Pentax is right for me because..........

[cutterpup]

The Pentax ist DS was the right camera for me when I was looking for a DSLR because it was the only one in it's price range that offered MLU, Glass pentaprisim, DOF preview and a great viewfinder. Although I seriously considered the Canon 300/350 and the nikon d50 these three features were the deal maker for me. As I already had Pentax glass and two film bodies I could not justify jumping to the Canon 20 or the nikon d70..the price of either of those bodies would have precluded my being able to afford lenses as well. I only wish that it had Nikon's flash system and the ability to shoot raw+jpeg simultaneously. i am very happy with my choice. I have shot with Pentax for many years now. My brother shoots with Nikon and a close friend has just switched from minolta to canon so I've had a chance to try all four in one form or another (film or digital SLR that is).

Judy and the Cutterpup
pentax and Proud of it

[hartcons]

Originally Posted by cutterpup

The Pentax ist DS was the right camera for me when I was looking for a DSLR because it was the only one in it's price range that offered MLU, Glass pentaprisim, DOF preview and a great viewfinder.

I tried one out at costco the other day and liked it. I felt like I might actually be able to judge sharpness on the LCD. I don't need another d-slr but am interested in their new underwater camera.

What do they have in the way of big zooms? for instance I have a 70-300 for my d70.

[cutterpup]

Originally Posted by hartcons

What do they have in the way of big zooms? for instance I have a 70-300 for my d70.

As far as I know this is where they fall short (pun intended) except for a 80-200 f2.8 that sells for $1370 all of their lens beyond 200mm are inexpensive, consumer ones. The third party manufacturers have them covered fairly well though in the longer focal lengths. i don't know of many Pentax users who buy into the system to use long, wildlife type lenses. My favorite range is from 28-135 and they are very well covered there. I also use my 100mm macro and 50mm1.7 a lot. Now that I have the digital body I am exploring other length lenses to get. I have a 75-205 f3.5 but it is too heavy for me to hand hold well so I haven't tried it on the DS yet.
Judy

[cutterpup]

Just a quick sample from my DS..I've only* had it for two weeks* *

[joelw135]

How much are they getting at Cosco for the kit with 18-55mm? I just purchased mine today for $642.00 at Willoughbys.com. I also bought the 28-200 Sigma lens to go along with it. :

[Winnie]

Originally Posted by cutterpup

Just a quick sample from my DS..I've only* had it for two weeks* *

Sorry, just being nosey in the Pentax forum but that shot looks a little OOF and pretty noisy. What settings did you use?

Alex

[BigB]

Originally Posted by Winnie

Sorry, just being nosey in the Pentax forum but that shot looks a little OOF and pretty noisy. What settings did you use?

Alex

Courtesy of FireFox EXIF reader:

Camera Make: PENTAX Corporation
Camera Model: PENTAX *ist DS
Image Date: 2005:07:29 19:03:55
Flash Used: No
Focal Length: 210.0mm (35mm equivalent: 315mm)
Exposure Time: 0.0056 s (1/180)
Aperture: f/6.3
ISO equiv: 1600
White Balance: Auto
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: Action program (based towards fast shutter speed)

[mawz]

Originally Posted by hartcons

What do they have in the way of big zooms? for instance I have a 70-300 for my d70.

The same lens (Assuming you have the AF-D ED version and not the cheaper AF-G version) is available in Pentax mount from Tamron (Tamron's 70-300 LD Macro is internally identical to the Nikkor 70-300 AF-D ED, many suspect that the Nikkor is made for Nikon by Tamron). Pentax and Sigma also make zooms in that range. The clear winner for optical quality from Pentax in the consumer area is the 50-200 SMC-DA. It's surprisingly good for a $200-ish consumer zoom. The old 70-210's are gems as well (Just like the Nikkor 70-210's, far better than the 70-300's).