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Showing posts 26 - 50 of 73, (reverse)
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 03/01/2007 04:08:32 PM · #26
i got mine from wolf camera, i think it's another name for ritz camera they had a good offer if i remember i got it with my 28-90 mm quantaray lens (not the best of lenses, but it gives ok results, and works in IR)for 550$ , you might wanna look into the D40 to, it's the same as the D50 just smaller in size :)
 03/01/2007 04:14:06 PM · #27
I see from your portfolio that you do alot of portraiture. I can't recommend my camera highly enough for that kind of thing. I went from a Powershot S3 IS to a K10D with not much of a learning curve; if you feel you're not ready for an advanced-amateur camera, then theres the also excellent Pentax K100D. I'll let one of the K100D owners talk that model up; I'm going to take yet another opportunity to pimp the K10D.

The K10D comes in a weather sealed, rubberized, high impact plastic shell molded to a metal chassis. It definitely has best-in-class build. As far as build goes, actually, it has more in common with the Canon 30D and Nikon D200 than it does with the models in its price range, the 400D, D80, and A100. The viewfinder, as is typical with Pentax cameras, is large and bright. The only knock I can think of against the body of the camera is the fact that it is a similar size and weight to the 30D and D200; I personally prefer a big camera, but some find this to be a problem.

The user-friendliness of the K10D still astounds me. With 37 buttons and dials, you have menu-free control of practically every setting. "Hyper-program" mode lets you shift to shutter or aperture priority with the turn of a wheel. TAv mode is basically full manual, with auto ISO. I use it more often than full manual mode. The "green button" allows you to automatically set the correct exposure, even in full manual, giving you an excellent starting point when working in manual. Much faster than turning dials. The "RAW" button lets you select quickly between RAW and jpeg, letting you save space for the everyday snaps, then instantly get serious when you need to.

You can select between 3 different in-camera processing engines: Natural jpeg, which mimics the RAW output(with some in camera processing applied); Bright, giving you sharp, saturated images right out of camera; or your choice of .DNG or .PEF RAW for ultimate freedom in post-processing.

Now, the biggest element of any DSLR purchase: the lenses. Thanks to an in body CCD shake system, every lens you mount on the K10D gets 2-4 stops of Shake Reduction. This includes every Pentax lens ever made, along with countless third party optics. Don't let the CaNikon crowd fool you: there is tons of excellent Pentax glass out there! If you dont mind shooting manual, you can get optically brilliant, fast lenses for very cheap used. The current lens lineup is somewhat lacking in the fast zoom department (new pro quality lenses will be available within 2 months), but for portaiture, youre going to want fast, high quality prime lenses. This is by far Pentax's strongest point. The FA 31 43 and 77 Limiteds are heralded as some of the best autofocus lenses ever made, by anyone. The FA 50 1.4 is one of the best fast 50s ever made, and the newer DA 21 40 and 70 Limited "pancakes" are said to be of similar quality as their predecessors, but smaller and faster focusing (but smaller max. apertures). By the end of this calender year, the Pentax lens lineup will be covered from 16-250mm with fast, pro quality, DA* zoom lenses, and from 14-300 mm with DA* or Limited Primes. If you're on a budget, there is also plenty of nice entry level glass available (see my portfolio).

Pentax is thriving right now, with sales up 3000% over last year on the success of the K100D and K10D. There is a "K1D" pro model in the pipeline, to be released in the near future. The lens lineup is as complete as 99% of the population can afford. They have strong development partnerships with Samsung and Tokina, as well as Hoya, the worlds leader in the supply of optical glass.

All in all, Pentax is far and away the best value in a system on the market today. All of the systems are excellent, but Pentax has gone that extra mile to provide quality products without raping your wallet.

You said you wanted us to brag... hope this helps! :-P

Oh, and for your price range... the K100D is still a good bet. All the stuff about lenses still stands!

Message edited by author 2007-03-01 16:15:33.
 03/01/2007 04:17:19 PM · #28
Originally posted by albc28:
A 20D??? You are trying to get me the real state of the art stuff huh...I was still considering the 350D...aka the XT. Maybe the XTi?? But I realize that they use CompactFlash Memory cards...means i wouldn't be able to use all the SD cards I bought already.


