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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 10-06-2010, 08:08 AM  
Overall Disappointment with Pentax
Posted By JamesD
Replies: 57
Views: 12,662
This is actually a very good suggestion. Small steps... I'll start with these as suggested. I'll try a few RAW (you can count on one hand the number of RAW images I've made since I've owned the camera... several years now) and the rest I'll try these setting changes.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 10-06-2010, 07:43 AM  
Lens Suggestions?
Posted By JamesD
Replies: 8
Views: 2,490
Thank you all for the great suggestions.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 10-05-2010, 09:45 PM  
Lens Suggestions?
Posted By JamesD
Replies: 8
Views: 2,490
I have only recently begun to reacquaint myself with my K10D, having been somewhat disappointed in my images through my own lack of knowledge and laziness of effort.

Anyway, after receiving some very good advice elsewhere on how to improve my images, I'd like some suggestions for a further lens acquisition (at Christmas! ;)).

Currently I have the kit lens, a Tamron 18-250mm and a 50 F1.4 for available light.

Most of my picture-taking involves scenics (i.e. travel shots), landscapes, some architecture and nature. I'm not really into close-up photography and only shoot portraits on rare occasions and then informally.

I was thinking that perhaps a wide-angle zoom but I don't want to break the bank either. Your suggestions would be appreciated.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 10-05-2010, 07:55 PM  
Overall Disappointment with Pentax
Posted By JamesD
Replies: 57
Views: 12,662
I'm speechless. I just arrived home from work and find nearly two dozen answers to my original post. Your answers are thoughtful, encouraging and challenging. :)

You've given me so much to think about. One thing that immediately occurs to me is the need to learn a bit more of the science behind what is actually going on in the picture-taking process as well as the philosophy behind the Pentax vision.

I'm going to begin by checking out those books suggested, taking my camera off of fine JPEG and putting it on RAW and spending more time in looking at my images after the fact.

I'm not giving up although I probably gave that impression. Let's call it my unfortunate despondency syndrome. If I had any notion of giving up I would never have come back here and asked for your input.

I can't believe you all would take time and effort to help out someone. In point of fact... right now I'm feeling very encouraged. I'm not about to bound out of here and buy new lenses. I should be able, with some work, to make big improvements in my images "if" I follow the advice given.

So thank you all. I'll be back.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 10-05-2010, 10:12 AM  
Overall Disappointment with Pentax
Posted By JamesD
Replies: 57
Views: 12,662
My wife and I purchased k10d's when they first became available a few years back. We were particularly attracted to the weather-proofing, living as we do in a wet area of the country, as well as the Pentax name. We also purchased Tamron zooms (18-250mm) along with the 50mm lens (and of course the kit lens).

In the intervening years I've been generally displeased with the results. I knew beforehand that the designer of this camera had programed in algorithms that would make the images have a more natural, film-like quality and lack that punch that some camera makers opt for.

However, I've reached a place where I'm now considering selling our Pentaxes and going with something else. The images we produce seem too dead, flat, dark. By way of comparison, I picked up a Panasonic Lumix from Costco (DMC-ZS6) and immediately found the images to be far clearer and bright overall.

So, obviously I must be doing something wrong. That's why I've decided to ask here before making my final decision.

What settings do most of you set your cameras at for general photography (scenic, landscape, nature) OR do you leave it at the default settings?

Is the Tamron lens a culprit in my imaging woes? Would I be better advised to spend money on a different lens covering a similar range?

I understand that I will need to do some post processing of my images, but I don't want to spend an inordinate amount of time. My feeling is that the images I shoot should be, more or less, close to what I want to show to others.

For your information: I seldom shoot in RAW, preferring fine JPEG. I'm not very accomplished with post processing techniques (we have Photoshop Elements 8) and would hope that my images in camera would at least be close to acceptable for viewing. Right now... they're dead-looking.
Forum: General Talk 12-31-2009, 07:54 PM  
Wisdom from the Future for 2010
Posted By JamesD
Replies: 8
Views: 2,130
Happy New Year, Pentaxians. :D
Forum: Post Your Photos! 11-07-2009, 06:02 PM  
Machinery Ships at Anchor
Posted By JamesD
Replies: 7
Views: 2,584
Thanks for looking and the encouraging comments.
Forum: Post Your Photos! 11-07-2009, 11:14 AM  
Machinery Ships at Anchor
Posted By JamesD
Replies: 7
Views: 2,584
Two ships anchored in the Columbia River near Astoria, OR.

Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 10-31-2009, 02:15 PM  
Good Wide Angle Zoom?
Posted By JamesD
Replies: 18
Views: 4,210
Thank you, All, for your replies. They've been great help since I was quite confused as to which direction to go. I'll study these lenses before making any decision.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 10-31-2009, 10:11 AM  
Good Wide Angle Zoom?
Posted By JamesD
Replies: 18
Views: 4,210
My wife and I each have k10ds and we love them. Currently we primarily use the Tamron 18-250mm and the Pentax 50mm 1.8 for available light shooting. We're looking for a wide-angle zoom that will not break the bank and yet deliver reasonably crisp shots with a minimum of purple fringing. Any suggestions would be appreciated.:)
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 10-03-2009, 09:47 PM  
Are we too odd as well as too few or is it just me?
Posted By JamesD
Replies: 72
Views: 9,558
My wife and I just got back from Maui. Wore the camera around my neck about 75% of the time with the Pentax strap. Nothing to hide. I purposely chose Pentax and I'm very happy with my choice. As for what others use and what others think; I couldn't care less.
Forum: Photographic Technique 10-03-2009, 04:45 PM  
Suggestions for Camera Adjustments
Posted By JamesD
Replies: 4
Views: 2,378
Thanks. I'll try a plus setting in the contrast. The other issue is the darkness of my shots. They all appear dark to me and I have to adjust at least 90% of them.
Forum: Photographic Technique 10-03-2009, 09:22 AM  
Suggestions for Camera Adjustments
Posted By JamesD
Replies: 4
Views: 2,378
My K10D seems to produce images that lack punch. Currently these are my settings:

