Thanks for the reply George.

The question is not about taking better photographs, that comes as you rightly say, by experience and practice.
What I am looking for is advice on a third lens (I will buy one, but which one?).
I already have 18-55mm so is the 50mm going to give me the difference I need? Looking around what websites are saying then I would certainly get a better quality photo with the 50mm. But would I still have to be as close to the subject as with the 18-55mm? If yes then would I be better buying a lens where I do not need to be so close to the subject?
I also have a Sigma 70-300mm (105-450mm digital) which I feel would be too close to the subject, correct me if I'm wrong.
Would a lens inbetween the two, which I already have, be better, say a 70mm (if it exists)?

As I said earlier, my son has been asked to photography a school ballet production. He won't be at the back of the room as the photo session will be done during rehearsals. I don't want my son to be embarrassed by having an incorrect lens for the job by asking to be closer to the subjects or asking if people can move out of shot because he is too far away.

Sorry to bore you all with this topic, it's just that I want the basic equipment to start with, something small, something bigger and maybe something inbetween.
What I really want will come with experience and in 12 months time I may spend £300-£2000 on the lens I want as I find what direction I wish to go with this new fascinating hobby.

Thanks

Would this Pentax SMC P-FA 50mm F1.4 be far better than the 18-55mm kit lens or would it be better to get something between 50mm and 135mm for the situation mentioned?

Thanks

I think those photos are good, thanks for sharing those.

Although I have tried and tested manual focus which is better for close-up work, I think an AF lens is the way to go for me for portraits.
The 50mm is what is being recommended by several members here, so I'll go with that.
I see the Pentax SMC P-FA 50mm F1.4 on EBay for £129 + p&p
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BRAND-NEW-Pentax-SMC-P-FA-50mm-F1-4-SLR-Lens-In-UK_W0QQitemZ200216467642QQihZ010QQcategoryZ30070QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Is this the right one? Auto/Manual ?

Quick Edit
Would this lens be ideal for photographing a school ballet production, as my son has been asked to take the photos?


Thanks

Thanks for all the replies so far, much appreciated.

I do already have a tripod which is ok at the moment. It's not an expensive one but good enough for the time being.

I will be ordering a flash gun shortly, I have looked at a Metz 48-AF1 and also the Pentax AF-360FGZ TTL flashgun both retail at about the same price.
I will most probably buy the Pentax AF-360FGZ based on information gathered from this forum already. I did have a Jessops flash which I quickly sold on as I did not like it.

As for my third lens, I'm not sure as I do not know what will be used at college. I'm sure there will be still life and some models to photograph so my Sigma won't be much use. A macro lens won't be much use either but I have taken on-board the advise already given and that is something for me to think about in 12 months time as I get more experienced and know which direction I wish to pursue.

So really speaking a third lens would be for still life and model (people) work.
So if someone could kindly point me in the right direction it would, as always, be appreciated.
I do not wish to spend too much as my budget is limited, so £180 is tops.
I want to be, as previously mentioned, equipped for this college course. Not only with a general selection of equipment but also with some knowledge of using the equipment. The only way is to buy one now and use it over the next few months to familiarise myself.

Thanks

Thanks for that
Please excuse my total ignorance but what would this lens be good for, why is is different to say .... zoom lenses?. Why are these lenses generally more expensive than small zoom lenses?
Thanks for that comment, appreciated.
How could I improve on those images when using the K10D (10.2MP Vs 6.1MP is obvious).

Appreciated, many thanks.
I guess I will have loads of questions over the next few weeks/months as I am learning, so please be patient.

Please can you point me in the right direction. Thanks.
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I have logged in with my other name which is more appropriate.
I had problems activating which is now sorted (thanks Richard).

Keen2Learn says more about me than New2K10D does.

The reason for my initial post was so that I was reasonably equipped for general photography and also reasonably equipped for my college course in September.
I thought having 3 lenses in my bag would be a good start. (I have two).
The basic 18-55mm is ok for portraits and general photography.
My Sigma APOmacro 70-300mm (105-450mm) is great for zoom and some macro work. I also have purchased a Sigma AML on advice from Sigma to aid in close-up work, although I have not used the AML as yet.

I also have a small selection of filters, UV (x3), skylight, clr polarizing, diffuser and a pulsator. All are Hoya brand (now Pentax).

I still would like a third lens to add, I know what I want to do is quite wide ranged but I guess most of my photography will be scenes to start with, although macro is fascinating.

Here are a few photos that I took with my old *ist DL using the Sigma APOmacro lens mentioned above (have sold the *ist DL to finance the K10D).
Please comment...... (I know you will)

My attempt of close-up of an ant



Seaview



shadows in the mist



Thanks

Hello
I too have received my new K10D this week.
I am new to D-SLR and will have to read the manual to see what this award winning camera can do.

Enjoy

Some cheap brand CD or DVD can be ok but some are a little dodgy.
It's all down to the dye they use which gives better results, some dyes have proven unreliable. This is why I always recommend Verbatim or Taiyo Yuden CDs and DVDs who use the same reliable dye, which might be G03 or G20 or other code. Some other brands might vary the dye depending on the source.
Quote:
I use many, many CDs and DVDs mostly to back up my vast music collection (mp3 format) and music video collection (mpeg format) and having used several 100's of these discs I can honestly say that I have not had a single coaster when using the Verbatim or Taiyo Yuden brands but have had a few coasters in my earlier days with other brands including Memorex and non-branded CDs and DVDs.

After all that I still say the best back-up for anyones precious digital photos is webspace, whether it's BT vault, Sky vault or something else.

I always use Verbatim for my CDs and DVDs.
I have never had a coaster as yet.

When backing up images to DVD/CD I always using Nero Burning Rom software and select "Multi-session" which means you can add more stuff as and when you want until the disc is full. Once it is full then I would suggest copying all the content to another DVD/CD.
If one of those back-up copies fails (for whatever reason) you have a spare with your precious stuff on, which you can make another copy, and so on.

There are other media forms to save your work.
For Example: Hard Disc Drive, which can be as large as 1,000 Gigabites (GB) the best price for one of that size is approx £135.
You could also use a memory stick, pen drive or other media such as a SD card.
Although all these media are excellent, they can get damaged, lost or accidentally thrown away.
By far the best way to save all this hard work is by buying "web space".
Most ISP (internet service providers) provide a certain amount of web space. BT internet provide, what they call, a digital vault.
You can buy a 50 GB digital vault from BT for £4.99 a month, which includes a backup copy on their servers.
Link: http://www.productsandservices.bt.com/consumerProducts/displayTopic.do?topicId=17135
You may never have to buy another DVD or CD again.

Hope it helps

capabilities
Just wondering why you have not read the PM that I sent you.

Seems that that Velbon Sherpa 600R that I mentioned has been lost amongst this post.
It is certainly worth considering as it comes with an excellent pan & tilt head (not a plastic one) and is less expensive than some models mentioned here.
Velbon Sherpa 600R




Thanks