another newby needing help

Billywhizz
Posted 23/11/2013 - 19:26 Link
Hi all. Another newby' to the forum.
Let me introduce myself, my brief history and Kit so far.
1st SLR: Around 1987-ish, Zenith 12xp, TTL metering always got it bang on, beautifully simple and well built.
1991:Replaced with Miranda MS-3 twin lens kit. Still have that one with both lenses. Not used for some time.
After much research into Canon/Nikon/Olympus/Pentax etc. the past 5 years have been with my Pentax K110D after spotting it at a massive discount in PC World of all places.(£150 with kit lens) I wanted the K100D, but at that time funds were somewhat low. 40k shutter flips later and time to upgrade. The main reason is the AA battery option on the K110D and a somewhat lack of accessories and max 2GB card etc. I finally bit the bullet and thanks to E-bay found myself with a used K-5 and then soon after a K-10D (2nd hand again)with Sigma 18-250 for general use. To accompany the K-5 I also acquired a new Sigma 150-500mm from SRS microsystem for wildlife shots. I hope I have made the correct decisions regarding lenses. I also have the Sigma 70-300 that I bought a couple of years ago. I have updated firmware on the K-5 to 1.15 (latest I think)K-10 is on v.1.15 for now.
My only concern is the K-5 seems to over expose when on auto setting. Do I have to calibrate the lens to the camera or vice versa? The K-10D seems to be ok.
Sorry for the extra long intro.
gtis
Posted 23/11/2013 - 20:12 - Helpful Comment Link
Hi
Welcome to the forum
cheers Neil
pentax k3
DA* 300 f4 DA* 50-135 f 2.8 smc DA* 16-50 f2.8 50mm f1.7 pentax1.4xhd converter





Panasonic Dmc Fz200
Edited by gtis: 23/11/2013 - 20:12
snappychappy
Posted 23/11/2013 - 21:50 - Helpful Comment Link
Welcome to the forums. You can use the exposure compensation in the menus or the button on the camera, simply set to -1 and see what the shot is like.
AndrewA
Posted 23/11/2013 - 21:53 - Helpful Comment Link
Hello and Welcome to the Forum!

I agree with Snappy and often dial in -1 when I shoot with my K5.
Andrew

"I'm here because the whiskey is free" - Tyla

PPG link
Flickr link
Stuey
Posted 23/11/2013 - 22:22 - Helpful Comment Link
Hello and welcome

I'm another who sets the exposure compensation to -0.7 or -1.0
K10D, K5 plus plenty of clueless enthusiasm.

My Flickr site link
Edited by Stuey: 23/11/2013 - 22:23
JAK
Posted 23/11/2013 - 23:29 - Helpful Comment Link
Billywhizz wrote:
The main reason is the AA battery option on the K110D and a somewhat lack of accessories and max 2GB card etc.
Hi,
If you still have the 110D you may wish to be aware that if you update the firmware to version 1.02 it does support SDHC memory cards. Link to the download from the Ricoh website here: link

John K
John K
Billywhizz
Posted 24/11/2013 - 11:11 Link
Thanks for all of the comments and advice. Obviously still getting used to the massive difference from the K110D. The K-10 somehow feels more comfortable and some buttons seem to fall to hand easier than the K-5. This could be the similar button positions to the old K110.
Very happy with the way the K-5 works in low light without the need for flash - dead impressive!. I need to spend a day out with both to see what I can achieve with my somewhat limited experience. I will post my results at some point if they are worth it. Thanks again.
Thanks JAK, I never checked for updates for the 110D. Downloaded the file now and will update when I have recharged AA's.
ChrisA
Posted 24/11/2013 - 11:22 - Helpful Comment Link
Hi and welcome.

Just out of curiosity, why did you buy a K-5 and then a K10D?
.
Pentax K-3, DA18-135, DA35 F2.4, DA17-70, DA55-300, FA28-200, A50 F1.7, A100 F4 Macro, A400 F5.6, Sigma 10-20 EXDC, 50-500 F4.5-6.3 APO DG OS Samsung flash SEF-54PZF(x2)
.
JonSchick
Posted 24/11/2013 - 11:40 - Helpful Comment Link
Hi,

Welcome to the forum. You'll find plenty of people who still reckon the K10D produced some of the best low ISO images of any Pentax dSLR, but the K-5 is a great upgrade in so many other areas - especially as you go up the ISO scale. I think that, in combination with extra "crop-abiliy", means you've made the right choice in keeping the K-5 for the longer lens, and sticking the 18-250 on the K10D.

As for exposure, I think the issue may be more that the earlier Pentax bodies were well known for being very conservative with exposures, whereas the K-5 does tend to opt for a higher EV which is probably closer to what most other cameras tend to do by default. I generally find that with centre-weighted metering I can predict pretty well what it will do, and then dial in a bit of exposure compensation when required, but to be honest I tended to need to fiddle with exposures more from the older cameras than I ever do with the K-5. Perhaps you've got used to working with cameras that many people feel tended to underexpose by default?!

Enjoy your new gear.

Jon
Jon

Some occasional random stuff at The Photographers Block: link
Billywhizz
Posted 24/11/2013 - 12:28 Link
Hi Chris.
It does seem a little confusing please let me explain my thinking.
I bought the K-5 first as my main camera for shooting wildlife, so intend keeping my newly acquired Sigma 150-500 lens on permanently if that is possible.
The K-10 was then bought to replace my K110 and to cover as many different situations as possible hence the 18-250 Sigma. The extra quality over the K110 and the surprisingly good reviews suggest it is a much better all round camera then it first appears to be. The build quality seems to be legendary, both being well sealed from the elements. I should have many years of use from them.
Billywhizz
Posted 10/02/2014 - 21:45 Link
Well after much practice. This is my first shot that I think is worthy of posting on the forum. The moon can be stunning when captured correctly as I have seen on various sites/images. I tried to shoot B/W but I don't think I have the skills to do it justice yet. TAv setting with manual focus, 500mm ISO 3200 shutter:1/1000 Aperture:F14
I would welcome your comments and advice to help me fine tune my skills as an amateur.
Comment Image
Edited by Billywhizz: 10/02/2014 - 21:50
Billywhizz
Posted 10/02/2014 - 22:08 Link
I have now managed to crop the image "in camera"
Comment Image

Not as sharp as it seemed to be though. Unless cropping in the camera reduces the quality. Not sure.
I also forgot mention Pentax K-5 with Sigma 150-500mm lens sitting on a Cullman 250 tripod, woolly hat and coat
Edited by Billywhizz: 10/02/2014 - 22:18
Gravelrash
Posted 11/02/2014 - 01:18 Link
Looks great to me. I would be very pleased to have taken that.
Steve

Sometimes I'm serious and sometimes not, but I consider sarcasm an artform. Which is it today?
LLPopo
Posted 11/02/2014 - 12:08 Link
Hi all new here myself.
Nice clear shots!
Billywhizz
Posted 11/02/2014 - 18:39 Link
Appreciate the positive comments folks.
I'm still learning every time I pick up the camera. A little less point n shoot, and a bit more getting to know the camera and what it can actually do.

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