My K10D Has Landed!
The autofocus is much quicker and more certain than my DS. Just love the Hyper modes, I can see why the D guys were raving
Silkypix303 is noticeably slower with the compressed PEF files, but "you don't get 'owt for nowt"
I happen to like the new slightly more dicreet shutter sound, Matt
I have long fingers and if I had been designing the location of the front e-wheel I'd have moved it across the battery compartment closer to the lens. That's the only nit I can pick. Oh and the crappy neck strap!
Must go and play some more!
I am completely blown away by the image quality and dynamic range on this beast
I agree!
This is why I'm a little perplexed at the dpreview thats says: "giving up around a third of a stop in shadow range and a third of a stop in highlight range it actually delivers less dynamic range than we were expecting to see"
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentaxk10d/page15.asp
I was also impressed with the detail in highlights and how far I could push them.
So much for reviews eh?
I happen to like the new slightly more dicreet shutter sound, Matt
I didn't say I didn't like it Just that it sounds like a sneeze
Can add the following flash related information:
* Definitely doesn't do TTL. Tried with a Metz 50MZ5 and SCA-3702 and it overexposes. Works fine in M and A modes though.
* The gap between the preflash and flash has been greatly reduced. I could perceive the gap on the *ist-D, but am having trouble seeing the gap on the K10D. I'll try some shots later with some friends that always blink on the preflash of the *ist-D and see if it's improved on the K10D
* Flash exposure seems very good, perhaps a little underexposed, but based on my earlier comments that's no problem in RAW.
Just off to try some wireless contrast controlled flash with the AF360+AF540... have a little session to do tomorrow. May be able to post a shot or two (if they're any good!).
Matt
Had the K10D sat alongside my *istD - it's like my old D but on steroids. I like the bigger feel of the K10D, it's so much more sturdy. Grip feels better, controls feel more positive... I'm even liking the switch to SD from CF - the door and slot are much easier to use and change cards. There's a couple of things I don't like as much as the istD: the AF / Manual focus switch isn't as simple (I'm used to the slider which is the same as MZ-S) and I also used to like the easy access of switching from RAW to JPEG on the istD.
However, that last point seems to now be a bit moot... just been testing the frame rate and buffer. WOW what an improvement, even in RAW, I'm easily getting 8 or 9 shots before the buffer is full and even after that it doesn't take long before I can stick my finger back on the trigger again. That was easily my biggest bug bear with the istD - tend to use my D for action stuff and the istD just couldn't keep up, even shooting JPEG's... Now if I'm not careful it'll be very easy to fill memory cards, very quickly!
Not sure now if I read the original specs correctly - was it always expected to have a 9 RAW shot buffer? Not that I'm complaining as that's more than ample for my needs...
One thing that I have noticed tho - I'm running PS CS2 and it doesn't seem to want to read the K10D PEF's - ok with DNG of course... am I doing something wrong and what difference is it going to make if I stick to just using DNG? Are the DNG's still compressed slightly?
Cheers!
Will
Fan and user of quality Pentax Shiny Kit
WEBSITE www.willbartonphotography.com & www.inspiredlightimages.com
Will Barton Photography: Landscapes, Cityscapes
My Flickr
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Fan and user of quality Pentax Shiny Kit
WEBSITE www.willbartonphotography.com & www.inspiredlightimages.com
Will Barton Photography: Landscapes, Cityscapes
My Flickr
Follow Will Barton Photography on Facebook
Two weeks ago, Intro2020 told the shop that they would definately have their 4 pre-ordered bodies in time for Christmas. One has arrived and it appears to other 3 have been diverted to other dealers. So much for pre-ordering it about 2 months ago. Pentax are a lot less likely to regain their market share if they entrust their distribution to a third party who will not keep their promise.
Kim
You must be gutted... to make you feel better and me feel less guilty about getting too familiar with my xmas pressie I'm going to put it back in the box!
Will
Fan and user of quality Pentax Shiny Kit
WEBSITE www.willbartonphotography.com & www.inspiredlightimages.com
Will Barton Photography: Landscapes, Cityscapes
My Flickr
Follow Will Barton Photography on Facebook
Kim, I still have stock - if ordered before 3pm it should be with you tomorrow, if it helps?
Chris
I'm running PS CS2 and it doesn't seem to want to read the K10D PEF's - ok with DNG of course... am I doing something wrong and what difference is it going to make if I stick to just using DNG? Are the DNG's still compressed slightly?
Cheers!
Will
I hadn't checked this until I read your post, but it's the same for me - reads the DNG files fine, but not the PEFs. With a given example today, the PEF file is 10,490KB, but saved as a DNG it expands to 21,491KB. This was an "in PC" conversion, of course. I've found that saving as DNGs on the K10D brings the files in somewhere around the 16-17000KB size.
There's quite a bit on the 'Net about plug-ins, but I can't get any of them to work either.
Ray.
If you want to shoot RAW PEF, then you have two choices:
1. Use Silkypix DS 3.0.3 which supports it now
2. Use in-camera PEF to JPG conversion
Eventually everyone will catch up and ACR and C1 will support the K10D PEF format... but that could be a month or two (judging on past experiences).
Hope that helps!
...and Chris... the camera's a beauty It's like going digital all over again
Matt
Kim, I still have stock - if ordered before 3pm it should be with you tomorrow, if it helps?
Chris
Thanks for the offer but it is not the fault of my local shop so why should they suffer. They have been very good about it and are happy to return my deposit because of it if I want to go elsewhere. I have been a fan of Pentax for 40 years and have cameras going back to the Asahiflex. I am too old and set in my ways to change now. Were it not for this or if I was starting out, I would not go with Pentax and I fear that they are unlikely to increase their customer base in the UK with service like this. Tom Dennis always used to stock Pentax but no longer. It is the same in many shops I visit. All give the same reason.
Anyway rant over, I am just a bit hacked off!
I hope everyone else enjoys their new cameras over the break.
Kim
1) Does it have a designated flash sync socket or is it via hot-shoe adapter like the *ist Ds/DL etc?
2) Can you thether it to a pc/laptop to instantly view images?
3) Does it only take CF cards now and SD is no longer an option?
Thanks in advance!
Chris
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1903 posts
20 years
The Kingdom of Fife
Some initial observations, it's BIG compared to the D but still very compact, strangly it feels lighter in the hand (volume to weight ratio I presume), the grip area and control positions are near perfect for me, I always had trouble reaching the AE-L button on the D, the screen is huge and the addition of the +/- button to grip will come in mighty handy. The 4-way control button is much much improved over the D, I like the click's and the focus selector is not as loose (I always seem to move it accidentily on the D).
Remote Control F is TINY, going have to glue something onto it so I can attatch it to an expanding key fob, don't want to keep opening and shutting the grip tray.
For those that like to use off camera flash I have to recommend the Pentax Off Camera Shoe Clip CL-10 £19.99 from Park Cameras, very handy bit of kit, well built out of metal, will post a pic of it later.
Brian.
LBA is good for you, a Lens a day helps you work, rest and play.