[Pentaxke]

@Mods: if this thread is in the wrong place: apologies; I don't really know where to place it...

It's been a while since I posted anything on this forum for a while, and there is a good reason for it. Bear with me please. I *don't* won't to stear things up, and I do not intend to respond to bashing posts...

All things started when I had the opportunity to have a Fuji S5 (with Sigma 17-70) on loan for over a week and try it out on vacation in the UK in May this year. To be true to myself, I had already set Pentax out of my mind before that: no, there was not coming an updated version of the ist D and no, the DA 17-70 and 60-250 (two lenses I had my heart set upon) where not going to be compatible with the screwdrive AF of an ist D. As I see it, there is simply no upgrading path for me within Pentax, as the camera's let me down (the K20 has too many pixels and the K200 has a dim and dull viewfinder) as well as the lenses (no screw drive AF on the new siblings.)

Someone who knows me enough just knows how much I love the ist D and how I am waiting for a big four years now to have it updated by Pentax. As I see it, there is little to change: make it a little faster and you are ready to go. But no, apparently I am the only one waiting for that to happen. Hell, I even had the K10 for a while and was all but unhappy to see it go again. I almost hated the camera because it's very far from the philosophy the ist D once was: a small but very capable camera. And no, no matter how impressed I am of the K20, it doesn't share AA batteries (among others.) As for the K200: it really isn't a match to the ist D. Full stop.

Ok, so there I was taking happy photos with the S5 in Ol' England. Making a long story short, I wasn't impressed with the S5 as a camera, but two things made the event worthwhile: the excellent viewfinder of the S5 with on demand grid and... the excellent image quality when I was back home. It made me simply smile every time someone said that IQ of the K20 is excellent: having tried the K20 on several occasions and supposing we call the IQ of the K20 excellent, then someone should invent a new word for the S5's IQ... (and this is really not bashing, but it's what I fear is reality.)

Anyway, it took me a while to make the mental switch, but I finally did it: I didn't buy the S5 (as I didn't like it much as a camera), instead I went for the S3: AA batteries again, dual slot, very good viewfinder (at least as good as the ist D/ K20), excellent handling and ergonomics,... For all I know, and dimensions apart (the S3 is big!), it's like the ist D reinvented. It even is as slow as the ist D. The only problem is the buffer (three images and wait a looong time!), but ok, that is something I will have to deal with...

And image quality is a beast! And after all that is all that matters...

So, away 1 ist D (I am keeping the other one, together with the DA 16-45 and the FA 50 macro), away the DA 21, DA 35, DA 70, FA 31 ltd, FA 300, FA 28-70, FA 80-200, etc, here comes S3 (2x) + Sigma 17-70, Nikkor 60 macro, 70-210, 50 f/1,4, Tamron 28-300 and I even have money left over... And I thought Nikon was expensive!

[pingflood]

I always liked the Fuji S3/S5. For people photography they are impossible to beat.

[Clicker]

S5=Nikon imho

That said it's whatever the shooter feels most comfortable with and how well they fully utilize the features. btw i just moved to Pentax from years of being with Canon and i'm still looking for that one shot i will never forget

[Lowell Goudge]

@Mods: if this thread is in the wrong place: apologies; I don't really know where to place it...

It's been a while since I posted anything on this forum for a while, and there is a good reason for it. Bear with me please. I *don't* won't to stear things up, and I do not intend to respond to bashing posts...

All things started when I had the opportunity to have a Fuji S5 (with Sigma 17-70) on loan for over a week and try it out on vacation in the UK in May this year. To be true to myself, I had already set Pentax out of my mind before that: no, there was not coming an updated version of the ist D and no, the DA 17-70 and 60-250 (two lenses I had my heart set upon) where not going to be compatible with the screwdrive AF of an ist D. As I see it, there is simply no upgrading path for me within Pentax, as the camera's let me down (the K20 has too many pixels and the K200 has a dim and dull viewfinder) as well as the lenses (no screw drive AF on the new siblings.)

Someone who knows me enough just knows how much I love the ist D and how I am waiting for a big four years now to have it updated by Pentax. As I see it, there is little to change: make it a little faster and you are ready to go. But no, apparently I am the only one waiting for that to happen. Hell, I even had the K10 for a while and was all but unhappy to see it go again. I almost hated the camera because it's very far from the philosophy the ist D once was: a small but very capable camera. And no, no matter how impressed I am of the K20, it doesn't share AA batteries (among others.) As for the K200: it really isn't a match to the ist D. Full stop.

