*istDS to K200d

Morning,

I've finally replaced my *istDS with a very nice K200d [1700 shots, described as 'mint' on ebay and it is!]

Apart from the obvious SR, bigger screen, better iso etc, where will it excel over the *istDS, and which situations should I consider using the *istDS instead?

For example, with a lower max iso should I go back to the *istDS for low light stuff or will the SR outweigh the benefits....

I know I can, and will, learn by practice, but any tips gratefully received.

I don't want to lose the *istDS, it was pretty cheap, it's a fair bit lighter, and for that alone I can see myself using it in some situations.

Thanks

Andy

The *istDS is a very nice DSLR, but the electronics move onwatds and the later products produce better results.

Having said that, I still use images shot on the *istDS and they are perfectly acceptable. The K10D was better. The K20D was much better.

200 ISO is the "native" ISO for these cameras, so I use that wherever possible. Setting 100 ISO brings electronics into play to adjust the expoosure, so nothing is gained. In practice you should be fine using 200 or 400 ISO.

SR is such a boon that I think this alone justifies the use of the K200D.

you have made a good move i moved from a istds to a 200d the sr is a good feature and i love the bigger screen i have had some very good photo,s

Thanks John,

I've read up on it quite a bit but haven't come across that bit of info yet!

Setting to 200 now.

Andy

It would be interesting to compare noise at ISO 800. I don't know, but I wouldn't be surprised if the DS's was lower.

The K200D's SR will indeed allow the use of lower ISO than would be required otherwise, though.

Enjoy your new camera anyway.

I don't think that's right actually John, the K200 uses the same sensor as the K10 so native ISO is 100.

Certainly the noise curve still goes down between 200 and 100 on the review by dpreview http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentaxk200d/page15.asp

When I first got my K10D I used to take my istDL2 when I needed really high ISO since it can do 3200. However, I found that I preferred the K10D at 1600 with SR to the istDL2 at 3200.

the K200s native ISO is 100, as it is the same as the k10d ccd, not cmos like the k20d.

Biggest difference in the image will be the step up from 6 to 10 MP, allowing for tighter crops which retain the sharpness.

I moved from a K110d to a K200d, well worth doing.

incidentally I still have and use my K110, usually as a manual body or occasionally, as a walk around with my 40Ltd fitted.

Do what I do Andy - dedicate it to M42 lenses as I have with my *istD - I then have instant access to about 12 lenses and the bellows and the tubes and teleconverters all with screw mounts and great quality.

Tony

Or infra-red, I believe they don't have a sensor filter that cut infra-red so much as the camera's from the K-sherries.

Thanks for all the suggestions and comments,.


Re infra red..is that a case or using a filter or is there more to it? I have seen some 'converted' Pentax DSLRs on Ebay.

Would the *istDS be a good camera to put a split focus screen on and use for MF, I have a selection of lenses that fit the bill!

Andy

For infrared, the 6MP bodies are all more sensitive than the newer cameras. You can use a Hoya R72 filter on front of the lens, and the kit lens is perfectly adequate for IR photography - not least because you'd probably be shooting in its sweet spot of f8-11 in any case.

On a bright summer's day, you can shoot infrared with the 6MP bodies with exposure times of around 1 second. On newer cameras you'd be at 10 seconds or more.

If you want to find out more, send me a PM and I can explain in boring detail, along with links to other sites and some IR shots from my unmodified K100DS!

Cheers,

Jon

Like Jon says it can be just a filter like any other lens filter but you can also convert your camera by a specialize shop, they will place a permanent IR filter infront of the sensor instead of the lens so that you can see something through the viewfinder

Here is a non typical IR photo of mine with the K10D link
1 second
F/5.6
18 mm
ISO 400
Where the settings.

The *istDS is far more sensitive, you can probably shoot IR photos out of hand with that one.

Why not?

That sounds interesting, think I'll give it a go!

Jon, PM coming your way.

I also have an split old focus screen so might give that a go too.

Andy

..''old split focus screen'