Upgrading to Digital from SLR

I have a MZ-50 SLR with 35 - 80 and 80 - 200 lenses. Can someone please recommend a digital SLR to upgrade to and also will I be able to use my existing lenses. Please reply asap, I need to get one for my husband's birthday and there are some on Ebay.

Many thanks

Any of the Pentax digital SLRs will be fine. The *istD was the first and it differs from the others in that it takes CompactFlash cards. All the others take SD cards, and I mention this in case you have a compact digital camera that takes the same type of card.

The*istDS, DS2, DL and DL2 will all be fine.

The new K100D adds shake reduction technology which enables you to use slower shutter speeds without getting shaky pictures.

The best deal might well be the *istDL2 with 18-55mm lens from Jessops for £349, if you can still find one in stock.

Don't forget to let us know what you end up buying and what he thinks of it!

Thanks so much for your prompt reply John. There is an *ist DL with lenses etc on Ebay to buy for £367.00 plus £10 PP and Ins. Item is in England but sellers are USA. 99% pos rating. Not sure if SD card is included though, it said Bonus: SD Card £79.00, so presumably this is extra and will put the price up to £456.00! Am waiting to hear from them. If the latter then probably will not buyand try bidding instead. Nothing on Jessops wesite unfortunately.

Thanks again

If you phone jessops they may be able to find you one.

If you buy a copy of AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHER you will find the *istDL at some attractive prices from UK dealers. Jessops however have the *istDL2 as an offer special to themselves.

The US price seems too expensive to me, and too risky if anything proves to be amiss when it arrives.

Hi Stargazer,

I'd try ringing a Jessops store, they should be able to check on their stock computer to see if there are any still available in any of their shops, and then transfer it to your nearest one.

If you need to get memory cards, try www.7dayshop.com, where a 1Gb one will cost about £12 + postage.

I'd be reluctant to get one from the US at that price as you may get stung for import duty and VAT on top of that price.

Jessops have the K110, which is basically the same as the DL (I think), but with better image quality (from what I've seen on online reviews, haven't looked at one myself), at £399.

All the best,
Dan

Thanks for your replies, I think I will phone Jessops tomorrow and go to Ebay as last resort. The item on Ebay was actually in England but the sellers were USA?

Will let you know how I get on now I know what and who to ask.

Beware buying items like this from USA. Import duty and VAT may have to be added potentially making it a very expensive camera.

I bought an *ist-DS from SRSMicrosystems (on ebay http://feedback.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback&userid=srsmicrosyst... )
They often do refurbished, warrantied Pentax cameras... but alas, not right now

Matt

Hi,

I would argue with the use of the word 'upgrade' when changing from film to a digital 'wunderkamera'...

Interesting point, I suppose it depends on your point of view!

Jessops in Sauchiehall St Glasgow, have DSs in the window with the 18-55 and (if you want) 50-200 bundled. Cant remember the price, it was yesterday after all )

Did seem like a bit of a bargain though.

Ken

Success! I phoned my local Jessops this morning and they had one *ist DL2 left which I have reserved - £349.99. So glad I found this site. Jessops were very helpful on the phone and told me to bring lenses in etc to make sure everything fits. Thanks everyone for prompt replies.

Apologies if I offended by using the word 'upgrade' didn't think in my haste to write. I'm not really a camera buff as you can tell, but generally people always say they are upgrading to digital in my experience, however point noted.


Thanks

Hi Stargazer..

No offence taken at all, I simply think too many times we assume certain things when we should not. Most people as you say assume a change from film to digital is an 'upgrade'. However it may not be..many people have reverted to film after trying digital and finding it does not suit them for one reason or another...

cheers Steve.

Well we'll see how it goes with the digital, I suppose it makes life easier knowing you're not going to run out of film at a crucial time, which usually happens to us on holiday and can delete the not so good photos. But I must admit I do get rather excited when the photos are ready for collection from Boots! Perhaps I'll keep the MZ50 for a while anyway.

Cheers

Hi Stargazer,

Glad you found what you were looking for, let us know how you and Mr. Stargazer get on with it.

I don't see you having any problems with your current lenses fitting, so you shouldn't have to spend out on anything else other than a memory card, if that's not included. The DL2 will come with the 'kit' zoom lens, so you'll have this wide angle to short telephoto zoom, and your longer zooms too.

If you've got any questions once you have the camera, there are many knowledgeable Pentax Users on here that will be only too happy to offer answers.

Have fun, and don't forget you can just as easily get your prints done at Boots from a digital camera as from film, so you can still get excited about that!

All the best,
Dan