Nikon seduction and Pentax

**bkpix** · 02-09-2010, 04:11 PM

Okay, my first mistake was buying an excellent quality used Nikon F-100, for a pittance.

It was because I shoot a lot of film, including 35mm, and would like to have an autofocus camera to use. The MZ-S is pretty, but it costs more, for gosh sake, than the Nikon. And it's not as highly specced. And it won't play well with my Limited lenses.

So I pull the F-100 out of the box and began to play with it and --- what can I say? -- it's beautiful! Solid, jewellike construction, reminiscent of my LX. Very sensible, intuitive controls. Runs off AAs. Control switches all lock into place, so there are no "surprise" settings after the camera has bumped around for a while. (Like, say, the diopter adjustment. Why don't all cameras lock the diopter adjustment into place? It's not like you need to set it every 20 minutes.)

What's not to like?

Well, mostly, the sucking feeling that I should begin selling my Pentax gear and buying into Nikon. It would be nice to have a system with real autofocus. And real availability of lenses. An $800 300/2.8, for example.

Okay, everything is a bit heavier. There are no Limited lenses. And I enjoy the sheer quirkiness of Pentax.

But I'm torn. Do I send it back? Keep it and start a dual system? Or keep it and ditch Pentax?

The other temptation, of course, is the D700. I could have a film and digital system that used the same lenses (so long as I was willing to spend $2,700 for the privilege)...

I think I send it back, before my life gets even more complicated. Will let you all know.

Igilligan · 02-09-2010, 04:24 PM

Keep it and ditch Hoya

Samsungian · 02-09-2010, 04:31 PM

Good News, D700 is $2399 not $2700.

You got to put it in your shopping cart to see the price.

Nikon | D700 SLR Digital Camera (Camera Body) | 25444 | B&H

D700 is easily the best built camera I've ever owned.

I suspect when Nikon replaces it they'll reset the launch codes above $3,000 to start. Nikon Rumours say as much as $3,500.

Ouch.

B Grace · 02-09-2010, 05:12 PM

The key here is to stop thinking of cameras as systems and more as simply cameras. Without knowing which lenses are being used with the F100, let's say it serves a specific purpose while the Pentax gear serves another. I know that's the case with my Pentax and Nikon gear and there's nothing wrong with owning two brands of gear.

Based on just a few minutes of use, I think the F100 is a fantastic camera.

**bkpix** · 02-09-2010, 05:45 PM

You guys aren't helping any

OK, maybe you are. Maybe I'll keep the F-100 just for the sheer pleasure of having it and using it.

edl · 02-09-2010, 05:56 PM

Originally posted by bkpix

Okay, my first mistake was buying an excellent quality used Nikon F-100, for a pittance.

(snip...)

The other temptation, of course, is the D700. I could have a film and digital system that used the same lenses (so long as I was willing to spend $2,700 for the privilege)...

That's what I did. I bought my D700 new for $2299 from Amazon last year, and my F100 for $60 from Craigslist.

I agree with B Grace's post - we talk about Pentax, Nikon, and Canon like we're talking sports teams, in reality they're just cameras. Use the one(s) that fit your need.

For example, I have a few Samsung flat panels. But I recently bought a Hitachi for a home office. Should I write a post about switching to Hitachi? You get the point...

**bkpix** · 02-09-2010, 06:28 PM

Part of it is a normally healthy urge to limit the amount of photographic gear I own. Hence the compulsion to consolidate with one system or the other. But, yes. I agree: It's just cameras....

Macroguy · 02-09-2010, 07:06 PM

I can identify with your dilema. I have both MZ-S and F100. F100 is outstanding but so is MZ-S which lacks in some areas but excells in others. Since I bought the
F100 and now have a growing collection of Nikkor lenses I have thought of selling off my Pentax gear, just can not make myself do it.
I think the turning point will be whether Pentax can come up with improvements in their DSLR's anytime soon, I am starting to run thin in the patience department.

Alfisti · 02-09-2010, 07:25 PM

Depends how you use your camerta i guess, i'd add $2K to the price of a full frame camera system as surely you need a micro 4/3 for easier totability sometimes.

Too farken big and heavy for my liking.

jonlee · 02-09-2010, 09:35 PM

I love my F100. When I bought my first one, I said "If Nikon could only make a F100 with a full frame digital sensor". 4 months later, the D700 came out and 2 months after that I bought my D700.

I'd say keep the F100 and maybe pickup some of Nikon's less expensive FX lenses such as the 24-85 F2.8-4 or 28-105 and 70-210 F4 constant zooms. Maybe throw in a 50 1.8 AF or a Nikon 85 1.8 AF and your all set.