IMO the 20d is a better buy for the money than the 350. You need to hold them but I like the size much more.
 03/01/2007 04:21:50 PM · #29
Okay! option, Stop now!

I want a K10D. You sold it to me! The K100D is a great camera, much in the mould of the 300D/350D/400D sizing etc, and I will not be selling it when I upgrade.

But, I can't afford it yet! The K10D is probably more of a camera than the 30D which I owned until a couple of months ago. All reports rate it very highly.

Gotta start saving!! Again!

03/01/2007 04:27:09 PM · #30
ahahaha...man, if people keep asking the "what dslr" question over and over and over again, my responses are going to get longer and more detailed, until the entire world is convinced that Pentax makes a Nikon look like a disposable ;-)
 03/01/2007 04:29:18 PM · #31
Originally posted by option:
ahahaha...man, if people keep asking the "what dslr" question over and over and over again, my responses are going to get longer and more detailed, until the entire world is convinced that Pentax makes a Nikon look like a disposable ;-)


Yep! I know that, but ease off a bit or warn me...my wages just went in the bank today and I have to keep banging my head against the wall to stop myself going out to get a K10D! Maybe I will win the lottery this weekend?? :))

Damn it!! Missed the bit about the K1D, I want that one now!!

Message edited by author 2007-03-01 16:31:11.
 03/01/2007 04:31:59 PM · #32
How good my camera is: bright viewfinder, decent kit lens, good grip, good built quality, shake reduction in body (with some exercise I manage to shot handheld at 1/6s).
Issues: small buffer, not very fast, somewhat slow in low light focus (well, I knew that and those are not problems for me, I am not shooting action or sports so it doesn't mater).
In my opinion with that money you can take the body and 2 lenses.
 03/01/2007 04:38:33 PM · #33
I've been pointing people toward the Lumix FZ8 ... you might want to check that out RAW, 12x zoom etc.
 03/01/2007 04:43:12 PM · #34
My camera sucks. It hasn't even come close to winning a challenge yet. =)
 03/01/2007 05:26:19 PM · #35
Originally posted by NikonJeb:
It can go like that but I doubt that my camera needs ever will, and it's because in the long run, I want to have one body and one lens for 90% or better of what I need to do.


I think though, that you are essentially proving the point you are trying to disprove. You'd probably be much better served by a high end fixed lens camera, than a DSLR with one lens. You'll get better optics, fancier features and a better integrated system with a fixed body camera in most cases, at a much lower price point.

If you were in the market for a camera and wanted to only ever use one lens 90% of the time, a DSLR should be quite far down the list of best options to consider, from a financial and optical point of view.

Sure it gives by far the most options for growth - but those cost money. If you don't plan on growing it, then you are spending more than is really necessary - not that that's a bad thing, but it isn't the best reason to buy an SLR. Laurie has gone the opposite direction for similar reasons I think.
 03/01/2007 05:49:35 PM · #36
as far as my camera goes though - it's as good as the photographer behind it ;}
 03/04/2007 07:00:51 PM · #37
Thank you all for all the help. After looking online, and going to two walmarts, best buy, office max, staples, costco, and circuit city....i finally bought a new camera.

I wanted a store that offered options on a camera...every store had the Canon Rebel XT. But circuit city actually had options. In the end it came down to the Nikon D40, Rebel XT, and Olympus E-volt.

The Nikon was a nice camera. Felt good in my hands, but it was only 6mp and the lagest file size was barely 3008 x 2xxx. The Olympus was a little bulky for my taste and the menu screen was pretty difficult to use. It did come with two lenses and I should have jumped on that deal. But the Rebel XT felt good in my hands. The menu was easy to work with. And I know that I can get good canon lenses. The only thing about it after purchase..is that you can't preview your photos in the LCD...you have to use the viewfinder. That's going to take some getting used to.

Again thank you all for your help.


03/04/2007 07:23:59 PM · #38
Whoooooot!!! You're going to have so much fun!!!
 03/04/2007 08:13:07 PM · #39
What was wrong with your Powershot S2 IS?

My CCD went black and I sent it into Canon and after a month they still haven't got the parts in to fix it.