Saturation: +1

Sharpness: +2

Contrast: -1

I'm open to suggestions. Thanks.
Forum: Site Suggestions and Help 09-06-2008, 07:12 PM  
News Celebrating our second anniversary!
Posted By JamesD
Replies: 35
Views: 3,937
While I do not come here much anymore, I still consider it to be one of the finest (if not THE finest) camera forums on the internet. Thank you for the e-mail informing me of this event and a very Happy Birthday Pentax Forums.

James :)
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 08-04-2008, 07:34 AM  
Danger to Camera?
Posted By JamesD
Replies: 4
Views: 2,888
LOL... thanks, everyone. Will do. :lol:
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 08-03-2008, 08:18 PM  
Danger to Camera?
Posted By JamesD
Replies: 4
Views: 2,888
We'll be on the Big Island of Hawaii this September. I'd like to photograph the volcano there. I have a UV filter for my lens. Any dangers posed to the camera or lens by the sulfurous fumes? Any extra protection I should take? I don't plan on getting too close... trust me. Thanks.
Forum: Post Your Photos! 07-05-2008, 11:39 AM  
Couple of my buddy! =) portraits
Posted By JamesD
Replies: 14
Views: 1,824
Your portraiture is outstanding. I only wish I had your technique. The watermarks do not bother me and I completely understand your wish to protect your work. I don't bother with watermarks myself mind you, since no one would want to claim my images as their own. :lol:

All the best.
Forum: Post Your Photos! 07-03-2008, 10:22 PM  
Another portrait
Posted By JamesD
Replies: 12
Views: 1,692
I haven't posted for months now (although I occasionally slip back to see how folks are doing) but I simply had to compliment you on this amazing portrait. Taken with the 50mm lens? I've been talking about getting one for some time now. This may just be the stimulus to push me over the edge. :)
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 04-22-2008, 09:44 PM  
What is your favorite editing software?
Posted By JamesD
Replies: 67
Views: 8,843
I do as little editing as possible but when I do I use either PS Elements or Picasa. Both are simple programs that allow me to make a few adjustments.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 03-02-2008, 08:45 PM  
K10D - Pentax Purgagory?
Posted By JamesD
Replies: 30
Views: 4,484
My wife and I (we each have a k10d) have absolutely NO remorse. In truth, I could have a k20d if I wanted one but I don't. The k10d does everything I want and need at present. I'm not one to sit and read all the latest camera mags, drooling over the latest and greatest equipment. My desire is not for equipment but rather to be out in the field making images. When the k10d no longer does what I expect we'll see what my options are at that point.
Forum: Post Your Photos! 03-01-2008, 11:43 AM  
Ecola State Park (2 images)
Posted By JamesD
Replies: 4
Views: 2,193
Hi guys... and thanks for taking the time to look.

Yes, I deliberately underexposed. It's just a habit from my film shooting days. I used the kit lens since it was all I had last week. I now have a new Tammy 18-250mm and absolutely love it. I'll post a few later.

The dog was an interesting character. His master... a lady surfer was out riding the waves and the dog was beside himself trying to get out there. Several times he raced into the surf only to realize it was more than he could handle. He ran up and down the beach but never took his eyes off her. My wife and I went down the beach... made some images and then returned and sure enough, the dog was jumping for joy since his master had finally emerged for the day. I should have included some of that information in the original post.
Forum: Post Your Photos! 02-29-2008, 11:04 PM  
Ecola State Park (2 images)
Posted By JamesD
Replies: 4
Views: 2,193
Last Sunday my wife and I spent a lovely afternoon at Ecola State Park on the coast of Oregon not far from our home. I made a few dozen images and would like to just post two here for now. Comments are welcomed.
Forum: Photographic Technique 02-24-2008, 05:22 PM  
Losing the Joy
Posted By JamesD
Replies: 9
Views: 2,709
I really appreciate the time and effort everyone here put into assisting me. I'm going to give serious consideration to several of the suggestions. Thanks again.:)
Forum: Photographic Technique 02-23-2008, 10:24 PM  
Losing the Joy
Posted By JamesD
Replies: 9
Views: 2,709
I am really struggling with post processing my images. I have absolutely no patience to sit at a computer for any length of time and play around endlessly tweaking these images. In fact, it almost makes me hate photography. I find that when we come home from a photographic outing, my wife immediately sits down at her computer, opens up her PE and away she goes. Me? I generally don't even remove the card for days on end. Finally I'll take a look at the images in the Windows viewer... pretty much reject most of what I see and save a few images that strike me as reasonably passing.

I think I'm looking for a dummy-type of tweaking program. Something that will make adjustments automatically. What program might that be? If anyone can help I'd greatly appreciate it since I'm really struggling to even want to go out and take pictures anymore and all because of the above. :confused:
Forum: Photographic Technique 02-17-2008, 09:36 PM  
Need Help with UV Filter
Posted By JamesD
Replies: 3
Views: 1,677
Thanks, Gentlemen. Appreciate the help.
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