K100D as a starter camera?

Javaslinger · 01-17-2009, 10:48 PM

Wondering what you all think of the K100D at an entry level DSLR? Maybe upgrade in a year...

The body is going for about $250....

Is it a good learning camera? Or are there better alternatives at this very low price point?

Thanks,

Javaslinger

MrApollinax · 01-17-2009, 11:12 PM

The K100D Super is my first (and current) DSLR. I feel that it is still more than enough camera for me as I learn more about photography. I bought mine last year for about $500. If you can find a K100D Super for $250 I'd jump on that chance. It'll free up the rest of your budget for glass that you will be able to use on your next Pentax body

at least that is how it seems to be working out for me right now

jsherman999 · 01-17-2009, 11:20 PM

I recently sold my K100DS to 'upgrade' my 2nd body to a K2000, and I don't know if I'd do it again - the K2000 is a great camera, but there's something about the K100D I miss.

In every way, it's a winner for the money - as long as you venture beyond the kit lens.

SpecialK · 01-17-2009, 11:22 PM

It is a good camera.

Blue · 01-17-2009, 11:26 PM

Originally posted by jsherman999

I recently sold my K100DS to 'upgrade' my 2nd body to a K2000, and I don't know if I'd do it again - the K2000 is a great camera, but there's something about the K100D I miss.

In every way, it's a winner for the money - as long as you venture beyond the kit lens.

Your just disappointed that the white k2000 came out after you got yours.

Class A · 01-18-2009, 12:22 AM

Originally posted by Javaslinger

Or are there better alternatives at this very low price point?

I guess a K10D doesn't cost dramatically more these days. It has a few more MP, a pentaprism instead of a pentamirror, and more controls on the body. But high ISO performance is worse than the K100D's, I think. And in camera JPEG quality requires the correct settings to match those of the K100D.

Having said all this, the K100D is a great beginner camera and will allow you to take stunning pictures. Just happen to have this link to a flickr photostream of a K100D shooter. I think I'll never outgrow it.

It is a bit bigger and heavier than a Canon Rebel or a K-m but I like it that way. The weight comes as part of the great build quality and helps me to keep the camera steady. Also the size helps me to get a good grip on the camera and handle it with ease.

Let us know if you have any specific questions.

BTW, the difference between the K100D and the K100D Super (aka K100DS) are that the super has sensor cleaning and supports SDM lenses. Since most sensor cleaning systems (apart from Oly's) don't do any wonders (they may help to prolong sensor blowing intervals), this is not a big loss. AFAIK, there aren't a lot of SDM lenses out there which you couldn't use on the K100D with the normal screw drive AF as well, but if SDM is the thing for you, you should try to get the super version.

Igilligan · 01-18-2009, 03:08 AM

K100d is a great beginners camera... I logged 25000 shots or so on mine and still could learn some more for sure...

I really have enjoyed this camera... and all the old lenses I have bought to play with...

**Michaelina2** · 01-18-2009, 04:31 AM

The K100D is my back-up camera... Although I use a K20D as my primary, I have no qualms about reaching for the K100D... It's a great camera. I does not have AF via SDM, but the screw drive works just fine. It's better than a beginner's DSLR. I think of it more as an enthusiast/s camera. With care and your good eye, it's capable of producing images that are on par with the best.

The smaller sensor is perfect for the "zoom to crop" shooting style. As such, I suggest that your lens options lean more toward zooms than primes. Don't get me wrong, primes can produce excellent results, too. You just have less freedom to fine tune crop the composition of the resulting image. My 'go-to' lenses for both the K100D and K20D are the DA 16-45, DA 35 Limited, FA 50/1.4 and DA 55-300.

I have a hard time imagining how you could go wrong either a K110D, K100D, or K100DS.

Adrian Owerko · 01-18-2009, 04:48 AM

I just upgraded my backup camera K100D to K100D super for SDM use, also K100's use CRV3 which the KM \ K200D Don't. The K100D super is a great backup for my k10D.

RubyT · 01-18-2009, 06:06 AM

I've had the K100DS for a little over a year, and I feel like I'm really getting to a point where I can stretch it. I think it's an excellent camera to learn on.

**dadipentak** · 01-18-2009, 06:32 AM

Another resounding "yes"! It was the perfect starter for me and the perfect back-up/knock-about for me now.

axl · 01-18-2009, 07:04 AM

great choice for first DSLR. I had used one for just over 2 years before I upgraded to K10. The pictures it gave me vere simply great and we still have my wife's K100D (since my wife spends on camera gear reluctantly only, I think that one is going to stick around with us for a while). It's a great first DSLR choice and it's going to serve you well...
BR

K100Dave · 01-18-2009, 08:12 AM

It's definitely worth the $250 for the body alone. I got my feet wet (as many of us have) with a dslr using one for 2yrs before recently upgrading to the K20D. To me it's a great way to learn your way around photography with one of these.

Javaslinger · 01-18-2009, 08:31 AM

Will the kit lens for the K20D work? The SD 18-55 ALII ?

Thanks,

Javaslinger

Ivan Glisin · 01-18-2009, 08:38 AM

Originally posted by Javaslinger

Will the kit lens for the K20D work? The SD 18-55 ALII ?

Yes, DA 18-55 II will work fine and it is an excellent lens. All non-SDM DA lenses will work on ALL Pentax DSLR bodies, with full features.

You will be able to use ANY Pentax lens EVER produced on your K100D, however, with some features lost (obviously, manual focus lenses will not have auto focus and so on). However, stick to DA 18-55 II for now.

01-17-2009, 10:48 PM	#1
Javaslinger Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Blacksburg, VA Photos: Albums Posts: 286	K100D as a starter camera? Wondering what you all think of the K100D at an entry level DSLR? Maybe upgrade in a year... The body is going for about $250.... Is it a good learning camera? Or are there better alternatives at this very low price point? Thanks, Javaslinger

01-18-2009, 12:22 AM	#6
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	Originally posted by Javaslinger Or are there better alternatives at this very low price point? I guess a K10D doesn't cost dramatically more these days. It has a few more MP, a pentaprism instead of a pentamirror, and more controls on the body. But high ISO performance is worse than the K100D's, I think. And in camera JPEG quality requires the correct settings to match those of the K100D. Having said all this, the K100D is a great beginner camera and will allow you to take stunning pictures. Just happen to have this link to a flickr photostream of a K100D shooter. I think I'll never outgrow it. It is a bit bigger and heavier than a Canon Rebel or a K-m but I like it that way. The weight comes as part of the great build quality and helps me to keep the camera steady. Also the size helps me to get a good grip on the camera and handle it with ease. Let us know if you have any specific questions. BTW, the difference between the K100D and the K100D Super (aka K100DS) are that the super has sensor cleaning and supports SDM lenses. Since most sensor cleaning systems (apart from Oly's) don't do any wonders (they may help to prolong sensor blowing intervals), this is not a big loss. AFAIK, there aren't a lot of SDM lenses out there which you couldn't use on the K100D with the normal screw drive AF as well, but if SDM is the thing for you, you should try to get the super version. Last edited by Class A; 01-18-2009 at 12:30 AM.

01-18-2009, 03:08 AM	#7
Igilligan Guest	YES yes K100d is a great beginners camera... I logged 25000 shots or so on mine and still could learn some more for sure... I really have enjoyed this camera... and all the old lenses I have bought to play with...

01-18-2009, 04:31 AM	#8
Michaelina2 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: SE Michigan USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,300	It'a a keeper... The K100D is my back-up camera... Although I use a K20D as my primary, I have no qualms about reaching for the K100D... It's a great camera. I does not have AF via SDM, but the screw drive works just fine. It's better than a beginner's DSLR. I think of it more as an enthusiast/s camera. With care and your good eye, it's capable of producing images that are on par with the best. The smaller sensor is perfect for the "zoom to crop" shooting style. As such, I suggest that your lens options lean more toward zooms than primes. Don't get me wrong, primes can produce excellent results, too. You just have less freedom to fine tune crop the composition of the resulting image. My 'go-to' lenses for both the K100D and K20D are the DA 16-45, DA 35 Limited, FA 50/1.4 and DA 55-300. I have a hard time imagining how you could go wrong either a K110D, K100D, or K100DS.

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01-17-2009, 11:12 PM	#2
MrApollinax Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,529	The K100D Super is my first (and current) DSLR. I feel that it is still more than enough camera for me as I learn more about photography. I bought mine last year for about $500. If you can find a K100D Super for $250 I'd jump on that chance. It'll free up the rest of your budget for glass that you will be able to use on your next Pentax body at least that is how it seems to be working out for me right now

01-17-2009, 11:20 PM	#3
jsherman999 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,237	I recently sold my K100DS to 'upgrade' my 2nd body to a K2000, and I don't know if I'd do it again - the K2000 is a great camera, but there's something about the K100D I miss. In every way, it's a winner for the money - as long as you venture beyond the kit lens.

01-17-2009, 11:22 PM	#4
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	It is a good camera.

01-17-2009, 11:26 PM	#5
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by jsherman999 I recently sold my K100DS to 'upgrade' my 2nd body to a K2000, and I don't know if I'd do it again - the K2000 is a great camera, but there's something about the K100D I miss. In every way, it's a winner for the money - as long as you venture beyond the kit lens. Your just disappointed that the white k2000 came out after you got yours.

01-18-2009, 04:48 AM	#9
Adrian Owerko Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: South Australia Posts: 435	I just upgraded my backup camera K100D to K100D super for SDM use, also K100's use CRV3 which the KM \ K200D Don't. The K100D super is a great backup for my k10D.

01-18-2009, 06:06 AM	#10
RubyT Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: TN Photos: Gallery Posts: 621	I've had the K100DS for a little over a year, and I feel like I'm really getting to a point where I can stretch it. I think it's an excellent camera to learn on.

01-18-2009, 06:32 AM	#11
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	Another resounding "yes"! It was the perfect starter for me and the perfect back-up/knock-about for me now.

01-18-2009, 07:04 AM	#12
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	great choice for first DSLR. I had used one for just over 2 years before I upgraded to K10. The pictures it gave me vere simply great and we still have my wife's K100D (since my wife spends on camera gear reluctantly only, I think that one is going to stick around with us for a while). It's a great first DSLR choice and it's going to serve you well... BR

01-18-2009, 08:12 AM	#13
K100Dave Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 111	It's definitely worth the $250 for the body alone. I got my feet wet (as many of us have) with a dslr using one for 2yrs before recently upgrading to the K20D. To me it's a great way to learn your way around photography with one of these.

01-18-2009, 08:31 AM	#14
Javaslinger Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Blacksburg, VA Photos: Albums Posts: 286 Original Poster	Will the kit lens for the K20D work? The SD 18-55 ALII ? Thanks, Javaslinger

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01-18-2009, 08:38 AM	#15
Ivan Glisin Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Belgrade Posts: 656	Originally posted by Javaslinger Will the kit lens for the K20D work? The SD 18-55 ALII ? Yes, DA 18-55 II will work fine and it is an excellent lens. All non-SDM DA lenses will work on ALL Pentax DSLR bodies, with full features. You will be able to use ANY Pentax lens EVER produced on your K100D, however, with some features lost (obviously, manual focus lenses will not have auto focus and so on). However, stick to DA 18-55 II for now.