Upgrade from *ist D

pakushner · 02-06-2012, 08:41 PM

Hello fellow pentax users.
I am new to this group and am looking for some advise. I have been using Pentax for many years...started with a zx-50, then to the *istD. I have a 50mm 1.4, and a 28-300 lens, along with two others that originally came with the zx-50. I am looking for an upgrade, but am not sure which will be a better option. Upgrade to get another lens (wide angle 17-55mm) or upgrade to a new camera body (k-r, K7, K5).
Thank you for your thoughts.

**GregK8** · 02-06-2012, 08:49 PM

Why not the best of both worlds and get the K-5 with a kit lens (18-55mm).

Seriously, it depends on what type of shooting you do. The advantages of a K-r/K-5 is the low noise when shooting at high ISO settings. If it were me, I'd get a new body.

Ole · 02-06-2012, 08:55 PM

Since you're well covered in focal length range with your current lenses, a body upgrade would be my recommendation. You will be amazed how much faster the K-5 is to work with and the image quality is much better, much more detail.

ripit · 02-06-2012, 08:58 PM

Why are you upgrading? In most instance I would think the body would be the better choice but it really depends on what you are looking for. A body upgrade with give you better high iso performance as well as shake reduction which will basically make all your lenses perform as if they were a lot faster. You will also get a newer sensor with higher resolution. If you really need the wider angle of a 17mm and or are unhappy with the quality of the glass you currently have, then perhaps a lens upgrade would be more beneficial.

You could of course have the best of both worlds and get the k-r (much cheaper than the k-5 or k-7), and use the difference towards a lens. If it is going to be either but not both, while the benefits are different between the 2, I would think a new body would give you the best bang for the buck all around compared to a new lens. I personally am using an ist-ds and have been considering upgrading for a little while now (primarily to get shake reduction and better high ios performance). I have been considering either a k-x or a k-r.

Just a word of warning. If you have ttl flashes, they will not work on the new camera. The ist series was the last to have a ttl sensor.

**paulh** · 02-06-2012, 09:11 PM

I think a K-x or K-r would give you the biggest upgrade bang for the buck. But if you like the *istD's pro controls (dedicated buttons, dual wheels), you might consider a K20D. Better resolution & higher ISO capability without breaking the bank. I would also keep the *istD if at all possible, it's still a capable camera & has the TTL-flash capability.

ripit · 02-06-2012, 09:27 PM

The D and Ds don't have as much value anymore (a hundred and change) and its still a nice camera. I'll probably keep mine as a second body when I upgrade.

Adam · 02-06-2012, 09:27 PM

Keep the ist D if you care about TTL flash, otherwise sell it and get a K-5. IMO, there's no reason to be lagging behind in the last decade by getting an older body as everything on them has been improved over time

Adam
PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide | Site Help | My Photography)

PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

pakushner · 02-06-2012, 09:33 PM

Thank you for all the opinions. I really like the thought of the weather protection perks in the K-5, but have seen some good things about the k-r. Any issues/downsides with going with the K-r? The body might be the next best option for a true upgrade, but price is a consideration. I would like to print up to 20x24, if not slightly larger. Can the K-r accommodate?

arnie0674 · 02-06-2012, 09:39 PM

I shot with an ist-D for years (its right on my desk in front of me now,) then upgraded to a K10d, now using a K7. The difference in iQ, functionality and usability is incredible. Definitely upgrade the camera body.

Ole · 02-06-2012, 09:43 PM

The K-r has just one control wheel, the *istD has two, and a number of buttons have been eliminated on the K-r. You may therefore find the K-r less convenient to operate than the *istD or K-5. But you can probably get used to that. The K-r can easily support prints of 20x24.

pakushner · 02-06-2012, 09:43 PM

It sounds like I will have to find a place in my area that will carry pentax in order for me to "see" the K7 and the K5.

toooldtocare · 02-07-2012, 09:11 AM

I sold my ist DS to buy a Canon 5DII. Unhappy with the Canon due to its size I sold it to buy my K5. All I can say is what a difference. Image quality is very close to the Canon, and the Canon was way ahead of the ist DS. I think you will be very happy with the K5, but do keep the ist D as a spare body.

