My Day with the Pentax K--D - DPChallenge Forums

Pentax SMC-DA * 16-50mm F2.8 ED/AL (IF) SDM

01/21/2008 04:08:16 PM · #1

I really don't know where to start. This is a camera that is almost too quiet, if there is such a thing. Smooth and buttery response. The images shot at the mid iso settings are as clean as 100-160 on the K10D. The colour is magnificent. The noise levels at the top iso end of this camera are about the same as 640 to 1000 on the K10D. As I will not get in to specifics until the embargo has been lifted, I will say this. As an ex-Canon user and sponsored by them, I had an opportunity to use all of their products. This camera is as good or better than the Canon products. The noise shown in the upper iso area looks more like fine film grain than digital noise.

I am using a pre-production version and being firmware 0.39 there will be some upgrades. I have already sent my impressions to Pentax.

This is the best camera on the market today in the mid to upper mid price range. It will compete with the top of the line Nikon and Canon and will do so with no excuses. It won't be fair to compare this camera to the Canon 40D & Nikon D90 as this camera is out of there league and swims comfortably in the waters of the Canon 1D mk lll and Nikon D300...

None the less, if you have any questions feel free to ask. Oh and by the way. Better get a huge 4 Giga SD card as this baby produces files that are almost 50 percent larger than the K10D;)

Ben

//www.benjaminkanarek.com
//www.pressbook.com/homebook.asp?langue_id=2&owner_id=5144

Message edited by author 2008-01-21 16:23:00.

sir_bazz

Sigma 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical HF for Pentax

Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4 AF

01/21/2008 05:18:01 PM · #2

Thanks for sharing your initial impressions Ben.

Will you be able to post some sample images here once the embargo is lifted ?

cheers,
bazz.

Pug-H

Pentax K10D

01/22/2008 02:22:33 AM · #3

Not that I'll think I'll buy it (in a hurry, at any rate), but do you have any idea what sort of time frame would the release be?

benjikan

Pentax SMC-DA * 16-50mm F2.8 ED/AL (IF) SDM

01/22/2008 07:03:59 AM · #4

Originally posted by sir_bazz:

Thanks for sharing your initial impressions Ben.

Will you be able to post some sample images here once the embargo is lifted ?

cheers,
bazz.

Yes I will with the permission of Pentax.

//www.benjaminkanarek.com

01/22/2008 02:00:58 PM · #5

Rumours elsehwere say both the K20D and the K200D will be announced Jan. 28 (next Monday), in advance of PMA. Any hints if those reports are accurate? Heard any rymours of new rebates coming up? Any word as to whether K10D and K100D are being discontinued, or whether the rumoured new bodies are just additions to the product line?

benjikan

Pentax SMC-DA * 16-50mm F2.8 ED/AL (IF) SDM

01/22/2008 07:55:22 PM · #6

Originally posted by EstimatedEyes:

Not correct. I will be attending and representing Pentax at the Press Conference here in Paris very shortly and before the 28th.

Ben

01/22/2008 08:04:14 PM · #7

Originally posted by benjikan:

I will be attending and representing Pentax at the Press Conference here in Paris very shortly and before the 28th.

Whoops, those blogs said the 24th, not the 28th. Must have been a missed synapse. Thanks for the reply. I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for some news in the next day or two.

And for everyone else, just found this link to some purported K20D images.

Message edited by author 2008-01-22 20:07:12.

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

01/23/2008 02:43:57 PM · #8

More rumors ... not just the K20D and K200D, but five new lenses as well:
# Pentax DA * 200mm f2.8 ED IF SDM
# Pentax DA * 300mm f4 ED IF SDM
# Pentax DA 35mm F2.8 MACRO LIMITED
# Pentax DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED
# Pentax DA 18-55 F3.5-5.6 AL II

I hope at least some of this is true ... especially that 200 f/2.8!

More rumours here and here!

option

Nikon D200

01/23/2008 03:33:10 PM · #9

still no 60-250 4.0 though...

the 300 4.0 and 200 2.8 were supposed to be released back in september, so who knows if this is actually a "release imminent" announcement or a "we'll get them out eventually"

if i was still on the pentax bandwagon id prob be interested in the 200 2.8... when it finally gets released.

Message edited by author 2008-01-23 15:35:33.

SteveJ

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM

01/23/2008 03:43:59 PM · #10

I'm in the market to upgrade, been looking at the Canon 40D and Pentax K10D, but would love to consider the new Pentax K20D?, just wonder what the price range would be...low as 40D or up with Canon 5D??

Guess I'll have to keep my money hidden under the mattress for a while longer.

But that 40D is tugging at my sleeve!!

sir_bazz

Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4 AF

01/23/2008 03:52:25 PM · #11

WOW.....K20D will do 20 fps in high speed crop mode.

bazz.