My DA 18-250 at 100mm.

I took plenty of shots this morning using the smallest apertures that I could (still let in too much light!). It's f36 maximum up to about 100mm, f40 from around 100-180mm and f45 from around 180mm to 250mm.

I wasn't using a wideangle because I was concentrating on a couple of old oaks with the mist swirling round the base and couldn't get closer without trampling the crop.

Hi Matt

Thanks very much. That helps a lot. I should have been able to work it out for myself, really, but it's a little confusing (like the f-stop scale)

Unfortunately it means that I almost certainly need more than one, which makes the Cokin set or similar a better buy, especially if there is a possibility of me changing lenses before things settle down.

The 18-250 has a 62mm thread.

Thanks again - much appreciated.

There have been several threads lately about ND filters, largely following the series of superb landscapes posted. Plenty of advice about which manufacturer is best and why, but is there anywhere someone can point first time ND filter users like me at.

I'd like to take one with me travelling next week, but don't want to buy loads of different ones just yet until I have a go and see the results. I understand how they work and how many stops a given filter will reduce, but don't know what effect this would have in practice.

I was pretty poor at equations at school, but presumably there must be some equation that would let me work out the effect of the filter?

I was out early this morning in the mist. It was just getting light with the sun not up, but I still couldn't expose for longer than around half a second, even at f36.

How do I work out what exposure time I would have had with a given ND filter attached?

Ideally I would like to take just one with me, but don't know which would be most useful. Either that or get a Cokin set, but the reviews on those are variable. I can't justify a Lee set or similar at this stage.

The variable ones look convenient, but in my experience you usually pay for that in quality.

I should add that I am not all settled yet about which lenses I will end up keeping. I have a DA 18-250 and FA 50 for this trip, but that could easily change afterwards!

Any help appreciated.

This is getting to be a more common problem. There was quite a spat about some poor chap taking photos in a shopping centre a few weeks back.

To be honest I think you did the sensible thing. You were right and he was wrong, but sadly people in mundane jobs sometimes over-inflate their own importance to compensate.

Life is too short and their are plenty of other things to take photos of

I admire your restraint.....

Actually I think the version II is the metal mount. I don't think it has anything written on the lens, but the metal mount one is supposed to be a bit sharper.

Hi Simon

Is this the version I or II? Does it have a plastic or metal mount?

Thanks

Hi Jacqui

It can't be anything simple as you are obviously an experienced photographer. My K-r was perfect (even under tungsten, actually) out of the box with no adjustments needed - except for the viewfinder focus.

It sounds to me that there might be a problem unless someone can suggest anything else. Have you tried it with more than one lens or just the kit lens it came with?

Is it the same in all autofocus modes?

Thanks.

From what I have read the rainy season has ended in India where we start, but there might still be a risk of rain in Thailand/Malaysia towards the end of the trip. I have rain covers for both bags so should be o.k. I don't care if I get wet - might cool us down a bit.

That, along with the dust, is the main reason for taking the 18-250mm so I don't have to keep swapping lenses and can have the camera to hand and ready to use whenever I need it.

I doubt I'll be allowed away from the cheap silk etc in the market, but I'll take a look for the shops you mention.

A small tip for travel in hot climates in exchange for all the help. Look up a product called a 'Cobber', basically a small neck scarf filled with crystals/gel. I won't go into detail about the use here and don't know if I can include a link to a non-photo product, but they are superb and every bit as good as they say. We have used them extensively in hot cities through to rain forests. That is the one single item I wouldn't travel to a hot country without.

I've been toying with buying a ND filter and following the recent threads on their use. It might be a step too far for this trip seeing as I'm only now getting back into SLR photography and have plenty else to learn, but I might just get one before I go. Bound to need one if I don't.

I do have a remote control - it's actually a tiny Sony remote for my MP3 player, but I read somewhere that most Sony controls work with Pentax cameras and it works perfectly.

Thanks for the Velbon advice too - I'll take a look.

Thanks - haven't seen one of those before - might be worth a look