What! You want to use JPG mode!!


PDF manuals are available online straight from the Pentax website
If it's an *ist-D then the left dial has a dedicated position to set the image format. Other than that - it'll be in the Menu.
Matt

The only other thing to watch is the ISO setting on the camera. With film, this was "forced" on you, but with digital you can adjust it from ISO200 to ISO3200 (or ISO100-1600, or 100-3200 depending on which Pentax DSLR you have).

With the older flashes you look up the f-stop based on the power output and the ISO rating of the film. (That's one of the advantages of the P-TTL flashes - you can change all values and the flash is told what's changing in the body so it can keep up. One reason they are so expensive!)

But, as George says, it's a piece of cake to do it by trial and error. For portraiture I'm up and running after 2 or 3 test shots

Matt

Don't forget people, that this site is actually run by the folks at ePhotozine.

I can understand why they don't want two completely different systems (and there just isn't an "off the shelf" package that does what epz does). It makes sense to have one set of code and systems. (I code all day in at least 3 languages and there's always a switch-over time required.)

They did a similar thing to epz - took it from v1 to v2 - and there was pandemonium (like here). Lots of ranting and complaints. Initially I didn't like it. However, they sorted it out (very quickly), and now epz is stable, works well, and they add features nearly every week. Cool.

...I'm being patient and trying to cope with it...

Matt

Re: Adverts.
What adverts??!
I use AdBlock Plus on Firefox 3 and have it well trained
Matt

As for P-TTL flashes -
There's the AF-200FG from Pentax (current £75 from www.srsmicrosystems.co.uk )
The AF-360FGZ does come up second hand every now and then (e.g. www.mxv.co.uk, www.lcegroup.co.uk, www.ffordes.co.uk )

You can use non P-TTL flashes only in "A" and "M" mode - like the old days It's no big deal. Only when you try and use a TTL mode on the DSLR will you get trouble - the flash will completely discharge and you'll end up with a massively overexposed shot (and people with sore eyes!).

It depends what you want to do! If you want flash for portraiture (for example), then fully manual mode is ideal. You can even use the old style "PC" cords to move the flash away from the camera. This is a really, really cheap option and will give great results!

To be honest, I like both approaches - it depends what I'm doing. I use the wireless features when using two Pentax flash guns (AF-360 & AF-540) and use them in manual mode when doing portraiture. Depends on the situation.

Hope that helps!
Matt

I'm also looking into web-based meeting rooms.

I have found one option that will allow VoIP communication between 3 attendees and me - so we could easily do a quick PS class that way. Up to 20 attendees can visit (if invited) so it might be a practical way to go.

Of course, I don't get any funding from this... but there's always a Paypal donation

Could arrange for a half-hour session or so during the week (in my lunch break). Let me know if there are any takers and we'll try and set up a trial...

Matt

Maybe it's just a rather more advanced case of LBA
Someone needs to start a therapy centre...
Matt

First off - never use Alkaline batteries!
You have two choices with the K200D:
1) Use NiMH batteries
2) Use Lithium CR-V3 batteries.

Option 1 is great for the usual day-to-day stuff. Personally I use the "Hybrio" (or Eneloop) rechargeable batteries. They have an extremely low self-discharge rate (they'll stay charged for 6 to 12 months). Normal rechargeable cells will discharge on their own - so you can find that you pick up the camera after a couple of weeks and find the batteries are low. Hybrios are not like that. There are plenty of places on the 'net to get these - e.g. www.picstop.co.uk - and they're not that expensive. (Don't be tricked into getting higher capacity normal NiMH cells over the Hybrio-style )

Option 2 is useful as a backup. Lithium cells are non rechargeable, but they do have about a 10 year shelf life. Very useful as a backup - and can work in colder environments compared to NiMH cells.

In reality, with Hybrio cells, the battery life is superb!
(I have the older *ist-D and *ist-DS DSLRs and have used all kinds of cells with them).

Hope that helps!
Matt

"SMC Pentax-A 1:1.7 50mm" is the lens, not the camera!
There should be a marking on the camera body, e.g. "ME Super", "Super A", "MX", etc.

Obviously, you need to manually rewind the film. There should be a small button underneath the camera - push this in, flip out the rewind lever and rotate in a clockwise direction until it moves freely.

When you've done that, just pull the rewind lever upwards and this should release the back door catch.

Manuals are available on the internet... can't remember the site (it's one the forum members here that PDF'd them)

Hope that helps!
Matt

I'm using the "Recent Forum Comments" button at the moment...

Additional question: are there any restrictions on image uploading? (ie number per day, dimensions, file size etc)

Matt