Anyone else miss the K200D?

Marc Sabatella · 05-29-2012, 03:59 PM

If I wanted a camera as big as the K200D becomes with a grip attached, I wouldn't have gotten the K200D in the first place - I'd have gotten the K20D. So for me, redesigning the body to be even smaller - in part by eliminating the largely superfluous LCD - was a great choice on the K-30. While it wouldn't have hurt to have the *option* of a grip, I think Pentax realizes that only a very small number of people in this segment of the market want a camera that large, so designing a grip just for this particular body would not likely have made business sense. I suspect they took a loss on whatever it took to design and manufacture the K200D grip and were not anxious to repeat that.

kkoether · 05-29-2012, 04:43 PM

I have to say I like my grip on my K200D but then I have unusually large hands. (XXL gloves are too small large)

It would be an influence on me when and if I replace my K200D. I also like having the extra batteries on board when shooting races etc. I can shoot all day and never change batteries.

Jonathan Mac · 05-30-2012, 12:44 AM

The K30's battery life is quite poor, so a grip would have been particularly useful. I don't believe that grips are hard to design. I paid 65 GBP for mine, and I consider that expensive for what it is, but I'm willing to pay it for the huge ergonomic benefit it gives. Many people like large cameras and accessories are a potential gold mine as they're cheap to design and produce but usually cost a fair bit. If I had to get a new camera now, I'd have to fork out extra for a K5 (or used K7/K20D) in order to have a grip.

john5100 · 05-30-2012, 07:23 AM

I dont know that the battery performance is poor. It has been tested with the lithium battery and not Eneloops. I would think it'll be like the KX or KR.

It does have some extra electronics inside though.

john5100 · 05-30-2012, 07:24 AM

Oh, as for size. It looks about the same size as the K5 without the grip.

grainbelt · 05-30-2012, 09:15 AM

Letting mine go after a good run. Only 9k clicks... in the marketplace if anybody is looking for a spare.

**pacerr** · 06-01-2012, 06:37 AM

Originally posted by john5100

Oh, as for size. It looks about the same size as the K5 without the grip.

If SIZE is your only issue -- there's a custom fit project waiting for you.

H2

Biro · 06-04-2012, 08:46 AM

When I bought my K200D, it came in a special discounted kit that included the body, the DA* 16-50, the DA* 50-135, the AF360 flash and the grip. I don't think I have used the grip once since trying it out when I got the kit home. The K-5 is just a bit smaller and I like its size.

Meanwhile, do we have a consensus yet - specifically among current K200D owners? Will the K30 replace the K200D in your kit? While I am leaning strongly in that direction, I find it tough to give up the K200D. I still use mine even though I have a K-5 as well. Drop-dead reliability and fantastic low ISO performance.

Blue · 06-04-2012, 09:11 AM

Originally posted by Biro

When I bought my K200D, it came in a special discounted kit that included the body, the DA* 16-50, the DA* 50-135, the AF360 flash and the grip. I don't think I have used the grip once since trying it out when I got the kit home. The K-5 is just a bit smaller and I like its size.

Meanwhile, do we have a consensus yet - specifically among current K200D owners? Will the K30 replace the K200D in your kit? While I am leaning strongly in that direction, I find it tough to give up the K200D. I still use mine even though I have a K-5 as well. Drop-dead reliability and fantastic low ISO performance.

I don't know. I have a K-5 as well and chose to use it as my alternate body on a research trip. I actually lean towards letting the K20d go first or even the *istD or both IF I go for a white K-30.

Marc Sabatella · 06-04-2012, 11:08 AM

Originally posted by Biro

Meanwhile, do we have a consensus yet - specifically among current K200D owners? Will the K30 replace the K200D in your kit?

Not likely, but only because my K200D still works for me. And by the time it stops working, there will likely be something even better. Plus, when the time comes, I may spring for something in the K-5 class.

john5100 · 06-04-2012, 06:12 PM

The K200 will be hard to let go. I do a lot of low light concerts (ISO 5000 not uncommon). The K200 is not as good as my KX for that. Also low light focus isnt as good either however I do manual focus too. The DR of the K5 would be nice.

john5100 · 06-04-2012, 06:14 PM

@pacerr - I tell my self that size doesnt matter. :-)

kkoether · 06-04-2012, 06:17 PM - **2 Likes**

My latest Favorite shot from my K200D!

**pacerr** · 06-04-2012, 07:47 PM

Excellent, Keith!

H2

Jonathan Mac · 06-04-2012, 09:58 PM

Fantastic shot!

