coelacanth
Ride, dive, shoot.
I'm mainly an RF guy with Leica M, and in love with OM system for film SLR. That said, I've been asked to do some paid photo shoots here and there, and while I have no intension of doing photography for living, I decided to take occasional gigs. (My old hobby of graphic design became my full-time job so I'd like to keep photography as a fun hobby)
My mind is pretty much set with Pentax K-7 because of small size, D300/7D class body construction and quiet shutter compared to Nikon/Canon DSLRs. And you can't really beat the price.
Can I see your favorite shots with K-7 with either Pentax lens or M42 and other lenses? What's your experience with 3rd party lenses? (all non-native-K-mount lenses)
And, anyone here doing paid gigs with K-7?
My mind is pretty much set with Pentax K-7 because of small size, D300/7D class body construction and quiet shutter compared to Nikon/Canon DSLRs. And you can't really beat the price.
Can I see your favorite shots with K-7 with either Pentax lens or M42 and other lenses? What's your experience with 3rd party lenses? (all non-native-K-mount lenses)
And, anyone here doing paid gigs with K-7?
coelacanth
Ride, dive, shoot.
Or Should I stick with K-mount lenses only? Anyone got pics with Limited line of DA lenses?
charjohncarter
Veteran
As far as I can see, all DSLRs are pretty much the same (as with most cameras from the last 40 years). So pick the one you like, and use it. Here are some images from my Pentax K10d (only with a 35mm Pentax lens). You won't be able to tell much as, like I said, they are all pretty much the same:
Like I said any number of DSLRs could have done these. I only skill is with PS.
Like I said any number of DSLRs could have done these. I only skill is with PS.
coelacanth
Ride, dive, shoot.
Thanks for the photos.
I agree with you about all DSLRs being the "same" as far as the fundamental IQ goes. Within the same sensor size, all DSLRs of late would perform just fine. I think my decision of K-7 is that this is the cheapest body that has semi-pro (whatever that is) class construction, 100% coverage of view, small size, and just-take-out-and-shoot attitude. Quieter shutter is a huge plus for me personally, too. And I've been a fan of Pentax's compact prime lens line-up as well.
I agree with you about all DSLRs being the "same" as far as the fundamental IQ goes. Within the same sensor size, all DSLRs of late would perform just fine. I think my decision of K-7 is that this is the cheapest body that has semi-pro (whatever that is) class construction, 100% coverage of view, small size, and just-take-out-and-shoot attitude. Quieter shutter is a huge plus for me personally, too. And I've been a fan of Pentax's compact prime lens line-up as well.
monochromejrnl
Well-known
consider the K-X for occassional use.. much cheaper and dynamic range and high iso performance that competes with some of the FF dSLRs that cost 5-10X more...
I've used the K-7 and while it is great - the high iso performance isn't outstanding and if shooting on assignment the iso performance may be more likely to be mission critical than the superior ergonomics or build quality of the K-7...
having said that, if your paid shoots are only occasional, you may find that renting is financially more sensible... (write off the entire cost of rental vs. capital cost allowance)
I've used the K-7 and while it is great - the high iso performance isn't outstanding and if shooting on assignment the iso performance may be more likely to be mission critical than the superior ergonomics or build quality of the K-7...
having said that, if your paid shoots are only occasional, you may find that renting is financially more sensible... (write off the entire cost of rental vs. capital cost allowance)
coelacanth
Ride, dive, shoot.
Thank you very much for your insight, monochromejrnl.
Renting is an option indeed, but I keep only one DSLR kit (or any digital camera other than iPhone 4
) for both paid and personal use so I probably want to own the basic kit.
And the paid assignments I'm getting are mainly event photos and field portraits so extremely high ISO performance isn't the critical part. That said, I will definitely consider K-X as well. I think the workflow will be shoot everything in RAW, batch process them and deliver the final images on a disk.
Renting is an option indeed, but I keep only one DSLR kit (or any digital camera other than iPhone 4
) for both paid and personal use so I probably want to own the basic kit.And the paid assignments I'm getting are mainly event photos and field portraits so extremely high ISO performance isn't the critical part. That said, I will definitely consider K-X as well. I think the workflow will be shoot everything in RAW, batch process them and deliver the final images on a disk.
coelacanth
Ride, dive, shoot.
Anyone know the shutter sound volume/characteristics of K-X compared to K-7 or Canon/Nikon gang?
charjohncarter
Veteran
That's funny, everybody has something they are hung up on. I know you want a quiet shutter. But for me that would about last on my list. For me most important would be dynamic range which none of them have in *****s yet.
Edit: that censored word is a word that describes a suit of a card. ?????
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coelacanth
Ride, dive, shoot.
Funny indeed.
