Long Time Lurker Accepts Fate as a Pentaxian

Gerbermiester · 10-08-2011, 10:32 PM - **1 Like**

It's official, I'm hooked on the good stuff. I've drank the kool-aide; I've succumbed to lens lust (on more than a few occasions); I've taken over 500 frames of a single object, and have seen ways to improve the image; I've scoured the forum's lens reviews for countless hours...

Clearly I can't fight it, so it's time to join in.

I got into photography while spending a year teaching English abroad. At first, I hesitated entering the SLR market. These things were just too big, too clunky, too expensive, too 'dorky' (Not the 'fanny-pack' level of dorky, but just enough to impinge on my sense of vanity) and they served as a distraction from my work! As I sit here, writing my rather long-winded introduction today, I'm glad I pulled the trigger.

Admittedly, in the beginning, I was drawn to the dSLR crowd through my own ignorant reasoning. Sucked in by the promises of image quality, more than anything else. So much has changed since then.

And it's true, the image quality is better. Much better.
But so little of the art of photography revolves around the technical aspects of IQ. Needless to say, the Auto mode on the top dial (as I assume is true for most, if not all, members here) is seriously under-loved on my camera.

I look forward to taking part in the Pentax community, and to spend many more years with the joy and passion that this 'distraction' has already brought me.

-Gerbermiester

Last edited by Gerbermiester; 10-08-2011 at 11:12 PM. Reason: Image failed to display

**usn ret** · 10-08-2011, 11:57 PM

Don't you just hate when you give in to lust over logic and will power.Welcome aboard. I like the B/W shot, a little danger and mystery. What camera?? Cliff

Gerbermiester · 10-09-2011, 12:26 AM

Haha, so far I've been able to rationalize my spending with the 'But it's such a good deal' clause. And, of the eight lenses I own, four are currently posted for sale on craigslist. So, as you can clearly see...... I'm still partially in denial about having the LBA.

Thanks for the compliment; I would have preferred not to have the laundry hanging in the background, but such is an unavoidable feature of China.

I shot this one (as is true with all of my photos) with a K-x. Before I bought, I did my homework and found that, for the money, the K-x was the entry level camera to have. I later found out about the joys of the backwards compatible K-mount.

Colbyt · 10-09-2011, 07:25 AM

Welcome to the Enlightened side.

RioRico · 10-09-2011, 10:30 AM

The laundry just gives us something to look for. Now you need more lenses. Have fun!

Gerbermiester · 10-09-2011, 12:04 PM

Ha, MORE LENSES??
I'm okay for lenses! (for now

). I've my F-28 f2.8, my A-50mm f1.7, my 55-300mm, and the kit lens.

The others are all for sale, mostly acquired by buying old cameras that came with lenses as packaged set.
I've got a hit on Craigslist, so I might be down to seven lenses as of tomorrow.

I'm trying not to fall in the trap of spending more time and effort in acquiring gear than actually spending time out and about with the camera in my hand.

Thanks for the support!

RioRico · 10-09-2011, 12:41 PM

Why buy more lenses? Not because of coverage, or speed, or character, (my usual excuses) but because each lens has its own window on the world, and I see differently with each one. Not just a matter of focal lengths; some days I'll carry almost a half-dozen Fifties because each gives a different look to images, has its own flavour, its own strengths and weaknesses.

What, the K50/1.2 isn't perfect enough?!?!? Not always. For some shots, suitable lenses may include a MacroTakumar 50/4(1x) for working close; FA50/1.4 for gotta-get-the-shot action; CZJ Tessar 50/2.8 (12 iris blades) or Helios-44 58/2 for their unique bokehs; SuperTak or Petri CC 55/1.8 for their clarity; Tomioka 55/1.4 for just a different rendering than the K50/1.2. And maybe an EL-Nikkor 50/2.8 or Industar-50/3.5 on tubes for close|macro work. Those are only a few of my 50 Fifties. A good start, eh?

**paulh** · 10-09-2011, 12:47 PM

Originally posted by Gerbermiester

Ha, MORE LENSES??
I'm okay for lenses! (for now

).

There's always a 'need' for another lens

(as I'm sure RioRico will tell you - edit: he already did!) Nice shot and welcome to the club!

**Rense** · 10-09-2011, 12:56 PM

Great, welcome! Love your introduction!!

**dadipentak** · 10-09-2011, 01:00 PM

Welcome (and the laundry makes the shot as far as I'm concerned.)

Gerbermiester · 10-09-2011, 01:16 PM

Originally posted by RioRico

Those are only a few of my 50 Fifties. A good start, eh?

Not a bad start at all! But if it is just a start, what's left to be had? Hahaha

Thanks for the positive comments, everyone. I can feel the love.

**Iris** · 10-09-2011, 01:18 PM

Your introduction sounds familiar

You could join some of the Weekly Photo Challenges, they are fun and you learn a lot!

