just curious

gokenin · 06-09-2010, 10:00 AM

If you had a K200d and you were thinking about a possible upgrade to which camera would you think of moving to and why that camera over the K200? Before you ask I am mostly a casual shooter that doesnt need high FPS but other than that there are no real constraints to what my camera has to do.

Marc Sabatella · 06-09-2010, 10:31 AM

In that case, *why* are you considering upgrading? That would seem the most important question to address first, as your answer will determine the best course of action.

If it were *me*, I'd consider an upgrade for a larger viewfinder, for easier access to setting ISO, for smaller size/ lighter weight, for a non-"crippled" mount for use with fully manual lenses, or for even better high ISO capabilities. But since there is no model that provides all that, and the models that help in one or two of those areas really only advance a pretty small step and are at least as large a step backwards in most of the others (or in some other area, like weather sealing), there's no point in wasting my money on an "upgrade" (mostly a side-grade, really) to my camera. Any money I spend on my gear is going to be *far* more effectively spent on lenses. I do fully expect some day a model in the K-7 line that, although I guess I have to resign myself to an increase in weight, will be enough of an improvement in other ways to be worth buying. But for now, I'm not so sure the K200D isn't already the best mdoel out there for me.

If your list of priorities looks different than mine, though, then there might indeed by a model that fits it well.

kytra · 06-09-2010, 12:17 PM

K7 hands down - 750 USD on pentaxforums marketplace is a steal

gokenin · 06-09-2010, 02:17 PM

I have been thinking of switching to one of the camera bodies that have a pentaprism instead of a pentamirror since i have heard that they have a brighter viewfinder and may make manual focus lens easier to use.

**ChipB** · 06-09-2010, 05:27 PM

I had a K200D and installed the Katz Eye focusing screen - made quite a bit of difference. Or, you can go with one of the Chinese screens - I've had good luck with 2 different ones.

The screen is supposedly not replaceable, but it is!!

GerryL · 06-09-2010, 05:48 PM

Originally posted by gokenin

I have been thinking of switching to one of the camera bodies that have a pentaprism instead of a pentamirror since i have heard that they have a brighter viewfinder and may make manual focus lens easier to use.

Marc is actually right since he has been using the K200D.
If you want the pentaprism instead, then a good deal and upgrade would be the K20D since it would still retain the weathersealing, give you the pentaprism, it would also give you AF adjustments for the lenses you have and the K20D is now a lot cheaper when it was first introduced and probably the same price now as when your K200D was brand new.
Going for the K-7 wouldn't be too much of an upgrade lest you want the HD video and faster FPS and AF speed.

Marc Sabatella · 06-09-2010, 09:52 PM

I don't find the difference in viewfinders to be very large - certainly not worth spending $1000 on. I say this as someone who came to the K200D from the *istDS which had the pentaprism, and I had both for a while and was able to compare side by side. But spending $50 for an O-ME53 viewfinder magnifier *was* worth it. It makes my K200d viewfinder as *large* as the pentaprism viewfinders. With reasonably fast lenses, I don't really notice a difference in brightness. It's mostly the kit lens (which I rarely focus manually) where I was able to see a noticeable difference. Others, however, seem to see a bigger difference than I do.

rkt · 06-13-2010, 12:24 PM

FWIW ... I recently sold my (beloved) K200D and have been eyeing the K7 eagerly ... for low light I might have thought of the Kx, but I value weather sealing ... and the focus point indicators ... the only thought is if a wait for the K7 upgrade with Kx type sensor is worth it ... but a few more price drops and it might just be the K7 ...

Ron_Man · 06-13-2010, 12:50 PM

Well, I had a K200d and recently upgraded to a K-7.. I upgraded simply because I got tired of hitting the function button to change ISO. The K-7 definitely gives me more user control with two dials.. other than that, the K-7 was definitely worth the upgrade.

