Lets remember the K7 is the same body and with identical control features and processing options, as well as accessories and connections available. The Prime processing engine was a significant advance over the previous flagship model, and the model introduced the LV and video functions as I understand it, along with the WR and the WR kit lens to go with it. It was therefore a significant technical move forwards for Pentax when introduced, a quite formidable package.

Historically its place in the range lifecycle was probably unfortunate, and there were good modern cheaper models also available, and then the K5 arrived fairly soon after with its improved sensor (nothing else changed apart from better AF I believe?). But none of that changes the fact it was and still is a damn good camera with many 'high-end' features. I sing its praises gladly because its been fantastic for me - perhaps more so because I was lucky to find possibly the last brand new one in a Jessops shop at the start of 2012 ... so for me its still my 'brand new' camera.

Of course, the low light high ISO performance is not fantastic, and if thats your need and you have the budget, then I would recommend the K5 as much as anyone else - but if your shooting needs are less demanding in terms of high ISO in low light, then the K7 represents quite extraordinary value now as a 2nd hand option. Someone said earlier that it was hardly usable at ISO 800? Sure you'd get some noise very dark conditions ... but with some light its performance is very handy in fact in you just need to crank up shutter speeds, say for indoor use ... here's a couple of mine at ISO 1600 !!! ...















Perfectly useful I find. If you want to check out plenty more lower ISO examples, then please browse through my own PU gallery ... every shot with the K7! ... link

The pressure's on! You'll have to be patient .. I want to make something that demonstrates the technical capability of the camera video, not the deficiencies of my filming techniques (which most of my 'home movies' will aptly display!).

Absolutely did have problems ... Have only just been able to load any page at all ... Only this forum in fact, and that's been using both broadband and a smartphone on mobile network. Thats been most of the afternoon. Glad to be back!

Thankyou Algi, glad you like them, and I don't even mind if they raise the odd chuckle here and there.

You're right, I'm lucky with the lighting around there, almost like having a studio set up professionally for me! I do have to choose the angle carefully to avoid reflections, so I will gladly claim some credit for the results. The ability of the lens does amaze me (its a 40 year old / £40 item! ), and I have only minimal contrast enhancing work in order to remove all signs of the windows completely.

That's right Philip, its a needed reference... A lot of low-end cameras still use the rather meaningless '8x / 12x zoom' designations, which only indicate a multiplication factor, but without any real start point!

I suppose another question would be, does the 35mm reference only have meaning to the 'older' photographer now? I mean those who are serious, and there must be plenty of younger ones in that category... Aren't there? ...

And can we really expect the aps-c size to become a new reference in this changing world? Is it not the case that the 35mm sensor size is slowly becoming the new norm for increasingly more cameras, not just those at the professional end of the market. And surely soon enough we Pentaxians will not have to worry about any focal length crop factor as well ...

The last one is the best here I think. It has an interesting range of tones with complex shadows and the placing of the bridge invites interest in where it leads. A pretty spot, well done for getting these good images in the limited time you had!

Back out in the dark alleys & edgy side streets around South Kensington, lurking and leaping with the K7 and Tamron 135mm f2.8, I caught these latest unsuspecting strangers unawares. As usual went for an eclectic mix of characters just standing there doing their thing.


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Thanks for taking a look, hope you've enjoyed it - all C & C most welcome!

There's an excellent Magic Lantern guide to the K7 and some earlier models also ... Not sure if there's been anything from the book series for our latest K500 / K50 / K3 dslrs?

Pentax video gets a bad press around here for sure. But there are links on here pointing to good quality examples, so it must be possible.... What specifically is it about the quality of output (not the camera options or implementations) that people feel is a problem? And has the newer K3 improved on things quality wise? I know it introduces a few extra features over the K5 series, but does this add ul to better videos?

Thanks Rob, makes sense as well! I will have to experiment quite a bit. For now I'm just looking forward to getting time to shoot more closeup flowers with the tubes.