**Wormtographer** · 10-09-2011, 01:27 PM - **1 Like**

Welcom, and a literary allusion.

Gates of Hell : Canto 3 : Cowards

"Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch'intrate" (3.9)
Leave behind all hope, you who enter
---

Through me you pass into the city of woe:
Through me you pass into eternal pain:
Through me among the people lost for aye.

Justice the founder of my fabric mov'd:
To rear me was the task of power divine,
Supremest wisdom, and primeval love.

Before me things create were none, save things
Eternal, and eternal I endure.
All hope abandon ye who enter here.

Such characters in colour dim I mark'd
Over a portal's lofty arch inscrib'd:
Whereat I thus: Master, these words import.

--Dante Alighieri

-W

RioRico · 10-09-2011, 03:41 PM

Originally posted by Gerbermiester

Not a bad start at all! But if it is just a start, what's left to be had? Hahaha

What's left? Well, my Fifties acquisitions may have slowed a bit (and I feel no need for any more ELs there) but there are always more goodies: some great 58/1.2, and a Vivitar 55/2.8 macro, and more copy-process lenses, and I *must* put my Diana 50/5.6 New Optical Lens (finest plastic) on a decent PK mount, etc.

NOTE: I deal lenses etc on eBay when I feel the need. Like, I have no discretionary income, so before I can buy something, I must sell something else. (And I'd better list a new batch of gear pretty soon.) I currently have ~225 lenses and have sold ~110 others to help pay for the keepers. At least one member here has more Fifties than I have lenses total. On another forum, where members report holding an average of 100 lenses each, at least one guy has over 1500 lenses. So I'm a piker.

Anyway, welcome aboard, and keep up with the laundry.

Gerbermiester · 10-11-2011, 09:54 PM

Originally posted by RioRico

at least one guy has over 1500 lenses. So I'm a piker.

Haha! I shouldn't have asked.

I'll be moving on to e-bay pretty quick too. The whole craigslist thing, doesn't give me enough market access. The Market Place here seems a bit confusing to me. I'll have to look up a tutorial on how to calculate shipping and set up a payment account and the like, or however it works.

PS. I hope I'm not spamming everyone who posted on this thread? My apologies if this is the case. How does one send a PM?

10-08-2011, 10:32 PM - 1 Like	#1
Gerbermiester Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: British Columbia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 377	Long Time Lurker Accepts Fate as a Pentaxian It's official, I'm hooked on the good stuff. I've drank the kool-aide; I've succumbed to lens lust (on more than a few occasions); I've taken over 500 frames of a single object, and have seen ways to improve the image; I've scoured the forum's lens reviews for countless hours... Clearly I can't fight it, so it's time to join in. I got into photography while spending a year teaching English abroad. At first, I hesitated entering the SLR market. These things were just too big, too clunky, too expensive, too 'dorky' (Not the 'fanny-pack' level of dorky, but just enough to impinge on my sense of vanity) and they served as a distraction from my work! As I sit here, writing my rather long-winded introduction today, I'm glad I pulled the trigger. Admittedly, in the beginning, I was drawn to the dSLR crowd through my own ignorant reasoning. Sucked in by the promises of image quality, more than anything else. So much has changed since then. And it's true, the image quality is better. Much better. But so little of the art of photography revolves around the technical aspects of IQ. Needless to say, the Auto mode on the top dial (as I assume is true for most, if not all, members here) is seriously under-loved on my camera. I look forward to taking part in the Pentax community, and to spend many more years with the joy and passion that this 'distraction' has already brought me. -Gerbermiester Last edited by Gerbermiester; 10-08-2011 at 11:12 PM. Reason: Image failed to display

10-09-2011, 12:04 PM	#6
Gerbermiester Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: British Columbia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 377 Original Poster	Ha, MORE LENSES?? I'm okay for lenses! (for now ). I've my F-28 f2.8, my A-50mm f1.7, my 55-300mm, and the kit lens. The others are all for sale, mostly acquired by buying old cameras that came with lenses as packaged set. I've got a hit on Craigslist, so I might be down to seven lenses as of tomorrow. I'm trying not to fall in the trap of spending more time and effort in acquiring gear than actually spending time out and about with the camera in my hand. Thanks for the support! Last edited by Gerbermiester; 10-09-2011 at 12:15 PM.

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10-08-2011, 11:57 PM	#2
usn ret Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Ridgecrest, Calif Posts: 1,274	Don't you just hate when you give in to lust over logic and will power.Welcome aboard. I like the B/W shot, a little danger and mystery. What camera?? Cliff

10-09-2011, 12:26 AM	#3
Gerbermiester Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: British Columbia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 377 Original Poster	Haha, so far I've been able to rationalize my spending with the 'But it's such a good deal' clause. And, of the eight lenses I own, four are currently posted for sale on craigslist. So, as you can clearly see...... I'm still partially in denial about having the LBA. Thanks for the compliment; I would have preferred not to have the laundry hanging in the background, but such is an unavoidable feature of China. I shot this one (as is true with all of my photos) with a K-x. Before I bought, I did my homework and found that, for the money, the K-x was the entry level camera to have. I later found out about the joys of the backwards compatible K-mount.

