Pentax Abandoned K200D Users...

Horst-Helmut · 04-15-2010, 01:56 AM

My K200D is a everyday workhorse, has seen some rough situations. Last summer a can of beer got punctured in a party related accident and beer was spraying everywhere, people freaked out about my camera that got quite wet. Just wiped it clean and continued shooting, never had a problem. Only thing that isn't that good is the AF and that should have calibration straight in the camera.

I think it's so good camera that I don't have any reason to upgrade in the current pentax line.

gigake · 04-15-2010, 04:32 AM

K200D has:
- slow AF in dark
- very much noise @ high ISO or ISO 100 & 15 sec in dark
- not very accurate flash system

I am considering to move to Nikon.

krmitchell1055 · 04-15-2010, 05:39 AM

I don't feel abandoned at all. Pentax still has all of the manuals and literatue available on-line. Apparently there is no need for a firmware update. My K200D works great! Like all things electronic the move is usually to bigger and better things with more bells and whistles. I'll move on eventually too, but until I do I am enjoying my K200D way more than I did my *istDL!

**rparmar** · 04-15-2010, 05:40 AM

Originally posted by gigake

K200D has:
- slow AF in dark
- very much noise @ high ISO or ISO 100 & 15 sec in dark
- not very accurate flash system

I am considering to move to Nikon.

Or you could consider the K-7 and keep your current system investment. you could also realise that Pentax relies more upon you, as the photographer, to decide when to remove noise etc. Unless you have unrealistic expectations, or don't mind blurred details, I can't see it being a problem.

Nikon does indeed have a better flash system however. If that is a primary feature you must have, then go for it.

lurchlarson · 04-15-2010, 08:14 AM

Originally posted by rparmar

m.

Nikon does indeed have a better flash system however. If that is a primary feature you must have, then go for it.

Get a Metz 48 flash. The k200d has wireless flash control built-in which works well with the Metz 48. To get built-in wireless flash on a Nikon you have to pay a bunch more. Plus the k200d is weather-sealed.

Pop-up flashes suck in general, regardless of brand. Get a Shoe-mount flash and get it off of the camera. If you take the flash off the camera you'll get better photos.

siva.ss.kumar · 04-15-2010, 10:17 AM

How about the K200D owners post their 'setup'? Particularly the 'Custom menu' setup.
I keep fiddling with mine to get a good one. So, when i end up with some bad photos, I don't know if my setup is bad or was it just low light/hand shake or such.
Thanks

yeatzee · 04-15-2010, 10:37 AM

Ill try...

I run AF.S
select AF point
centerweighted metering
RAW+
PEF
AdobeRGB

Instant Playback I have a histogram and the highlighted dark/bright area
regular playback display I dont have anything

I have beep turned off
everything else on setup is default

than my custom settings go as follows:
2
2
2
1
2
2
2
1
2
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
2
1
1
1
2

MiLKMAN · 04-15-2010, 11:06 AM

Mine "Custom Setting" are--

2
2
1
2
2
2
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
1
2
2

Cheers!

Blue · 04-15-2010, 12:23 PM

Originally posted by krmitchell1055

I don't feel abandoned at all. Pentax still has all of the manuals and literatue available on-line. Apparently there is no need for a firmware update. My K200D works great! Like all things electronic the move is usually to bigger and better things with more bells and whistles. I'll move on eventually too, but until I do I am enjoying my K200D way more than I did my *istDL!

Hey, another Chickendale Pentaxian . . .

Originally posted by gigake

K200D has:
- slow AF in dark
- very much noise @ high ISO or ISO 100 & 15 sec in dark
- not very accurate flash system

I am considering to move to Nikon.

But you just got here . . .

GeneV · 04-15-2010, 12:39 PM

I don't own a K200d, so I can't feel abandoned, and I really like my K-x. I do wish that Pentax had not abandoned the concept of a prosumer-oriented body that runs on AA batts. At KEH, a used K200d brings $450. On Ebay, the price of a K200d averages more than a K10d, which was supposed to be the upgrade. That may say something about the K10d, but I think it says more about what the market thought of the concept of the K200d.

Blue · 04-15-2010, 01:11 PM

Originally posted by GeneV

I don't own a K200d, so I can't feel abandoned, and I really like my K-x. I do wish that Pentax had not abandoned the concept of a prosumer-oriented body that runs on AA batts. At KEH, a used K200d brings $450. On Ebay, the price of a K200d averages more than a K10d, which was supposed to be the upgrade. That may say something about the K10d, but I think it says more about what the market thought of the concept of the K200d.

One of the things that happens in a body review that runs on AA is that if the reveiwer doesn't like AA, then it takes a hit in the review regardless. They seem to like proprietary batteries that could be problematic to replace in a couple of years.

