First DSLR, Pentax suggestions

deadpink · 09-28-2008, 07:40 PM

I am currently looking to get rid of my aging Lumix fz20 digital zoom and get my first DSLR. I am considering Olympus & Pentax. To date my pics are mostly landscape & architecture ( no wildlife, long zoom or inclement weather work ) however I have been appraoched by some models asking to help build their portfolios which is a direction I really want to move into as well as the above. I have a limited budget of maybe 1,000usd to work with at best. I know about the Oly options available to me and it looks very nice in terms of quality, etc ( E-520 based system ) and would like advice on a Pentax based system like would k200d be a good platform to start with kit lens, maybe the 50mm 1.4 for portrait work or ? Any advice is greatly appreciated......

Venturi · 09-28-2008, 10:49 PM

Based on your stated requirements pretty much any camera body will satisfy your needs. The K200D is no slouch for sure and in many ways is a "user-friendly" K10D in that it has some built-in scene modes and a simpler set of buttons and dials. The K10D is a little bigger, has more controls you can manipulate directly via buttons or e-dials, has more advanced features and uses the penta-prism rather than penta-mirror.

This may be a little thread spammy but I am selling my K10D along with several accessories in the marketplace forum: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/photographers-marketplace/38125-k10d-kit-...tml#post354830

Whatever direction you go you'll end up with a good camera, even if you choose the Oly.

deadpink · 09-29-2008, 01:26 PM

thans a lot for the info, I accidentally ran across a new K10D w/18-55 at the store today for 729.00 new, wondering if I should bite the bullet heh

713alan · 09-29-2008, 05:56 PM

You stated USD so I guess you are not in the US. If you are in the US or Canada buy a used K10D. The prism viewfinder is nice. It should be around $500US. People are selling because they are upgrading not because the camera is bad. Don't be afraid because it is used.

deadpink · 09-29-2008, 10:54 PM

actually I am in the u.s heh, I may consider used if I can find a good deal

legacyb4 · 09-29-2008, 11:00 PM

I just picked up my K10D (used) this past weekend and am absolutely loving it. If you enjoy full control of your photography, you'll love the K10D/K20D series of bodies.

**Ash** · 09-30-2008, 03:50 AM

Well worth picking up a second hand K10D.
Saves you money to spend on great lenses!

deadpink · 09-30-2008, 01:52 PM

thanks! everyone seem to say K10D heh

**Lowell Goudge** · 09-30-2008, 01:58 PM

the only comment I can make, pentax vs olympus is that the 4/3 sensor in the olympus, and the difference in field of view makes going wide expensive.

A sigma 10-20 is about $500, an Olympyus 7-14 (same field of view when considering the smaller sensor) is $1500.

FOr $1500 you can easily get the Sigma lens and a k10D or K200D and have money left over, with Olympus yoou have just bought the lens, and still have to get the body.

Also note that I believe you will have DOF problems with the smaller sensor, specifically keeping it low for foreground vs background separation, the smaller the sensor the more depth of field you have for an equal field of view. Someone please correct this point If I have it wrong.

deadpink · 09-30-2008, 02:52 PM

thanks a lot, I'm still kinda on the fence as to what direction to go, I am a bit concerned with cost being a major consideration since I am very poor and out of work atm heh. Granted with oly you can do with fewer lenses but also pay considerably more per lens as well.

Vmax911 · 09-30-2008, 03:18 PM

I was in a similiar situation about a year ago. I had an FZ20, which I loved, and wanted to upgrade. The things I wanted to keep was the zoom range and image stabilization. I was also worried about loosing that constant F2.8 aperture. I went with a k100D with kit lens and a Tamron 70-300mm. Whole setup cost me under $600. My setup exceeded my FZ20 by far. The missing F2.8 aperature was more than made up for by the low noise of the DSLR. My k100d shoots as clean at ISO 800 as my FZ20 did at ISO 100!

If I were buying now, I'd try to swing the Pentax 55-300mm instead of the Tamron (less CA, though it is twice as much $). I just upgraded my k100d to a k200d since I got a great deal on eBay. It seems like a very nice camera, a few more options than the k100d had.