02-06-2012, 08:41 PM	#1
pakushner New Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 4	*Upgrade from ist D** Hello fellow pentax users. I am new to this group and am looking for some advise. I have been using Pentax for many years...started with a zx-50, then to the *istD. I have a 50mm 1.4, and a 28-300 lens, along with two others that originally came with the zx-50. I am looking for an upgrade, but am not sure which will be a better option. Upgrade to get another lens (wide angle 17-55mm) or upgrade to a new camera body (k-r, K7, K5). Thank you for your thoughts.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Pentax *ist DL upgrade question	micksh	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	12	11-30-2011 08:56 PM
*ist D firmware upgrade from 0.20	adrian1212	Pentax DSLR Discussion	6	11-04-2011 05:43 AM
Upgrade from *ist DL	arinpun	Pentax DSLR Discussion	9	02-28-2011 08:45 PM
upgrade time ist dl to ??	Classico	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	3	02-01-2011 07:45 PM
*ist DL firmware upgrade failure	ld50	Pentax DSLR Discussion	4	12-28-2010 02:51 AM

02-06-2012, 08:49 PM	#2
GregK8 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2008 Location: Western New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 614	Why not the best of both worlds and get the K-5 with a kit lens (18-55mm). Seriously, it depends on what type of shooting you do. The advantages of a K-r/K-5 is the low noise when shooting at high ISO settings. If it were me, I'd get a new body.

02-06-2012, 08:55 PM	#3
Ole Administrator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,408	Since you're well covered in focal length range with your current lenses, a body upgrade would be my recommendation. You will be amazed how much faster the K-5 is to work with and the image quality is much better, much more detail.

02-06-2012, 08:58 PM	#4
ripit Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NewYork Posts: 899	Why are you upgrading? In most instance I would think the body would be the better choice but it really depends on what you are looking for. A body upgrade with give you better high iso performance as well as shake reduction which will basically make all your lenses perform as if they were a lot faster. You will also get a newer sensor with higher resolution. If you really need the wider angle of a 17mm and or are unhappy with the quality of the glass you currently have, then perhaps a lens upgrade would be more beneficial. You could of course have the best of both worlds and get the k-r (much cheaper than the k-5 or k-7), and use the difference towards a lens. If it is going to be either but not both, while the benefits are different between the 2, I would think a new body would give you the best bang for the buck all around compared to a new lens. I personally am using an ist-ds and have been considering upgrading for a little while now (primarily to get shake reduction and better high ios performance). I have been considering either a k-x or a k-r. Just a word of warning. If you have ttl flashes, they will not work on the new camera. The ist series was the last to have a ttl sensor.

02-06-2012, 09:11 PM	#5
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,267	I think a K-x or K-r would give you the biggest upgrade bang for the buck. But if you like the istD's pro controls (dedicated buttons, dual wheels), you might consider a K20D. Better resolution & higher ISO capability without breaking the bank. I would also keep the istD if at all possible, it's still a capable camera & has the TTL-flash capability.

02-06-2012, 09:27 PM	#6
ripit Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NewYork Posts: 899	The D and Ds don't have as much value anymore (a hundred and change) and its still a nice camera. I'll probably keep mine as a second body when I upgrade.

02-06-2012, 09:27 PM	#7
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Keep the ist D if you care about TTL flash, otherwise sell it and get a K-5. IMO, there's no reason to be lagging behind in the last decade by getting an older body as everything on them has been improved over time Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

02-06-2012, 09:33 PM	#8
pakushner New Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 4 Original Poster	Thank you for all the opinions. I really like the thought of the weather protection perks in the K-5, but have seen some good things about the k-r. Any issues/downsides with going with the K-r? The body might be the next best option for a true upgrade, but price is a consideration. I would like to print up to 20x24, if not slightly larger. Can the K-r accommodate?

02-06-2012, 09:39 PM	#9
arnie0674 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 173	I shot with an ist-D for years (its right on my desk in front of me now,) then upgraded to a K10d, now using a K7. The difference in iQ, functionality and usability is incredible. Definitely upgrade the camera body.

02-06-2012, 09:43 PM	#10
Ole Administrator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,408	The K-r has just one control wheel, the istD has two, and a number of buttons have been eliminated on the K-r. You may therefore find the K-r less convenient to operate than the istD or K-5. But you can probably get used to that. The K-r can easily support prints of 20x24.

02-06-2012, 09:43 PM	#11
pakushner New Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 4 Original Poster	It sounds like I will have to find a place in my area that will carry pentax in order for me to "see" the K7 and the K5.

02-07-2012, 09:11 AM	#12
toooldtocare Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Lake Saint Louis Posts: 126	I sold my ist DS to buy a Canon 5DII. Unhappy with the Canon due to its size I sold it to buy my K5. All I can say is what a difference. Image quality is very close to the Canon, and the Canon was way ahead of the ist DS. I think you will be very happy with the K5, but do keep the ist D as a spare body.