Thanks Matt,

It sure is a great utility to have. I just wished I can get a trial version

Looking at your sample photos, the result is impressive.


Shotgun

That is good news!! If it's selling like hotcakes it will definitely help Pentax come up with another better, perhaps a true Pro-level DSLR in the near future.

Hi,

First off, thanks for the image compliments!

In response to your CF card removal querry, here's my take:

Initially, it was fiddly to remove a new CF card especially during the first few times of removing it. After a while, it becomes a breeze. I just tilt the camera a little sideways and use gravity to drop the card without shaking the camera. Also, the release lever has some spring effect and it serves as a catapult to eject the CF card downwards. In effect I don't even need to pull out the card, it just slips down nice.

But, IMHO it could be better to be able to remove it easily without tilting the camera, especially for people with large fingers.

Wow! Very impressive! OK, OK, hands down, I think I neeeeded that

I also don't understand why my AF500FTZ doesn't work in bounce.... maybe you're right. I should dig up my manual and re-read

Thanks!! Those are lovely shots. I pressume she's your kid? Very cute.


ShotGun

NT

Yes Matt, it's me (forgot to log-in in my earlier post).

Yup, I would love to see a sample shot with the AF360FGZ used in bounce mode

Sometime next week I shall be delivering some photographic/digital imaging work to a client (my sideline) and I could be getting a AF360FGZ by then, and use my AF500FTZ as a backup flash. Of course, the latter could still be great with my MZ-S, although I believe both the MZ-S and *ist-D could do better with the new features of the AF360FGZ.

Looking forward to it

ShotGun.

OK folks, here are some of the first shots I got from the *ist-D. (Please bear with my not-so-good photographic skills )

Enjoy the shots and feel free to give comments, good or bad

http://www.pbase.com/santyluib/first_istd_sample_photos

I will be updating this page when I can.

Cheers!

Hi everyone!!

It's been quite a very busy week for me at work, so I had little time playing with my new *ist D, much less posting in the forums

But as promised, I am posting here my initial hands-on "review" and comments on the Pentax *ist D. Please note that this is based on my personal opinion and may differ from another user's point of view.

It has been raining often here, specially in afternoons or early mornings, so I had little opportunity to try the camera in various lighting conditions. Nevertheless, I was able to take it out around the neighbourhood to snap some photos over last weekend.

(I am curently trying to find some web space so I can post my sample shots soon! )

OK, back to the camera. One can't argue that it is small. For people with big hands it may be a little bit too small without the grip, but the feel is just nice with my little hands With the battery grip D-BG1 attached, the overall feel significanltly improved!! With it, your pinky finger just comfortably sits nicely within the grips. It also gives the camera a little weight and sturdiness (I always prefer the camera to be heavier ). Held vertically for portrait shots, operating the front/rear dials is within easy reach, but I'm still trying to "transition" myself from being so used to the controls and feel of the MZ-S's vertical grips. The *ist-D vertical grip seems to be thicker that that of the MZ-S'. The distance between the front/rear dials in the vertical grip I find a bit too far apart, so that operating both is sometimes uncomfortable, at least for me

The viewfinder is bright, crisper and slightly bigger than the MZ-3 and MZ-S. Focusing is as snappy and smart as MZ-S, specially with the 50mm f1.7 or FA100mm 2.8 macro lenses.

On picture quality, I must say without bias that the color response is very good. Even in ISO 400 or 800 setting, noise is still considerably low. In the 'normal' settings and with proper white balance it delivers accurate and natural colors. Skin tones are very impressive, much the same way as the D100. On the downside, one can easily tell that the *ist-D's default picture setting is softer than, say, the 10D or D100 (I have tried both), but this can be made sharp when you up the sharpness setting. In my case, this doesn't hurt as I almost always post-process my shots in Photoshop.

One problem that I still haven't figure out is when I use it with my AF500FTZ flash in bounce mode. In this mode, *istD always give me an underexposed image of about 2 stops whether used with the Stofen omni dome or a bounce card!! So I ended up compensating +1.5 or +2EV to get a correct exposure. (by the way, I meant indoor shooting with white low ceiling and light-colored walls) This does not happen when used with my other Pentax bodies - the MZ-3 and MZ-S. (In my next post I will try to show the pics of this situation when I can get some webspace).

I read somewhere that the classic TTL flash may not work properly on all DSLRs. Is this true? I have been told that Canon DSLRs use flashguns with E-TTL feature and Nikons use those with DX feature. For Pentax, it's the P-TTL feature of the AF360 flashgun. Otherwise, the classic TTL flashes may not provide true TTL. The Pentax manual indicates it is compatible with the AF500FTZ but never mention anything else about TTL. Can anyone shed some light on this?

Overall, I'm very happy with the *ist-D 'cept for bounce flash shooting with my AF500FTZ Flashgun, which I'm still trying to figure out. I hope somebody can help me on this.

And by the way, those sample shots of Phil Askey of www.dpreview.com of the *ist D were all taken here in Singapore!!!


Till next post firends.... I'll try to secure webspace for sample shots when I can. have a good day everyone!

Shotgun

Hi all,

Just reached home a few hours ago and just want to spread the news that I finally got *ist D after I got a call from the shop that a new batch shipment just arrived. I got it with the 18-35mm FAJ lense and the battery grip.. and it's GREAT!!

I will further post my hands-on report when I can. Meanwhile, I'm still fiddling my way around the camera (I'm sure you'd understand )

Cheers to all,

ShotGun

Hi all,

I just called Cathay Photo a few minutes ago.... they have one (read: One) *ist D in stock (not in display) priced at SG$ 3,000 flat - that'a about US$1,750!! I was expecting it to be cheaper than 10D as what they've speculated. (10D is priced at SG$2,700 here).

What should I do? Shall I RUN now and grab it before anyone else buys it, or wait till more stocks comes in in the hope that the price will drop slightly.... ??

Can't wait after office hours to go there and play with it


Cheers!!

ShotGun