K-7 vs 300D

axl · 08-17-2011, 08:10 AM

Hi all,

has anybody compared these two bodies with similar lenses?

At the moment I'm happy camper with K-7 and FA*24 and DA*55 and occasional FA100. But there are few niggles that make me think of switching. So I was thinking of Nikon 300D + AF24/2.8D + AF50/1.4G (the 100 or so would possibly come later but more likely it would transform to AF85/1.8D.

So any opinions on direct comparison of K-7 to 300D?
AFAIK, 300 has marginally lower resolution, but according to DPR it has better per pixel detail/sharpness and cleaner ISO 800+.
On down side, Nikon lacks SR (my is ON all the time so I'd probably notice it's missing especially with shots like this:
FA100/2.8 wide open, ISO1000, 1/15s

)
and I'm not sure about WR...

so any opinions?

Thanks

sjwaldron · 08-17-2011, 08:20 AM

Why switch from an older body to another older one for most likely marginal improvements if any? If you want to switch systems for ergonomics or lenses, go for it.

The only body upgrade over the K-7 I would suggest is the K-5 or D7000...

kenafein · 08-17-2011, 08:42 AM

I agree, since you already have several great lenses, get the K-5. If you really want to switch brands get the D7000.

Frogfish · 08-17-2011, 08:43 AM

Yep have to agree don't see the point of this one Axl. Especially when you are all set with your lenses and just need to get yourself a K5.

I upgraded from the K7 to the K5 and used to go out with both of them on Black Rapid copies. However I've just recently sold the K7 because I became so frustrated using it next to the K5 (I'm going to Aus for a holiday soon and will buy a Kr as back-up).

I would like to add the D700 to the kit for a 'different' look but can't imagine buying another APS-C to replace the K5 (until the K 'whatever' comes out) - especially an older generation camera. Get the K5 and you won't look back.

axl · 08-17-2011, 08:53 AM

I would love to get K-5 but to do that, I'd need to sell FA100 (£260), K-7 (£425) and AF540FTZ (£200) and that's not worth it IMO...
I wish they were cheaper

kenafein · 08-17-2011, 09:05 AM

Originally posted by axl

I would love to get K-5 but to do that, I'd need to sell FA100 (£260), K-7 (£425) and AF540FTZ (£200) and that's not worth it IMO...
I wish they were cheaper

A Nikon D300 sells for more used than a K-5 does. Someone sold a K-5 for $950 on the marketplace a few days ago. You can get one new for $1200. Was someone going to give you an even trade for your K-7?

wshi · 08-17-2011, 09:15 AM

I'd say to stay where you are. Unless you're going to be doing a lot of sports (and your lenses don't say that), the D300 doesn't offer that many advantages over the K-7. The Nikon 24/2.8 and 50/1.4 are also both just average lenses. I have no doubt that the FA24 and DA55 are as good or better.

axl · 08-17-2011, 09:49 AM

Originally posted by kenafein

A Nikon D300 sells for more used than a K-5 does. Someone sold a K-5 for $950 on the marketplace a few days ago. You can get one new for $1200. Was someone going to give you an even trade for your K-7?

maybe in states, not in UK!
Cheapest K-5 is £875, used would go for around £750-800. D300s sell routinely for ~£600.....
and importing from states is expensive. As an example, I was charged £25 tax duty and handling fee on £70 item!
And undeclared items can't be insured....

axl · 08-17-2011, 09:52 AM

Originally posted by wshi

I'd say to stay where you are. Unless you're going to be doing a lot of sports (and your lenses don't say that), the D300 doesn't offer that many advantages over the K-7.

I need/want better higher ISO, better per pixel sharpness and better flash system

Quote:

The Nikon 24/2.8 and 50/1.4 are also both just average lenses. I have no doubt that the FA24 and DA55 are as good or better.

This I'm aware of and it's one of the biggest off puts of the whole idea....

arpaagent · 08-17-2011, 10:03 AM

First, you must ask yourself why you are really considering switching...is there something about using the K-7 that bugs you? The level of noise at ISO800? The autofocus speed? Maybe something with the ergonomics? Lens selection?

After that, you need to determine if the D300 would answer any of those...I don't have the answers for you.

