Cheapo DSLR selection?

westmill · 11-10-2012, 01:56 PM

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Olympus E1 !!!!!!!!!! superb and cheap

olympus e1 | eBay

tim60 · 11-10-2012, 01:58 PM

It seems your friend's budget is tight. I would suggest a body for the price suggested, and use Pentax because of the good backwards compatibility (with minor technical limitations) to old series of very good lenses - also available in used market for low prices. This will enable your friend to get a body, and in the near future to expand to a couple of usefully different lenses which are likely to be keepers when they upgrade in a few years when they have experience to know what they really need and, hopefully, improve financial circumstances.

gilsouthwood · 11-11-2012, 02:33 AM

Originally posted by tim60

It seems your friend's budget is tight. I would suggest a body for the price suggested, and use Pentax because of the good backwards compatibility (with minor technical limitations) to old series of very good lenses - also available in used market for low prices. This will enable your friend to get a body, and in the near future to expand to a couple of usefully different lenses which are likely to be keepers when they upgrade in a few years when they have experience to know what they really need and, hopefully, improve financial circumstances.

Those were my reasons I gave to him exactly. They're also what I've done with my situation (buy a relatively cheap body, collect some old glass, hold on for a better body and use the glass I've got). I can also lend him lenses to try, too. The camera body is the hard bit though. I'm not sure whether a K-x or a K200D would work better.

GibbyTheMole · 11-11-2012, 09:15 AM

Originally posted by drugal

I prefer using a tripod, where the recompose thing doesn't work very well.

When I use mine on the tripod, I either focus manually, or I autofocus, then flip the switch to MF, recompose & shoot. No biggie.

drugal · 11-11-2012, 02:32 PM

Originally posted by GibbyTheMole

No biggie.

Seems like a negative to me.

GibbyTheMole · 11-11-2012, 04:38 PM

Originally posted by drugal

Seems like a negative to me

Since I'm used to using 35mm SLRs with split prism focusing screens, I'm accustomed to that method when using a tripod. I have other Pentax DSLRs with focus point confirmation, and I still set those to use only the center point. It's just the way I prefer to shoot. It's a personal preference thing.

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11-10-2012, 01:56 PM	#16
westmill Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Stoke on Trent Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,146	Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. Olympus E1 !!!!!!!!!! superb and cheap olympus e1 \| eBay

11-10-2012, 01:58 PM	#17
tim60 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 8,745	It seems your friend's budget is tight. I would suggest a body for the price suggested, and use Pentax because of the good backwards compatibility (with minor technical limitations) to old series of very good lenses - also available in used market for low prices. This will enable your friend to get a body, and in the near future to expand to a couple of usefully different lenses which are likely to be keepers when they upgrade in a few years when they have experience to know what they really need and, hopefully, improve financial circumstances.

11-11-2012, 02:33 AM	#18
gilsouthwood Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 111 Original Poster	Originally posted by tim60 It seems your friend's budget is tight. I would suggest a body for the price suggested, and use Pentax because of the good backwards compatibility (with minor technical limitations) to old series of very good lenses - also available in used market for low prices. This will enable your friend to get a body, and in the near future to expand to a couple of usefully different lenses which are likely to be keepers when they upgrade in a few years when they have experience to know what they really need and, hopefully, improve financial circumstances. Those were my reasons I gave to him exactly. They're also what I've done with my situation (buy a relatively cheap body, collect some old glass, hold on for a better body and use the glass I've got). I can also lend him lenses to try, too. The camera body is the hard bit though. I'm not sure whether a K-x or a K200D would work better.

11-11-2012, 09:15 AM	#19
GibbyTheMole Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Iowa Photos: Albums Posts: 2,275	Originally posted by drugal I prefer using a tripod, where the recompose thing doesn't work very well. When I use mine on the tripod, I either focus manually, or I autofocus, then flip the switch to MF, recompose & shoot. No biggie.

11-11-2012, 02:32 PM	#20
drugal Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Detroit suburbs Photos: Gallery Posts: 259	Originally posted by GibbyTheMole No biggie. Seems like a negative to me.

11-11-2012, 04:38 PM	#21
GibbyTheMole Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Iowa Photos: Albums Posts: 2,275	Originally posted by drugal Seems like a negative to me Since I'm used to using 35mm SLRs with split prism focusing screens, I'm accustomed to that method when using a tripod. I have other Pentax DSLRs with focus point confirmation, and I still set those to use only the center point. It's just the way I prefer to shoot. It's a personal preference thing.