R. Wethereyet

Hi Bob,

Well she has given you a very important and challenging assignment! Best of Luck! :-)

There are a few things to consider in making your choice:

1. What is your budget?

2. How many photos do you take in a year?

3. How computer saavy are you? - "User friendly" is not the same for everyone.

4. How much post-processing are you wanting to do? Just straightening a few horizons and cropping or full out Photoshop magic?

Here are a few suggestions that cover a variety of options:

A. Adobe Elements (the intro version of Lightroom/Photoshop)

B. Adobe Lightroom can be purchased on a monthly subscription basis for about $10USD/mth

C. On1 - a stand alone editor that can also be "plugged into" Lightroom or Photoshop (as your skills/needs increase down the road)

D. Google Picassa - Free basic editor

E. Paint.Net - another free editor that is a bit more complicated than Picassa

Not knowing the answers the the questions above, I can only share what I would choose. I started out using Picassa for many years and was happy with that. As I started shooting more, I moved over to Lightroom. After a bit of a learning curve and lots of Youtube training, I really like what LR can do. I have an earlier version of On1, and like how it integrates with LR. They have just rebuilt On1 and implemented a lot of improvements. I would say that it is a good middle ground between Free editors and the LR/Photoshop solutions.

All the best in your research and decision - Happy Shooting!

Dave S

Vehicle lights along an S curve

Thanks Stan - I've been looking at write ups on the K-3 II ... and dreaming. Don't think the financial manager in the house will rubber stamp that investment though :-(

Pierces - looks like you have lightened your load substantially from your 2012 post on this thread!! Nice set up :-D

I am an Pentaxian from way back!

Currently:

• Pentax K-5 - Twin to the K-7 with an updated computer inside
  
• Pentax K-7 - Rock solid ... noisy in low light
  
• Samsung Alpha ... actually my cell but with 16MP it takes some great shots! and the best camera is the one you have with you ;-)
  

Lenses:

• Sigma 10-20mm - so happy I got this, Awesome landscape lens!
  
• Pentax 24-90mm - last Pentax lens made for film - works great on a DSLR!
  
• Pentax 50mm - almost as good as the old manual version below
  
• Tamron 28-300mm - great all purpose lens
  
• Sigma 70-300 mm - prefer the Tamron
  

Old Stuff

• Pentax ME - cut lawns to buy this when I was a teenager
  
• Pentax P5 - 1 step below the LX which was their pro-level for a long time
  
• Pentax 50mm 1.7 manual - LOVE this lens for color and sharpness
  
• Branded 70-200 1 touch - cool lens-your hand never leaves the lens while zooming/focusing
  

Other stuff

• LowePro Slingback 200 - compact & easy to carry and fits under the seat on the plane
  
• Some Circular Polarizer filters and some old Cokin filters
  
• Velbron Carbon Fiber tripod
  
• Mono Pod
  
• 5 in 1 folding reflector
  
• Flash unit
  

Software

• Picassa - used for many years - still do sometimes
  
• Lightroom 6 - finally grew to enjoy using this program
  
• Perfect Suite - product that ties into Lightroom - more flexible than lightroom and easier than Photoshop for MAJOR post processing.
  
• Flickr for showing off my work (also Instagram to a lesser degree)
   
  
  

Here is an example of the Alpha images:

Infinity Pool @ Iberostar Playa Mita, Riviera Nayarit , Mexico

(1 hr north of Puerto Vallarta)

I use a Samsung Alpha. Smaller that the usual phone (about the size of an iPhone 5). Very sturdy construction - feels great to hold. Features are mid-upper of the spectrum but still pretty reasonable specs.

Sunset

That's why I bought the Topaz Adjust when it was on sale. I can do any of the hundred or so 1-click settings using the tools in PS or Lightroom and save them as custom presets but it would take me a lot more than $25 of my time!

 

I have never had a problem with paying for software the works and makes my life easier.

 

Dave

Great advice Dave. I will have to consider this for Lightroom!

I dusted off an old friend of a lens last night and did a little walk about today. They just don't make lenses like they used to!!

These are from a Pentax-M 50mm 1.7 (circa 1974) mounted on my K7.

Statue in the "Ghost" series in my hometown featuring many "game-changing" people.

Smoke n Mirrors - Fall is in the air in Alberta, Canada

The Ferocious Castle Squirrel - taken at Chapultapec Castle, Mexico City

The Snooty Pyramid Lizard - Teotihuacan, Mexico

The Mexican Monarch (Probably not a Monarch, but I was looking for alliteration :D)

Misc stuff from vacation:

"Pilgrims/Tourists" ascending the side of the Pyramid to the Sun God at Teotihuacán Pyramid Mexico

Cactus Blossom at Tula Ruins near Mexico City

Larry, the streets in Guanajuato, Mexico are not as narrow as Venice ... but it looks like that is a good thing! Market day in Guanajuato (North of Mexico City)

Awww...I vote that 'picture of the year!' Very nice up close & personal portrait! The eyelashes - the sheepish grin! Gotta love those 'sheepish' ones!

Thanks for the vote! :D They are cute critters

Love your pictures.

Thanks Krazy! :-)

Cowboy trying to remain calm while a rank bull "White Devil" bends pipe while trying to get out of the chute

Mutton Bustin' competitor at a local Professional Rodeo

love the colors of this shot!

--Thanks MDSue! :)

and sunset ...

petitcanard - Thanks, I am glad I could bring back some good memories :D

This photo was taken at Joffre near Red Deer in Central Alberta - Dave

R. Wethereyet, lovely pic, thanks for sharing! I was born in Drayton Valley, and have family in Edmonton & High Prairie. The canola, tractor and oil well remind me of "home"! :)

Here is the essence of Alberta

Hi gang, wow some terrific shots here! I love the overhead photos of the Shuttle :-)

Here is a recent fall sunset near our place:

Congratulations Dave - Hope you settle into your new surroundings quickly. All the best!:)

We relocated for a new job...2285 miles from California to Georgia.

 

Big hassle, but they have fall colors here!

 

 

Dave

Happened to be outside when a balloon went floating over :D

Show off balloon captain trying to "DUNK" :eek:

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving Everyone :)

Thanks for the kind words Zwackiedog, Bionicman, and IonMan - glad you enjoyed the shots :)

Here are a couple of photos from a recent trip to the park ...

Dandelion in the park (Pentax K-7 Tokina 28-70mm 28mm F3.5)

Summer Flowers (Pentax K-7 Tokina 28-70mm 28mm F3.5)

I received this email and I thought it followed the theme of this discussion- so I am reposting for the Pentax users on here ...

"This is just a reminder that Sunday, August 15th is World Pentax Day! We look forward to your participation.

Details on the event can be found here

Get out there and SHOOT something ... with your camera! :D

Cannon, Nikon and Sony users are welcome to take photos that day too! :cool: