Please Help! - What camera?

Hello everybody,

(I hope I'm posting this in the right section - if not - my apologies)

I want to buy my husband a digital SLR, but not knowing anything about such things, I'm getting completely confused about what's available.

He's always loved Pentax cameras, that much I do know. He wants one that is semi-professional, uses SD cards, and as it is unlikely that we will be able to afford an upgrade for a long time - something that will stand the test of time.

I've looked at the K20D, but to be honest, I think it's out of my price range, especially adding on the price of lenses. I know that the K10D is it's predecessor, and reading the reviews sounds promising - but what are the K100D/K200D's?

Also, what lense do I go for? I've heard that if you have an old film SLR - which he does, but it's about 10 yrs old - you can use those lenses, is this true?

It will be used for all sorts of photography - action/portrait/holidays/detail shots etc. It's unlikely that we will be blowing the shots up to anything larger than A2/A3 size so excessize mp isn't necessary. He's very technically minded, so the complexity of the 'usability' isn't a problem. I was looking at packages up to the ******* mark, although there's a bit of flexibility if it's worth the extra cost. Ummm, can't think of anything else - but, if you have any questions, I will try and answer them as best I can.

Please help, I'm at a complete loss!

Thank you.

hi there.
if you use the search function, you'll find that is an oft asked question.
(I own 2 k10's and a ds2).
one thing to consider...how new is oyur computer? unless you have a powerful computer, you may have trouble working with 10-14 mp files from the k10-k20. if that's the case, you won't be disapointed in the *ist series cameras (or any 6 mp dslr from pentax).
your old lenses will be usable ( again try searching for specifics on this oft asked question).

I make decent money using the cameras I have, and would certianly not hesitate to recomend ANY Pentax d-slr. The k10 is being cleared out cheap at alot of places so grab one if you can find one!

I can heartily recommend the K10D, and there are some amazing deals on them at the moment, like the 'telephoto bundle' deal at SRS Microsystems here, but you would have to be quick to get one, they're the last ever stock. Certainly, you won't get anything other than just the K20D body for your budget, so without knowing just what old lenses your husband has, it would be hard to recommend it.

I certainly intend keeping and using my K10D for a fair while yet, although you never know what's round the corner.

Dan

The K10D would be ideal. It has a better viewfinder than the K100/200D and more convenient controls.

That is true, yes, except that the wide angle ones won't act as wide angle lenses on a Pentax digital camera. For example, a 28mm on a film camera is like using a 42mm on digital.

So a wide angle lens, or a stanard zoom that covers wide angles, for digital will be wanted too. I suggest the Pentax-DA 18-55mm II. This "mark II" version is slightly better than the previous one and only costs a few more pounds. It's only an inexpensive lens but is actually very decent, as well as being very portable.

I think just that would do as a good start, and would be well inside your budget. Extra lenses and accessories could aways be added later. There is no shortage of goodies for the K10D!

ps. If you do like the idea of a more upmarket lens to start with, there is the well-respected Pentax DA 16-45mm. This provides a wider angle than the 18-55mm, as well as possibly slightly better image quality overall.

Hi, and welcome. First off, you are clearly by no means at a complete loss. You've posted in the right place, you've obviously done some research, and you've specified your requirements and constraints very clearly. All these are relatively unusual amongst many new posters here.

Secondly, the information you give suggests very strongly that you should eliminate the K100D from your short list. Although very capable, the K100D (the next one down the range from, and of a similar vintage to, the K10D) is aimed more at the technically not-so-confident, and its advantages are greatly outweighed in my view by the additional capabilities of the K10D.

I went straight to the K10D from an old Pentax film SLR a little over a year ago, and I'm very glad I did.

The K200D specifications are quite similar to the K10D's. They're here:

http://www.pentaximaging.com/products/cameras/digital/digital_slr/

Key differences:

- the K10D has an additional knurled knob at the front, which can be programmed to do a variety of things in different modes. The K200D lacks this, and although it might not sound much, it makes quite a big difference to the ease of control. This on its own would make the K10D a better bet than the K200D for me.

- the pentaprism viewfinder of the K10D is generally thought to be brighter than the pentamirror of the K200D

- K200D takes AA batteries, K10D has a rechargeable Lithium battery, which lasts a lot longer and holds its charge for months, but it's best to have two at least.

Not sure about other differences - I expect there are some, although apart from minor weight and size differences, I can't see much.

Good luck. If the K20D is too expensive, I'd get the K10D, an extra battery, and once he's used to it, a couple of second hand A-series or later lenses depending on what he wants to do.

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Edit: on re-reading your post, if his lenses were new with the film SLR, and are therefore only 10 years old, it's very likely they'll be usable with no restrictions.

There are some limitations with very old lenses, but they're not show-stoppers.

Hi Kate. I would also give my vote for one of the K10D packages from SRS. I am very happy with my recently acquired K10D and the 18-55 MK II mentioned earlier. I think that you should also be able to afford a 50-200 which will cover the whole range from wide angle to telephoto.

HTH,

Steve

I'm another K10D fanboy, if you can get hold of one they're a superb camera... it's not suddenly become a bad camera since the K20D - the more I use it the more I am impressed with it...

I have one of the early ones and we are told the later ones have better AF and noise control, but mine is fine..

If you do call the outlets that have been recommended in the form (SRS, Cameraworld etc) at the really good prices - grab it quickly.

I will stick my head on the line here, if all K10D stocks are gone, there is always the Samsung GX-10, it's nearly the same camera, and I think there are cashback deals on it too - I see this and the kit lens in the Tax Free Dixons at Heathrow for less than GBP 400. There is a good point about the lenses, the DA Mark II is supposed to be better, so if you see the Samsung GX-10 or GX-20 with the D-Xenon 18-55 it's the Mark I version....

Peter

jump in fast and get a K10D before they all go!

for the money there is no better SLR on the market, from any manufacturer.

Hello, chaps!

Thank you for your quick responses and advice, I took on-board what you all said and have purchased a bundle package from SRS!

Unfortunately, I won't be posting what I bought for my other half just yet, as I want to surprise him and knowing my husband, he'll probably stumble across this forum 2 weeks before his birthday and see this thread - but I'll post up in a couple of months once the coast is clear.

You all raised interesting points, and I thank you for your help.

Don raised an interesting question which I hadn't thought of:

Fortunately, my husband builds his own computers and has been trying to justify to me for ages about up-grading his machine, so even if the computer can't cope I think he'll be happy (ah, I can see the living room strune with computer parts again... ).

Anyway, thanks again for all your help, I think you will approve of my choices - I'll also recommend this forum to him once he's got his new kit....

Cheers

Kate