The K20D Club

ChristianRock · 11-30-2014, 07:05 PM

Norm, I think the K20d suits your style of photography really well. Count me very impressed.

normhead · 11-30-2014, 07:49 PM

Originally posted by ChristianRock

Norm, I think the K20d suits your style of photography really well. Count me very impressed.

Yes I loved that camera... but what the K-5 brought to the table, that was just magic. I bought a K-5, Tess took it, and never gave it back. We did some comparison sunsets etc. from one of our favourite ridges. The dynamic range of the K-5 was incredibly better in some images. Shadows that were black blobs on the K20D turned out to be full of trees and ridges on the K-5. IN the end, I bought a second K-5 and retired the K20D. Now that I have the K-3, I don't even need it as a second body. My sister has it. At one time I was so happy with that camera, I couldn't imagine ever parting with it. Although I am thinking of repossessing it. I miss it.

ChristianRock · 12-01-2014, 07:49 AM

It all depends on what you're looking for in a picture... I'm still in the stage where I like shadows to be shadows, instead of lifting every detail (which I can do with the K-r, it also has fantastic dynamic range, at least compared to the K20D). But if I leave the shadows alone - and in my case I'm shooting for myself and I'm not going to sell any pictures at this point - I think I'll leave more emphasis on the main subject. Lifting shadows is just a slide on my software but a lot of times I don't use it, and in fact sometimes I'll increase contrast in some areas to bury things even further in shadows, that I find distracting...
What I do like is the nice color rendering the K20D gives throughout the image. It seems to compliment landscapes and especially portraits very well. I can now get good skin tone out of the K-r, but with the K20D it's just effortless.
But in your case, since you do a lot of birding, the K5 and K3 make a lot more sense due to the much better ISO performance. And your landscapes usually have so much detail in them, you need that dynamic range there as well. I'm more of a single subject shooter a lot of the time...

audiobomber · 12-01-2014, 08:05 AM

Originally posted by ChristianRock

What I do like is the nice color rendering the K20D gives throughout the image. It seems to compliment landscapes and especially portraits very well.

I agree, best Pentax ever for colour. Exposure requires proper technique in the field, so that you don't need heavy level adjustments in post.

**wtlwdwgn** · 12-01-2014, 08:58 AM

In Yellowstone NP the other day there were lots of tracks but not much in the way of wildlife to shoot.

With the DA* 16-50. Individual signs are tight crops of the original image.

dinamojuan · 12-01-2014, 02:00 PM

I have a great test for my K20D, An entire wedding next saturday, I´m so excited!

audiobomber · 12-01-2014, 02:08 PM

Originally posted by dinamojuan

I have a great test for my K20D, An entire wedding next saturday, I´m so excited!

I've shot a couple of weddings with the K20D, Sigma 530 Super flash and the 16-45 as my main lens. I had some trouble attaining focus on people walking up the aisle towards me. If I were doing this again, I would practice this bit first, and try AF-C instead of AF-S. Or more likely I will use my K-3.

normhead · 12-01-2014, 07:50 PM - **1 Like**

Some K20D and 18-135 images...

dinamojuan · 12-02-2014, 07:20 AM

I´m very exited about the wedding that I´m gonna do on Saturday, any other recommendation that I need..? Im gonna use a FA*28-70 f2,8 as main lens, and a F 50mm 1,7 .. and a Canon camera as back up.

And off camera manual flash

ChristianRock · 12-02-2014, 10:15 AM

Originally posted by dinamojuan

I´m very exited about the wedding that I´m gonna do on Saturday, any other recommendation that I need..? Im gonna use a FA*28-70 f2,8 as main lens, and a F 50mm 1,7 .. and a Canon camera as back up.

And off camera manual flash

Extra everything, especially batteries...

I haven't done a wedding before but I'd take something that I could slap on for a wider view if I wanted to. I usually take my Tokina 19-35 but anything that goes to around 16-24 would probably be enough.

When in doubt, take the shot. And don't stand in the way of the video person if there is one - and coordinate about the use of the flash if necessary.

audiobomber · 12-02-2014, 10:38 AM

I agree, a wider lens is needed for group photos indoors.

dinamojuan · 12-03-2014, 07:21 AM

Originally posted by audiobomber

I agree, a wider lens is needed for group photos indoors.

I´m bringing a 18-55 lens kit in that case. fortunately the church is big and the reception place is pretty big too, so I hope not to use this lens.

normhead · 12-04-2014, 03:37 PM

OK, a few more images.... The first two are K20D and DA*60-250 if memory serves me well.

