[regken]

Good luck. Pentax makes fine cameras. But so do the other manufacturers and we shouldn't forget that either. Unless you are sponsored, why would brand loyalty be so important as to deny the obvious. Maybe I am a poor photographer in wanting more features aimed at getting the results I want...oh well. I'll be a happier poor photographer.

Sorry to lose you Paul. Would you mind sharing with us where you got your reconditioned 30D?

Thanks,
Ken

[PaulAndAPentax]

Thanks Peter for the kind words. I suspect that when and if my economic status changes, I will carry two systems. I keep trying to figure out how to rip the inside of the 30D out and install it in the K10!

I kinda figured that's what you might be up to Paul. With the big sell off. No question there are other and for some, better choices for certain applicaions. I hope the new system treats you well and don't be a stranger! Pentax or any other brand can't be everything for everyone.

[PaulAndAPentax]

Ebay. There are a couple of vendors that sell them in bid auctions. They clearly state they are reconditioned. While it may seem like a bad idea at first, it's important to note that any recon item has been inspected, repaired and tested before being resold. Far less likely chance for failure. Still has a warranty also.

Sorry to lose you Paul. Would you mind sharing with us where you got your reconditioned 30D?

Thanks,
Ken

[GaryML]

Ebay. There are a couple of vendors that sell them in bid auctions. They clearly state they are reconditioned. While it may seem like a bad idea at first, it's important to note that any recon item has been inspected, repaired and tested before being resold. Far less likely chance for failure. Still has a warranty also.

Adorama also has reconditioned SLRs from Nikon and Canon. For example, they have a reconditioned 30D:

1234B075AA Canon EOS-30D Digital SLR Camera Body, 8.2 Megapixels, Interchangeable Lens Camera - Refurbished by Canon U.S.A.

I've had pretty good luck with reconditioned equipment. I bought a factory reconditioned Pentax lens from Henry's via eBay, and it was just like new.

[SloPhoto]

congrats on your wife's success.

IMO, when you are that close to an athelete in their prime, you need to capitalize on it.

What i did to photograph race events is similar to what I would do if I were you. Get a good prime (35 2.0 on the cheap side 43mm or on the $$ side) for the k10d. Leave it planted.

Then get a canon 40d and a 70-200 f4 IS (the 2.8 is not as sharp and you will not miss the speed). Then, for really big events, rent a 300mm f2.8. (if you do not want pan/blur shots the 30d/70-200 f4 (non is) would work just as well).

*a d300 would work as well, I am just not as familiar with the lenses.

From there, carry both bodies whenever you can, and never swap lenses.


Yes, you can do well with film/pentax, but it takes time. You WILL get good enough results right off the bat with the 40d + L glass combo. The AF tracking and FPS are truly superior.

So, if you feel you have time to learn before you "miss the big shot" feel free to stick to pentax. If not, there are shortcuts to decent shots.

Ohh, one last thing, do not expect the colors to be as nice with the canon

[kipsta]

Heya everyone,
I just returned from work and was absolutely thrilled to see all your replies. Rest assured I did read each and every word of every one and was enthralled.
I could write a reply to each one but that would be a boring read for the others. One point I will make to my friend in Copenhagen who had the audacity to suggest my wife was close to 40, she has in fact just turned 35. Over here in Australia we call the over 30's athletics Masters, but I used Veterans because I believe that is what it is called in USA. Somehow its now my fault and I'm in the doghouse (again)....thanks mate . Apparently Masters sounds younger than Veterans from an age point of view. Shes gone into the bedroom to watch 'Marie Antoinette' on DVD....
To all those people with the kind words of encouragement for wifey, I thank you greatly. So does she, as I read them all to her.
I am a newcomer to SLR but I have read alot of magazines and forums as well as practiced shooting at training sessions and meets for the last 12 months. I dont take any offense whatsoever at being told to practice more, as not only is it the truth, but it can only help me as well. I have been a sponge off the track pros, grilling them for hints and tips and found them to be absolutely wonderful... especially when thet realised I wasnt going to sell any photos I took....
I agree with the possibility of missing that vital shot, especially in hurdles and long jump due to the lower fps rate. Often I have ended up with only 2 or 3 shots instead of the 5 I crave.
Once again thank you for all your kind words, advice, suggestions and observations.
I may have to start keeping an eye out for other brands... (feels dirty, now has a strange need to shower).
Cheers from Aust

[Jonson PL]

Heya everyone,
I just returned from work and was absolutely thrilled to see all your replies. Rest assured I did read each and every word of every one and was enthralled.
I could write a reply to each one but that would be a boring read for the others. One point I will make to my friend in Copenhagen who had the audacity to suggest my wife was close to 40, she has in fact just turned 35. Over here in Australia we call the over 30's athletics Masters, but I used Veterans because I believe that is what it is called in USA. Somehow its now my fault and I'm in the doghouse (again)....thanks mate . Apparently Masters sounds younger than Veterans from an age point of view. Shes gone into the bedroom to watch 'Marie Antoinette' on DVD....

Nooooo, its not your fault; just me again talking about things I know too little about. I looked it up, and sure enough Veterans Athletics Championships is from 30 and up.
I’m sure she’s super hot

I have a friend who states that if he was to get married, he would like to make a contract indicating that both parties had the responsibility to stay in shape.

