Considering a DSLR...

[mugent]

Hi,

I currently only shoot film, I own a NEX, but never use it.

I'm getting a bit tired of the 'technicalities' of film, mainly the pain of development (I dev B&W myself, and tried C41 for the first time recently),and scanning. When I send them away for processing, I'm still unhappy with dust and scratches on the results, sometimes even when I use quite pricey companies to do it.

So, long story short, I might get myself a DSLR, the NEX is great, but it's lack of VF is just annoying.

I like the look of the Pentax K7, does anyone else use one? Any bad flaws etc...?

The main reason I like the Pentax is the option of using the Limited range of lenses rather than the typical plasticky ones by Canon or Nikon, and the large range of quality MF lenses that still work on the Pentax cameras.

K7, what's the verdict?

Cheers

MT

 

[LKeithR]

As a long-time Pentax shooter I haven't owned a K7 (yet) but do have a K10D and K20D. The latter is an excellent camera with great features, ergonomics and image quality. Sure it has quirks but so does every camera out there. By all accounts the K7 is an improvement over the earlier models--and the K5 an even larger step up. I'm sure a K7 would not disappoint and, of course, Pentax glass is superb and in a class by itself. By going Pentax you would also gain access to a "ton" of legacy glass in both K-mount and M42. My K20D with a cheap little Industar 50-2 can produce some killer B&W jpegs...

 

[mugent]

Thanks for that. The legacy glass is a major factor for me, not just for the images, but I like having a proper aperture and focusing ring, something that an EOS or something won't provide. The old K lenses are pretty cheap too.

The weather sealing of the K7 is appealing, I usually end up hiding my other cameras at the mere sight of rain.

Cheers

Moray

 

[f16sunshine]

I love very much the colors from the Pentax dslr cameras. To me the vf UN aps-c cameras is like looking through a tunnel or tube. If you want the most options for lens adapting and best vf go with a canon 5D or better 5Dii .

 

[mugent]

Yes, the VF does concern me, I've had a go of a K7, it's VF is better than most cropped sensor finders, but it's still nowhere near full frame.

The 5D does appeal, they are getting cheap now, and it's full frame...

MT

 

[Keith]

A 5D would be a great choice IMO ... the original is getting a little long in the tooth but still very popular apparently.

With various adpapters it will take a huge range of lenses ... and it's full frame!

 

[kshapero]

What's wrong with the NEX? Just wondering.

 

[f16sunshine]

A 5D would be a great choice IMO ... the original is getting a little long in the tooth but still very popular apparently.

With various adpapters it will take a huge range of lenses ... and it's full frame!

The original is getting on now but I still love the images it gave me. The preview screen on the original is terrible. If you need it for product shots it's not going to make you very competitive. A fantastic landscape and portait camera even now.

 

[NLewis]

In general, I would forget about digital SLRs and legacy lenses. They are just too many generations removed. Nikon's top line cameras can use their old AI-S series but they are expensive. One option is the Voigtlander 40/2, which is a beautiful manual focus lens that can be used on modern cameras.

5D is a good option, especially for people shooters who want the shallower DOF but don't need 25mp. Full frame, great color, good enough for most anything, about $1000.

Pentax K7 is very good, Nikon D7000. Basically anything new is fantastic.

If you want that manual focus feel, the M8 or M9 remains the best option.

NCPS and Precision do a great job with processing and scanning, they are careful with dust and scratches.

 

[Keith]

What's wrong with the NEX? Just wondering.

OP ...the NEX is great, but it's lack of VF is just annoying

I dont like cameras without viewfinders either.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I have to urge you to save a few more bucks and get a K5. It is basically a K7 with an infinitely awesomer sensor. By far my favorite DSLR I have ever tried. My DSLR setup is the K5, the 3 FA Limited primes, the Sigma 8-16, and the new Pentax 18-135. I want for nothing.

If I had to choose only one Pentax body and one Pentax lens to use for the rest of my life, they would be the K5 and FA 31/1.8.

 

[ottluuk]

In general, I would forget about digital SLRs and legacy lenses. They are just too many generations removed.

---

Really? Quite a few people buy Oly OM and Leica R lenses (wide angles, specifically) to use them on Canon full-frame bodies and swear that they are better than anything new they can get for a similar amount of $$$...

On the new front, let's not forget the Zeiss ZE/ZF line of manual focus lenses. A couple of these used to be available in Pentax mount IIRC.

As for bodies, it seems that it's really hard to go very wrong with any of the modern options from prosumer level upwards. It's the available lenses that matter. I use Canon, a couple of friends have Nikons, another, a Pentax K7. All seem to be equally happy.

 

[kshapero]

I dont like cameras without viewfinders either.

Too bad, I was surprised at how much I like it.

 

[kshapero]

I have to urge you to save a few more bucks and get a K5. It is basically a K7 with an infinitely awesomer sensor. By far my favorite DSLR I have ever tried. My DSLR setup is the K5, the 3 FA Limited primes, the Sigma 8-16, and the new Pentax 18-135. I want for nothing.

If I had to choose only one Pentax body and one Pentax lens to use for the rest of my life, they would be the K5 and FA 31/1.8.

Not a DSLR person but I would have to agree on this.

 

[huddy]

Consider that there is a wealth of Nikon manual focus lenses (AI and AI-S) that are solid metal and are still very cheap in regards to their modern equivalents. They are a pleasure to use, even on the crop bodies after a little bit of practice.

I don't know a think about Pentax, but I do know that I have enjoyed my Nikon tremendously since trading out my plasticy AF lenses for older MF gems.

 

[gavinlg]

The K7 is the best of the crop cams in my opinion. That combines with the DA* limited lenses gives you purpose designed and really good quality small primes, weather sealing, great high ISO ability and a small form.

if I were you though, I'd be looking at a 5d (cheap as chips at the moment) and 1-2 L primes. You get top of the line IQ in a reasonably compact kit with fantastic/fast lenses.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I don't know a think about Pentax, but I do know that I have enjoyed my Nikon tremendously since trading out my plasticy AF lenses for older MF gems.

One nice thing about Pentax is that the three FA Limiteds are all-metal AND autofocus, with manual focus rings and aperture rings as well. The DA Limiteds are also all metal, without the aperture ring.

Nice thing about your Nikon primes, though, is that there's a full-frame camera to upgrade to someday, if you wanted. Not so with Pentax.

 

[ChrisN]

I've had my K5 for about a week, and very impressed so far, especially with high-iso performance. The nice thing is that it is a very small camera compared with the Canon and Nikon (esp. full-frame) cameras. With the DA21/4 lens it weighs in at 920gm, compared with 900 for the M4 with 35/2 Summicron. Very quiet too - I'll have to arrange vid of a direct comparison with the M4. Some will be surprised! Strongly recommend the K5 if you can stretch the budget that far.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Yes, it is extraordinarily quiet! My Nikon pal was standing next to me while I was shooting at a party, and said, "You gotta be kidding me."

 

[mfunnell]

if I were you though, I'd be looking at a 5d (cheap as chips at the moment) and 1-2 L primes. You get top of the line IQ in a reasonably compact kit with fantastic/fast lenses.

I'd agree with that advice. Then again, that's what I've done 😀 so I would say that, wouldn't I. I find my 5D "classic" is a perfect match for the EF 50mm/f1.2L lens. But I find it works quite well with the 100-400L, as well, but also the 100mm/f2.8 macro, 35mm/f2 and (I hope, as of today) 24mm/f2.8 (decidedly non-L) lenses which are excellent and not over the top (ie. not L) expensive.

...Mike