My Personal Pentax Lens Buying Road Map. What's yours?

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Hi Pentaxian friends.

Lately I have been thinking about how much investment I have in Pentax glass. If I were to re-purchase all the Pentax lenses I currently own, at the manufacturer's suggested price, I would be approaching the $10,000 mark. It hit me like a freight train. Then, because I own these lenses, I have filters in all sizes, lens cases, lens caps, hoods, etc. Do I need all these lenses? I don't really think so. I'm beyond the Lens Buying Addiction (LBA) syndrome, I'm more in the Obscene Lens Buying Addiction (OLBA) syndrome. It's got to stop!

I decided to come down to planet earth and eliminate (sell) the lenses I really don't need. I would like to cover focal lengths from 15mm (in 35mm format) to 300mm (in 35mm format). I would like to have one set of zoom lenses covering these focal lengths and overlapping a little, with a common filter size of 77mm. Then, I would like to have all of the the present and future Pentax DA Limited lenses as prime lenses, but they must all have 49mm filter sizes. I can hear you from here saying "you can buy adapters so that the larger filter sizes can fit on all smaller lenses as well". That may be true, but today's lenses do not have filter threaded lens hoods and using a filter adapter means you cannot use the hoods supplied with your lenses.

I know that zoom lenses cannot be as good as primes, at least theoretically, but today's worst zoom lenses are better than the best prime lenses of yesteryear's. So for my usual photographic endeavors, local shoots, planned field trips, I'm quite okay with zoom lenses. For one thing, using zoom lenses means you don't have to change lenses so often and when shooting in dusty and windy outdoor locations, the less lens changing the better. For these occasions, I always bring at least two bodies, with zoom lenses attached; one from wide-angle to normal and one from normal to medium telephoto.

When traveling, I bring either the K200D or the K2000 with prime lenses. They are all made with more metal parts and the glass is probably the best, in optical properties, that Pentax produces. The primes are good for portraiture and most have excellent bokeh on account of a combination of more diaphragm blades, larger maximum aperture, and the quality of the glass. Their small sizes and the small DSLRs makes them ideal for traveling or street photography.

Here is my personal Lens Buying Road Map, using what's currently available or scheduled as per Pentax's own Lens Development Roadmap.

Zoom Lenses

smc PENTAX DA 10-17mm F3.5-4.5 ED (IF) Fish-Eye Currently own (No filters required).

smc PENTAX DA 12-24mm F4.0 ED AL (IF) Need to purchase.

smc PENTAX DA Star 16-50mm F2.8 ED AL (IF) SDM Currently own.

smc PENTAX DA Star 50-135mm F2.8 ED (IF) SDM Will not purchase as the filter size is 67mm.

smc PENTAX DA Star 60-250mm F4 ED (IF) SDM Would love to have but filter size is 67mm. Will not purchase.

** For now, the Pentax DA 50-200mm lens I already own will bridge the gap between my DA* 16-50mm and the DA* 200mm. When and if Pentax introduces a new 50-200 with a filter size of 77mm, I will get one, otherwise, I might have to get a Sigma or Tamron. I would like to stay with Pentax lenses only. In simplifying my approach, I decided on 49mm and 77mm filter threads only. I use ND and CPL filters only, but they are an important tool that can make or break the results.

Prime Lenses

smc PENTAX DA Star 200mm F2.8 ED (IF) SDM Currently own - Not a zoom lenses but the filter size is 77mm.

smc PENTAX DA Star 300mm F4 ED(IF) SDM Currently own - Not a zoom lenses but the filter size is 77mm.

smc PENTAX DA 21mm F3.2 AL Limited Need to purchase.

smc PENTAX DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Limited Will be buying next.

smc PENTAX DA 40mm F2.8 Limited Own, however, the focal length may be too close to the 35mm for still needing this lens. Might sell it.

smc PENTAX DA 70mm F2.4 Limited Currently own.

smc PENTAX DA 15mm F4 EDAL Limited Will purchase when it becomes available. I will love this lens!

DA 1.4 Rear Converter SDM - Will purchase when available.

