K100d Super Holiday SLR

Hi,

Im thinking of getting a K100d super and putting my tamron 18-200 lens on it for holidays. (in case i drop it or it gets wet)

As im upgrading my lens for the samsung gx20 to a sigma 17-70 and pentax 60-250 DA*

Would the k100d give me as good quality with the tamron attatched as the gx20 does (as i wont be blowing it up beyond A4 it should be virtually identical picture quality shouldnt it?)

The K100DS is a great camera - one of the best 6MP SLRs you can buy, and picture quality up to A4 should be no problem. Great at higher ISOs too, and also fun to use with an infrared filter if you want to try something different (the Sony 6MP sensors used in cameras like the K100D are quite sensitve to infrared but IR photography much harder with the newer bodies).

I have a K-7 but for my trip this Summer I will probably take my K100DS with Tamron 18-250, supplemented by Sigma 10-20, because I want to take some kit that I'm (a) familiar with and (b) not too worried about.

Finally, if you're thinking of using it mainly for holidays and occasional other use, I'd recommend you use some CRV3 lithium batteries in it (look for them cheap on Ebay or Amazon). They cost a bit but seem to last forever. It's nice not to take a charger with you too.....

I agree - the K100d super would be fine: compact, good performance and quite robust.

the k100d super is an awsome camera with the best iso control i have seen from any dslr,

I use a K100D (without the Super) and have taken it on 2 holidays so far - it has never disappointed. I just went with the 18-55 and 50-200 (with a 28-70 in reserve).

Excellent quality photos in JPEG, and the RAW results are a joy to work with - just need to correct for the K100D's metering which isn't always spot on.

I find the K100D Super an excellent camera - lightweight and good handling. I bought a refurbished body from Pentax UK via their eBay shop as a back up.

SOunds good. I think its the best thing as i dont want to start spending on some good lenses and possibly a K7 and then take it on holiday and drop it. I dont mind losing a £200 body and a £160 lens as much as a £1200 body and a £600 lens

Insure it?

My kit is insured and I now don't worry about damage or loss although obviously I am careful and indeed have a duty of care.

Mike

Yes i could insure it but my experience of insurance is that they want your money but make it as hard as possible to pay out. I would prefer to have a cheap bvody as insurance.

Matt

Fair enough although my experience is the reverse. Provided you meet the insurer's conditions which they usually make plain they pay out. Indeed one firm paid out despite the fact that my laptop was stolen from an unattended car because they had failed to send me the correct brochure that excluded this.

Mike

Personally I don't see the point of buying a K-7 (weather and dust sealed, perfect for holidays) and not using it.

Makes no sense to me, and as Mike says, make sure it is adequately insured and take care of it and then you can enjoy it!

I dont just mean the accidental element i mean whilst in transit. If somebody knicked it whilst in the hold i would have no way of knowing who it was.

Take it on board with you. Never ever check your camera!

I thought you werent allowed?:

I always take my camera kit as hand luggage, the airport staff always check it but never complain(I think they just want to see who's using what!)

As for tammy18-200 on K100d Super, I've used a Sigma 18-200 on my K110d, with fantastic results. So I'd say go for it!