K-7 Initial Impressions

[Wheatfield]

This is the Pentax I've been waiting for.
It feels smaller than the K20, but at the same time, just as substantial. It
does fit my hand better, and the vertical grip is more rounded on the front,
making it more comfortable as well. There is more grip to grip, so to speak.
There are a LOT more menu adjustments, but they've done away with the pages
and pages of depth, instead opting for a tabbed style of menu, with only one
page of depth per tab.
Overall, if you can work a K20, the K-7 won't be difficult, though there are
some pleasant surprises hidden in menuland.

My major nitpik with the camera so far, and I expect reading the manual will
answer it, is that the camera defaults to the rocker switch panel
controlling the Fn functions rather than the AF point select, and I haven't
found a menu option that will let me change it. This makes it really easy
(possibly too easy) to adjust Fn settings, but it will be frustrating until I
get used to having to push the OK button every time I turn the camera on so
that the rockers adjust the AF point.

Hopefully I'll find a solution in the manual, but if not, I hope Pentax
writes it into a firmware update so that the camera will remember that
setting, along with the other settings it is happy to remember.

Something they have done that I think I'll appreciate is to put a lock
button on the mode dial. No more accidentally changing the mode by brushing
up against the to of the camera. This is a good thing.

The User mode is still, as far as I am concerned, broken. I would really
appreciate it if one could lock a discrete shutter speed and aperture value
combination into the user mode by offering the settings to the user mode
set-up. I find that I have a tendency to bump the dials when I am shooting
quickly at weddings, so I am constantly having to babysit the camera.

We now have the option of switching noise reduction off, both for long
exposure and for high ISO.
As well, there is the standard weak, medium and strong settings.

So far, I am thinking this is quite a step upwards for Pentax from a
performance POV. The camera truly does feel more responsive. The screwdrive
AF is definitely faster, the jury is still out on whether SDM focusing is,
as the partially charged battery that came with the camera died almost
immediately, so I am running it on AA alkalines, which are also trying to
die just from setting the camera up.
More on this later when I have a fully operational camera.

[mel]

sigh. i'm dying a small death of anticipation every time i read somone's hands-on comments. nofairnofairnofair. why can i not even get an expected shipping date from the pentax webstore (usa)? sigh.

[GerryL]

Congrats wheatfield!
Will be looking forward to your future posts.

[Ash]

Yes congrats to you for this new toy.
We all look forward to your comments on its operational performance...

[nulla]

Something they have done that I think I'll appreciate is to put a lock
button on the mode dial. No more accidentally changing the mode by brushing
up against the to of the camera. This is a good thing.

Got mine and agree with all you say especially above... great feature but you need to get used to using 3 digits to move the dial.

I just love the sound this baby makes when I take a photo, the feel in your hand is magic and well balanced even with a lens like the DA* 50-135, it just feels different, the grip to me is something special.

Remember to charge your battery as soon as you open your package .... every minute I waited for the recharge made me feel like I was an expectant father

Only images I have taken so far are indoors and under to much excitement lol.... going today to put it and my lenses to good use, even though the weather is against me.

You will love this camera believe me.

[Ash]

Originally Posted by nulla

Remember to charge your battery as soon as you open your package .... every minute I waited for the recharge made me feel like I was an expectant father

True love at first sight!

[krtwood]

Originally Posted by Wheatfield

My major nitpik with the camera so far, and I expect reading the manual will
answer it, is that the camera defaults to the rocker switch panel
controlling the Fn functions rather than the AF point select, and I haven't
found a menu option that will let me change it. This makes it really easy
(possibly too easy) to adjust Fn settings, but it will be frustrating until I
get used to having to push the OK button every time I turn the camera on so
that the rockers adjust the AF point.

I believe that setting is maintained even when the camera is turned off.

[Lars]

Originally Posted by Wheatfield

My major nitpik with the camera so far, and I expect reading the manual will
answer it, is that the camera defaults to the rocker switch panel
controlling the Fn functions rather than the AF point select, and I haven't
found a menu option that will let me change it. This makes it really easy
(possibly too easy) to adjust Fn settings, but it will be frustrating until I
get used to having to push the OK button every time I turn the camera on so
that the rockers adjust the AF point.

Hopefully I'll find a solution in the manual, but if not, I hope Pentax
writes it into a firmware update so that the camera will remember that
setting, along with the other settings it is happy to remember.

In threads by some beta tester's I have got the impression that that the camera stayed in last used mode (change focus point or direct access buttons activated).

In my mind this is a disadvantage! I would prefer if the camera always goes back to one of these options, prefeable to use the OK-button before changing AF-point.

Yes it will be akward in the beginning, but after some use, at least for me, I will do this without any thought about it. Having to remember last used mode, on the other hand, will probably slow down handling of the camera.

Please come back when you found out if there is possibilities to choose how this works!

Another thing:

How do you find/experience the switch of ev button and green button?

If/When buying a K7 I planned to keep my K10, but this change might be confusing going from one camera to the other. In aparture or shutter mode I configured the back wheel to adjust aparture and shutter speed respectively. Front wheel is set to ISO and ev compensating while pressing the ev button.
With K7 I must do this the other way around! (Wonder what they where thinking about, or is there some advantage with this new layout that I do not understand?)

Lars

[arpaagent]

Wheatfield, I have a question for you. I understand that you like to use the old MF glass quite a bit, but have you tried some M42 glass on the K-7 yet? I am just wondering about how the metering works when you've got a takumar on there in AV mode? On my K200D you have to dial in from +1 to +2 EV depending on what aperture you are at. I never understood why this metering mode gave different exposure settings than the green button in M mode. Hopefully this has been fixed on the K-7. I am expecting mine in about a week

Thanks for any info you've got.

[Kunzite]

Lars:
Hmm... I think they put the buttons the other way around so that one could simultaneously press the Green and the ISO buttons - a shortcut to Auto ISO.
So, they moved the Green button on the back, and put the EV button on it's place.

[Lars]

Originally Posted by Kunzite

Lars:
Hmm... I think they put the buttons the other way around so that one could simultaneously press the Green and the ISO buttons - a shortcut to Auto ISO.
So, they moved the Green button on the back, and put the EV button on it's place.

Thanks,

Something like a shortcut to TAv mode? (I mostly use Av or Tv, and not so experienced in TAv)

Or for use in manual mode (and manual lenses)?

Lars

[Nanthiel]

A shortcut to Auto ISO is just as possible on the K20 by holding down the OK button and pressing the green button. Only works in auto modes though (no Manual mode support; I think).

Also, EV compensation button + green button = EV comp set to 0.

— Nanthiel

[dugrant153]

once you get it running, I'd love to hear how the DA*55mm SDM autofocus is on the K7. On my K200D, it's a tad slow at times (not bad, but could be better). Much better if I manual focus it hehe.

[Ash]

Originally Posted by Nanthiel

A shortcut to Auto ISO is just as possible on the K20 by holding down the OK button and pressing the green button. Only works in auto modes though (no Manual mode support; I think).

Also, EV compensation button + green button = EV comp set to 0.

— Nanthiel

That's right. It's no use having Auto ISO on M mode... But it is handy having OK+front wheel to change ISO settings.

[Edvinas]

TAv mode is M with Auto ISO.