As for my twenty something other lenses, I will sell them and spend some of the money on the new lenses listed above, that I don't own, and I will put the rest in the bank. I don't think that I will even keep my faithful FA 50mm f/1.4, or DA 16-45mm, and a whole list of FA and FA* lenses.

Pentax will probably introduce a 400mm and maybe a 600mm at one point, but that was always beyond my reach and will probably stay that way.

That's my Pentax Lens Buying Road Map. What's yours?

Thank you for reading,

Download the latest Pentax Lens Roadmap here.

Yvon Bourque

Pentax K2000 given a "Recommended" by DPReview.

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Hi Pentaxian friends.

DPReview has reviewed the Pentax k2000. They gave it a "Recommended". In my opinion, they reviewed an entry-level DSLR on a professional photographer's point of view. DPReview's reviews are a wee bit too technical to begin with for an entry-level photographer. Why not review the entry-level cameras using entry-level photographers opinions? Anyway, the conclusion and the entire review can be read on DPReview's site. Review


Overall conclusion

The entry-level DSLR sector has become argue ably the hardest-fought camera sector over the past year. Reduced-spec, cheaper DSLRs have appeared from all the major camera companies, looking to tempt compact camera users across to the 'will it fit in my pocket?' divide. Pentax has responded to this with the K2000/K-m. In most respects it's a smaller, friendlier K200D with a little less mass and a little more mass-appeal...

Cameratown to Give Away Pentax K20D Digital SLR Outfit this Weekend - Enter Today!

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Hi Pentaxian friends.

I found this giveway this morning. Maybe you want to enter to win a Pentax K20D.

Cameratown to Give Away Pentax K20D Digital SLR Outfit this Weekend - Enter Today!


If you haven't signed up yet for the free Cameratown 5th Year Celebration Giveaway, you are missing out on the chance to win some great photography gear. This weekend Cameratown will be giving away the new Pentax K20D, a 14-Megapixel Digital SLR Outfit with 18-55mm lens, integrated shake reduction, and Pentax Sling Bag - and that winner could be you! Once entered, you'll be eligible to win great prizes throughout the year from Lensbaby, Think Tank Photo, M-Rock, Pentax, and others.

Here's how to enter. Contest. Enter today as I believe it's the last day. If it's too late for the K20D, there are tons of prices to be awarded in the coming weeks and months.

Thanks for visiting,

Yvon Bourque

Exploded view drawings of the K20D. As seen on Pentax Forums and Photo-Net

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Hi Pentaxian friends.

In surfing the various Pentax blogs today, I found the above exploded view drawings of the K20D. If you haven't seen it, here is is: You can also download the PDF file here - PDF file of K20D. (Lindy Stone - Photo.net & odgc8 - Pentax Forums).

Isn't that cool?

Thank you for reading,

Yvon Bourque

I have the K20D, the K200D and the K2000, and yet I purchased the Optio W60. Why?

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Hi Pentaxian friends.

I am very fortunate to own the top three Pentax DSLSs currently on the market. The K20D, the K200D and the K2000, all excellent DSLRs, but all three are missing some attributes that the Pentax Optio W60 has.

1. Portability:

It's easy to see why the Optio W60 is more portable. I wish I had a dime for each time I missed a photographic opportunity just because I didn't have a camera with me. I love my Pentax DSLRs, and I keep one in the car, but I'm not always in my car. The Optio W60 has found it's new home... in my shirt pocket. Never again will I miss an opportunity.

2. Waterproofing, not just dust and humidity resistance

Did you know that the Optio W60 can be submerged in water down to 13 feet feet for up to two hours at a time? It is protected from rain and spills, and can capture underwater photo and video. The W60 is coldproof to sub-zero temperatures as well.

3. HD movie capture

The W60 can capture movies in wide-screen 720p (1280 x 720) at 15 FPS.

4. Super macro mode

Close focusing, Super Macro mode brings out the details in even the smallest subjects as close as 1 cm. That's great as it is so difficult to take macro shots with the DSLRs. The depth of field is shallow and there is so very little room for the focus to work with.

