When All Else Fails...

Wind Chaser · « **on:** 25 Dec 2009, 10:56 pm »

RYFM - Gasp! Got a new camera, my first DSLR and I can't get it to snap a picture.

Gosh, how hard can it be? I was able to update the firmware and set the initial settings like language, location, time etc. Scrolled through a number of other settings and set it to "AUTO PICT" but can't figure out where the gearshift is to put the thing into drive so to speak. Man this sucks.

Rather than reading the manual I'll head out while the sun is still up with my trusting Nikon point and shoot.

JohnR · « **Reply #1 on:** 26 Dec 2009, 01:53 am »

Congrats, what is it?

Is the auto-focus working? Some bodies won't take the picture if it thinks the lens is not focussed. Some cameras won't focus in the dark. Try setting it to manual focus. Also check that the lens is mounted properly.

thunderbrick · « **Reply #2 on:** 26 Dec 2009, 02:11 am »

Is the card in the camera?

SET Man · « **Reply #3 on:** 26 Dec 2009, 02:16 am »

Hey!

When all else fails... than maybe it is time to take a look at the manual first?

Good luck and have fun with your new cam.

Take care,
Buddy

thunderbrick · « **Reply #4 on:** 26 Dec 2009, 02:43 am »

What's a manual?

Wind Chaser · « **Reply #5 on:** 27 Dec 2009, 12:38 am »

The auto focus is built into the body, but I'll investigate further and try switching the thing to manual and try the other lens as well. The card is installed, however when I plugged it into my computer to format it (not sure if that's a requirement) my card reader wouldn't read the card. A red light came on instead. It reads my other SD cards fine but for some reason the high speed card diables the drive. Evenso, you'd think the shutter should still snap down even without a card.

Anyhow, I got to head out again, but I'll take another look at this later. Might even read the manual...

BikeWNC · « **Reply #6 on:** 27 Dec 2009, 12:48 am »

Canon cameras have an option in the menu that allows for shooting without a card. That has to be selected if you want that to happen. I would format the card in the camera not on the computer. If the card is bad that might cause an issue.

Wind Chaser · « **Reply #7 on:** 27 Dec 2009, 04:35 am »

Quote from: JohnR on 26 Dec 2009, 01:53 am

Congrats, what is it?
...check that the lens is mounted properly.

Thanks John, that's what I did wrong. Discovered the right way to mount the lens and all is well. Had to buy a new card reader to handle the new fast media.

So what did I get? The sales rep narrowed it down to the Canon T1i and the Nikon D-5000. Having researched the two cameras I felt the Nikon would be the better choice for me. But then "WerTicus" mentioned the Pentax K-x in another thread... The more I looked into the Pentax K-x, the more I liked what I read. On paper, it seemed like the biggest bang for the buck. Once I tried holding each of the three cameras in my hand, the Pentax felt the best.

This is my first DSLR, so I know that means I'm limited to Pentax lenses. But pretty much every lens Pentax ever made is compatible with this camera as the AF is built into the camera body. That also means lenses will be cheaper than the lenses with auto focus required by Canon and Nikon.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #8 on:** 27 Dec 2009, 09:58 am »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCYlqRIVvcs

WerTicus · « **Reply #9 on:** 27 Dec 2009, 01:02 pm »

lens cap?

Wind Chaser · « **Reply #10 on:** 27 Dec 2009, 01:42 pm »

Quote from: WerTicus on 27 Dec 2009, 01:02 pm

lens cap?

Not when I'm sober... Thanks for pointing out the K-x. I would have been quite bummed had bought something else. This camera is really quite impressive!

Hopefully I'll get some pictures up later this week.

Goosepond · « **Reply #11 on:** 27 Dec 2009, 06:20 pm »

Quote from: Wind Chaser on 27 Dec 2009, 04:35 am

This is my first DSLR, so I know that means I'm limited to Pentax lenses. But pretty much every lens Pentax ever made is compatible with this camera as the AF is built into the camera body. That also means lenses will be cheaper than the lenses with auto focus required by Canon and Nikon.

Not sure what you're getting at here. But ALL AF lenses have by definition a focus motor INSIDE the lens itself. You of course control the AF from a button on the camera body.

Another thing to consider with DSLRs is you are investing in a lens system. The bodies will come and go, especially in this digital age. New ones come out with features that absolutely convince you that the POS you have now is worthless. It's a communist plot to separate us from our money. And it works!