Now to me, It doesn't sound like you really have any reason to switch (other than perhaps getting tired of your equipment...), unless you know for sure that the ergonomics of the D300 are much better for you than the K-7. The D300 is not going to make your pictures any better by giving you slightly cleaner images at ISO800. Don't start to believe that, because you'll be disappointed when you get the exact same pictures but with a different manufacturer in the EXIF

.

Now stepping up to the K-5/D7000 could have a positive effect on your images, only because they give you more room to adjust exposure later on.

kenafein · 08-17-2011, 10:04 AM

What if you buy it and the seller marks it as a gift?

arpaagent · 08-17-2011, 10:08 AM

One other small word of advice. I would not switch to any other system without first holding the other DSLR in my hands. There might be something about the ergonomics that immediately puts you off of it. Or maybe it will be love at first touch. Either way, do that before selling out your pentax system just to make sure you don't have immediate regrets.

aleonx3 · 08-17-2011, 10:34 AM

Originally posted by axl

I need/want better higher ISO, better per pixel sharpness and better flash system

.

with all due respect, I am not going to ask you not to go to D300 route, I am just wondering how I could get a better flash system than PTTL...

These are samples of flash photos taken from a wedding party (against a bright background) - k-7 and FA31 ltd.

Frogfish · 08-17-2011, 10:42 AM

Nikon's flash system is light years ahead of Pentax's.

I'd bite my lip and save up for the K5 Axl. You might get lucky and one appear on here or locally or SRS etc. If both the K7 and K5 depreciate at the same rate then you won't be losing anything by hanging on until you can afford it.

aleonx3 · 08-17-2011, 10:45 AM

Originally posted by Frogfish

Nikon's flash system is light years ahead of Pentax's.

I'd bite my lip and save up for the K5 Axl. You might get lucky and one appear on here or locally or SRS etc. If both the K7 and K5 depreciate at the same rate then you won't be losing anything by hanging on until you can afford it.

I am listening and learning..

08-17-2011, 08:10 AM	#1
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	K-7 vs 300D Hi all, has anybody compared these two bodies with similar lenses? At the moment I'm happy camper with K-7 and FA24 and DA55 and occasional FA100. But there are few niggles that make me think of switching. So I was thinking of Nikon 300D + AF24/2.8D + AF50/1.4G (the 100 or so would possibly come later but more likely it would transform to AF85/1.8D. So any opinions on direct comparison of K-7 to 300D? AFAIK, 300 has marginally lower resolution, but according to DPR it has better per pixel detail/sharpness and cleaner ISO 800+. On down side, Nikon lacks SR (my is ON all the time so I'd probably notice it's missing especially with shots like this: FA100/2.8 wide open, ISO1000, 1/15s ) and I'm not sure about WR... so any opinions? Thanks

08-17-2011, 09:49 AM	#8
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183 Original Poster	Originally posted by kenafein A Nikon D300 sells for more used than a K-5 does. Someone sold a K-5 for $950 on the marketplace a few days ago. You can get one new for $1200. Was someone going to give you an even trade for your K-7? maybe in states, not in UK! Cheapest K-5 is £875, used would go for around £750-800. D300s sell routinely for ~£600..... and importing from states is expensive. As an example, I was charged £25 tax duty and handling fee on £70 item! And undeclared items can't be insured.... Last edited by axl; 08-17-2011 at 09:55 AM.

08-17-2011, 10:34 AM	#13
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	Originally posted by axl I need/want better higher ISO, better per pixel sharpness and better flash system . with all due respect, I am not going to ask you not to go to D300 route, I am just wondering how I could get a better flash system than PTTL... These are samples of flash photos taken from a wedding party (against a bright background) - k-7 and FA31 ltd. Attached Images

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08-17-2011, 08:20 AM	#2
sjwaldron Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,235	Why switch from an older body to another older one for most likely marginal improvements if any? If you want to switch systems for ergonomics or lenses, go for it. The only body upgrade over the K-7 I would suggest is the K-5 or D7000...

08-17-2011, 08:42 AM	#3
kenafein Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Southern California Photos: Albums Posts: 4,082	I agree, since you already have several great lenses, get the K-5. If you really want to switch brands get the D7000.

