[Jman02]

Well this is my first post here. I stumbled across this site through a Pentax google search. I recently purchased a K10d at National Camera in the MPLS area. I formerly owned a ZX-7 slr film camera and a slew of other point and shoot cameras over the years. I took photography in high school, but that was 25+ years ago. Here is my dilema:

I had planned on buying a dslr to replace my film slr being I didn't like messing with film anymore. I am a family man and wanted the flexibilty of removeable lenses. I currently own two P&S digitals and have owned 4 total since 2000. I would consider myself a novice shooter with some intentions to learn more. National gives three free classes with a purchase from them. I was happy with the ZX-7 in the past so I looked at the Pentax line, but also looked at others. I had my mind made up after reading probably 100-200 proffesional and consumer reviews of dslr's on the K100D. When I went to purchase it at National ,they didn't recommend the K100D mainly because of the AA batteries. They steered me towards the K10D which I was aware of, but didn't research as well. At the time the 7-31 rebate offer looked to be ending so they suggested I buy it at the time or the offer would be gone so I did. I sent the rebate and upc in immediately. (this was my mistake) So what happens? Pentax extended the rebate program anyways from 8-1 to 9-30 of 2007, so there was no rush. Also they ended up having a 2 lens kit one week after I bought that would have been a better deal (k100d and k10d kit)...........frustration is building!!

In the meantime I read many reviews and talk forum issues about the K10D. What I didn't realize is this camera is not really geared for the novice shooter. It's more for the intermediate to pro shooter. Yes it has a green mode, but many are saying it needs tweaking to get good jpeg results. Shooting raw may be more time consuming and experimental for now, but for my type of family/general shooting ,jpeg will be more up my alley until I learn more. Jpeg seems to be where this camera gets so-so marks. So in essence........was this too much camera for me or is this camera too much for the novice? I think the experienced shooters like this camera alot for the $$ value and features. I had 30 days to return it, but only if the box is intact with upc code. They said I now cannot return it for another camera. Don't get me wrong. This camera is a well built ,great looking unit, but may be a bit more than I needed. They suggested the Nikon D40 in the k100's price range which I thought looked to be a cheaper build quality against both Pentax models and had less features like SR.

What are some tweaks I should do in green mode to get started with the k10d? One person on another forum says to bump the sharpness up +2 and the contrast up a hair. Any other suggestions?

thanks!!

[PaulAndAPentax]

I found that I was pretty happy with the results for jpeg on bright mode with +1 saturation, +2 sharpness, and +2 contrast. It works for me anyway. Don't sell the camera out too quickly. I have found it not too difficult to work with once you get some time behind the eyepiece. I've shot both modes and prefer raw but jpeg is ok too.

Here's an example will set as above:

[Confused]

Hi "Jman02" and welcome to this forum. May I refer you to an earlier post where I placed a similar question, an answer to which (quote from a partial reply) appears below courtesy of "jeffkrol":

On the k10 the theory is that the bright modes (w no added adjustments) apply more sharpness than the natural modes (no added adjustment). To quote a k10 user "Bright image tone with the sliders set at '0' is roughly equal to Natural image tone with sliders set to '+2'. (saturation, sharpness and contrast). My preferred setting for JPEG's that I don't want to post process, is Bright image tone with Saturation -1, the rest at 0. This is because Bright at '0' is simply too much for my taste."
And a series of shots, though for saturation not sharpness, but it gives you a feel.
Re: Contrast/saturation image series: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review
K10 w/ the weaker AA filter and smaller pixel size has a built in sharpness advantage over many 8-10mp cameras (one note is that the K10 may purposely de-sharpen the jpg a bit in order to cover some anomolies that can occur due to the weaker AA filter but don't tell anyone this ) and people tolerate "less sharp" photos way more than "dull" photos.

I hope this helps to give you some guidance in this area, but it may pay to experiment a bit to find the settings that suit you personally.

