What to Do if K-7 Price Really Drops ;-(

wll · 09-10-2010, 06:19 AM

OK, I have a couple of K200D's that I use for all around studio, landscape stuff, and with the announcement of the K-r I was thinking of replacing them with the new K-r ...... but ...... when the price really drops off the K-7, and it is less than the K-r that changes things a bit.

The built quality of the K-7 is superb and ISO 3200 is OK, much better than the K200D's for sure. The K-7 would make a great all around camera, it just would not have the high ISO ability or the new HDR feature of the K-r (which I REALLY like, along with others).

Like I said, I luv the feature set of the K-r, but I'm thinking of value for $ spent vs what will THAT camera be used for. Remember the K200D's were crap high ISO performers (compared to what is out there now, including the K-7).

This decision has nothing to do with the K-5, which sounds great :-)

See what you have done to me Pentax :-)

wll

Urkeldaedalus · 09-10-2010, 06:41 AM

Originally posted by wll

OK, I have a couple of K200D's that I use for all around studio, landscape stuff, and with the announcement of the K-r I was thinking of replacing them with the new K-r ...... but ...... when the price really drops off the K-7, and it is less than the K-r that changes things a bit.

The built quality of the K-7 is superb and ISO 3200 is OK, much better than the K200D's for sure. The K-7 would make a great all around camera, it just would not have the high ISO ability or the new HDR feature of the K-r (which I REALLY like, along with others).

Like I said, I luv the feature set of the K-r, but I'm thinking of value for $ spent vs what will THAT camera be used for. Remember the K200D's were crap high ISO performers (compared to what is out there now, including the K-7).

This decision has nothing to do with the K-5, which sounds great :-)

See what you have done to me Pentax :-)

wll

It will really depend on what you want to use it for. Weather sealing opens up more shooting opportunities, but good high ISO also opens up more shooting opportunities. If you don't use the camera you're going to buy above ISO1600 much I think the K-7 will still be the all around better camera. It's pretty cool that the K-r is good enough that it makes the decision hard, though.

I don't think I've gotten the in camera HDR to work once in a way that satisfied me. Of course I'm no landscape/HDR specialist.

jake14mw · 09-10-2010, 06:41 AM

Well, with the K-7 vs. the K-R (what we know anyway), I think the performance and technology would be similar, the differences are more a matter of convenience features and controls. The K-7 is more geared toward advanced users who want quick access to controls and adjustments. The K-R is more geared towards beginners. This is really my only problem with both the K-x and the K-r. They are both excellent performers, but the ergonomics and controls are not up to what I expect. Feel and ease of use are very important to me.

pop4 · 09-10-2010, 07:03 AM

Originally posted by wll

OK, I have a couple of K200D's that I use for all around studio, landscape stuff, and with the announcement of the K-r I was thinking of replacing them with the new K-r ...... but ...... when the price really drops off the K-7, and it is less than the K-r that changes things a bit.

If you're shooting studio stuff, then I assume you'd be using them with studio lighting, which will probably mean shooting at sync speed and ISO 100. Landscape stuff will probably mean shooting with a tripod, and the lowest ISO possible, which will probably be 100 or 200 or so. So ISO wise, there's no real convincing argument for the K-r. And also, for what you're shooting, do you need the 6fps?

Another factor is that for me personally, as someone who's got the K10D and K-7, and have played around with my friends' K100D and K-x cameras, ergonomics is a very big reason why I would never go down a tier of cameras. Top LCD screen, two e-dials, less digging through menus, etc, all really make a big difference. Going from a K200D to a K-7, you're going to be spoilt.

Having said that, but having the better hi-ISO performance, that can possibly open up new doors, and you might find that you're doing more stuff requiring higher ISO, just because you have this new capability and you can. Whichever one you decide on though, it will be an improvement over the K200D.

