Hi New to dslr photography

Kristaline · 08-26-2019, 03:33 PM - **1 Like**

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Hi all. I am picking up a used ks2 tomorrow! I am excited to start learning manual modes and taking better quality pictures than with my phones camera. Any advice about this camera or where to start with learning how to shoot in manual mode? I love taking family photos and travel photos and sunset pictures. Thanks.

**BigMackCam** · 08-26-2019, 03:50 PM - **2 Likes**

Hi Kristaline, and welcome to the forums. Congratulations on your incoming KS2!

Regarding manual mode, the best advice I can give is to learn about exposure. This is essential to shooting in manual mode, but will help with all other modes and your photography in general.

All of the information you need is available by Googling "how to shoot manual with DSLR"... however, I recommend you buy a decent book on the subject. One of the best (and I own a copy myself) is "Understanding Exposure, Fourth Edition: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera" (I've linked to Amazon Canada here for your convenience). If you read, learn and practice the straightforward teachings in this easy-to-read book, you'll be all set. It covers everything you need to know, without having to trawl through multiple websites, asking various folks for advice that might be inaccurate or conflicting. Save yourself the trouble, read this book and put what it teaches into practice. You'll do just fine

Kristaline · 08-26-2019, 03:54 PM

Thank you. I was thinking of getting a book bug there are so many to choose from.

**BigMackCam** · 08-26-2019, 03:59 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Kristaline

Thank you. I was thinking of getting a book bug there are so many to choose from.

You're welcome

This is definitely the book for you (for most people, in fact). It's very easy and fun to read, and tells you everything you need to know about exposure and how to control it manually. In my opinion, it should be required reading for any amateur photographer

**aslyfox** · 08-26-2019, 04:24 PM

welcome

don't forget the excellent articles here under "articles"

Resources | PentaxForums.com

here is a good one to start with:

Exposure Basics: A Complete Guide for Beginners - Articles and Tips | PentaxForums.com

RookieGuy · 08-26-2019, 04:57 PM - **1 Like**

I learned focusing from my father. He lined up a bunch of crayons along a ledge and had me focus on each one with the camera on a tripod. I'd say got it, he'd check and tell me the orange one or nope. Funny, I got much less nopes once he put his glasses on. But anyways, do that a while with each lens and you'll be manually focusing quicker than your camera.

To the rest, I'll echo what the rest have said. But I'd add play around with it. Set up an apple on the kitchen table and set it to P. Look at where the camera thinks it should be. Then try clicking something and see what happens. F22, the apple is in focus and you can see what's on the neighbor's TV. Crank the shutter speed up or down. What happened?

It took me doing for the books to make sense.

**interested_observer** · 08-26-2019, 10:28 PM - **1 Like**

Welcome to the forums. It has been said that coming to a DSLR your first hundred / thousand images will be somewhat disappointing. Smartphones are designed to make photography very easy - especially in good light. Where DSLRs are going to excel, is in difficult situations. The moral of the story is to not get disappointed.

There are a number of items that may help you.

The first is a video tutorial on the K-s2

You Tube

There is also a 5 part video tutorial on using the K-s2. Here is the first part

You Tube

**savoche** · 08-26-2019, 11:43 PM

Welcome to the clubhouse!

As you see this forum consists of some awesome people; always ready to share of their knowledge and to lend support. You will also find that there genuinely is no such thing as a stupid question. The "stupidest" questions tend to spark off the most interesting dicussions. So, ask away and you will recieve friendly advice worth listening to.

**Hattifnatt** · 08-27-2019, 08:04 AM

Hello and welcome to the forums!

I think shooting in manual mode is overrated and should not be your primary target. Camera is a tool that should help you take better pictures, not make things more difficult than they need to be.