As for your comment:

was this too much camera for me or is this camera too much for the novice?

That all depends on how you intend to use the camera ! If you were anticipating the K10D to be an automatic 'Point & Shoot' Digital SLR, then possibly you might be correct in this assumption, although the 'green-mode' will get you out of an awful lot of tricky situations.
Look at this way..... a Rolls Royce and a Mini will in all probability both get you to your intended destination, but in a slightly different manner ! What you will 'not get' on the K100D or the new K100D Super are front AND rear E-dials, which make life much easier and saves ploughing through endless menus to try and alter various settings, which is both time-consuming and frustrating in equal measure. IMHO menus belong in restaurants, not within cameras !! Forgive the stupid analogy, but imagine that your car only has 'parking sensors' on the front bumper ? Now try reversing into a tight spot.......it's a lot easier with a second set of sensors at the rear, now isn't it !!
The K10D is undoubtedly a camera you can 'grow-with' and the more you use it and become familiar with the way in which it functions, it will enable you to take some stunning photos en-route. When I first laid hands on the K10D I too found it pretty daunting in certain respects, but now I am beginning to enjoy myself more & more. I recently spent a day down at Goodwood House which is situated in the beautiful rolling countryside of West Sussex in England. It is world-famous for the 'Historic Motoring' events that are regularly held in the extensive grounds and whilst I was strolling around casually snapping numerous priceless 'classics', my wife noticed no less than 5 other people toting K10D's from their necks !! I spoke to a couple of them and they were genuinely 'over-the-moon' with their new acquisitions ! Remember the expression, 'practice makes perfect'.....

With kindest regards
Richard

[regken]

I recently spent a day down at Goodwood House which is situated in the beautiful rolling countryside of West Sussex in England. It is world-famous for the 'Historic Motoring' events that are regularly held in the extensive grounds and whilst I was strolling around casually snapping numerous priceless 'classics', my wife noticed no less than 5 other people toting K10D's from their necks !! I spoke to a couple of them and they were genuinely 'over-the-moon' with their new acquisitions ! Remember the expression, 'practice makes perfect'.....

With kindest regards
Richard

Hi Richard,

I'm stunned you saw that many K10D's in one location. Could it be there is some truth to all the hype about how well it is selling? I'm not around a lot of people with DSLR's but I have NEVER seen another Pentax shooter. Many will say "Oh a Pentax, I used to have a Film Pentax". I wonder how many of you out there are seeing more Pentaxes?

Regards,

ken

[Jman02]

I found that I was pretty happy with the results for jpeg on bright mode with +1 saturation, +2 sharpness, and +2 contrast.
[/IMG]

Thanks for the startout points. I'll try that.

[Jman02]

I recently spent a day down at Goodwood House which is situated in the beautiful rolling countryside of West Sussex in England. It is world-famous for the 'Historic Motoring' events that are regularly held in the extensive grounds and whilst I was strolling around casually snapping numerous priceless 'classics', my wife noticed no less than 5 other people toting K10D's from their necks !! I spoke to a couple of them and they were genuinely 'over-the-moon' with their new acquisitions ! Remember the expression, 'practice makes perfect'.....

With kindest regards
Richard

My goal someday is to visit England. My surname (Grieves) is English and that is where my father's side immigrated from in the 1800's. In fact they were from Lewes. I was related to the Rhonetree's who were the founders of the Kit Kat candy bar and chocolate buisiness.

As for seeing all the Pentax K10D's. That's cool. In no way would that ever happen here in the US. It's rare to see anything but a Nikon or a Canon DSLR around anyone's neck around my area. I had good luck with my former Pentax and I like to be different I guess are a couple reasons I chose Pentax. They definitely offer alot of quality and features for the money compared to the other two makers I mentioned.

