Need consulting assistance

mensrea · 08-06-2010, 06:07 AM

I am new to the DSLR game, and could use some assistance from someone with more experience. I am willing to pay/reward this work. Any takers?

SpecialK · 08-06-2010, 06:19 AM

You ask, people answer.

kytra · 08-06-2010, 07:07 AM

search amazon for scott kelby and take the 3 volume box of digital photography. best 30 you've ever spent

**Kerrowdown** · 08-06-2010, 12:22 PM

Firstly welcome to the forum, what is it we can help you with?

The size of fees and rewards come later on in the discussion, once the total remit or scope of works has been established.

future_retro · 08-06-2010, 12:30 PM

Reading a book on photography would be much easier and cheaper, the basics really aren't that hard to learn and I can't image tutoring being necessary

libbyh · 08-06-2010, 01:37 PM

Mensrea,

Welcome to the forum and the world of DSLRs in general. As many others have posted, you will find tons of advice on the web and friendly members from the forum. Your best bet is to post any specific questions you have and see if people from the forum will chime in.

If what you're looking for is consultation of a more technical nature, ie sensor technology, electronics theory, there's tons of articles on the internet.

If it's a personal shopper you're looking for to help you with gear, then you'd be best served just spending your money on rentals of different systems and see which ones feel the best in your hand and have intuitive ergonomics (menus and all) and that loosely termed 'image quality' to your liking, since it's you who has to live with the camera in the end.

Otherwise, I think i speak largely on behalf of the forum members when I say 'tell us your problems and we'll see what we can't do for you...'

Cheers,
Libby

notsowise · 08-07-2010, 10:19 PM

Originally posted by mensrea

I am new to the DSLR game, and could use some assistance from someone with more experience. I am willing to pay/reward this work. Any takers?

Try this site before you spend a lot of money. Go to words after you look at a few pictures. Let us know if it helps!

Daystar Visions Main

mensrea · 08-08-2010, 07:46 PM

I just bought a magic lantern book, are they worth reading? I am also going to buy the set above, it looks helpful. I found a class at a local photography store for $35. I do really need help with what to buy lens wise. I have a budget in mind but dont know what to buy. I understand the 55-300 is nice, but want a couple of others. I don't have a great body, but I actually want the security of using modes... It's a K200D.

I appreciate your help, I am looking for a new hobby and I think this can be a lot of fun... I just got back from Alaska and by Canon Rebel pictures didnt come out at all, and I was using the modes. Ruined some awesome shots of Grizzly bears. It doesn't have image stabilization and I was in a moving bus. I dont want to have that happen again, I am ready to dive into photography.

mensrea · 08-10-2010, 01:27 PM

There are no pentax shops within 60 miles of my house, and only 1 in chicago... looks like we might be alone

icywarm · 08-10-2010, 01:59 PM

Originally posted by mensrea

There are no pentax shops within 60 miles of my house, and only 1 in chicago... looks like we might be alone

Luck for you there is the market here and most sites on the internet deliver... I do shop some local stores, but most tell me to look online...

As for which lens to buy... google LBA... there is no easy answer and you can spend thousands answering that question... again... read... think... rent(if you can)... borrow and try to find what works for you...

**ChipB** · 08-11-2010, 08:29 AM

First, the K200D is a very good, capable DSLR. You can use it's pre-set settings, aperture priority mode setting, shutter priority mode setting, or full maual mode. I used one for a long time - 'bout wore it out!!

As to which lens - aaaahhh, the question of the year!! The answer is simple, yet complex. What to you want to shoot? Landscapes, distant wildlife, close-ups of flora and fauna, portraits, sports, etc??

Once you've figured that out, then the fun really begins!! The lens choices can be staggering and confusing. I'd suggest you spend some time reading the lens review section (both Pentax and non-Pentax lenses) and the many posts in the Lens sub-forum. Don't be afraid to ask questions - the folks on this forum, for the most part, are more than willing to answer questions. However, don't just ask "what lens should I buy?" - instead, ask something like "Is the Sigma 70-300mm lens better than the Tamron 70-300mm lens?" BUT, if you use the search function, you'll find that that question has been asked and answered about 87 thousand times!!

Again, by figuring out what you want to shoot will go a long ways to helping you figure out what lens to buy.

08-06-2010, 06:07 AM	#1
mensrea Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 30	Need consulting assistance I am new to the DSLR game, and could use some assistance from someone with more experience. I am willing to pay/reward this work. Any takers?

