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johngs · 12-26-2008, 11:25 AM

Hi, I have just had my new K200D for 2 days (Christmas present)
This is my first DSLR and I must say I am overwhelmed by all the possible settings and options in the menus.
Are there any basic settings that most owners of this camera would change from the default straight away as soon as they get this camera?

Marc Sabatella · 12-26-2008, 03:12 PM

That's going to be completely personal - you might as well ask someone else what toppings to order for your pizza.

FWIW, I'd say, shoot RAW, use "M" exposure mode and learn how ISO, aperture and shutter work so you can set them yourself with the aid of the camera meter and the green button, then instantly most other settings become irrelevant. But that's maybe not great advice for for someone just starting out...

maxwell1295 · 12-26-2008, 04:56 PM

The very first thing I would do is get rid of the "Bright" mode and change over to "Natural". Setting the camera to "Natural" will yield much better JPEG images. I would also recommend shooting RAW, but not until you see how changing the various settings affect the end result. You'll learn the camera and be able to see the result of your testing easier by shooting JPEG.

rpriedhorsky · 12-26-2008, 05:50 PM

There's a review over at dpreview.com that gives a number of suggested settings and the reasoning behind them: Pentax K200D Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review

MoiVous · 12-27-2008, 05:01 PM

In addition to the other suggestions here, I'd suggest changing the DOF preview to stop down the lens rather than take an image for you to review. Its a far easier tool to learn about aperture.

**Mallee Boy** · 12-27-2008, 06:36 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by johngs

Hi, I have just had my new K200D for 2 days (Christmas present)
This is my first DSLR and I must say I am overwhelmed by all the possible settings and options in the menus.
Are there any basic settings that most owners of this camera would change from the default straight away as soon as they get this camera?

G'day johngs,
I would suggest that you set the camera to auto or P for a start and take note of what the camera is metering. Assuming that you are using the Pentax software, you can easily check the exposure settings there. (as well as in camera).

Take all sorts of shots in all sorts of situations. The more the merrier (thats what the delete button is for

)

When you get shots that do not work, or are not to your liking, then post those with the exif data intact and then we can (gladly) offer you some advice.

Just one word of caution, if you are expecting National Geographic or Vogue magazine type shots straight up, then be prepared to be dis-appointed. Sometimes you can be lucky, but more often than not you will get a mixture of good & bad. The challenge is working out why.

Happy shooting, just go out and have some fun with it.

Cheers.

kyteflyer · 12-31-2008, 02:08 PM

Originally posted by maxwell1295

The very first thing I would do is get rid of the "Bright" mode and change over to "Natural". Setting the camera to "Natural" will yield much better JPEG images. I would also recommend shooting RAW, but not until you see how changing the various settings affect the end result. You'll learn the camera and be able to see the result of your testing easier by shooting JPEG.

I'm reading this thread with interest... but I don't seem to be able to find Bright mode, or Natural...

Marc Sabatella · 12-31-2008, 03:34 PM

Originally posted by kyteflyer

I'm reading this thread with interest... but I don't seem to be able to find Bright mode, or Natural...

Press the Fn button, then OK, then the left and right buttons of the four-way controller.

I'm sure that's covered in the manual, BTW...

Clicker · 12-31-2008, 09:55 PM

I just switched mine to the "green" setting

dougiewill · 01-01-2009, 06:29 AM

Originally posted by rpriedhorsky

There's a review over at dpreview.com that gives a number of suggested settings and the reasoning behind them: Pentax K200D Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review

Hi,
Forgive me if I am missing something obvious, but can you point me to where on that webpage the K200D setup tips are. please.

dougiewill · 01-01-2009, 06:30 AM

Originally posted by rpriedhorsky

There's a review over at dpreview.com that gives a number of suggested settings and the reasoning behind them: Pentax K200D Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review

Forgive me if I am missing something obvious, but can you point me to where on that webpage the K200D setup tips are, please.

rpriedhorsky · 01-01-2009, 12:12 PM

Originally posted by dougiewill

Forgive me if I am missing something obvious, but can you point me to where on that webpage the K200D setup tips are, please.

Dougie,

It's a long review and the stuff is interspersed throughout. Just read the whole thing thoroughly and you'll find it all; also worth reading to improve your understanding of the K200d's limitations.

Reid

dougiewill · 01-02-2009, 07:34 AM

Originally posted by rpriedhorsky

Dougie,

It's a long review and the stuff is interspersed throughout. Just read the whole thing thoroughly and you'll find it all; also worth reading to improve your understanding of the K200d's limitations.

Reid

Cheers, I'll sift through it.