What I think you should do is try to read and understand the basic technical concepts of photography (exposure, aperture, shutter speed, ISO, focus etc) and then look into semi-automatic modes (like Av, Tv, Tav for instance) and learn how to use them to your advantage. I'm not saying manual mode is bad, but depending on what exactly you shoot, chances are you'll end up using another mode that will make your life easier.

**aslyfox** · 08-27-2019, 08:12 AM

Originally posted by Hattifnatt

Hello and welcome to the forums!

I think shooting in manual mode is overrated and should not be your primary target. Camera is a tool that should help you take better pictures, not make things more difficult than they need to be.

What I think you should do is try to read and understand the basic technical concepts of photography (exposure, aperture, shutter speed, ISO, focus etc) and then look into semi-automatic modes (like Av, Tv, Tav for instance) and learn how to use them to your advantage. I'm not saying manual mode is bad, but depending on what exactly you shoot, chances are you'll end up using another mode that will make your life easier.

I suggest variation

the af lens may allow you to use manual mode

" A " lens allow you to use some settings set automatically by the camera

this chart allows you to figure out what the Pentax " signage " on the lenses mean:

Pentax K-Mount Lenses Explained: The differences between various Pentax lens series

this chart shows how Pentax lenses will work with the OP's K S2 ( it is on the second row )

The Pentax Camera Lens Compatibility Chart

so my recommendation is to

have fun with your photography

mix it up with how you take your photos

**Kerrowdown** · 08-27-2019, 12:26 PM

Welcome to the forum and to your photography the Pentax way.

MarkJerling · 08-27-2019, 03:50 PM

Welcome to the forum!

Kind regards,
Mark

aotearoa

(New Zealand)

**kiwi_jono** · 10-04-2019, 02:14 PM

Welcome to the forums!

Great advice already. I have found that shooting at night (with a tripod), teaches you a lot about exposure as you can try using the whole aperture range and the process is slowed down a lot.

Zooland · 10-04-2019, 03:08 PM

Welcome. I found this article by Adam to be most helpful
How to use/meter Manual & M42 Lenses on all Pentax DSLRs (K-1, K-3, K-5, K-30, etc) - PentaxForums.com
Have fun!

**beachgardener** · 10-05-2019, 12:10 AM

G'day mate and welcome to the forum

08-26-2019, 03:33 PM - 1 Like	#1
Kristaline New Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Posts: 2	Hi New to dslr photography Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. Hi all. I am picking up a used ks2 tomorrow! I am excited to start learning manual modes and taking better quality pictures than with my phones camera. Any advice about this camera or where to start with learning how to shoot in manual mode? I love taking family photos and travel photos and sunset pictures. Thanks.

08-27-2019, 03:50 PM	#12
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,406	Welcome to the forum! Kind regards, Mark (New Zealand)

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08-26-2019, 03:50 PM - 2 Likes	#2
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,674	Hi Kristaline, and welcome to the forums. Congratulations on your incoming KS2! Regarding manual mode, the best advice I can give is to learn about exposure. This is essential to shooting in manual mode, but will help with all other modes and your photography in general. All of the information you need is available by Googling "how to shoot manual with DSLR"... however, I recommend you buy a decent book on the subject. One of the best (and I own a copy myself) is "Understanding Exposure, Fourth Edition: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera" (I've linked to Amazon Canada here for your convenience). If you read, learn and practice the straightforward teachings in this easy-to-read book, you'll be all set. It covers everything you need to know, without having to trawl through multiple websites, asking various folks for advice that might be inaccurate or conflicting. Save yourself the trouble, read this book and put what it teaches into practice. You'll do just fine

08-26-2019, 03:54 PM	#3
Kristaline New Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Posts: 2 Original Poster	Thank you. I was thinking of getting a book bug there are so many to choose from.