**wtlwdwgn** · 12-04-2014, 03:38 PM

Those are some fine images Norm!

audiobomber · 12-04-2014, 03:53 PM - **1 Like**

Various images from my trusty old K20D:

12-03-2014, 07:21 AM	#72
dinamojuan Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 59	Originally posted by audiobomber I agree, a wider lens is needed for group photos indoors. I´m bringing a 18-55 lens kit in that case. fortunately the church is big and the reception place is pretty big too, so I hope not to use this lens. Last edited by dinamojuan; 12-03-2014 at 08:03 AM.

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11-30-2014, 07:05 PM	#61
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910	Norm, I think the K20d suits your style of photography really well. Count me very impressed.

11-30-2014, 07:49 PM	#62
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by ChristianRock Norm, I think the K20d suits your style of photography really well. Count me very impressed. Yes I loved that camera... but what the K-5 brought to the table, that was just magic. I bought a K-5, Tess took it, and never gave it back. We did some comparison sunsets etc. from one of our favourite ridges. The dynamic range of the K-5 was incredibly better in some images. Shadows that were black blobs on the K20D turned out to be full of trees and ridges on the K-5. IN the end, I bought a second K-5 and retired the K20D. Now that I have the K-3, I don't even need it as a second body. My sister has it. At one time I was so happy with that camera, I couldn't imagine ever parting with it. Although I am thinking of repossessing it. I miss it.

12-01-2014, 07:49 AM	#63
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910	It all depends on what you're looking for in a picture... I'm still in the stage where I like shadows to be shadows, instead of lifting every detail (which I can do with the K-r, it also has fantastic dynamic range, at least compared to the K20D). But if I leave the shadows alone - and in my case I'm shooting for myself and I'm not going to sell any pictures at this point - I think I'll leave more emphasis on the main subject. Lifting shadows is just a slide on my software but a lot of times I don't use it, and in fact sometimes I'll increase contrast in some areas to bury things even further in shadows, that I find distracting... What I do like is the nice color rendering the K20D gives throughout the image. It seems to compliment landscapes and especially portraits very well. I can now get good skin tone out of the K-r, but with the K20D it's just effortless. But in your case, since you do a lot of birding, the K5 and K3 make a lot more sense due to the much better ISO performance. And your landscapes usually have so much detail in them, you need that dynamic range there as well. I'm more of a single subject shooter a lot of the time...

12-01-2014, 08:05 AM	#64
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by ChristianRock What I do like is the nice color rendering the K20D gives throughout the image. It seems to compliment landscapes and especially portraits very well. I agree, best Pentax ever for colour. Exposure requires proper technique in the field, so that you don't need heavy level adjustments in post.

12-01-2014, 08:58 AM	#65
wtlwdwgn Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Billings, MT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,838 Original Poster	In Yellowstone NP the other day there were lots of tracks but not much in the way of wildlife to shoot. With the DA* 16-50. Individual signs are tight crops of the original image.

12-01-2014, 02:00 PM	#66
dinamojuan Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 59	I have a great test for my K20D, An entire wedding next saturday, I´m so excited!

12-01-2014, 02:08 PM	#67
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by dinamojuan I have a great test for my K20D, An entire wedding next saturday, I´m so excited! I've shot a couple of weddings with the K20D, Sigma 530 Super flash and the 16-45 as my main lens. I had some trouble attaining focus on people walking up the aisle towards me. If I were doing this again, I would practice this bit first, and try AF-C instead of AF-S. Or more likely I will use my K-3.

12-01-2014, 07:50 PM - 1 Like	#68
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Some K20D and 18-135 images...

12-02-2014, 07:20 AM	#69
dinamojuan Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 59	I´m very exited about the wedding that I´m gonna do on Saturday, any other recommendation that I need..? Im gonna use a FA*28-70 f2,8 as main lens, and a F 50mm 1,7 .. and a Canon camera as back up. And off camera manual flash

12-02-2014, 10:15 AM	#70
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910	Originally posted by dinamojuan I´m very exited about the wedding that I´m gonna do on Saturday, any other recommendation that I need..? Im gonna use a FA*28-70 f2,8 as main lens, and a F 50mm 1,7 .. and a Canon camera as back up. And off camera manual flash Extra everything, especially batteries... I haven't done a wedding before but I'd take something that I could slap on for a wider view if I wanted to. I usually take my Tokina 19-35 but anything that goes to around 16-24 would probably be enough. When in doubt, take the shot. And don't stand in the way of the video person if there is one - and coordinate about the use of the flash if necessary.

12-02-2014, 10:38 AM	#71
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	I agree, a wider lens is needed for group photos indoors.

12-04-2014, 03:37 PM	#73
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	OK, a few more images.... The first two are K20D and DA*60-250 if memory serves me well.

12-04-2014, 03:38 PM	#74
wtlwdwgn Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Billings, MT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,838 Original Poster	Those are some fine images Norm!

12-04-2014, 03:53 PM - 1 Like	#75
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Various images from my trusty old K20D: