Portability of K10D as poor-man rangefinder?

As has been suggested, a digital alternative to the rangefinder experience if you can't afford an M8 is a good point and shoot. But if you really want a DSLR that handles somewhat like a film RF, I'd suggest the Oly E-330 or the panaleica equivalents. They're not small, though.
 
I thought the same thing and bought a *istD to try out the theory. I'm such a lens snob that I soon realized I would need to spend about 2200 to get lenses as good as my RF lenses for the pentax (the limited series)

So I went and bought an R-D1 and LOVE it and can use all the GREAT glass I already own.

best of all, I'm only out around $1600

the k10D and good glass will FAR surpass that.

Mike

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jomyoot said:
Is it small enough if I use pancake lenses?

My dream camera is Leica M8, but I do not want to spend that much.

In addition to the size, is its form factor discreet enough for candid and street photography?
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back alley said:
you guys know we have a site for dslr chat?
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We're comparing how DSLRs and RFs work in street photography, I don't think that's overly off topic.

Are we violating some RFF rule here?
 
no worries.

dslr is dying with just a few posts a day.
i would like it if we usued it more for discussions like this, but that's only a personal preference.

i have started to use it for om discussions on occasion figuring every little bit helps.
joe
 
I have a K10D and really like it. It is larger than a Leica M but weighs about the same. It has a great viewfinder (I use a viewfinder mag made by Nikon and the vf rivals the one on the Canon 5D), shake reduction and a few other nice features not to mention the huge list of manual focus Pentax and other K mount lenses. These lenses were designed to be manual focus and are small, smooth and very sharp. I am not big on zooms and have a cadre of small primes. And you do not have to get the limited lenses or spend alot of money to get some nice glass for the K10D. I have 24, 28, 35 and 50mm prime KA lenses and have sunk about $350.00-$400.00 into them all.

Side by side with the M6:
1) The M lenses are smaller.
2) The M is not quite as bulky as the K10D. But with a small lens the K10D handles well.
3) The K10D shutter is not loud for a DSLR but it is loud next to an M.
4) They weigh roughly the same and both have a similar feel when carrying.
5) The M vf is superior as far as brightness and seeing outside the frame.

They are two different animals though. If you want an affordable digital rangefinder you are stuck with the R-D1. I have come close to buying one but have always been afraid of the QC issues and the fragile vf. I just didn't want to sink $1500-$2000 into a camera that I may not be able to rely on. With my budget it would be my only digital.

As far as street photography goes I haven't had the K10D for very long but have used it on the street a bit. The shutter blends in nicely and if you are careful you can be unobtrusive with it. I have had many people look at me with my Leica M. Contrary to popular belief it is not an invisible camera.
 
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My k100 feels much more noticeable then my Bessa. I used to use a KM A200 for street shooting. Less bulky then a dslr. If you can find a KM A2 which was discontinued before before the A200 they have more features. I actually sold mine for almost the same price as I paid for it 1 year and a half later.
 
For me it's all about the "volume" of the camera gear that I need to hold in my hands. In that respect, I find that the K10D feels much more voluminous than the M7. It is also quite heavy, especially compared to the DS-like models.

Weight-wise, a kit comprising the K10D + 31mm LTD + Luigi strap + leather handgrip with plastic mount weighs a total of 1304 gram. The M7 + Hexanon 50 + Luigi strap weighs 947 grams. Despite the mere 357 gram difference, the K10D kit feels a lot bigger, much heftier than the M7 kit. Holding the M7, I can "hide" all of the camera body in my hands, with only the lens showing; I cannot do the same with the Pentax.

Of course, the reason I have the K10D is because it pretty much has it all...
 
For compactness, dont forget the Nikon D40 plus nikon 20mm f3.5 AIS MF lens. Actually the whole package weighs less and is small than M6 with 21mm lens.
 
triplefinger said:
I thought the same thing and bought a *istD to try out the theory. I'm such a lens snob that I soon realized I would need to spend about 2200 to get lenses as good as my RF lenses for the pentax (the limited series)

So I went and bought an R-D1 and LOVE it and can use all the GREAT glass I already own.

best of all, I'm only out around $1600

the k10D and good glass will FAR surpass that.
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Mike,

Sorry, but I think you are comparing apples to oranges. The equivalent of a R-D1 in the Pentax line of DSLRs would be a *ist D/DS/DL or a K110D: a 6 MPix body with no shake reduction. As for lenses, the Pentax Limited Series are autofocus lenses, you should compare classic RF lenses with manual focus M42 or K lenses. I doubt a 6MP body with a few good Takumar lenses will cost more than an Epson R-D1...

I bought recently an used *ist D with top notch glass: 3.5/17 Tamron, 3.5/24 & 1.4/50 S-M-C Takumar, 1.5/85mm Helios 40-2. This combo covers the range 25.5mm-127.5mm in 35mm equiv. focal length. I got the whole set (body + 4 lenses + M42 adapters) for less than $1000.

Cheers,

Abbazz
 
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Abbazz,
I agree they are very different, and that my personal taste in lenses are what I was referring to. BUT, as good as the lenses are which you mentioned, I still prefer the look of my Leica and Zeiss and FSU lenses and the feel of the rangefinder AND the fact that the R-D1 has very few bells and whistles and things buried deeply in a menu.

One more thing to add is that to really use the manual focus lenses, the screen in the pentax should be changed to a split. I find focusing easier and with most of the lenses I use 50mm or under, camera shake is not an issue.

Cheers, Mike

Abbazz said:
Mike,

Sorry, but I think you are comparing apples to oranges. The equivalent of a R-D1 in the Pentax line of DSLRs would be a *ist D/DS/DL or a K110D: a 6 MPix body with no shake reduction. As for lenses, the Pentax Limited Series are autofocus lenses, you should compare classic RF lenses with manual focus M42 or K lenses. I doubt a 6MP body with a few good Takumar lenses will cost more than an Epson R-D1...

I bought recently an used *ist D with top notch glass: 3.5/17 Tamron, 3.5/24 & 1.4/50 S-M-C Takumar, 1.5/85mm Helios 40-2. This combo covers the range 25.5mm-127.5mm in 35mm equiv. focal length. I got the whole set (body + 4 lenses + M42 adapters) for less than $1000.

Cheers,

Abbazz
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My Sony DSC-V3 digicam looks like a rangefinder and isn't a DSLR, so can I mention it here?

I'll have to drop by the DSLR side later just to help out the activity a bit.
 
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