sometimes I have to raise the ISO, but I never have to raise it above 200-250 with pop-up flash on people shots indoors.

Thinking about moving up to a hot shoe flash, but I have not done so as of yet.

**clackers** · 02-25-2015, 08:09 PM

Originally posted by timmijo

Thinking about moving up to a hot shoe flash, but I have not done so as of yet.

With the right technique and choice of diffuser/bounce, it'll elevate your portrait taking, Timmijo ... a second hand 540 would be great or the newly announced mini WR flash.

**timmijo** · 02-25-2015, 09:17 PM

Thanks for the tip, I will have to check those out.

kjphilippona · 02-26-2015, 04:17 AM

Thanks for all the info, you guy are great

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02-24-2015, 12:09 AM	#46
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by max_pyne With flash 1/100 without 1/40 If the flash is the only light source, the shutter speed can safely be 5s, and the subject will be super sharp because the flash only lasts around 1/10,000s. In practice, there's other, ambient light present where the subject moving will cause a blur - getting the balance right is a skill to be learned.

02-24-2015, 07:18 AM	#47
kjphilippona Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Enterprise, Alabama Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,298 Original Poster	Yes, this is what i am trying to learn I was hoping that i could purchase a lens that was fast enough to take pictures in low light and not have to run the ISO up so high that everyone looks like they are made of stone. I will have to purchase a good flash and start learning how to use it, so the next time i have my grand daughter i can take good pictures. Like it was mentioned, i sent pictures to all the Aunt's and they were so happy with the quality of the pictures!

02-24-2015, 07:25 AM	#48
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,452	Originally posted by kjphilippona Yes, this is what i am trying to learn I was hoping that i could purchase a lens that was fast enough to take pictures in low light and not have to run the ISO up so high that everyone looks like they are made of stone. I will have to purchase a good flash and start learning how to use it, so the next time i have my grand daughter i can take good pictures. Like it was mentioned, i sent pictures to all the Aunt's and they were so happy with the quality of the pictures! The problem is that those faster lenses don't give you enough depth of field for the types of photos you wanted. Flash is king in this case. However I find that shooting up to ISO 3200 or even 6400 with my K50 is quite usable.

02-24-2015, 07:37 AM	#49
kjphilippona Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Enterprise, Alabama Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,298 Original Poster	It has been a long time since using a flash on my Olympus OM-10, are today's flash very user friendly or do i need to go back to school

02-24-2015, 07:45 AM - 1 Like	#50
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,452	Originally posted by kjphilippona It has been a long time since using a flash on my Olympus OM-10, are today's flash very user friendly or do i need to go back to school That's an "it depends" question. Some would say yes, some no. P-TTL which is the way Pentax flashes work is supposed to be easy but it seems a bit clunky at times to me. Some recommend just getting an :AUTO type flash and not using P-TTL but I get pretty good results sometimes. Mostly I'm still learning myself.

02-24-2015, 11:18 AM	#51
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	A common complaint is that pTTL does not give consistent results. I'm not experienced enough to blame pTTL, it might just as well be user error; but the times I use autothyristor-mode on the flash I tend to get more consistent results. It requires a little more work though (but not much). Originally posted by UncleVanya but I get pretty good results *sometimes*

02-24-2015, 12:34 PM - 1 Like	#52
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,452	Originally posted by sterretje A common complaint is that pTTL does not give consistent results. I'm not experienced enough to blame pTTL, it might just as well be user error; but the times I use autothyristor-mode on the flash I tend to get more consistent results. It requires a little more work though (but not much). I'm the poster child for still learning flash after all these years. I need a student driver type sign for my flash.

02-24-2015, 01:52 PM - 1 Like	#53
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,452	Originally posted by UncleVanya I'm the poster child for still learning flash after all these years. I need a student driver type sign for my flash. Please note I did not say, "Student Flasher"...

02-24-2015, 06:49 PM	#54
kjphilippona Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Enterprise, Alabama Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,298 Original Poster	LOL, we shall iearn togather Grasshopper!

02-25-2015, 07:34 PM	#55
timmijo Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Delaware Photos: Gallery Posts: 239	Since my first purchase of a Pentax DSLR (the wonderful little Pentax K-r), I have only had pop-up flash. Now, with my Pentax K-30 (a huge step up for me), I still only have pop-up flash. Oftentimes, when using my pop-up flash, I will lower my ISO to 100 and my aperture to around f/8. With the shutter speed as high as it will go once the pop-up is activated (1/180), I get very nice pictures this way. Sometimes I have to raise the ISO, but I never have to raise it above 200-250 with pop-up flash on people shots indoors. Thinking about moving up to a hot shoe flash, but I have not done so as of yet.

02-25-2015, 08:09 PM	#56
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by timmijo Thinking about moving up to a hot shoe flash, but I have not done so as of yet. With the right technique and choice of diffuser/bounce, it'll elevate your portrait taking, Timmijo ... a second hand 540 would be great or the newly announced mini WR flash.

02-25-2015, 09:17 PM	#57
timmijo Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Delaware Photos: Gallery Posts: 239	Thanks for the tip, I will have to check those out.

02-26-2015, 04:17 AM	#58
kjphilippona Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Enterprise, Alabama Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,298 Original Poster	Thanks for all the info, you guy are great