istDL vs. istD

Volvo244T · 09-20-2009, 03:25 PM

I'm thinking I want to swap my DL for a D.

Seems to be a step up in, well, every area except screen size and sensor (smaller screen, sensor is the same)

The camera has all the usability features I want in an SLR and I can get one for basically no cost in a swap, not affecting my saving up for a K20D.

Things like indicated selectable AF points, dual dials, backlit top display, available Pentax battery grip, etc.

Can't see why they took so many of those features away for the DS and DL. Just one of those things that makes me step back and say, "WTF Pentax?"

Thoughts?

**Lowell Goudge** · 09-20-2009, 03:52 PM

you'll need to get CF cards or a CF-SD adaptor, but the real upside of the *istD is TTL flash, so you can do flash shots with non A lenses

Volvo244T · 09-20-2009, 05:34 PM

Originally posted by Lowell Goudge

you'll need to get CF cards or a CF-SD adaptor, but the real upside of the *istD is TTL flash, so you can do flash shots with non A lenses

Which would be a good thing, as I have a couple Ms.

forensicscientist · 09-20-2009, 06:06 PM

I had DL2 along with my D....I dumped the DL2 and picked up a DS.....then a K20. It was a good move.....for indoor work, I just prefer the TTL flash system...

mark

**wirrah** · 09-20-2009, 06:31 PM

Originally posted by Volvo244T

Can't see why they took so many of those features away for the DS and DL. Just one of those things that makes me step back and say, "WTF Pentax?"

Thoughts?

The DS/DL were lower spec entry cameras. That's why they lost features.

*istD is a definite yes. I've had mine for 5 years now and still going strong.

**Mutters** · 09-20-2009, 08:14 PM

Originally posted by wirrah

The DS/DL were lower spec entry cameras. That's why they lost features.

*istD is a definite yes. I've had mine for 5 years now and still going strong.

That's right. Just have a look at the price difference between the D and DS/L.

The D was the K-7 of it's day. The DL/S was entry level.

mutters

Volvo244T · 09-20-2009, 08:44 PM

Originally posted by Mutters

That's right. Just have a look at the price difference between the D and DS/L.

The D was the K-7 of it's day. The DL/S was entry level.

mutters

Silly me. I thought the DL/DS replaced the D collectively. I see now that they were all offered at the same time until the Ks came out.

**tomwil** · 09-21-2009, 06:47 AM

Remember that the istD is bigger and heavier than the istDL. In fact, I think the istDL was the lightest DSLR that Pentax has offered.

**Lowell Goudge** · 09-21-2009, 08:51 AM

Originally posted by Volvo244T

Which would be a good thing, as I have a couple Ms.

note the *istD also meters very well with manual lenses, much better than most later versions.

Volvo244T · 09-21-2009, 11:13 AM

Well y'all have pretty much convinced me.

Keep in mind, as a large guy (6'6", 220) with large hands, I like my cameras to be a little bigger, so I take the size/weight thing as a good thing.

forensicscientist · 09-21-2009, 02:35 PM

It really is a nice camera....it is slow....the CF slot is backwards compared to every camera (you'll understand once you use it), but it just feels good in your hands, and gives great shots. Some of my best pics are from the ist-D. Even blown up to 16x20, it makes a good picture. I was going to sell mine after going to the K20D, but just couldn't.....its that good in my opinion.

I hope you enjoy yours......

mark

**Mutters** · 09-21-2009, 07:10 PM

Originally posted by Volvo244T

Well y'all have pretty much convinced me.

Keep in mind, as a large guy (6'6", 220) with large hands, I like my cameras to be a little bigger, so I take the size/weight thing as a good thing.

Ah well, you'll probably be needing the accessory battery grip as well - can't remember what they call it, but it certainly changes the handling.

It's a good grip too btw, with all controls emulated for portrait shooting.

mutters

View Poll Results: Swap DL for D?
No, keep your DL.	3	17.65%
Yes! Swap for a D.	14	82.35%
Voters: 17. You may not vote on this poll

09-20-2009, 03:25 PM	#1
Volvo244T Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bettendorf, IA / wherever the truck is parked Photos: Albums Posts: 99	istDL vs. istD I'm thinking I want to swap my DL for a D. Seems to be a step up in, well, every area except screen size and sensor (smaller screen, sensor is the same) The camera has all the usability features I want in an SLR and I can get one for basically no cost in a swap, not affecting my saving up for a K20D. Things like indicated selectable AF points, dual dials, backlit top display, available Pentax battery grip, etc. Can't see why they took so many of those features away for the DS and DL. Just one of those things that makes me step back and say, "WTF Pentax?" Thoughts?

