[Jonson PL]

pentax solved this with an eyepiece blind on the Spotmatic ESII. ( of course live view didn't exist then ) I wonder why they don't look back at their own designs for modern implementation...

Did they have eyepiece blind built into the camera ? I really wish they would start doing that again.
With more focus on Live-view, (and maybe video), it ought to become standard on higher level DSLRs

[séamuis]

Did they have eyepiece blind built into the camera ? I really wish they would start doing that again.
With more focus on Live-view, (and maybe video), it ought to become standard on higher level DSLRs

yes it was built into the viewfinder.

[pingflood]

Did they have eyepiece blind built into the camera ? I really wish they would start doing that again.
With more focus on Live-view, (and maybe video), it ought to become standard on higher level DSLRs

It is standard on the Canon 1-series. But I do wish the XXD ones had it as well.

[pingflood]

I think the shake reduction, build quality, image quality weighs high for pentax over XSI. I know I can get the better build with EOS 50D, but then again I have to spend 400$ more on it or can get a used 40D (which I am reluctant to). I am still having the K20D in the top of the list followed by XSi. I will probably get the K20D on Aug 10th, if the XSi price doesnt drop further.

You can still get refurb'd 40Ds from Adorama for $699 including a one year warranty.

1901B105AA Canon EOS-40D Digital SLR Camera - Refurbished

[DavidWasch]

The price difference between the XSi and the K20D (with their kit lenses) is actually 150$ now. I can get the XSi for around 580$ in cameta camera (639$ and 8% CB with bing.com). I have a 50$ rebate as a Canon P&S owner. So it eventually comes down to 530$. Pentax K20D will be close to 680$. August 10th, it will be 2x cashback and I can eventually get the K20D for 660$ or less.

FYI, the K20D body is now available through Walmart for $600.

Walmart has the K20 on sale again

[mano3891]

FYI, the K20D body is now available through Walmart for $600.

Walmart has the K20 on sale again

Thanks a lot. The body only deal for 600$ in walmart is dead. However the 699$ deal with the kit lens and 3 year warranty is there. I checked AbesOfMaine and they have it for 729$ the same deal. The adorama will be cheaper since there will not be any tax for me in PA.

[Jonson PL]

It is standard on the Canon 1-series. But I do wish the XXD ones had it as well.

The Eos 5D also has a great VF blind as well.
I also prefer the Canon way with plus/minus dioter. It is way easier to set it firmly in neutral position. The Pentax one, can shift, and this is a drag when going for manual focus.
For high-end DSLRs, these things should be taken care of


Edit :
The K2 DMD should also have internal viewfinder blinds :
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/540171-post38.html

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Last edited by Jonson PL; 08-11-2009 at 10:28 PM.

[dylansalt]

No one seems to have touched on the "feel" of the camera in your hands - this generally a non issue wrt to p&s.

After I had handled the Oly's,Nikon,Canon equivalents to the Pentax K10D(K20 is essentially the same body) and then I put a K10D in my hands - I bought the Pentax - it just felt like a camera of substance compared to the others.

From a budget point of view a 18-55/55-300 kit lens and 50 1.4 is possibly all you will need for quite some time

I shoot exclusively with the 18-55/55-300 combo and the Pentax can do sport imo without much hassle

55-300


18-55



Trust this helps

Dylan

[ftpaddict]

Canon's ergonomics were invented by the devil.

[aleonx3]

No one seems to have touched on the "feel" of the camera in your hands - this generally a non issue wrt to p&s.

After I had handled the Oly's,Nikon,Canon equivalents to the Pentax K10D(K20 is essentially the same body) and then I put a K10D in my hands - I bought the Pentax - it just felt like a camera of substance compared to the others.

Dylan

I too wonder if ergonomics is an appealing factor, so I did some checking the other day in the local BB store. I checked the C40D, a bit too big for my liking; could use some space in the back near the thumb for something. With the iso button on top screen and front dial only, wonder how easy it is to change iso (using only the index finger?). The Rebel series is not even comfortable and mode control looks so cheapy for the price. The Oly is smaller and I didn't feel good about the grip part and also the thumb resting area (same for the D5000). The D90 with two dials is the closest to the K10 or K20. Although I haven't tried the K7 yet, but I think the smaller body just suits me fine.

[pingflood]

I too wonder if ergonomics is an appealing factor, so I did some checking the other day in the local BB store. I checked the C40D, a bit too big for my liking; could use some space in the back near the thumb for something. With the iso button on top screen and front dial only, wonder how easy it is to change iso (using only the index finger?).

Pretty easy. My 50D (and all other XXD cameras) works the same way. You have the three buttons (WB, AF mode, ISO) right by your finger and it's easy to push the right one and turn the dial. Just takes 5 minutes getting used to which one's which. Don't even need to take your eye from the viewfinder.

[parkpy]

It sounds like you're working on a budget. Keep in mind how much lenses will be whichever system you purchase.

For example, compare the prices:

Canon's 50mm 1.4 to Pentax's 50mm 1.4
or
Canon's 17-55 IS 2.8 lens to Pentax's 16-50

Even though it's hard to find Pentax stuff, it's cheaper to outfit a Pentax than it would be a Canon. However, it's easier to find used Canon gear than it is Pentax. The pentax is just a better value.

[apisto]

5) P mode for 3 different modes in one. (camera program with green button, Shutter piority and aperture priority)

New K20D owner here. Most major points have been brought up a couple times in this thread so I will not rehash them, but I do want to second the point I quoted above. I made the change over from P&S to K20D a month ago and Pentax's P mode has let me hit the ground running with full DSLR functionallity painlessly. In fact I have the Program mode set to "MTF" where the camera automatically sets the apeture to the lens' sharpest apetures. Then with the 2 dials I zip to whatever shutter speed or apeture I wan't. Then I press the green button and I am right back in program mode.

Usability was one of the resons I picked the K20D over the competition.

[mano3891]

No one seems to have touched on the "feel" of the camera in your hands - this generally a non issue wrt to p&s.

After I had handled the Oly's,Nikon,Canon equivalents to the Pentax K10D(K20 is essentially the same body) and then I put a K10D in my hands - I bought the Pentax - it just felt like a camera of substance compared to the others.

From a budget point of view a 18-55/55-300 kit lens and 50 1.4 is possibly all you will need for quite some time

I shoot exclusively with the 18-55/55-300 combo and the Pentax can do sport imo without much hassle

55-300


18-55



Trust this helps

Dylan

Thanks Dylan.

This really helps. I tried for a pentax k20d but they didnt have it. I tried the Sony A330 (didnt like the grip), XSi (It was ok), Nikon D90 and EOS 50D(Felt solid but costlier). The pentax k20D is available in another store which is a little far, I will go to that store and try the K20D.

The photos you have posted are amazing.

[mano3891]

It sounds like you're working on a budget. Keep in mind how much lenses will be whichever system you purchase.

For example, compare the prices:

Canon's 50mm 1.4 to Pentax's 50mm 1.4
or
Canon's 17-55 IS 2.8 lens to Pentax's 16-50

Even though it's hard to find Pentax stuff, it's cheaper to outfit a Pentax than it would be a Canon. However, it's easier to find used Canon gear than it is Pentax. The pentax is just a better value.

The canon's 50mm 1.4 is 100$ costlier. But again you have USM in it. I am not sure but i think the FA 50mm 1.4 which is now available in amazon is a manual focus (I am not sure though).

The 17-55mm is very costly in canon.