Originally posted by Sew-Classic Since I am relatively new to DSLR's, only have limited slr experience from a LONG time ago, and more recent experience with some advance point and shoot cameras, I am certainly a newbie.
I'm preparing to make the move up from my Panasonic FZ28 to my first DSLR. I do use many of the custom features and controls on my point and shoot, and I rarely use the auto mode, but it's still a far cry from the dslr world.
I've been looking, researching, holding, and playing with a variety of cameras from different mfg's. They all seemed pretty nice, and none of them were awful, but I was really drawn to the Pentax k2000. It felt great in my hands, had the basic features that I wanted and is budget freindly. So, I was planning to enter into the DSLR realm with this camera with the 2 lens kit for starters. As I progress, I figured that I could add lenses and eventually move up to a more advanced Pentax if I felt the need. (k7 in a couple of years??)
Am I missing anything vital or guilty of a serious oversight with this plan?
ETA:
I've only shot jpgs to this point. Are the jpg's straight out of the k200 really bad as some reveiws remark, and will I HAVE to shoot RAW? Does the k2000 come with the software to convert and edit the RAW images? I have Photoscape and it has a RAW converter- will that do the trick? How about the Silky pics software that came with my FZ28?
Here is one of my point & shoot photos taken in the backyard. (I also use my camera for web product photos)
The FZ28 is a great camera and in some respects hard to beat by any DSLR (particulary the zoom range of that magnificant Leica piece of glass, and its great optical stabilization), but it has some week points. In fact I have one myself!
If you have had a SLR in the old days, I assume you understand the basics of photography (shutter speed, diafragma, ISO).
So, I see no obstacles for you taken the step to a DSLR.
What the k2000 will bring to you is:
- Much, much, much better dynamic range. You will only notice after you start working with it. Especially with pictures that have more contrast than the one you've included in your post.
- Much, much better noise levels.
- The true feel and ease of an optical view finder.
- Very fast response.
- Weather and dirt resistance.
In return you will have to deal with:
- Less range.
- Multiple lenses.
- Weigth and size.
The true difference is in image quality. My wife and I have been shooting side by side with the Pany and the K10D for several years now, the difference in IQ is clear.
If you find good quality pictures important and you think photography is fun, a DSLR is the way to go and like with the FZ series, the quality of the glass you use is of more importance than the camera.
Pentax makes very good glass, quality on par with your Leica lens on the FZ28 at much better price levels than the competition (with exception of Olympus). However, Oly uses Panasonic sensors with limited dynamic range.... Poor choice if you'd ask me.
Have fun with your future k2000, it is a good choice, and learn to work with RAW later.
- Bert