I just ordered an *ist D...

As I wrote in the title, I just ordered a new camera: *ist D+battery grip+SD card 1GB (133X)+ Pentax DA 16-45 f/4 ED AL smc lens + Velbon monopod, all for 377.000 Slovenian tolars which is about 1.077 GB pounds. What do you thing about that? I thing this is a wery good price, don't you?
What I'd like to know is how are you lads happy with youre *ist D's? Any problems? What lens do you have? I was thinking about Pentax DA 18-55 f/3,5-5,6 AL smc too but I really don't have a clue which one is more convenient for the *ist D?! What do you think about it? Here the Pentax DA 16-45 f/4 ED AL smc costs about 297 GBP and the Pentax DA 18-55 f/3,5-5,6 AL smc about 123 GBP which is pretty considerable difference in price. Which one do you vote for and why?
Thanks guys for youre answers and have a good day...

Regards - Saso

Hi Saso!

I am supremely pleased with my *ist-D

You must make sure you have firmware 1.12 loaded - all kinds of exposure and flash issues were sorted out

The 16-45 is an amazing lens. Just so incredibly sharp, especially at f8+. I wouldn't trade it for anything... well, maybe for the new Pentax 12-24 when it comes out

My lens kit is as follows:
SMC FA 24-90 : lovely lens, with a very useful range.
SMC DA 16-45 : superb for landscapes
SMC FA 80-320 : excellent telephoto. Cheap second hand.
SMC F 50/f1.7 : wonderful for low light photography
SMC F 100/f2.8 macro : amazingly sharp macro lens.

I have also discovered that a Cokin P121F and P121S are extremely useful with the 16-45mm

Hope that helps!
Matt

I think you got an excellent deal, and you have confirmed that the D is still available for those who want it.

Although a bit slower than the DS (which is a significant negative for some people), the D is a more flexible camera, and a better buy for those who like to stretch their equipment.

Coming to lenses, don't even think about an 18-55 if you have the 16-45. The latter is much better, and the two lenses cover almost the same range.

I agree with Matt about the 24-90, but it is expensive, and I would strongly suggest that instead you buy a fast prime lens. This will act as a benchmark; you need to know what a really good lens is like before you can judge others.

The 50mm 1.4 or 1.7 in F or FA versions would be a good starting point, or any of the three original Limited lenses (31mm, 43mm and 77mm).

Then you need something longer, and the choice (if you're on a budget and want a zoom) is really between the new 50-200mm, the F 70-210, and the 80-320. The second and third items can be obtained fairly cheaply on Ebay.

If money is really tight, buy a manual focus 50mm instead of AF.

Those are my suggestions. Others will no doubt have others.

G

Thanks to both of you for the fast answers. I have the confirmation from the seller that D is still available. Directly from Japan. It is said that D is fully loaded with the latest software (firmware 1.12 ...) so I expected no problems with this. Both of you said that 16-45 is undoubtedly superior than 18-55. I will go for 16-45 than.
I have a few other lenses and I will use them on D to:
-28-80 f/3.5-4.5 Zeiss
-80-210 f/4.5-5.6 Tokina
-50 f/1.7 A Pentax
-100 f/4 M macro Pentax
-135 f/3.5 M Pentax
-35-70 f/3.5-4.5 A macro Pentax
-28 f/2.8 M Vivitar
-rear converter K 2X Pentax
-Helicoid extension tube Pentax...
Z-1 body, Super A, flash AF160, AF280T, Sigma EF-500 ST (the seller said it will work on D without limitation? Is it truth???)
And some other accessories...
I don't really care about D being slower than DS because my photos are mostly for the calendar and momentarily weddings. There I find the D is probably superior than DS because of the battery grip and more setings, and of course, more PRO look
Perhaps somebody will laugh about that statement but if you want to be a wedding photographer you must impress with equipment and with knowledge. Don't you agree Matt & George?
Well...T...T...T...That's all folks
Pozdrav - Saso

I forgot to log in... Shi*** happen...
Regards - Saso

You've got three excellent Pentax primes, so no problem there.

You're right about looking the part as a pro tog. You need to buy the biggest flashgun and grip that you can!

G

George you right about the flashgun...
Can you tell me how good is the Pentax SMC-FA J 4,0-5,6/18-35 AL Zoom ? The price for new one? is 277 EUR on e-bay. I dont know how much is that in GBP but still, what do you think?
Is this lens any good (sharpness, colors, mechanics, AF speed...)?

Thanks - Saso

The 18-35 is not a highly-regarded lens, but it's not that bad, especially if you can get one cheaply. My first *ist D came with one. Flare control is excellent, but 277 Euro is far too much.

However, I don't know why you are interested. The 16-45 is considerably better, and covers a wider range. Or were you thinking of selling it to finance some other things?

G

I got my *st D and the 16-45 a short while ago. It's the professional version of the digital line, the frame is steel and the polycarbonate body feels really solid.

I looked at the other digitals, and the *st D had features I needed (battery grip, the two control wheels for apeture and shutter speed, etc) and the others had some features that I didn't have any use for (scene modes, whatever they are).

You have an excellent kit, and you can always download the firmware update from Pentax. It is user-installable.

The important thing is the lenses. I still use my old M lenses on the new camera. Bodies come and go / but the lenses just roll, roll, roll! (Apologies to Robert Hunter}

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Well thanks guys, you were very, very helpfull. I'm certain now which one to pick up among 3 of them. 16-45 of course! I have seen the grip and 16-45 today when I was paying the deposit for the D. After that I don't have any doubts about the quality of the D line stuff
I was told that D is almost on the way and will be in Slovenia in 2 or 3 weeks. I can't wait

Thanks again and bye...

Regards - S.

p.s.- I will let you know when the D will arrive

Saso, you have bought a great camera, but have you bought the *istD OR *istDs?? I noticed in your first post that you have ordered an SD card, the *istD uses CF cards.

Cheers Brian

Hello Brian!

I bought *ist D... This morning I was a little confused in the store. I ask the seller about the card and he said that SD goes in D. I remembered that in read specification about D and it said that CF card goes in to the D. After that I was not so convinced any more . But I thing youre right about the CF card. Thanks for pointing out. In any case I will buy a 1GB card and try to buy the right one

Cheers Saso