My first impressions of the Pentax K7

opiedog · 05-20-2009, 01:32 PM

if you look at the youtube video, there is a short segment with the shutter sound and i must say it sounds SWEET!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNCHdsZI88g

Last edited by opiedog; 05-20-2009 at 01:43 PM.

HermanLee · 05-20-2009, 01:43 PM

Originally posted by Miserere

Thanks for the review, Mark. I appreciate hearing the opinions of somebody who know's what he's doing.

For those that want to hear the shutter sound, check out this video (that Peter Zack point me to). It's in Spanish, but at one point he shoots a few frames with the K-7, and then with the K20D. There is a huge difference between the two.

I like the K-7 better

Thank you, Miserere.
The K-7 sound more like a mini machine gun with silencer

Definitely great improvement over K20D. Similar like D300.

offertonhatter · 05-20-2009, 01:51 PM

Is it me, or does the K-7 with the 77mm Limited just look the business?

nosnoop · 05-20-2009, 01:58 PM

Originally posted by doc.mark.dimo

you know you are right, the K7 is like the *ist D in shutter sound

How about the shutter sound when using Live View + Contrast AF?
K20D requires a lot of mirror slapping. But with Contrast AF in K-7, I would hope that it would be much quieter without the mirror sound.

Do they keep the mirror up? Can you do continuous Live View, or do you have to press LV button each time?

borno · 05-20-2009, 02:16 PM

Thanks for the insight Mark,
I am glad to hear the afc is improved as I have been doing a whole lot of birds lately.

I was considering a d300 for the AF and mostly because service really got me steamed recently. I really do want to stick with them and hope they will get some longer glass soon.

winglik · 05-20-2009, 02:18 PM

Nice review, can't wait to see more K7 pictures and HD video from you.

kent · 05-20-2009, 02:31 PM

what impression about iso performance?

Jonson PL · 05-20-2009, 02:34 PM

15 frames Raw buffer, and improved AF tracking sounds great.
Thanks for your write-up.

Looking forward to your work with the K7

Originally posted by Miserere

Thanks for the review, Mark. I appreciate hearing the opinions of somebody who know's what he's doing.

For those that want to hear the shutter sound, check out this video (that Peter Zack point me to). It's in Spanish, but at one point he shoots a few frames with the K-7, and then with the K20D. There is a huge difference between the two.

Thanks for this, I really like the new sound. (it was around half way through the video)

Ratmagiclady · 05-20-2009, 03:07 PM

Originally posted by offertonhatter

Is it me, or does the K-7 with the 77mm Limited just look the business?

With that grip on there? Forget about it.

Business.

I think this is the prettiest shot I've seen, today, though: got the glass I most-wants for my guy here, too.

http://a.img-dpreview.com/news/0905/Pentax/K7_BG.jpg

I like the look, attractive, serious, and I think non-subject-intimidating.

I didn't think my K20 would really win points with me on appearance, having only seen them on the Web (I took a liking afterwards,) but I think they pulled off the sorta-digital-LX look here. Couldn't hurt the brand.

**jbinpg** · 05-20-2009, 06:14 PM

@opiedog: Thanks for the youtube link. The shutter sound is at 3:18-3:20 in the video. I had to put on the headphones and turn them up high to hear it. I am impressed. This will be a benefit for nature photogs.

Jack

Only one question remains for me before I pull the credit card trigger: did they allow you to switch off the automatic Dark Frame Subtraction with long exposures?

Darren M · 05-20-2009, 08:22 PM

Originally posted by Ratmagiclady

I think you're spoiled or had a different sort of example of a K20d: this is about the softest release I've ever had: then again I like shooting in urban night with a fast short tele, and I'm used to big old Canon FD's.

Still, (far less often since the very nice SR firmware upgrade) I'd often turn the SR *off* and be getting far better percentages than I did on film, and I'm really good when my hands are good. I'd hardly call it a 'poor assembly.'

I think maybe I wasn't clear enough, sorry. I did say, and do think that the K20D is a big step ahead when it comes to the shutter/mirror assemblies; it is almost as good as the *istD. However, to be "almost as good" as a first generation DSLR is setting the bar awfully low. Maybe I would categorize the K20D assembly as "better", or "passable" rather than poor. I have no hesitation calling the K10D "poor" in this area, none. That being said, the K20D is still at or near the bottom of the list when it comes to the shutter/mirror assemblies; I really hope that the K-7 has improved greatly.

legacyb4 · 05-21-2009, 06:25 AM

Great review; one quick question though.

I'm assuming the K20D focus front/back focus correction ability is still available?

Thanks.

Edicon · 05-21-2009, 06:28 AM

Originally posted by legacyb4

I'm assuming the K20D focus front/back focus correction ability is still available?
Thanks.

From what I've read from the specs, it's still available in K-7.

PentaxPoke · 05-21-2009, 08:53 AM

Originally posted by jbinpg

@opiedog: Thanks for the youtube link. The shutter sound is at 3:18-3:20 in the video. I had to put on the headphones and turn them up high to hear it. I am impressed. This will be a benefit for nature photogs.

I had watched that video about 3 times, and never heard that. I guess I had my sound down too low.

thibs · 05-21-2009, 09:13 AM

Originally posted by Edicon

From what I've read from the specs, it's still available in K-7.

Yes either general AF tuning are specific lens tuning (20 individual lenses max).