I've haven't done a lot of portraits, but I do have the FA50 F1.4. It makes for a very nice low-light lens. You may also want to look at the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8, though many swear by primes for portraits.

morfic · 09-30-2008, 08:02 PM

Originally posted by Lowell Goudge

the only comment I can make, pentax vs olympus is that the 4/3 sensor in the olympus, and the difference in field of view makes going wide expensive.

A sigma 10-20 is about $500, an Olympyus 7-14 (same field of view when considering the smaller sensor) is $1500.

FOr $1500 you can easily get the Sigma lens and a k10D or K200D and have money left over, with Olympus yoou have just bought the lens, and still have to get the body.

Also note that I believe you will have DOF problems with the smaller sensor, specifically keeping it low for foreground vs background separation, the smaller the sensor the more depth of field you have for an equal field of view. Someone please correct this point If I have it wrong.

His models would appreciate the ability of finer DoF control, although i am just waiting for someone to pounce and say we are both wrong, it always happens

deadpink · 10-01-2008, 02:30 PM

thanks for the input

I do have to say that pentax viewfinders are light years ahead of oly except maybe the E-3 heh making things much easier on my eyes

Okami · 10-01-2008, 05:55 PM

ahhhh!! Fellow FZ20 owners! I too moved from FZ20 to a DSLR and considered most of the same things. (Still have my fz20 as i'm too attached to it to let it go)

K10d is a joy to use

you'll take many great pictures with it and it's a great deal at the current used prices

aleonx3 · 10-01-2008, 07:14 PM

I would vote for k10d if you do not need the scene mode. It offers more features and versatility - more prosumer features.

Pricewise, a used k10d may be cheaper than k200d. But if you are not comfortable with a used one (warranty issues etc.), you may opt for a new k200d. The other consideration would be use of regular AA batteries for k200d vs k10d.

As other posters have pointed out the features compare between Olympus and Pentax, I think of 3/4 system with a smaller sensor as slightly negative for me (again, just my personal opinion). Either way, you will be doing fine.

09-28-2008, 07:40 PM	#1
deadpink Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 19	First DSLR, Pentax suggestions I am currently looking to get rid of my aging Lumix fz20 digital zoom and get my first DSLR. I am considering Olympus & Pentax. To date my pics are mostly landscape & architecture ( no wildlife, long zoom or inclement weather work ) however I have been appraoched by some models asking to help build their portfolios which is a direction I really want to move into as well as the above. I have a limited budget of maybe 1,000usd to work with at best. I know about the Oly options available to me and it looks very nice in terms of quality, etc ( E-520 based system ) and would like advice on a Pentax based system like would k200d be a good platform to start with kit lens, maybe the 50mm 1.4 for portrait work or ? Any advice is greatly appreciated......

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09-28-2008, 10:49 PM	#2
Venturi Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Tulsa, OK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,636	Based on your stated requirements pretty much any camera body will satisfy your needs. The K200D is no slouch for sure and in many ways is a "user-friendly" K10D in that it has some built-in scene modes and a simpler set of buttons and dials. The K10D is a little bigger, has more controls you can manipulate directly via buttons or e-dials, has more advanced features and uses the penta-prism rather than penta-mirror. This may be a little thread spammy but I am selling my K10D along with several accessories in the marketplace forum: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/photographers-marketplace/38125-k10d-kit-...tml#post354830 Whatever direction you go you'll end up with a good camera, even if you choose the Oly.

09-29-2008, 01:26 PM	#3
deadpink Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 19 Original Poster	thans a lot for the info, I accidentally ran across a new K10D w/18-55 at the store today for 729.00 new, wondering if I should bite the bullet heh

09-29-2008, 05:56 PM	#4
713alan Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Houston Posts: 46	You stated USD so I guess you are not in the US. If you are in the US or Canada buy a used K10D. The prism viewfinder is nice. It should be around $500US. People are selling because they are upgrading not because the camera is bad. Don't be afraid because it is used.

09-29-2008, 10:54 PM	#5
deadpink Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 19 Original Poster	actually I am in the u.s heh, I may consider used if I can find a good deal

09-29-2008, 11:00 PM	#6
legacyb4 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Tri-Cities, British Columbia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,784	I just picked up my K10D (used) this past weekend and am absolutely loving it. If you enjoy full control of your photography, you'll love the K10D/K20D series of bodies.

