Pentax k5 advice

Gewi6410 · 09-30-2018, 03:07 PM

Hi everyone, greetings from Northern Ireland. I've just picked up a k5 and a few different lenses. Just wondering what sort of lens would I need to take photos at football (soccer) games? Also for landscapes. I'm a total novice so please dumb it down for me.

Attached Images

View Picture EXIF

kyteflyer · 09-30-2018, 03:15 PM - **1 Like**

Can you list the lenses you have there? I suspect the three at front are all Sigmas, and is the one immediately in front of the K5 a Pentax lens? Whatever the case, for sports you'll probably be wanting a long zoom, so at first that one to the left which looks like it might be a 70-300mm.. might be OK, but I dont know much about Sigma lenses. I have the Tamron equivalent, but better than both might be a Pentax DA55-300. You'll need wide for landscapes, looks like you have an 18-55mm lens there, and that would be fine. As you're just starting out, I'd recommend sticking it on auto and then checking what the camera decided was good, for the shots that look good, once you get them uploaded to your computer.

Others will have other opinions

**jatrax** · 09-30-2018, 03:20 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Gewi6410

Just wondering what sort of lens would I need to take photos at football (soccer) games? Also for landscapes.

You will get lots of different answers because each photographer has different preferences. There is no 'right' or 'wrong' lens, just what takes the pictures you like. Best way to tell that is take your camera and lenses out and do some test shots, see what works (for you).

That said, it is sort of a rule of thumb that sports need a fast long lens and landscape needs a wide angle which can be slower because landscapes are often taken on a tripod. But if you right on the sidelines at a sporting event you might need a wide angle instead. So "which lens" is very situational.

**BigMackCam** · 09-30-2018, 03:32 PM - **2 Likes**

Congratulations on your K-5 - it's an awesome camera, and capable of excellent image quality even by today's standards

Also, that's a nice Giottos tripod - I use one very similar to it... They're very good quality.

As @kyteflyer already asked, it would be helpful if you could let us know which lenses are in that photo. Two of those at the front look like Sigma, one at the front and one at the back appear to be Tamron. You might have all you need for your purposes already

A word of well-meant caution and advice... In your photo, your camera has no body cover in place (to protect the circular opening from dust ingress). In that state, dust can get inside the camera body and onto your sensor. As such, it's best to leave a lens fitted to your camera at all times, or alternatively fit a cover to the mount (they are available cheaply on eBay). Also, get yourself a "bulb blower" to blow dust off the sensor and out of the camera. A little dust on the sensor won't obviously affect a lot of photos, but it will certainly affect some

**pres589** · 09-30-2018, 04:03 PM - **1 Like**

Yeah, what all is that? You might have at least one of your desired lenses already.

Gewi6410 · 10-01-2018, 01:43 AM

Hi morning all, first up I'm blown away by the response and secondly I apologise, I should have listed the lenses. I have a
Tamron 18-250mm
Tamron 17-50mm
Sigma 105mm
Sigma 70-300mm

Everything was given to me by my late father in law who was a keen photographer. Again, thanks for the responses. I really didn't expect it.

Graham

MarkJerling · 10-01-2018, 02:59 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by Gewi6410

Hi morning all, first up I'm blown away by the response and secondly I apologise, I should have listed the lenses. I have a
Tamron 18-250mm
Tamron 17-50mm
Sigma 105mm
Sigma 70-300mm

Everything was given to me by my late father in law who was a keen photographer. Again, thanks for the responses. I really didn't expect it.

Graham

Hi Graham. Welcome to the forum. I have very successfully used the Sigma 70-300mm for football (soccer) and cycling, on my K-5. I'd suggest you try that one first as it gives you the most reach which I feel is a must for soccer.

Gewi6410 · 10-01-2018, 03:23 AM

Originally posted by MarkJerling

Hi Graham. Welcome to the forum. I have very successfully used the Sigma 70-300mm for football (soccer) and cycling, on my K-5. I'd suggest you try that one first as it gives you the most reach which I feel is a must for soccer.

Is there a specific setting I should have it on? Like I said I'm totally new to all this so the dumber the explanation the better 😁

MarkJerling · 10-01-2018, 03:33 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Gewi6410

Is there a specific setting I should have it on? Like I said I'm totally new to all this so the dumber the explanation the better ��

For sport, i generally use the following settings:
Shutter and aperture priority, AF-C, continuous shooting high, 1/1500 or higher shutter speed, F5.6, ISO Auto, but preferably lower than 3200, shake reduction on, when shooting handheld, off when shooting on tripod, shooting either RAW or JPG. Oh, and 5 point AF or single point AF. (I can't decide which works better - 5 point or single point!)

Gewi6410 · 10-01-2018, 03:46 AM

Thanks Mark, much appreciated 👍🏻I'll let you know how I get on.

MarkJerling · 10-01-2018, 03:47 AM

Originally posted by Gewi6410

Thanks Mark, much appreciated 👍🏻I'll let you know how I get on.

