Hi from Bromley, UK

Patricia1066 · 08-26-2018, 11:26 AM

I have just picked up a K5ii secondhand and am trying it out with my very basic manual skills. I have signed up for a class in digital photography locally which will encourage me to keep off auto, or Green in pentaxland).

My lens are
a) DA 35mm F/2.4 AL
b) DA WR 18-55mm
c) DA WR 50-200mm

I take many shots of beaches and ancient ruins with my phone camera, which look very samey in retrospect. I want to get the courage up to approach people and ask to take their picture with a decent lens, and hope to get a local's insight into their culture.

**BarryE** · 08-26-2018, 11:37 AM - **1 Like**

Welcome aboard, Patricia. Many years I escaped from Sidcup near you. Bromley was the posh part of the area we would aspire to ;-) Hope you enjoy yourself here and learn a lot ...

pathdoc · 08-26-2018, 11:47 AM - **1 Like**

Welcome.

The great thing about digital is that it doesn't matter how many shots you fluff while learning - a very different situation from film!!

You would appear to have a very good and useful range of lenses at your disposal and a really great camera. The very next thing I suggest you buy or scrounge, new or secondhand, is an inexpensive but solid TRIPOD. Those ancient ruins pics in particular will benefit from a hold steadier than your hand could ever be.

**Mikesul** · 08-26-2018, 12:07 PM - **1 Like**

Welcome to the forum!

**Kerrowdown** · 08-26-2018, 12:08 PM

Welcome to the forum, may your photography blossom the Pentax way.

SJM · 08-26-2018, 12:13 PM - **1 Like**

Hi there. Welcome

Patricia1066 · 08-26-2018, 12:32 PM

Thank you for your warm welcome!

@BarryE where did you escape to?
@pathdoc I have a good bag, and I am looking for a collapsible tripod that will fit. Weightlifting is a side benefit of the camera bug, have you noticed?

pathdoc · 08-26-2018, 01:10 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Patricia1066

@pathdoc I have a good bag, and I am looking for a collapsible tripod that will fit. Weightlifting is a side benefit of the camera bug, have you noticed?

Then what does it say about me that you will far more often find me with a film-era MX and 50mm kit lens than my K-1 and 70-200mm f/2.8 monster zoom?

Mundj · 08-26-2018, 01:24 PM - **1 Like**

Welcome to the forum. I think you will enjoy your K5ii, the kit lens you have are excellent. You might look at working with the TAV mode. That way you can experiment with shutter speed and Apereture and let the camera pick the ISO. Try to use a shutter speed at least 1-1/2 times the maximum Apereture of the lens you are using, for instance if using the 18-55 mm start with 1/90 of a second.
I retired from BP and we lived several years in Woking, you have a lot of great photo opportunities.

Good luck and good shooting.

**Cerebum** · 08-26-2018, 01:28 PM - **1 Like**

Hi from Lancashire

OK, you need a tripod (as suggested) a remote cable release (£5 off eBay) and two filters, a polarizer and a neutral density filter. The cable release isn't urgent but they are cheap and means the tripod doesn't shake when you push the button. The polarizer is something everyone should have. It removes reflections and makes colours pop. Make sure you get a decent one. Hoya are pretty good and cost from £10-£30 on eBay. The ND filter isn't totally necessary but is handy. Its effectively sunglasses for your lens. One great source of information is YouTube. Have a look at photography tutorials by a chap called Dave Browne. I have learned loads from his videos

good luck and don't ever be afraid to ask anything.

GinaC · 08-26-2018, 01:32 PM - **1 Like**

Welcome, Patricia! Looking forward to seeing your photos.

**twilhelm** · 08-26-2018, 02:04 PM - **1 Like**

Welcome to the forum. A lot of good advice thus far. Hope to see some of you photos soon!

victormeldrew · 08-26-2018, 04:17 PM - **1 Like**

Hi and welcome to the forum!

Unregistered User 8 · 08-26-2018, 11:59 PM - **1 Like**

Hi, and welcome from Australia Patricia.

