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Artymous · 02-13-2007, 01:12 PM

I had the K10D and Nikon D80 upstairs just a few minutes ago, and the Nikon's viewfinder is actually bigger and brighter than the K10D's!

Of course, it's annoying as hell to have those little boxes in front of your vision all the time.. but it kind of shocked me.

Not that the K10D's is bad or anything, far from it.

Too bad neither camera is mine.. I'd kill for both of them. heh.

davemdsn · 02-13-2007, 01:41 PM

What lenses were on them?

Adam · 02-13-2007, 02:30 PM

I did a bit of research on the D80, and it looks like it also has a pentaprism viewfinder. (Nikon: 0.94x magnification, Pentax: 0.95x magnification)

The brightness would depend on the speed of the lenses attached, so it'd be nice to know which ones you looked through!

Artymous · 02-13-2007, 03:50 PM

Originally posted by Mo

I did a bit of research on the D80, and it looks like it also has a pentaprism viewfinder. (Nikon: 0.94x magnification, Pentax: 0.95x magnification)

The brightness would depend on the speed of the lenses attached, so it'd be nice to know which ones you looked through!

The Nikkor 18-70mm kit lens, and the Pentax 18-55mm kit lens

The area of the viewfinder itself is simply larger than the K10D as well, and that has nothing to do with lenses.

nosnoop · 02-13-2007, 04:16 PM

Originally posted by Artyste

The area of the viewfinder itself is simply larger than the K10D as well, and that has nothing to do with lenses.

I don't understand this, because K10D is supposed to have a slightly higher magnification and better eyepoint relief. Using the same sensor, their viewfinders should not have significant difference in size. Your D80 doesn't happen to have an eyecup magnifier attached, does it? Just checking

Artymous · 02-13-2007, 04:27 PM

Originally posted by nosnoop

I don't understand this, because K10D is supposed to have a slightly higher magnification and better eyepoint relief. Using the same sensor, their viewfinders should not have significant difference in size. Your D80 doesn't happen to have an eyecup magnifier attached, does it? Just checking

It's not *my* D80, but no, it doesn't.

I even tried the 28-75mm f/2.8 tamron lens on the K10D, and it was way better than the 18-55, but still *just* not as bright or large as the Nikon.

Granted, this is nothing HUGE.. the K10D is still fantastic.. but I was just really shocked. However, in a battle of what I want to own, the K10D wins hands down.

bdavis · 02-13-2007, 04:49 PM

I wouldn't touch it on a camera that wasn't mine, but I'd expect that diopter settings between the two cameras could easily be the difference between the two.

egarrard · 02-13-2007, 05:35 PM

Originally posted by bdavis

I wouldn't touch it on a camera that wasn't mine, but I'd expect that diopter settings between the two cameras could easily be the difference between the two.

Or that the focus screens are ground differently.

carpents · 02-13-2007, 06:03 PM

Originally posted by egarrard

Or that the focus screens are ground differently.

That's what I was thinking, too - the trade-off could be that a smoother/brighter focus screen is harder to use with manual focus lenses.

Pure speculation on my part, so don't hold me to it.

My worst criticism of the Nikon is that it is a Nikon. Did you know that the don't meter with manual focus lenses *at all*?

Artymous · 02-13-2007, 06:14 PM

Originally posted by carpents

That's what I was thinking, too - the trade-off could be that a smoother/brighter focus screen is harder to use with manual focus lenses.

Pure speculation on my part, so don't hold me to it.

My worst criticism of the Nikon is that it is a Nikon. Did you know that the don't meter with manual focus lenses *at all*?

Trust me.. I am in no way converting at all. Was just kind of surprised.

But hey.. I have access to a K10D now.

davemdsn · 02-13-2007, 06:44 PM

Originally posted by Artyste

But hey.. I have access to a K10D now.

And that is the important part!

carpents · 02-13-2007, 07:06 PM

Originally posted by Artyste

Trust me.. I am in no way converting at all. Was just kind of surprised.

But hey.. I have access to a K10D now.

Does it have a vertical grip? It makes a world of difference!

Artymous · 02-13-2007, 07:51 PM

Originally posted by carpents

Does it have a vertical grip? It makes a world of difference!

No battery grip.. yet. It's not my camera, so I won't be putting the money into one either... I think.

lol

So tempting though.

**rprii** · 02-13-2007, 08:18 PM

Who cares??? If you prefer the Nikon, buy it and enjoy it! I am sure it is also a good camera.

Paul_C · 02-13-2007, 08:39 PM

Interesting. Not long ago me and a d80 owner did the pepsi challenge with the K10D and a d80 and agreed the d80's viewfinder, while certainly nice, was a bit smaller than the K10D. The K10D was also brighter, though this easily could have been the lenses - both 50s but a 1.4 vs. a 1.8.

