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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
10-18-2012, 11:59 AM
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Well thanks everyone for the quick responses. I would agree that obviously photography is not my forte - however why would anyone need to worry about manually setting the WB when the camera has an automatic setting? Is that not what automatic means? And this is the first that I've heard of it not working very well - had I known that who knows. I wish I would have kept the K20D a little longer just to see what more I could have gotten out of it. My dad's K-r though is just so much better than my K20D (In low light) so I am hopeful that the K30 (which I just picked up btw) will be better still. I will shoot pictures in RAW from now on - I just don't do much in post processing or very little so didn't think there was much need for it.
I really do appreciate ALL the responses and will be sure to get myself a little better educated as well - my favorite response had to be SpecialK's :)
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
10-18-2012, 07:28 AM
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Hey guys, we have a K20D that we bought about 4 years ago primarily for snapping great shots of our first born. As many people have experienced the K20D did not perform so well in low light and was very frustrating to deal with considering our daughter was born in January so almost always shooting in livingroom tungsten lighting conditions. Most of our shots turned out either horribly yellow and usually blurry or after purchasing the AF-360 blownout. I realize the the latter issue is more of an educational problem with me using the flash incorrectly but when a friend with a D60 comes over and cracks out great shots with the kit lens and no flash it was rather disheartening. Again to try and "fix" the problem I picked up a Sigma 30mm f1.4 which definately cut down on the number of bad shots I was taking but still was never really happy with the results. So now baby #2 will be here in a few weeks and I'm just going through stuff mentally in my head and I'm now contemplating whether or not I should upgrade my K20D to a newer body or sellout and join the evil empire that is Nikon. (and only because I've never seen my buddy take a bad shot with his D90 in low light and he knows nothing about photography - not that I do but when he can crack off 10 perfect shots and I'm lucky to get 3 or 4 - well its definately not the photographer)
Attached is an example of what I'm talking about - this is probably my best no flash pic - notice the slight out of focus and lovely orangeness. Below is the Exif properties - looking at it now I wish I would have bumped the ISO to at least 800 but it was probably on automatic(?).
We love the K20D for its feel and weather-proofing and it shoots fine in natural light - but it just seems so hopeless in low light.
Any suggestions?
Exif data
Camera
Pentax K20D
Exposure
0.011 sec (1/90)
Aperture
f/1.7
Focal Length
30 mm
ISO Speed
400
Exposure Bias
0 EV
Flash
Off, Did not fire
Orientation
Horizontal (normal)
X-Resolution
72 dpi
Y-Resolution
72 dpi
Software
Photo Album 7 7.00
Date and Time (Modified)
2009:11:04 17:54:36
YCbCr Positioning
Co-sited
Exposure Program
Not Defined
Date and Time (Original)
2009:10:12 18:54:40
Date and Time (Digitized)
2009:10:12 18:54:40
Metering Mode
Multi-segment
Color Space
sRGB
Sensing Method
One-chip color area
Custom Rendered
Normal
Exposure Mode
Auto
White Balance
Auto
Focal Length (35mm format)
45 mm
Scene Capture Type
Standard
Contrast
High
Saturation
Normal
Sharpness
Hard
Subject Distance Range
Close
Compression
JPEG (old-style)
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Forum: Welcomes and Introductions
10-14-2008, 06:01 PM
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I was just going to say, I do have the K20D - so it is available then in the 1.01 (I believe it is) firmware update? I don't recall that being listed in the "fix list" for that update. I shall install and give it a shot!
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-13-2008, 03:11 PM
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Hey guys, well, I ended up picking up the FA50 f1.4 last week and tried it out here on Turkey weekend in Canada. The positives first - I haven't yet gone through any of the shots on my PC, but just from what I saw on the camera I know I've got some STELLAR shots! This is a really great lens - I can't believe how dim the room can be and yet I can still crack shots off without using a flash!
Now, the problem with this lens - and what will lead me to returning it this week is the fact that its just not wide-angle enough. This did have its advantages this weekend mind you. For example shooting over the shoulders of two other people without them being in the shot. However, It required that the subject be at least 10 feet or so away from me in order to include one person with a bit of background or two people.
And so the search continues... Is the FA40 any "wider"?
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
10-13-2008, 02:58 PM
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Hey guys, thanks for all the suggestions... Ended up chatting with a Henry's sales guy who used to be the Pentax rep for Northern Ontario for like 5 years. Learned quite a bit just talking to him. He too recommended the Manfrotto 190. I will likely save up and pick one of those up.
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Forum: Welcomes and Introductions
10-13-2008, 02:52 PM
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Thanks for the warm welcome everyone! I certainly have learned a lot the last couple of weeks!