06-01-2012, 06:37 AM	#352
pacerr Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Paris, TN Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,349	Size counts! Originally posted by john5100 Oh, as for size. It looks about the same size as the K5 without the grip. If SIZE is your only issue -- there's a custom fit project waiting for you. H2

06-04-2012, 08:46 AM	#353
Biro Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,200	When I bought my K200D, it came in a special discounted kit that included the body, the DA* 16-50, the DA* 50-135, the AF360 flash and the grip. I don't think I have used the grip once since trying it out when I got the kit home. The K-5 is just a bit smaller and I like its size. Meanwhile, do we have a consensus yet - specifically among current K200D owners? Will the K30 replace the K200D in your kit? While I am leaning strongly in that direction, I find it tough to give up the K200D. I still use mine even though I have a K-5 as well. Drop-dead reliability and fantastic low ISO performance. Last edited by Biro; 06-04-2012 at 08:51 AM.

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05-29-2012, 03:59 PM	#346
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	If I wanted a camera as big as the K200D becomes with a grip attached, I wouldn't have gotten the K200D in the first place - I'd have gotten the K20D. So for me, redesigning the body to be even smaller - in part by eliminating the largely superfluous LCD - was a great choice on the K-30. While it wouldn't have hurt to have the option of a grip, I think Pentax realizes that only a very small number of people in this segment of the market want a camera that large, so designing a grip just for this particular body would not likely have made business sense. I suspect they took a loss on whatever it took to design and manufacture the K200D grip and were not anxious to repeat that.

05-29-2012, 04:43 PM	#347
kkoether Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Huber Heights, OH, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 731	I have to say I like my grip on my K200D but then I have unusually large hands. (XXL gloves are too small large) It would be an influence on me when and if I replace my K200D. I also like having the extra batteries on board when shooting races etc. I can shoot all day and never change batteries.

05-30-2012, 12:44 AM	#348
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,897	The K30's battery life is quite poor, so a grip would have been particularly useful. I don't believe that grips are hard to design. I paid 65 GBP for mine, and I consider that expensive for what it is, but I'm willing to pay it for the huge ergonomic benefit it gives. Many people like large cameras and accessories are a potential gold mine as they're cheap to design and produce but usually cost a fair bit. If I had to get a new camera now, I'd have to fork out extra for a K5 (or used K7/K20D) in order to have a grip.

05-30-2012, 07:23 AM	#349
john5100 Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 1,725	I dont know that the battery performance is poor. It has been tested with the lithium battery and not Eneloops. I would think it'll be like the KX or KR. It does have some extra electronics inside though.

05-30-2012, 07:24 AM	#350
john5100 Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 1,725	Oh, as for size. It looks about the same size as the K5 without the grip.

05-30-2012, 09:15 AM	#351
grainbelt Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Minneapolis Photos: Albums Posts: 587	Letting mine go after a good run. Only 9k clicks... in the marketplace if anybody is looking for a spare.

06-04-2012, 09:11 AM	#354
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by Biro When I bought my K200D, it came in a special discounted kit that included the body, the DA* 16-50, the DA* 50-135, the AF360 flash and the grip. I don't think I have used the grip once since trying it out when I got the kit home. The K-5 is just a bit smaller and I like its size. Meanwhile, do we have a consensus yet - specifically among current K200D owners? Will the K30 replace the K200D in your kit? While I am leaning strongly in that direction, I find it tough to give up the K200D. I still use mine even though I have a K-5 as well. Drop-dead reliability and fantastic low ISO performance. I don't know. I have a K-5 as well and chose to use it as my alternate body on a research trip. I actually lean towards letting the K20d go first or even the *istD or both IF I go for a white K-30.

06-04-2012, 11:08 AM	#355
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Originally posted by Biro Meanwhile, do we have a consensus yet - specifically among current K200D owners? Will the K30 replace the K200D in your kit? Not likely, but only because my K200D still works for me. And by the time it stops working, there will likely be something even better. Plus, when the time comes, I may spring for something in the K-5 class.

06-04-2012, 06:12 PM	#356
john5100 Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 1,725	The K200 will be hard to let go. I do a lot of low light concerts (ISO 5000 not uncommon). The K200 is not as good as my KX for that. Also low light focus isnt as good either however I do manual focus too. The DR of the K5 would be nice.

06-04-2012, 06:14 PM	#357
john5100 Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 1,725	@pacerr - I tell my self that size doesnt matter. :-)

06-04-2012, 06:17 PM - 2 Likes	#358
kkoether Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Huber Heights, OH, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 731	My latest Favorite shot from my K200D!

06-04-2012, 07:47 PM	#359
pacerr Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Paris, TN Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,349	Excellent, Keith! H2

06-04-2012, 09:58 PM	#360
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,897	Fantastic shot!