[brunomcf]

My tip is for the K-30 owners in particular, but can be taken by all that have a camera with the aperture control issue. I found myself very sad when just a few months after the warranty expired, my K-30 was dead due to the well known aperture control failure. Unfortunately the repair costs were too high, almost the price of a K-50 which made me upgrade it to a K-3.

After this, I found myself with two great bodies, one fully functional and another one that was much more than a brick.

In fact the camera is able to work with any lens that has an aperture ring plus the green button, which I believe most of you have or can find for a bargain. I already had a A50 1,7 and F70-210 that are nothing less than the modern versions, except for the auto focus, and I just spent around 100$ on both.

So don't give up on your K-30's, instead of spending so much money on the repair or consider it a brick, just add some good old manual glass (M 28mm, M 50mm) and take your camera out with you, when you really want to feel your photos.

You will increase your skills and maybe get results that you would never expect!!

[xkaes]

For the BEST and most COMPLETE information about SUBMINIATURE photography anywhere in the world (and Pentax made several subminiature cameras and lenses), visit the SUBCLUB at The Sub Club. It is completely free -- but be forewarned, you might get hooked!

[jack0]

when your exif are 6400 ISO f2.8 1/40sec you have to brig your camera bag and go to eat

[garyoa1]

Shut OFF that auto focus!

You have an AF button right under your thumb. The most useless thing on a Pentax is the AF on the shutter. Ruins a lot of pics.

For instance. Taking wildlife shots. Great opportunity for an amazing shot of an animal in the wild in some brush. Click and... out of focus. Why? Many reasons. Slight breeze moves some brush a bit and the camera was focused on the brush. Or a leaf blowing by. Or a bird flying thru the shot. So, wasted shot. If you shut off the AF and use the AF button, the focus is locked on your target. No breeze, leaf blowing by or anything entering the frame of the shot is going to disturb what YOU want to shoot.

Works the same in a city shot. Where that car comes out of nowhere and ruins it. Landscape where a bird flies thru and you don't notice until you get home that you didn't get that magnificent shot.

[SkilakDeZoo]

AE and AF lock function.

How many focal points you need in your camera to take perfect pictures? One is enough. Simple measure the light where you want it to be your reference point, lock exposure, focus there where you want it to be focused, lock AF, re-frame and snap For portraits I have AE and AF linked together under the main button and do the reading and focus on the eyes.

Best wishes to all participants and Happy New Year.

[Taurus85]

I'd say patience isn't something that should be left behind. Sometimes it'll take a while until the right situation for a shot comes into view, so be a sniper I guess

[match47]

Pack a body, the 55-300, a wide-angle, some small stuff - maybe a tripod - and enjoy a great time shooting!
You do not need any more lenses.
Just try it.
I did.

[Dr. Zee]

Until you and your subject are relaxed, all of your photos will look posed.
Your best shots will almost always come from the end of the session when everyone is comfortable and having fun, so don't put the most important setup first.
Take 5-10 minutes, and just shoot the subject. Talk to them, make them laugh, make them feel comfortable.
If you have specific setups you want to shoot, go from least important to most important. Save the big intricate shot for last. If you do it first, it's likely to feel stiff and staged.
Taking your time with the big setup will also give you a little time to learn the room and the light, so later photos will also benefit from being superior technically.
The facial expression you want is probably not a posed one, it's an expression moving to or from a pose, so don't make your subject feel like they have to "mug" make them feel fluid, and only direct them when you're really zeroing in on what you need.

[myrdinn]

A tip for everyone who wants to use an external flash and who doesn't have a diffuser at hand. A white handkerchief is a good alternative. Just put it before the flash, smooth it with your hands, fasten it with two small rubber bands and you are ready... You can make your photograph.
Maybe you also have to adjust the diafragm as the handkerchief might be misleading the light meter. By experience I know that in such cases you have to open the diafragm by two extra stops. But of course that depends of the thickness of the handkerchief. Make some test photos, check the result on your screen and you will know it.

[Boris]

My tip is from a close-by domain. I often find it very pleasant to listen to music while editing my photographs. Very often it brings emotions, that I think, I wouldn't normally feel or try to convey otherwise. And as well, I am often thinking that just like good cognac is best served with a slice of lemon, a good photograph can be doubly enjoyed if a good musical tune comes along with it.

[1wild1]

Turn off the instant review. Go out and shoot some scenes or subjects. Do not review while shooting. Go home and see what you got. Using the review you think less and rely on equipment more. It takes out some of the pre-planning of the shot to get what you want. Shoot like the film guys used to and it forces you to learn the camera. (this would be for learning, not purpose shooting where a shot has to matter at the end of the day.)

[Hidekelleco]

The time has come for us to offer the final prize from our Holiday Giveaway! Enter in this thread for a shot at winning a brand new HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm lens



How to enter:

As a reply to this thread, post a photography-related tip or suggestion for fellow users. It can focus on cameras, lenses, technique, accessories, post-processing, or other related topics you think would be helpful.

Limit your submission to no more than 5 sentences and no more than 1 image/link.

Winner selection:

The top 15 replies with the most Likes in this thread will be voted upon by forum members in a separate thread, similar to how we pick our monthly contest winners. Submissions will be accepted through January 31st, and voting will be between February 1st and 8th.

Submissions may be compiled into a reference article to serve as a community resource.

Good luck!

The best tip I got is for the new menbers or new pentax users, "Don't be afraid of the manual focus" there are great lenses in the pentax family for a realy great price(less than $50.00) prime lenses, and very easy to use.Dont by afraid to try, there's always a first time and your camera will let you know before you take the picture if you are in focus or not.I dare you tu try, and begin with a fixed lens like 50mm or 28mm. This is one of my firt pictures with a manual lens.

[WallEye]

The time has come for us to offer the final prize from our Holiday Giveaway! Enter in this thread for a shot at winning a brand new HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm lens



How to enter:

As a reply to this thread, post a photography-related tip or suggestion for fellow users. It can focus on cameras, lenses, technique, accessories, post-processing, or other related topics you think would be helpful.

Limit your submission to no more than 5 sentences and no more than 1 image/link.

Winner selection:

The top 15 replies with the most Likes in this thread will be voted upon by forum members in a separate thread, similar to how we pick our monthly contest winners. Submissions will be accepted through January 31st, and voting will be between February 1st and 8th.

Submissions may be compiled into a reference article to serve as a community resource.

Good luck!

If you see something you think would make a great picture..
Stop and take the picture.. Don't be lazy.. You'll regret it later.

[suzyq]

No time to take pictures? All you need is five minutes. Take your camera on a short walk around the block. You'll be amazed at how many opportunities there will be to take pictures and improve your skills right outside your door. You don't need to go very far just keep your eyes open! Chose a different theme for each walk. Go alphabetical for starters. Thanks to Daryl Benson who shared this tip with my photo club.

[mgedit]

The time has come for us to offer the final prize from our Holiday Giveaway! Enter in this thread for a shot at winning a brand new HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm lens



How to enter:

As a reply to this thread, post a photography-related tip or suggestion for fellow users. It can focus on cameras, lenses, technique, accessories, post-processing, or other related topics you think would be helpful.

Limit your submission to no more than 5 sentences and no more than 1 image/link.

Winner selection:

The top 15 replies with the most Likes in this thread will be voted upon by forum members in a separate thread, similar to how we pick our monthly contest winners. Submissions will be accepted through January 31st, and voting will be between February 1st and 8th.

Submissions may be compiled into a reference article to serve as a community resource.

Good luck!

Best advice I ever got was keep your camera with you at all times, and compose the picture in the viewfinder.