Impartial · 09-10-2010, 07:25 AM

You could always replace both of your cameras, with a K7 and a k-x (sic.). Most likely the high-ISO performance of the k-x will be novel enough (to you) to be interesting, and you'll have the full feature set of the K7 for studio work or for inclement conditions. All this for much less than the price of a K5, and selling the K200Ds should provide a nice subsidy for the purchase. Win-win.

wll · 09-10-2010, 07:50 AM

I'm a nut about quality and the K-7 definitely has that, the feature hardware set is great, the only issue is the higher ISO...

Does Pentax have some firmware upgrades that might have addressed some of this issue since dpreview did there review ?

wll

wll · 09-10-2010, 10:02 AM

And I gave the K-7 a serious going over. The quality is definitely there, and that could be the way to go.

I will give my camera arsenal a going over this weekend and decide what I'll do.

One big factor about the K-7 is I believe it uses the same battery pack as the K-5 ... that could be a clincher as if anything goes wrong with one pack I can trade. I also like the fact that if this is true, the K-7 and the K-5 would use the same batteries ...another plus !

Yes, I do plan a K-5 to find a home with me :-)

Things are getting interesting :-)

wll

farhagh · 09-10-2010, 10:20 AM

Why not having the best of two world; 1 K-7 and 1 K-r will give you the proper camera in both bad weather and dim light. Unless you believe working with two different bodies in parallel adds confusion in the field.

Ron Kruger · 09-10-2010, 11:10 AM

I switched from Nikon to Pentax a couple of years ago, because Pentax is by far the best value for the money. It's just business, and I've been very pleased with my decision.
I bought a K20D when it was still hot and paid over $1100. I've been waiting for the new model to come out so I could buy a K7 or another K20D cheap. That actually happened a couple of days ago. Found a new (not demo) K7 for $700, which is, I believe, even cheaper than the new Kr (which I also was considering for a backup to my K20D).
I figure the K7 may go down a bit more, but not much, and think I made a very good deal.

Abstract · 09-10-2010, 12:47 PM

I am not aware is the K-7 going to have another price drop? I know it can be found for like 760 at 42photo which is where I was gonna grab it soon, is it going even MORE down? I remember the K20D going for 500 at walmart a while back when they stopped production but I was kinda not in the market for one at the time and missed it, should I Wait for this price drop?

GlennG · 09-10-2010, 12:54 PM

Ron, may I ask where you found the new K-7 for $700? That does seem like a very good deal. Like many others I'm planning my upward migration path and the K-7 is one of several potential "targets". I agree that Pentax has offered a great value, and still does. Thanks.

Raylon · 09-10-2010, 12:57 PM

I was having this same dillema as you are right now, I have a K200 so right now I cringe when I have to shoot 400 ISO or more, so the K7's ISO problems would not affect me at all. I decided I am going to just keep the K200 because it is a very capable camera in it's own right, and instead am going to purchase a DA* lens, either a 16-50 or a 60-250. Unless someone can convince me that I really need a K7 or possibly a K5

Ron Kruger · 09-10-2010, 05:29 PM

Hi Glen,
Don't remember just how I found it, but the site is DigitalElect. Never heard of them, but neither had I heard of the camera store that was closing it's Pentax line when I bought my 35mm macro Limited for under $350. I order most equipment from B&H and Adorama, which usually have very good prices, but I've found the very best deals are those rare close-out sales.

Abstract · 09-10-2010, 06:16 PM

I checked it out, I don't know about them, you might have gotten lucky, seems there is a lot of hate on there: Digital Elect - DigitalElect.com - Reviews, Ratings and Prices at ResellerRatings

:-/

Ron Kruger · 09-10-2010, 06:40 PM

I don't know about them either, and although their record seems spotty in the past, last month's rateings were 100 percent across the board. I'm thinking they must have cleaned up their act, because I haven't seen that kind of rating anywhere else.
Doesn't matter to me whether anyone uses them, but Glen asked.
If you're nervous, such prices should be available from B&H and Adorama in a month or two.

