PENTAX K100D/K10D?? - DPChallenge Forums

01/07/2007 07:18:10 AM · #1

I have been looking around at other brands, considering either second camera or complete change from Canon. At this moment I am not worried about compatible lenses as I only have the two. A kit lens and the Canon 28-135mm IS USM.

I wondered if anyone had any views, or opinions on the Pentax K100D or K10D?

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

01/07/2007 11:23:14 AM · #2

bump

violinist123

Canon EOS-6D

01/07/2007 11:41:48 AM · #3

I have no comments on Pentax though I am wondering why you want to change? Didn't you just post elsewhere you were ready to bag photography altogether? Remember, it's the carpenter not the tools.

atupdate

Pentax K-R

Promaster 28-200mm f/3.8-5.6 XR IF

01/07/2007 05:00:32 PM · #4

Most of the major brands take great images, as do the K100D and K10D. The Pentax cameras are offering a pretty good deal for the money considering both have anti-shake built into the body and can use any Pentax lens ever built.

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Pentax

01/07/2007 05:04:51 PM · #5

Thanks! I have been impressed with reviews for the k100D and the sharpness and colour it attains, even tho it is only 6megapixel. Then, I am not intending to print bigger than A4.

Artyste

Sony Ericsson W810i

01/07/2007 05:06:45 PM · #6

Don't let yourself get trapped into the Megapixel race.

6.1MP is enough for just about any casual or advanced amateur photographer.. by far.

It's the quality of the pixels that counts.

01/07/2007 05:07:11 PM · #7

Originally posted by routerguy666:

I have no comments on Pentax though I am wondering why you want to change? Didn't you just post elsewhere you were ready to bag photography altogether? Remember, it's the carpenter not the tools.

I did, but I have used a 300D and now the 30D, I find they do not match my expectations, especially the 30D. Perhaps it is too much of a jump for me, others will confirm its virtues, but it ain't happening for me.

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Pentax

01/07/2007 05:10:05 PM · #8

Originally posted by Artyste:

Don't let yourself get trapped into the Megapixel race.

6.1MP is enough for just about any casual or advanced amateur photographer.. by far.

It's the quality of the pixels that counts.

That is exactly what I have looking at and thinking about. I will never be a Pro, I don't want to be, this is my hobby and I want to get the best and most consistent result I can without overheating my old brain. Let the wizzkids use the 30D, it just isn't working for me like my Fuji 6900Z and the 300D did!

Artyste

Sony Ericsson W810i

01/07/2007 05:22:46 PM · #9

Originally posted by sodoff:

Originally posted by Artyste:
Don't let yourself get trapped into the Megapixel race.

6.1MP is enough for just about any casual or advanced amateur photographer.. by far.

It's the quality of the pixels that counts.

That is exactly what I have looking at and thinking about. I will never be a Pro, I don't want to be, this is my hobby and I want to get the best and most consistent result I can without overheating my old brain. Let the wizzkids use the 30D, it just isn't working for me like my Fuji 6900Z and the 300D did!

I can guarantee you'd be extremely happy with a K100D. You'd also be extremely happy with a D50, or even.. *gag*, a 400D :)

There's just nothing bad to say about the mid-level "entry" cameras anymore.. to a man, they're all extremely fine pieces of machinery.

Apple iPhone 5

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

01/07/2007 05:36:57 PM · #10

Originally posted by sodoff:

Don't exclude P&S as an option. I know I've been raving on about the Fujifilm F30 the past few weeks, but it really is an excellent all rounder.

Plus, one big advantage is its size. You can just take it anywhere without giving it much thought.

Neil

Fujifilm X-T30

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

01/07/2007 06:22:08 PM · #11

I was set to buy the Nikon D80 because of it's great viewfinder, and excellent walk-around lens, the 18-200. I figure with that lens and perhaps an ultrawide, I'd be pretty set and would not change lenses often.

I could by a 18-200 for my Canon, but it wouldn't have IS like the Nikon.

