K-7 Appreciation - The Forefather Forgotten

Ivan · 12-16-2019, 04:43 PM

Originally posted by Cynog Ap Brychan

Those are lovely colours!

Thank you.

EssJay · 12-16-2019, 10:08 PM - **5 Likes**

Ford Zyphyr Mk2

**simple1** · 12-20-2019, 03:24 PM - **2 Likes**

The K-7 was my second Pentax DSLR and an upgrade for my K-10D. Given to my daughter after I got the KP, so she can learn a little about photography.

With the DA*50-135

Mundj · 12-21-2019, 06:51 AM

My K7 was my first DSLR. When it was released I coming from a Minolta SLR and was researching available offerings. The K7 with the two kit lenses was less than the comparable competitors bodies only. It a great system, robust and reliable. We took a Russian River cruise in 2011 and I was able to be out shooting photos in the drizzle while my fellow passengers were peeking through windows.

EssJay · 12-21-2019, 04:57 PM - **1 Like**

K-7 + SMC A 35-105mm F3.5

GregL65 · 01-30-2020, 01:01 PM

After over eight years with my 2003 *ist D (the original, not the DS or DL), I upgraded to a K-7. There was a lot to like about it, but from my very first shoot with it I was shocked at the noise in the shadows. I stopped doing fill-flash except at low ISO. I changed my shooting style to avoid the noise. But still I had far more noise in the background of many of my shots than had been the case with the *ist D.

I had held out for the K-7 because I was put off by the K10D & K20D's large size compared to my tiny *ist D. But I think now I would have been better off with the K20D.

I upgraded to a K-5 II as soon as funds allowed. SO much better. I'm still using it. Though my K-7 is nominally my backup, I haven't touched it since the day the K-5 II arrived.

That said, there were no other problems with the K-7. It was a great camera otherwise. And though it's much bigger than my D, it's still compact for what it is and does.

I still miss the D's tiny size, and would gladly give up weathersealing and anti-shake to get it back. But sadly that ship has sailed for enthusiast-grade Pentax bodies.

Bucketlist21 · 02-12-2020, 01:45 PM

I am just getting back into photography. Just bought a used K-7 and a great new lens and will start from there. So excited to get going. Think it can be a great learning tool.

Ivan · 02-13-2020, 12:45 AM

Originally posted by Bucketlist21

I am just getting back into photography. Just bought a used K-7 and a great new lens and will start from there. So excited to get going. Think it can be a great learning tool.

First, check if everything is OK with autofocus.

And be careful with overexposures.I noticed that the dynamic range extension function can be very useful, but then the minimum ISO is 200.In the premises, there is a pronounced underexposure, it is necessary to make a correction.I do not recommend going above 2000iso.When shooting during the day, it can be higher, I do not shoot sports.Yes, this camera should be taken in Raw.

**StiffLegged** · 02-13-2020, 02:52 AM

Originally posted by Ivan

First, check if everything is OK with autofocus.

And be careful with overexposures.I noticed that the dynamic range extension function can be very useful, but then the minimum ISO is 200.In the premises, there is a pronounced underexposure, it is necessary to make a correction.I do not recommend going above 2000iso.When shooting during the day, it can be higher, I do not shoot sports.Yes, this camera should be taken in Raw.

Cough, cough! Minimum ISO is 100 in RAW. Don’t remember anything different in JPG but I don’t use ‘em.

Ivan · 02-13-2020, 04:50 AM

I only take photos in RAW. Yes, I know that the basic ISO is 100. But there is a function to increase the dynamic range, not HDR!!!It affects Raw.And the basic ISO becomes 200

**Gorgarath** · 02-13-2020, 09:01 AM

I've found ISO 3200 to not be terrible. It's getting a bit noisy, but still better than not getting the shot. I've thought of turning on the extended ISO range and letting it go up to 6400, but I keep forgetting to try it to see how it turns out.

Laurentiu Cristofor · 02-13-2020, 11:55 PM

For me, the K-7 body design is a Pentax milestone. A great button layout with all important controls within the reach of your right hand without requiring any contortions. Too bad it took another release to pair it with a sensor of similar high quality.

One of my old shots (I can't figure out how to embed images from ipernity - the IMG tags generate a 'click here' link, so I'll just post the url directly instead):
ipernity: Holding on - by Laurentiu Cristofor

BorisKolo · 02-17-2020, 08:11 AM - **1 Like**

Ivan · 02-17-2020, 08:39 AM

Originally posted by BorisKolo

Why do you shoot on K7 when you own K1?I looked at the shooting date.

BorisKolo · 02-17-2020, 12:03 PM

Originally posted by Ivan

Why do you shoot on K7 when you own K1?I looked at the shooting date.

