Greetings from Los Angeles

Coelli · 10-05-2013, 05:14 PM

Hi, I am mostly posting here because I have to make one post before posting a lens review.

I recently bought a K30. This is my second DSLR but as I bought the first (an original Rebel) from a friend a few years after it released, and never had time to learn how to use it, it gathered dust. And every time I'd start to look into buying a more current camera, I'd get overwhelmed and suffer from analysis paralysis. Finally this time around I came across the K30 and it had so much going for it I decided to go for it (my other top contenders were the T3i and the Nikon D3200).

Anyway, I have picked up a few lenses on eBay - 3 primes (Toyo Optics 28mm 2.8, Pentax 50mm f/2, Owen Automatic 135mm 2.8, all manual), and a Sigma DG 70-300 mm F/4.0-5.6 DG AF. Also waiting on a set of macro filter/lenses. I will be mostly photographing, well, everything; we have dogs, cats, children, praying mantises (pets - hence the need for macro), a garden, classic vehicles, wildlife (I'm hoping the Sigma can catch some of our local hawks), and so on.

Still wrapping my head around how all of the various settings work together and figured I'd choose the above as my "learning lenses" and spring for better glass once I have a better feel for what I need.

Transit · 10-05-2013, 08:50 PM

Hya Coelli welcome.
Did you sort out how to meter with those lenses ?
The sigma is quite a capable lens and should be fully controlled by the body.
The Pentax M 50/2 will need the body to be in M mode to get the lens stopping down,
set the aperture on the lens then just hit the green button to have the camera meter and set the shutter speed automatically .
have fun
Pete

SpecialK · 10-05-2013, 09:27 PM

Welcome. You might want to check in here...

California Pentax Users - PentaxForums.com

Joel B · 10-05-2013, 09:27 PM

Welcome from Iowa! Looks like you already have a good selection lenses, but you can always use more!

You also have lots of options for photos!

Sounds like a perfect combination!!
Joel

**crewl1** · 10-05-2013, 10:18 PM

Welcome to the forums.
Hope to see you at our next meetup.
Check the group SpecialK pointed at, I'm thinking some of us may get together at the Covina Thunderfest this month.
Cheers!
Larry

Jean Poitiers · 10-05-2013, 10:32 PM

Welcome to PF and bonjour from France ... enjoy that K-30 (w/legacy glass

) and please post us an image or two soon ... Salut, J

**Kerrowdown** · 10-06-2013, 09:48 AM

Welcome to the forum, remember the learning bit is also part of the fun, but doesn't always seem so at the time.

Coelli · 10-06-2013, 11:36 AM

Originally posted by Transit

Hya Coelli welcome.
Did you sort out how to meter with those lenses ?
The sigma is quite a capable lens and should be fully controlled by the body.
The Pentax M 50/2 will need the body to be in M mode to get the lens stopping down,
set the aperture on the lens then just hit the green button to have the camera meter and set the shutter speed automatically .
have fun
Pete

I did sort of figure this out - I'm still trying to understand aperture settings, but I got some good pictures (well, to my unpracticed eye) from the 28mm and 50mm yesterday afternoon.

That was one of the deciding factors in going with Pentax; the opportunity to use so many lenses!

I hope these images aren't too big -

Toyo 28mm 2.8 and my favorite model (he's a pro):

Pentax 50mm f/2

Coelli · 10-06-2013, 11:37 AM

Originally posted by SpecialK

Welcome. You might want to check in here...

California Pentax Users - PentaxForums.com

Thank you! I will!

Coelli · 10-06-2013, 11:42 AM

Originally posted by crewl1

Welcome to the forums.
Hope to see you at our next meetup.
Check the group SpecialK pointed at, I'm thinking some of us may get together at the Covina Thunderfest this month.
Cheers!
Larry

Unfortunately I have an art class in Westminster in the morning and then something in Burbank that evening so I can't make it this time - but I'd definitely be interested in future events!

