[mrpackerguy]

I sure do. The K200 was my first prosumer DSLR and it got stolen. I loved that camera, everything about it. I replaced it with a K5IIs which has been a terrific replacement. I now bought from the forum marketplace a K3II and am looking forward to getting to learn that camera.

[kypfer]

As this seems to be the K200D "fan thread" I'll ask here first … has anyone tried any infra-red work with an UN-MODIFIED K200D?
Having had reasonable success with my unmodified *istDL2 and it's CCD sensor, but less so with my K-5 and other CMOS equipped cameras, I was anticipating the K200D might give me a 10MPixel infra-red sensitive camera, but it would seem, with my example at least, that it's even less sensitive to infra-red than the CMOS cameras.
Other experiences would be appreciated

[mroeder75]

K200D was my entry into DSLR, following several years gap after my ME Super shutter went out. It was the camera that brought me back to SLR.

I got a few nice photos from it, using one of my old lenses. My other old lens from the 1980s did poorly on a DSLR. I was able to start recording my only daughter's youth, and in short time I upgraded to a K5, and now a K3. My little girl is 26, now.

[bobore]

Still regularly use my K-200d, purchased new, and it continues to work flawlessly. Purchased a used K-5IIs last year with a shutter count under 1000, and absolutely love everything about it. Both have wonderful ergonomics & are a joy to use. Also still occasionally use my K-r & K-x when wanting to go ultra-lightweight.

[Jonathan Mac]

Recently I've seen K200Ds for sale at crazy prices, sometimes under €50 with the kit lens.

[volley]

From a couple of years back ...
K200D and SMC M2/85

Helsinki Harbour

[john5100]

My old K200D with the CCD sensor was amazing. The focus was weak but the image quality was incredible.

Tiger at Pt Defiance Zoo by John Rudolph, on


Old photo taken with my Pentax K200D by John Rudolph, on Flickr


Veteran's Day Photo Walk LeMay Museum by John Rudolph, on Flickr

[fvanzeveren]

Hello

I hope this is the appropriate thread to raise a question about the K200D.

I currently use my K200D with a set of three lenses
- the Pentax DA 16-45mm f/4 (bought used)
- the Pentax DA* 55mm f/1.4 AW (bought used)
- the Pentax HD DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 WR (bought new)

I really like them all. They all deliver fantastic results with the K200D.


I also have the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 bought used, but I do not like it so much because pictures tend to be severly underexposed (-0.7 to -1) and the color are somehow drab.

The DA 16-45mm is getting old and I am considering to replace it...

I have the following choice:
- A new Pentax DA 17-70mm f/4 (the cheapest)
- A used Pentax HD DA 20-40mm limited, but in mint condition according to the seller
- A used Pentax HD DA 16-85mm, but in mint condition according to the seller

Both the used HD DA are the same price and are 15% more expensive than the new DA 17-70 with legal warranty.

Considering this is to use with a Pentax K200D, which one would you advise me to take? ?

Thank you

François

[kypfer]

Hello

I hope this is the appropriate thread to raise a question about the K200D.

I currently use my K200D with a set of three lenses
- the Pentax DA 16-45mm f/4 (bought used)
- the Pentax DA* 55mm f/1.4 AW (bought used)
- the Pentax HD DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 WR (bought new)
I really like them all. They all deliver fantastic results with the K200D.
I also have the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 bought used, but I do not like it so much because pictures tend to be severly underexposed (-0.7 to -1) and the color are somehow drab.
The DA 16-45mm is getting old and I am considering to replace it...

I have the following choice:
- A new Pentax DA 17-70mm f/4 (the cheapest)
- A used Pentax HD DA 20-40mm limited, but in mint condition according to the seller
- A used Pentax HD DA 16-85mm, but in mint condition according to the seller

Both the used HD DA are the same price and are 15% more expensive than the new DA 17-70 with legal warranty.
Considering this is to use with a Pentax K200D, which one would you advise me to take? ?
Thank you
François

Why, just because your "DA 16-45mm is getting old" does it need replacing?
Is it mechanically worn or physically damaged?
I'm still using some lenses I bought 40 years ago and some of those were second-hand then … they're still as good as they ever were!
I'd suggest, given that the lenses you already own can probably effectively out-perform the capabilities of your camera, that you might be better considering spending your money on a camera upgrade, maybe to a s/h K-5 or similar.
Pity about the Tamron!
I use several Tamron lenses and am always happy with their performance. I wonder, if it always underexposes, if maybe the aperture operating arm is slightly bent?