Ok, so there I was taking happy photos with the S5 in Ol' England. Making a long story short, I wasn't impressed with the S5 as a camera, but two things made the event worthwhile: the excellent viewfinder of the S5 with on demand grid and... the excellent image quality when I was back home. It made me simply smile every time someone said that IQ of the K20 is excellent: having tried the K20 on several occasions and supposing we call the IQ of the K20 excellent, then someone should invent a new word for the S5's IQ... (and this is really not bashing, but it's what I fear is reality.)

Anyway, it took me a while to make the mental switch, but I finally did it: I didn't buy the S5 (as I didn't like it much as a camera), instead I went for the S3: AA batteries again, dual slot, very good viewfinder (at least as good as the ist D/ K20), excellent handling and ergonomics,... For all I know, and dimensions apart (the S3 is big!), it's like the ist D reinvented. It even is as slow as the ist D. The only problem is the buffer (three images and wait a looong time!), but ok, that is something I will have to deal with...

And image quality is a beast! And after all that is all that matters...

So, away 1 ist D (I am keeping the other one, together with the DA 16-45 and the FA 50 macro), away the DA 21, DA 35, DA 70, FA 31 ltd, FA 300, FA 28-70, FA 80-200, etc, here comes S3 (2x) + Sigma 17-70, Nikkor 60 macro, 70-210, 50 f/1,4, Tamron 28-300 and I even have money left over... And I thought Nikon was expensive!

such a shame you didn't get the K10D

and use it along with the *istD. They really work as a complementary pair.

K10D is better with newer lenses, *istD best with K mounts, TTL flash etc.

[Pentaxke]

I always liked the Fuji S3/S5. For people photography they are impossible to beat.

Completely agree. And it does well with landscapes too. Coincidence has it that are two of my main subjects...

[Pentaxke]

such a shame you didn't get the K10D

and use it along with the *istD. They really work as a complementary pair.

K10D is better with newer lenses, *istD best with K mounts, TTL flash etc.

As I wrote in the thread: I had the K10, and I didn't like it at all... I guess my hand just fits another glove...

[ftpaddict]

You do have a point there. I never really understood why they made the K10D so big, after the *ist D was so compact, yet capable.


Ah well, good luck with your Fujikon! At least it's not a Canon.

[rparmar]

If I wanted small I'd get an Olympus. They've got great lenses. But the 2x crop and lack of SR made that a null plan.

I would be intrigued to see pictures from the S5 that go far beyond the K20D as you state. It would have to for 1900 euros and no shake reduction.

[squarerigger]

Have fun with the new system. It sure is wonderful that there are so many choices out there and we don't all have to own the same system.

Good Luck.

@Mods: if this thread is in the wrong place: apologies; I don't really know where to place it...

It's been a while since I posted anything on this forum for a while, and there is a good reason for it. Bear with me please. I *don't* won't to stear things up, and I do not intend to respond to bashing posts...

All things started when I had the opportunity to have a Fuji S5 (with Sigma 17-70) on loan for over a week and try it out on vacation in the UK in May this year. To be true to myself, I had already set Pentax out of my mind before that: no, there was not coming an updated version of the ist D and no, the DA 17-70 and 60-250 (two lenses I had my heart set upon) where not going to be compatible with the screwdrive AF of an ist D. As I see it, there is simply no upgrading path for me within Pentax, as the camera's let me down (the K20 has too many pixels and the K200 has a dim and dull viewfinder) as well as the lenses (no screw drive AF on the new siblings.)

Someone who knows me enough just knows how much I love the ist D and how I am waiting for a big four years now to have it updated by Pentax. As I see it, there is little to change: make it a little faster and you are ready to go. But no, apparently I am the only one waiting for that to happen. Hell, I even had the K10 for a while and was all but unhappy to see it go again. I almost hated the camera because it's very far from the philosophy the ist D once was: a small but very capable camera. And no, no matter how impressed I am of the K20, it doesn't share AA batteries (among others.) As for the K200: it really isn't a match to the ist D. Full stop.