Compact digital cameras have an incidental advantage in macro photography due to their inherently further working distance. Since depth of field appears to decrease with the actual focal length of the lens, these compact cameras can achieve the magnification with greater depth of field.

5. Price

The W60 is cheaper than any of it's big brothers, the Pentax DSLRs. The water and dust proof lens has a 35mm equivalent of 28 - 140mm. That covers about 90% of all situations.

Of course I cannot achieve the bokeh of a DSLR with a fast lens, but it stays with me all the time, in my shirt pocket. I have been forbidden, by my wife, to keep the W60 in my pyjamas' pocket! It will certainly not compete with the image quality of the DSLRs but at 10MP, with the small sensor, it can produce acceptable results.

The Optio W60 fills a void in my daily photographic endeavors. I will always have a camera to shoot whatever happens, whenever it happens and wherever I am. My Pentax DSLRs are used when I specifically go on a photo shoot and since one is always in my car, I can get it for serious photography.

I will post some pictures taken with the W60 in the next few days. You know, CNN is always looking for good videos or pictures of important events and news. Who knows what will happen in front of my eyes! I might become a star or instant reporter.

Thank you for reading,

Yvon Bourque

Time flies whether you're having fun or not. PMA 2009 is on the horizon.

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Hi Pentaxian friends.

Time flies whether you're having fun or not. One year has almost passed since the PMA 2008 International Convention and Trade Show. Last year's show was running from January 31 through February 2. This year's show is a bit later and will take place on March 3-5,2009. Thirteen months will have passed between the two gigantic photographic events.

Will we see a lot of new DSLRs and equipment, or will the global recession be felt there too? About this time every year, the Internet forums are full of predictions, rumors and wish lists from photographers around the world. Soon, all eyes will be on the PMA 2009.

Pentax will be there, but I have not heard of any new DLSR being introduced at the show this year. The K2000 and the White K2000 are the most recent additions to the Pentax arsenal. I read most of the Pentax forums from all regions of the world and it seems that Pentaxians are hoping to see the introduction of a K30D, which would be Full Frame. Some are still hoping that the Medium Format Pentax D645 will be resurrected. For a while, there were rumors of a Pentax K20D with built-in GPS.

It's hard to predict what will happen this year, as the market is already saturated with DSLRs, while the global economy is continuing to spiral downward. There are no photographic "Stimulus Packages" and should any of the DSLR companies fold, there won't be any Government bailout.

I will attend the PMA this year, as I did last year. I will spend a fair amount of time at the Pentax booth and will report nightly on everything Pentax or anything that Pentaxians can use with their Pentax DSLRs, right here on this blog. If you plan to attend, let me know. It would be nice to say "Hi" and shake hands.

The following photo is from last year's show. It was pretty exciting with the K20D, the K200D, the DA* 200mm and the DA* 300mm. Wouldn't it be nice for Pentax to unveil something extraordinary at the show? You never what Pentax engineers have up their sleeves.



Thanks for reading,

Yvon Bourque

Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 to be Offered with in-Lens Stabilisation in Pentax Mount

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by Miserere

Sigma will release its new 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 lens on March 10, 2009. After the success of the Tamron and Pentax 18-250mm lenses, Sigma will have a tough time catching up. Or maybe not. It seems Sigma have an ace up their sleeve, as according to PopPhoto the Pentax and Sony mounts of the lens will offer the same in-lens optical stabilisation that up until now they only offered on the Canon, Nikon and Sigma mounts. It will also feature HSM focusing.

With all these goodies it looks like it will be a serious contender in the super-zoom market, especially for Pentax users.

As it's not currently possible for both stabilisation systems to work in synchronicity (that would require extra communication between the lens and body, and new firmware for the camera), I assume it will be up to the user to decide when they want to use Pentax's in-body SR (e.g., focal lengths below 100mm) and when Sigma's in-lens OS (e.g., focal lengths above 100mm). I hope this becomes a trend for Sigma, as it gives us Pentaxians further advantage over brands with non-stabilised camera bodies.

Be excessively creative, why not!

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Hi Pentaxian friends.