[Jonathan Mac]

I have the following choice:
- A new Pentax DA 17-70mm f/4 (the cheapest)
- A used Pentax HD DA 20-40mm limited, but in mint condition according to the seller
- A used Pentax HD DA 16-85mm, but in mint condition according to the seller

I wouldn't consider a 17-70mm as it's prone to SDM failure.
The 20-40mm is a very nice lens and I would highly recommend it (though my copy had front/back focusing problems) but...
The 16-85mm does practically everything that the 20-40mm does but with much more range and even better image quality.

Of these three the 16-85mm is certainly the one I'd recommend.

My experience with the Tamron 17-50/2.8 was a good one so it sounds like you have a bad copy. I switched to the Sigma equivalent and I like it even more - it's more solid, focuses silently and has a wonderful rendering, one of the best I've ever seen. If you need the extra speed then track down a Sigma, otherwise go for the 16-85mm.

[ChristianRock]

Hello

I hope this is the appropriate thread to raise a question about the K200D.

I currently use my K200D with a set of three lenses
- the Pentax DA 16-45mm f/4 (bought used)
- the Pentax DA* 55mm f/1.4 AW (bought used)
- the Pentax HD DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 WR (bought new)

I really like them all. They all deliver fantastic results with the K200D.


I also have the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 bought used, but I do not like it so much because pictures tend to be severly underexposed (-0.7 to -1) and the color are somehow drab.

The DA 16-45mm is getting old and I am considering to replace it...

I have the following choice:
- A new Pentax DA 17-70mm f/4 (the cheapest)
- A used Pentax HD DA 20-40mm limited, but in mint condition according to the seller
- A used Pentax HD DA 16-85mm, but in mint condition according to the seller

Both the used HD DA are the same price and are 15% more expensive than the new DA 17-70 with legal warranty.

Considering this is to use with a Pentax K200D, which one would you advise me to take? ?

Thank you

François

Not sure if you already got your lens, François...

My DA 16-45 was fantastic and I would still use it all the time if it hadn't developed a bad decentering at 16mm (due to the lens wobble, I can "fix it" by holding the barrel while taking pictures, but it's annoying).

I replaced it with a SMC DA*16-50mm f/2.8, absolutely fantastic lens, no regrets.

But... it's kind of big... so I always end up using my light and plastic (but still WR) HD DA 18-50mm f/4-5.6.

Lots of people love the 16-85 but it's also a bit on the large side. The DA 16-45 is not too huge and it's fairly light for what it is, so it wasn't really a bother to carry.

K200D and HD DA 18-50





K200D and SMC DA* 16-50mm f/2.8

[fvanzeveren]

Thank you for your answers and advices!

I also own a Pentax Kp silver edition with the 20-40mm Limited Silver and, I don't know for what reason, I had never thought of mounting the 20-40 on the K200D ?!? I was probably doing a mental block on combining the black of the K200D with the silver of the 20-40mm . Weird !

Finally, just a few days after posting above, I tried the silver 20-40mm limited on the black K200D and, despite the weird and unusual aesthetic of the combo, the results were really good. Pictures out of this 20-40 Limited really shine on both bodies !

Since I never go out with both bodies at the same time, it won't be too much of a problem for them to share the same lenses

Therefore, instead of buying a redundant zoom, I decided to hunt for both a Limited 15mm and 70mm

I already found a black HD DA 70mm Limited two days ago for a very sweet price. I look forward to its delivery!

So my next prey will be the 15mm Limited, preferably HD DA!

I will post here pictures with the K200D and the Limited's soon

@ChristianRock I like the colors of both the HD DA 18-50 and DA* 16-50 on your pictures. I am wondering which of the two required the most post-production processing, if any?

Cheers!

[ChristianRock]

@ChristianRock I like the colors of both the HD DA 18-50 and DA* 16-50 on your pictures. I am wondering which of the two required the most post-production processing, if any?

Cheers!

They don't, really. Generally I think the DA*16-50 is a bit better in terms of how pleasing the colors and the overall picture looks. It just looks "pro" in every way. But the 18-50 is fantastic as well and I don't feel like I'm using an "inferior" lens when I see the pictures I get from it (like I did back when I had the old kit lens DA 18-55). The big difference, of course, lies in the aperture and size/weight compromise. If the light is good I'll end up using the 18-50 4-5.6, if I'll need low light I'll use the 16-50 2.8.

Lately the smaller 18-50 has been seeing more use but that's nothing to do with quality, it's that when we go out as a family my wife gets a bit annoyed when I use the larger lens, as it makes it look like a "professional camera".

[fvanzeveren]

Broken-down Pontoon (Ronquière, Belgium)
Pentax K200D | HD Pentax DA 70mm Limited, f/11



Heritage vs Debt
Pentax K200D | HD Pentax DA 70mm Limited - f/5.6



Marlou
Pentax K200D | SMC Pentax DA 16-45mm - 23mm f/6.3

[BorisKolo]