Would you rather buy a...

LosAnJulien · 06-10-2009, 01:08 PM

K20D + SMCP-DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED (IF) SDM (around $1400 for both)

or

K7 + DA 50-200MM F4-5.6 ED WR (around $1600 for both)?

I don't know If the K7 will be available before I leave July 14th, also I'm starting to realize that I don't necessarily care about it's new or upgraded features. Video is great but so far it doesn't seem mature enough to be a killing factor, I think. And I don't have enough cpu horsepower to play with it anyway, or just barely @720p, 1080p is a no-go and will be for a while.

The first kit leaves me with some extra cash and I get a top notch lens from what I read. Now I don't know how the new DA 50-200MM perfoms, maybe it's really good as well.

Pros and cons between those 2 options?

wlachan · 06-10-2009, 01:14 PM

Personally, I'd stay away from any DA* zooms for practical reasons, and if big zooms are what I really need, I'd go Canon (and I do). But then I cannot stand slow zooms anymore, so my vote would be get the K7, with whatever Pentax primes I could afford. I'd rather buy slow and buy the best. Make sense?

LosAnJulien · 06-10-2009, 01:24 PM

nope it doesn't...

why stay away from any DA zoom?

wlachan · 06-10-2009, 01:27 PM

Cos it has been said many times on different forums by different owners, SDM is slow and unreliable. Quietness is the only pro.

LosAnJulien · 06-10-2009, 01:40 PM

Pentax Lens Review Database - 50-135mm F2.8 ED [IF]

wlachan · 06-10-2009, 01:48 PM

If your mind is set, go ahead & best luck.

MJB DIGITAL · 06-10-2009, 01:59 PM

I would go with the 20 and the DA*

I have the 50-135 and it is a stellar lens. yeah, the focus speed isnt lightning, but it does almost no hunting at all on my k10d and the images are great.

I don't get lenses slower then 2.8 anymore at all because im a wedding shooter and i get into lowlight all day...church and reception.

If I NEED a long zoom, I would go ahead and get an f4, but I don't need a long zoom anyway.

the k20d+50-135 would be a GREAT combo and I would feel like a rockstar if I had already upgraded my K10d's

good luck

LosAnJulien · 06-10-2009, 02:08 PM

Would "slow focus" bother a beginner anyway? I mean for instance a burst mode @3fps instead of 5 is not a concern for me. If by slow you mean unsuable then I will skip that lens.

I'm not sold on anything so far, just trying to find what would give best iq for my $1500 budget.

I'm even considering the GH1.

Beginner forum here right?

Dom · 06-10-2009, 02:08 PM

K20D and the DA*

ftpaddict · 06-10-2009, 02:17 PM

K7.

Not really apples to oranges here. The GH1 is a plastic filming doohickey that can also take pictures.

Venturi · 06-10-2009, 02:32 PM

A "beginner" isn't going to be able to wrap their brains around all that either the K20D or K-7 have to offer (excepting the K-7's ability to do video). Those are both "advanced" cameras. Why not save a few more pennies up front and get a K2000/Km or a K200D? They're smaller, have simpler learning curves and still produce images large enough to easily print at 16"x20".

"Bodies come and go but Lenses are forever" so it goes. So definitely get the DA*50-135/2.8 if your budget allows - it is a fantastic lens. But worry about K20D vs K-7 vs K-Q409 after you've got your brain immersed and your feet planted.

That's my $0.02 anyway.

Igilligan · 06-10-2009, 04:13 PM

Originally posted by Venturi

A "beginner" isn't going to be able to wrap their brains around all that either the K20D or K-7 have to offer (excepting the K-7's ability to do video). Those are both "advanced" cameras. Why not save a few more pennies up front and get a K2000/Km or a K200D? They're smaller, have simpler learning curves and still produce images large enough to easily print at 16"x20".

