How many ists?

I'm thinking of buying an 'ist' model SLR as a spare body. Can somebody please be kind enough to let me know the different types available (if there is) and if there's anything I should be aware of?

I currently use a K200D, with pentax 18-50 (or whatever it is), Tamron 75-300, Pentax 50mm f1.4, Tamron mirror lens and a few other odds and sods.

The ist ds2 is a great camera.
glass prism.
compatible (with a few minor niggles) with old pentax ttl flashes.
I have two k10's and still use the ds2 every week!

Well there are the following

*ist - Film 35mm SLR
*istD - DSLR, 6 megapixels pentaprism, option of battery grip.
*istDS - DSLr, 6MP, Pentaprism, less spec than the D but smaller and I still use mine.
*istDL - DSLR, 6MP, Pentamirror, like the DS but only the mirror.
*istDL2 - DLSR, 6MP, Pentamirror, like the DL but a larger LCD
*istDS2 - DLSR, 6MP, Pentaprism, again like the DS but Larger LCD.

There are of course the following which are part of the *ist range in all but name (same 6MP sensor)
K100D - DSLR, 6MP, Pentamirror, Has shake reduction
K110D - DSLR, 6MP, Pentamirror
K100D Super - DSLR, 6MP, Pentamirror, Shake reduction and SDM compatable
Samsung GX1L - DSLR, 6MP, Pentamirror, A rebodied DL2
Samsung GX1S - SDLR, 6mp, Pentaprism, A rebodied DS2

Personally, I would go for any of the following:-
*istDS
*istDS2 (not sold in UK)
Samsung GX1S
K100D Super (does not have a pentaprism, but does have SR and SDM compatibility)

Hope this helps.

*ist - film camera!

*ist D - Pentax's first digital SLR. Good controls, but small screen and slow electronics compared to later models. Pentaprism viewfinder. Compact Flash instead of SD memory cards that all the other models have.

*ist DS - Small and good. Pentaprism viewfinder.

*ist DS2 - Almost the same as the DS but with a larger LCD screen. Rarely seen in the UK.

*ist DL - Basically similar to the DS, but cheaper and less good, with a Pentamirror viewfinder and fewer focus points. Pentax's weakest specification of all their dSLRs.

None of the above have Shake Reducion.

You should also consider a K10D if it's not too large. Similar to K200D but with a better viewfinder and an extra control dial. In fact this could become your main camera! Otherwise I suggest a DS, DS2 or K-m as your second body.

Thanks for that. Helped a lot.

I forgot that the *istD was compact flash!

But we are in agreement with the models
DS
DS2(if you can find one)
GX1S
K100D super (the K200D only has a pentamirror, but you will see a difference with a pentaprism really)
And the one I forgot, the mighty K10D, so much of a bargain buy now, especially as a lot of people have upgraded to the K20D (including me, but I will not get rid of my K10D.....sorry)

BTW don't be put off with the Samsung GX1S, as I said previously it is only a rebodied DS2 and on my suggestion, both my parents bought this model as it was only £250 new with kit lens.

I forgot one other thing that might be important, all the recommended cameras will take SDHC cards with a firmware update. So, if you want to put the 4gb/8gb SDHC cards in, update the firmware and voila!

I was wondering about the *ist models, now I know.

And where my K110 fits.

Glad to be of assistance hardgravity

Dont buy the istD

It has two command dials which means you'll be leaving the K200D in the bag a lot more

Check out this link some interesting reading

I own the *ist DS as a backup to my K20. I use it mostly with my old takumar lenses, Great camera but I do miss the front wheel on occasions.

Nice one Clarky, I didn't know that page was available.

One final facet to the istD - option of tif format as well as jpeg or raw (PEF) Ok if no raw converter loaded on the computer used to view the images. Tif file sizes are simular raw.


Steve

Well chaps. £100 secured the purchase of a Pentax *ist DS body in almost as new condition to look at. Testing (playing) has now commenced.

Just updated the frimware from 1.00 to 2.02. How scary was that. Straghtforward though.