10-09-2011, 07:25 AM	#4
Colbyt Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Central Kentucky Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,417	Welcome to the Enlightened side.

10-09-2011, 10:30 AM	#5
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	The laundry just gives us something to look for. Now you need more lenses. Have fun!

10-09-2011, 12:41 PM	#7
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Why buy more lenses? Not because of coverage, or speed, or character, (my usual excuses) but because each lens has its own window on the world, and I see differently with each one. Not just a matter of focal lengths; some days I'll carry almost a half-dozen Fifties because each gives a different look to images, has its own flavour, its own strengths and weaknesses. What, the K50/1.2 isn't perfect enough?!?!? Not always. For some shots, suitable lenses may include a MacroTakumar 50/4(1x) for working close; FA50/1.4 for gotta-get-the-shot action; CZJ Tessar 50/2.8 (12 iris blades) or Helios-44 58/2 for their unique bokehs; SuperTak or Petri CC 55/1.8 for their clarity; Tomioka 55/1.4 for just a different rendering than the K50/1.2. And maybe an EL-Nikkor 50/2.8 or Industar-50/3.5 on tubes for close\|macro work. Those are only a few of my 50 Fifties. A good start, eh?

10-09-2011, 12:47 PM	#8
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,262	Originally posted by Gerbermiester Ha, MORE LENSES?? I'm okay for lenses! (for now ). There's always a 'need' for another lens (as I'm sure RioRico will tell you - edit: he already did!) Nice shot and welcome to the club!

10-09-2011, 12:56 PM	#9
Rense Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Zetten - The Netherlands Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,050	Great, welcome! Love your introduction!!

10-09-2011, 01:00 PM	#10
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	Welcome (and the laundry makes the shot as far as I'm concerned.)

10-09-2011, 01:16 PM	#11
Gerbermiester Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: British Columbia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 377 Original Poster	Originally posted by RioRico Those are only a few of my 50 Fifties. A good start, eh? Not a bad start at all! But if it is just a start, what's left to be had? Hahaha Thanks for the positive comments, everyone. I can feel the love.

10-09-2011, 01:18 PM	#12
Iris Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bennekom, The Netherlands Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,369	Your introduction sounds familiar You could join some of the Weekly Photo Challenges, they are fun and you learn a lot!

10-09-2011, 01:27 PM - 1 Like	#13
Wormtographer Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Diego Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 166	Welcom, and a literary allusion. Gates of Hell : Canto 3 : Cowards "Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch'intrate" (3.9) Leave behind all hope, you who enter --- Through me you pass into the city of woe: Through me you pass into eternal pain: Through me among the people lost for aye. Justice the founder of my fabric mov'd: To rear me was the task of power divine, Supremest wisdom, and primeval love. Before me things create were none, save things Eternal, and eternal I endure. All hope abandon ye who enter here. Such characters in colour dim I mark'd Over a portal's lofty arch inscrib'd: Whereat I thus: Master, these words import. --Dante Alighieri -W

10-09-2011, 03:41 PM	#14
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by Gerbermiester Not a bad start at all! But if it is just a start, what's left to be had? Hahaha What's left? Well, my Fifties acquisitions may have slowed a bit (and I feel no need for any more ELs there) but there are always more goodies: some great 58/1.2, and a Vivitar 55/2.8 macro, and more copy-process lenses, and I must put my Diana 50/5.6 New Optical Lens (finest plastic) on a decent PK mount, etc. NOTE: I deal lenses etc on eBay when I feel the need. Like, I have no discretionary income, so before I can buy something, I must sell something else. (And I'd better list a new batch of gear pretty soon.) I currently have ~225 lenses and have sold ~110 others to help pay for the keepers. At least one member here has more Fifties than I have lenses total. On another forum, where members report holding an average of 100 lenses each, at least one guy has over 1500 lenses. So I'm a piker. Anyway, welcome aboard, and keep up with the laundry.

10-11-2011, 09:54 PM	#15
Gerbermiester Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: British Columbia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 377 Original Poster	Originally posted by RioRico at least one guy has over 1500 lenses. So I'm a piker. Haha! I shouldn't have asked. I'll be moving on to e-bay pretty quick too. The whole craigslist thing, doesn't give me enough market access. The Market Place here seems a bit confusing to me. I'll have to look up a tutorial on how to calculate shipping and set up a payment account and the like, or however it works. PS. I hope I'm not spamming everyone who posted on this thread? My apologies if this is the case. How does one send a PM?