"Bodies come and go but Lenses are forever" so it goes. So definitely get the DA*50-135/2.8 if your budget allows - it is a fantastic lens. But worry about K20D vs K-7 vs K-Q409 after you've got your brain immersed and your feet planted.

That's my $0.02 anyway.

I will add .02

The old saying that lenses are forever... I honestly do not think that applies to the SDM micro motor lenses. The Glass will still be good but there is definately a limited shelf life of those motors...

Having said that I would opt for the K20 and the DA 50-135 or the Tamron 70-200 2.8

The K7 is new and already is showing bugs that Pentax has decided to not even deal with (AF with video) there will certainly be others before they get the firmware right. You get the K20 with a great lens now and then in a year you get the K7 with the latest firmware for $650 and the two cameras together cost what you would pay for the K7 when it hits.

jimH · 06-10-2009, 04:43 PM

ftpaddict, I looked at your web page and saw your many photos. I think that you have a very sensitive eye and are a very talented photographer. I like your work. Keep it up you have a future in the art.

jimH

chalion · 06-10-2009, 05:48 PM

Faster glass is better (to me), but the K20D is a big step above my K200D - the K7 is an even bigger step.

I also agree that if I had to choose between the 2, i'd get the 20 first and maybe pick up a K7 after it's been on the market for 6 months or so. All the bugs should be discovered in that time frame and any major issues should be corrected. (and the price will only go down after that time too).

LosAnJulien · 06-10-2009, 06:39 PM

"The GH1 is a plastic filming doohickey that can also take pictures."

Imaging Resource "Comparometer" ™ Digital Camera Image Comparison Page

Compare the K20D and the GH1 (sorry cant paste with these selected); the GH1 beats down the K20D easily. If it was not for the fact that the GH1 doesn't have in body stabilization and very little choice in lenses I would pick it over the Pentax, unless they have screwed up somewhere the clipping is horrible and iq on the very soft side.

06-10-2009, 01:08 PM	#1
LosAnJulien Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 67	Would you rather buy a... K20D + SMCP-DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED (IF) SDM (around $1400 for both) or K7 + DA 50-200MM F4-5.6 ED WR (around $1600 for both)? I don't know If the K7 will be available before I leave July 14th, also I'm starting to realize that I don't necessarily care about it's new or upgraded features. Video is great but so far it doesn't seem mature enough to be a killing factor, I think. And I don't have enough cpu horsepower to play with it anyway, or just barely @720p, 1080p is a no-go and will be for a while. The first kit leaves me with some extra cash and I get a top notch lens from what I read. Now I don't know how the new DA 50-200MM perfoms, maybe it's really good as well. Pros and cons between those 2 options?

06-10-2009, 04:13 PM	#12
Igilligan Guest	The Lenses are forever is ??? Originally posted by Venturi A "beginner" isn't going to be able to wrap their brains around all that either the K20D or K-7 have to offer (excepting the K-7's ability to do video). Those are both "advanced" cameras. Why not save a few more pennies up front and get a K2000/Km or a K200D? They're smaller, have simpler learning curves and still produce images large enough to easily print at 16"x20". "Bodies come and go but Lenses are forever" so it goes. So definitely get the DA*50-135/2.8 if your budget allows - it is a fantastic lens. But worry about K20D vs K-7 vs K-Q409 after you've got your brain immersed and your feet planted. That's my $0.02 anyway. I will add .02 The old saying that lenses are forever... I honestly do not think that applies to the SDM micro motor lenses. The Glass will still be good but there is definately a limited shelf life of those motors... Having said that I would opt for the K20 and the DA 50-135 or the Tamron 70-200 2.8 The K7 is new and already is showing bugs that Pentax has decided to not even deal with (AF with video) there will certainly be others before they get the firmware right. You get the K20 with a great lens now and then in a year you get the K7 with the latest firmware for $650 and the two cameras together cost what you would pay for the K7 when it hits.