Ok, so there I was taking happy photos with the S5 in Ol' England. Making a long story short, I wasn't impressed with the S5 as a camera, but two things made the event worthwhile: the excellent viewfinder of the S5 with on demand grid and... the excellent image quality when I was back home. It made me simply smile every time someone said that IQ of the K20 is excellent: having tried the K20 on several occasions and supposing we call the IQ of the K20 excellent, then someone should invent a new word for the S5's IQ... (and this is really not bashing, but it's what I fear is reality.)

Anyway, it took me a while to make the mental switch, but I finally did it: I didn't buy the S5 (as I didn't like it much as a camera), instead I went for the S3: AA batteries again, dual slot, very good viewfinder (at least as good as the ist D/ K20), excellent handling and ergonomics,... For all I know, and dimensions apart (the S3 is big!), it's like the ist D reinvented. It even is as slow as the ist D. The only problem is the buffer (three images and wait a looong time!), but ok, that is something I will have to deal with...

And image quality is a beast! And after all that is all that matters...

So, away 1 ist D (I am keeping the other one, together with the DA 16-45 and the FA 50 macro), away the DA 21, DA 35, DA 70, FA 31 ltd, FA 300, FA 28-70, FA 80-200, etc, here comes S3 (2x) + Sigma 17-70, Nikkor 60 macro, 70-210, 50 f/1,4, Tamron 28-300 and I even have money left over... And I thought Nikon was expensive!

I never understood people that feel the need to justify their choices even more so after all is done. But since you did let's analyse a bit :

- You said that you wanted a smaller camera with a very good VF yet you chose a camera BY FAR bigger and heavier than the K20D;
- of course S3 Pro it's ist D reinvented since they are from the same age. I guess that 1,2 fps with 3 frames buffer brings the disco years back;
- I have a great estime for S5 as a very specialised camera but you bought S3 not S5 so I fail to see the relevance of IQ comparation with the K20D. As a side remark if you think S3 Pro has the IQ of a k20D with good glass (which you had) I have to disagree;
- You had a very impresive collection of Pentax glass yet you fail to realise that at least the Limiteds really shine on higher res cameras. Seems to me you had a Ferrari but you drove only in the first 2 gears;
- You sold 7 Pentax lenses (many very good to excelent) and one Pentax camera and bought 2 very good Nikon primes, a zoom I don't know much about, a so-so consumer zoom and a pretty abysmal super zoom plus 2 cameras from 2004. Again I fail to see what's the surprise of getting money left over when only the first 4 lenses you sold fetch easily over 1600 USD;
- K20D has a larger (.95x.95 vs. .95x.93) VF than S3 Pro;
- I see you don't believe in shake reduction ;
- It's the very first time I see someone changing system because he's got some AA batteries left. This really puzzled me a bit to say the least how come a 20 USD past investment could prompt a multi thousand change of system.

I don't think you need to be worried about someone flame you it's not like we're here to defend Sparta and you open the gates for the invading persians or something . I just don't agree that S3 Pro has better IQ than K20D the rest it's your personal decission and I hope you'll be very happy with the new gear.

Radu

[troywhite]

I never even knew Fuji made a DSLR?
Is it like someone mentioned above just a rebadged Nikon?

Maybe I should go look it up.

Have fun with your new camera. Whatever makes you feel happy taking photos is the right choice for you

Personally, I'm madly deeply in love with my K20D

[pingflood]

I never even knew Fuji made a DSLR?
Is it like someone mentioned above just a rebadged Nikon?

Maybe I should go look it up.

Have fun with your new camera. Whatever makes you feel happy taking photos is the right choice for you

Personally, I'm madly deeply in love with my K20D

The Fuji isn't by any means a 'rebadged Nikon'. It does have a Nikon body but the sensor and electronics are entirely different. The dynamic range is fantastic, and the reason a lot of photographers love them for people shots and especially weddings where you have to deal with the black suit and white dress quite often.

[Shashinki]

Yeah they are very good IQ-wise. It's too bad that they cost waay too much new. (like 25-50% more than their Nik equiv.)

[rparmar]

Yeah they are very good IQ-wise. It's too bad that they cost waay too much new. (like 25-50% more than their Nik equiv.)

What are you talking about? Context is missing.

If you mean the Limited lenses. What Nikon equivalents? Last time I checked they did not have any small excellent stabilized primes.

[bwield]

I beleive he was commenting on the Fuji DSLR's, not the pentax limited lenses