No more *ist-D??

Just checked Park Cameras web site and they no longer list the *ist-D

Do they know something we don't?? Or are they just stocking DS & DL?
Matt

Talking to Pentax service dept the other day, D production is finished, replaced by DS. I guess future is DS format, SD cards etc. The two cameras are pretty similar anyway.

Thanks for the info.
However, the *ist-DS is not similar IMHO
There are too many features the *ist-D has that make the *ist-DS a non-replacement:
* AF button on the back (I live off this button)
* Finger wheel and thumb wheel for immediate choice between Av and Tv overriding
* Pop-up flash supports wireless to the AF360 (without having two AF360)
* Pop-up flash can be disabled in wireless mode
* PC flash connector (though, ok I could get away with a hotshoe adapter)
* Extra customisation modes (choice of MTF/Normal/Speed/Depth which are not available on the DS)
* Three customisation memories
* Backlit top LCD (which I do use)
* Wider exposure range
* Exposure bar-graph in viewfinder (now that I would be very, very sorry to lose)

.. maybe others... but perhaps I'll stop there, it's already toooo depressing

And I have 3Gb of high speed Lexar Compact Flash cards for the *ist-D.
Some of those things could be addressed with firmware updates, but not the rest

Matt

Hmm a number of useful features lost there. I liked the AF button, backlit LCD and Av/Tv overide on my MZs; which Pentax are unable to repair hence they are helping me with a DS replacement.

I predict Pentax will have a new semi pro model out later with 8mp (or larger) sensor,wiht a return of many of the D lost features. Stands to reason with the new range of digital only lenses coming to market (eg 12-24). I doubt if your CF cards will be much use 'though.

Just a thought, could it be that Pentax may be introducing a repalecement for the *ist-D at Photokina this year.

The *ist-D is now 2 1/2 years old which is a long time in terms of digital camera technology.

As identified by others, the DS has an inferior spec and is unlikely to rank as a top of the range camera for Pentax.

I hope my hunch is right as I've waited over a year on the basis of a replacement for the D and I'll be really disappointed if I've missed the boat already.

If I am right about a new model it could have some interesting features looking at other Pentax models and what other manufacturers are offering.

Fingers etc crossed,
Martin

"Just a thought, could it be that Pentax may be introducing a repalecement for the *ist-D at Photokina this year"

fingers crossed but i am not holding my breath i have had the ISTD since september last year and just love it of cause there is a few things i would like changed seeing the ISO speed in the view finder as well as the white balnce setting in there as well & a fine tune for the white balnce woulld be nice but there only "would be nice" things i have taken the istd to China, Rome as well on many motor bike rides all this with it living happly in my back pack never had a problem (shhh dont tell the camera that ) if by christmas or there about they havent brought out an replacement to better the istd then i will start looking for another istd to use as back up there is alway a shop some where that has old stock
oh one thing i would change is the name PLEASE pentax a good name next time cheers all greg

A good name perhaps like MZ-DS?
We wish.

I'm still uncertain as to whether to get the *ist-d or ds. While they're both around retail, it makes the decision harder. The d has 2 command dials, Hyper modes, bar graph exposure meter display in the view finder.
The d is smaller, slightly more comfortable, faster, and has $100 cashback offer on it at the moment.
I will probably use aperture priority mostly, some exposure compensation and my current selection of pentax m/a lenses. I will start investing in newer pentax glass at a later date, but I want to start taking pictures soon.
I'm going more towards the ds, because it will cost me around 520 quid overall, which is extremely cheap.
(although the olympus e200 can be found for £399!!!!! )

The *st D is still available, you might have to special order it. At that's what I did in Canada.

If they make a D2 with the full KAF mount (with the mechanical apeture sensor in the lens mount) I might even cough up for a secone DSLR!

Have you received your DS yet, Kevin?
Pentax have promised me a DL to replace a faulty Z1 (minty but with a mirror return problem) but I'm wondering how long I'll have to wait.
I can't believe that they are unable to repair cameras of Z series or later, they should be able to replace the entire innards of such cameras!
I thought that they had maybe destroyed or mislaid my Z1 but your story suggests that they are unable or unwilling to support 35mm at all

Looking forward to the DL though

Hi Kim

Yes I recieved my brand new DS and very happy with it, Pentax service were pretty good but had to wait for one from their distributor in Europe.

