Pentax K-x need advice and help with extras I got with it

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Toon49

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Just got a pentax K-X from ebay and it's my first dslr! I don't have the manual so I'll probably download it unless anyone has a spare one as would have preffered a paper copy haha.

Anyway does anyone have any tips on using this camera? It came with 2 lenses and a macro UV filter, I'm not too sure what this does so any help is appreciated?
I also got something which I don't think was mentioned on the sale it looks like it attaches to the lens before the lens attaches to the camera if that makes sense, it's like a black hollow tube that looks a little like a lens but isn't does anyone know what this is from my terrible description?
I also got a remote with it which I presume is for taking a picture without holding the camera? Just wondering what the uses for this are.

Thanks in advance and sorry for the stupid questions I'm new to photography so all this new equipment is confusing! (it's second hand and I got all of the stuff and 2 lenses for a just a bit more than most body onlys so I didn't just buy random stuff and not know what it was haha)
 
The hollow tube sounds like an extension tube, which fits between the lens and the camera and enables you to get closer that the normal focal range of the lens (as it lengthens the distance from the sensor). Its used for macro photography.

The remote would be used for when you are using a slow shutter speed, when you want to minimise the vibrations to prevent camera shake (these are magnified hugely with slow shutter speeds, so even just pushing the button could throw the whole photo off).

Hth.x
 
Ah thanks that makes sense so would I use that extension tube and the filter which says macro on at the same time?
I'm sure the remote will come in very useful when I learn to use slow shutter speeds :)
 
The tube will give you a better quality macro than the macro filter, so I wouldn't use them at the same time. Depending on the details of the macro tube, you may need to use the camera in manual mode. If you post a picture of both ends of the macro tube, then we can let you know.
 
Great I will post a picture at the weekend as really busy with university the rest of this week! Seems the extras I got with it will be useful for my as I enjoy shooting landscapes, sunsets and macro best!
 
Sorry for the delay been really busy recently. So this is what I have I would appreciate any advise on how to use them, thanks!

 
The extension tube looks like a manual one as I cannot see any electrical contacts to connect the lens to the camera so it will be manual focus and exposure. There are actually 3 tubes there by the looks of it which can be split apart, you can then use 1,2 or all 3 of them to get different magnifications.
The filter is actually 5 filters screwed together in a stack for ease of posting/storage. There are 3 close up filters, a UV filter and 1 where I cannot see the markings :)
All the filters just screw on the non-camera end of the lens.
The UV filter is not needed on a digital camera to block UV rays as digital cameras have a UV filter built in, many people use one simply as protection for the front elements of the lens.
Most people fall into 1 of 4 groups re: UV filters.
1. They never ever use one, they normally add "why put a cheap piece of glass on a £1000 lens" and comment on image quality etc. They can cause problems depending, normally, on the direction and quality of the light. Cheap ones can cause quality issues all the time.
2. They always use one to protect the lens from damage.
3. They put one on when the conditions need it i.e. dusty, sandy or sticky fingers!
4. They keep one on but take it off when not needed. It then acts as a protection backup if the lens cap comes off and ensures that it is there if you do need it.
The close up filters allow you to get closer to the subject and therefor give you more magnification, similar to the tubes. You can stack these on the lens to get more magnification but with too many stacked you may find that you get vignetting ( darkening at the edges as the length of the filters intrude into the view)
The best way to see how good/bad/useful they are is to have a play.
Have fun:)
 
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Ah that makes sense I was thinking the old camera I had came with a few filters and they were't thick! Told you I was a total newbie! Definitely going to have a play and see how it goes!
 
I just saw this update! Until you get used to the camera I wouldn't bother trying the extension tubes - they look like cheap ones and I can see two or three potential issues with getting them working. The K-X is an excellent camera, so you'll have lots to have fun with without needing to worry about extension tubes!

Best of luck with it, and don't forget to post some of your pics!
 
Thank you and I'm definitly just going to use it normally at first maybe in the future I can try something else!
I'll definitely be posting some pictures when I get some taken (haven't had much time to use it since i got it!)
 
They were both pentax (I presume the twin kit lens) 50mm-200mm and 18mm-55mm
To be honest I don't understand much about lenses yet, I get that obviously 200mm is more zoomed that 55mm the lower the wider the angle but what advantage are the lenses which cost like £400? Just the quality or is there something different?
 
Toon49 said:
They were both pentax (I presume the twin kit lens) 50mm-200mm and 18mm-55mm
To be honest I don't understand much about lenses yet, I get that obviously 200mm is more zoomed that 55mm the lower the wider the angle but what advantage are the lenses which cost like £400? Just the quality or is there something different?
Click to expand...


Quality and speed.
 
Sorry for the stupid question but what do you mean by speed? (I won't be buying anymore lenses until I've got used to my camera but it'll be nice to know for the future haha)
 
The smaller the number for the aperture the faster the lens will be, more light is available. Depth of field is less at f2.8 than at f4, but you can use a slower shutter speed for the same exposure value.

Look it up, it's explained better elsewhere.

Just remember that it's the photographer that makes the pic, not the equipment.
 
The Pentax twin lens kit is actually pretty good - it'll certainly keep you going for a while until you have a better idea of what other lenses you'd like to have. Nice buy!
 
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