Hello, new to it all...

RickVick · 11-03-2010, 08:24 AM

whats up everyone... i have a few questions. Ran a search but I really dont know what im looking for being tho im not sure of a lot of the terms used.
Recently brought me a Pentax K-x, loving it (compared to recording with my cell phone, lol)
Im a model so im use to being in front of the camera and no i didnt buy one for that reason because i know photographies a skill/craft just like any other thing folks do.
I brought it because i record a lot of my ventures for myself to walk and show to others and i wanted something to be able to the Depth of Field look.

i wanted to ask whats the best/most reasonable lens I could buy for the K-x that would give it that look better than the 18-55 stock lens????
I want to be able to blur the images in the background even more and other way round...

also another question...

I edit my videos using Sony 7 ( i know..but i got it for free.. lol)
I wanted to know, from those that use Sony V. whats the best template to render the video in? i currently put it on 6mpbs HD720-30p video... not sure if thats right or not

keep it mind im new to all this..
thanks again
also heres an example of one i made using that render as selection:

You Tube

JeffJS · 11-03-2010, 10:20 AM

Welcome! If you want great depth of field control, one of the best you can buy for that is a Pentax 50mm f1:1.4.

Index of /Photos/ForSale/Payfor85/TakenWith/M50f14

You can also buy a 50mm f1:1.7 and do nicely as well. Actually Any fast prime lens will give you what you want.

GerryL · 11-03-2010, 10:39 AM

Welcome to the forums RickVick!
To greatly blur the background of your subject, a good way is to use long zoom lenses.
Use any of the end or near end of the zoom and this will greatly blur your background.
Here's an example using a Sigma 28-200mm with this taken at 200mm if I remember right.

jolepp · 11-03-2010, 10:46 AM

Welcome! If you want something similar to the 18-55mm kit lens check out the Tamron 17-50mm 1:2.8. This should give you more control of the background being in focus or not and also be an upgrade as far as image quality is concerned.

RickVick · 11-03-2010, 11:45 AM

thanks folks for the advice, im about to research everyones suggestion, thanks again

SpecialK · 11-03-2010, 11:51 AM

Either a long focal length, or a small f-number (larger aperture) will blur the foreground and background. The most blur will be with a long lens, like 200mm more, and a small f-stop like f2.8. Also, the camera-subject distance will affect how much is in focus.

RickVick · 11-03-2010, 12:00 PM

@SpecialK... gotcha
thanks..preciate it, checking out some now

hcc · 11-03-2010, 12:02 PM

Welcome to the Forum and congrats for the K-x.

You may wish to think about wheter you prefer a zoom lens or/and a prime lens. A zoom lens needs to comprise over the focal length range and would mos toften have a lower IQ than a prime lens for the same price.

I have both zoom and prime lenses, and each has its own usage. I have also 2 AF lenses and one MF. The diversity and complementary nature of these lenses is a blessing and give some a lot of options.

Since you already have a zoom lens (18-55), why don't you try to get a prime? Some options to consider could be :

- the DA40mm Ltd, a very, very small lens that will make your K-x smaller than all other dSLR, easy to carry, easy to handle

- a 50-55mm f1.a: that is a fast prime that can shoot even in low light conditions. (My Voigtlander 58mm f1.4 is such a beauty that I would recommend it very strongly if you are prepare to get a MF lens.)

Look also in the Users' review in the Forum as well as in the independent reviews by www.photozone.de.

Hope that the comment will help...

Ira · 11-03-2010, 12:20 PM

Originally posted by JeffJS

Welcome! If you want great depth of field control, one of the best you can buy for that is a Pentax 50mm f1:1.4.

Index of /Photos/ForSale/Payfor85/TakenWith/M50f14

You can also buy a 50mm f1:1.7 and do nicely as well. Actually Any fast prime lens will give you what you want.

Ditto on the prime 50 1.4.

But go manual with an old M42 Takumar and adapter for your body.

See The Takumar Club thread under the Lens Forums.

A hundred bucks at most for the lens, $30 for the genuine Pentax adapter, and you're in like Flynt.

omega leader · 11-03-2010, 03:00 PM

Perhaps the new 35mm f2.4 DA-L would be a good comprise and seems to be a fantastic lens.

11-03-2010, 10:39 AM	#3
GerryL Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: CA Posts: 2,731	Welcome to the forums RickVick! To greatly blur the background of your subject, a good way is to use long zoom lenses. Use any of the end or near end of the zoom and this will greatly blur your background. Here's an example using a Sigma 28-200mm with this taken at 200mm if I remember right. Attached Images

11-03-2010, 10:20 AM	#2
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Welcome! If you want great depth of field control, one of the best you can buy for that is a Pentax 50mm f1:1.4. Index of /Photos/ForSale/Payfor85/TakenWith/M50f14 You can also buy a 50mm f1:1.7 and do nicely as well. Actually Any fast prime lens will give you what you want.

11-03-2010, 10:46 AM	#4
jolepp Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Finland Photos: Albums Posts: 3,196	Welcome! If you want something similar to the 18-55mm kit lens check out the Tamron 17-50mm 1:2.8. This should give you more control of the background being in focus or not and also be an upgrade as far as image quality is concerned.

11-03-2010, 11:45 AM	#5
RickVick New Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 3 Original Poster	thanks folks for the advice, im about to research everyones suggestion, thanks again

11-03-2010, 11:51 AM	#6
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,482	Either a long focal length, or a small f-number (larger aperture) will blur the foreground and background. The most blur will be with a long lens, like 200mm more, and a small f-stop like f2.8. Also, the camera-subject distance will affect how much is in focus.

11-03-2010, 12:00 PM	#7
RickVick New Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 3 Original Poster	@SpecialK... gotcha thanks..preciate it, checking out some now

11-03-2010, 12:02 PM	#8
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,005	Welcome to the Forum and congrats for the K-x. You may wish to think about wheter you prefer a zoom lens or/and a prime lens. A zoom lens needs to comprise over the focal length range and would mos toften have a lower IQ than a prime lens for the same price. I have both zoom and prime lenses, and each has its own usage. I have also 2 AF lenses and one MF. The diversity and complementary nature of these lenses is a blessing and give some a lot of options. Since you already have a zoom lens (18-55), why don't you try to get a prime? Some options to consider could be : - the DA40mm Ltd, a very, very small lens that will make your K-x smaller than all other dSLR, easy to carry, easy to handle - a 50-55mm f1.a: that is a fast prime that can shoot even in low light conditions. (My Voigtlander 58mm f1.4 is such a beauty that I would recommend it very strongly if you are prepare to get a MF lens.) Look also in the Users' review in the Forum as well as in the independent reviews by www.photozone.de. Hope that the comment will help...

11-03-2010, 12:20 PM	#9
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	Originally posted by JeffJS Welcome! If you want great depth of field control, one of the best you can buy for that is a Pentax 50mm f1:1.4. Index of /Photos/ForSale/Payfor85/TakenWith/M50f14 You can also buy a 50mm f1:1.7 and do nicely as well. Actually Any fast prime lens will give you what you want. Ditto on the prime 50 1.4. But go manual with an old M42 Takumar and adapter for your body. See The Takumar Club thread under the Lens Forums. A hundred bucks at most for the lens, $30 for the genuine Pentax adapter, and you're in like Flynt.

11-03-2010, 03:00 PM	#10
omega leader Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Niagara Region, Ontario Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 417	Perhaps the new 35mm f2.4 DA-L would be a good comprise and seems to be a fantastic lens.