You don't have to be so serious all the time. It's great to take good pictures, but once in a while, let your imagination run wild and create something that would be impossible to capture in the real world. Combine several of your pictures using your favorite post processing software. Just cut and paste images from some of the photos you have. Create an impossible scene. You might be surprised with what you can come up with and create an image that someone will hang on their wall.

Nobody will accuse you of trying to fake your image, it will definitely show, and that's the point. As an artist, you have full control of your creativity. Painters often dream up their creations. You can do the same, except that instead of using paint, you use images and software. (I use the low cost Photoshop Elements for mine) These are the tools of this century.

The fake scenes below took me a total of 10 minutes to create. I will be the first to admit that they aren't all that great, but I just wanted to make a point. If you spend more time creating your imaginary scene, from portions of the pictures you already have, you can come up with something very interesting and beautiful indeed. A DSLR is a creative tool, go ahead and be creative. What the heck, be excessively creative. I'm sure that someone will like your creations. You might even discover a new talent you didn't know you had.

Thanks you for reading,

Yvon Bourque

DSLR Photography lessons - Lesson 3. Depth of Field / Hyperfocal Distance.

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Hi Pentaxian friends.

Previous lessons: Lesson 1, Lesson 2

Lesson 3 - Depth of Field / Hyperfocal Distance

Depth of Field

The depth of field is the measurement at which subjects, located at various distances from the DSLR, are in focus. Depth of field changes each time you change the aperture. The lens' focal length also affect the depth of field. A telephoto has a shallower depth of field than a wide-angle lens. Assuming that you are using a 50mm lens with a maximum aperture of f/1.4 and a minimum aperture of f/22, using the larger aperture (f/1.4) would give you the minimum depth of field. In other words, the area before and after your focusing point would be shallow. Look at the photo below:

Using the small aperture such as f/22, would give you the maximum depth of field. In other words, the area before and after your focusing point would seem in focus from near the camera to near infinity. Look at the photo below:

On modern DSLR cameras, when you compose your picture looking through the viewfinder, the lens' aperture is always opened to the maximum. To get a peek at what the final picture will really look like, most DSLRs have a depth of field preview button. Some even have a choice of giving an optical preview (in the viewfinder) or previewing the image on the LCD monitor. When using the optical preview, the smaller the aperture (less light in) the darker the preview. The preview is primarily to check the depth of field. However, if your camera is equipped with previewing on the LCD monitor, the image will appear as it would if you press the shutter release button.

Does shooting at the smallest aperture render a sharp image from the foreground to infinity? The answer is: Not necessarily.

Hyperfocal distance

On most lenses, even modern auto focus lenses, a distance scale shows the distance at which the lens is focused. Using a lens focused at infinity and at a small aperture, f/16 for instance, will render a sharp image of far away subjects but the sharpness of the foreground might not be optimum. Depending on the lens' focal length, the closest focused distance of the lens may be 10 or 20 feet away. This is when you want to take advantage of the hyperfocal distance of your lens. The hyperfocal distance of a lens is defined as follow: The closest distance at which a lens can be focused while keeping objects at infinity acceptably sharp; that is, the focus distance with the maximum depth of field. Take a look and download this free Hyperfocal distance chart from DOFMaster.com

http://www.dofmaster.com/charts.html

When the lens is focused at this distance, all objects from half of the hyperfocal distance out to near infinity will be acceptably sharp.

For example, using the downloaded chart above, the hyperfocal distance of the Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4 lens used on your K20D and set at f/16, would be 17 feet. To take advantage of the maximum depth of field available with this lens, manually focusing at a distance would assure a sharp image from 8.5 feet (half the hyperfocal distance) to near infinity. Try it, it really works. I'm not making this up!

Hyperfocal distance shooting is mostly used with wide-angle lenses to about 100mm lenses. Lenses with longer focal lengths have a depth of field too shallow to produce acceptable sharpness from the foreground to infinity.

It is commonly used for street photography, as you want to take your picture as quick as possible. You simply set your aperture (as small as light permits), focus your lens manually at the hyperfocal distance, and make sure your subject is within half the hyperfocal distance to infinity. Using a 50mm lens at f/16, your subject would have to be from 8.5 feet to infinity, to be sharp.