08-17-2011, 08:43 AM	#4
Frogfish Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shanghai Posts: 4,490	Yep have to agree don't see the point of this one Axl. Especially when you are all set with your lenses and just need to get yourself a K5. I upgraded from the K7 to the K5 and used to go out with both of them on Black Rapid copies. However I've just recently sold the K7 because I became so frustrated using it next to the K5 (I'm going to Aus for a holiday soon and will buy a Kr as back-up). I would like to add the D700 to the kit for a 'different' look but can't imagine buying another APS-C to replace the K5 (until the K 'whatever' comes out) - especially an older generation camera. Get the K5 and you won't look back.

08-17-2011, 08:53 AM	#5
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183 Original Poster	I would love to get K-5 but to do that, I'd need to sell FA100 (£260), K-7 (£425) and AF540FTZ (£200) and that's not worth it IMO... I wish they were cheaper

08-17-2011, 09:05 AM	#6
kenafein Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Southern California Photos: Albums Posts: 4,082	Originally posted by axl I would love to get K-5 but to do that, I'd need to sell FA100 (£260), K-7 (£425) and AF540FTZ (£200) and that's not worth it IMO... I wish they were cheaper A Nikon D300 sells for more used than a K-5 does. Someone sold a K-5 for $950 on the marketplace a few days ago. You can get one new for $1200. Was someone going to give you an even trade for your K-7?

08-17-2011, 09:15 AM	#7
wshi Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 455	I'd say to stay where you are. Unless you're going to be doing a lot of sports (and your lenses don't say that), the D300 doesn't offer that many advantages over the K-7. The Nikon 24/2.8 and 50/1.4 are also both just average lenses. I have no doubt that the FA24 and DA55 are as good or better.

08-17-2011, 09:52 AM	#9
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183 Original Poster	Originally posted by wshi I'd say to stay where you are. Unless you're going to be doing a lot of sports (and your lenses don't say that), the D300 doesn't offer that many advantages over the K-7. I need/want better higher ISO, better per pixel sharpness and better flash system Quote: The Nikon 24/2.8 and 50/1.4 are also both just average lenses. I have no doubt that the FA24 and DA55 are as good or better. This I'm aware of and it's one of the biggest off puts of the whole idea....

08-17-2011, 10:03 AM	#10
arpaagent Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Raleigh, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 803	First, you must ask yourself why you are really considering switching...is there something about using the K-7 that bugs you? The level of noise at ISO800? The autofocus speed? Maybe something with the ergonomics? Lens selection? After that, you need to determine if the D300 would answer any of those...I don't have the answers for you. Now to me, It doesn't sound like you really have any reason to switch (other than perhaps getting tired of your equipment...), unless you know for sure that the ergonomics of the D300 are much better for you than the K-7. The D300 is not going to make your pictures any better by giving you slightly cleaner images at ISO800. Don't start to believe that, because you'll be disappointed when you get the exact same pictures but with a different manufacturer in the EXIF . Now stepping up to the K-5/D7000 could have a positive effect on your images, only because they give you more room to adjust exposure later on.

08-17-2011, 10:04 AM	#11
kenafein Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Southern California Photos: Albums Posts: 4,082	What if you buy it and the seller marks it as a gift?

08-17-2011, 10:08 AM	#12
arpaagent Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Raleigh, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 803	One other small word of advice. I would not switch to any other system without first holding the other DSLR in my hands. There might be something about the ergonomics that immediately puts you off of it. Or maybe it will be love at first touch. Either way, do that before selling out your pentax system just to make sure you don't have immediate regrets.

08-17-2011, 10:42 AM	#14
Frogfish Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shanghai Posts: 4,490	Nikon's flash system is light years ahead of Pentax's. I'd bite my lip and save up for the K5 Axl. You might get lucky and one appear on here or locally or SRS etc. If both the K7 and K5 depreciate at the same rate then you won't be losing anything by hanging on until you can afford it.

08-17-2011, 10:45 AM	#15
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	Originally posted by Frogfish Nikon's flash system is light years ahead of Pentax's. I'd bite my lip and save up for the K5 Axl. You might get lucky and one appear on here or locally or SRS etc. If both the K7 and K5 depreciate at the same rate then you won't be losing anything by hanging on until you can afford it. I am listening and learning..