New Pentax owner

Hi all, just popped over from ephotozine as I now own my first DSLR, a Pentax k-r which I got for Christmas. The only downside is I've been working since then and haven't had a chance to swot up on it. Now I know forums get annoyed with people who ask questions before researching them but I'm due to go away for a few days tomorrow and I'd hate to come back with blurry pictures because I can't work the camera so if you will forgive my ignorance I'll just ask a few questions which I hope will help me capture my first post.

1. 18-55mm + 50-200mm lenses , Is one better than the other for indoor/outdoor shots?
2. ISO - which is better for low light? High or low?
3. Specifically on the k-r, are there preferred settings in movie mode for filming in low light?
4. IRSimple? Is there an iPhone app I can use to transfer pics?
5. (as its new year), fireworks? Is a tripod essential to capture good firework shots?

That's all I need just now, I will take the book with me just incase but if anyone can answer these for me I will adore them forever more.

Hello and welcome!

1. You have a range of focal lengths there that should keep you occupied for a while. You really need to spend some time using these to see what effects they have. Watch camera shake with the longer one, just keep the shutter speed high enough or use a tripod in lower light levels. Do lots of reading!

2. Higher ISO is low light will help to keep shutter speeds high enough to avoid camera shake.

3. I'll defer that one to our movie shooters.

4, Transfer to the PC is best achieved by using a simple card reader.

5. Tripod. Long exposures, maybe up to 30 seconds.

No need to adore me for ever more by the way!

Hi Brian.

Nice set of kit.

Take care.

Ditto all the above

As for movie mode you will find the camera takes over and leaves you very little choice, if the movie mode is the same as the K5 then you can set the aperture before recording commences, also Shake reduction, sound, digital filters etc. There is no way to set a specific ISO as the camera chooses this for itself depending on available light.

So basically if you know the light will be poor throughout the length of the movie chooses a large aperture (ie f5.6) or if your outside and the light is very good then choose a smaller aperture (ie f16)

Thanks for the replies, I've also had a look at the prices of some of the photography magazines so I'm better of joining this site.

Welcome to Pentax, enjoy the Kr great camera!

Please ask away. I used to be a trainer, and I believe that "There's no such thing as a stupid question.", provided of course that you've done your search first since it's more than likely that someone else has asked a question similar to yours!

But if you package your questions like this thread here, I for one will be happy to help. You're lucky our resident admin John Riley has shared his wisdom with you first!

Congratulations in securing a Pentax K-r! One of the best cameras out there in shooting using high ISO (I particularly like how the noise is now compared to the older models).