**ffking** · 08-27-2018, 12:09 AM - **1 Like**

Hi Patricia - I grew up in your back garden (Kent) - welcome to PF - you've come to the right place for any questions regarding Pentax gear, photography, bacon sandwiches - anything really

08-26-2018, 11:26 AM	#1
Patricia1066 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Posts: 31	Hi from Bromley, UK I have just picked up a K5ii secondhand and am trying it out with my very basic manual skills. I have signed up for a class in digital photography locally which will encourage me to keep off auto, or Green in pentaxland). My lens are a) DA 35mm F/2.4 AL b) DA WR 18-55mm c) DA WR 50-200mm I take many shots of beaches and ancient ruins with my phone camera, which look very samey in retrospect. I want to get the courage up to approach people and ask to take their picture with a decent lens, and hope to get a local's insight into their culture.

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08-26-2018, 11:37 AM - 1 Like	#2
BarryE Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 1,653	Welcome aboard, Patricia. Many years I escaped from Sidcup near you. Bromley was the posh part of the area we would aspire to ;-) Hope you enjoy yourself here and learn a lot ...

08-26-2018, 11:47 AM - 1 Like	#3
pathdoc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,381	Welcome. The great thing about digital is that it doesn't matter how many shots you fluff while learning - a very different situation from film!! You would appear to have a very good and useful range of lenses at your disposal and a really great camera. The very next thing I suggest you buy or scrounge, new or secondhand, is an inexpensive but solid TRIPOD. Those ancient ruins pics in particular will benefit from a hold steadier than your hand could ever be.

08-26-2018, 12:07 PM - 1 Like	#4
Mikesul Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,594	Welcome to the forum!

08-26-2018, 12:08 PM	#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: 57,815	Welcome to the forum, may your photography blossom the Pentax way.

08-26-2018, 12:13 PM - 1 Like	#6
SJM Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Northeastern Ohio Photos: Albums Posts: 1,358	Hi there. Welcome

08-26-2018, 12:32 PM	#7
Patricia1066 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Posts: 31 Original Poster	Thank you for your warm welcome! @BarryE where did you escape to? @pathdoc I have a good bag, and I am looking for a collapsible tripod that will fit. Weightlifting is a side benefit of the camera bug, have you noticed?

08-26-2018, 01:10 PM - 1 Like	#8
pathdoc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,381	Originally posted by Patricia1066 @pathdoc I have a good bag, and I am looking for a collapsible tripod that will fit. Weightlifting is a side benefit of the camera bug, have you noticed? Then what does it say about me that you will far more often find me with a film-era MX and 50mm kit lens than my K-1 and 70-200mm f/2.8 monster zoom?

08-26-2018, 01:24 PM - 1 Like	#9
Mundj Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Richmond, TX Posts: 76	Welcome to the forum. I think you will enjoy your K5ii, the kit lens you have are excellent. You might look at working with the TAV mode. That way you can experiment with shutter speed and Apereture and let the camera pick the ISO. Try to use a shutter speed at least 1-1/2 times the maximum Apereture of the lens you are using, for instance if using the 18-55 mm start with 1/90 of a second. I retired from BP and we lived several years in Woking, you have a lot of great photo opportunities. Good luck and good shooting.

08-26-2018, 01:28 PM - 1 Like	#10
Cerebum Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Lancaster Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,828	Hi from Lancashire OK, you need a tripod (as suggested) a remote cable release (£5 off eBay) and two filters, a polarizer and a neutral density filter. The cable release isn't urgent but they are cheap and means the tripod doesn't shake when you push the button. The polarizer is something everyone should have. It removes reflections and makes colours pop. Make sure you get a decent one. Hoya are pretty good and cost from £10-£30 on eBay. The ND filter isn't totally necessary but is handy. Its effectively sunglasses for your lens. One great source of information is YouTube. Have a look at photography tutorials by a chap called Dave Browne. I have learned loads from his videos good luck and don't ever be afraid to ask anything.

08-26-2018, 01:32 PM - 1 Like	#11
GinaC Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Brunswick, GA, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 440	Welcome, Patricia! Looking forward to seeing your photos.

08-26-2018, 02:04 PM - 1 Like	#12
twilhelm Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,369	Welcome to the forum. A lot of good advice thus far. Hope to see some of you photos soon!

08-26-2018, 04:17 PM - 1 Like	#13
victormeldrew Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: South West UK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,493	Hi and welcome to the forum!

08-26-2018, 11:59 PM - 1 Like	#14
Unregistered User 8 Closed Account Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,694	Hi, and welcome from Australia Patricia.

08-27-2018, 12:09 AM - 1 Like	#15
ffking Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Old South Wales Posts: 6,038	Hi Patricia - I grew up in your back garden (Kent) - welcome to PF - you've come to the right place for any questions regarding Pentax gear, photography, bacon sandwiches - anything really

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