I am now part of the Pentax family

Hello colleagues and friends,

I registered a couple of weeks ago just as I decided I want to put my hands on a Pentax. In the past I owned two Nikons, a Minolta and an EOS 5. They were all outstanding cameras, especially the EOS 5, but I think it would be daft for me not to go for the K10D!

I have now just done it, I am waiting for the delivery of a Pentax K10D with an DA SMC 18-55mm lens. I also bought a Lowepro Slingshot 200AW and a Sigma 500 flash gun for a total cost of £609. I think that is a nice start at the right price.

In the mean time I had already bought a Tamron 500mm mirror lens to go with it. I have a few manual lenses and some filters from the previous cameras which I sold years ago... and by the way... I also have an Asahi Pentax II bellows which I will use to transform the negatives into digital.

Can't wait to get back into photography and join you in further discussions and who knows... may be in the competition.

Congratulations.

You have probably read some of the threads about using older non-A lenses (those which lack an A setting on the aperture ring) with the K10D. Basically, it meters correctly wide-open, but not stopped down.

The technique (aside from trial and error) is to put the camera in manual mode, meter wide-open, and then for every stop you reduce the aperture, reduce the shuitter speed by the same amount. This is second nature to those of us who remember cameras with coupled aperture and shutter rings.

Alternatively, if you like a shallow DOF, shoot in AE wide-open.

G

Just curious with all the above brands what made you try Pentax especially has you thought the others were outstanding.

Also are you talking about the EOS 5D ????

QUICK EDIT Just realised all your other cameras are non digital

The K10D is a brilliant camera and so is the 18-55 lens

Pete

As a P.S. to George's post, you could always use a hand-held light meter.

I got a Sekonic L-308 B on evilbay and haven't regretted it!

I've had one of the 408's for a good many years however I haven't tended to use it much (except in the studio) with the DSLR as one big a advantage of the instant review capabilities (especially with the histogram) is that you can meter manually and quickly see if you're right.

Thanks for your input. I am pleased to be here, and you surely want me to take good pictures. I will indeed experiment with the lenses, and take note of your valuable information George.


The K10D is my first digital SLR, the EOS 5 was the old 35mm one. I choose my camera on my needs, budget and its reliability and not on its name (although it has to be with the top names). I have not had an SLR for at least 4 years and with the birth of my 3rd baby... and also 3rd girl I wanted to take pictures equally beautiful like the previous ones.

The K10D offers me outstanding value for money, it is loaded with features if I want to use them, claimed to be strong and sealed... which I need when I go on holiday next week on the beaches and its back-up of lenses and equipment is unparalleled.

In September I am ditching my 9-5 job and will be working on shifts, giving me ample of free days to go out and about with my K10D.