09-10-2010, 06:19 AM	#1
wll Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mission Hills, CA Posts: 773	What to Do if K-7 Price Really Drops ;-( OK, I have a couple of K200D's that I use for all around studio, landscape stuff, and with the announcement of the K-r I was thinking of replacing them with the new K-r ...... but ...... when the price really drops off the K-7, and it is less than the K-r that changes things a bit. The built quality of the K-7 is superb and ISO 3200 is OK, much better than the K200D's for sure. The K-7 would make a great all around camera, it just would not have the high ISO ability or the new HDR feature of the K-r (which I REALLY like, along with others). Like I said, I luv the feature set of the K-r, but I'm thinking of value for $ spent vs what will THAT camera be used for. Remember the K200D's were crap high ISO performers (compared to what is out there now, including the K-7). This decision has nothing to do with the K-5, which sounds great :-) See what you have done to me Pentax :-) wll

09-10-2010, 07:50 AM	#6
wll Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mission Hills, CA Posts: 773 Original Poster	Ya, Its a Tough Decision for Sure ! I'm a nut about quality and the K-7 definitely has that, the feature hardware set is great, the only issue is the higher ISO... Does Pentax have some firmware upgrades that might have addressed some of this issue since dpreview did there review ? wll

09-10-2010, 10:02 AM	#7
wll Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mission Hills, CA Posts: 773 Original Poster	Well, Went to Fry's ! And I gave the K-7 a serious going over. The quality is definitely there, and that could be the way to go. I will give my camera arsenal a going over this weekend and decide what I'll do. One big factor about the K-7 is I believe it uses the same battery pack as the K-5 ... that could be a clincher as if anything goes wrong with one pack I can trade. I also like the fact that if this is true, the K-7 and the K-5 would use the same batteries ...another plus ! Yes, I do plan a K-5 to find a home with me :-) Things are getting interesting :-) wll

09-10-2010, 05:29 PM	#13
Ron Kruger Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Missouri Posts: 534	Hi Glen, Don't remember just how I found it, but the site is DigitalElect. Never heard of them, but neither had I heard of the camera store that was closing it's Pentax line when I bought my 35mm macro Limited for under $350. I order most equipment from B&H and Adorama, which usually have very good prices, but I've found the very best deals are those rare close-out sales. Last edited by Ron Kruger; 09-10-2010 at 05:33 PM. Reason: adding info

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09-10-2010, 06:41 AM	#2
Urkeldaedalus Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Iowa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,369	Originally posted by wll OK, I have a couple of K200D's that I use for all around studio, landscape stuff, and with the announcement of the K-r I was thinking of replacing them with the new K-r ...... but ...... when the price really drops off the K-7, and it is less than the K-r that changes things a bit. The built quality of the K-7 is superb and ISO 3200 is OK, much better than the K200D's for sure. The K-7 would make a great all around camera, it just would not have the high ISO ability or the new HDR feature of the K-r (which I REALLY like, along with others). Like I said, I luv the feature set of the K-r, but I'm thinking of value for $ spent vs what will THAT camera be used for. Remember the K200D's were crap high ISO performers (compared to what is out there now, including the K-7). This decision has nothing to do with the K-5, which sounds great :-) See what you have done to me Pentax :-) wll It will really depend on what you want to use it for. Weather sealing opens up more shooting opportunities, but good high ISO also opens up more shooting opportunities. If you don't use the camera you're going to buy above ISO1600 much I think the K-7 will still be the all around better camera. It's pretty cool that the K-r is good enough that it makes the decision hard, though. I don't think I've gotten the in camera HDR to work once in a way that satisfied me. Of course I'm no landscape/HDR specialist.

09-10-2010, 06:41 AM	#3
jake14mw Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Connecticut, USA Posts: 977	Well, with the K-7 vs. the K-R (what we know anyway), I think the performance and technology would be similar, the differences are more a matter of convenience features and controls. The K-7 is more geared toward advanced users who want quick access to controls and adjustments. The K-R is more geared towards beginners. This is really my only problem with both the K-x and the K-r. They are both excellent performers, but the ergonomics and controls are not up to what I expect. Feel and ease of use are very important to me.