08-26-2019, 03:59 PM - 1 Like	#4
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,674	Originally posted by Kristaline Thank you. I was thinking of getting a book bug there are so many to choose from. You're welcome This is definitely the book for you (for most people, in fact). It's very easy and fun to read, and tells you everything you need to know about exposure and how to control it manually. In my opinion, it should be required reading for any amateur photographer

08-26-2019, 04:24 PM	#5
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,581	welcome don't forget the excellent articles here under "articles" Resources \| PentaxForums.com here is a good one to start with: Exposure Basics: A Complete Guide for Beginners - Articles and Tips \| PentaxForums.com

08-26-2019, 04:57 PM - 1 Like	#6
RookieGuy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Mid Atlantic region Posts: 127	I learned focusing from my father. He lined up a bunch of crayons along a ledge and had me focus on each one with the camera on a tripod. I'd say got it, he'd check and tell me the orange one or nope. Funny, I got much less nopes once he put his glasses on. But anyways, do that a while with each lens and you'll be manually focusing quicker than your camera. To the rest, I'll echo what the rest have said. But I'd add play around with it. Set up an apple on the kitchen table and set it to P. Look at where the camera thinks it should be. Then try clicking something and see what happens. F22, the apple is in focus and you can see what's on the neighbor's TV. Crank the shutter speed up or down. What happened? It took me doing for the books to make sense.

08-26-2019, 11:43 PM	#8
savoche Master of the obvious Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lowlands of Norway Posts: 18,311	Welcome to the clubhouse! As you see this forum consists of some awesome people; always ready to share of their knowledge and to lend support. You will also find that there genuinely is no such thing as a stupid question. The "stupidest" questions tend to spark off the most interesting dicussions. So, ask away and you will recieve friendly advice worth listening to.

08-27-2019, 08:04 AM	#9
Hattifnatt Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Bucharest Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,625	Hello and welcome to the forums! I think shooting in manual mode is overrated and should not be your primary target. Camera is a tool that should help you take better pictures, not make things more difficult than they need to be. What I think you should do is try to read and understand the basic technical concepts of photography (exposure, aperture, shutter speed, ISO, focus etc) and then look into semi-automatic modes (like Av, Tv, Tav for instance) and learn how to use them to your advantage. I'm not saying manual mode is bad, but depending on what exactly you shoot, chances are you'll end up using another mode that will make your life easier.

08-27-2019, 08:12 AM	#10
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,581	Originally posted by Hattifnatt Hello and welcome to the forums! I think shooting in manual mode is overrated and should not be your primary target. Camera is a tool that should help you take better pictures, not make things more difficult than they need to be. What I think you should do is try to read and understand the basic technical concepts of photography (exposure, aperture, shutter speed, ISO, focus etc) and then look into semi-automatic modes (like Av, Tv, Tav for instance) and learn how to use them to your advantage. I'm not saying manual mode is bad, but depending on what exactly you shoot, chances are you'll end up using another mode that will make your life easier. I suggest variation the af lens may allow you to use manual mode " A " lens allow you to use some settings set automatically by the camera this chart allows you to figure out what the Pentax " signage " on the lenses mean: Pentax K-Mount Lenses Explained: The differences between various Pentax lens series this chart shows how Pentax lenses will work with the OP's K S2 ( it is on the second row ) The Pentax Camera Lens Compatibility Chart so my recommendation is to have fun with your photography mix it up with how you take your photos

08-27-2019, 12:26 PM	#11
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,819	Welcome to the forum and to your photography the Pentax way.

10-04-2019, 02:14 PM	#13
kiwi_jono Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,437	Welcome to the forums! Great advice already. I have found that shooting at night (with a tripod), teaches you a lot about exposure as you can try using the whole aperture range and the process is slowed down a lot.

10-04-2019, 03:08 PM	#14
Zooland Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2019 Posts: 370	Welcome. I found this article by Adam to be most helpful How to use/meter Manual & M42 Lenses on all Pentax DSLRs (K-1, K-3, K-5, K-30, etc) - PentaxForums.com Have fun!

10-05-2019, 12:10 AM	#15
beachgardener Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,842	G'day mate and welcome to the forum