I don't have too much of strong preferences in digital-specific aspects of specs as long as they are "decent" for its time and the league it's in. As you said earlier, today's digital cameras in one specific segment in market are pretty close to each other. Some aspects are matured enough, and some aspects are far from ideal, and I'm OK with what I'll get. So I what I care mostly is about "camera" aspects regardless of medium (e.g. film or digital) and shutter sound was (I know it's maybe a foolish questions to even have) one of them. But again, it was just one of the aspects that I was curious about. And of course this didn't stop me from asking the actual images from the camera as I've never owned Pentax digital before.
I thought, as far as the "camera" aspects go (not digital specific), K-7 was quite good for its price point. And I like the lenses Pentax offers.
I don't have too much of strong preferences in digital-specific aspects of specs as long as they are "decent" for its time and the league it's in. As you said earlier, today's digital cameras in one specific segment in market are pretty close to each other. Some aspects are matured enough, and some aspects are far from ideal, and I'm OK with what I'll get. So I what I care mostly is about "camera" aspects regardless of medium (e.g. film or digital) and shutter sound was (I know it's maybe a foolish questions to even have) one of them. But again, it was just one of the aspects that I was curious about. And of course this didn't stop me from asking the actual images from the camera as I've never owned Pentax digital before.
I thought, as far as the "camera" aspects go (not digital specific), K-7 was quite good for its price point. And I like the lenses Pentax offers.
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coelacanth
Ride, dive, shoot.
Oh and more reason to go with Pentax instead Canon/Nikon: I like underdogs/minorities.
aldenfender
Established
Here are a few of my best shots with it. I only had this camera for a short time, but it was great... I preferred the Pentax k20d over the k7 simply because I thought the k7 was a little to small for me... but found it better with a grip. To Tell you the truth I dont think there is any diffrence with the image quality as Im pretty sure the sensor is the same?
I have to point out since you mentioned the sound of the shutter... It is probably the most quite dslr shutter I have heard... it is quieter than the k20d and quieter than most canons and nikons I have heard... The images look great. Here are a few of mine hope they help with your decision.
kit lens 18-55mm
I have to point out since you mentioned the sound of the shutter... It is probably the most quite dslr shutter I have heard... it is quieter than the k20d and quieter than most canons and nikons I have heard... The images look great. Here are a few of mine hope they help with your decision.
gotium
Established
can't upload pics just now, and you'd want raw files to really assess, but some experience:
K7 shutter is very quiet for a DSLR, close to a Leica but not quite.
The Pentax primes vary widely in quality, in my experience. All are nicely made, especially the 31, 43 and 77 FA limiteds. I've used the following:
15 DA limited: well built, but I found the image quality to be quite poor, with particularly weak corner resolution. Maybe try the Zeiss 18 ZK instead?
21 DA limited: tiny, OK, good for grab shots, very poor corner resolution.
31 FA limited: lovely lens, a little heavy. Smooth, soft bokeh.
35 DA limited: absolutely astounding quality images from this. Phenomenal. Really. Incredible resolution and colors. Pulls details out that you wouldn't imagine that the sensor can capture.
43 FA limited: very nice, great for people pics, very good resolution.
77 FA limited: great quality, sharp and contrasty, but not a focal length that I use much.
Hope that helps.
K7 shutter is very quiet for a DSLR, close to a Leica but not quite.
The Pentax primes vary widely in quality, in my experience. All are nicely made, especially the 31, 43 and 77 FA limiteds. I've used the following:
15 DA limited: well built, but I found the image quality to be quite poor, with particularly weak corner resolution. Maybe try the Zeiss 18 ZK instead?
21 DA limited: tiny, OK, good for grab shots, very poor corner resolution.
31 FA limited: lovely lens, a little heavy. Smooth, soft bokeh.
35 DA limited: absolutely astounding quality images from this. Phenomenal. Really. Incredible resolution and colors. Pulls details out that you wouldn't imagine that the sensor can capture.
43 FA limited: very nice, great for people pics, very good resolution.
77 FA limited: great quality, sharp and contrasty, but not a focal length that I use much.
Hope that helps.
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gavinlg
Veteran
The k-7 shutter is ridiculously quiet. I found a video of it compared to the d3 on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-WX9Q-S8qo
I had a long play with one at yodabashi camera in tokyo. Build is very solid, viewfinder is good for crop camera, interface is pretty good. DA limited lenses were a pleasure - tiny, good quality, decent AF.
Very tempted by the k-7 myself as a supplement to my 5d + honking L lenses. I don't think the samsung sensor in it is as good as the equivalent canon and sony (nikon) sensors though.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-WX9Q-S8qo
I had a long play with one at yodabashi camera in tokyo. Build is very solid, viewfinder is good for crop camera, interface is pretty good. DA limited lenses were a pleasure - tiny, good quality, decent AF.