09-30-2008, 03:50 AM	#7
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Well worth picking up a second hand K10D. Saves you money to spend on great lenses!

09-30-2008, 01:52 PM	#8
deadpink Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 19 Original Poster	thanks! everyone seem to say K10D heh

09-30-2008, 01:58 PM	#9
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,886	the only comment I can make, pentax vs olympus is that the 4/3 sensor in the olympus, and the difference in field of view makes going wide expensive. A sigma 10-20 is about $500, an Olympyus 7-14 (same field of view when considering the smaller sensor) is $1500. FOr $1500 you can easily get the Sigma lens and a k10D or K200D and have money left over, with Olympus yoou have just bought the lens, and still have to get the body. Also note that I believe you will have DOF problems with the smaller sensor, specifically keeping it low for foreground vs background separation, the smaller the sensor the more depth of field you have for an equal field of view. Someone please correct this point If I have it wrong.

09-30-2008, 02:52 PM	#10
deadpink Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 19 Original Poster	thanks a lot, I'm still kinda on the fence as to what direction to go, I am a bit concerned with cost being a major consideration since I am very poor and out of work atm heh. Granted with oly you can do with fewer lenses but also pay considerably more per lens as well.

09-30-2008, 03:18 PM	#11
Vmax911 Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: ABQ Photos: Gallery Posts: 826	I was in a similiar situation about a year ago. I had an FZ20, which I loved, and wanted to upgrade. The things I wanted to keep was the zoom range and image stabilization. I was also worried about loosing that constant F2.8 aperture. I went with a k100D with kit lens and a Tamron 70-300mm. Whole setup cost me under $600. My setup exceeded my FZ20 by far. The missing F2.8 aperature was more than made up for by the low noise of the DSLR. My k100d shoots as clean at ISO 800 as my FZ20 did at ISO 100! If I were buying now, I'd try to swing the Pentax 55-300mm instead of the Tamron (less CA, though it is twice as much $). I just upgraded my k100d to a k200d since I got a great deal on eBay. It seems like a very nice camera, a few more options than the k100d had. I've haven't done a lot of portraits, but I do have the FA50 F1.4. It makes for a very nice low-light lens. You may also want to look at the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8, though many swear by primes for portraits.

09-30-2008, 08:02 PM	#12
morfic Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: San Antonio, TX Photos: Gallery Posts: 428	Originally posted by Lowell Goudge the only comment I can make, pentax vs olympus is that the 4/3 sensor in the olympus, and the difference in field of view makes going wide expensive. A sigma 10-20 is about $500, an Olympyus 7-14 (same field of view when considering the smaller sensor) is $1500. FOr $1500 you can easily get the Sigma lens and a k10D or K200D and have money left over, with Olympus yoou have just bought the lens, and still have to get the body. Also note that I believe you will have DOF problems with the smaller sensor, specifically keeping it low for foreground vs background separation, the smaller the sensor the more depth of field you have for an equal field of view. Someone please correct this point If I have it wrong. His models would appreciate the ability of finer DoF control, although i am just waiting for someone to pounce and say we are both wrong, it always happens

10-01-2008, 02:30 PM	#13
deadpink Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 19 Original Poster	thanks for the input I do have to say that pentax viewfinders are light years ahead of oly except maybe the E-3 heh making things much easier on my eyes

10-01-2008, 05:55 PM	#14
Okami Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 376	ahhhh!! Fellow FZ20 owners! I too moved from FZ20 to a DSLR and considered most of the same things. (Still have my fz20 as i'm too attached to it to let it go) K10d is a joy to use you'll take many great pictures with it and it's a great deal at the current used prices

10-01-2008, 07:14 PM	#15
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	I would vote for k10d if you do not need the scene mode. It offers more features and versatility - more prosumer features. Pricewise, a used k10d may be cheaper than k200d. But if you are not comfortable with a used one (warranty issues etc.), you may opt for a new k200d. The other consideration would be use of regular AA batteries for k200d vs k10d. As other posters have pointed out the features compare between Olympus and Pentax, I think of 3/4 system with a smaller sensor as slightly negative for me (again, just my personal opinion). Either way, you will be doing fine.