Way OT. Pentax DSLR

[pcfranchina]

First day out with my new k10 w/ battery grip and a 70-300mm lens....... I suddenly remember how nice is to walk around with a an RF. A third of the weight and size.

 

[Doug]

First day out with my new k10 w/ battery grip and a 70-300mm lens....... I suddenly remember how nice is to walk around with a an RF. A third of the weight and size.

A smaller lens would help a lot I'm sure! How about leaving the battery grip at home, and slip a spare battery in your pocket... 🙂

 

[tedwhite]

The DA 16-45 would be smaller. The DA 50-200 is actually smaller than the 16-45.

 

[cbass]

Ted,

The Pentax DA 50-200 is also on my shopping list. Can you comment on its peformance? I'll be at a bike race through Death Valley and the Mojave Desert in October and I'm hoping to buy the 50-200 (and a polarzing filter) before the event.

I don't know about other parts of the world, but here in the Eastern United States these Pentax lenses can be rare as hen's teeth. It might take me a month just to find a lens for sale.

 

[pizzahut88]

Beside using Leica RF, I am using Pentax

Beside using Leica RF, I am using Pentax

Any opinions on the Pentax *ist DL? Its come down in price and im itchen to buy something.

Among Nikon, Pentax, Canon, Sony(Minolta), Olympus,
I picked Pentax.
I am using a Pentax *ist DL2.

M42 mount is awesome . . . for lots of old lenses.
Runs on AA batteries
Provides metering and in focus indicator for all older lenses.

I want a simple DSLR . . . just bare bone
Pentax fits the bill perfectly.

 

[zuikologist]

The istDS certainly fits into a coat pocket when fitted with a small prime - pancake or AF. The K10D is another size up and better built, hence the weight.
The 50-200 is light, quick focusing and good for the money. I like mine. Sample photos for what they are worth:

http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9605

http://www.ephotozine.com/article/Pentax-SMC-50-200mm-f4-56-DA-ED

http://www.pbase.com/puzorus2/inbox


If you can find the Samsung version of this lens it is reportedly exactly the same and probably cheaper.

 

[shadowfox]

Not a popular opinion, but I'd go for 10MP camera nowadays. 6MP will leave you wanting for more, especially if you like to print BIG 🙂

 

[cjm]

Not a popular opinion, but I'd go for 10MP camera nowadays. 6MP will leave you wanting for more, especially if you like to print BIG 🙂

However, if you plan on shooting a lot in low light and/or with high iso speeds, a 6mp sensor will yeild less noise than a sensor the same size with 10mp crammed into it.

Perhaps someone else can chime in but *I believe* that is the case with the 6mp vs 10mp sensors in both the Pentax K100D/K10D and Canon 350D/400D. This is just what I've read.

Shadowfox, I do agree that 10mp would help for larger prints at lower iso's.

 

[tedwhite]

Chris:

PM me your email address and I'll send you a couple of 50-200 shots. That way they won't be reduced.

Ted

But here's a couple anyway.

 

[ChrisN]

However, if you plan on shooting a lot in low light and/or with high iso speeds, a 6mp sensor will yeild less noise than a sensor the same size with 10mp crammed into it.

Perhaps someone else can chime in but *I believe* that is the case with the 6mp vs 10mp sensors in both the Pentax K100D/K10D and Canon 350D/400D. This is just what I've read.

Shadowfox, I do agree that 10mp would help for larger prints at lower iso's.

It seems to be accepted that the 6mp sensors yield lower noise at high iso. However this Pentax fan will chime in with a comment that with the K10D in-body anti-shake, you will be able to use iso and shutter speed settings two stops lower than you would otherwise be able to. That also applies to the K100D ( and the new K100D Super) which have 6mp sensors and smaller bodies. If 8x10 output is as big as you will ever need, the K100 models do fine. We have 10x12 prints from jpeg captures with my wife's *istDL (forerunner to the K100) which are perfectly acceptable.

 

[radiocemetery]

Anyone tried Industar 50 M42 with Pentax Digital?

Anyone tried Industar 50 M42 with Pentax Digital?

I appreciate small packages and wonder if anyone has tried the inexpensive and available Industar 50 in m42 mount with one of the Pentax digitals and the appropriate adapter? Seems this might be an attractive compact package. I have been reading up on the Pentax digitals, and am wanting to see and handle the new K 100 super, but as has been noted above, the prices for the "old" models are dropping. What a great way to use my Takumar glass too.

Steve

 

[cjm]

ChrisN, your right, the antishake does help a great deal. I have a K100D and I almost never turn it off.

Radiocemetery, for a small package, check out the 40mm DA pancake lens and Pentax DSLR combo. It's very compact, for a DSLR.

 

[cjm]

Also, here is a LINK to some tests done with the 50mm f3.5 Industar on a Canon DSLR. They're quite sharp for such a cheap lens.

 

[radiocemetery]

CJM,

Thanks for the link, impressive results for a cheapo lens, and I like the look of the Pentax 40 mm pancake too. I think this might be the way to go for me when I get a chance to actually try one of the Pentax DSLRs.

Steve