I think you are right in their unwillingness to support 35mm SLR anymore, and I guess the independant repairers are not set up for the more recent electronic SLRs

However I have been dragged kicking and screaming into the digital age, pleasently surprised what can be achieved with Raw shooting etc.

However as well as buying a new 16-45 lens I have just got a new PC so that I can run modern RAW procesing software etc - that free upgrade was not so cheap after all, but I guess it's a long term investment

Good luck with the DL

THe *st D, which is not in poduction any more, is the pro-level Pentax DSLR. The *st DS was the enthusiast-level camera, and the *st DL is for soccer moms and such. I suspect the nest series of digitals, hopefully with a better name, will probably start out with a D2 of some kind, leading to a D2S and a D2L.

Or not.

Arthur, I wonder if you or anyone else can tell me why the *ist D is thought to be a “pro-level” camera and the DS and DL are considered as enthusiast level cameras? From all the reading I have done the DS and DL seem to have evolved and developed from Pentax’s first digital camera, the D.

Yes, the D cost significantly more and was packaged with a better lens but don’t tell me the cost made it pro-level! The construction and materials used are very, very similar and certainly no better than the DS or DL. The latter cameras have a faster processor coupled with what I believe is the same sensor, a better body shape with the built in grip, an excellent viewfinder (DS), better display, particularly so the DL. Both can instantly display a histogram. Yes, the D had the bar graph exposure meter and a backlit LCD display but come on, some one tell me why that makes it pro-level.

They are all extremely good digital SLR’s but in my mind the DS and DL are the natural evolution of the D and replace it at a lower cost. I think we all know that they are all capable of pro-level shots but would any off them take the knocks, dirt, grime, heat, cold and rain that a journalist would give them? Maybe they would!

Finaly Arthur, why is the DL for soccer moms?

But, I do agree about the name.

Regards,
Dave. UK

Basically, the *st D has a feature set that is easy to use on the job. It doesn't have "scene" modes to clutter up the dial. Pretty much all functions can be accesses while holding the camera up to your eye.

It is a pretty common pattern among camera makers to bring out the full pro model first, and then more hobbyist oriented models later. I had the choice of all three cameras, the L is not at all suitable for what I need, and the S is lower cost, but it just doesn't operate in a way that makes my job easier. The L seems to be designed for people who like go put a camera on automatic, and don't do much tweaking.

They are all good cameras, and a competent photographer can make a decent photo with pretty much any camera. But certain convieniences and operating methods make it a lot easier for someone who needs to use the camera on a daily basis.

Back in the day, the MX was really the first pro Pentax I ever owned. Why the MX ax opposed to the K1000? It has DOF preview, and at the time a camera that could operate without batteries was considered essential. The LX was marketed more heavily to pros, but the MX showed up in newsrooms across the country.

I don't mean to put down any camera. I have a point and shoot that I keep around in case I don't have my *st D or Mamaiya with me. But for day to day ease of use, the D just seems to be more suited to the working phogtographer.

There are a myriad of ways in which the D is a more flexible camera to use than the other two.
Here are just four:
The two wheels make exposure/speed/aperture correction quicker and easier.
Continuous AF is available in all modes.
Wireless flash is available without having to mount a second 360 on the camera.
A pc socket facilitates the use of old flashguns.

The only real advantage of the other cameras is the larger buffer/faster processing, which is undeniably better for sports photographers. However, this is a natural consequence of improvements in computer technology rather than a better spec per se.

The build quality of the D and DS is much higher than all recent film bodies except the MZ-S. The DL of course has the dreaded pentamirror, which relegates it to the murky depths populated by cameras made by copier companies.

G
G

I personally love the accessory battery pack with vertical controls available for the *ist D. It make the camera feel more pro in my personal opinion. This option is not available with the DS or DL.