Enjoy your new toy.

Gene

Wind Chaser · « **Reply #12 on:** 27 Dec 2009, 10:25 pm »

Quote from: Goosepond on 27 Dec 2009, 06:20 pm

Quote from: Wind Chaser on 27 Dec 2009, 04:35 am

This is my first DSLR, so I know that means I'm limited to Pentax lenses. But pretty much every lens Pentax ever made is compatible with this camera as the AF is built into the camera body. That also means lenses will be cheaper than the lenses with auto focus required by Canon and Nikon.

Not sure what you're getting at here. But ALL AF lenses have by definition a focus motor INSIDE the lens itself. You of course control the AF from a button on the camera body.

Hi Gene,

The Pentax AF system doesn't require an AF lens to work, because the image stabilization system is built into the body of the camera rather than the lens. This is a more cost effective approach than the lens based AF approach.

Also, lens based AF was designed for film based cameras before the dawn of the DSLR era. Lens based AF is old technology and it works fine, but you have to pay for it every time you buy a new lens. In my mind the Pentax body based AF makes more sense. You pay for it once because the sensor physically moves in inside the camera instead of the lens. This approach makes all previous pentax lenses backwards compatible.

On top of that, dollar for dollar, Pentax lenses are cheaper than the primary competitors (Canon & Nikon). So for anyone just starting out, this is a huge advantage.

Goosepond · « **Reply #13 on:** 27 Dec 2009, 10:53 pm »

Quote from: Wind Chaser on 27 Dec 2009, 10:25 pm

Quote from: Goosepond on 27 Dec 2009, 06:20 pm
Quote from: Wind Chaser on 27 Dec 2009, 04:35 am

This is my first DSLR, so I know that means I'm limited to Pentax lenses. But pretty much every lens Pentax ever made is compatible with this camera as the AF is built into the camera body. That also means lenses will be cheaper than the lenses with auto focus required by Canon and Nikon.

Not sure what you're getting at here. But ALL AF lenses have by definition a focus motor INSIDE the lens itself. You of course control the AF from a button on the camera body.

Hi Gene,

The Pentax AF system doesn't require an AF lens to work, because the image stabilization system is built into the body of the camera rather than the lens. This is a more cost effective approach than the lens based AF approach.

Also, lens based AF was designed for film based cameras before the dawn of the DSLR era. Lens based AF is old technology and it works fine, but you have to pay for it every time you buy a new lens. In my mind the Pentax body based AF makes more sense. You pay for it once because the sensor physically moves in inside the camera instead of the lens. This approach makes all previous pentax lenses backwards compatible.

On top of that, dollar for dollar, Pentax lenses are cheaper than the primary competitors (Canon & Nikon). So for anyone just starting out, this is a huge advantage.

Hi Wind

Sorry, you've got AF mixed up with Image Stabilization (IS as Canon calls it). Two different animals.

Gene

Wind Chaser · « **Reply #14 on:** 28 Dec 2009, 03:25 am »

Quote from: Goosepond on 27 Dec 2009, 10:53 pm

Sorry, you've got AF mixed up with Image Stabilization (IS as Canon calls it). Two different animals.

I guess it's because IS can affect focus I got I got it mixed up with AF.

Time to read that manual. Need absorb a little more information.

SET Man · « **Reply #15 on:** 28 Dec 2009, 05:34 am »

Hey!

Wind, congratulation on your first DSLR.

As for AF and IS. With Pentax DSLR you can you their older MF lenses as well as new lenses since Pentax kept their K-mount the same. Only two companies dose these... Pentax and Nikon. Sadly mine doesn't.

But no big deal all my lenses are AF anyway.

Anyway, for the IS (image stabilization), with the in-body IS the good news is that even your 50mm prime will also be stabilized, or any lens for that matter! As a side note.... it was Minolta (of which sadly no longer making camera but it is now Sony) who came up with this in-body IS, brilliant isn't it!

To answer if IS can affect focus of you camera. The answer is yes it can. But this will likely due to having a bad copy of the body with the IS system out of wack. Sadly to say that this did happened with a few early batch of Sony A700 DSLRs of course it can be fix by the tech

There is a way to check if you got a good copy of the body. By putting a ruler on the side of some corner than put the camera at the same level on an angle. Focus close up on a number, shoot aperture wide open and than check if the focus on spot with the AF system. Actually this is a good for any AF SLR or DLSR.

