k10D training

Hi,
Not sure if this is the right place to post this request but here goes.
I got a K10D for a christmas present, This is without doubt the nicest camera I have ever owned. The only other camera's I have ever had were the traditional point and shoot type that did everything automatically for me.
My query is this, Are there any training courses specifically designed for the novice photographer in the use of the K10D.
The manual that came with the camera seems very consise but it is very heavy reading and a tad confusing as to what it aims to do, and there is no way of knowing if I am doing it right or wrong. I feel a training course would be ideal for me.
I notice that there are lots of courses available for the Nikon users but have yet to find one for the pentax K10D.
I am UK based.
Hope someone can point point me in the right direction,
Many thanks
Gary

Wherabouts are you?

It sounds to me as though you might benefit from a general photography course, rather than a K10D focussed (no pun intended) course.

Search out your local adult training centre or local photographic society.

Once you have the basic knowledge, you can then apply that to your K10D, or any other camera.

A very good training course is right here in this forum. You will find all you need to know and all you don't need to know if you browse through the threads

I started like you, a complete novice and and have learnt a great deal here with friendly and very good advice.

Some people run photography workshops and offer one-to-one tuition, and details will be on their website (you might find a link to their website at the bottom of their post).

Depends whereabouts you are of course, but you might be lucky and find something nearby.

Dan

You could also google 'Pentax Tuition' or similar.

Dan

Clarky is right....................
As long as you don't get the sort of reply to questions I've had on occasion which runs along the lines of:
"Do a Google search and you'll find all the information you need"

I've given replies like that from time to time.

For very basic material, I think it's reasonable for people to do their own research, and ask for clarification of things they don't understand.

I think it's unreasonable to ask basic questions without even making a start oneself, and expect other people to either look up and post readily available links to the information, or indeed spend even more of their valuable time typing out explanations that are readily available.

In the latter cases, the asker is effectively saying "my time is too valuable to spend doing my own research, and other people (whose time is less valuable than mine) should do it for me".

Hi,
Many thanks for all of the replies.
I am based in Derbyshire.
I have done a few searches on google usually typing in digital photography training, photography training, photography courses and other wording along thos lines, Never gave the word tuition a thought, srry, I will be trying that one next thx.
I didnt notice a search button on this site (that doesnt mean there isnt one just that i didnt notice it) and there is an awful lot of posts to trawl through to see if the subject is there.
My main worries with a lot of information sites is that they all seem to work on the presumption that the reader has a little knowledge of what things are for, this I find the same with the pentax k10D manual, whilst it is very consise in what it does it seems to fail to mention as to when or why you would need to do it. Changing shutter speeds for instance, it explains in full detail exactly how I would do it but nowhere does it mention why or when I should be doing it. that is really why I am looking for training courses.
Your answers here have given me another track to explore and I think favourite would be a general photography course, One of course that caters to the absolute novice.
Once again thankyou all very much for taking the time to try to help.
Gary N

I have also found the Pentax K10D Magic Lantern Guide very good for specifics on the operation of the camera and its menu functions. Even after using the camera for over 6 months before I got the guide I found there was much still to learn.

I can vouch for the Magic Lantern Guide very informative and there is also this book which i believe is very good also.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Pentax-K10D-e-Book-Learn-how-to-fully-use-this-camera_W0QQitemZ150202404980QQihZ005QQcategoryZ30020QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD2VQQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p1638.m122

Hi Gary,

The K10D manual is designed so that you can find out how to work the camera, and use all the features it has. It's not designed as a photography manual, which is what you need (or some tuition if that's what works for you).

A photography manual will show the effect of different shutter speeds, aperture values etc, and you can then refer to your camera manual to see how you change these things.

So a general course, or a good book, will tell you the basics, and it doesn't need to be pentax specific.

Pop down your local library and see what books they have (Michael Freeman has produced several on the basics of photography), check out your local Adult Education centre, they may have one day courses at the weekend, or night courses all year round. If your were near Essex I'd offer my services, but Derbyshire is a bit of a way off.

Dan

Don't forget your local Photographic Society. A good one will cater for beginners and offer suitable assistance.

Very nice gesture Dan, I wish you lived near me Is Sydney too far away :

Not at all, as long as you're happy to pay my travelling expenses. And nice gestures aside, tuition provides an increasing percentage of my income.

Dan