K10D compared with ist D?

I'm certainly not an "early adopter" of technology - having got my first digital SLR (a refurbished ist D) about 6 months ago - and so far I am very happy with it.

What I like about the ist D is all the manual over-ride capabilities and the fact it takes my SMC-M K-mount lenses. But no camera lasts forever, and I was wondering if a second-hand/refurbished K10D would make a decent upgrade/replacement for my istD in a few years time (as a replacement ist D body might be rather hard to obtain by then.)

Is the K10D a better camera, if so why? (I'm not all that interested in additional auto capabilities, shake-reduction, special effects etc to be honest - what is more important is backward capability with my manual lenses, flash guns, etc. I only ever take pictures using RAW format.)

Are the controls in the same positions as on the istD?
Is there the same manual over-ride capabilities as the istD has?

What additional facilities (as from extra M-pixels) does the K10D have to make it worth changing to a body that uses expensive non-standard batteries (instead of cheap NiMH AAs) which need a special charger, and a different type of memory card?

I've read that the K10D is "weatherproof" - does this mean that light rain won't bother it? Is it more robust that the ist D? I've been careful NOT to get my ist D even slightly damp as the manual warns against this.

Thanks in advance for your comments

tekno.mage

The K10D is much newer and improved technology and the JPEG images can be expected to be better. Yhe extra MP makes a significant improvement to image quality as well. Faster processing means slicker operation and the ability to use 3 fps "motor drive" for an unlimited number of JPEG images.

The weatherproofing should be fine for light to moderate rain, snow, etc.

The features are typically pentax and you will find everything where you expect it to be.

All the lenses can be used with the usual restrictions on any that have no "A" setting.

As regards the battery, it may be more expensive but it is far more efficient and lasts for many hundreds of shots. One battery and the charger should be with the camera, and an extra battery can be obtained for maybe £40 (for a Pentax one)

Don't forget that every camera model has a slightly different RAW file, so software may need to be upgraded to recognise it.

It's the obvious replacement.
It's less backward compatible. It does not support TTL flash (you have to use manual); it meters incorrectly with M and K lenses (unless you change the focussing screen), and it has no PC socket (you'll have to buy a hotshoe/pc adapter).
Generally, yes.

Yes

10MP as opposed to 6. Much faster in every way. Shake reduction works very well. Weather-sealing. It's a really excellent camera. The SD memory card is a bonus - lots of devices have SD readers built-in.
Yes, rain won't bother it - but of course you need a weather-sealed lens, too - and yes, it's very robust.
G

John, please tell me when you're going to reply.

G

I have to say, I don't find the slower speed to be an issue with the D and I like the fact that it is slightly smaller. I rather suspect that by the time you get round to replacing it, the K20 or wjhatever it is going to be called might be the better option.

Kim

How about now? Nothing to add to what you said, George, but happy to say hello!

Hi

I see from your other post that you use a M* 300mm f4

I have just aquired one of these and would be interested in knowing if you use it on a tripod, and if so what mount do you use?

I only got it this week so have not had a chance to use it outside yet, but I can already tell that the shake reduction feature of the K10D works incredibly well. This might me a deciding factor for you if you use this lens handheld.

I have the 300/4 A*. I find it compact and light enough to handhold most of the time as long as the shutter speed is up around the 1/250 area. If I need the tripod, I used the normal camera mount on the Slik 88 and now the Manfrotto.

Kim

Kim

I was a bit worried that the weight of the lens (825 g) might put a strain on the camera lens mount if I use the normal camera tripod mount ?

The TTL flash annoys me (I eventually bought a AF360) compared to the *istDS, however I haven't found the metering with older lenses to be a problem - the K10D meters accurately wide open so I do that then work out myself what the exposure should be stopped down. It's not difficult although it does slow me down a little bit (possibly no bad thing).

I agree it's not difficult to deal with this, though those born into an auto-everything age might find it a novel experience to have to think for themselves.

G

I haven't found a problem with it. The 300/4K is a slightly different story though.

Kim

I've had that 300 f4 M* since 1984ish. It's intended to be fast enough to be hand-held! Not a chance for me, although my partner manages it quite well.

As the lens doesn't have a tripod bush we use it with the camera mounted on a tripod either a big sturdy cullman camcorder thing that's heavy enough not to fall over, or a more compact low-line ball&socket head type.

The 300 f4 works really well on a bean bag over an open car window, on a wall, on a branch, over a friends shoulder etc.

I've even used it (carefully) on a sturdy mini-tripod! If you are out walking you could always cut yourself a thumbstick and just rest the lens in the fork of that.

regards, tekno.mage