After I started studying sports at University, I just feel that it looks and is super cool when girls have muscles and are action women.

I’ve recently been reading at DPr, and a lot of Trolls rolling about. So sometimes I misunderstand the writing in threads.

You’re signature picture is good, maybe you could show us some more of the work.

I think these discussions are very important. After Hoya took over, there was a small shift, no high level camera announced, as Pentax was not to compete with Canon and Nikon. But I think that user pressure and the fact that Oly and Sony have stepped up, means that they will need to come out with a higher spec camera.

Tell your wife that it was very apparent from your first post, as I just read it again, how thrilled you are about her, and still in love; (chicks love that stuff )

I'm turning 34 myself in March, as I changed my major, things have been postponed a bit. But it just emphasises the importance of staying in shape while it is still easy.

Have the best of fun, no matter what brand you chooses.


I would send some flowers to make it up, but then Australia is a bit far away. When they finally reached, I’m sure my message would once again not come out the way intended

[kipsta]

Sune,
lol - 10 years of marriage as of Jan 24 and loving her more every day.
She is also a sports scientist, and last year was accredited with the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist from a university in America (one of very few aussie women to hold one) as well as a Bachelor of Sport Science and Coaching. She is currently head teacher in the Health and Fitness department of TAFE (sort of one level below university for adults in NSW).
You probably have more in common with her than I do (professionally speaking of course).
One thing for sure is that she runs rings around me both athletically and intellectually.

I think the biggest point raised here is that these are special times in our lives and as such I really need to maximise the photo taking opportunities as they will not last forever.
Funds may be a tad tight however and I would need to sell my current Pentax system to switch over, something I really feel weird about doing.

I suppose the question is this - I could probably stretch to a 30D or D200 for the 5 fps, but really, is that extra 2 shots going to make all the difference ? And I am concerned about the 8mp of the 30D as opposed to my beautiful K10d's 10mp.

I think I know the answer myself. One of those extra 2 shots could be THE ONE.....

Thats the problem with dilemma's - they're so dilemmable....

[vinzer]

Why not try renting out cameras and test it, see how the 2 FPS helps you?

I think those extra 2 frames would give you more choices with regards to the exact "moment" you're looking for.

[Chako]

And I am concerned about the 8mp of the 30D as opposed to my beautiful K10d's 10mp.

There is very little difference from an 8 megapixel to a 10 megapixel camera if you look at the pixel resolution. Honestly, I wouldn’t even consider there being enough of a difference to dissuade me from selecting either an 8 or a 10 megapixel camera. On the other hand, if I was looking at an 8 megapixel camera, and comparing it to a 12 megapixel camera, then there is enough of a difference in resolution to make it worthwhile.

Here are some examples (I rounded off the effective mepagixels for this quick and dirty comparison):

Canon 30D 8 megapixels: 3504 x 2336
Canon 40D 10 megapixels: 3888 x 2592
Pentax K10D 10 megapixels: 3872 x 2592
Nikon D300 12 megapixels: 4288 x 2848
Pentax K20D 14 megapixels: 4672 x 3120

The difference between an 8 and a 10 megapixel camera are only a few hundred pixels either way. Not much of a difference if you compared them side by side. Any 2 megapixel jump will only give you a slightly larger photograph. A 4 megapixel jump is worth considering. Personally I wouldn't worry about the slight differences between an 8 and a 10 megapixel DSLR.

[PaulAndAPentax]

I haven't found a big loss between 8 and 10mp. If you print at 200 dpi you still get a 11.5 - 17.5 or so. Acceptable for prints would probably be 150 dpi although most magazines would like 300dpi which would render you an 8x10 or so w/8mp.

[schufosi777]

Sure humans dont move that fast compared to cars....but thier limbs do. Question is will 3fps be enough to nail the classic shots like a long jumper milliseconds from leaving the board, or at the top of thier trajectory or a sprinter with the rear leg fully extended ,toe just about to leave the ground and near max knee lift. Ok sprinters these days dont go for max leg extension but 400m to 1500m do and looks great when u get a fully extended rear leg , fully ext at the ankle joint and the tip of the toe just caressing the ground. Now all that takes some timing and skill. Without that even 5ps wont nail it. Maybe u remember the wonderful shot of Kip Keino in 68. I am not sure but doubt the camera had many FPS. Certainly 20fps will give a great chance of nailing the shot. Just the res.

[kipsta]

Heres a couple of shots of wifey doing a long jump at a recent meet - I have cropped to help with the file size and then mihov reduced it for uploading.
The 3fps works okay but when she is airborne it really does miss alot of the little things.
A good point raised was the 20fps at 1.3 mp of the k20d. From your experience, are these photos usable or is the res just too low?
Thanks again,

[vinzer]

Again, congrats to your wife, congrats on your photos, and congrats on a happy union. You two look good together.

Anyway, about your 1.3 MP question, that really depends on what you intend the final output to be. For small prints and web viewing, that's plenty resolution already, but if you wanna print large images to hang on your wall or some such, I reckon 1.3 MP wouldn't be enough.

[Pentaxtic]

Kipsta

Those are excellent shots. No blur action at all. I guess I haven't tried shooting things that go really fast yet.

ps tell your wife to stay up in the air longer because you only have 3 frames per second.