New member in Revelstoke,BC

npridgeon · 10-09-2012, 02:33 AM

I just bought my first DSLR - a Pentax K-20D and I'm loving it so far. I'm still learning how to use it - I've only ever used a point and shoot camera before. I travel often to China so I see some amazing places, but my point and shoot camera has really disappointed me.

My camera came with a couple lenses - a Sigma 17-70mm and a Pentax 28-200mm. The Sigma seems like a decent lens and the Pentax sounds like a kit lens, but also very decent, though I haven't used it yet.

I've been reading as much as possible, and taken a few pictures so far, but I still have a lot of learning to do before I get any decent pictures.

npridgeon · 10-09-2012, 02:37 AM

Apparently new users can't edit posts. My name's Ned by the way.

**rbefly** · 10-09-2012, 02:59 AM

Hello Ned, Welcome to the Forum!
You're right, the Sigma is a good zoom. The 28-200mm is a kit lens, and my experience with do-everything (extremely wide zoom range) lenses is they they are versatile but usually don't do any one thing exceptionally well.
My advice it to use the zooms as much as you can, and study the photos; You will eventually find a focal length that suits you better than others.
For example, with "Scenics" my usual focal range is roughly 20-30mm. So I bought a 24mm prime lens, in hopes of improving the image quality of the photos taken in this focal range. And it worked! They're sharper, cleaner and in addition I have a smaller, faster lens to use on the majority of shots.
So, zooms are handy, but for ultimate sharpness and resolution, a prime is generally better.
Ron

nosliwmit · 10-09-2012, 09:55 AM

How about putting your new camera to use in that great railroad museum you have up there? Some pretty stunning scenery in your neck of the woods too as I recall...

npridgeon · 10-10-2012, 10:51 AM

Haha. I hadn't thought about taking any pictures of the trains. I see them every day, and they wake me up almost every night.

I'll see what I can do.

Action Jackson · 10-12-2012, 04:20 PM

Welcome from a fellow Canadian.

**Arn** · 10-18-2012, 10:09 PM

Welcome to the forum, Ned. I haven't been in Revelstoke since last year, but love your area. Another forum member, Chex, is also from Revelstoke. I hope you enjoy all the info, help and challenges here.

10-09-2012, 02:33 AM	#1
npridgeon New Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 19	New member in Revelstoke,BC I just bought my first DSLR - a Pentax K-20D and I'm loving it so far. I'm still learning how to use it - I've only ever used a point and shoot camera before. I travel often to China so I see some amazing places, but my point and shoot camera has really disappointed me. My camera came with a couple lenses - a Sigma 17-70mm and a Pentax 28-200mm. The Sigma seems like a decent lens and the Pentax sounds like a kit lens, but also very decent, though I haven't used it yet. I've been reading as much as possible, and taken a few pictures so far, but I still have a lot of learning to do before I get any decent pictures.

10-09-2012, 02:59 AM	#3
rbefly Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Denver, Colorado Photos: Albums Posts: 2,030	Welcome! Hello Ned, Welcome to the Forum! You're right, the Sigma is a good zoom. The 28-200mm is a kit lens, and my experience with do-everything (extremely wide zoom range) lenses is they they are versatile but usually don't do any one thing exceptionally well. My advice it to use the zooms as much as you can, and study the photos; You will eventually find a focal length that suits you better than others. For example, with "Scenics" my usual focal range is roughly 20-30mm. So I bought a 24mm prime lens, in hopes of improving the image quality of the photos taken in this focal range. And it worked! They're sharper, cleaner and in addition I have a smaller, faster lens to use on the majority of shots. So, zooms are handy, but for ultimate sharpness and resolution, a prime is generally better. Ron

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10-09-2012, 02:37 AM	#2
npridgeon New Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 19 Original Poster	Apparently new users can't edit posts. My name's Ned by the way.

10-09-2012, 09:55 AM	#4
nosliwmit Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Pacific Northwest Photos: Gallery Posts: 913	How about putting your new camera to use in that great railroad museum you have up there? Some pretty stunning scenery in your neck of the woods too as I recall...

10-10-2012, 10:51 AM	#5
npridgeon New Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 19 Original Poster	Haha. I hadn't thought about taking any pictures of the trains. I see them every day, and they wake me up almost every night. I'll see what I can do.

10-12-2012, 04:20 PM	#6
Action Jackson Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Markham, Ontario, CANADA Posts: 243	Welcome from a fellow Canadian.

10-18-2012, 10:09 PM	#7
Arn Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Parksville Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,497	Welcome to the forum, Ned. I haven't been in Revelstoke since last year, but love your area. Another forum member, Chex, is also from Revelstoke. I hope you enjoy all the info, help and challenges here.