Noobie needs lenses

Hello everybody!
I plan on buying a K10 (my first dslr!) at the end of the month. (Excuse the salivating and twitchy hands!) As an elementary school teacher -or "primary school" as it's known in RSA, I anticipate taking lots of photographs of children in classroom settings, out on the field and inside a cavernous fluorescent filled hall (ewwww, green aliens everywhere!).

In my spare time I'll use the camera for landscape photography.

Being on a budget (which teacher isn't?), I'd like to ensure that my first lens is a good quality, worthwhile investment and can fit the needs mentioned above. I plan on buying the 540 flash as well.

Am I being too ambitious?

How about UV filters - should I basically buy one for each lens I eventually get? (protection vs scratches, etc).

Cast your pearls before this sow!

Welcome to the board

I would heartily recommend the SMC-DA 16-45.
It's more expensive than the kit lens (the 18-55), but is a superb "all-rounder". I've used it a lot for group shots and landscapes too and can say it performs most excellently

If you're going to do landscapes, then a set of Cokin P sized ND-grads would be very useful. If you only buy one ND grad, I'd recommend an ND2 (in Cokin terms it's the P121M) - I use that most of the time with the K10D. Often you can find a set of P121L, P121M, and P121S for not much more than the price of two filters The use of a grad in landscapes can make a very big difference to the overall feel of the shot.

As you get more experienced, I'd also suggest shooting RAW and using a package like Silkypix - that'll give you the most "headroom" when dealing with shots. (For kid shots the usual JPG is almost certainly adequate)

The AF540 is a fine flashgun. It's pretty large and powerful. However, I reckon you'll probably be fine with the AF360 - especially as you can use the wireless flash capabilities with the K10D. If you can stretch the budget the AF540 then do so - you never know when you might need the extra power (but if you're really stretched, the AF360, plus using a higher ISO on the camera will get you there). In fact, two AF360s make a very nice combination in wireless mode

As far as UV filters - you don't need a UV filter. Some feel it will protect your lens. However, the Pentax coatings are pretty tough and mine have taken fingers, dust and smears without any problem. Just treat the lenses with respect (I did used to use Hoya Pro UV filters, until I had two smash because of dropping the lens - the shards of fine filter glass actually did more damage than the drop I now take more care and keep the petal hood on to soften the blow if I ever drop them again! A cracked hood is cheaper than a cracked lens)

Hope that helps!
Matt

for that fluorescent filled hall I'd definitely suggest getting your head around RAW processing, even if only using the supplied Pentax software. It will allow you to worry about proper white balancing on a per-shot basis later on, so you can just get on with shooting at the venue.

Another lens I can heartily recommend for low light candid portrait work is a 50mm prime. Don't let the low prices fool you (£160 for a brand new FA 50mm F1.4) these are really 1st class glass. I use an A series 50mm F1.7 (£30 from ebay in the good old days, ~£50 now I guess, the price of Pentax popularity) and managed to get some shots at my cousins 3rd birthday which her parents just adore. Since there was no need for me to use flash, she never knew I was taking photos so they are nice and natural.

Forgive me, I couldn't resist slipping into some local plebian slang!

Thank you MattMatic and Mongoose! I've read good things about the SMC-DA 16-45 and was considering it, but needed some experienced confirmation. I've not seriously thought of going into primes in my "infancy" yet - maybe a good deal will stretch my wings.

Here in the YooEsssAayy a fair number of lenses are available. Is is best to stay with Pentax or are there other brands that can make full use of the K10's mount? Sigma, Tamron come to mind, so does Quantaray (Ritz' in-house brand, I think manufactured by Sigma).

I do plan on using RAW asap - and hope that Elements 5 will be sufficient to fix my foibles. Does Silkypix operate as a stand alone program or is it a plug in for E5?

Thanks again allyouall!

"Make my tea a tad bit warmer, if you don't mind."