09-20-2009, 06:06 PM	#4
forensicscientist Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: DFW Texas and Michigan - I commute :) Posts: 1,012	I dumped my DL2.... I had DL2 along with my D....I dumped the DL2 and picked up a DS.....then a K20. It was a good move.....for indoor work, I just prefer the TTL flash system... mark

09-21-2009, 02:35 PM	#11
forensicscientist Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: DFW Texas and Michigan - I commute :) Posts: 1,012	The ist-D is sweet It really is a nice camera....it is slow....the CF slot is backwards compared to every camera (you'll understand once you use it), but it just feels good in your hands, and gives great shots. Some of my best pics are from the ist-D. Even blown up to 16x20, it makes a good picture. I was going to sell mine after going to the K20D, but just couldn't.....its that good in my opinion. I hope you enjoy yours...... mark

09-21-2009, 07:10 PM	#12
Mutters Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 262	Originally posted by Volvo244T Well y'all have pretty much convinced me. Keep in mind, as a large guy (6'6", 220) with large hands, I like my cameras to be a little bigger, so I take the size/weight thing as a good thing. Ah well, you'll probably be needing the accessory battery grip as well - can't remember what they call it, but it certainly changes the handling. It's a good grip too btw, with all controls emulated for portrait shooting. mutters Last edited by Mutters; 09-21-2009 at 07:13 PM. Reason: added content

09-20-2009, 03:52 PM	#2
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,887	you'll need to get CF cards or a CF-SD adaptor, but the real upside of the *istD is TTL flash, so you can do flash shots with non A lenses

09-20-2009, 05:34 PM	#3
Volvo244T Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bettendorf, IA / wherever the truck is parked Photos: Albums Posts: 99 Original Poster	Originally posted by Lowell Goudge you'll need to get CF cards or a CF-SD adaptor, but the real upside of the *istD is TTL flash, so you can do flash shots with non A lenses Which would be a good thing, as I have a couple Ms.

09-20-2009, 06:31 PM	#5
wirrah Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Lower Hunter, NSW Photos: Gallery Posts: 526	Originally posted by Volvo244T Can't see why they took so many of those features away for the DS and DL. Just one of those things that makes me step back and say, "WTF Pentax?" Thoughts? The DS/DL were lower spec entry cameras. That's why they lost features. *istD is a definite yes. I've had mine for 5 years now and still going strong.

09-20-2009, 08:14 PM	#6
Mutters Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 262	Originally posted by wirrah The DS/DL were lower spec entry cameras. That's why they lost features. *istD is a definite yes. I've had mine for 5 years now and still going strong. That's right. Just have a look at the price difference between the D and DS/L. The D was the K-7 of it's day. The DL/S was entry level. mutters

09-20-2009, 08:44 PM	#7
Volvo244T Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bettendorf, IA / wherever the truck is parked Photos: Albums Posts: 99 Original Poster	Originally posted by Mutters That's right. Just have a look at the price difference between the D and DS/L. The D was the K-7 of it's day. The DL/S was entry level. mutters Silly me. I thought the DL/DS replaced the D collectively. I see now that they were all offered at the same time until the Ks came out.

09-21-2009, 06:47 AM	#8
tomwil Site Supporter Join Date: May 2009 Location: Maryland USA Posts: 778	Remember that the istD is bigger and heavier than the istDL. In fact, I think the istDL was the lightest DSLR that Pentax has offered.

09-21-2009, 08:51 AM	#9
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,887	Originally posted by Volvo244T Which would be a good thing, as I have a couple Ms. note the *istD also meters very well with manual lenses, much better than most later versions.

09-21-2009, 11:13 AM	#10
Volvo244T Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bettendorf, IA / wherever the truck is parked Photos: Albums Posts: 99 Original Poster	Well y'all have pretty much convinced me. Keep in mind, as a large guy (6'6", 220) with large hands, I like my cameras to be a little bigger, so I take the size/weight thing as a good thing.

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*istDL vs. *istD

istDL vs. istD