Way OT. Pentax DSLR

[pcfranchina]

Any opinions on the Pentax *ist DL? Its come down in price and im itchen to buy something.

[jaapv]

Very good reviews - most agreed it was cheap for the quality. That should be even better now. Don't we have DSLRX-forums for this?

[pcfranchina]

Its down to $435 after rebate.

http://www.adorama.com/IPXISTDLK.html

[ampguy]

however, the mods don't like talk of it, though most any other OT subject is fine. Apparently the sponsors here don't carry it. Feel free to email me with questions, and there is a wealth of info. over here:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/forum.asp?forum=1036

and yes it will use all 24-27 million K lenses in automatic Av mode (with manual focus), as well as all manual K and M42 (with adapter) in all manual, but ttl metering works.

Any opinions on the Pentax *ist DL? Its come down in price and im itchen to buy something.

[anandi]

I *really* wanted to like this due to the compatibility with old pentax glass, but after checking it out in person at the camera store I was really turned off. The materials and apparent build quality was simply appalling.

[cbass]

I bought an *ist DL last month and I really like it. Great fun & easy to use. It's more than enough camera for me.

One minor complaint: the kit lens is slow (but most kit lenses are -- the Pentax 50/1.4 is now on my shopping list). Despite that, I haven't touched my Bessa R since the *ist DL joined the stable.

PM me if you have specific questions.

[akptc]

I'd suggest getting the DS, black. The Pentax 50/1.4 is amazing and can be had new for $159 after $50 rebate from Pentax (what I did). I've had the DS for a while now and have had no issues whatsoever. The VF is very very good and controls are easy. It's an easy camera to like.

[Bryce]

I'd have to agree with Andy- I own a DS also, but I'd rate manual focusing as a very real weak point. I understand the DL has an (even) poorer viewfinder. All of that said, the camera has proved very useful- I use it for most color imaging. I use it copystand style with a macro lens and 2 Vivitar 285's to "scan" my B+W prints. I use it as a sort of polaroid back for critical and tricky shots. How off topic is that?

[pcfranchina]

Considering I already have a decent digital camera... I should hold off or buy the k100. My digital is a Konica Monalta a-200... Nice but the Manual Focus isnt that great there either. It has an electronic viewfinder that isnt that great. Not that great at high iso and dam slow in low light situations.

[tedwhite]

I have the istDS and use it commercially. Nearly every day. Solid and dependable, plus you can use all that wonderful old Takumar glass.

[ChrisN]

I'll add to the chorus of praise for the *istDS and K10D, which I own both of. The K10D is significantly larger, while the DS is much more "RF-like" in size and handling with a compact prime lens (the old Pentax-A SMC 28/2.8 is an excellent lens with this camera as all the metering options work, both manual and auto-exposure).

I'll add to the caution on the DL however, which I agree might not be as well built. We bought one for my wife which failed after about 2000 exposures. Pentax made three attempts to fix it and eventually sent us a K100D (with anti-shake) as a replacement. In all these cameras the image quality has been excellent, taking lenses into account.

[ZorkiKat]

Go for the K10D. Solidly built, with a 'weather-proof' body. Its nice large bright viewfinder makes for easy manual focusing. Plus its electronic manual focus indicator works with any lens, unlike with most other cameras. It also has a real prism in the finder (as opposed to periscopic mirror arrangements commonly found now in lower priced DSLRs) which makes the finder really easy to use.

Jay

[ChrisN]

As a user, I'll agree the comments on the K10D, but it is significantly larger than the *istDS and K100D. If I'm going out for a day of dedicated SLR photography, especially if long lenses are involved, I'll take the K10D and a bigger bag. If I'm just going out and want to take a camera "just in case", I'd grab the *istDS with a compact manual-focus lens or even the DA40, as that will fit easily inside a small shoulder bag.

[zuikologist]

I agree with ChrisN. The istDS with a prime is an excellent RF like camera. I tend to use mine like this. Also one advantage with Pentax is the pancake primes.

The viewfinder is good, and even better with the accessory magnifier or even an after-market split-image Katz eye screen.

[Chyn]

More praises for the Pentax DSLRs. The *istDS was my first real SLR with which I learned most of what I know about photography. The DS with a DA40, kit lens and A50/1.7 covers just about everything that I need in a pinch. If it had a quieter shutter, it would be perfect (hence why I shoot primarily leaf shutter cameras like the Rolleiflex these days).

[rxmd]

Is there an adapter for using Leica R lenses on the Pentax?

[kshapero]

I hear there is a Super K100 that is the cat's meow.

[tedwhite]

What I use mostly on my istDS is the DA 16-45 (24mm - 67.5mm equivalent in 35mm camera terms) as it covers "most" situations.

Great fun with the istDS when I use my M42 50/4 Super Macro Takumar!

Ted

[pcfranchina]

Since I started this post last Aug. I have picked up a k100 with a kit lens. Loved it. It was my first dslr and my first AF camera. I got hooked. Since then I picked up a k10 with battery grip. Really nice cameras!

[cbass]

As an update to my previous post in this thread, I have been happily using my *ist DL for about a year and I'm still very pleased. It took me a few months to really learn the exposure pattern but it was time well spent.

