DS2 in UK

I'm after a digital SLR and am looking at the Pentax as I have a normal Pentax SLRs and lenses which I think can be reused. Is the DS2 available in the UK, if not, does anyone know if it will become available in the foreseable future?

Apparently the DS2 is not destined for Europe (and for the benefit of the curmudgeons, Britain IS part of Europe).

However, you can still get the *ist D, for much the same price, and you will find it a better camera in all important respects, bar speed.

And yes, the Pentax DSLRs can use all your old lenses, even M42s with the usual K adaptor. However, "A" lenses and later work seamlessly, whilst earlier lenses need to be used in manual exposure mode only.

George

I take it you have used the DS2 then George!

Both PENTAX USER and BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY have announced the *istDS2 as though it will be available in the UK. Has there been a change of plan by Pentax?

This, from DPReview, answers both questions:

"It's early morning in Tokyo where Pentax has just announced the new *ist DS2, a subtly updated *ist DS. The only differences we could establish between the *ist DS and the DS2 are a larger LCD monitor (now 2.5" 210,000 pixels), this kind of 'upgrade' seems to becoming a trend. Interestingly it appears that this camera will not be available in Europe but should be available elsewhere in the world."

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0508/05082101pentaxistds2.asp

It's a DS with a slightly larger monitor, so there is no conflict with my statement about the D being a better camera in all important respects bar speed.

Of course, Pentax may have since decided that it WILL release the camera in Europe.

G

Some doubt has no entered my head...

When you say the pre 'A' lens need to be used in "manual exposure mode only" do you mean it can't even communicate the Aperature? It's a Pentax PK 50mm 1.7 and a m42 135mm (with adapter) that I'd want to use. Can't it do good old-fashioned TTL?

I'm used manual metering with my Zorki and Yashica J, but I wanted to go digital SLR for convenience!

Lenses with a "A" setting will enable use of all exposure modes.

Pre-A lenses can still use metering, but in manual stop-down mode.

Screw fit lenses, if put into M setting which stops down the lens to whatever aperture is set, will work very happily in aperture priority mode, but of course the viewfinder image will darken as you stop down. So you focus wide open and then stop down with a quick twist of the aperture ring - pretty convenient.

K and M lenses only allow Aperture priority at open aperture. You need to use manual metering for these.

The Pentax DSLRs will do aperture-priority TTL metering with any K mount lens before the A series.

You put the camera in manual mode, select an aperture, and then press a button which briefly stops the lens down and takes a meter reading. The camera will adjust the speed to give the right exposure for the aperture you have selected. It's almost instantaneous.

If you wish, you can then alter the exposure by changing either the speed or the aperture. If the light changes, press the button again for a new reading.

Your 50mm lens will have the same angle of view as a 75mm lens on a 35mm camera, and will be a superb portrait lens. If you like to shoot portraits wide-open to isolate the subject (and soften the image slightly), then you can use the camera in normal aperture-priority mode (not manual), and it will set the correct shutter speed. (This only works properly with the lens wide-open, unless go one or two stops down and dial in one or two stops of exposure compensation).

I do this with my SMCP 1:1.2 50mm (the "K" version), and it works very well (not least because the lens is very soft wide-open!).

In your position, a Pentax DSLR is the obvious way to go.

G

Thanks John and George, those brilliant explanations have put my mind at rest.

The decision is still whether to defect to Canon after so many years of Asahi Pentax, but that's another thread altoghether...

You can follow the herd, or you can be an individual and make up your own mind, unswayed by marketing money.

Up to you. One advantage of Canons is that you don't need to join a gym. Weightlifting is part of the ownership experience.

G