02-13-2007, 01:12 PM	#1
Artymous Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sechelt, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 229	Well.. this surprised me a bit.. I had the K10D and Nikon D80 upstairs just a few minutes ago, and the Nikon's viewfinder is actually bigger and brighter than the K10D's! Of course, it's annoying as hell to have those little boxes in front of your vision all the time.. but it kind of shocked me. Not that the K10D's is bad or anything, far from it. Too bad neither camera is mine.. I'd kill for both of them. heh.

02-13-2007, 02:30 PM	#3
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,609	I did a bit of research on the D80, and it looks like it also has a pentaprism viewfinder. (Nikon: 0.94x magnification, Pentax: 0.95x magnification) The brightness would depend on the speed of the lenses attached, so it'd be nice to know which ones you looked through! Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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02-13-2007, 01:41 PM	#2
davemdsn Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Boise, Idaho Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,413	What lenses were on them?

02-13-2007, 03:50 PM	#4
Artymous Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sechelt, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 229 Original Poster	Originally posted by Mo I did a bit of research on the D80, and it looks like it also has a pentaprism viewfinder. (Nikon: 0.94x magnification, Pentax: 0.95x magnification) The brightness would depend on the speed of the lenses attached, so it'd be nice to know which ones you looked through! The Nikkor 18-70mm kit lens, and the Pentax 18-55mm kit lens The area of the viewfinder itself is simply larger than the K10D as well, and that has nothing to do with lenses.

02-13-2007, 04:16 PM	#5
nosnoop Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,299	Originally posted by Artyste The area of the viewfinder itself is simply larger than the K10D as well, and that has nothing to do with lenses. I don't understand this, because K10D is supposed to have a slightly higher magnification and better eyepoint relief. Using the same sensor, their viewfinders should not have significant difference in size. Your D80 doesn't happen to have an eyecup magnifier attached, does it? Just checking

02-13-2007, 04:27 PM	#6
Artymous Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sechelt, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 229 Original Poster	Originally posted by nosnoop I don't understand this, because K10D is supposed to have a slightly higher magnification and better eyepoint relief. Using the same sensor, their viewfinders should not have significant difference in size. Your D80 doesn't happen to have an eyecup magnifier attached, does it? Just checking It's not my D80, but no, it doesn't. I even tried the 28-75mm f/2.8 tamron lens on the K10D, and it was way better than the 18-55, but still just not as bright or large as the Nikon. Granted, this is nothing HUGE.. the K10D is still fantastic.. but I was just really shocked. However, in a battle of what I want to own, the K10D wins hands down.

02-13-2007, 04:49 PM	#7
bdavis Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: 'Burque, NM Posts: 309	I wouldn't touch it on a camera that wasn't mine, but I'd expect that diopter settings between the two cameras could easily be the difference between the two.

02-13-2007, 05:35 PM	#8
egarrard Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Manchester, TN Photos: Gallery Posts: 51	Originally posted by bdavis I wouldn't touch it on a camera that wasn't mine, but I'd expect that diopter settings between the two cameras could easily be the difference between the two. Or that the focus screens are ground differently.

02-13-2007, 06:03 PM	#9
carpents Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: West Chester, PA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,420	Originally posted by egarrard Or that the focus screens are ground differently. That's what I was thinking, too - the trade-off could be that a smoother/brighter focus screen is harder to use with manual focus lenses. Pure speculation on my part, so don't hold me to it. My worst criticism of the Nikon is that it is a Nikon. Did you know that the don't meter with manual focus lenses at all?

02-13-2007, 06:14 PM	#10
Artymous Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sechelt, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 229 Original Poster	Originally posted by carpents That's what I was thinking, too - the trade-off could be that a smoother/brighter focus screen is harder to use with manual focus lenses. Pure speculation on my part, so don't hold me to it. My worst criticism of the Nikon is that it is a Nikon. Did you know that the don't meter with manual focus lenses at all? Trust me.. I am in no way converting at all. Was just kind of surprised. But hey.. I have access to a K10D now.

02-13-2007, 06:44 PM	#11
davemdsn Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Boise, Idaho Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,413	Originally posted by Artyste But hey.. I have access to a K10D now. And that is the important part!

02-13-2007, 07:06 PM	#12
carpents Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: West Chester, PA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,420	Originally posted by Artyste Trust me.. I am in no way converting at all. Was just kind of surprised. But hey.. I have access to a K10D now. Does it have a vertical grip? It makes a world of difference!

02-13-2007, 07:51 PM	#13
Artymous Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sechelt, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 229 Original Poster	Originally posted by carpents Does it have a vertical grip? It makes a world of difference! No battery grip.. yet. It's not my camera, so I won't be putting the money into one either... I think. lol So tempting though.

02-13-2007, 08:18 PM	#14
rprii Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 178	Who cares??? If you prefer the Nikon, buy it and enjoy it! I am sure it is also a good camera.

02-13-2007, 08:39 PM	#15
Paul_C Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 97	Interesting. Not long ago me and a d80 owner did the pepsi challenge with the K10D and a d80 and agreed the d80's viewfinder, while certainly nice, was a bit smaller than the K10D. The K10D was also brighter, though this easily could have been the lenses - both 50s but a 1.4 vs. a 1.8.

Well.. this surprised me a bit..

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