So that's one reason, aside from several major points below, I am teetering toward the Pentax K10D

1) The Nikon viewfinder is wonderful. From what I've read, and the specs, the Pentax is even better. (That would be the K10D which uses a pentaprism; the K100 is a pentamirror, so more in the class of the Canon 300D/350D, but perhaps better than those.

2) The Pentax has built in IS (AS in Pentax parlance). So all my lenses would be IS enabled, even third party ones. The well reviewed Pentax 10-17 F2.8 fisheye, for example, would benefit from IS allowing it to be used more easily indoors or at night. Or going the other way, you could get the Bigma, for example, for $1000, and have a 50-500 IS lens.

3) The pentax lenses appear to be smaller in general than Nikon and Canon. And I've noticed they have a smaller front thread, which saves on the cost of filters (try pricing a good quality 77mm CPL versus a 58mm or 62mm).

4) The pentax K10D also has a lot of nice ergonomic and forward thinking features, like support for Adobe DNG format in addition to their proprietary RAW format. If you shoot DNG, presumably, you will not have to worry in the future about support for RAW in new software.

5) It also has built-in sensor cleaning (though it's not clear how effective the shake system is for cleaning).

6) The Pentax K10D is weather sealed, putting it in the class of the Nikon 200 rather than the D80.

But I've yet to see one and use one, so this is all "in theory". And of course, Pentax seems behind the curve to me in zoom lenses compared to Nikon and Canon. They still haven't released USM type lenses, though I hear they are coming this spring.

So for me it boils down to what lenses would I buy. Would I be as happy with the Sigma 18-200 or Tamron 18-250 and the K10D as I would the Nikon 18-200 VR. It's very well reviewed. But I was very happy with my Sigma 18-125, even without VR, till it broke down (that was the only bad mark for me on what was a fine lens).

The Pentax Macro 105 is supposed to be excellent--I presume it's on par with the Nikon and Canon macro lenses. And you get IS for a lot less than the Nikon.

Unfortunately, there's no match in any system for my Canon EF-S 10-22, per the reviews. And I haven't seen a real test review of the Pentax 12-24 wide angle lens yet. (I would buy a Canon 40D if they would put sensor based IS in it!)

One other negative -- I think about the 10D -- it doesn't appear to go to ISO 3200 like the D80 will. That's too bad :(

Anyway, I thought perhaps outlining my own "research" and thoughts might help you decide!

Message edited by author 2007-01-07 22:40:58.

Artyste

Sony Ericsson W810i

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Pentax

01/07/2007 09:41:01 PM · #12

Originally posted by nshapiro:

One other negative -- I think about the 10D -- it doesn't appear to go to ISO 3200 like the D80 will. That's too bad :(

Anyway, I thought perhaps outlining my own "research" and thoughts might help you decide!

Not a negative. The built in AS gives you the stops you need that would have been covered by ISO 3200 anyway... and really, just how often would you *really* shoot with ISO 3200?

Oh.. and one other thing.. I believe you meant to type it anyway, but in your first point up above, you have the K10D having a pentamirror.. it has a pentaPRISM, of course.

Neil

Fujifilm X-T30

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

01/07/2007 10:40:09 PM · #13

Originally posted by Artyste:

Originally posted by nshapiro:

One other negative -- I think about the 10D -- it doesn't appear to go to ISO 3200 like the D80 will. That's too bad :(

Anyway, I thought perhaps outlining my own "research" and thoughts might help you decide!

Not a negative. The built in AS gives you the stops you need that would have been covered by ISO 3200 anyway... and really, just how often would you *really* shoot with ISO 3200?

Oh.. and one other thing.. I believe you meant to type it anyway, but in your first point up above, you have the K10D having a pentamirror.. it has a pentaPRISM, of course.

It's just that in my experience there's never enough light! I almost never want to use flash, so the possibility of ISO 3200 and IS together was my goal. With the Nikon, I would have an IS/VR lens and ISO 3200. (Interestingly, I tried a Nikon D80 the other day and it calls ISO 3200 something else, but in effect, it's still ISO 3200 and recorded that way in the EXIF.