Of course don't go crazy over it.

Anyway, have fun with your new DLSR

Take care,
Buddy

WerTicus · « **Reply #16 on:** 28 Dec 2009, 06:06 am »

You need to visit this forum really:

http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/

Obviously I think you made a good choice since it was my recommendation in the first place.
Not too surprised what the sales rep recommended though, after all its their commission!

SR IS VR: Canon IS (image stabilisation), Pentax SR for shake reduction, Nikon call it VR for vibration reduction. Canikon put it in their lenses unfortunately. This really has nothing to do with auto focus. However its my understanding that the d5000 does not have an autofocus motor in the body and requires motor driven lenses? This might be what your referring to, but i suspect your really referring to the stabliser, since it does not apply to the canon...

Pentax lenses with autofocus motors inside the lens are not that common, limited to the DA* range and some Sigma HSM lenses. Most use the nosier screw drive.

What people say about the body being disposable and the lenses being the investment is true.
In 1 -1.5 yrs the Kx2 will be out and so on.

Since they don't sell the Kx without the 18-55mm I know you have this lens. Its pretty average.
However the optional 2 lens kit with the 55-300mm lens is really quite a good lens.

Pentax is all about Prime lenses however, they make some of the best prime lenses in the world, which is why you see you tube videos of people mounting FA 31mm limited lenses to their Canon 5d mk2

Some of these limited lenses are 'expensive' but when you look at the price of Canikon lenses you can see they are pretty damn cheap still.

Currently I have the FA 50mm f1.4 as my main lens that does not leave the camera much.
FA 35 f2. Tamron 90mm 2.8 macro and the 55-300mm kit

I'm looking at adding the FA31mm limited because its supposed to be one of the best lenses ever made for any camera, the DA 70mm. Sigma 10-20mm. And DA*200 or 300mm.

Wind Chaser · « **Reply #17 on:** 28 Dec 2009, 12:51 pm »

I admit being very green and in over my head here. My only experience with SLR cameras dates back to 1979 when I shot and processed a roll of slides with a Pentax ME. One of the daily newspapers in the city where I lived was building a new modern facility complete with the largest offset presses in Canada at the time. The slides turned out very nice, especially given the limited amount of light inside a construction zone. I remember the shutter being open for almost a whole minute. Don’t recall the aperture but given the enormous size of those huge yellow presses, the slides were very bright and completely in focus with lots of detail and depth of field. I’m guessing the aperture was somewhere between F8 and F11 on ASA 200 film… Anyhow, some of the slides were good enough to be used in TV news slot. Wish I had kept them.

I find all the modern digital versions of the SLR camera kind of intimidating. From my current perspective there’s a real learning curve. For the sake of simplicity, I’d prefer a point a shoot, however I think the small sensor and tiny lenses in P&S cameras are too limiting for the quality I am after.

Besides, the price of cameras has really come down. 5 years ago I paid more for a Nikon 5 mega pixel P&S than what the Pentax K-x cost. So to me, this is a no brainner, accept for the learning required to use it well.

Two things about the Nikon D-5000 I really liked was the swivel and tilt viewfinder. I wish the K-x had that feature. Also, the Nikon was way quicker with the AF in live view than both the Pentax K-x and the Canon T1i / 500D. So the Nikon was my second choice.

Thanks for the link to the Pentax forums. I'll probaly be spending more time there than here. It looks like a great place to learn but I’ll defer from posting until I feel I’m a step up from being a total idiot.

I’m not worried about the camera being antiquated any time soon. I’m sure it’s a serious step up from my 5 year old Nikon P&S. I did get the DA 55-300mm. Between that and the stock lens I should be good for a while.

Thanks everyone for all the help and explanations. I won’t be going pro but I do hope to start taking some half decent shots somewhere in the near future.

nathanm · « **Reply #18 on:** 28 Dec 2009, 09:41 pm »

Half decent shots are fine, but if you take any indecent ones make sure to tag them with NSFW.

Wind Chaser · « **Reply #19 on:** 29 Dec 2009, 12:37 am »

I don't think any of my diverse indecent shots would appeal to even the most die hard NSFW fan.

What really blows me away about this camera is the quality of picture it can take even at ISO 3200!

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentaxkx/page15.asp

To really appreciate this it is helpful to calibrate your monitor with the greyscale at the bottom of this page...

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentaxkx/