K100 for $300? Good Deal?

MattBrennan · 09-04-2009, 12:49 PM

Hey,

I need some quick advice. I have been looking for my first DSLR for the last few months. After a lot of research, I have decided to go with the K7.

Unfortunately, I do not have $1300 plus money for a lens (especially since I just became a dad 3 months ago.)

I have found a K100 for $300. Is this worth the money/good deal? It has just over 2000 exposures and is 3 years old.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

edit: Eventually I would love a K7 but in the meantime this may be the route to go until then.

pbo · 09-04-2009, 12:54 PM

I think you can find a good K10D for that price. I'm not exactly sure of the benefits, though, since K10D is my first digital SLR

Graham V · 09-04-2009, 01:03 PM

Hi Matt

I recently bought a K100D Super recently second hand (4 months ago for £200) and while I can't compare it directly to anything else digital I am very pleased with it.

Have a look at some example photos here Flickr: Graham Vincent's Photostream

alexeyga · 09-04-2009, 01:06 PM

You can find a K10 for that price fairly easy...

farfisa · 09-04-2009, 01:07 PM

Great camera! My first pentax dslr. $300 might be a little high (depending on how many lenses it comes with).

Check out the marketplace here too:
The Photographer's Marketplace - PentaxForums.com

You can also do a search there for K100D and see what pops up.

Originally posted by MattBrennan

Hey,

I need some quick advice. I have been looking for my first DSLR for the last few months. After a lot of research, I have decided to go with the K7.

Unfortunately, I do not have $1300 plus money for a lens (especially since I just became a dad 3 months ago.)

I have found a K100 for $300. Is this worth the money/good deal? It has just over 2000 exposures and is 3 years old.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

edit: Eventually I would love a K7 but in the meantime this may be the route to go until then.

MattBrennan · 09-04-2009, 01:08 PM

Originally posted by alexeyga

You can find a K10 for that price fairly easy...

really? I cheapest I found in the area was going for $550.

MattBrennan · 09-04-2009, 01:09 PM

Originally posted by farfisa

Great camera! My first pentax dslr. $300 might be a little high (depending on how many lenses it comes with).

Check out the marketplace here too:
The Photographer's Marketplace - PentaxForums.com

You can also do a search there for K100D and see what pops up.

no lenses with this deal.

X Man · 09-04-2009, 01:19 PM

Originally posted by MattBrennan

no lenses with this deal.

I paid $320 or $340 [after rebate] for a BRAND NEW K100D Body Only, a couple of years ago so...

Regards,
Mike

emr · 09-04-2009, 01:25 PM

Originally posted by MattBrennan

no lenses with this deal.

In that case it sounds a bit on the expensive side. I recently bought a couple of months old (under warranty) K200D with kit lens II for just a bit more (IIRC 260 euros).

PolishMike · 09-04-2009, 01:58 PM

The K10D will be a camera you are less likely to outgrow and doesn't have some of the rather annoying limitations of the K100D (no SDM lens support, no wireless flash, no front e-wheel, tiny 3-frame buffer, missing some useful physical controls, smallish viewfinder, some of them are finnicky with battery life) - I think no matter what kind of photography you are into, you will eventually find yourself missing some features of the K10. I'd say get a K10D even if it means spending a bit more.
The K100D was my first SLR and got more than 3 years of solid use - then again, I spent a large portion of these 3 years kicking myself over not getting a K10

Also, I recall a deal where you could get a brand new K100D for £160 - quite a bit less than $300, and UK prices are usually a rip-off - you should be able to do better than that.

MattBrennan · 09-04-2009, 02:03 PM

Thanks PolishMike! That reply was a huge help in making my decision. With that said, maybe I will just wait it out for either a good deal for the k10 or just wait till Christmas to pick up my k7.

Just so you and everyone know, the $300 in Canadian funds.

Thank you again,

edit, I just did a search in my local area and there is a k10d going for $525 cad. Maybe that is the direction I need to go but again I need to pick up a lense.

Marc Sabatella · 09-04-2009, 02:28 PM

Only thing to be aware of before just going with the K10D is that, like the K20D, is in a different size class than the K100D (and pretty mch all other Pentax cameras, including the K-7). Some people prefer the larger cameras or find they are not sensitive to the difference; others (myself included) find a huge dispartiy betwene the K100D and K10D in size: the K100D is a camera than I feel comfortable handling with one hand; the K10D requires two for me to feel comfortable. Also, the K10D is the worst of the Pentax models in high ISO performance. And if you're among thsoe (like me) who prefers stndard AA batteries to proprietary lithium ion batteries, tht's another strike against the k10D. But if these are not high priorities for you, the K10D is indeed the better camera in most respects.

