Ahhhhhh... I KNEW there must be some good feeling about for this excellent camera.
Many of my own thoughts above. Compared with K100D-Super and K10D I shot with previously, the body design was superb (roughly the same size as the K100D though certainly heavier/sturdier) and with far better high-ISO performance (ironic since this is now seen as its shortcoming) and processing speed, not to mention weather sealing and a host of other improvements. Pentax truly took the best of their existing offerings and made a genuine "Flagship" in the spirit of their previous flagships from the film era: smaller, lighter, more rugged and hugely feature packed, not disimilar to the likes of the MX, the LX and the MZ-S in that regard.
Even today it is my most-recommended camera for students and first-timers trying out DSLR cameras... At today's used prices, I don't think you can do much better at a cost/performance ratio.
I have more images taken with it than I can shake five sticks at, but here are a couple more... the composite in the OP is a bit unfair (though not unreasonable all things considered).
K-7 | M 50/1.4
K-7 | M 50/1.4
"Hahei Morning" K-7 | M 50/1.4
"8 a.m." K-7 | DA* 50-135
"roll out" K-7 | DA* 50-135
---------- Post added 06-04-17 at 10:28 AM ----------
Originally posted by bigdavephoto Red Headed stepchild is what I also called the K7 in this thread that I started;
Question about K7 - PentaxForums.com
In that thread, I also attached a photo I took at ISO 5000. Yes, there is some grain, but no worst that a high ISO film back in the day.
Excellent. I see I even participated in that thread though i don't remember doing so.
You must have subconsciously influenced my words here.
I think we need an "appreciation thread"... seems there are plenty of folks still shooting them, or at least fond of having shot them. Good for newbies to have a conversation and example reference beyond just the reviews. I'll certainly point folks toward it. Let's see some K-7 goodness...