K10D Progress

Now we've shot arounf 800 or more images each on our new cameras we're pretty much up to speed with getting the best out of them.

Still quite happy to shoot JPEG, best quality of course, and happy with the exposure system as well. It has worked well in difficult conditions as well as good ones. It coped beautifully with a disco sequence at a recent wedding, getting the exposure right 99% of the time while i concentrated on trying to focus in very challenging light.

The AF-S/AF-C/M switch is placed in a poor position for the way I hold the camera and I have to keep checking it has not been knocked onto a different setting. I would prefer a more recessed slider switch.

Sharpening I keep very simple and either use USM on the RGB file or convert to Lab mode and sharpen the lightness channel only. Unless there is something specific I have in mind that changes things. Values are higher than with the *istDS and I go for 100%, 1.9 radius and a threashold of 3 for most images. Detail and sharpness on A3 prints is outstanding and significantly better that the 6.1MP models.

Latest purchase is the SMC Pentax-FA 50mm f1.4 so we shall be having a play with that on Sunday.

So far the K10D has been a successful upgrade.

For me, it's been a tale of liking a few things I never thought I'd get on with and working around some of the others.

Firstly, I never thought how much extra control I'd get by shooting RAW but now would never think about shooting jpegs. Much of this, of course, is down to the conversion software - Bibble Lite and Lightzone in my case - but I feel that, for me, RAW is the only way to go.

Coming from an MZ-5N, I never thought I'd like the size and weight of the K10D. It's certainly a very different proposition but, balanced with a sizable lens like the 50mm f1.2A, it makes for an overall well handling package.

Set-up has taken me a while to settle into. Firstly, I thought I'd like the idea of using the front/back control wheels to adjust EV compensation during AV/TV shooting. This was a huge mistake as the exposure compensation took on a life of it's own resulting in mad bouts of overexposure. I have that firmly locked down now.

What I knew I wouldn't like and still don't is the placement of the exposure memory lock - just that extra cm. too far to the right. Should be closer to the centre like in the MZ-5N.

Apart from that, it's a bit like any relationship. Initial infatuation settling down to comfortable domesticity and learning to live with it's eccentricities.

Adrian