Advice on Pentax DSLR required.

Hi all,

As you can see I am new to the forums and have been interested in purchasing my first DSLR. Since It'll be my first DSLR I am opting for a entry level one and have been looking online and so far the Pentax K-R seems to be the best choice for me at prices around £369.99 with a lens.

I just want some of you more experieced with DSLR's and the Pentax brand to help me in my choice.

My cousin has a Cannon 7D, I understand that an entry level DSLR won't produce the same results as the Cannon 7D but I don't want to purchase something which will be too far off in terms of results.

What I'd like from a DSLR is to be good in low light conditions and have good overall picture quality, me being a novice I understand that pictures will get better as I gain more experience.

Thanks in advance.

I was having the same questions when i was purchasing my first Dslr, well after having KR for 6 months and i never regret my choice, the reasons why i love my KR is.

1. Best price to quality, you cant get any dslr like KR with so much features in this price range which not only fulfills the need of beginner but also good enough for advance users.

2. Excelent picture quality, Better low light results and iso range (comapring to D90 and 550D)

3. Light and small in size, this is very helpful if you like to hang around with your dslr my friends with D90 and 550D usually have problem after 2 hours with their lenses but i can walk along 3 hrs with my Kr and prime lenses with no problem

4. There are hundereds of cheap old lenses available for Pentax.

5. Pentax pro lenses are although less in numbers than Canikon but way more affordable. (Third party lenses can fill this gap IMO )

6 The only downside Pentax is having is in side of accesorries and in lightning department (i cant say much about it as i am beginner)

Hope i answered basic question you might have in your mind

7D vs K-r comparison here Your cousin won't win on all counts

Very nice camera the K-r

cheers
Pete

Hi,

I have the KR. I wouldn't call it an entry level camera. It is quite amazing when you realise what it can do and how well it does it.

Hi, the Kr is a superb camera, and at the current prices I think you should go for it!

Thanks for the replies, can you guys show me some pictures you've taken with your Pentax K-R? Ideally pictures in low light conditions, thank you.

I love comparisons

Lets assess those pros of the 7D:

More lenses available (but 3/4 of them will be beyond your budget)
Faster Max. shutter speed 1/8000 v 1/6000 (when do we ever get light that good)
As for all the other pros (remember it is 3 times the price:shock

As for quality how many A2 prints do you intend making? because the Kr will produce superb A3 prints.

EDIT: have a look here, you can search for images taken with any Pentax DSLR or lens combination, link

I use the kr for professional work and images shot with it have been in national magazines...
I won't call the kr an "Entry level" camera... I prefer to call it an "Entry level PRICED" camera...

When you consider the limited facilities that were available on "professional" film SLRs such as the LX then there isn't a camera today that's "entry level" in terms of specification.

It's more about magnesium alloy bodies, weather resistance, etc. Oh, and cost...

Try this 'comparometer' to see a direct comparison between the two cameras. (Select the models from the drop down menus).

Imaging Resource quote similar maximum print sizes (at base ISO) for both cameras (20x30").

Would the stock lens allow me to do in terms of the type of pictures I can take with it?

The kit lens is very, very good for what it is. Please have a look at the pics on my gallery, a high proportion of these are with the kit lens. I've compared landscapes taken with this lens with some I took with a prime Pentax-M 28mm F3.5 which has a reputation for being very sharp and I can honestly say that in most situations, the kit lens is very close to it in terms of sharpness. Add to this its lightness, range, ease of use, filter size and cost and it is a winner! I don't yet feel the need to upgrade it.

Regards
David

Hi, The stock lens is very capable particularly around F8 and compares very well with my sigma 17-70, Plus as has been said its very compact and light.

Regards Robin.

http://www.exevalleyphotography.co.uk/

And menu items. Don't forget the menu items.

Amazes me how many times people can think that something like the K-r will produce inferior images to the K-5. I have a K-5 but I don't believe for one minute that had I bought a K-r the images would be anything less than excellent. Surely with these modern sensors that are now so good the most critical thing is top quality glass and your own personal technique and the quality of your post processing.