Opinion needed for recommending 1st DSLR for a friend

elpolodiablo · 10-13-2010, 06:58 AM

Originally posted by Boris

There is still a non-VC version which has more than reasonable cost.

True, and lack of VC wouldn't be that much of a problem for this range I guess.

causey · 10-13-2010, 12:52 PM

Mega-zooms can be best used in bright light, anyway, and then I guess the anti-shake doesn't matter much.

SpecialK · 10-13-2010, 03:02 PM

Buying a recently-discontinued body used, such as the large K20D, opens more options.

elpolodiablo · 10-13-2010, 03:17 PM

Originally posted by SpecialK

Buying a recently-discontinued body used, such as the large K20D, opens more options.

That's my 1st thought because there was nice floor stock K20D body in my local store for $799.....he can have the body with a DA16-45 and a nice DA40 Limited within his budget... but he wanted the shiny stuff....

causey · 10-13-2010, 06:10 PM

Originally posted by elpolodiablo

That's my 1st thought because there was nice floor stock K20D body in my local store for $799.....he can have the body with a DA16-45 and a nice DA40 Limited within his budget... but he wanted the shiny stuff....

A week ago a friend of my wife's was looking for an 'easy-to-use, light dslr that takes very nice pics'. He was considering a Canon 550D. I recommended him the K-x, but 'Pentax... meh, no, thank you.' I said, 'good-bye light camera'--I had told him from the beginning the point'n'shoot kind of easy-to-use wasn't practical with dslr's. Then I recommended Nikon D90. Still, he wasn't satisfied: the Canon had more megapixels. (And he added that $1300 wasn't much money to spend on a good camera. Well, for me it's a lot of $$$.) I explained him image quality is not the same thing as number of mp and why Nikon's sensor was better. In the end, he decided to get the new D7000, but he wants me to show him how the camera works. 'Meh, no, thank you.'

elpolodiablo · 10-14-2010, 06:49 PM

Originally posted by causey

A week ago a friend of my wife's was looking for an 'easy-to-use, light dslr that takes very nice pics'. He was considering a Canon 550D. I recommended him the K-x, but 'Pentax... meh, no, thank you.' I said, 'good-bye light camera'--I had told him from the beginning the point'n'shoot kind of easy-to-use wasn't practical with dslr's. Then I recommended Nikon D90. Still, he wasn't satisfied: the Canon had more megapixels. (And he added that $1300 wasn't much money to spend on a good camera. Well, for me it's a lot of $$$.) I explained him image quality is not the same thing as number of mp and why Nikon's sensor was better. In the end, he decided to get the new D7000, but he wants me to show him how the camera works. 'Meh, no, thank you.'

lol I think my friend suffer from the same more MPs = better picture quality assumption because he's been looking at Canon 500D which got more MP than K-7 or D90.

He's my best mate so I am going to give him the best advice within my knowledge and I will be patient, if he's just some acquaintance I would probably tell him to buy that 500D kit already if he likes it, it still takes good pictures anyway....

Maybe I will just tell him to wait... Once K-5 and D7000 are in stock in November I would imagine price of K-7 and D90 will drop anyway...

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10-13-2010, 06:58 AM	#16
elpolodiablo Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,637 Original Poster	Originally posted by Boris There is still a non-VC version which has more than reasonable cost. True, and lack of VC wouldn't be that much of a problem for this range I guess.

10-13-2010, 12:52 PM	#17
causey Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arlington, VA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,757	Mega-zooms can be best used in bright light, anyway, and then I guess the anti-shake doesn't matter much.

10-13-2010, 03:02 PM	#18
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,482	Buying a recently-discontinued body used, such as the large K20D, opens more options.

10-13-2010, 03:17 PM	#19
elpolodiablo Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,637 Original Poster	Originally posted by SpecialK Buying a recently-discontinued body used, such as the large K20D, opens more options. That's my 1st thought because there was nice floor stock K20D body in my local store for $799.....he can have the body with a DA16-45 and a nice DA40 Limited within his budget... but he wanted the shiny stuff....

10-13-2010, 06:10 PM	#20
causey Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arlington, VA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,757	Originally posted by elpolodiablo That's my 1st thought because there was nice floor stock K20D body in my local store for $799.....he can have the body with a DA16-45 and a nice DA40 Limited within his budget... but he wanted the shiny stuff.... A week ago a friend of my wife's was looking for an 'easy-to-use, light dslr that takes very nice pics'. He was considering a Canon 550D. I recommended him the K-x, but 'Pentax... meh, no, thank you.' I said, 'good-bye light camera'--I had told him from the beginning the point'n'shoot kind of easy-to-use wasn't practical with dslr's. Then I recommended Nikon D90. Still, he wasn't satisfied: the Canon had more megapixels. (And he added that $1300 wasn't much money to spend on a good camera. Well, for me it's a lot of $$$.) I explained him image quality is not the same thing as number of mp and why Nikon's sensor was better. In the end, he decided to get the new D7000, but he wants me to show him how the camera works. 'Meh, no, thank you.'

10-14-2010, 06:49 PM	#21
elpolodiablo Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,637 Original Poster	Originally posted by causey A week ago a friend of my wife's was looking for an 'easy-to-use, light dslr that takes very nice pics'. He was considering a Canon 550D. I recommended him the K-x, but 'Pentax... meh, no, thank you.' I said, 'good-bye light camera'--I had told him from the beginning the point'n'shoot kind of easy-to-use wasn't practical with dslr's. Then I recommended Nikon D90. Still, he wasn't satisfied: the Canon had more megapixels. (And he added that $1300 wasn't much money to spend on a good camera. Well, for me it's a lot of $$$.) I explained him image quality is not the same thing as number of mp and why Nikon's sensor was better. In the end, he decided to get the new D7000, but he wants me to show him how the camera works. 'Meh, no, thank you.' lol I think my friend suffer from the same more MPs = better picture quality assumption because he's been looking at Canon 500D which got more MP than K-7 or D90. He's my best mate so I am going to give him the best advice within my knowledge and I will be patient, if he's just some acquaintance I would probably tell him to buy that 500D kit already if he likes it, it still takes good pictures anyway.... Maybe I will just tell him to wait... Once K-5 and D7000 are in stock in November I would imagine price of K-7 and D90 will drop anyway...