Hello from the Valley of the Sun!

**cooks333** · 12-04-2019, 10:02 PM - **4 Likes**

Hello Forum!

I'm a newbie from Phoenix and have been a part of the Pentax family since 2010 when I bought a K7 as my first DSLR along with the 21mm & 70mm pancake limiteds. Didn't take long for me to become hooked on photography. I upgraded to a K3 after several years and just entered the FF world this past summer by upgrading to the K1 Mark II.

I'm a self-taught hobbyist who has read a couple of books to learn the basics and enjoys a good techniques article now and again to learn some new tricks to try out in the field. I like to bring my camera along during my outdoor adventures, capture the wonders of nature, and tell stories of my local/global travels. I also like to dabble with macro shots (planning to get the 100mm F2.8 macro soon!) and create night images in cities when I have the chance.

My current gear:

Pentax K1 mk ii
Irix 15mm F2.4 Blackstone
Pentax-D FA* 50mm F1.4
Pentax DA* 300mm F4

Looking forward to being a part of the community!

Jon Cook
Phoenix, AZ
Flickr/Instagram: cooks333

Attached Images

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Last edited by cooks333; 12-05-2019 at 07:21 AM.

Sandy Hancock · 12-04-2019, 10:08 PM

Welcome.
You have some of the best gear going around there, and it looks like you know how to use it! I look forward to seeing more of your work.

Charlie Victor · 12-04-2019, 10:19 PM

Hi Jon, welcome to the forum from Durban, South Africa. Very good picture you posted there.
Best.

Unregistered User 8 · 12-04-2019, 10:47 PM

Welcome aboard Jon from Australia.

**PJ1** · 12-05-2019, 01:03 AM

Hi Jon. Another welcome from Australia (third in line behind Sandy Hancock and pjv). You live in a very photogenic part of the world and the image you have posted is very nice. I got used to saguaros when I spent a year in Tucson half a lifetime ago.
Peter

**Vaskebjorn** · 12-05-2019, 01:21 AM

Welcome from the Netherlands. I bet you will like it here.

fsge · 12-05-2019, 01:25 AM

Hello Jon and welcome to the forum!

troenaas · 12-05-2019, 04:49 AM

Welcome to the forums from Norway...

**Mikesul** · 12-05-2019, 05:03 AM

Welcome to the forum, Jon. Nice to see another Phoenician join up!

**Kerrowdown** · 12-05-2019, 05:20 AM

Welcome to the forum from the Highlands of Scotland, enjoy all that it has to offer.

Jeff · 12-05-2019, 05:20 AM

And welcome from an ex-South African, from Durban, who has lived in Adelaide Australia, whose mother is Norwegian, and who now lives in rural Cookham in Berksire,England!

Never been to Phoenix though, and hope to do so one day. Hope you enjoy your K1ii - I have a K1 and it is wonderful paired with the DA* 50mm 1.4. You've got so much lovely light to play with!

---------- Post added 12-05-19 at 12:21 PM ----------

...and my wife is from The Netherlands..!

Roadboat24 · 12-05-2019, 05:47 AM

Welcome from another Phoenician

MTNcycler · 12-05-2019, 07:10 AM

Welcome from Virginia. Great photo, and very nice equipment list!

**Geodude** · 12-05-2019, 01:27 PM - **1 Like**

Greetings, Jon, from an ASU grad, '78!

sasastro · 12-05-2019, 02:17 PM

Hello and welcome

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12-04-2019, 10:08 PM	#2
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	Welcome. You have some of the best gear going around there, and it looks like you know how to use it! I look forward to seeing more of your work.

12-04-2019, 10:19 PM	#3
Charlie Victor Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Durban Photos: Albums Posts: 1,227	Hi Jon, welcome to the forum from Durban, South Africa. Very good picture you posted there. Best.

12-04-2019, 10:47 PM	#4
Unregistered User 8 Closed Account Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,694	Welcome aboard Jon from Australia.

12-05-2019, 01:03 AM	#5
PJ1 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Toowoomba, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,483	Hi Jon. Another welcome from Australia (third in line behind Sandy Hancock and pjv). You live in a very photogenic part of the world and the image you have posted is very nice. I got used to saguaros when I spent a year in Tucson half a lifetime ago. Peter

12-05-2019, 01:21 AM	#6
Vaskebjorn Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Almere, The Netherlands Posts: 1,671	Welcome from the Netherlands. I bet you will like it here.

12-05-2019, 01:25 AM	#7
fsge Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Genf Posts: 1,138	Hello Jon and welcome to the forum!

12-05-2019, 04:49 AM	#8
troenaas Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Norway Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 668	Welcome to the forums from Norway...

12-05-2019, 05:03 AM	#9
Mikesul Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,594	Welcome to the forum, Jon. Nice to see another Phoenician join up!

12-05-2019, 05:20 AM	#10
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 from the Highlands of Scotland, enjoy all that it has to offer.

12-05-2019, 05:20 AM	#11
Jeff Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Berkshire, England Posts: 837	And welcome from an ex-South African, from Durban, who has lived in Adelaide Australia, whose mother is Norwegian, and who now lives in rural Cookham in Berksire,England! Never been to Phoenix though, and hope to do so one day. Hope you enjoy your K1ii - I have a K1 and it is wonderful paired with the DA* 50mm 1.4. You've got so much lovely light to play with! ---------- Post added 12-05-19 at 12:21 PM ---------- ...and my wife is from The Netherlands..!

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12-05-2019, 05:47 AM	#12
Roadboat24 Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2017 Posts: 486	Welcome from another Phoenician

12-05-2019, 07:10 AM	#13
MTNcycler Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Blacksburg, VA Photos: Albums Posts: 151	Welcome from Virginia. Great photo, and very nice equipment list!

12-05-2019, 02:17 PM	#15
sasastro Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Suffolk, UK Photos: Albums Posts: 849	Hello and welcome