06-10-2009, 04:43 PM	#13
jimH Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: South Central Nebraska - USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,771	Very talented artist! ftpaddict, I looked at your web page and saw your many photos. I think that you have a very sensitive eye and are a very talented photographer. I like your work. Keep it up you have a future in the art. jimH

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06-10-2009, 01:14 PM	#2
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	Personally, I'd stay away from any DA* zooms for practical reasons, and if big zooms are what I really need, I'd go Canon (and I do). But then I cannot stand slow zooms anymore, so my vote would be get the K7, with whatever Pentax primes I could afford. I'd rather buy slow and buy the best. Make sense?

06-10-2009, 01:24 PM	#3
LosAnJulien Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 67 Original Poster	nope it doesn't... why stay away from any DA zoom?

06-10-2009, 01:27 PM	#4
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	Cos it has been said many times on different forums by different owners, SDM is slow and unreliable. Quietness is the only pro.

06-10-2009, 01:40 PM	#5
LosAnJulien Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 67 Original Poster	Pentax Lens Review Database - 50-135mm F2.8 ED [IF]

06-10-2009, 01:48 PM	#6
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	If your mind is set, go ahead & best luck.

06-10-2009, 01:59 PM	#7
MJB DIGITAL Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: st. louis Posts: 1,170	I would go with the 20 and the DA* I have the 50-135 and it is a stellar lens. yeah, the focus speed isnt lightning, but it does almost no hunting at all on my k10d and the images are great. I don't get lenses slower then 2.8 anymore at all because im a wedding shooter and i get into lowlight all day...church and reception. If I NEED a long zoom, I would go ahead and get an f4, but I don't need a long zoom anyway. the k20d+50-135 would be a GREAT combo and I would feel like a rockstar if I had already upgraded my K10d's good luck

06-10-2009, 02:08 PM	#8
LosAnJulien Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 67 Original Poster	Would "slow focus" bother a beginner anyway? I mean for instance a burst mode @3fps instead of 5 is not a concern for me. If by slow you mean unsuable then I will skip that lens. I'm not sold on anything so far, just trying to find what would give best iq for my $1500 budget. I'm even considering the GH1. Beginner forum here right?

06-10-2009, 02:17 PM	#10
ftpaddict Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Yurp Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,666	K7. Not really apples to oranges here. The GH1 is a plastic filming doohickey that can also take pictures.

06-10-2009, 02:32 PM	#11
Venturi Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Tulsa, OK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,636	A "beginner" isn't going to be able to wrap their brains around all that either the K20D or K-7 have to offer (excepting the K-7's ability to do video). Those are both "advanced" cameras. Why not save a few more pennies up front and get a K2000/Km or a K200D? They're smaller, have simpler learning curves and still produce images large enough to easily print at 16"x20". "Bodies come and go but Lenses are forever" so it goes. So definitely get the DA*50-135/2.8 if your budget allows - it is a fantastic lens. But worry about K20D vs K-7 vs K-Q409 after you've got your brain immersed and your feet planted. That's my $0.02 anyway.

06-10-2009, 05:48 PM	#14
chalion Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: SE Pennsylvania Photos: Albums Posts: 628	Faster glass is better (to me), but the K20D is a big step above my K200D - the K7 is an even bigger step. I also agree that if I had to choose between the 2, i'd get the 20 first and maybe pick up a K7 after it's been on the market for 6 months or so. All the bugs should be discovered in that time frame and any major issues should be corrected. (and the price will only go down after that time too).

06-10-2009, 06:39 PM	#15
LosAnJulien Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 67 Original Poster	"The GH1 is a plastic filming doohickey that can also take pictures." Imaging Resource "Comparometer" ™ Digital Camera Image Comparison Page Compare the K20D and the GH1 (sorry cant paste with these selected); the GH1 beats down the K20D easily. If it was not for the fact that the GH1 doesn't have in body stabilization and very little choice in lenses I would pick it over the Pentax, unless they have screwed up somewhere the clipping is horrible and iq on the very soft side.