If practicality and ease of handling is important to you then I can recommend the humble 18-55mm. Avoid the largest apertures when you can, and be careful with the exposure, and it can sometimes perform just as well as the much more expensive and much larger and heavier 16-45mm.

Hey Memphis!

Welcome. From what I read, you're a very knowledgeable newcommer.

Agree with Matt re UV's. Really just two more light reflecting surfaces added to many lens elements. I don't really see the benefit.

Now, polarizers!

Aha, if you want to invest in a great filter (which has 4 additional surfaces to confound my argument...), get a good circular polarizer and play with it until you've figured out all its uses - many, many.

In colour and B&W work, I've never found a filter with as much to add to the mix.

Cheers, and post some of your work.

And be sure you're covered insurance-wise. If you're sponsored, no problem. If you're paying for all your own gear, try and keep it low profile.

I can highly recommend the kit lens.

Silkypix is at the core of the Pentax converter. There is a free edition (with limited tweaks available) and a developer edition (which isn't that much). Yes, it's stand-alone.

I'd suggest you start with Elements 5 (and possibly the Pentax converter). Get your head round it all, then when you've exhausted the options, then look at Silkypix

Elements is a fine package which should cover 99.9% of photographic needs. There are some tutorials aimed at Elements on my website

Matt

fine advice there, that's more or less what I did and while the more advanced RAW converters are superior, it's amazing what you can accomplish with the Pentax supplied software.

You've answered all my initial questions - I'll wait to purchase the camera etc before selecting a bag, and will most likely have many questions once I have the tool in my paws!

I'm hoping the prices will drop a little more - what with Father's Day specials around the corner and the possible introduction of the K10D's more spec'd sibling(s) in the coming months.

Anyhoo - I'm pretty sure you all have helped me to initiate a camera setup that will be long and productive. What more could a noobie want?

All I hope to avoid is a chronic case of LBA!

Thanks again!

Well folks, I placed the order with B&H today!
Of course, the world being as it is, I could not get everything my heart was set on, but have a K10D and 16-45 en route. Given the investment, I decided to purchase the extended warranties on both (previous experiences on other appliances make this a neccessity!).

I figured it would be better to begin learning with these two and then add a flash, grip, etc, one piece at a time. Oh my goodness, the restraint! I must be growing up

Well, just advance notice to all - potentially vexing noobie questions are appearing on your horizons! Gird your loins and mount the chargers!

Joy

"vexing noobie questions" are meat and drink to some of the people on this forum!

Just one question. Where do you buy biltong in Memphis?

And an observation. Many people regard the grip as a necessity. Many others consider it a waste of money. Don't buy it unless you are sure you really need it. The K10D is quite a big camera, and being female you probably don't have huge hands.

G

Mmmmmm...

Biltong...

Drool...

George & kcmadr, I don't buy biltong here in Memphis - my brother in Jackson, TN makes his own. The spices are the most troublesome thing to obtain! There are also a number of ex-pats in the area, and when needed, one or another have some foodstuff brought over.

I miss the huge variety of South African cuisine - the Mid-South palate is somewhat blander than mine. The chocolate here is shoking - I'm always hoarding original Cadbury's for special occassions!

Have either of you ever tasted Appletiser? Now, THAT is what I drool over!

George, regarding the grip - it's on the list, but will be something I only consider after using the system a little. I most probably will purchase another battery this week, the flash, some filters and another lens later - all before I try the grip.

At 5'10" I'm pretty tall and my hands can handle the larger camera systems - in fact, the size of the K10 was one of the main reasons I bought it - the C/N were too dainty - the closest competitor being the D200!

Ammonyte - as a teacher I crave learning experiences for myself - the alternate is to dry up and take the kids with me! Thanks for the reassurance - the proof will be in the pudding - this student is going to vex you all with her blundering - but I assure you, I'm so excited about this new learning curve ahead I can berely stop myself from meeting to mailman at the door!

Joy