06-09-2010, 10:00 AM	#1
gokenin Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: lowell,ma Posts: 1,899	just curious If you had a K200d and you were thinking about a possible upgrade to which camera would you think of moving to and why that camera over the K200? Before you ask I am mostly a casual shooter that doesnt need high FPS but other than that there are no real constraints to what my camera has to do.

06-09-2010, 10:31 AM	#2
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	In that case, why are you considering upgrading? That would seem the most important question to address first, as your answer will determine the best course of action. If it were me, I'd consider an upgrade for a larger viewfinder, for easier access to setting ISO, for smaller size/ lighter weight, for a non-"crippled" mount for use with fully manual lenses, or for even better high ISO capabilities. But since there is no model that provides all that, and the models that help in one or two of those areas really only advance a pretty small step and are at least as large a step backwards in most of the others (or in some other area, like weather sealing), there's no point in wasting my money on an "upgrade" (mostly a side-grade, really) to my camera. Any money I spend on my gear is going to be far more effectively spent on lenses. I do fully expect some day a model in the K-7 line that, although I guess I have to resign myself to an increase in weight, will be enough of an improvement in other ways to be worth buying. But for now, I'm not so sure the K200D isn't already the best mdoel out there for me. If your list of priorities looks different than mine, though, then there might indeed by a model that fits it well. Last edited by Marc Sabatella; 06-09-2010 at 09:47 PM.

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06-09-2010, 12:17 PM	#3
kytra Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bucharest Posts: 482	K7 hands down - 750 USD on pentaxforums marketplace is a steal

06-09-2010, 02:17 PM	#4
gokenin Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: lowell,ma Posts: 1,899 Original Poster	I have been thinking of switching to one of the camera bodies that have a pentaprism instead of a pentamirror since i have heard that they have a brighter viewfinder and may make manual focus lens easier to use.

06-09-2010, 05:27 PM	#5
ChipB Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Eau Claire, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,717	I had a K200D and installed the Katz Eye focusing screen - made quite a bit of difference. Or, you can go with one of the Chinese screens - I've had good luck with 2 different ones. The screen is supposedly not replaceable, but it is!!

06-09-2010, 05:48 PM	#6
GerryL Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: CA Posts: 2,731	Originally posted by gokenin I have been thinking of switching to one of the camera bodies that have a pentaprism instead of a pentamirror since i have heard that they have a brighter viewfinder and may make manual focus lens easier to use. Marc is actually right since he has been using the K200D. If you want the pentaprism instead, then a good deal and upgrade would be the K20D since it would still retain the weathersealing, give you the pentaprism, it would also give you AF adjustments for the lenses you have and the K20D is now a lot cheaper when it was first introduced and probably the same price now as when your K200D was brand new. Going for the K-7 wouldn't be too much of an upgrade lest you want the HD video and faster FPS and AF speed.

06-09-2010, 09:52 PM	#7
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	I don't find the difference in viewfinders to be very large - certainly not worth spending $1000 on. I say this as someone who came to the K200D from the istDS which had the pentaprism, and I had both for a while and was able to compare side by side. But spending $50 for an O-ME53 viewfinder magnifier was* worth it. It makes my K200d viewfinder as large as the pentaprism viewfinders. With reasonably fast lenses, I don't really notice a difference in brightness. It's mostly the kit lens (which I rarely focus manually) where I was able to see a noticeable difference. Others, however, seem to see a bigger difference than I do.

06-13-2010, 12:24 PM	#8
rkt Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Germany Posts: 154	FWIW ... I recently sold my (beloved) K200D and have been eyeing the K7 eagerly ... for low light I might have thought of the Kx, but I value weather sealing ... and the focus point indicators ... the only thought is if a wait for the K7 upgrade with Kx type sensor is worth it ... but a few more price drops and it might just be the K7 ...

06-13-2010, 12:50 PM	#9
Ron_Man Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: MD Posts: 221	Well, I had a K200d and recently upgraded to a K-7.. I upgraded simply because I got tired of hitting the function button to change ISO. The K-7 definitely gives me more user control with two dials.. other than that, the K-7 was definitely worth the upgrade.