New Pentax K-3 User

**Des** · 08-06-2016, 07:57 PM - **2 Likes**

Welcome to PF Emma. You haven't just bought a camera, you have bought into a system. PF is definitely one of the assets of the system.

Plenty of good advice in this thread already. I'd agree with the suggestions that you try the zoom for a while to work out what focal lengths and styles of shooting suit you best, and then look for specialty lenses that will fill those needs. It will also help you plan your kit as a whole - with most of us it just grows like topsy, and we have to make difficult decisions later about how to rationalize. (Or we don't - see the signature lines around here!)

Originally posted by emmaZ

I also didn't realize the potential of focal lengths <18mm, I'll definitely be on the look out for those!

You mean 8-16, 10-20, 12-24, 10-17 fisheye, 15-30, 16-45, 16-50, 16-85 zooms, or maybe 8, 10, 14, 15 or 16mm primes? Read up before jumping in.

Originally posted by emmaZ

Currently looking into macro photography set up and a good tripod, head, rails, flash, lens etc. really adds up.

It can be done cheaply. Even without a specialist macro lens (although no-one regrets buying a macro lens ;-) )
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/54-pentax-lens-articles/152336-cheap-macr...lose-work.html

People have been getting good results from the cheap Sunpak ring flash:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/125-flashes-lighting-studio/290423-do-i-n...ing-flash.html
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/177-macro-photography/327250-squash-bees.html

You might want to get a decent tripod anyway. People can help with getting value there. You might want to try for a while on the cheap before committing to macro rails and the like.

Originally posted by emmaZ

Though some times beautiful review pictures makes me wonder how much of it is skill and how much of it is the lens

As I see it, skill matters more than gear. But good gear helps you get the most from your skills.

Enjoy the photographic journey, Emma.

Last edited by Des; 08-06-2016 at 08:43 PM.

**gaweidert** · 08-07-2016, 05:03 AM

Originally posted by Kerrowdown

Welcome, buying lenses is a national sport around here, that's your only warning that it could well become expensive for you.

Welcome aboard. Do not be led astray by Kerrowdown's parochial thinking. Buying lenses is an international sport around here.

emmaZ · 08-07-2016, 06:16 PM

Originally posted by csa

Welcome, and congratulations on your K3!

Thank you Carol!

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

DA 18-135 WR, Show us what it can do

Amazing thread!! I totally underestimated the potential of this lens

Though one issue I have been having with some flower photography is the vignetting. I even used a lens hood so I wonder what caused it.

**Des** · 08-07-2016, 08:00 PM

Originally posted by emmaZ

Though one issue I have been having with some flower photography is the vignetting. I even used a lens hood so I wonder what caused it.

If you post an example, Emma, someone might be able to identify the problem.

There have been some reports of vignetting with the 18-135 when it is used for close focus at around 100mm, and also when used at 18mm: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/277113-pent...ear-100mm.html

Last edited by Des; 08-07-2016 at 08:08 PM.

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08-06-2016, 07:57 PM - 2 Likes	#16
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,423	Welcome to PF Emma. You haven't just bought a camera, you have bought into a system. PF is definitely one of the assets of the system. Plenty of good advice in this thread already. I'd agree with the suggestions that you try the zoom for a while to work out what focal lengths and styles of shooting suit you best, and then look for specialty lenses that will fill those needs. It will also help you plan your kit as a whole - with most of us it just grows like topsy, and we have to make difficult decisions later about how to rationalize. (Or we don't - see the signature lines around here!) Originally posted by emmaZ I also didn't realize the potential of focal lengths <18mm, I'll definitely be on the look out for those! You mean 8-16, 10-20, 12-24, 10-17 fisheye, 15-30, 16-45, 16-50, 16-85 zooms, or maybe 8, 10, 14, 15 or 16mm primes? Read up before jumping in. Originally posted by emmaZ Currently looking into macro photography set up and a good tripod, head, rails, flash, lens etc. really adds up. It can be done cheaply. Even without a specialist macro lens (although no-one regrets buying a macro lens ;-) ) https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/54-pentax-lens-articles/152336-cheap-macr...lose-work.html People have been getting good results from the cheap Sunpak ring flash: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/125-flashes-lighting-studio/290423-do-i-n...ing-flash.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/177-macro-photography/327250-squash-bees.html You might want to get a decent tripod anyway. People can help with getting value there. You might want to try for a while on the cheap before committing to macro rails and the like. Originally posted by emmaZ Though some times beautiful review pictures makes me wonder how much of it is skill and how much of it is the lens As I see it, skill matters more than gear. But good gear helps you get the most from your skills. Enjoy the photographic journey, Emma. Last edited by Des; 08-06-2016 at 08:43 PM.

08-07-2016, 05:03 AM	#17
gaweidert Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Rochester, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,325	Originally posted by Kerrowdown Welcome, buying lenses is a national sport around here, that's your only warning that it could well become expensive for you. Welcome aboard. Do not be led astray by Kerrowdown's parochial thinking. Buying lenses is an international sport around here.

08-07-2016, 06:16 PM	#18
emmaZ New Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 8 Original Poster	Originally posted by csa Welcome, and congratulations on your K3! Thank you Carol! Originally posted by pepperberry farm DA 18-135 WR, Show us what it can do Amazing thread!! I totally underestimated the potential of this lens Though one issue I have been having with some flower photography is the vignetting. I even used a lens hood so I wonder what caused it.

08-07-2016, 08:00 PM	#19
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,423	Originally posted by emmaZ Though one issue I have been having with some flower photography is the vignetting. I even used a lens hood so I wonder what caused it. If you post an example, Emma, someone might be able to identify the problem. There have been some reports of vignetting with the 18-135 when it is used for close focus at around 100mm, and also when used at 18mm: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/277113-pent...ear-100mm.html Last edited by Des; 08-07-2016 at 08:08 PM.