BTW, if those attributes *are* important enough to you to make you think twice about the K10D, you should also conside the k100d Super for its SDM lens support, and you might also keep your eyes open for the K200D, which doesn't really sell for much more than the K100D but is in pretty much all respects a better camera.

Alfisti · 09-04-2009, 02:49 PM

You guys are killing, man i have one and i am trusted here. For the love of god check my ad on the marketplace

. I am bundling two lenses (great copies of the kit lenses) for under $400US!

Shipping is cheap as chips and i have GOBS of images to view on my pbase gallery.

alexeyga · 09-04-2009, 03:32 PM

Originally posted by MattBrennan

really? I cheapest I found in the area was going for $550.

Be patient, I've seen some on the marketplace for that price... and I'm sure i won't be the only one saying "it's really worth it over the K100"... it does! K10 is a Ferrari in comparison to K100... not that the K100 is a bad camera, it's just slow.... r-e-a-l-l-y s-l-o-w.... in RAW that is...

PolishMike · 09-04-2009, 04:59 PM

Yeah, taking 3 successive shots for an HDR will take a K100D out of commision (I mean totally - you cannot change any settings or do anything at all) for just shy of 5 seconds. Not cool.

Matt - if you are getting a K7 for christmas, maybe a nice used film SLR + nice classic 50mm lens (K1000?) might be the thing for you until then? I don't know what your photographic background is, but being forced to figure out the correct exposure and "zooming with your feet" can do wonders for anyone's understanding of lighting and force you into exploring more creative compositions. Then when you get the K7 you would be jumping ahead in technology by 33 years!

I just got a K-7 myself. I have owned a K100, had the chance to use a K10 and briefly played with a K20. Let's just say you are not making a mistake in aiming for the K-7

09-04-2009, 12:49 PM	#1
MattBrennan Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 12	K100 for $300? Good Deal? Hey, I need some quick advice. I have been looking for my first DSLR for the last few months. After a lot of research, I have decided to go with the K7. Unfortunately, I do not have $1300 plus money for a lens (especially since I just became a dad 3 months ago.) I have found a K100 for $300. Is this worth the money/good deal? It has just over 2000 exposures and is 3 years old. Any thoughts would be appreciated. edit: Eventually I would love a K7 but in the meantime this may be the route to go until then.

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09-04-2009, 12:54 PM	#2
pbo Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 891	I think you can find a good K10D for that price. I'm not exactly sure of the benefits, though, since K10D is my first digital SLR

09-04-2009, 01:03 PM	#3
Graham V Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Thornbury, England Photos: Gallery Posts: 187	Hi Matt I recently bought a K100D Super recently second hand (4 months ago for £200) and while I can't compare it directly to anything else digital I am very pleased with it. Have a look at some example photos here Flickr: Graham Vincent's Photostream

09-04-2009, 01:06 PM	#4
alexeyga Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 838	You can find a K10 for that price fairly easy...

09-04-2009, 01:07 PM	#5
farfisa Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,274	Great camera! My first pentax dslr. $300 might be a little high (depending on how many lenses it comes with). Check out the marketplace here too: The Photographer's Marketplace - PentaxForums.com You can also do a search there for K100D and see what pops up. Originally posted by MattBrennan Hey, I need some quick advice. I have been looking for my first DSLR for the last few months. After a lot of research, I have decided to go with the K7. Unfortunately, I do not have $1300 plus money for a lens (especially since I just became a dad 3 months ago.) I have found a K100 for $300. Is this worth the money/good deal? It has just over 2000 exposures and is 3 years old. Any thoughts would be appreciated. edit: Eventually I would love a K7 but in the meantime this may be the route to go until then.

09-04-2009, 01:08 PM	#6
MattBrennan Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 12 Original Poster	Originally posted by alexeyga You can find a K10 for that price fairly easy... really? I cheapest I found in the area was going for $550.

09-04-2009, 01:09 PM	#7
MattBrennan Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 12 Original Poster	Originally posted by farfisa Great camera! My first pentax dslr. $300 might be a little high (depending on how many lenses it comes with). Check out the marketplace here too: The Photographer's Marketplace - PentaxForums.com You can also do a search there for K100D and see what pops up. no lenses with this deal.

