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Confused · 10-10-2007, 12:27 AM

Hi tparker

Re your question:

Right now I need a few of you to win me over on purchasing a Pentax K100D this Christmas over a Nikon D40

I don't personally own a K100D, so it's bit difficult for me to give you first-hand advice on the subject. Prior to purchasing my K10D, I gave serious consideration to both the C***n 350/400D and N***n 40D, but preferred the handling and overall feel of the K100D to either of them ! For example my sister purchased a C***n 350D in the far east en route from Australia to London a year or so ago and whilst the picture quality was acceptable, the lousy ergonomics and insubstantial (tiny) hand grip rather put me off the whole idea. The N***n 40D faired just as poorly in this respect, but the K100D instantly felt just "right" to me. In case you're wondering. I have no particular axe-to-grind on the subject, because I've never previously owned ANY Pentax equipment before my K10D, but I certainly recognise a bargain when I see one !!! Camera ownership is obviously a very personal thing and a user feature that suits one person will irritate the *<$@+!!! out of another ! If you can find a decent local photographic store that stocks all three cameras, my advice is to go along and handle them all properly. Take an SD card with you and capture some shots, then study the end results on a good computer screen and see which you prefer !

Try asking yourself some straightforward questions.
1) Do you like delving into lengthy software menus in order to alter often-used parameters such as Aperture/Shutter-speed etc or would you.....
2) Prefer to have that control instantaneously available under the finger-tip of an E-dial ? Well the K100D clearly has just the front one (which is preferable to none at all) but the two dials on the K10D soon convinced me that this was the camera for me !
3) The brightness of viewfinders varies enormously between manufacturers. Can you make out things like the shutter speed or ISO easily ? If NOT, ask yourself WHY ??
4) Are your pockets sufficiently deep enough to afford all those expensive optically stabilised C****n & N****n lenses or does Shake Reduction on EVERY K-mount lens you fix to the body appeal even more ?

In addition, I thoroughly concur with 'baw's' opinion when he says:

Have a look at the Tamron 18-250. Great lens, covering a large range, with great quality.

Couldn't have summed that up better myself ! These are just a few little pointers to consider, so good luck whichever path you choose to follow.

Best regards
Richard

10-10-2007, 12:27 AM	#4
Confused Loyal Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: London Gallery Photos: 0 Posts: 922	Hi tparker Re your question: Right now I need a few of you to win me over on purchasing a Pentax K100D this Christmas over a Nikon D40 I don't personally own a K100D, so it's bit difficult for me to give you first-hand advice on the subject. Prior to purchasing my K10D, I gave serious consideration to both the C*n 350/400D and Nn 40D, but preferred the handling and overall feel* of the K100D to either of them ! For example my sister purchased a C*n 350D in the far east en route from Australia to London a year or so ago and whilst the picture quality was acceptable, the lousy ergonomics and insubstantial (tiny) hand grip rather put me off the whole idea. The Nn 40D faired just as poorly in this respect, but the K100D instantly felt just "right" to me. In case you're wondering. I have no particular axe-to-grind on the subject, because I've never previously owned ANY Pentax equipment before my K10D, but I certainly recognise a bargain when I see one !!! Camera ownership is obviously a very personal thing and a user feature that suits one person will irritate the <$@+!!! out of another ! If you can find a decent local photographic store that stocks all three cameras, my advice is to go along and handle them all properly. Take an SD card with you and capture some shots, then study the end results on a good computer screen and see which you prefer ! Try asking yourself some straightforward questions. 1) Do you like delving into lengthy software menus in order to alter often-used parameters such as Aperture/Shutter-speed etc or would you..... 2) Prefer to have that control instantaneously available under the finger-tip of an E-dial ? Well the K100D clearly has just the front one (which is preferable to none at all) but the two dials on the K10D soon convinced me that this was the camera for me ! 3) The brightness of viewfinders varies enormously between manufacturers. Can you make out things like the shutter speed or ISO easily ? If NOT, ask yourself WHY ?? 4) Are your pockets sufficiently deep enough to afford all those expensive optically stabilised C**n & Nn lenses or does Shake Reduction on EVERY K-mount lens you fix to the body appeal even more ? In addition, I thoroughly concur with 'baw's' opinion when he says: Have a look at the Tamron 18-250. Great lens, covering a large range, with great quality. Couldn't have summed that up better myself ! These are just a few little pointers to consider, so good luck whichever path you choose to follow. Best regards Richard __________________ K10D x 2 & D BG-2 Grip, Tamron AF 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD IF Macro W/A Zoom Lens, Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens, Giottos MTL9351B Tripod, Metz 48 AF-1 Flashgun, Lowepro** Nova 3 AW Bag Last edited by Confused; 10-10-2007 at 12:41 AM..