12-26-2008, 11:25 AM	#1
johngs Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Posts: 229	K200D setup tips? Hi, I have just had my new K200D for 2 days (Christmas present) This is my first DSLR and I must say I am overwhelmed by all the possible settings and options in the menus. Are there any basic settings that most owners of this camera would change from the default straight away as soon as they get this camera?

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12-26-2008, 03:12 PM	#2
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	That's going to be completely personal - you might as well ask someone else what toppings to order for your pizza. FWIW, I'd say, shoot RAW, use "M" exposure mode and learn how ISO, aperture and shutter work so you can set them yourself with the aid of the camera meter and the green button, then instantly most other settings become irrelevant. But that's maybe not great advice for for someone just starting out...

12-26-2008, 04:56 PM	#3
maxwell1295 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Long Island, New York Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,703	The very first thing I would do is get rid of the "Bright" mode and change over to "Natural". Setting the camera to "Natural" will yield much better JPEG images. I would also recommend shooting RAW, but not until you see how changing the various settings affect the end result. You'll learn the camera and be able to see the result of your testing easier by shooting JPEG.

12-26-2008, 05:50 PM	#4
rpriedhorsky Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 210	There's a review over at dpreview.com that gives a number of suggested settings and the reasoning behind them: Pentax K200D Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review

12-27-2008, 05:01 PM	#5
MoiVous Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 677	In addition to the other suggestions here, I'd suggest changing the DOF preview to stop down the lens rather than take an image for you to review. Its a far easier tool to learn about aperture.

12-27-2008, 06:36 PM - 1 Like	#6
Mallee Boy Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,904	Originally posted by johngs Hi, I have just had my new K200D for 2 days (Christmas present) This is my first DSLR and I must say I am overwhelmed by all the possible settings and options in the menus. Are there any basic settings that most owners of this camera would change from the default straight away as soon as they get this camera? G'day johngs, I would suggest that you set the camera to auto or P for a start and take note of what the camera is metering. Assuming that you are using the Pentax software, you can easily check the exposure settings there. (as well as in camera). Take all sorts of shots in all sorts of situations. The more the merrier (thats what the delete button is for ) When you get shots that do not work, or are not to your liking, then post those with the exif data intact and then we can (gladly) offer you some advice. Just one word of caution, if you are expecting National Geographic or Vogue magazine type shots straight up, then be prepared to be dis-appointed. Sometimes you can be lucky, but more often than not you will get a mixture of good & bad. The challenge is working out why. Happy shooting, just go out and have some fun with it. Cheers.

12-31-2008, 02:08 PM	#7
kyteflyer Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Newcastle, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,444	Originally posted by maxwell1295 The very first thing I would do is get rid of the "Bright" mode and change over to "Natural". Setting the camera to "Natural" will yield much better JPEG images. I would also recommend shooting RAW, but not until you see how changing the various settings affect the end result. You'll learn the camera and be able to see the result of your testing easier by shooting JPEG. I'm reading this thread with interest... but I don't seem to be able to find Bright mode, or Natural...

12-31-2008, 03:34 PM	#8
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Originally posted by kyteflyer I'm reading this thread with interest... but I don't seem to be able to find Bright mode, or Natural... Press the Fn button, then OK, then the left and right buttons of the four-way controller. I'm sure that's covered in the manual, BTW...

12-31-2008, 09:55 PM	#9
Clicker Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,241	I just switched mine to the "green" setting

01-01-2009, 06:29 AM	#10
dougiewill Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Glasgow Posts: 15	Originally posted by rpriedhorsky There's a review over at dpreview.com that gives a number of suggested settings and the reasoning behind them: Pentax K200D Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review Hi, Forgive me if I am missing something obvious, but can you point me to where on that webpage the K200D setup tips are. please.

01-01-2009, 06:30 AM	#11
dougiewill Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Glasgow Posts: 15	Originally posted by rpriedhorsky There's a review over at dpreview.com that gives a number of suggested settings and the reasoning behind them: Pentax K200D Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review Forgive me if I am missing something obvious, but can you point me to where on that webpage the K200D setup tips are, please.

01-01-2009, 12:12 PM	#12
rpriedhorsky Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 210	Originally posted by dougiewill Forgive me if I am missing something obvious, but can you point me to where on that webpage the K200D setup tips are, please. Dougie, It's a long review and the stuff is interspersed throughout. Just read the whole thing thoroughly and you'll find it all; also worth reading to improve your understanding of the K200d's limitations. Reid

01-02-2009, 07:34 AM	#13
dougiewill Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Glasgow Posts: 15	Originally posted by rpriedhorsky Dougie, It's a long review and the stuff is interspersed throughout. Just read the whole thing thoroughly and you'll find it all; also worth reading to improve your understanding of the K200d's limitations. Reid Cheers, I'll sift through it.

K200D setup tips?

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