Going Digital

Here we go then i'm finaly thinking of making the move to go digital. my problem is what to go for. I would like a camera that will be versatile in a way that i don't have to worry to much about the focal length because i enjoy wildlife. So do i go for a bridge camera ( not mentioning names ) or a straight dslr like the Pentax Ist DL. The bridge appeals because of the zoom and the ISO ratings feature, but can i get a dslr with a decent lense to do nearly the same job. At the moment i've got a Pentax MZ6 with 28-90 & 100-300 lenses. Am i right to say that a dslr has got some kind 2 X feature already built in if so then i can still use my lenses . I don't know too much about digital so please be gentle.

Looking forward to your replies

Richard

Richard,

Bridge cameras are truly vile things, particularly if you've used a film slr, I've used a couple and the viewfinders are the worst part. I'm sure you would find the move to a Pentax DSLR totally intuitive PLUS your lenses will work albeit with a 1.5x increase in focal length. Your 100-300 will effectively become the equivalent of a 150-450, a real advantage if you enjoy wild life photography.

Ken

Richard,

I was always against digital, probably because I didn't understand or didn't know enough, until my wife bought a point & shoot 7.1 mpix last October. When I saw the results from our Mexico trip I was astounded.

I too have an MZ6 with 28-105, 80-320, 170-500 Sigma & 105 Macro Sigma and I purchased a *istDS2 after seeing her work. All lenses work perfectly and I've since bought 18-55, 50-200 and Sigma 70-300 Macro. Thoroughly satisfied with the DS2 but will also always keep my MZ6 which is one of the best Pentax film units I have owned since my first in 1971.

I dabble in wildlife and particularly in butterflies. They joy with the digital slr is the instant replay when experimenting with macro, flash, etc.

Hope this help.

Mike

Having used a couple of MX cameras for years, I figured to leverage my lens investment and get the *st D. Best decision I ever made, since I have to deliver jobs in digital format, why not start out digital?

I put some money into a CD that comes due in October. I look forward to the new pro DSLR with 10 megapixels and shake reduction.

I have to admit, though, my clients are just as happy with the 6 megapixel camera as they were with film. I hardly ever use my medium format gear any more, it's just not worth the effort of scanning, and spotting for dust.

if you didn't already have the pentax lenses, I would've given consideration to one of the evf with 400(+)mm lenses. amazing value really (camera and lens together for less than the price of an slr lens)...but if you have the lenses already....an slr is a system you can build on.

I think Bridge-Style cameras will be too slow for wildlife shooting.

The DSLR will be better in every respect apart from size.

The DL2 is quite a nice camera with a good autofocus system. I also own a Nikon D200 and to be honest, unless you print pix bigger than A4, there isn't much quality difference between the two.

I own a sigma 28-300mm lens from my MZ series and was told since it didn't have a DG mark on it, it wouldn't be compatible with the DL2. WHAT RUBBISH! It was and it's something like 99% of pentax film lens will work on Pentax Digital.

DSLR is the way to go but it can be expensive and as for the 1.5x increase in the focal lenght, to be honest, I hardly notice the difference but then again if you don't own a wide angle, it may be a problem with landscapes.

The "bridge" cameras generallly have tiny sensors that generate a lot of noise at higher ISO's. I've also tried an EVF camera, and gave it back after a few minuites of smeary images and shutter lag.

Sorry to disagree, folks, but I like my bridge camera - a KM A2. I have a Pentax film camera that still gets used from time to time and a *istD DSLR. Its horses for courses. If you like lugging tons of kit around then there are advantages to DSLR, but if you like to travel light then bridge cameras do what they claim - they offer a bridge between the DSLR and the pocket sized compact. They are both better and worse, but I would not be without one. It is the one I take on holiday when I do not have a car with me! My KM A2 is brilliant, but there are even better ones out now.

Regards
Graham

Hi All
first of all i would like to thank you for your help and views to my question.
I went out and purchased a Pentax ist DL2 + 18-55 lens from Jessops for £329.99 which i thought it was a good price. Now i've got to try and understand how everything works but i'm sure i'll get there in the end (practice makes perfect). Going to Prague first week of september so i will be putting it to good use.

Once again thanks
Richard

Nice little tip for your DL2, you can extend the battery life many times by turning off the guide display and preview. That lcd screen chews up the power. Rechargable batteries is also a good purchase.

Hope you enjoy your camera

Thanks for that tip, other tips are most welcome.

Now that i've gone digital would it be better for me to take black & white pics on my MZ6 as i can only convert to black & white from colour with the filter on the ist DL2.

Its not necessary to do any conversion from colour to B&W in-camera. Its best done during post-processing where a better job can be achieved (arguably).

Sorry but i don't understand.

Unless you want to end up with projectable transparencies, it is now easier, cheaper, more convenient, and usually much better (in terms of final quality) to do everything digitally.

If you want to shoot and print black and white, then unless you are a competent black and white printer with a good darkroom you will get far better results shooting digital, then downloading RAW files and doing the conversion and final adjustments on your PC/Mac.

Doing any sort of processing in-camera is wrong-headed. Your computer is much more powerful, and is able to run much more sophisticated programs than anything that can be squeezed into the tiny memory of a camera.

Search here for previous threads on RAW conversion and black and white digital work. Matt is especially knowledgeable and helpful.

G