Very tempted by the k-7 myself as a supplement to my 5d + honking L lenses. I don't think the samsung sensor in it is as good as the equivalent canon and sony (nikon) sensors though.
kdemas
Enjoy Life.
Sug- One thing I'd point out in favor of the Nikon (D300 & D3) is that the current focusing cam is wickedly quick and tracks like nobody's business. Depending on what you're shooting this can be a major plus.
Quiet shutters are nice I must admit, though I don't find the D300 I have too frightening
Kent
Quiet shutters are nice I must admit, though I don't find the D300 I have too frightening
Kent
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coelacanth
Ride, dive, shoot.
Thank you very much guys. gotium, thank you for the write-up. Now I'm looking through photos with Limited lenses on Flickr.
It's great to hear about the shutter sound. I read somewhere that it's quieter than Bessa R2/3. Also someone noted that the sound is less "metal" compared to other DSLRs. I personally like less metallic sounding shutters for many reasons, and my next paid gig needs some shooting of religious services in church (no flash, will use 58/2 Helios for that) and family gathering. I'd like to be as unobtrusive as possible.
I'll start off with just the kit lens and the Helios I got because, again, I'm not looking to make much of money or anything, but I'd like to get some nice prime(s) eventually if the system sticks with me.
It's great to hear about the shutter sound. I read somewhere that it's quieter than Bessa R2/3. Also someone noted that the sound is less "metal" compared to other DSLRs. I personally like less metallic sounding shutters for many reasons, and my next paid gig needs some shooting of religious services in church (no flash, will use 58/2 Helios for that) and family gathering. I'd like to be as unobtrusive as possible.
I'll start off with just the kit lens and the Helios I got because, again, I'm not looking to make much of money or anything, but I'd like to get some nice prime(s) eventually if the system sticks with me.
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coelacanth
Ride, dive, shoot.
Kent,
Thanks for the heads up. I used to be a Nikon guy myself, but never used high-end DSLRs other than D200. Good to know that Nikon is really keeping up. I've been away from all AF/DSLR type of cameras for quite a while so both my knowledge and expectations are very limited.
I think getting away from D300 was the initial investment, which is a bit too high for me, and the fact that I bailed out from Nikon (both digital and film) to OM entirely. I might break down and crawl right back to the nest in the future though!
Thanks for the heads up. I used to be a Nikon guy myself, but never used high-end DSLRs other than D200. Good to know that Nikon is really keeping up. I've been away from all AF/DSLR type of cameras for quite a while so both my knowledge and expectations are very limited.
I think getting away from D300 was the initial investment, which is a bit too high for me, and the fact that I bailed out from Nikon (both digital and film) to OM entirely.
I might break down and crawl right back to the nest in the future though!PKR
Veteran
Sug; If you're buying a camera for work photos, you might consider Nikon or Canon, as there are places in town where you can rent some exotic glass if needed. Check ProCamera's lens rental.
p.
p.
coelacanth
Ride, dive, shoot.
Sorry! Looks like this is Japanese site only, but I just found this nice interview with the engineers behind K-7 on CNet Japan.
http://japan.cnet.com/interview/story/0,2000055954,20396386,00.htm
(I'm sure google translate won't do much...)
http://japan.cnet.com/interview/story/0,2000055954,20396386,00.htm
(I'm sure google translate won't do much...)
coelacanth
Ride, dive, shoot.
I totally agree. I really do! But I really have no intension of making much of money with it. I really like the idea of keeping photography as my hobby, and I'm still mostly a b/w film guy.
If things change and I decide to do more "work" stuff seriously, I'll probably switch back to Nikon or Canon (or M8
). I'll keep the K-mount system minimal for a while and see how I'd think about the whole thing.But again, as of now, I don't think I've got what it takes to be making bucks with photography, and I don't want to repeat hobby-becomes-job thing that I did with designing things. I still love it, but it's not the same once it becomes your food-bringing responsibility, you know?
And this is mostly for my own use when I absolutely need digital photo like classifieds, design job related stuff and kitty shots
I plan to have only one digital system and stay all film for most of my hobby photos.
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PKR
Veteran
I totally agree. I really do! But I really have no intension of making much of money with it. I really like the idea of keeping photography as my hobby, and I'm still mostly a b/w film guy.
If things change and I decide to do more "work" stuff seriously, I'll probably switch back to Nikon or Canon (or M8
But again, as of now, I don't think I've got what it takes to be making bucks with photography, and I don't want to repeat hobby-becomes-job thing that I did with designing things. I still love it, but it's not the same once it becomes your food-bringing responsibility, you know?
And this is mostly for my own use when I absolutely need digital photo like classifieds, design job related stuff and kitty shots
Oh, I understand. Many times I thought I would enjoy photography more if I didn't have to do it to pay the rent. p.