Yes, I meant Pentaprism. Thanks--going to fix that now!

Message edited by author 2007-01-07 22:40:38.

Neil

Fujifilm X-T30

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

01/07/2007 10:45:42 PM · #14

One other thing I've been reading which makes me wonder: I've been reading that sensor based IS is less effective on longer telephoto lenses than medium telephoto lenses. Anyone find any objective and concrete "tests" of that (for example, quoting the number of stops at different focal lengths of sensor based IS versus lens based?

I also read in a Nikon 105 (or was it 100) F2.8 Macro review that the VR is not "really" effective in macro mode because of the extreme magnifications. That would be a bummer too, if IS/VR/AS didn't work on closeups. A tripod works well for flowers but not so well for butterflies and dragonflies. So I wanted IS/VR/AS for that too.

Sigma 24-35mm f/2.0 DG HSM A

01/08/2007 04:44:34 PM · #15

I like the K10D, it has 10 megapixels, sensor cleaning, anti shake, is weather sealed, but the biggest bug for me is the reviews that state the lack of sharpness in jpeg. This is how I mostly shoot, never really discovered RAW cos I am a techno nerd with cameras, computers I'm fine...but cameras and mobile phones numb my brain.

The K100D looks to fit where I want to be now, sharp, colourful results, a great range of lenses. I love the size and feel of the Canon 30D, but just can't get the results I want. I know, it isn't just the camera. The K10D is similar in size, weight and feel. The K100D is smaller.

I think the K100D is where I will be going. Pentax have always made good lenses, they used to hit the latest innovatitions and come up with the goods. I have used most popular names in SLR and for me, Canon aren't quite what I want, there is always a softness with their results. Could never quite get myself into the Nikon group. I loved my Olympus SLRs, but for now, Pentax will get me attention. So, goodbye, 30D.

Soon will get a Pentax.

dmadden

Canon EOS-40D

01/08/2007 05:00:03 PM · #16

The canon is probably just as good as the Pentax. But I prefer the pentax heheheh :)

Fujifilm XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR

01/08/2007 05:05:59 PM · #17

Originally posted by dmadden:

The canon is probably just as good as the Pentax. But I prefer the pentax heheheh :)

Whispers: I think the K100D is better than the 400D...shhh! Don't shout this out.

EstimatedEyes

Fujifilm X-T5

01/08/2007 05:33:06 PM · #18

I went through the same thing a little while back and settled on the K100D, which was the right choice for me. I looked at the K10D but decided that the extra money could be better spent on another lens rather than some more megapixels and all weather seals.

Pentax had a holiday rebate going on that might have just ended -- $50 off a K100D body and another $50 off some of their lenses. I picked up mine for about $500 after rebate, with the included 18-55 kit lens.

The K100D has a good bright viewfinder, and controls that are easy to access and intuitive. Exposure compensation is easy to access, quick menu to adjust ISO or bracket shots, a full complement of shooting modes, including full manual, aperture priority and time priority. I rarely use the preset settings (landscape, portrait etc.). The antishake appears to work very well in low light without a flash.

One of the reasons I went with Pentax was the number of Pentax lenses I own that can be used with the camera, including a 100mm macro I could not bear to part with. You can get a wide variety of relatively cheap legacy lenses on ebay (but be forewarned you'll end up having to use many of those in full manual mode without being able to use the in camera spot metering.)

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

01/08/2007 05:36:42 PM · #19

hey, megapix,

That is good info. Thanks. Maunal focus doesn't worry me and I agree the extra could be spent on lenses. I think this is the route for me. Freeing up money from the sale of the 30D etc will allow me to look around for extras.

Photologist

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

01/08/2007 05:52:21 PM · #20

.

A picture is worth a thousand words. I have plenty of pictures from my K100D.

In addition, check out the camera-specific portfolios:

Pentax K10D
Pentax K100D

Other DSLRs from Pentax:
Pentax *ist DS
Pentax *ist D
Pentax *ist DL
Pentax *ist DL2
Pentax *ist DS2