08-06-2010, 01:37 PM	#6
libbyh Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Rochester, NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 119	Free Resources Mensrea, Welcome to the forum and the world of DSLRs in general. As many others have posted, you will find tons of advice on the web and friendly members from the forum. Your best bet is to post any specific questions you have and see if people from the forum will chime in. If what you're looking for is consultation of a more technical nature, ie sensor technology, electronics theory, there's tons of articles on the internet. If it's a personal shopper you're looking for to help you with gear, then you'd be best served just spending your money on rentals of different systems and see which ones feel the best in your hand and have intuitive ergonomics (menus and all) and that loosely termed 'image quality' to your liking, since it's you who has to live with the camera in the end. Otherwise, I think i speak largely on behalf of the forum members when I say 'tell us your problems and we'll see what we can't do for you...' Cheers, Libby

08-08-2010, 07:46 PM	#8
mensrea Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 30 Original Poster	Thanks I just bought a magic lantern book, are they worth reading? I am also going to buy the set above, it looks helpful. I found a class at a local photography store for $35. I do really need help with what to buy lens wise. I have a budget in mind but dont know what to buy. I understand the 55-300 is nice, but want a couple of others. I don't have a great body, but I actually want the security of using modes... It's a K200D. I appreciate your help, I am looking for a new hobby and I think this can be a lot of fun... I just got back from Alaska and by Canon Rebel pictures didnt come out at all, and I was using the modes. Ruined some awesome shots of Grizzly bears. It doesn't have image stabilization and I was in a moving bus. I dont want to have that happen again, I am ready to dive into photography.

08-10-2010, 01:27 PM	#9
mensrea Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 30 Original Poster	No Pentax shops There are no pentax shops within 60 miles of my house, and only 1 in chicago... looks like we might be alone

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08-06-2010, 06:19 AM	#2
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,482	You ask, people answer.

08-06-2010, 07:07 AM	#3
kytra Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bucharest Posts: 482	search amazon for scott kelby and take the 3 volume box of digital photography. best 30 you've ever spent

08-06-2010, 12:22 PM	#4
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,867	Firstly welcome to the forum, what is it we can help you with? The size of fees and rewards come later on in the discussion, once the total remit or scope of works has been established.

08-06-2010, 12:30 PM	#5
future_retro Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Western Washington Posts: 572	Reading a book on photography would be much easier and cheaper, the basics really aren't that hard to learn and I can't image tutoring being necessary

08-07-2010, 10:19 PM	#7
notsowise Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Pocahontas, Arkansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 52	Originally posted by mensrea I am new to the DSLR game, and could use some assistance from someone with more experience. I am willing to pay/reward this work. Any takers? Try this site before you spend a lot of money. Go to words after you look at a few pictures. Let us know if it helps! Daystar Visions Main

08-10-2010, 01:59 PM	#10
icywarm Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Saskatchewan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,278	Originally posted by mensrea There are no pentax shops within 60 miles of my house, and only 1 in chicago... looks like we might be alone Luck for you there is the market here and most sites on the internet deliver... I do shop some local stores, but most tell me to look online... As for which lens to buy... google LBA... there is no easy answer and you can spend thousands answering that question... again... read... think... rent(if you can)... borrow and try to find what works for you...

08-11-2010, 08:29 AM	#11
ChipB Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Eau Claire, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,717	First, the K200D is a very good, capable DSLR. You can use it's pre-set settings, aperture priority mode setting, shutter priority mode setting, or full maual mode. I used one for a long time - 'bout wore it out!! As to which lens - aaaahhh, the question of the year!! The answer is simple, yet complex. What to you want to shoot? Landscapes, distant wildlife, close-ups of flora and fauna, portraits, sports, etc?? Once you've figured that out, then the fun really begins!! The lens choices can be staggering and confusing. I'd suggest you spend some time reading the lens review section (both Pentax and non-Pentax lenses) and the many posts in the Lens sub-forum. Don't be afraid to ask questions - the folks on this forum, for the most part, are more than willing to answer questions. However, don't just ask "what lens should I buy?" - instead, ask something like "Is the Sigma 70-300mm lens better than the Tamron 70-300mm lens?" BUT, if you use the search function, you'll find that that question has been asked and answered about 87 thousand times!! Again, by figuring out what you want to shoot will go a long ways to helping you figure out what lens to buy.