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Forum: Welcomes and Introductions 10-08-2016, 05:49 PM  
New to the digital world, from old school
Posted By drose40
Replies: 21
Views: 1,861
More challenging focusing than my film camera. Who knew?

Not making fun, just realizing that there is much to learn, even in areas that would not have occurred to me. I'm blindly moving forward, assuming that the DSLR experience will be much the same as my film SLR experience, but with no darkroom time.

So a focusing screen may also add another variable. Oh my!

Thanks for the idea of the magnifying eyepiece. At my age I'm happy for any assist.

Dan
Forum: Welcomes and Introductions 10-07-2016, 07:08 PM  
New to the digital world, from old school
Posted By drose40
Replies: 21
Views: 1,861
First, thanks to each of you who have offered advice. I value experience and just now even more so when I have none. Sharing your experience and advice is most kind.

I think that I'm going to opt for a K-20D body. That one seems to me to meet the "sweet spot" of features and price, leaving some funds for older, quality fixed length lenses and perhaps post-processing software. I've read most of the reviews and done comparisons between models. I think that I have balanced view of the strengths and shortcomings of the K20D.

Many thanks for the tip regarding CS2 software. I do agree that jpegs are not the way to go. I intend to use RAW format so that I can learn post-processing software. I had some darkroom skills that no longer apply, so CS2 is the new darkroom and I'm the newbie. I do have a mid-2009 MacBook Pro that has been upgraded so I don't have to buy processing power.

I heartily agree that using older, good quality prime lenses in manual configuration will make more sense to me. I've been missing that kind of control of all elements. I never could overcome the auto-focus of my point-shoot that has been a major frustration so many shots when the near-at-hand leaves were in focus, rather than the bird a bit further away. I so look forward to regaining the control of depth of field and bokeh that the point-shoot could not manage.

The hunt is on...
Forum: Welcomes and Introductions 10-06-2016, 06:47 PM  
New to the digital world, from old school
Posted By drose40
Replies: 21
Views: 1,861
I'm planning on finding an "early" Pentax DSLR and will be asking "newbie" questions. Just now I have my sights set on the K10, K20 or the like.

I want to start with better quality hardware though the technology may be older. I'm sure that the ability of any of those cameras will keep me occupied for a loooong time and will be a better fit for my budget. One of the "plusses" that drew me to Pentax is the range of lenses, early and later that can continue to be used. Of course Pentax has made well-designed, durable cameras for decades, witness the myriad KX1000s that art students have mauled and that have emerged intact.

All of my experience is 50 or more years old. My forte was in the darkroom as well as the viewfinder. Now it's a whole new world of skills to learn. Not only the in and outs of digital photography but the array of post-processing tools that are available through my computer (if I can afford them).

When a young man, I worked for Ansco in color products research. Nothing special, just a lowly research tech. But it was a dream job, all the 35mm film that I could shoot and free processing. As well, I had my very own to-die-for darkroom with state-of-the-art equipment. And they paid me to use it!

While I'm now retired, I'm far from idle. My wife and I recently celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary. We have 4 children and nine Grandchildren who are scattered across the US. I do believe that "If you don't use it, you lose it." That said, I want to do some creative things to keep mind and body active and well.

I've been using a Lumix super-zoom for the last few years and while I like auto exposure, auto focus, etc, I really miss being able to control the elements of the photo. A sister-in-law produces much better photos than I and while I have to admit that she's probably a much better photographer than I, her Canon DSLR and assortment of lenses have to make an impact as well. So, keeping in mind my meager budget, I now set out to enter the digital age with a DSLR.

I've found a Pentax K200 with the kit lens and Tamron 20-200 for $150. Thoughts. As well I see some K10s and K20s at what seem fair prices on eBay. Is the K200 preferable to the K10 or K20, or not? I'm open to counsel and have never disparaged good advice.

And so on...

Dan
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