As for the braketing mode Canada_Rockies - I was able to figure that much out. The problem comes where you have to hold the shutter release until all the shots have been taken. Its somewhat disheartening when my buddy wish his Canon G9 just pushes his button once with a 2 second time delay, removes his hands and clack, clack, clack, clack, clack go all 5 shots. I guess its just an excuse for me to pick up the remote! :)
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
10-02-2008, 09:44 AM
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Do you know if any right near the downtown core? (Yonge & Dundas) I'm actually here this week on course - but only until tomorrow.
I've checked out Aden but didn't find their prices to be all that great when I was actually looking to pick up my K20D body. Do you have any other suggestions?
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-02-2008, 09:42 AM
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I'll definately check out that lens.
Just got am email from my dad and he's got 2 old 40mm f2.8 film lenses from his old ME and MXs that will likely work on my K20D. Any thoughts about using that instead of the 50 f1.4? My only concern is getting used to manual aperature settings. What about the difference in low light shooting though - would it be that big a difference?
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
10-01-2008, 09:33 AM
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Hi guys,
I'm looking to pick up a decent tripod (I hope) for around the $100cdn range.
I've looked at the Velbon CX-586 and I really like it because its got the fluid head (I REALLY like the feel of it) and its sturdy enough to hold my K20D and any kind of a camcorder I might put on it in the future. (another reason I like the fluid head) The only thing I don't like about the CX-586 is that all the legs are tied together which isn't the best IMO. Sturdy yes but I like to shoot landscapes a lot so I can see one or two of those legs getting in the way.
So does anyone have any other suggestions for a such a tripod?
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
09-30-2008, 08:04 PM
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Agreed, RAW is much sharper - even for this newbie.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
09-30-2008, 06:16 PM
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Wow guys, thanks for all the excellent advice - and FAST too! Sounds like I might need 2 lenses... a fast 50 and a 55-200... Any further advice as to what brands? Is it worth it to pay the extra $ for Pentax build gear or is SMC and other 3rd party lenses just as good? I'm willing to pay a bit extra for quality - I don't want to skimp.
beaumont: thanks for the congrats!
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
09-30-2008, 05:42 PM
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Hey guys, wow this board is great - I've been getting such great response on my lens post that I thought I'd post a query for a tripod as well.
I took a look at a Velbon 586 at my local Henry's before heading down here to Toronto on course for the week. I REALLY like the fact that its got a liquid filled head - the action on it is really smooth - perfect for when we end up with a camcorder. Currently I'd just be using it for my K20D - but the ideas is to get something that will serve double duty for when we get a camcorder.
I've decided I REALLY like the fluid head as its extremely smooth but I don't like the 586's "barred" legs. Something with independent legs but with a fluid head for under $100-150cdn would be ideal. Anyone have any suggestions?
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
09-30-2008, 04:15 PM
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I've read quite a few reviews on different lenses but I'd like to get some specific response to my situation.
I have a K20D with the 18-55 kit lens which from what I've read on this site - is one of the best starter lenses in the industry.
Having said that I would like more zoom - I was looking at the 50-150mm I believe it is and see that its got some good reviews as well. However, I'm looking to spend less than $500CDN and would like to be under the $400 (baby on the way so pennies count! :) )
I like shooting landscapes but would also like to ensure that I can take shots of our little one crawling around on the floor when the time comes - so I'm looking for a "do it all" type lense.
Any suggestions on what I should be looking at?
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Forum: Welcomes and Introductions
09-26-2008, 09:51 AM
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Hi everyone,
My recently married wife and I who have recently discovered that we're pregnant decided to take the plunge and and pick up a good quality DSLR for all of life's trials and tribulations that are inevitable! My dad is a Pentax guy from way back and has an assortment of some really good lenses and unique lenses - so going Pentax was pretty much a no-brainer considering how good a reputation they have for backwards compatibility.
We picked up a K20D about 3 months ago and I've been trying to get better and better with it ever since. I'm hoping to get some pointers on how to get around certain issues I seem to have that my buddies don't - such as not being able to do bracketing shots without having to press the shutter button myself for each exposure. (and thus causing slight movement)
In addition to that I'm hoping to use this forum for some good insight into some product that I'll undoubtedly be looking to pick up - such is a better fully automatic lense than the one that came with my camera (a 15-55 I believe it is). A better tripod than the fossil my dad has lent me - and so on!
Also looking forward to some cool tips on how to create some unique effects as well!
Here's my flickr site as to some of my early shots - Flickr: Konos's Photostream |