No worries. Feel free to shout out if you need more help. My K-5 served me well for 6 years.

Gewi6410 · 10-01-2018, 03:59 AM

Originally posted by MarkJerling

No worries. Feel free to shout out if you need more help. My K-5 served me well for 6 years.

Thanks Mark. I was in the process of buying a Cannon but my mother in law told me there was a camera and lenses in her house that has been sitting for 5 years untouched since my father in law passed away so I was so lucky. Again, thank you to everyone for the replies.

MarkJerling · 10-01-2018, 04:02 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Gewi6410

Thanks Mark. I was in the process of buying a Cannon but my mother in law told me there was a camera and lenses in her house that has been sitting for 5 years untouched since my father in law passed away so I was so lucky. Again, thank you to everyone for the replies.

Proof that mother-in-law (sometimes) knows best!

**pres589** · 10-01-2018, 06:11 AM - **1 Like**

That's a nice list of lenses. I don't think I would recommend buying anything right now. Get comfortable with those and keep shooting. This forum is a great resource.

DeadJohn · 10-01-2018, 06:43 AM - **2 Likes**

The football (soccer) questions have been covered. I don't think landscape has been addressed yet.

Landscapes can be done with any of those lenses depending on the scene. I suggest starting with the 17-50; it's the widest lens and has a reputation for being sharp. Note that some landscape scenes might benefit from more focal length than 50mm; you'll figure that out with time.

Camera settings. I recommend Av mode for landscapes. Set the aperture to f/8 or f/11; most lenses are sharp in that range and you'll get decent "depth of field". Use auto ISO by pressing the small ISO button followed by green button. (you might optionally change to Manual mode as you learn more)

Tripod can help for landscapes. Use the 2-second timer when the camera is on a tripod. Why? It lets shake from your hand and the moving mirror die down. Turn off auto ISO and pick ISO 80 (which might require menu settings to enable) for the least "noise" and most "dynamic range".

I recommend this book to new photographers. It covers a bit of everything LIFE Guide to Digital Photography: Everything You Need to Shoot Like the Pros: Joe McNally, Editors of Life: 9781603201278: amazon.com: Books?tag=pentaxforums-20&

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
For Sale - Sold: “L” Bracket K-3, K3 Mk.II, K5, K5 MkII, K5 Mk.IIs.or K-7 (Reduced from $75)	oneill	Sold Items	1	03-27-2018 05:52 PM
K5, K5 II, K5 IIs Minimum ISO	gordon_l34	Pentax DSLR Discussion	10	05-15-2016 07:36 AM
just about to buy my Pentax K5 need some advice	Murdo	Pentax K-5 & K-5 II	7	07-01-2011 03:11 AM
nikon d3 to pentax k5 (advice)	Usuqa	Pentax K-5 & K-5 II	15	12-07-2010 06:36 PM
Advice Columnist Advice on Photography - do you agree?	betsypdx	General Talk	9	06-24-2007 12:45 PM

09-30-2018, 03:15 PM - 1 Like	#2
kyteflyer Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Newcastle, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,444	Can you list the lenses you have there? I suspect the three at front are all Sigmas, and is the one immediately in front of the K5 a Pentax lens? Whatever the case, for sports you'll probably be wanting a long zoom, so at first that one to the left which looks like it might be a 70-300mm.. might be OK, but I dont know much about Sigma lenses. I have the Tamron equivalent, but better than both might be a Pentax DA55-300. You'll need wide for landscapes, looks like you have an 18-55mm lens there, and that would be fine. As you're just starting out, I'd recommend sticking it on auto and then checking what the camera decided was good, for the shots that look good, once you get them uploaded to your computer. Others will have other opinions

09-30-2018, 03:20 PM - 1 Like	#3
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by Gewi6410 Just wondering what sort of lens would I need to take photos at football (soccer) games? Also for landscapes. You will get lots of different answers because each photographer has different preferences. There is no 'right' or 'wrong' lens, just what takes the pictures you like. Best way to tell that is take your camera and lenses out and do some test shots, see what works (for you). That said, it is sort of a rule of thumb that sports need a fast long lens and landscape needs a wide angle which can be slower because landscapes are often taken on a tripod. But if you right on the sidelines at a sporting event you might need a wide angle instead. So "which lens" is very situational.

09-30-2018, 03:32 PM - 2 Likes	#4
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,687	Congratulations on your K-5 - it's an awesome camera, and capable of excellent image quality even by today's standards Also, that's a nice Giottos tripod - I use one very similar to it... They're very good quality. As @kyteflyer already asked, it would be helpful if you could let us know which lenses are in that photo. Two of those at the front look like Sigma, one at the front and one at the back appear to be Tamron. You might have all you need for your purposes already A word of well-meant caution and advice... In your photo, your camera has no body cover in place (to protect the circular opening from dust ingress). In that state, dust can get inside the camera body and onto your sensor. As such, it's best to leave a lens fitted to your camera at all times, or alternatively fit a cover to the mount (they are available cheaply on eBay). Also, get yourself a "bulb blower" to blow dust off the sensor and out of the camera. A little dust on the sensor won't obviously affect a lot of photos, but it will certainly affect some

09-30-2018, 04:03 PM - 1 Like	#5
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,533	Yeah, what all is that? You might have at least one of your desired lenses already.