09-04-2009, 01:19 PM	#8
X Man Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Maine Photos: Gallery Posts: 478	Originally posted by MattBrennan no lenses with this deal. I paid $320 or $340 [after rebate] for a BRAND NEW K100D Body Only, a couple of years ago so... Regards, Mike

09-04-2009, 01:25 PM	#9
emr Guest	Originally posted by MattBrennan no lenses with this deal. In that case it sounds a bit on the expensive side. I recently bought a couple of months old (under warranty) K200D with kit lens II for just a bit more (IIRC 260 euros).

09-04-2009, 01:58 PM	#10
PolishMike Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 150	The K10D will be a camera you are less likely to outgrow and doesn't have some of the rather annoying limitations of the K100D (no SDM lens support, no wireless flash, no front e-wheel, tiny 3-frame buffer, missing some useful physical controls, smallish viewfinder, some of them are finnicky with battery life) - I think no matter what kind of photography you are into, you will eventually find yourself missing some features of the K10. I'd say get a K10D even if it means spending a bit more. The K100D was my first SLR and got more than 3 years of solid use - then again, I spent a large portion of these 3 years kicking myself over not getting a K10 Also, I recall a deal where you could get a brand new K100D for £160 - quite a bit less than $300, and UK prices are usually a rip-off - you should be able to do better than that.

09-04-2009, 02:03 PM	#11
MattBrennan Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 12 Original Poster	Thanks PolishMike! That reply was a huge help in making my decision. With that said, maybe I will just wait it out for either a good deal for the k10 or just wait till Christmas to pick up my k7. Just so you and everyone know, the $300 in Canadian funds. Thank you again, edit, I just did a search in my local area and there is a k10d going for $525 cad. Maybe that is the direction I need to go but again I need to pick up a lense.

09-04-2009, 02:28 PM	#12
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Only thing to be aware of before just going with the K10D is that, like the K20D, is in a different size class than the K100D (and pretty mch all other Pentax cameras, including the K-7). Some people prefer the larger cameras or find they are not sensitive to the difference; others (myself included) find a huge dispartiy betwene the K100D and K10D in size: the K100D is a camera than I feel comfortable handling with one hand; the K10D requires two for me to feel comfortable. Also, the K10D is the worst of the Pentax models in high ISO performance. And if you're among thsoe (like me) who prefers stndard AA batteries to proprietary lithium ion batteries, tht's another strike against the k10D. But if these are not high priorities for you, the K10D is indeed the better camera in most respects. BTW, if those attributes are important enough to you to make you think twice about the K10D, you should also conside the k100d Super for its SDM lens support, and you might also keep your eyes open for the K200D, which doesn't really sell for much more than the K100D but is in pretty much all respects a better camera.

09-04-2009, 02:49 PM	#13
Alfisti Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toronto (for now) Posts: 1,748	You guys are killing, man i have one and i am trusted here. For the love of god check my ad on the marketplace . I am bundling two lenses (great copies of the kit lenses) for under $400US! Shipping is cheap as chips and i have GOBS of images to view on my pbase gallery.

09-04-2009, 03:32 PM	#14
alexeyga Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 838	Originally posted by MattBrennan really? I cheapest I found in the area was going for $550. Be patient, I've seen some on the marketplace for that price... and I'm sure i won't be the only one saying "it's really worth it over the K100"... it does! K10 is a Ferrari in comparison to K100... not that the K100 is a bad camera, it's just slow.... r-e-a-l-l-y s-l-o-w.... in RAW that is...

09-04-2009, 04:59 PM	#15
PolishMike Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 150	Yeah, taking 3 successive shots for an HDR will take a K100D out of commision (I mean totally - you cannot change any settings or do anything at all) for just shy of 5 seconds. Not cool. Matt - if you are getting a K7 for christmas, maybe a nice used film SLR + nice classic 50mm lens (K1000?) might be the thing for you until then? I don't know what your photographic background is, but being forced to figure out the correct exposure and "zooming with your feet" can do wonders for anyone's understanding of lighting and force you into exploring more creative compositions. Then when you get the K7 you would be jumping ahead in technology by 33 years! I just got a K-7 myself. I have owned a K100, had the chance to use a K10 and briefly played with a K20. Let's just say you are not making a mistake in aiming for the K-7