migrating from SLR to DSLR
Pentax's past history shows that once a body reaches it's end of production (probably imminent in the case of the K20D) they make no further updates to it's firmware. EG: Version 1.03 was recently released for the K20D which supposedly improved the performance of it's shake reduction (SR) system. That same mod was not offered to K10D owners, a body which shares the exact same SR system. If it's only a firmware change, why not offer it for all cameras that might be improved?
If you were to get a K20D now, then get a K-7 when it's price drops to the same level you will end up with two cameras for less than the price of the K-7 at launch, but you will have had lots of fun in the meantime.
Down the road you may wish to upgrade to the apparently flawless K7, or you may even prefer the K20D - either way you can take advantage of falling prices and could keep the older body as a spare or flog it - it won't lose much value at those prices!
DIGITAL - Nikon : D300 - 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR DX
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Pentax-K100D-Super-Digital-SLR-Camera-Digital-Camera_W0QQitemZ330332235213QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CamerasPhoto_DigitalCameras_DigitalCameras_JN?hash=item4ce955e5cd&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1690%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HB92-Pentax-K100D-Super-6-1mp-Pentax-18-55mm-lens_W0QQitemZ300316756576QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CamerasPhoto_DigitalCameras_DigitalCameras_JN?hash=item45ec460a60&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1690%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PENTAX-K100D-SUPER-FANTASTIC-DSLR_W0QQitemZ200345709738QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CamerasPhoto_DigitalCameras_DigitalCameras_JN?hash=item2ea588ecaa&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1690%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Pentax-K100D-6-1-Megapixel-BUILT-IN-SHAKE-REDUCTION_W0QQitemZ230345115171QQcmdZViewItemQQptZDigital_Cameras?hash=item35a1a38623&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1690%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Pentax-K100D-6-1-MP-Digital-SLR-Camera-Package_W0QQitemZ140323381516QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CamerasPhoto_DigitalCameras_DigitalCameras_JN?hash=item20abece10c&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1690%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50
DIGITAL - Nikon : D300 - 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR DX
DIGITAL - Nikon : D300 - 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR DX
at the rate the bids keep increasing for the K100Ds I might as well buy a new KM!
You do have a point!
I Suppose it's quite indicative of how well an older Pentax body can retain it's value
So that's *ist-D, *ist-DS, K10D, K20D (if I haven't missed any!)
LCE Group have some e.g. K10D £280
...and you could always phone Chris at SRS Microsystems - I'm sure he gets second hand ones too
Matt
(For gallery, tips and links)
https://pentaxphotogallery.com/scottbenson
http://s727.photobucket.com/albums/ww272/scottthehat/
CAMERAS = k200d + battery grip.
nikon d300 + battery grip.
LENSES = tamron aspherical DII 18-200mm f3.5/6.3,
nikon 18-200mm afs vr f3.5/5.6 g dx
sigma 150-500mm apo dg hsm os
sigma 170-500mm apo dg
FLASH = samsung sef36pzf flash + more.
This one got away but there's plenty more fish in the sea. Find similar items now.
Pentax K100D Super Digital SLR Camera Digital Camera...
Sale price: £255.00
Your maximum bid: £180.00
Search for similar items
DIGITAL - Nikon : D300 - 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR DX
DIGITAL - Nikon : D300 - 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR DX
They told him July and started telling him the specs...his eyes lit up and he sounded very interested and ordered one immediately for the shop.
Now this tells me one thing: Pentax have great cameras, but lousy sales and marketing. Why would a store manager of LCE not even be aware of the camera, let alone have had a rep visit and been shown a pre-production model to get his juices flowing?
Come on Pentax, get your act together and show the world how good you really are. Stop hiding your light under a bushel
DIGITAL - Nikon : D300 - 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR DX
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5866 posts
21 years
Sussex,
UK
So, from a long-term point of view, I would see it something like this:
K20D now for £500, sell for £300 in 6 months. (loss of £200)
K7D now for £1200(?), available for £700 in 6 months. (£500 cheaper)
So, if you bought a K20D and traded up in 6 months then you're still £300 up That'll get you most of a DA* lens
Seriously consider the cost of the glass For example, the DA*50-135 is utterly sublime. Yes, the K7 will probably be better in some respects - but I'm not sure by just how much
The Pentax digital glass though is well worth shelling out for (e.g. DA*50-135, DA17-70, DA12-24, FA50/1.4 etc).
Your other option is to consider the slower and older cameras like the *ist-D and *ist-Ds. You can pick them up for around £200 with a kit lens. I still have the *ist-D that I paid around £1100 for With good glass it can still take seriously good images (and I mean seriously good ) Very tiny size, still packed with features, and very configurable. The *ist-D & *ist-Ds are TTL flash compatible too, and work very well with manual focus lenses. That way you'll get to try all your old LX glass.
Let us know your location - maybe there's a Pentax User who could let you try the various dSLRs
I'm not knocking the K7, but I'm just pointing out that one of the older bodies may cover 80% of your photographic needs for not much outlay
Matt
(For gallery, tips and links)