10-01-2018, 01:43 AM	#6
Gewi6410 New Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Posts: 19 Original Poster	Hi morning all, first up I'm blown away by the response and secondly I apologise, I should have listed the lenses. I have a Tamron 18-250mm Tamron 17-50mm Sigma 105mm Sigma 70-300mm Everything was given to me by my late father in law who was a keen photographer. Again, thanks for the responses. I really didn't expect it. Graham

10-01-2018, 02:59 AM - 2 Likes	#7
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,421	Originally posted by Gewi6410 Hi morning all, first up I'm blown away by the response and secondly I apologise, I should have listed the lenses. I have a Tamron 18-250mm Tamron 17-50mm Sigma 105mm Sigma 70-300mm Everything was given to me by my late father in law who was a keen photographer. Again, thanks for the responses. I really didn't expect it. Graham Hi Graham. Welcome to the forum. I have very successfully used the Sigma 70-300mm for football (soccer) and cycling, on my K-5. I'd suggest you try that one first as it gives you the most reach which I feel is a must for soccer.

10-01-2018, 03:23 AM	#8
Gewi6410 New Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Posts: 19 Original Poster	Originally posted by MarkJerling Hi Graham. Welcome to the forum. I have very successfully used the Sigma 70-300mm for football (soccer) and cycling, on my K-5. I'd suggest you try that one first as it gives you the most reach which I feel is a must for soccer. Is there a specific setting I should have it on? Like I said I'm totally new to all this so the dumber the explanation the better 😁

10-01-2018, 03:33 AM - 1 Like	#9
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,421	Originally posted by Gewi6410 Is there a specific setting I should have it on? Like I said I'm totally new to all this so the dumber the explanation the better �� For sport, i generally use the following settings: Shutter and aperture priority, AF-C, continuous shooting high, 1/1500 or higher shutter speed, F5.6, ISO Auto, but preferably lower than 3200, shake reduction on, when shooting handheld, off when shooting on tripod, shooting either RAW or JPG. Oh, and 5 point AF or single point AF. (I can't decide which works better - 5 point or single point!)

10-01-2018, 03:46 AM	#10
Gewi6410 New Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Posts: 19 Original Poster	Thanks Mark, much appreciated 👍🏻I'll let you know how I get on.

10-01-2018, 03:47 AM	#11
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,421	Originally posted by Gewi6410 Thanks Mark, much appreciated 👍🏻I'll let you know how I get on. No worries. Feel free to shout out if you need more help. My K-5 served me well for 6 years.

10-01-2018, 03:59 AM	#12
Gewi6410 New Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Posts: 19 Original Poster	Originally posted by MarkJerling No worries. Feel free to shout out if you need more help. My K-5 served me well for 6 years. Thanks Mark. I was in the process of buying a Cannon but my mother in law told me there was a camera and lenses in her house that has been sitting for 5 years untouched since my father in law passed away so I was so lucky. Again, thank you to everyone for the replies.

10-01-2018, 04:02 AM - 1 Like	#13
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,421	Originally posted by Gewi6410 Thanks Mark. I was in the process of buying a Cannon but my mother in law told me there was a camera and lenses in her house that has been sitting for 5 years untouched since my father in law passed away so I was so lucky. Again, thank you to everyone for the replies. Proof that mother-in-law (sometimes) knows best!

10-01-2018, 06:11 AM - 1 Like	#14
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,533	That's a nice list of lenses. I don't think I would recommend buying anything right now. Get comfortable with those and keep shooting. This forum is a great resource.

10-01-2018, 06:43 AM - 2 Likes	#15
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,834	The football (soccer) questions have been covered. I don't think landscape has been addressed yet. Landscapes can be done with any of those lenses depending on the scene. I suggest starting with the 17-50; it's the widest lens and has a reputation for being sharp. Note that some landscape scenes might benefit from more focal length than 50mm; you'll figure that out with time. Camera settings. I recommend Av mode for landscapes. Set the aperture to f/8 or f/11; most lenses are sharp in that range and you'll get decent "depth of field". Use auto ISO by pressing the small ISO button followed by green button. (you might optionally change to Manual mode as you learn more) Tripod can help for landscapes. Use the 2-second timer when the camera is on a tripod. Why? It lets shake from your hand and the moving mirror die down. Turn off auto ISO and pick ISO 80 (which might require menu settings to enable) for the least "noise" and most "dynamic range". I recommend this book to new photographers. It covers a bit of everything LIFE Guide to Digital Photography: Everything You Need to Shoot Like the Pros: Joe McNally, Editors of Life: 9781603201278: amazon.com: Books?tag=pentaxforums-20&