Just a warning on screw-in filters Kirsty - fine for polarisers and standard ND filters but screw-in NDgrads are pretty much worthless as you are severely limiting composition. The advantage of a "system" is the holder allows you to adjust the NDgrad as required and in harmony with your chosen composition

Hi Kirsty,

I agree with the advice about UV filters, if you are on a budget then they don't really make sense as they won't help with your photography.

A polariser is a good idea and as Carl mentioned go with something branded. A "system" is also a good idea but personally I wasn't happy with Cokin, too much of a color cast, I think Hitech are better and not much more expensive especially if bought 2nd hand

As a start for NDgrads I think a 2stop (0.6) soft edge and a 2 stop hard edge wll get you off the mark. Add to this a standard ND filter, a 1.2 (4 stop) would be my suggestion.

Here's a good article about NDgrads etc by Lee who I think make the best filters, very expensive though - it's worth a look as is their site as they explain filter use really well

http://www.leefilters.com/index.php/camera

Simon


Simon

Probably a long shot but having just been on a workshop with Joe Cornish I've decided I need to buy some Lee ND Grads.

Ideally I'm looking for very well looked after 2 stop & 3 stop grads, both soft & hard edge.

Also interested in 67mm & 77mm adaptors

thanks

Simon

I normally should RAW anyone Chris but just in case I personally have NR turned off for when I might use .JPG. I much prefer to decide for myself how it's applied. To be honest with the K5 NR isn't something you'll need to think about much anyway unless you're very high in the iso range, much improved from the K10

Simon

PM sent

Hi Paul,

All being well I'll make it along on the 10th for the talk, always interested to hear the thought process behind other peoples photography

Simon

It did seem a bit cumbersome to me, adjusting ISO/exposure compensation/ aperture wasn't as good as the K5 but as you say Mike I suppose you get used to it.

What I was especially jealous of however was the 18mm Zeiss Distagon T* lens he was using - it's a shame more companies don't offer lenses for Pentax

Sorry, I mistyped...it was the 5D MK2

It seemed most functions needed to be accessed via the main menu - I absolutely love the dual control wheels on the K5 and was suprised to see the Canon didn't have them too

Simon

Just returned from my first venture into running one-to-one tuition, had some excellent luck with the weather which definitekly helps...

Anyway, to my point...the workshop participant had a Full frame Canon 5D and whilst the image quality certainly looked excellent I was very suprised at the quite limited functionality, not a patch on the K5 which I continue to be increasingly impressed with - the 5D certainly wouldn't tempt me away

Simon

Thanks evaryone for the comments - I have thought that myself too Ken, I think I'll convert a couple and see how they look