Download this depth of field chart from the same source

http://www.dofmaster.com/doftable.html

With it, you can check what the closest and farthest depth of field is for any lens at any aperture. If you look at the comments below, you can see that the Circle of Confusion (CoC) affects the depth of field. If you like formulas, you can immerse yourself in the calculations as shown on the following site.

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/articles/DoFinDepth.pdf

However, it is far more practical to find the hyperfocal distance from the chart above and then use the depth of field preview button to test the actual depth of field. Or you can always try a test shot as digital photos cost nothing and you can erase it from the card.

Thanks for reading,

Yvon Bourque

The brick and mortar Camera Stores are out, the On-line Stores are in.

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Hi Pentaxian friends.

A few days ago, while I was logged on a Pentax forum, I came across an article that was talking about UK's Jessops camera store that has recently dropped Pentax. Someone else posed the question as to what if Pentax actually dropped them instead. It goes on to talk about how Pentax has gotten rid of most of the sales reps and how Pentax is leaning toward Internet sales, advertisement and communications.

You can check Jessops, I couldn't see any Pentax Equipment for sale.

I couldn't resist posting the following reply on the forum.

Here is a possible scenario about what might be going on. Remember that this is just my opinion and does not reflect the Pentax's opinion.

I think Pentax's approach is a sign of things to come. Time will tell. I can't remember the last time I purchase something big from a brick and mortar store. I usually purchase small stuff and try their cameras and lenses to get a feel, then turn around and buy online. It's my money and I spend it carefully.

I believe that it's true that Pentax got rid of most of their sales reps, as I read that on several forums. Unfortunately, sales reps really don't do much in this day and age but decreasing the profits. There are camera stores that don't want to change and keep up with technology, and stay the way they always were. There are those stores that follow technology and utilize all of the modern approaches. The ones that follow technology may already have a brick and mortar store, but also sell through EBay or on their own websites. i.e. B&H, Adorama, Cameta Camera, Henry's in Canada, and many more. Those are the stores that will survive.

Pentax did initiate the Pentax Photo Gallery which is an on-line album.

You don't need the advises of so called "camera experts" in brick and mortar stores anymore. They usually push the brand they like and let's face it, the real experts are out in the world making a living with their photographic skills. The Internet provides all the information one would need.

The idea of selling advance amateur and Pro-cameras at Best Buy, Circuit City, Wall mart, Costco, and other general stores diminishes the value of DSLRs brands, in my opinion. If Pentax can continue surviving while this transition takes place, they will be the biggest winners. The reason Canon and Nikon are ahead is:

* First, they switched to DSLR about 3 or 4 years before Pentax.
* Second, since they had time to capture most of the market, their advertising budget is big. The more one advertises the more one sells, and the more one sells the more money one has for advertisement. It's the old chicken and the egg syndrome.

Pentax has to pierce deeper into the current market and I think going toward the Internet is the future, but timing is everything. If they are too early, they might loose. If they are too late they might loose. If the timing is just right, they will recapture the position and glory they once enjoyed. There are no question that they make good products. Ask Michael Dell if he was wrong in making Dell computers available mostly through the Internet? We all know the asnwer to that!

Thank you for reading,

Yvon Bourque

One way to take better pictures.

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Hi Pentaxian friends.

Photography books and magazines are full of tips to make or take better photos. While they are probably usefull most of the time, here's a way that I use to achieve the photos that I want... most of the time.

Assuming that you know your camera and equipment, the rest is a matter of composition. There are the rules of third, the back lighting, selective focusing, fill flash, etc, all of which are technical. I go by one very simple rule.

Before I actually press the shutter, I ask myself; what is that picture going to be about ? Then I name my picture in my head and work hard to convey that to the viewers. It's as simple as that. A picture is not necessarily about technical perfection. A picture should convey a message. By naming your picture ahead of pressing the shutter, chances are that the viewers will get the message. If you do your part right, your pictures might even be worth a thousand words. It doesn't always work, but the chances of getting your message across with your pictures are better.

