Pentax K10D?

[Sidebyte]

With all of the hullabaloo concerning the Pentax K10D before it was available I find it curious that there is almost no input regarding the camera by users? I see more posts even regarding the Sony? Is it the lack of lenses or maybe the acquisition by Hoya that seems to maybe minimize the popularity and reporting of the camera.

It looked so good on paper vs. its competitors in the same price range. The Olympus 410/510 is getting a lot of attention also......

[Mr. Pickles]

Maybe Pentax shooters shoot more and don't talk at all about their stuff? I don't know. Suppose to be a very good camera, but the lens options they have don't appeal to me, but I can see some that would love their line of lenses.

[bogiesbad]

Originally Posted by Sidebyte

With all of the hullabaloo concerning the Pentax K10D before it was available I find it curious that there is almost no input regarding the camera by users? I see more posts even regarding the Sony? Is it the lack of lenses or maybe the acquisition by Hoya that seems to maybe minimize the popularity and reporting of the camera.

It looked so good on paper vs. its competitors in the same price range. The Olympus 410/510 is getting a lot of attention also......

Greetings from a new member,
Please forgive my abundant ignorance I am making the move from point-&-shoot to DSLR.
I just bought the K10D and eagerly await delivery. I bought this camera for a few reasons: Price...@ $800 w/lens (and 2-day shpg) I could afford this
Construction...70 some-odd seals; claimed weather resistance
Lenses...I understood the shake reduction incorporated into the sensor allowed
the use of non-IS lenses (unlike Canon)...I assumed all Pentax mount
lenses would work (some with adaptors) per manufacturers claims
I would appreciate any input on my decision and once I get my hands on the camera I will post my uninformed review
chris

[Mr. Pickles]

The K10D sounds by all accounts like a fine tool. I wouldn't send it immediately back because people don't post about it.

Keep in mind that weather resistance doesn't mean "under water capable".

As for the in-body IS, which is becoming popular from those other than Canon or Nikon (IS in the lens is "better", especially for longer lenses, but does cost), it should work with ALL the current Pentax lenses, but may NOT work with older ones, with or without an adapter. The reason is the electronics between the lens and body. If the camera isn't allowed to tell what the focal length of the lens is, it can't compensate for camera shake. So, naturally, manual lenses won't work with IS.

Still, it isn't a Pentax limitation. It is the same with the new Olympus and others.

So open the package when it comes, read the manual (ha), and take some shots with an open mind. And post your examples here. I'm sure you'll get some good info to back up what you think of your new piece of equipment.

Enjoy...

[bogiesbad]

Thanks Mr. Pickles,
I made use of the search and found a thread which reinforces my decision. I learned at an early age with a Pentax Asahi (?spl) given to me by my dad. I've been drooling over the pro-sumer DSLR's for several years but I'm happy Pentax entered the market at a time I could afford one...very excited

[Mr. Pickles]

And Pentax "pancake" prime lenses are pretty neat and a lot of others would like their camera brand to do the same.

[tcom]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pickles

As for the in-body IS, which is becoming popular from those other than Canon or Nikon (IS in the lens is "better", especially for longer lenses, but does cost), it should work with ALL the current Pentax lenses, but may NOT work with older ones, with or without an adapter. The reason is the electronics between the lens and body. If the camera isn't allowed to tell what the focal length of the lens is, it can't compensate for camera shake. So, naturally, manual lenses won't work with IS.

While it is true that the body needs to know the focal length of the lens for in camera SR (shake reduction as Pentax names it) to work, the K10D (or K100D) displays an additional menu when switched on with a lens not reporting the focal length. The menu lets the user select manually the focal length. So SR even works with old M42 lenses.

I have used SR with 30-35 years old M42 lenses without any problem.

[tcom]

I am using a K10D and I am very happy with it. The body performs really well. The user interface is in my opinion very well designed. A lot of functions are available directly on the body without having to go into the menu, and with the latest firmware upgrade, you can even press the ok button and change iso setting with one of the control wheel. I find it great.

I have posted the one or other photo taken with this DSLR. Some full size samples are under K10D Photo Gallery by Dominique Schreckling at pbase.com.

On my last holidays, I have done a three weeks trip through the Egyptian desert, going from oasis to oasis. I was careful about sand, but the weather sealing of the body did a great job. I have some photos of the trip under Egypt 2007 Photo Gallery by Dominique Schreckling at pbase.com.

As for the lenses, it is true that the lens line up is not on par with Canon or Nikon. But Pentax recognized it and is working hard on extending the range. Apart from that, you can still use lenses from third party manufacturer. I am using a Sigma 17-70, a Tokina 80-400 ATXII and just added a Voigtlander 125/2.5 APO Lanthar macro lens without any problem.

I have also a lot of photos taken with either K10 or K100 on Around Lake Constance Photo Gallery by Dominique Schreckling at pbase.com

Hope I could help.

[TankSlapper]

I have the K10D and am very happy with it (I am a relative newb to DSLRs, so take my opinion for what it is worth).

I chose it over the Nikon and Canon of similar cost because of the build quality, seals, in body IS, and the layout of the controls. It also has some neat shooting modes (like aperature priority).

I knew I would be worse off as far as fast auto focus, but the new lenses that are rumored to be coming in the near future should do better. In good light I think it is on par with the other brands (of similar price point, of course). It seems to be not as good in low light.

You can see some of my shots here:
Pentax K10D Photo Page
Sea Otter Classic 2007 - Sunday

There doesn't seem to be too many "Pentaxians" on this board. I do see a lot of discussion on some other forums.

[bogiesbad]

Very nice photos tcom and tankslapper...

I just got my hands on the K10D and I'm quite impressed....but somewhat dismayed as I will need some time to even begin to use it's features correctly. I am also concerned about feeling something shifting inside the camera when it is tuned on end and back again. It is very slight but I can definitely feel movement...do any of you owners feel the same thing...I hope.