05-20-2009, 01:58 PM	#34
nosnoop Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,299	Shutter sound when using Live View + Contrast AF? Originally posted by doc.mark.dimo you know you are right, the K7 is like the *ist D in shutter sound How about the shutter sound when using Live View + Contrast AF? K20D requires a lot of mirror slapping. But with Contrast AF in K-7, I would hope that it would be much quieter without the mirror sound. Do they keep the mirror up? Can you do continuous Live View, or do you have to press LV button each time?

05-20-2009, 02:34 PM	#38
Jonson PL Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Copenhagen Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,842	15 frames Raw buffer, and improved AF tracking sounds great. Thanks for your write-up. Looking forward to your work with the K7 Originally posted by Miserere Thanks for the review, Mark. I appreciate hearing the opinions of somebody who know's what he's doing. For those that want to hear the shutter sound, check out this video (that Peter Zack point me to). It's in Spanish, but at one point he shoots a few frames with the K-7, and then with the K20D. There is a huge difference between the two. Thanks for this, I really like the new sound. (it was around half way through the video) Last edited by Jonson PL; 05-20-2009 at 02:50 PM.

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05-20-2009, 01:32 PM	#31
opiedog Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NC Posts: 787	if you look at the youtube video, there is a short segment with the shutter sound and i must say it sounds SWEET! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNCHdsZI88g Last edited by opiedog; 05-20-2009 at 01:43 PM.

05-20-2009, 01:43 PM	#32
HermanLee Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Southern California, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 729	Originally posted by Miserere Thanks for the review, Mark. I appreciate hearing the opinions of somebody who know's what he's doing. For those that want to hear the shutter sound, check out this video (that Peter Zack point me to). It's in Spanish, but at one point he shoots a few frames with the K-7, and then with the K20D. There is a huge difference between the two. I like the K-7 better Thank you, Miserere. The K-7 sound more like a mini machine gun with silencer Definitely great improvement over K20D. Similar like D300.

05-20-2009, 01:51 PM	#33
offertonhatter Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: North West UK Posts: 390	Is it me, or does the K-7 with the 77mm Limited just look the business?

05-20-2009, 02:16 PM	#35
borno Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: md-usa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,580	Thanks for the insight Mark, I am glad to hear the afc is improved as I have been doing a whole lot of birds lately. I was considering a d300 for the AF and mostly because service really got me steamed recently. I really do want to stick with them and hope they will get some longer glass soon.

05-20-2009, 02:18 PM	#36
winglik Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 258	Nice review, can't wait to see more K7 pictures and HD video from you.

05-20-2009, 02:31 PM	#37
kent Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Lithuania Photos: Gallery Posts: 344	what impression about iso performance?

05-20-2009, 03:07 PM	#39
Ratmagiclady Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: GA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,563	Originally posted by offertonhatter Is it me, or does the K-7 with the 77mm Limited just look the business? With that grip on there? Forget about it. Business. I think this is the prettiest shot I've seen, today, though: got the glass I most-wants for my guy here, too. http://a.img-dpreview.com/news/0905/Pentax/K7_BG.jpg I like the look, attractive, serious, and I think non-subject-intimidating. I didn't think my K20 would really win points with me on appearance, having only seen them on the Web (I took a liking afterwards,) but I think they pulled off the sorta-digital-LX look here. Couldn't hurt the brand.

05-20-2009, 06:14 PM	#40
jbinpg Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Prince George, BC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,546	@opiedog: Thanks for the youtube link. The shutter sound is at 3:18-3:20 in the video. I had to put on the headphones and turn them up high to hear it. I am impressed. This will be a benefit for nature photogs. Jack Only one question remains for me before I pull the credit card trigger: did they allow you to switch off the automatic Dark Frame Subtraction with long exposures?

05-20-2009, 08:22 PM	#41
Darren M Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Taipei, Taiwan Posts: 130	Originally posted by Ratmagiclady I think you're spoiled or had a different sort of example of a K20d: this is about the softest release I've ever had: then again I like shooting in urban night with a fast short tele, and I'm used to big old Canon FD's. Still, (far less often since the very nice SR firmware upgrade) I'd often turn the SR off and be getting far better percentages than I did on film, and I'm really good when my hands are good. I'd hardly call it a 'poor assembly.' I think maybe I wasn't clear enough, sorry. I did say, and do think that the K20D is a big step ahead when it comes to the shutter/mirror assemblies; it is almost as good as the *istD. However, to be "almost as good" as a first generation DSLR is setting the bar awfully low. Maybe I would categorize the K20D assembly as "better", or "passable" rather than poor. I have no hesitation calling the K10D "poor" in this area, none. That being said, the K20D is still at or near the bottom of the list when it comes to the shutter/mirror assemblies; I really hope that the K-7 has improved greatly.

05-21-2009, 06:25 AM	#42
legacyb4 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Tri-Cities, British Columbia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,784	Great review; one quick question though. I'm assuming the K20D focus front/back focus correction ability is still available? Thanks.

05-21-2009, 06:28 AM	#43
Edicon Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mississauga, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 201	Originally posted by legacyb4 I'm assuming the K20D focus front/back focus correction ability is still available? Thanks. From what I've read from the specs, it's still available in K-7.

05-21-2009, 08:53 AM	#44
PentaxPoke Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,411	Originally posted by jbinpg @opiedog: Thanks for the youtube link. The shutter sound is at 3:18-3:20 in the video. I had to put on the headphones and turn them up high to hear it. I am impressed. This will be a benefit for nature photogs. I had watched that video about 3 times, and never heard that. I guess I had my sound down too low.

05-21-2009, 09:13 AM	#45
thibs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Photos: Albums Posts: 7,001	Originally posted by Edicon From what I've read from the specs, it's still available in K-7. Yes either general AF tuning are specific lens tuning (20 individual lenses max).