Howdy from The Republic O' Tejas!

Terry Allan Hall · 01-22-2013, 10:29 PM

Long time film user here, now thinking of adding a digital body to my gear.

Currently have two LX and a few other bodies and a small to medium fortune in glass, although the majority of my shots are done w/ my 100mm macro lense and my 500mm telephoto.

Any suggestions as to a DSLR that'll work best w/ K-mount manual focus lenses for nature photography?

Thanks!

TAH

altopiet · 01-23-2013, 12:15 AM

Hi Terry, welcome to the forums. Enjoy all the free and friendly advice!

I recently got a K-30, and the focus peaking feature in live view makes using my old lenses a pleasure.

**ivanvernon** · 01-23-2013, 12:18 AM

I have K-10, K-20 and K-7. Any of these would work. Depends on how much to spend. Used K-10 for $300 at Keh Camera would be a good starter intro to digital, or to go all the way you could spend maybe $600-900 for a K-5. The old glass fits all of them. Good luck. Look forward to your nature posts.

Terry Allan Hall · 01-23-2013, 05:48 AM

Thanks, folks! Will look into those models.

Here's a pic done w/ my daughter's Nikon Coolpix:

mikeSF · 01-23-2013, 08:30 AM

Welcome!
Same Terry Allan Hall from harmony central acoustic guitar forum??

Terry Allan Hall · 01-23-2013, 08:48 AM

Originally posted by mikeSF

Welcome!
Same Terry Allan Hall from harmony central acoustic guitar forum??

Guilty.

mikeSF · 01-23-2013, 11:18 PM

Originally posted by Terry Allan Hall

Guilty.

welcome!

SpartanD63 · 01-24-2013, 12:17 AM

Welcome! I have to agree with altopiet that the focus peaking of the K30 makes using manual focus lenses very pleasurable. If you don't mind using the screen rather than the OVF

then it's a great feature.
The K-01 is unusual and not a DSLR (it's a mirrorless) but it might also be worth a look. (For the price ($315 body only,) it's hard to beat.) It also has focus peaking.

Terry Allan Hall · 01-24-2013, 05:53 AM

Originally posted by mikeSF

welcome!

Thanks!

Originally posted by SpartanD63

Welcome! I have to agree with altopiet that the focus peaking of the K30 makes using manual focus lenses very pleasurable. If you don't mind using the screen rather than the OVF

then it's a great feature.
The K-01 is unusual and not a DSLR (it's a mirrorless) but it might also be worth a look. (For the price ($315 body only,) it's hard to beat.) It also has focus peaking.

Cool...will look into that one, too!

Anyone have an opinion on the Pentax *ist DS?

Markitectonic · 01-25-2013, 03:50 AM

I have a K-01 and it is a lot of camera for the money. I really do not miss the optical finder. Works great with my old glass and really does well with video...better than other Pentax models. I also have an ist DS. It is a great camera for use with old glass. You have to make sure that the e dial is not gummed up before purchasing a well used body. This is a very common problem with the older pentax dslrs.

01-22-2013, 10:29 PM	#1
Terry Allan Hall Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: In the wilds of Wise County, Rep. O' Tejas Posts: 4	Howdy from The Republic O' Tejas! Long time film user here, now thinking of adding a digital body to my gear. Currently have two LX and a few other bodies and a small to medium fortune in glass, although the majority of my shots are done w/ my 100mm macro lense and my 500mm telephoto. Any suggestions as to a DSLR that'll work best w/ K-mount manual focus lenses for nature photography? Thanks! TAH

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01-23-2013, 12:15 AM	#2
altopiet Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: The Gem of the Karoo, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,307	Hi Terry, welcome to the forums. Enjoy all the free and friendly advice! I recently got a K-30, and the focus peaking feature in live view makes using my old lenses a pleasure.

01-23-2013, 12:18 AM	#3
ivanvernon Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Medina, OH Photos: Albums Posts: 7,224	I have K-10, K-20 and K-7. Any of these would work. Depends on how much to spend. Used K-10 for $300 at Keh Camera would be a good starter intro to digital, or to go all the way you could spend maybe $600-900 for a K-5. The old glass fits all of them. Good luck. Look forward to your nature posts.

01-23-2013, 05:48 AM	#4
Terry Allan Hall Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: In the wilds of Wise County, Rep. O' Tejas Posts: 4 Original Poster	Thanks, folks! Will look into those models. Here's a pic done w/ my daughter's Nikon Coolpix:

01-23-2013, 08:30 AM	#5
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,620	Welcome! Same Terry Allan Hall from harmony central acoustic guitar forum??

01-23-2013, 08:48 AM	#6
Terry Allan Hall Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: In the wilds of Wise County, Rep. O' Tejas Posts: 4 Original Poster	Originally posted by mikeSF Welcome! Same Terry Allan Hall from harmony central acoustic guitar forum?? Guilty.

01-23-2013, 11:18 PM	#7
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,620	Originally posted by Terry Allan Hall Guilty. welcome!

01-24-2013, 12:17 AM	#8
SpartanD63 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 351	Welcome! I have to agree with altopiet that the focus peaking of the K30 makes using manual focus lenses very pleasurable. If you don't mind using the screen rather than the OVF then it's a great feature. The K-01 is unusual and not a DSLR (it's a mirrorless) but it might also be worth a look. (For the price ($315 body only,) it's hard to beat.) It also has focus peaking.

01-24-2013, 05:53 AM	#9
Terry Allan Hall Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: In the wilds of Wise County, Rep. O' Tejas Posts: 4 Original Poster	Originally posted by mikeSF welcome! Thanks! Originally posted by SpartanD63 Welcome! I have to agree with altopiet that the focus peaking of the K30 makes using manual focus lenses very pleasurable. If you don't mind using the screen rather than the OVF then it's a great feature. The K-01 is unusual and not a DSLR (it's a mirrorless) but it might also be worth a look. (For the price ($315 body only,) it's hard to beat.) It also has focus peaking. Cool...will look into that one, too! Anyone have an opinion on the Pentax *ist DS?

01-25-2013, 03:50 AM	#10
Markitectonic New Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Phoenix Posts: 10	I have a K-01 and it is a lot of camera for the money. I really do not miss the optical finder. Works great with my old glass and really does well with video...better than other Pentax models. I also have an ist DS. It is a great camera for use with old glass. You have to make sure that the e dial is not gummed up before purchasing a well used body. This is a very common problem with the older pentax dslrs.