GeneV · 04-15-2010, 05:10 PM

Originally posted by Blue

One of the things that happens in a body review that runs on AA is that if the reveiwer doesn't like AA, then it takes a hit in the review regardless. They seem to like proprietary batteries that could be problematic to replace in a couple of years.

Not only could the batts be hard to replace, but traveling means a multiplicity of chargers and adapters. I have gotten to the point where I even carry a cheap electric shaver because it takes AA batteries and eliminates one more cord.

An alternative would be adapters that let the proprietary camera batteries charge on USB, so that they could use the phone charger. A phone, GPS or other device that can't take AA because of its size, but charges on USB has a leg up in my purchase decision.

yeatzee · 04-15-2010, 05:29 PM

I agree, having the ability to use AA's is fantastic. One of the smartest things Pentax did was make the K-7's battery grip come with a seperate AA tray. I have purchased the K-7 from J&R (sadly its out of stock but they said they would recognize the free 18-55mm when they ship it. Total comes out to 850ish + free kit lens) and am super stoked

The fact that all my rechargeable batteries from my K200d work in the battery grip is amazing. It will be my next purchase for sure (now whether to buy the original or chines copy? hmmmm)

vk4akp · 04-20-2010, 12:55 PM

Yes, AA's rock!

Please Pentax bring out a K200D replacement with AA's, Pentaprism, Liveview. and video.

.-.-.

John Wiggs · 04-20-2010, 05:58 PM

Untl I purchased a K20 I was a staunch Leica user. My rangfinder was made 30 years ago and my SLR about the same. The lenses are at least 20+ years and are absolutely fantastic to use. I feel in love with my K20 also outdated. Leica has dropped all production on their R series equipment and have abandoned those users in faver of a $28,000 S series digital with a starting price for a standard lens at $5,000+

Pentax IMHO has not abandoned it clientel, in fact has tried and suceeded in producing quality equipment and optics that rival the best. Yes there is a definite something to leica images and I still use the equipment.

I am an Audiologist by trade and the hearing aid industry upgrades and introduces new digital aids on a quarterly basis-that's just the nature of digital technology and hearing aids. Digital cameras are no different. Despite my love of leica equipment my K20 will only leave my cold dead hands ....or maybe for a K7

04-20-2010, 05:58 PM	#90
John Wiggs Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: saskatoon Posts: 16	Pentax abandoned K2oo users... Untl I purchased a K20 I was a staunch Leica user. My rangfinder was made 30 years ago and my SLR about the same. The lenses are at least 20+ years and are absolutely fantastic to use. I feel in love with my K20 also outdated. Leica has dropped all production on their R series equipment and have abandoned those users in faver of a $28,000 S series digital with a starting price for a standard lens at $5,000+ Pentax IMHO has not abandoned it clientel, in fact has tried and suceeded in producing quality equipment and optics that rival the best. Yes there is a definite something to leica images and I still use the equipment. I am an Audiologist by trade and the hearing aid industry upgrades and introduces new digital aids on a quarterly basis-that's just the nature of digital technology and hearing aids. Digital cameras are no different. Despite my love of leica equipment my K20 will only leave my cold dead hands ....or maybe for a K7

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04-15-2010, 01:56 AM	#76
Horst-Helmut Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 138	My K200D is a everyday workhorse, has seen some rough situations. Last summer a can of beer got punctured in a party related accident and beer was spraying everywhere, people freaked out about my camera that got quite wet. Just wiped it clean and continued shooting, never had a problem. Only thing that isn't that good is the AF and that should have calibration straight in the camera. I think it's so good camera that I don't have any reason to upgrade in the current pentax line.

04-15-2010, 04:32 AM	#77
gigake New Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 7	K200D has: - slow AF in dark - very much noise @ high ISO or ISO 100 & 15 sec in dark - not very accurate flash system I am considering to move to Nikon.

04-15-2010, 05:39 AM	#78
krmitchell1055 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Springdale, Arkansas Photos: Gallery Posts: 168	I don't feel abandoned at all. Pentax still has all of the manuals and literatue available on-line. Apparently there is no need for a firmware update. My K200D works great! Like all things electronic the move is usually to bigger and better things with more bells and whistles. I'll move on eventually too, but until I do I am enjoying my K200D way more than I did my *istDL!

04-15-2010, 05:40 AM	#79
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,819	Originally posted by gigake K200D has: - slow AF in dark - very much noise @ high ISO or ISO 100 & 15 sec in dark - not very accurate flash system I am considering to move to Nikon. Or you could consider the K-7 and keep your current system investment. you could also realise that Pentax relies more upon you, as the photographer, to decide when to remove noise etc. Unless you have unrealistic expectations, or don't mind blurred details, I can't see it being a problem. Nikon does indeed have a better flash system however. If that is a primary feature you must have, then go for it.

