Thanks so much for all the advice. I'm kind of more confused now, even though I feel I have learned a bit more. Does that make sense?

I've set up a search on eBay for a 50mm f1.4 so let's see if something not too expensive comes up.

What the pro who intially suggested I get a 50mm f1.4 also said was that I should better sell my kit lenses, 18-55mm and 50-200mm and just get the 50mm f1.4.

I guess different people will suggest different things!
Thanks again

Hi,

Many thanks for your replies.

Some of you suggest I just increase exposure.

I don't get it - are you saying that a lens that is f1.4 and a lens that is f4-5.6 produce images that are as sharp, brigh and full of bokeh? There's no difference in image quality between such two lenses?

Forgive a newbie if this is obvious to some; it's not to me!

Thanks a million

Well, what the photographer actually suggested is that the 50mm will give me the best performance/price ratio. The 30 to 35mm lenses seem to be much more expensive.

Hi there

Thanks so much for your replies. I was told this by a professional photographer, who I took a photography course with. I was complaining that my images come out so dark, and with not enough bokeh. So he suggested I get a 50mm f1.4, as it's cheap and lets in much more light than what I curently have, and is good to learn photography with.

I'm looking to shoot product images for my website, flowers, people, street/general photography.

Thanks!

Hi all,

I have been advised that a 50mm f1.4 lens would be great to have, as it lets in much more light than the two zoom lenses that came with my Pentax K-r.

So I'm looking to buy one, and it looks like you can get a second-hand 50mm f1.4 on eBay for around £100.

What should I be looking at/for? Some of those lenses are Ashai, some are Pentax, some Takumar, some say they have no autofocus, some say "M KA", others "PK-PKA-KR".

What should I be looking for so I get a lens that will work with my K-r and has autofocus? How do you know if you're buying a second-hand lens that's in a good condition?

Many thanks for any suggestions!

Hi,

There's such a variety of memory card types, speeds and makes - what should I be looking at to get the best out of my K-r? What make/model do you recommend?

Thanks!

Eh...ok - can we go back to the list please?

Hi,

I was just reading the article below:

"15 Must Have Photography Accessories Under $25"

http://www.digital-photography-school.com/15-must-have-photography-accessories-under-25

Which of these do you have? Do you have any additions to the list?
Thanks!

Hi,

Do you use any kind of screen protection for your Pentax DSLR? I notice that as I'm using the optical viewfinder now, my face is stuck against the LCD a lot, and then there are fingerprints too - which leave quite noticable marks on the screen. Annoying when reviewing photos. Also - I'd like to keep it scratch-free so I'm looking to invest in a screen protection film. Any thoughts?

I LOVE LOVE LOVE long exposure shots - my old Lumix could do 15/30/60 seconds! So I have experimented with that quite a bit. I'll have to look into getting a proper tripod with that quick release plate you talk about!