I have the K-5, not the K-30 but I would imagine it is a similar performer. I would leave shadow and highlight correction switched off altogether and do your work in post processing. Also, don't be afraid to shoot landscapes at ISO 200 to ISO 400 - you will notice no practical difference and the extra speed is useful if hand-holding.

Shoot in RAW and do your sharpness / NR in post processing - I think you'll find that noise reduction is rarely required. Be careful to get it right in camera whilst shooting and in particular don't burn out any highlights and you will be amazed what your images will look like with a bit of careful RAW processing.

Regards
David

I have the K-x and K-5. The K-x is a fantastic camera and constantly amazes me with the image quality it produces. The K-5 is better and returns more consistent results, particularly when trying to extract maximum dynamic range from an image, but there's less difference than most people might expect. I think there's more to be gained from careful matching of lenses to camera and from getting the most out of your glass. Having said that, the K-30 will be better, but not by very much and certainly not by 25%. Take a look at Nuri's images (Senn) shot with the K-x - they are simply superb.

Regards
David

I can see significant differences between the K-5II and IIS images with the basket and cushions. The IIS image is much more detailed - I'm amazed others can't see this. However, I would prefer to take the practical experiences of experts who actually own both cameras and have used both in the real world. I know one of these people quite well and he reliably informs me that the IIS is miles better and requires little or no sharpening of RAW images. That has to be a real world benefit.

He knows what he's talking about and I would have no hesitation in buying the IIS when it comes down in price a bit.

Regards
David

Beautiful Simon, all are superb.

Regards
David

Would you not consider an M42 with an adaptor permanently fixed Barrie? It's as good as a manual K-mount this way. I have a fabulous Takumar pre-set F5.6 200mm in mint condition, very sharp and lovely images and I would be open to offers?

Regards
David

I have a Circular Polariser permanently attached for landscapes. It makes a huge difference, especially on skies and water, but also enhances colour saturation on all elements in the image. I also use ND Grads for almost all my landscape shots. I have tried shooting without, but the results are poor in comparison.

I have stopped using AV and Skylights as they have no benefit and make the images less sharp, more so on some lenses than others. It's been documented on here before, but it's worth mentioning that the 55-300 hates filters for some reason.

Regards
David

The K-5 is fantastic - I'm certain you will enjoy it. Welcome to the Forum, hope you like that too!

Regards
David

Where were these taken Danny? I was in Robin Hood's Bay (North Yorkshire) a few weeks ago and took several shots of a bird that looked very much like this one on the rocks / beach. I hadn't a clue what it was, is there any chance it could be the same species?

Regards
David

Dust spots, buoys on lakes (the bright red and orange ones) and the odd bit of blown out highlights. I did also clone out a wooden post on one image that was right behind a Seal's head, but for the most part I only clone out very small objects. Also, tree branches that have no attached tree!

Regards
David

I get excited when I see the right light. It's all about that for me. Yes, the composition of the landscape, the way the trees trace out lines and patterns on the hills, the way they intersect folds in the mountains, the reflections in still water on a lake, the contrast of dark rocks against snow and frost, water rushing and tumbling over rapids and waterfalls all excite me too. But, it's the clouds, lit by a low early morning Winter Sun, the dappled patterns of transient light on the hillside, the contrasting shadows, the dark stormy clouds behind a hill lit by late afternoon sun peeping through a hole in the cloud- these are the things that really wake up my photographic senses and bring me alive.

Regards
David