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Comment by Mandrake posted on FS: (for charity!) Pentax P30 body only at 06/02/2014 - 22:15
Brightly coloured doors with peeling paint, preferably somewhere exotic. Because with all of Cuba/Mongolia/Siberia/Cornwall in front of you, the thing you will most want to look back on is... a door.
Comment by Mandrake posted on Just for fun, what are the 'cliche' shots at 05/02/2014 - 20:19
True, but I figured they're unlikely to have wall-to-wall Pentax enthusiasts like we have here!
Comment by Mandrake posted on FS: (for charity!) Pentax P30 body only at 04/02/2014 - 17:19
Go on, someone make me an offer - it's for a good cause!
Comment by Mandrake posted on FS: (for charity!) Pentax P30 body only at 04/02/2014 - 12:12
My thoughts:
1. For the most part you'll probably want to do candids, because setting up any kind of formal shot with a small child is a pain as soon as they can move under their own power.
2. Flash is fine, often preferable once they start moving quickly. Bounced is better, but that's generally the case anyway. If your child doesn't like the flash going off, it will let you know very quickly.
3. Generally, try to get on the same level as the child. Photos of the top of a kid's head are not very interesting.
4. Kit wise, automatic everything (well, maybe aperture priority exposure) is usually a good thing because they will rarely stay in one place for very long. Focal length doesn't really matter but for a truly candid shot you may want to use something a little longer than you would for a grown-up so you don't distract them while you set up. That said, I've also had fun at 10mm for distorted close-ups of playtime so remember to experiment.
5. Keep your camera ready to go and easily accessible so you can grab it as soon as you see something photo worthy.
6. Remember to copy your images to your computer regularly and back them up. You may well end up with thousands if you're anything like me, so take the time to get rid of any that are total rubbish and select your favourites from what's left (I use Lightroom "pick" flags). Print your favourites. If you don't do this regularly you will end up with a massive backlog to sort out and have trouble finding the time to get on top of it again.
7. At some point, your child will be taught to say "cheese". You will then have to develop the stealth skills of a ninja to get any photos without cheesey grins in them.
8. Although you will know your children are the most beautiful creatures in the world, other people will not agree (after all, I know mine are) so only share your very best ones. Quality over quantity. Obviously this does not apply to grandparents, who generally can't get enough of grandkid photos.
9. Remember to stop taking photos occasionally and actually enjoy watching them develop and grow.
1. For the most part you'll probably want to do candids, because setting up any kind of formal shot with a small child is a pain as soon as they can move under their own power.
2. Flash is fine, often preferable once they start moving quickly. Bounced is better, but that's generally the case anyway. If your child doesn't like the flash going off, it will let you know very quickly.
3. Generally, try to get on the same level as the child. Photos of the top of a kid's head are not very interesting.
4. Kit wise, automatic everything (well, maybe aperture priority exposure) is usually a good thing because they will rarely stay in one place for very long. Focal length doesn't really matter but for a truly candid shot you may want to use something a little longer than you would for a grown-up so you don't distract them while you set up. That said, I've also had fun at 10mm for distorted close-ups of playtime so remember to experiment.
5. Keep your camera ready to go and easily accessible so you can grab it as soon as you see something photo worthy.
6. Remember to copy your images to your computer regularly and back them up. You may well end up with thousands if you're anything like me, so take the time to get rid of any that are total rubbish and select your favourites from what's left (I use Lightroom "pick" flags). Print your favourites. If you don't do this regularly you will end up with a massive backlog to sort out and have trouble finding the time to get on top of it again.
7. At some point, your child will be taught to say "cheese". You will then have to develop the stealth skills of a ninja to get any photos without cheesey grins in them.
8. Although you will know your children are the most beautiful creatures in the world, other people will not agree (after all, I know mine are) so only share your very best ones. Quality over quantity. Obviously this does not apply to grandparents, who generally can't get enough of grandkid photos.
