A prodigal returns! Hi from SoCal

vodoc · 08-20-2016, 09:00 AM - **1 Like**

Hello Pentaxians,

Long time no see. I joined in 2009 and learned a lot from you over the ensuing few years. More recently I've concentrated more on work, family and music than photography. Well, I'm back!

Our clan just returned from a great family vacation in photogenic Ireland. My elder daughter and I captured close to 2,000 photos between us, she with my trusty K200D and DA 18-250 zoom, me with my rock-solid K-5 and DA 18-135 zoom, plus a few landscape shots with the DA 40/2.8 Limited. Weather resistant gear is an absolute must there. As time permits, I'll be sorting through and finding the keepers.

Also, now that the kids are seriously into competitive indoor volleyball, I've started to look at lens and SLR options to capture the action more successfully. So I'll be perusing the site to get insights from fellow members. I'll start by putting a used DA* 50-135/2.8 zoom on the K-5, though I think a K-3 may enter the picture when the price is right. (Yes, I know about the dreaded motor issue with the zoom.)

So hello again! Now pardon me while I update my firmware.

builttospill · 08-20-2016, 09:06 AM - **1 Like**

Welcome back. Sounds like a fun trip.

**BigMackCam** · 08-20-2016, 09:38 AM - **1 Like**

2009 to 2016... That was some vacation!!!

Seriously, though... welcome back

hcc · 08-20-2016, 09:42 AM - **1 Like**

Welcome back to the Forum.

I shot quite a few volley-ball matches. I used my K-7 and now I use my K-3. Your K-5 will work fine but you need to use a fast lens and get your technique right.

A key thing will be: where will you be located? I have had the chance to be close to the court: e.g., on the bench, or behind the 2nd referee, basically relatively close to the court.

The next key point will be: how good (or how bad) will be the lighting? In many indoor places, the artificial lighting is not too good for high-shutter speed photography and you are not authorised to use a flash.

I got my best shots with fast primes (f1.4 or f1.8), setting the camera in MF, Hi-continuous shooting, high shutter speed (1/100 s or faster). From where I am (ie relatively close) I tend to use a focal length 40-50mm to get a wider group action (4-6 players action), and focal length 70-100mm to get individual action (1-3 players). I usually prefer to use a MF lens, that I pre-focus to the location where I want to shoot, and do tiny MF adjustments from there. I always shoot 3-5 shots at a time: so a good/fast SD card and no in-camera PP are requirements. To date, I got my better shots with my VL58mm f1.4 and CZ85mm f1.4 lenses.

Hope that the suggestions might help and look forward to see your VB shots in the forum.

**Kerrowdown** · 08-20-2016, 11:20 AM - **1 Like**

Kinda welcome back, try not to leave it so long between posts.

vodoc · 08-20-2016, 12:03 PM

Originally posted by Kerrowdown

Kinda welcome back, try not to leave it so long between posts.

Your wish is my command!

My Pentax-related accomplishment for the day is that both the K-5 and K200D are now sporting updated firmware and are not bricked. Note to self: Next time do it *before* taking 2000 pics!

**Kerrowdown** · 08-20-2016, 12:09 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by vodoc

sporting updated firmware

So forum activity updated, firmware updated... sensing a bit of a the theme here, what's the next update, lens or body?

Unregistered User 8 · 08-20-2016, 02:21 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by vodoc

A prodigal returns! Hi from SoCal

Hi vodoc. Welcome back to the Pentax forums. Your trip to Ireland sounded wonderful, looking forward to seeing those photographs.

Good to have you back here.

C_Jones · 08-20-2016, 03:50 PM - **1 Like**

Welcome to the forums. It sounds like you had some success getting some shots on your trip to Ireland.

08-20-2016, 09:00 AM - 1 Like	#1
vodoc Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: SoCal Photos: Gallery Posts: 64	A prodigal returns! Hi from SoCal Hello Pentaxians, Long time no see. I joined in 2009 and learned a lot from you over the ensuing few years. More recently I've concentrated more on work, family and music than photography. Well, I'm back! Our clan just returned from a great family vacation in photogenic Ireland. My elder daughter and I captured close to 2,000 photos between us, she with my trusty K200D and DA 18-250 zoom, me with my rock-solid K-5 and DA 18-135 zoom, plus a few landscape shots with the DA 40/2.8 Limited. Weather resistant gear is an absolute must there. As time permits, I'll be sorting through and finding the keepers. Also, now that the kids are seriously into competitive indoor volleyball, I've started to look at lens and SLR options to capture the action more successfully. So I'll be perusing the site to get insights from fellow members. I'll start by putting a used DA* 50-135/2.8 zoom on the K-5, though I think a K-3 may enter the picture when the price is right. (Yes, I know about the dreaded motor issue with the zoom.) So hello again! Now pardon me while I update my firmware.

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08-20-2016, 09:06 AM - 1 Like	#2
builttospill Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Utah, Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,398	Welcome back. Sounds like a fun trip.

08-20-2016, 09:38 AM - 1 Like	#3
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,695	2009 to 2016... That was some vacation!!! Seriously, though... welcome back

08-20-2016, 09:42 AM - 1 Like	#4
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,005	Welcome back to the Forum. I shot quite a few volley-ball matches. I used my K-7 and now I use my K-3. Your K-5 will work fine but you need to use a fast lens and get your technique right. A key thing will be: where will you be located? I have had the chance to be close to the court: e.g., on the bench, or behind the 2nd referee, basically relatively close to the court. The next key point will be: how good (or how bad) will be the lighting? In many indoor places, the artificial lighting is not too good for high-shutter speed photography and you are not authorised to use a flash. I got my best shots with fast primes (f1.4 or f1.8), setting the camera in MF, Hi-continuous shooting, high shutter speed (1/100 s or faster). From where I am (ie relatively close) I tend to use a focal length 40-50mm to get a wider group action (4-6 players action), and focal length 70-100mm to get individual action (1-3 players). I usually prefer to use a MF lens, that I pre-focus to the location where I want to shoot, and do tiny MF adjustments from there. I always shoot 3-5 shots at a time: so a good/fast SD card and no in-camera PP are requirements. To date, I got my better shots with my VL58mm f1.4 and CZ85mm f1.4 lenses. Hope that the suggestions might help and look forward to see your VB shots in the forum.

08-20-2016, 11:20 AM - 1 Like	#5
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,863	Kinda welcome back, try not to leave it so long between posts.

08-20-2016, 12:03 PM	#6
vodoc Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: SoCal Photos: Gallery Posts: 64 Original Poster	Originally posted by Kerrowdown Kinda welcome back, try not to leave it so long between posts. Your wish is my command! My Pentax-related accomplishment for the day is that both the K-5 and K200D are now sporting updated firmware and are not bricked. Note to self: Next time do it before taking 2000 pics!

08-20-2016, 12:09 PM - 1 Like	#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: 57,863	Originally posted by vodoc sporting updated firmware So forum activity updated, firmware updated... sensing a bit of a the theme here, what's the next update, lens or body?

08-20-2016, 02:21 PM - 1 Like	#8
Unregistered User 8 Closed Account Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,694	Originally posted by vodoc A prodigal returns! Hi from SoCal Hi vodoc. Welcome back to the Pentax forums. Your trip to Ireland sounded wonderful, looking forward to seeing those photographs. Good to have you back here.

08-20-2016, 03:50 PM - 1 Like	#9
C_Jones Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,084	Welcome to the forums. It sounds like you had some success getting some shots on your trip to Ireland.