New user, new to Pentax, infact haven't bought one yet

Hello everyone.

As the title says, I've yet to aquire my camera, but after weeks and weeks of research I've definitely decided on Pentax.

Like most people you take advice from the majority of people giving it and that led me down the Canon/Nikon path. I've had a couple of canon compacts before and used Nikons at work, but never really considered Pentax before.

I read somewhere that in the world of DSLRs Pentax were the under dog, a much better product, better built but without the mass market appeal of its rivals. Being an Apple Macintosh user that struck a chord with me. I'm glad it did.

I'd heard of Pentax of course; my brother had an old SLR years ago but as far as digital goes I'd forgotten about them.

I was a hair's breadth away from getting a Nikon D70. Infact, I bid on quite a few on fleabay and came very close to winning. It's funny because at the time I was cursing the fact I'd missed out by just a couple of pounds; now I'm really pleased, even though I don't yet have a camera.

Like most people, I have to watch the pennies. I have a wife, two children, two cats and until recently two chickens to support. I've never felt comfortable about spending money on myself but since this latest bug/obsession has entered my head I've thought 'go on treat yourself!' (within reason!)

I can't allow myself to go too mad with spending, so I'm looking toward getting a K10D.

To be really honest I find the code numbers and spec of these cameras a tad confusing. I've been wrestling over whether to get the K10D or the K-m/K2000 or even the K110D.

I think the K-m doesn't offer enough 'bang for the buck' for me to bypass the K10D, but then I look at the K110D and think it's pretty much the same camera but just less resolution.

After working in advertising for over 20 years and being a dedicated retoucher for a few of those years, I know that resolution doesn't count for a great deal in terms of a 'quality' shot. So, I'm erring on maybe getting a cheaper K110 and being able to buy more lenses.


Anyway, I've rambled on way, way too much. My luck on ebay will probably decide which camera I end up with, but in any event it'll be a Pentax.

I've lurked on the forums for a while and read a fair few threads and it seems like a nice friendly place.

Cheers

Phill

Hi and welcome!

It's also worth keeping an eye on the classifieds section here for a camera. I got mine here!

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Tim
AF - Pentax K5, Sigma 10-20/4-5.6, Tamron 17-50/2.8, Sigma 30/1.4, Sigma 70-200/2.8, Tamron 70-300/4-5.6
MF - Vivitar CF 28/2.8, Tamron AD2 90/2.5, MTO 1000/11
Stuff - Metz 58 AF1, Cactus v4, Nikon SB24, Raynox 150, Sigma 1.4x TC, Sigma 2x TC, Kenko 2x macro TC, Redsnapper 283 tripod, iMac 27”, Macbook Pro 17”, iPad, iPhone 3G
Flickr • Fluidr • PPG • Street • Portfolio site
Feel free to edit any of my posted photos! If I post a photo for critique, I want brutal honesty. If you don't like it, please say so and tell me why!

Hey Phill,

Welcome!

My first Pentax was a K200D. I can certainly recommend it if you can find one on ebay cheapish (£250-300 should do it).
A good upgrade on a K100D and an alternative to a K10D (newer, smaller and easier to learn the digital basics IMO)

I got bitten hard when I joined the Pentax mould. After just over a year I now own a K20D, a MG, ME and P30 and around 12 lenses!!! It's addictive let me tell you!

Good luck, looking forward to seeing shots of your chickens...

Hello and Welcome to the Forum

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Barrie
Too Old To Die Young

http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/barrieforbes

Welcome to the forum.

Regards

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cameradextrous _ Motorcycles etc. link

Hi and welcome to the Forum.

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Regards
Tom

K-3's, K-3II.
Sigma 10-20mm f3.5 DC HSM EX, Pentax SMC FA 35mm F2 AL, Pentax DA* 16-50mm F2.8 ED AL [IF] SDM, Pentax SMC DFA 100mm f2.8 WR Macro,
Pentax DA* 300mm F4 ED [IF] SDM, HD PENTAX-D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW, Pentax DA 560mm F5.6 ED AW.
Pentax HD PENTAX-DA AF Rear Converter 1.4X AW .
Pentax AF160FC Auto Macro Ring Flash.

https://pentaxphotogallery.com/artist-gallery/?artist_id=20168301

Hi Phil
I like your analogy between Pentax and the Apple Mac!

Some of us do have both

Welcome Phil

I bought my K-x in November - joined the forum before I bought it and actually got it in my wee mits in December

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let the education continue

proud owner of a couple of cameras and a few bits and bobs

Welcome Phil

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Hyram

Bodies: K20D (2), K10D, Super A, ME Super, Auto 110 SLR, X70, Optio P70
Pentax Glass: DA* 300, DA* 60-250, DA* 50-135, DA* 16-50, DA 70 Ltd, FA 31 Ltd, DA 35 Ltd, DA 18-55 (2), DA 12-24, DA 10-17, M 200, A 35-70, M 40, M 28, Converter-A 2X-S, 1.4X-S, AF 1.7, Pentax-110 50, Pentax-110 24
Other Glass: Sigma 105 macro, Sigma-A APO 75-300
Flash: Metz 58 AF-1 P, Pentax AF160FC ringflash, Pentax AF280T

A very warm welcome
I like and can strongly associate with your thought process... it's generally my approach to most things, I think (.... better double check ).

I think you will be very pleased with any the cameras you have mentioned. If you could stretch to secondhand K20D you'll feel you've hit the jack pot!

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Regards Huw

flickr

Hi and welcome to the forum!

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Pentax K10D, *istDS
Pentax 18-55mm,50-200mm,Macro 100mm
Takumar-A 28-80mm, Sigma 170-500mm, Soligor Teleconverter x2

Finally!! Sigma 10-20mm

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.

http:/www.pentaxphotogallery.com/maliskaoosthuizen

Welcome to the forum.

I would recommend the K10 if you want to dive in at the deep end, otherwise the K200 has the same sensor and is a bit more new user friendly.

In general the low end cameras in the K110/ K100/ K10 range have the higher number. Only Pentax know why!

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Cheers, HG

K110+DA40, K200+DA35, K5+Tammy 18-250, a bag of lenses, bodies and other bits.

Mustn't forget the Zenits, or folders, or...

I've some gallerieshere CLICKY LINK! and my PPG entries.

Welcome to the forum, I have only got into the DSLR photo taking world recently, but the guys on the forum give valid advise.

As also said keep a lookout in the classified adds there are some good bargains to be had.

Regards

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Colin

“Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little.”
Edmund Burke (1729 – 1797)

Hello Phill and welcome to the forum.

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The older I get the faster I was.
Dave
K-3 II, K10D, DA16-85, DA*50-135, DA12-24, DA18-55, DA 50, Sigma EX DG 70mm Macro, Sigma 70-300mm, Sigma DG 120-400mm APO HSM.
Metz 58 AF-1.

My Flickr link

Welcome Phil. Like you, I joined the forum before acquiring my K-x. After much research, and listening to lots of advice, I got it in late December. I think you've made a good decision going with Pentax, and joining this forum .

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Cheers - JD

"Sometimes I do get to places just when God's ready to have somebody click the shutter."
-Ansel Adams