I did indeed purchase the Pentax FA 50/1.4 and it is a great lens. The 75mm FOV and 1.4 speed make it perfect for available light portraits. I use this lens about 75% of the time. In addition to the 50/1.4 also bought few manual focus K-mount lenses for those times when I feel the need to roll old-school style.

I also sold my Bessa R. Hate to admit it, but I've gone almost completely digital (except for my Bessa L).

[pcfranchina]

First day out with my new k10 w/ battery grip and a 70-300mm lens....... I suddenly remember how nice is to walk around with a an RF. A third of the weight and size.

[Doug]

First day out with my new k10 w/ battery grip and a 70-300mm lens....... I suddenly remember how nice is to walk around with a an RF. A third of the weight and size.A smaller lens would help a lot I'm sure! How about leaving the battery grip at home, and slip a spare battery in your pocket... :)

[tedwhite]

The DA 16-45 would be smaller. The DA 50-200 is actually smaller than the 16-45.

[cbass]

Ted,

The Pentax DA 50-200 is also on my shopping list. Can you comment on its peformance? I'll be at a bike race through Death Valley and the Mojave Desert in October and I'm hoping to buy the 50-200 (and a polarzing filter) before the event.

I don't know about other parts of the world, but here in the Eastern United States these Pentax lenses can be rare as hen's teeth. It might take me a month just to find a lens for sale.

[pizzahut88]

Any opinions on the Pentax *ist DL? Its come down in price and im itchen to buy something.

Among Nikon, Pentax, Canon, Sony(Minolta), Olympus,
I picked Pentax.
I am using a Pentax *ist DL2.

M42 mount is awesome . . . for lots of old lenses.
Runs on AA batteries
Provides metering and in focus indicator for all older lenses.

I want a simple DSLR . . . just bare bone
Pentax fits the bill perfectly.

[zuikologist]

The istDS certainly fits into a coat pocket when fitted with a small prime - pancake or AF. The K10D is another size up and better built, hence the weight.
The 50-200 is light, quick focusing and good for the money. I like mine. Sample photos for what they are worth:

http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9605

http://www.ephotozine.com/article/Pentax-SMC-50-200mm-f4-56-DA-ED

http://www.pbase.com/puzorus2/inbox


If you can find the Samsung version of this lens it is reportedly exactly the same and probably cheaper.

[shadowfox]

Not a popular opinion, but I'd go for 10MP camera nowadays. 6MP will leave you wanting for more, especially if you like to print BIG :)

[cjm]

Not a popular opinion, but I'd go for 10MP camera nowadays. 6MP will leave you wanting for more, especially if you like to print BIG :)

However, if you plan on shooting a lot in low light and/or with high iso speeds, a 6mp sensor will yeild less noise than a sensor the same size with 10mp crammed into it.

Perhaps someone else can chime in but *I believe* that is the case with the 6mp vs 10mp sensors in both the Pentax K100D/K10D and Canon 350D/400D. This is just what I've read.

Shadowfox, I do agree that 10mp would help for larger prints at lower iso's.

[tedwhite]

Chris:

PM me your email address and I'll send you a couple of 50-200 shots. That way they won't be reduced.

Ted

But here's a couple anyway.

[ChrisN]

However, if you plan on shooting a lot in low light and/or with high iso speeds, a 6mp sensor will yeild less noise than a sensor the same size with 10mp crammed into it.

Perhaps someone else can chime in but *I believe* that is the case with the 6mp vs 10mp sensors in both the Pentax K100D/K10D and Canon 350D/400D. This is just what I've read.

Shadowfox, I do agree that 10mp would help for larger prints at lower iso's.

It seems to be accepted that the 6mp sensors yield lower noise at high iso. However this Pentax fan will chime in with a comment that with the K10D in-body anti-shake, you will be able to use iso and shutter speed settings two stops lower than you would otherwise be able to. That also applies to the K100D ( and the new K100D Super) which have 6mp sensors and smaller bodies. If 8x10 output is as big as you will ever need, the K100 models do fine. We have 10x12 prints from jpeg captures with my wife's *istDL (forerunner to the K100) which are perfectly acceptable.

[radiocemetery]

I appreciate small packages and wonder if anyone has tried the inexpensive and available Industar 50 in m42 mount with one of the Pentax digitals and the appropriate adapter? Seems this might be an attractive compact package. I have been reading up on the Pentax digitals, and am wanting to see and handle the new K 100 super, but as has been noted above, the prices for the "old" models are dropping. What a great way to use my Takumar glass too.

Steve

[cjm]

ChrisN, your right, the antishake does help a great deal. I have a K100D and I almost never turn it off.

Radiocemetery, for a small package, check out the 40mm DA pancake lens and Pentax DSLR combo. It's very compact, for a DSLR.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/201/471500021_c1446b0dc5.jpg

[cjm]

Also, here is a LINK (http://galactinus.net/vilva/retro/eos350d_industar50.html) to some tests done with the 50mm f3.5 Industar on a Canon DSLR. They're quite sharp for such a cheap lens.

[radiocemetery]

CJM,

Thanks for the link, impressive results for a cheapo lens, and I like the look of the Pentax 40 mm pancake too. I think this might be the way to go for me when I get a chance to actually try one of the Pentax DSLRs.

Steve