You can check-out any time you like,But you can never leave!'

Are you "twaking" to me?

Out with the old, in with the new.

Will you still love me...when I'm sixty-four?

Thank you for reading,
Yvon Bourque

Sweet White Pentax K2000 DSLR Kit Available

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Hi Pentaxian friends.

I know that every website has announced the availability of the white K2000, but I just wanted to point out I4U NEWS rendition of the announcement.

http://www.i4u.com/article22834.html

Head to Head: Nikon D60 vs. Pentax K2000

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Hi Pentaxian friends.

The Pentax K2000 and the Nikon D60 were compared by Digital Camera Review and they found that the K2000 was a better camera in most categories. Read all about it here:
http://www.digitalcamerareview.com/default.asp?newsID=3860

Nikon D60, ISO 3200, 100% crop above, Pentax K2000, ISO 3200, 100% crop below

It's amazing that the K2000 / Km DSLR has created more buzz in the industry than previous Pentax models. I assume that the entry-level market is the fastest growing section of photography. Go Pentax!

Thank you for reading,

Yvon Bourque

Pentax postponed the launch of DA Star 55mm F1.4 SDM to February

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Hi Pentaxian friends.

Pentax postponed the launch of DA Star 55mm F1.4 SDM to February

A visit to Southern California. Pictured with Pentax DSLRs.

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Hi Pentaxian friends,

Technology is so great. One of my daughter and her boyfriend visited us last week from the East Coast, Maryland to be precise, and I was able to take most of the week off. I knew I wouldn’t have time to write new articles everyday so I wrote them in advance and scheduled them to appear everyday just a little after midnight. Thanks to Justin Serpico, Alain Dumas and Miserere, who also wrote articles, it was even easier to take a break. I carry a laptop and I was able to answer my emails, and post the comments received.

My wife and I live in Southern California, and while they were here, we had a chance to visit the area. We spent some time in Pasadena, Palm Springs and Los Angeles. Some of the highlights of their stay were visiting a small Ghost Town named Calico, Joshua Tree National Park and Palm Springs. Here are some pictures taken with my Pentax DSLRs, some with the K20D, some with the K200D and some taken by my wife with her K2000:

That's me with my daughter as photographed by my wife. Apparently she looks like me!

My wife Anne with Marisa


Marisa and Matthew

Calico General Store

Calico typical door

Calico School room

Palm Springs sunset

Joshua Tree

Joshua Tree Campsite

Daughter's silouhette

No, we didn't camp there, but wish we would have.

One week is not a long time and before we knew it, it was time for them to fly back. We had a great time and every so often, I think of how hard it is to live all across the Country. My wife and I both have children and grandchildren from previous marriage, and they reside all over the USA. They are in Florida, Maryland, California, Nevada and Washington State. None of them lives close enough for a day trip. Again, thanks to technology, we can communicate over the internet, cell phones and even see each other while chatting on the computer. We can leave text messages on cell phones and send pictures or even videos as things happen. It still does not replace a personal visit, but it’s a far cry from the way it was just a hundred years ago. Back then, moving to another State meant that chances were you wouldn’t see your loved ones in this world again.

Marisa and Matthew, we had a great time while you were here.

Thank you for reading,
Yvon Bourque

How does our eyes see compared to what a camera see?

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Hi Pentaxian friends.

I found this to be a very interesting article on the B and H Photo. It's very informative. Take a look.

Thanks for visiting,

Yvon Bourque

New Site for the K2000/K-m

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by Miserere


Pentax has launched a site exclusively for its new K2000/K-m:


The site showcases the K2000/K-m's capabilities, and a whole lot more.


News

This section is self-explanatory I think :-)


Features

This section highlights the strengths (small size and weight, easy to use controls and menus, great picture quality, etc.) of the camera. I couldn't get over how sexy this camera looks with a DA 40mm f/2.8 Ltd mounted on it:


Together with a DA 21mm f/3.2 they would make a great street photography team.


Designer's story

You should read the stories of how the camera came to be, as told by 5 of the engineers that worked on it. Interesting stuff!


