Pentax K10D

[Disappointed_Horse]

I have a chance to pick up a Pentax K10D in what appears to be pretty good shape for a decent price. I'm primarily interested in it to try out a Pentax DSLR cheaply. I primarily shoot Nikon and Pentax 35mm SLRs; I have a Nikon D40 and my wife has a D7000 (which I am occasionally allowed to use if I don't change any of the settings). I find I really like the output of my D40's CCD sensor, so the K10D's 10MP CCD sensor is appealing to me and I don't really care that the K10D has "only" 10 MP. I'm primarily looking for something a little better than the D40 and the K10D has a tougher build, dual control wheels, IBIS, and can use my Pentax M42 and K-mount lenses (with obvious limitations).

Anyone have any experience with the K10D you'd care to share?

 

[Gerry M]

For dslr's, I own Nikon D200, D7000 and D700. I also have a number of mirrorless. I liked the look of the results from Pentax ccd sensors, so I have ended up with two K10D's. I am more than pleased with them. I will use a K10D over the D200 every time. They are made for shooters. A great transition for a film shooter. Paired with Super Takumars, the images very pleasing. PM me if you want more info.

Gerry

 

[Crazy Fedya]

I have used a K10D since 2007. Needed to shim focusing screen for proper manual focusing.

Great camera, wonderful colors, especially with CZJ lenses.

 

[al1966]

I have its lower brother the K200, the files off it are stunning and I am pretty sure it is the same sensor. I think you would be very happy with its output. The Pentax DSLR's do seem to me very nice to use.

 

[al1966]

I hope its OK to post here but there is a long thread on Pentax Forums of shots from the K10; https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/6-pentax-dslr-discussion/242738-k10d-club-403.html

 

[wwfloyd]

I have a K10D that I bought cheap, primarily for a way to test Pentax AF lenses that occasionally pass through my hands. In my limited AF use, the results have been pleasing.

I also figured I'd use the K10D to test Takumar lenses, with the actual Pentax M42 adapter. I was not pleased with the metering. I wanted to use Av mode, but, results would vary, when they should have been identical exposure -- say, shots made at f2.8, then f4, f5.6. I eventually checked the downloadable manual, and it actually does say that exposures with stop-down lenses in Av mode will be erratic. So, I tried the Manual (hybrid?) exposure mode... and, the results were no better. Shutter speed readings were not consistent for the apertures set. This was using the "green" button, or by using the DOF preview collar on the power button.

I mentioned this to a Flickr bud, and he tried the same thing with a different Pentax DSLR (an 'ist' as I recall). He got the same odd results. So, I ended up using my Canon 1D MkII with an M42 adapter, for the Takumar lenses. As always, this body makes perfectly good exposures with any manual lens, using Av mode.

And, I did some testing with a KA mount, manual focus Tamron SP, where I was using the K10D's focus confirmation indicator. The focus results were dismal -- I guess because I didn't know what Crazy Fedya has mentioned, about shimming the focusing screen. Er... no, that would not come into play, with the confirmation beep.

So... I'd really like to hear what Gerry M and Crazy Fedya have to say about erratic exposures using manual lenses with the K10D. Maybe I missed something.

 

[charjohncarter]

I bought one (K10d)new, it was fine I used it often but not as much as others would. It still works (everything on it). I gave it to a grandson and he uses it much more than I did and it is easy for him to use (with little knowledge of photography).

Even fill Flash:

St Elizabeth Golf 2014 by John Carter, on Flickr

Good color:

St. Elizabeth Golf. by John Carter, on Flickr

Ring flash (Vivitar Macro 5000):

Ringflash by John Carter, on Flickr

 

[Gerry M]

wwfloyd; Maybe I have just been lucky. I use M, A, Spr Tak without issues. Of course of the manual focus lenses, the A's are easiest to use. Maybe I am doing something wrong? 😉

Gerry

 

[charjohncarter]

Here is a self portrait made with a Zenitar 16mm manual lens. I did this just after our friend Al Kaplan died as a tribute image. As I remember I just went outside hit the green button (used M I don't think I ever used A) and fired:

ala Al Kaplan by John Carter, on Flickr

 

[Crazy Fedya]

Here are some images:

20/4 Flektogon

58/2 Biotar

 

[charjohncarter]

Don't lose those, digital is so easy to be desaparecido. ^^^

 

[Gerry M]

K10D
24mm Sigma A

As usual, the image is much sharper before being massaged by RFF.

 

[Pál_K]

In just six months, the K10D has become my favorite digital camera!

For perspective, I've been using a Nikon D700 and Fuji X-Pro1.

Earlier this year, my camera repair friend sold it to me for $10 and I got this nice 35mm DA lens from KEH for it.

Compared to the D700 and X-Pro1, it is so convenient and straightforward to use - it's just intuitive. I don't find myself hitting all sorts of buttons on the back and having unwanted things happen, either. Actually, in the last six months, aside from film cameras, the K10D is the only camera I've used - I just grab it and go.

It has some interesting features. For example, in the program modes you can bias the program to use apertures with the best MTF for the mounted lens (obviously the lens has to communicate with the camera). 99% of the time I use it in aperture priority.

The manual is useful and findable online.

Image quality is good enough - anyone pixel peeping the image is missing the point of photography, as the .sig quote says.

 

[Crazy Fedya]

Don't lose those, digital is so easy to be desaparecido. ^^^

Thqnk you, John. I have them printed and double saved.

 

[Pál_K]

Here are some images:
...

Those are wonderful.

 

[Crazy Fedya]

Those are wonderful.

Thank you, Pál.

 

[Scrambler]

The Pentax models of this era wanted manual stop down metering with the screw mount lenses. They won't meter correctly otherwise. I don't remember the name of the metering button, just that it lives under your right thumb. With K mount lenses I've never had trouble whether manual or auto apertures. With stop down metering, no trouble with screw mounts and other manual aperture lenses.

I've a K10d and K100d. The K10d is a professional camera for build. Imaging is good. Like all older digitals, your highest quality is to export the raw and process the files on the computer. This way you get the latest version of the conversion and the most computing power to run it. That said, at the expense of speed of writing.

I don't really like the Pentax jpegs prior to the K10/K100d era, but these are usable, if not quite as good as the off-camera development.

And yes, the K200 is the same sensor. But given I've had 3 cameras with the Sony 6meg sensor of this era, none of which produce similar jpegs, I wouldn't assume identical output.

 

[Disappointed_Horse]

Thanks for all the replies! I think I'm going to try to work out a deal for this camera.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

K10D
24mm Sigma A

I bought that same camera and lens combination for digital.
I should try it one day. That CCD sensor is sublime.

Chris

 

[Gerry M]

I bought that same camera and lens combination for digital.
I should try it one day. That CCD sensor is sublime.

Chris

Yes Chris, you should give it some exercise 😉!