Last time I buy a Canon.
 03/04/2007 08:42:12 PM · #40
Originally posted by dsmil:
What was wrong with your Powershot S2 IS?

My CCD went black and I sent it into Canon and after a month they still haven't got the parts in to fix it.

Last time I buy a Canon.


I somehow broke my powershot while snowboarding. I got an error where my lens was stuck out. I fixed it, but it still requires assistance getting the lens in and out. True signs for upgrade time.
 03/04/2007 08:52:00 PM · #41
Originally posted by albc28:
I somehow broke my powershot while snowboarding.


you might want to take a closer look at all-weather ultra-compacts if snow-boarding and holding a camera is your thing ;)
 03/04/2007 08:58:16 PM · #42
Originally posted by crayon:
you might want to take a closer look at all-weather ultra-compacts if snow-boarding and holding a camera is your thing ;)


I tend to ride while holding my K10D if its not too cold out (my hands get cold below -5C or so)...
 03/04/2007 10:19:02 PM · #43
Originally posted by option:
Originally posted by crayon:
you might want to take a closer look at all-weather ultra-compacts if snow-boarding and holding a camera is your thing ;)


I tend to ride while holding my K10D if its not too cold out (my hands get cold below -5C or so)...


I plan on using the PowerShot for my snowboarding and other photography where I have the potential to damage my camera and I'm going to keep the Rebel for my portraits and serious photography.
 03/04/2007 10:53:09 PM · #44
Originally posted by albc28:
I plan on using the PowerShot for my snowboarding and other photography where I have the potential to damage my camera and I'm going to keep the Rebel for my portraits and serious photography.


Unfortunately for my cameras, most of my "serious photography" occurs in places where my camera is at high risk of taking damage. Hence the reason I needed a sturdy, weather sealed, dSLR.

I figure the fact that I'm willing to go places with my camera that most people aren't gives me a pretty good competitive advantage...
 03/05/2007 12:15:43 AM · #45
Originally posted by option:
Originally posted by crayon:
you might want to take a closer look at all-weather ultra-compacts if snow-boarding and holding a camera is your thing ;)


I tend to ride while holding my K10D if its not too cold out (my hands get cold below -5C or so)...


I'm a bicyclist year round. It's my only way of getting around and while I have no problems transporting some heavy photographic gear with me, including my tripod, winter photography becomes really difficult as my hands get frozen pretty quickly when handling my camera and tripod with bare hands. (Hard to do with gloves.) Got any tips for dealing with cold? Use any special kinds of gloves, or have you tried those camping gear bags that you pop and put in your gloves?
 03/05/2007 12:30:03 AM · #46
My camera would be so much better if it had someone like Judi, Cindi, De Sousa, or some of the other greats behind it.
 03/05/2007 12:42:28 AM · #47
Originally posted by cryingdragon:
My camera would be so much better if it had someone like Judi, Cindi, De Sousa, or some of the other greats behind it.


Hahahaha....too cute!
 03/05/2007 12:47:53 AM · #48
I really like my D50. The D40 doesn't have AF built in. You have to use specific lenses....
 03/05/2007 01:48:40 AM · #49
Have a look at the DP Review on the Fuji S3 Pro if you like portraits. I just bought a second one for under $900 used. It works with almost all of the Nikon lenses back to about 1973, and does excellent portraits due to Fuji's unique sensor. It's great for landscape and outdoor stuff too, esp sunsets and sunrises.
The other brands are good too.
I would recommend you make your choice based on what you want to do with it, and if you want to use all new lenses or used ones or some of both.
Look on eBay and other sites to see what's available, and what lenses are selling for, to fit the brand that you want to get. Also be thinking about if the lenses you buy will fit the next DSLR that you may upgrade to later on.
If you don't covet the "new" factor, and can be happy with used, you can get about twice the camera with the same money, and, you can buy warranty for many of the used ones.
 03/05/2007 02:25:12 AM · #50
Originally posted by zeuszen:

The true cost of a DSLR, not initially, but in the long run, probably equals what it costs to make a downpayment on a house.


I can't even IMAGINE spending $50 thou on camera equipment.... that would be AWESOME!
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