Sample photos

There are 80 sample photos (so far) organized into pages. On the last page (which are the oldest photos) the thumbnails show the photos as they would look straight out of the camera; if you click on a thumbnail you get a larger version of the photo with a digital filter from the K2000/K-m applied to it. Unfortunately, they don't tell you which particular filter was used in each case. Here are some examples I liked:

On the other pages there are sample images taken with a variety of Pentax lenses, each of which is noted under the thumbnail. Some also have on-camera filters applied to them, which this time are indicated. This seems like a growing site so maybe they'll get around to tagging all the photos with the appropriate information.


To begin with

This section is a step-by-step tutorial on how to get started with the camera. If you've just bought a K2000/K-m and it's your first DSLR, this is the place for you! There is a video of each step to help you along (you can find all these videos on YouTube here).




♥ Report

It seems like they gave the camera to 3 female Pentax employees to use and then asked for their views. In this sections you can read the opinions of Hal Coco and Sora, and see pictures they took.

Now you know what's there, why don't you check it out for yourself!

Are Pentax DSLRs for the birds?

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Hi Pentaxian friends.

Today, I'm introducing Alain Dumas. He does a lot of bird photography and thought some of you would find this article interesting. Welcome him with comments and emails.

I am a Pentaxian! A Birding one! I just love birds, they are lively and fun to observe. For over 15 years I was birding, then I decided that maybe I could try taking pictures as a reminder of those fragile friends. After 30 years of film I jumped to Digital. I got a K100D Super because of its features, anti-shake and dust protection. I got great results but, I guess like many, I jumped in the megapixel war and I finally got the K20D. I am not looking back, now it’s time to take pictures. Do I have a dream Lens? You bet; Pentax smc P-FA 250-600mm F5.6 ED [IF] Since I live in Montréal, Canada, there are a lot of parks, wooden areas and shores to visit, it is quite normal that I take a the time to get information from different local birding sites ,other birders and photographers. I do find that most urban parks are easily accessible and offers a great variety of animals including different types of squirrels and even the local fox and sometimes the raccoon and deers.



Birding is one thing but any wildlife is interesting to shoot. Like the birds you have to be opportunistic, you take what you can without disturbing their surroundings. Itis fun to interact, but do not scare them to the point where they won’t come back. Each season brings different opportunities to get great shots, even in the rain...after all Pentax cameras are tropicalized!

I like to get prepared in advance for the day of shooting. I like to know what I am going to shoot, small or large birds or a combination of both. If I am going in small wooden area I do not not carry my tripod, it’s too cumbersome. The incoming weather is very important so I can dress accordingly. You need to be free flowing in your clothes otherwise it might cause you to lose a great shot, especially in winter time. I like to start shooting at around 8:00 am, when there are not to many people and when birds are hungry and active. If possible I try to visit a couple of places in one day, so planning the route is important and if one shoot is taking too much of my time at one place I can stay longer and wait for the action. I enjoy fresh air and the company of other people doing the same. If the park is large, I bring a substantial lunch and lots of water. Sometimes the birds gets interested in your lunch, so watch out, you never know who is going to steal a piece food from your hand!

I do like to shoot using a tripod, most of the time. It gives more chances to get sharper pictures even with the Pentax stabilization system. I shoot mainly with the Bigma 90% of the time, the remaining time I use the Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG MACRO. My other lenses are not for wildlife and I am aware of it.

When composing for birds, it is important to get one of the eye looking at you and it has to be in perfect focus. If not it diminishes the impact of the picture, sometimes to the point you wonder why you pressed the shutter. Sometimes you need to go low on the ground, water birds that are close to you implies that you need to get flat bellied. I know we go through a lot detergent in my house and my wife says that I am like a five years old kid. If I can’t get the bird to look at me at will go for the posture, his interaction with his environment like fishing, feeding, hunting, taking care of his young’s, cleaning himself or just resting with his mate. Again composition is important. I want tofill the frame and not waste pixels on empty space or unwanted artifacts. It's not always possible, but the times you can you have better chances of getting a great pictures.