09-10-2010, 07:03 AM	#4
pop4 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: YMML Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,879	Originally posted by wll OK, I have a couple of K200D's that I use for all around studio, landscape stuff, and with the announcement of the K-r I was thinking of replacing them with the new K-r ...... but ...... when the price really drops off the K-7, and it is less than the K-r that changes things a bit. If you're shooting studio stuff, then I assume you'd be using them with studio lighting, which will probably mean shooting at sync speed and ISO 100. Landscape stuff will probably mean shooting with a tripod, and the lowest ISO possible, which will probably be 100 or 200 or so. So ISO wise, there's no real convincing argument for the K-r. And also, for what you're shooting, do you need the 6fps? Another factor is that for me personally, as someone who's got the K10D and K-7, and have played around with my friends' K100D and K-x cameras, ergonomics is a very big reason why I would never go down a tier of cameras. Top LCD screen, two e-dials, less digging through menus, etc, all really make a big difference. Going from a K200D to a K-7, you're going to be spoilt. Having said that, but having the better hi-ISO performance, that can possibly open up new doors, and you might find that you're doing more stuff requiring higher ISO, just because you have this new capability and you can. Whichever one you decide on though, it will be an improvement over the K200D.

09-10-2010, 07:25 AM	#5
Impartial Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 208	You could always replace both of your cameras, with a K7 and a k-x (sic.). Most likely the high-ISO performance of the k-x will be novel enough (to you) to be interesting, and you'll have the full feature set of the K7 for studio work or for inclement conditions. All this for much less than the price of a K5, and selling the K200Ds should provide a nice subsidy for the purchase. Win-win.

09-10-2010, 10:20 AM	#8
farhagh Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Ohio Photos: Albums Posts: 339	Why not having the best of two world; 1 K-7 and 1 K-r will give you the proper camera in both bad weather and dim light. Unless you believe working with two different bodies in parallel adds confusion in the field.

09-10-2010, 11:10 AM	#9
Ron Kruger Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Missouri Posts: 534	I switched from Nikon to Pentax a couple of years ago, because Pentax is by far the best value for the money. It's just business, and I've been very pleased with my decision. I bought a K20D when it was still hot and paid over $1100. I've been waiting for the new model to come out so I could buy a K7 or another K20D cheap. That actually happened a couple of days ago. Found a new (not demo) K7 for $700, which is, I believe, even cheaper than the new Kr (which I also was considering for a backup to my K20D). I figure the K7 may go down a bit more, but not much, and think I made a very good deal.

09-10-2010, 12:47 PM	#10
Abstract Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: New York Photos: Gallery Posts: 388	I am not aware is the K-7 going to have another price drop? I know it can be found for like 760 at 42photo which is where I was gonna grab it soon, is it going even MORE down? I remember the K20D going for 500 at walmart a while back when they stopped production but I was kinda not in the market for one at the time and missed it, should I Wait for this price drop?

09-10-2010, 12:54 PM	#11
GlennG Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 824	Ron, may I ask where you found the new K-7 for $700? That does seem like a very good deal. Like many others I'm planning my upward migration path and the K-7 is one of several potential "targets". I agree that Pentax has offered a great value, and still does. Thanks.

09-10-2010, 12:57 PM	#12
Raylon Guest	I was having this same dillema as you are right now, I have a K200 so right now I cringe when I have to shoot 400 ISO or more, so the K7's ISO problems would not affect me at all. I decided I am going to just keep the K200 because it is a very capable camera in it's own right, and instead am going to purchase a DA* lens, either a 16-50 or a 60-250. Unless someone can convince me that I really need a K7 or possibly a K5

09-10-2010, 06:16 PM	#14
Abstract Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: New York Photos: Gallery Posts: 388	I checked it out, I don't know about them, you might have gotten lucky, seems there is a lot of hate on there: Digital Elect - DigitalElect.com - Reviews, Ratings and Prices at ResellerRatings :-/

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09-10-2010, 06:40 PM	#15
Ron Kruger Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Missouri Posts: 534	I don't know about them either, and although their record seems spotty in the past, last month's rateings were 100 percent across the board. I'm thinking they must have cleaned up their act, because I haven't seen that kind of rating anywhere else. Doesn't matter to me whether anyone uses them, but Glen asked. If you're nervous, such prices should be available from B&H and Adorama in a month or two.