Shooting date is 2011

02-12-2020, 01:45 PM	#127
Bucketlist21 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: St Louis, Mo Posts: 26	Starting with a used K-7 I am just getting back into photography. Just bought a used K-7 and a great new lens and will start from there. So excited to get going. Think it can be a great learning tool.

02-13-2020, 12:45 AM	#128
Ivan Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Moscow Posts: 639	Originally posted by Bucketlist21 I am just getting back into photography. Just bought a used K-7 and a great new lens and will start from there. So excited to get going. Think it can be a great learning tool. First, check if everything is OK with autofocus.And be careful with overexposures.I noticed that the dynamic range extension function can be very useful, but then the minimum ISO is 200.In the premises, there is a pronounced underexposure, it is necessary to make a correction.I do not recommend going above 2000iso.When shooting during the day, it can be higher, I do not shoot sports.Yes, this camera should be taken in Raw.

02-13-2020, 02:52 AM	#129
StiffLegged Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2018 Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,620	Originally posted by Ivan First, check if everything is OK with autofocus.And be careful with overexposures.I noticed that the dynamic range extension function can be very useful, but then the minimum ISO is 200.In the premises, there is a pronounced underexposure, it is necessary to make a correction.I do not recommend going above 2000iso.When shooting during the day, it can be higher, I do not shoot sports.Yes, this camera should be taken in Raw. Cough, cough! Minimum ISO is 100 in RAW. Don’t remember anything different in JPG but I don’t use ‘em.

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12-16-2019, 04:43 PM	#121
Ivan Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Moscow Posts: 639	Originally posted by Cynog Ap Brychan Those are lovely colours! Thank you.

12-20-2019, 03:24 PM - 2 Likes	#123
simple1 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: In the Florida swamps Posts: 764	The K-7 was my second Pentax DSLR and an upgrade for my K-10D. Given to my daughter after I got the KP, so she can learn a little about photography. With the DA*50-135

12-21-2019, 06:51 AM	#124
Mundj Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Richmond, TX Posts: 76	My K7 was my first DSLR. When it was released I coming from a Minolta SLR and was researching available offerings. The K7 with the two kit lenses was less than the comparable competitors bodies only. It a great system, robust and reliable. We took a Russian River cruise in 2011 and I was able to be out shooting photos in the drizzle while my fellow passengers were peeking through windows.

01-30-2020, 01:01 PM	#126
GregL65 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 63	After over eight years with my 2003 ist D (the original, not the DS or DL), I upgraded to a K-7. There was a lot to like about it, but from my very first shoot with it I was shocked at the noise in the shadows. I stopped doing fill-flash except at low ISO. I changed my shooting style to avoid the noise. But still I had far more noise in the background of many of my shots than had been the case with the ist D. I had held out for the K-7 because I was put off by the K10D & K20D's large size compared to my tiny *ist D. But I think now I would have been better off with the K20D. I upgraded to a K-5 II as soon as funds allowed. SO much better. I'm still using it. Though my K-7 is nominally my backup, I haven't touched it since the day the K-5 II arrived. That said, there were no other problems with the K-7. It was a great camera otherwise. And though it's much bigger than my D, it's still compact for what it is and does. I still miss the D's tiny size, and would gladly give up weathersealing and anti-shake to get it back. But sadly that ship has sailed for enthusiast-grade Pentax bodies.

02-13-2020, 04:50 AM	#130
Ivan Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Moscow Posts: 639	I only take photos in RAW. Yes, I know that the basic ISO is 100. But there is a function to increase the dynamic range, not HDR!!!It affects Raw.And the basic ISO becomes 200

02-13-2020, 09:01 AM	#131
Gorgarath Total n00b Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 735	I've found ISO 3200 to not be terrible. It's getting a bit noisy, but still better than not getting the shot. I've thought of turning on the extended ISO range and letting it go up to 6400, but I keep forgetting to try it to see how it turns out.

02-13-2020, 11:55 PM	#132
Laurentiu Cristofor Banned Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: WA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,055	For me, the K-7 body design is a Pentax milestone. A great button layout with all important controls within the reach of your right hand without requiring any contortions. Too bad it took another release to pair it with a sensor of similar high quality. One of my old shots (I can't figure out how to embed images from ipernity - the IMG tags generate a 'click here' link, so I'll just post the url directly instead): ipernity: Holding on - by Laurentiu Cristofor

02-17-2020, 08:11 AM - 1 Like	#133
BorisKolo Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: St. Peterburg Posts: 444

02-17-2020, 08:39 AM	#134
Ivan Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Moscow Posts: 639	Originally posted by BorisKolo Why do you shoot on K7 when you own K1?I looked at the shooting date.

02-17-2020, 12:03 PM	#135
BorisKolo Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: St. Peterburg Posts: 444	Originally posted by Ivan Why do you shoot on K7 when you own K1?I looked at the shooting date. Shooting date is 2011