I'm back...

...though how long for, depends...

A few months back I was walking past our local branch of CashConvertors, and in the window they had a k100d with kit lens for £149. Interesting, I thought and when I got home got onto the laptop and started Googling.

As you all know, it's only 6MP (and it wasn't even the Super version), so I started looking into other older Pentax DSLRs and their prices - they do seem to hold value, don't they? And after looking around, checking specs and sample images, and an abortive attempt to buy a k200d, I eventually came across a k20d (body only) for less than £200.

Well, I was doing all this checking because I've been wondering about getting hold of a used Pentax DSLR, to see if they suit me more than the X-5 (don't like) and my Panasonic G series CSCs (do like) so I thought, "What the hell, it's Christmas," and bought it. It came with nearly all the bits and pieces and now has the Pentax-A f1.7 50mm lens off my Super-A attached. And a couple of older K lenses 135mm and 200mm) waiting in the wings...

No serious use yet - I'm still getting the feel of it and working my way through the (printed!) manual. First impressions are that it's bl**dy heavy for its size and the controls are a bit complex. But I like the extra weight - the X-5 and, to an extent, the Gs are a bit light for comfort.

Depending on how I get on with it, my next problem will be to decide what 'kit' lens to go for.

More news (and pictures, of course) as and when.

Welcome back. The K20D is a bit of a brick, but it is a good camera. Have fun playing with it.

St Aines Upon Thames? My birthplace!

That's the one - we were trying to upgrade the name before they just tacked Upon Thames on the end.

I've never felt the inclination to put my Pentax, or anything similar on a set of scales, but whenever I pick my K-5iis up and compare its 'feel in the hand' to its counterparts from Canikon they ALWAYS feel light and flimsy in comparison.

That's not to make any comment about the quality of the images that they (the Canikon counterparts) produce because they do seem to be very good, but they do feel c*** to hold IMHO. To me, if you like how it feels when you pick it up, you're going to use it.

Phil

Neither had I...

...but, if you're interested (or even if you're not), the k20d plus the 50mm f1.7 is exactly (or as exact as my kitched scales get) 900 grammes.

Hello and welcome back

I prefer the weight and handling of the k10 to the k5

I always found my k10 a bit heavy and prefer the k5. Mind you in some ways I prefer the k10 handling and layout but there is always going to be a compromise to an extent.
My super a was a lot lighter but it didn't do all the things the k5/k10 does and you don't haveto wait to see your pictures!

A good choice would be the Pentax SMC DA 18-135mm weather resistant zoom.

If you don't mind manual and want a good but cheaper option, get the Pentax-M (or A) 28mm from e.g. eBay, to take along with your 50, 135, and 200.

Cheers.
Philip

Hello and Welcome to the Forum.

I've just been checking my collection of old lenses and discovered I have a Pentax-A 35-105 Macro. I think that might make a reasonable 'kit' lens until I decide what to go for next, which will probably be the 18-55 kit lens - the only way I can afford to get a wide angle lens.

The A 35-105mm is a very sharp and versatile lens ... certainly better than a lot of the newer offerings. If you can run to the extra outlay the 16-45mm f4 is sharper/wider than the kit lens and not that much more expensive (used), especially considering the better IQ.

I'd keep quiet about that Gwyn, apart from the fact it was the european R&D HQ of my former employer I've not had any good experience of the place. I onlyappen across the place when I avoid the M3 accidents and wish I stayed in the traffic..

I live in another 'upon Thames'

I left when I was 6 weeks old. I grew up in an on Thames, not upon Thames.
I did get married in St Aines though, at your Saints church next the Thames.

A quick update.

Turned out that a number of my old K lenses produced bad colour fringing. Still one or two to check though.

Anyway, those nice people at SRS sold me a DA-L 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL for not very much at all. And a month or so later a DA-L 50-200mm F4-5.6 ED AL WR Lens for a price I could afford - I don't have a great deal of spare moolah. Neither lens gets great reviews, but they are all I could afford and they seem OK to me.

I suppose it is obvious from the fact that I bought two NEW lenses, that I quite like the k20. It's not perfect. For one thing it is bl@@dy heavy! With the short zoom it weighs exactly 1kg - as a comparison, my old MX plus autowinder is only 900g! Which makes avoiding camera shake a bit of a chore - especially at the long end of the 50-200. The weight plus the size/shape means it takes a bit of getting used to after the smaller G5.

Also, the bottom cover is missing. And impossible to replace - I've even tried e-mailing obscure little camera repair shops in the US! Thank someone or other for duct-tape - the poor mans weatherproofing!

Anyway, I've been testing out the camera/lenses around our block's car park - I'll post some of the results in the Your Pictures sub-forum.

I doubt it will be my main camera - that will still be the G5 - but I'm sure it will get a fair amount of use.

Maybe I'll produce some piccy's of modern-day Staines to make Gwyn (home)sick.

Two potentials --
Pentacon f3.5/30mm
Helios f2/ 58mm (not the 55)

The first is a staggeringly sharp wide angle in M42, although it can behave almost like a macro if you want. The second can go the other way and will produce crops to rival a 200mm prime - it is usually found in M39 mount for which you will need an M39 > M42 step up ring.

Ancient, preset apertures, requiring adapters but cheap (and flippin' good).
Here's a severe crop from the Pentacon