K7 question

dafiryde · 08-02-2009, 09:23 AM

why am i reading so many negative things about the K7.
did pentax come up short
is the K7 still considered better than the Nikon D300

Dave

Andrew Faires · 08-02-2009, 09:36 AM

There are a few bugs with the k-7. They'll get sorted out but it will take some time.

Better than the d300? Not likely. Don't get me wrong, I think the k-7 is amazing and fortunately I'm not suffering from problems with the sensor and I'm not using HSS (or flash at all, for that matter) but as much as I like it, it's no d300 killer (unless ergonomics are your sole basis for comparison). I don't really think the k-7 was meant to compete head-to-head with the d300 either.

mawz · 08-02-2009, 09:52 AM

The K-7 is by all regards excellent. I wouldn't call it better than the D300, but I'd certainly go for better than the A700 or E-3, the two most similar cameras on the market and better than the 50D as well aside from the 50D's slightly better fps and moderately better AF. There's nothing really comparable to the D300 on the market today.

snogglethorpe · 08-02-2009, 09:56 AM

Originally Posted by Andrew Faires

Better than the d300? Not likely. Don't get me wrong, I think the k-7 is amazing and fortunately I'm not suffering from problems with the sensor and I'm not using HSS (or flash at all, for that matter) but as much as I like it, it's no d300 killer (unless ergonomics are your sole basis for comparison). I don't really think the k-7 was meant to compete head-to-head with the d300 either.

On the other hand, the d300 is not really a k-7 killer either. Choosing between the two depends a lot on one's priorities, even ignoring the price difference.

[Maybe I'm weird, but the one d300 feature I'd love on the k-7 would be the slightly higher viewfinder magnification!]

mawz · 08-02-2009, 10:00 AM

Originally Posted by snogglethorpe

On the other hand, the d300 is not really a k-7 killer either. Choosing between the two depends a lot on one's priorities, even ignoring the price difference.

[Maybe I'm weird, but the one d300 feature I'd love on the k-7 would be the slightly higher viewfinder magnification!]

As a former D300 owner and likely soon a K-7 owner, I agree entirely. The D300's a low-buck entry into D3/1D level performance. The K-7 is a high-end semi-pro body without the size tax you usually get nailed with.

dafiryde · 08-02-2009, 10:14 AM

how would you compare it then to the Nikon D90

Dave

rparmar · 08-02-2009, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by dafiryde

why am i reading so many negative things about the K7.

Are you? Most reviews seem to be positive, to the point of being raves.

You've got the DA* zooms and the K20D. I see no reason for you to buy a K-7. Or a D90 for that matter. Buy a nice macro lens or a fast prime instead. That'll give you more photographic opportunities.

Andrew Faires · 08-02-2009, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by snogglethorpe

On the other hand, the d300 is not really a k-7 killer either. Choosing between the two depends a lot on one's priorities, even ignoring the price difference.

[Maybe I'm weird, but the one d300 feature I'd love on the k-7 would be the slightly higher viewfinder magnification!]

On the basis of price it's an equal playing field here. Both cameras are currently priced about the same (both are in the $15-1600 range).

Even then, the d300 isn't a k-7 killer because I didn't like how the d300 felt or how much it seemed to vibrate when the mirror returned (small but annoying things). And truth be told, now that the k-7's out and covers pretty much everything I've wanted in a camera I can breath a sigh of relief....I won't have to mod my 43mm ltd to fit a canon.

dafiryde · 08-02-2009, 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by rparmar

Are you? Most reviews seem to be positive, to the point of being raves.

You've got the DA* zooms and the K20D. I see no reason for you to buy a K-7. Or a D90 for that matter. Buy a nice macro lens or a fast prime instead. That'll give you more photographic opportunities.

my daughter wanted a good camera, so i told her buisness is buisness, so i sold her the K20D with grip, DA*16-50, DA*50-135 for $1.00 US curency

Dave

*nostatic* · 08-02-2009, 10:43 AM

Originally Posted by dafiryde

my daughter wanted a good camera, so i told her buisness is buisness, so i sold her the K20D with grip, DA*16-50, DA*50-135 for $1.00 US curency

Dave

I am currently looking to be adopted.

rparmar · 08-02-2009, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by nostatic

I am currently looking to be adopted.

This reminds me -- I once told a friend I got tired of my mum buying crap point and shoot film cameras that kept breaking. So for her birthday I got her a Leica point and shoot instead (which has survived over 15 years and is still working).

From then on my friend kept trying to adopt me.

rparmar · 08-02-2009, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by dafiryde

my daughter wanted a good camera, so i told her buisness is buisness, so i sold her the K20D with grip, DA*16-50, DA*50-135 for $1.00 US curency

OK, so you're looking to start building a system from scratch? What are your priorities? What do you shoot? What did you like or dislike about the K20D system? What is your budget?

Pentaxor · 08-02-2009, 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by dafiryde

why am i reading so many negative things about the K7.
did pentax come up short
is the K7 still considered better than the Nikon D300

Dave

what significant complaints in particular?

MikePerham · 08-02-2009, 11:26 AM

Andrew Faires;691121]On the basis of price it's an equal playing field here. Both cameras are currently priced about the same (both are in the $15-1600 range).

Here in Canada the K-7 can be had for that price, but not the D300 which goes for $1800.

Even then, the d300 isn't a k-7 killer because I didn't like how the d300 felt or how much it seemed to vibrate when the mirror returned (small but annoying things). And truth be told, now that the k-7's out and covers pretty much everything I've wanted in a camera I can breath a sigh of relief....I won't have to mod my 43mm ltd to fit a canon.

I fully agree with you on this ...the D300 may have a somewhat faster auto focus and a higher frame rate, but the K-7 has features lacking in the D300. I prefer the feel of the K-7 and I think Pentax have a better selection of pro caliber APS specific lenses.

If I felt I needed a full frame camera, I would chose the Nikon D700 especialy now that they have introduced a new 70-200 f/2.8 lens ...this is a workhorse focal range and the old one had a bad rap for IQ. And by the way, Nikon does not have anything like the DA* 50-135 f/2.8, which as I said is a workhorse focal range equivalent to the 70-200 in FF.

*nostatic* · 08-02-2009, 11:54 AM

If you want/need weathersealing and like ltd primes (or the DA* lenses) then get the K7. If not, spend less and get the D90.

Here in the US the D300 is more than the K7, and the D300s significantly more. D90 is less than K7.