9. Remember to stop taking photos occasionally and actually enjoy watching them develop and grow.
Comment by Mandrake posted on Baby photography - Any tips? at 02/02/2014 - 12:32
I bought a P30 at Oxfam for the attached lens, but have no use for the body, so I'm selling the body only for £10 + £4 postage. Since making money out of a charity shop feels wrong, that £10 will go straight back to Oxfam (I'll even forward the receipt email if you like when I've passed it on).
The body itself has batteries and appears to be fully working (but I haven't run any film through it). Cosmetically it is in fair-to-good condition, with a bit of the black paint on the edges of the film door and base plate rubbing off. Feature wise, it's one of these: http://kmp.bdimitrov.de/bodies/film_P/P3.html. Comes with a strap but no manual (but it's a pretty simple machine).
Payment by bank transfer preferred. I can rustle up some pictures if anyone cares enough to ask for them.
The body itself has batteries and appears to be fully working (but I haven't run any film through it). Cosmetically it is in fair-to-good condition, with a bit of the black paint on the edges of the film door and base plate rubbing off. Feature wise, it's one of these: http://kmp.bdimitrov.de/bodies/film_P/P3.html. Comes with a strap but no manual (but it's a pretty simple machine).
Payment by bank transfer preferred. I can rustle up some pictures if anyone cares enough to ask for them.
Comment by Mandrake posted on FS: (for charity!) Pentax P30 body only at 02/02/2014 - 09:29
Sale now agreed.
Comment by Mandrake posted on FS: Pentax K-x kit with 18-55mm lens, 8GB SD and batteries at 06/08/2013 - 20:52
How about £225? I might even consider a nearby offer...
Comment by Mandrake posted on FS: Pentax K-x kit with 18-55mm lens, 8GB SD and batteries at 05/08/2013 - 19:04
I'm looking to sell my K-x because since getting a K-5 I've hardly used it.
I have the original box, all the bits, manual etc. and 18-55 DA-L lens. I'll even chuck in 4 Eneloop AA rechargeable batteries and an 8GB SD card.
[Note: The box is for a twin lens kit, but I'm only including the 18-55 in this sale]
The camera and lens are both in good condition and full working order. In fact the lens has hardly ever been used. The body has done around 5000 shots (at least that's what the file number has got to). There is a very minor scuff on the screen, but it doesn't make any difference in use. In fact I didn't even notice it until I was checking it over just now before posting this ad and it took several goes to get a photo where it's visible! But in the interests of completeness, here it is:
I'm asking £250 including Royal Mail Special Delivery to a UK address, to pay by bank transfer or PayPal transfer (i.e. the no-fee option) or cash if you want to pick it up from Bicester (in which case, obviously, I'll knock off the £11 special delivery would have cost).
This is an excellent camera with everything you need to get shooting, so snap it up now!
I have the original box, all the bits, manual etc. and 18-55 DA-L lens. I'll even chuck in 4 Eneloop AA rechargeable batteries and an 8GB SD card.
[Note: The box is for a twin lens kit, but I'm only including the 18-55 in this sale]
The camera and lens are both in good condition and full working order. In fact the lens has hardly ever been used. The body has done around 5000 shots (at least that's what the file number has got to). There is a very minor scuff on the screen, but it doesn't make any difference in use. In fact I didn't even notice it until I was checking it over just now before posting this ad and it took several goes to get a photo where it's visible! But in the interests of completeness, here it is:
I'm asking £250 including Royal Mail Special Delivery to a UK address, to pay by bank transfer or PayPal transfer (i.e. the no-fee option) or cash if you want to pick it up from Bicester (in which case, obviously, I'll knock off the £11 special delivery would have cost).
This is an excellent camera with everything you need to get shooting, so snap it up now!
Comment by Mandrake posted on FS: Pentax K-x kit with 18-55mm lens, 8GB SD and batteries at 03/08/2013 - 16:23
You have a PM
Comment by Mandrake posted on WTB : Pentax K-r or K-x at 31/07/2013 - 20:22
