Biting digital bullet - which one?

Hi all

I've been putting off buying a DSLR purely on cost grounds. Prices have now reached a point where I can afford to try one out.

I've had a play with the *istDL2 at Jessops, £350 with lens. It felt far too small, and as I view with my left eye the thumb wheel is slap bang in the way. I'm aware Pentax are releasing the K100D/K200D imminently, which I will try to have a play with - assuming the shops in Bath stock them.

I'm afraid to say my lack of interest in digital means I am way behind the times. I'd be grateful if people could offer their opinions upon whether the DL2 is worth buying or whether I should wait for the new releases (or *istDS, for that matter). I use a Z1-p regularly and like the user interface so I'd be interested to hear if any camara outside the now obsolete *istD uses such a system. I'm not so interested in write times etc., decent handling is more important to me - as mentioned the DL2 felt a bit small for regular use. I'm keen on the DL2 as £350 seems a bargain, ergonomics aside, I'm not sure what the lens is like but I'd be interested to hear people's experiences with this combination.

All advice gratefully received

Matt

The chassis on all the Pentax digital models I've seen (which doesn't include the K100D/K110D) is much the same, including the location of the major controls. The manufacturers seem hell bent on making DSLR's as small as possible to the extent that with some (Canon 350D) it can severely compromise their handling.

I'm also a Z1p user and love the handling of that camera, especially with the grip strap attached. For digital I use a DS and I've found the handling of that acceptable with the additional of a cheap Chinese made grip strap from Ebay (meant for some Canon model I think). Even on the Z1p I tended to shoot aperture priority 90% of the time and I found that I'm doing the same on the DS. Due to that I find that I don't miss the 2nd control wheel of the Z1p as much as I thought I would.

If you've been using the Z1p then I'd presume that you've got decent lenses to go with it - in which case I fear you might find the 18-55 kit lens a disappointment. The 16-45 is supposed to be a lot better - I don't have one (yet) though. Since getting the DS the lenses I've used most have been a digital only 10-20mm F4.5-5.6 (Sigma) and the 80-200 F2.8 (Tokina) that I already had for film.

Regards
Steve

The *istDL2 is a superb bargain, capable of excellent results.

In terms of handling, all you can do is visit a dealer and have a close look at the DSLR options. DSLRs are smaller than film SLRs in general, and they don't need to be bigger with their smaller format. Maybe you should look at some of the bigger models from Nikon and Canon. But these will cost you a lot more money.

When comparing like for like, I think the Pentax models are streets ahead of the D70, D50 and 350D varieties. Especially look at the view finders - the Pentax is in a different league altogether.

Thanks for comments.

I haven't had a chance to try the DS as no Bath shops keep it in stock, and they respond frostily to requests to get one in - entirely understandable, as if they were to do so and I didn't buy it, they would be left holding it when the K100D/200D arrive. As it sounds similar to the DL2 it stands to reason I would find it a little on the small side as well.

I'm afraid changing marques is a no-go, I have a reasonably large lens collection that I'm happy with and to switch mounts would be prohibitively expensive.

I'll wait for the new cameras to arrive, if they're no real improvement upon the DL2 (and assuming Jessops' offer still holds) I might go for it.

I will keep an eye on eBay for a used *istD in the meantime, but I hold out little hope!


Cheers
Matt

Edited to add:
Dixons have a *istDS for £350. This is interesting, as if I choose on budget (as I assume handling will be nearly identical) these are both winners. I'd appreciate any comments upon which of the two is better in performance terms - please note I really do not know much about digital, so apologies for rather vague question.

*istDS vs *istDL2 ?In general terms, it doesn't matter much. I would prefer the Pentaprism finder of the *istDS, but it's a minor point and I'd happily use either.

I have a *ist DS2 and big hands, no problems. In fact I find it a dream to use. Easy to use controls that seem to be second nature. My film camera is a MZ6 with a battery pack which I am also very comfortable with. Friends have D70's and Canon 350's and I wouldn't trade at all. Oh and all my lenses from the MZ6 work perfectly.

Mike

If you can get the DS for £350 then it's a no-brainer to go for that IMHO.

Just got the last DS2 from the Stockport branch of Jessops - £329. It has taken me a while to go for a Pentax DSLR but I can now use all the lenses, flashes and other bits that would not work with my Fuji 602Z
Results from the Fuji, 3MP, stand up pretty well against the 6MP of the Pentax camera. But even with the two supplementary lenses it is not as flexible as the DS2.

I'd wager a couple of pints that the release of the new models will prompt dealers to off load the older models, so look out for bargains (they already seem to be cropping up)