When photographing waterfowls at their level, it seems that they are as curious about you as you are of them. I also like to go where it is permitted to feed birds. You can be an observer for a while and then get a nice position and be rewarded with nice shots. Sudden moves and gestures makes them fly away, so do not raise your arms suddenly. I try to take my time to frame properly, no branches in front or behind the bird but sometimes you just can’t avoid it. I also try to avoid various shadows caused by the branches and trees that would make the bird look like it has stripes on his plumage. Even if a bird is in the shadow, my K20D can deal with it, I always overexpose, 1/3 to 2/3 of a stop. Why? It is the best way to avoid noise.

I know the limitation of my brain. I prefer to let my DSLRs make decisions for me, so no manual mode for me. Most of my shots are taken while using the Program Mode. If the light is varying I use Sv (Sensitivity Mode) and choose the Aperture or Speed. Sometimes I shoot at ISO 100 only, sometimes at ISO 100-200 ans sometimes 200-1600 with D-Range activated. It all depends of the available light. I am not afraid of letting the camera make decisions for me, that’s why I use advanced Pentax DSLRs. I do not use noise reduction and it works good for me.

In my opinion, underexposing to keep colors and contrast produces more noise in the dark and shadow areas. It is very easy and fast to correct a photo in Lightroom or other software when it is overexposed, the reverse is not that easy. I always shoot RAW/PEF. That’s a personal preference, I just feel that my pictures have a more natural look to it. I am a trigger happy shooter, and sometimes I think that my index finger is glued to the shutter button. You know that it is cheap to take pictures in digital format, only the ones that you print cost something. In the first 6 months with my K100D Super, I took 15,000 pictures. In two months with the K20D I took 10,000 pictures. Not all are useable but yes I have the choice. I still see people taking one shot at the time, why? Ansell Adams said that he only took 1 good shot out of every 36 or so. So I am very happy when I get 10 or more great photos in a day. A few days ago I was shooting a Saw-whet Owl, I took a little over 900 shots, I got over 100 great keepers, I am still in heaven.

I piece of equipment that people rarely use and talk about is the flash. Pentax makes great ones. The more I use it the better the pictures are coming out. I try to avoid shadowy areas but nature decides where to go, not me. So I make the most of it and practice more and more, I re-read manuals, read on the Net and try again. Remember no flash bulb to replace like the old 124 or Polaroid! I use the AF-360-FGZ and AF-540FGZ. The 540 is my Better Beamer. For birds that are far and away or in a very shadowy corner, the Beamer is great. Be careful as in some cases it can increase the output from 2 to 5 times, so you need to test it out and not on birds, you might temporarily blind them.

I also like to develop my pictures so they look the most natural possible, not oversaturated, not oversharpened. Often I take a look at various sites and magazines and it just baffles me the way some photos look. It as to please the eye, not strain it. I’ve never seen a neon red Cardinal! A Mallard Duck does not carry radiation molecules in his plumage so his head shouldn’t glow!

Other issues to consider is that you have to know your equipment. Read the instruction manuals. I do, many times over. Read magazines and subscribe to them if you like them a lot. I must say that I rarely read general photography magazines, they don’t provide enough know how and I feel that they are more like a manufacturer’s giant showcase. I subscribe and or purchase: Nature Photographer, Mastering Digital Photo Processing, Photo Techniques and Outdoor Photography Canada. I read excellent Blogs like this one. Yvon’s blog is so informative that anyone, Pentaxians or not, are missing fine and useful tips and information if not visiting his page on a regular basis. I like instruction manuals, so I bought Yvon’s K20D book. Tell me where you can find, PDF or not, such a great deal of knowledge, well written, useable information for $5? Anyone reading this and using a Pentax must have one of his books, I enjoyed it and found very useful information that I put to use immediately the very same day I got the book! So l go out there and start enjoying photography, don’t be shy, learn and practice.

I would like to thank Yvon for inviting me to transmit my love and passion for photography, the Pentax way.

Now I know how a true Pentaxian feels, IT’S GREAT!


Thank you and have a great day!
Merci et Bonne Journée!


Alain Dumas