[Jman02]

As for lenses......I have the kit lens DA18-55mm, I have my former ZX-7 lens 28-80mm and also I picked up a Tamron 75-300mm for $93 new in box at the time the camera was purchased. I really am thinking up taking the Tamron back, even thought the price was decent, and getting an all purpase Tamron 18-200mm or a 18-250mm. I know it's more $$$ but it would save me alot of lens changing in different situations. Further down the line when I gain more experience I may try a few prime lenses from Pentax.

Any thoughts on the Tamrons? I like the fact that the two I mentioned telescope down small when not zoomed, while the 75-300mm I have is kind of large.

[Confused]

In reply to "regken" & "Jman02",

my wife noticed no less than 5 other people toting K10D's from their necks !!

Well we Brits are renowned for recognising a 'great deal' when we see one and having personally handled the competion from C****n & N****n, you wouldn't exactly have to be 'Brain-surgeon' or a 'Rocket-scientist' to realise that the K10D is 'one-helluva-good' bargain, as you might say across the 'pond' ! The knowing glances and nodding expressions of admiration from those around us were all too clear to see..........and I wasn't referring to the 'classic cars' either !!!! However, if "Jman02" would care to send me a large consignment of 'Kit Kat' candy bars (oops, I hope this doesn't qualify as advertising !) I would be only too happy to accept !! By the way, I have the Tamron 18mm - 250mm Di II lens and it is genuinely 'awesome' believe me ! See the previous posts in the Pentax SLR Lens Discussion section for further info.....e.g.
"The Tamron 18-250 is Looking Real Good" thread. Here are five photo's from Goodwood taken with the 18mm - 250mm Di II, so 'enjoy' if you will....incidentally the last photo shows part of Winston Churchill's original limousine.......just kidding !!



With kindest regards
Richard

[Arpe]

When I went to purchase it at National ,they didn't recommend the K100D mainly because of the AA batteries.

That's one of the reasons I bought my Pentax, because it does take AA batteries!

[Jman02]

Well that's exactly what many consumer reviews implied because they could buy them anywhere internationally. That's the thing, everyone has a different opinion on things. I don't see the AA issue as a problem. I don't usually keep more than 100 photos on any of my cameras without dumping them anyways. This is when I would probably throw in a recharged set pf batteries too.

[Rolly]

And you want choccie bars?!?
Most of the guys on this forum want a built-in GPS, beer tap and coffee-maker (amongst others) on the next generation K**D.
I'd settle for the Bristol in your pix as a means to port my photogear about.

[Confused]

It's actually the new Bristol 'Fighter S' and won't leave much change from it's £256,150.00 price tag, so start saving up for it NOW..Oh and it has Mercedes-type 'gullwing doors', therefore don't try getting out of it in a low-ceilinged underground car-park !!

Best regards
Richard

[Mike Cash]

I'm guessing they used the AA shuck-and-jive to steer you toward a camera that has a better commission for the salesman. I also found it to be one of the features I like; I've had my fill of expensive proprietary batteries.

I own the K100D and have no direct experience with the K10D. But no matter how overwhelming the thing may appear, there's nothing that says you have to learn it all overnight. Think of it as when your dear old mother used to buy you pants and remark to no one in particular, "He'll grow into them." (And despite your despair at being thrust out into public looking odd....Was she ever wrong?)

You got it. Hang onto it. Learn and grow with it. Don't let it intimidate you; at the end of the day, you're still just setting aperture and shutter speed....no matter how you get there.

[Confused]

To "Mike Cash"

Right on, brother !! I totally agree with you when you say:

Hang onto it. Learn and grow with it. Don't let it intimidate you

A bit like the wife, really !!!....and by the way, if you could just see your way to loaning me that mere £256,150.00 I'd be eternally grateful.....de dah, de dah, de-dah........I'll take YEN if you like, no problemo...

Sayonara
Richard

[Mike Cash]

Richard, I am reminded of my high school English teacher who once quipped to a student who had asked to borrow a dollar, "A dollar!! Young man, if I had a dollar I'd cut my throat and die rich."

No go on the dough, bro.