04-15-2010, 08:14 AM	#80
lurchlarson Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Oregon, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 681	Originally posted by rparmar m. Nikon does indeed have a better flash system however. If that is a primary feature you must have, then go for it. Get a Metz 48 flash. The k200d has wireless flash control built-in which works well with the Metz 48. To get built-in wireless flash on a Nikon you have to pay a bunch more. Plus the k200d is weather-sealed. Pop-up flashes suck in general, regardless of brand. Get a Shoe-mount flash and get it off of the camera. If you take the flash off the camera you'll get better photos.

04-15-2010, 10:17 AM	#81
siva.ss.kumar Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chennai, India Photos: Albums Posts: 534	How about the K200D owners post their 'setup'? Particularly the 'Custom menu' setup. I keep fiddling with mine to get a good one. So, when i end up with some bad photos, I don't know if my setup is bad or was it just low light/hand shake or such. Thanks

04-15-2010, 10:37 AM	#82
yeatzee Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Temecula Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,675	Ill try... I run AF.S select AF point centerweighted metering RAW+ PEF AdobeRGB Instant Playback I have a histogram and the highlighted dark/bright area regular playback display I dont have anything I have beep turned off everything else on setup is default than my custom settings go as follows: 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 1 2 1 2 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 2

04-15-2010, 11:06 AM	#83
MiLKMAN Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Tallinn Photos: Gallery Posts: 146	Mine "Custom Setting" are-- 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 1 2 2 Cheers!

04-15-2010, 12:23 PM	#84
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by krmitchell1055 I don't feel abandoned at all. Pentax still has all of the manuals and literatue available on-line. Apparently there is no need for a firmware update. My K200D works great! Like all things electronic the move is usually to bigger and better things with more bells and whistles. I'll move on eventually too, but until I do I am enjoying my K200D way more than I did my *istDL! Hey, another Chickendale Pentaxian . . . Originally posted by gigake K200D has: - slow AF in dark - very much noise @ high ISO or ISO 100 & 15 sec in dark - not very accurate flash system I am considering to move to Nikon. But you just got here . . .

04-15-2010, 12:39 PM	#85
GeneV Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 9,830	I don't own a K200d, so I can't feel abandoned, and I really like my K-x. I do wish that Pentax had not abandoned the concept of a prosumer-oriented body that runs on AA batts. At KEH, a used K200d brings $450. On Ebay, the price of a K200d averages more than a K10d, which was supposed to be the upgrade. That may say something about the K10d, but I think it says more about what the market thought of the concept of the K200d.

04-15-2010, 01:11 PM	#86
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by GeneV I don't own a K200d, so I can't feel abandoned, and I really like my K-x. I do wish that Pentax had not abandoned the concept of a prosumer-oriented body that runs on AA batts. At KEH, a used K200d brings $450. On Ebay, the price of a K200d averages more than a K10d, which was supposed to be the upgrade. That may say something about the K10d, but I think it says more about what the market thought of the concept of the K200d. One of the things that happens in a body review that runs on AA is that if the reveiwer doesn't like AA, then it takes a hit in the review regardless. They seem to like proprietary batteries that could be problematic to replace in a couple of years.

04-15-2010, 05:10 PM	#87
GeneV Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 9,830	Originally posted by Blue One of the things that happens in a body review that runs on AA is that if the reveiwer doesn't like AA, then it takes a hit in the review regardless. They seem to like proprietary batteries that could be problematic to replace in a couple of years. Not only could the batts be hard to replace, but traveling means a multiplicity of chargers and adapters. I have gotten to the point where I even carry a cheap electric shaver because it takes AA batteries and eliminates one more cord. An alternative would be adapters that let the proprietary camera batteries charge on USB, so that they could use the phone charger. A phone, GPS or other device that can't take AA because of its size, but charges on USB has a leg up in my purchase decision.

04-15-2010, 05:29 PM	#88
yeatzee Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Temecula Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,675	I agree, having the ability to use AA's is fantastic. One of the smartest things Pentax did was make the K-7's battery grip come with a seperate AA tray. I have purchased the K-7 from J&R (sadly its out of stock but they said they would recognize the free 18-55mm when they ship it. Total comes out to 850ish + free kit lens) and am super stoked The fact that all my rechargeable batteries from my K200d work in the battery grip is amazing. It will be my next purchase for sure (now whether to buy the original or chines copy? hmmmm)

04-20-2010, 12:55 PM	#89
vk4akp Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ipswich / Qld / Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 133	Yes, AA's rock! Please Pentax bring out a K200D replacement with AA's, Pentaprism, Liveview. and video. .-.-.