10-05-2013, 05:14 PM	#1
Coelli Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Los Angeles Photos: Albums Posts: 11	Greetings from Los Angeles Hi, I am mostly posting here because I have to make one post before posting a lens review. I recently bought a K30. This is my second DSLR but as I bought the first (an original Rebel) from a friend a few years after it released, and never had time to learn how to use it, it gathered dust. And every time I'd start to look into buying a more current camera, I'd get overwhelmed and suffer from analysis paralysis. Finally this time around I came across the K30 and it had so much going for it I decided to go for it (my other top contenders were the T3i and the Nikon D3200). Anyway, I have picked up a few lenses on eBay - 3 primes (Toyo Optics 28mm 2.8, Pentax 50mm f/2, Owen Automatic 135mm 2.8, all manual), and a Sigma DG 70-300 mm F/4.0-5.6 DG AF. Also waiting on a set of macro filter/lenses. I will be mostly photographing, well, everything; we have dogs, cats, children, praying mantises (pets - hence the need for macro), a garden, classic vehicles, wildlife (I'm hoping the Sigma can catch some of our local hawks), and so on. Still wrapping my head around how all of the various settings work together and figured I'd choose the above as my "learning lenses" and spring for better glass once I have a better feel for what I need.

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10-05-2013, 08:50 PM	#2
Transit Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Whanganui NZ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,624	Hya Coelli welcome. Did you sort out how to meter with those lenses ? The sigma is quite a capable lens and should be fully controlled by the body. The Pentax M 50/2 will need the body to be in M mode to get the lens stopping down, set the aperture on the lens then just hit the green button to have the camera meter and set the shutter speed automatically . have fun Pete

10-05-2013, 09:27 PM	#3
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,481	Welcome. You might want to check in here... California Pentax Users - PentaxForums.com

10-05-2013, 09:27 PM	#4
Joel B Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Barnett MO. Photos: Albums Posts: 2,336	Welcome from Iowa! Looks like you already have a good selection lenses, but you can always use more! You also have lots of options for photos! Sounds like a perfect combination!! Joel

10-05-2013, 10:18 PM	#5
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	Welcome to the forums. Hope to see you at our next meetup. Check the group SpecialK pointed at, I'm thinking some of us may get together at the Covina Thunderfest this month. Cheers! Larry

10-05-2013, 10:32 PM	#6
Jean Poitiers Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Lost in translation ... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,076	Welcome to PF and *bonjour* from France ... enjoy that K-30 (w/legacy glass ) and please post us an image or two soon ... *Salut*, J

10-06-2013, 09:48 AM	#7
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,833	Welcome to the forum, remember the learning bit is also part of the fun, but doesn't always seem so at the time.

10-06-2013, 11:36 AM	#8
Coelli Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Los Angeles Photos: Albums Posts: 11 Original Poster	Originally posted by Transit Hya Coelli welcome. Did you sort out how to meter with those lenses ? The sigma is quite a capable lens and should be fully controlled by the body. The Pentax M 50/2 will need the body to be in M mode to get the lens stopping down, set the aperture on the lens then just hit the green button to have the camera meter and set the shutter speed automatically . have fun Pete I did sort of figure this out - I'm still trying to understand aperture settings, but I got some good pictures (well, to my unpracticed eye) from the 28mm and 50mm yesterday afternoon. That was one of the deciding factors in going with Pentax; the opportunity to use so many lenses! I hope these images aren't too big - Toyo 28mm 2.8 and my favorite model (he's a pro): Pentax 50mm f/2

10-06-2013, 11:37 AM	#9
Coelli Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Los Angeles Photos: Albums Posts: 11 Original Poster	Originally posted by SpecialK Welcome. You might want to check in here... California Pentax Users - PentaxForums.com Thank you! I will!

10-06-2013, 11:42 AM	#10
Coelli Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Los Angeles Photos: Albums Posts: 11 Original Poster	Originally posted by crewl1 Welcome to the forums. Hope to see you at our next meetup. Check the group SpecialK pointed at, I'm thinking some of us may get together at the Covina Thunderfest this month. Cheers! Larry Unfortunately I have an art class in Westminster in the morning and then something in Burbank that evening so I can't make it this time - but I'd definitely be interested in future events!