Here is the link to Nigel's 'Mini Guide' to PDCU4 for RAW editing:-
https://www.pentaxuser.com/forum/topic/a-mini-guide-to-pentax-digital-camera-uti...

I forgot to add that once you are happy with the quality of the RAW image developed in PDCU4 you can the save it as a jpeg (or better as a tiff) file which can then be worked on further in PSE (or any other program). Thus PDCU4 and PSE can be used in a complementary fashion rather than as separate programs.

That said, since you can also do some cropping in PDCU4 I have found that it is all I need most of the time and my new PSE11 has remained idle for months !

Peter

Since you already have PSE 9 you don't need to spend money on a RAW developer since one came FREE with the camera ! Hopefully you got Pentax Digital Camera Utilty (PDCU4) unless you have a K30 !

I use PDCU4 all the time now after I learnt how to use if from Nigel's 'Mini Guide' published elsewhere on this Forum.

I always shoot in both RAW and jpeg so that I can get a quick glance from the jpeg but use the RAW file for the images that I like. Whilst the 'out of camera' jpegs are not bad from the K-r they are often a bit dull and 'flat'. That's why I started experimenting with the RAW files.

PDCU4 is rather 'mind bogling' at first glance as it is not very User Friendly. However after spending a little time exploring how it functions with the aid of the Mini Guide it now only takes a few seconds to turn a dull image into one that 'sparkles' ! (At least, that's MY opinion !)

Good luck
Peter

Hi Lee

Since Pentax has not provided a User Guide to PDCU4 our colleague Nigel has prepared a Mini Guide which is available on this Forum.

see

https://www.pentaxuser.com/forum/topic/a-mini-guide-to-pentax-digital-camera-uti...#comm_428794

I now find this a very easy to use piece of software and use it all the time to edit RAW files

Good luck
Peter

But see my warning and solution under No 1 above !

Peter

And to back that up I just found the following on the US Forum :-

"..the M42 Helios 44 M ... and that is the lens you should really get imo (that's a multicoated Zeiss Biotar). It's a 58/2.0 double Gauss design and one of THE portrait lenses on film and digital."

Nuff said !
Peter

If you are prepared to use a manual focus M42 lens then the Helios 58mm f/2 is a good low cost option !

An advantage is that it will FORCE experimentation with all the exposure and focus settings !!!

Peter

Hi Andrew

I have several cheap 3rd party adaptors from China and there are 2 points to note as there are 2 different types:-

1. To get the full focus range to infinity you need the type that fits inside the camera mount completely. The problem with these is that you may never get them out again ! They have a small spring on the side to grip the camera and stop them coming loose.

However, I simply removed the spring (it is held by a small screw) and found that it IS OK and not too loose - just don't carry the camera around with an expensive lens attached !

2. The second type has a thin flange which sits OUTSIDE the camera mount and thus offsets the lens making focus to infinity difficult (it is effectively a small extension tube !)

However, this type has a slot which locates on the camera lens lock so is perfectly safe and easy to remove

Given these two factors I normally use the flange type as I'm usually using my M42 lenses for close up work.

Either type are only a couple of pounds (free delivery !) so it is worth a try ?

Good luck
Peter

I have to agree and they put my Rosliston shots to shame !

I'd be interested in the EXIF data for your shots since I also used the Pentax DA 55-300mm ?

My only 'excuse' is that the very poor light meant I had to resort to using ISO 1250 on the K-r and the bitter cold was a challenge for the K-r's 'SR' whilst I stood shivering !

That said, I do bow to your superior experience.

Peter

My reasons for mentioning the DA55-300mm are two-fold :

Firstly, and more importantly, because it is the only long telephoto that I have, and
Secondly, I guess it is somewhat lower cost than the 'faster' Sigma's ?

I used it yesterday for a Golden Eagle photoshoot when we did action shots in the afternoon, so I've now posted one on the Gallery.

Unfortunately the weather was not too good with poor overcast skies and a bitter cold wind which gave me the 'shivers'. All told not the best conditions for long range action shots - especially with birds that can fly extremely fast !

As I'm a relative newcomer to this activity the results were not exactly something to be proud of and I realised too late that I should have selected Shutter Priority and a fast shutter speed. However, if you compare the standing figure with the moving bird I don't think the LENS performed too badly (only the photographer !)

Peter

You can't go far wrong with the Pentax DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8.

I got mine initially for bird photography but have also used it as a general 'walkabout' lens. It performs well taking 'falcons' in flight using the K-r's 'rapid fire' but its main problem is 'hunting' on auto focus near infinity.

I used it today on a Golden Eagle shoot and you will see the results over the next few days. The shot posted today is a 'portrait' shot at 55mm but I took lots more at 150 - 300mm including flying shots.

Peter