02-09-2010, 04:11 PM	#1
bkpix Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Creswell, Oregon Photos: Albums Posts: 570	Nikon seduction and Pentax Okay, my first mistake was buying an excellent quality used Nikon F-100, for a pittance. It was because I shoot a lot of film, including 35mm, and would like to have an autofocus camera to use. The MZ-S is pretty, but it costs more, for gosh sake, than the Nikon. And it's not as highly specced. And it won't play well with my Limited lenses. So I pull the F-100 out of the box and began to play with it and --- what can I say? -- it's beautiful! Solid, jewellike construction, reminiscent of my LX. Very sensible, intuitive controls. Runs off AAs. Control switches all lock into place, so there are no "surprise" settings after the camera has bumped around for a while. (Like, say, the diopter adjustment. Why don't all cameras lock the diopter adjustment into place? It's not like you need to set it every 20 minutes.) What's not to like? Well, mostly, the sucking feeling that I should begin selling my Pentax gear and buying into Nikon. It would be nice to have a system with real autofocus. And real availability of lenses. An $800 300/2.8, for example. Okay, everything is a bit heavier. There are no Limited lenses. And I enjoy the sheer quirkiness of Pentax. But I'm torn. Do I send it back? Keep it and start a dual system? Or keep it and ditch Pentax? The other temptation, of course, is the D700. I could have a film and digital system that used the same lenses (so long as I was willing to spend $2,700 for the privilege)... I think I send it back, before my life gets even more complicated. Will let you all know.

02-09-2010, 04:31 PM	#3
Samsungian Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Colorado USA Posts: 1,337	Good News, D700 is $2399 not $2700 Good News, D700 is $2399 not $2700. You got to put it in your shopping cart to see the price. Nikon \| D700 SLR Digital Camera (Camera Body) \| 25444 \| B&H D700 is easily the best built camera I've ever owned. I suspect when Nikon replaces it they'll reset the launch codes above $3,000 to start. Nikon Rumours say as much as $3,500. Ouch.

02-09-2010, 05:45 PM	#5
bkpix Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Creswell, Oregon Photos: Albums Posts: 570 Original Poster	Enablers.... You guys aren't helping any OK, maybe you are. Maybe I'll keep the F-100 just for the sheer pleasure of having it and using it.

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02-09-2010, 04:24 PM	#2
Igilligan Guest	Keep it and ditch Hoya

02-09-2010, 05:12 PM	#4
B Grace Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Western Missouri Posts: 429	The key here is to stop thinking of cameras as systems and more as simply cameras. Without knowing which lenses are being used with the F100, let's say it serves a specific purpose while the Pentax gear serves another. I know that's the case with my Pentax and Nikon gear and there's nothing wrong with owning two brands of gear. Based on just a few minutes of use, I think the F100 is a fantastic camera.

02-09-2010, 05:56 PM	#6
edl Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: San Francisco Posts: 457	Originally posted by bkpix Okay, my first mistake was buying an excellent quality used Nikon F-100, for a pittance. (snip...) The other temptation, of course, is the D700. I could have a film and digital system that used the same lenses (so long as I was willing to spend $2,700 for the privilege)... That's what I did. I bought my D700 new for $2299 from Amazon last year, and my F100 for $60 from Craigslist. I agree with B Grace's post - we talk about Pentax, Nikon, and Canon like we're talking sports teams, in reality they're just cameras. Use the one(s) that fit your need. For example, I have a few Samsung flat panels. But I recently bought a Hitachi for a home office. Should I write a post about switching to Hitachi? You get the point...

02-09-2010, 06:28 PM	#7
bkpix Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Creswell, Oregon Photos: Albums Posts: 570 Original Poster	Part of it is a normally healthy urge to limit the amount of photographic gear I own. Hence the compulsion to consolidate with one system or the other. But, yes. I agree: It's just cameras....

02-09-2010, 07:06 PM	#8
Macroguy Forum Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Kitchener, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 79	I can identify with your dilema. I have both MZ-S and F100. F100 is outstanding but so is MZ-S which lacks in some areas but excells in others. Since I bought the F100 and now have a growing collection of Nikkor lenses I have thought of selling off my Pentax gear, just can not make myself do it. I think the turning point will be whether Pentax can come up with improvements in their DSLR's anytime soon, I am starting to run thin in the patience department.

02-09-2010, 07:25 PM	#9
Alfisti Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toronto (for now) Posts: 1,748	Depends how you use your camerta i guess, i'd add $2K to the price of a full frame camera system as surely you need a micro 4/3 for easier totability sometimes. Too farken big and heavy for my liking.

02-09-2010, 09:35 PM	#10
jonlee Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Southern California Posts: 51	I love my F100. When I bought my first one, I said "If Nikon could only make a F100 with a full frame digital sensor". 4 months later, the D700 came out and 2 months after that I bought my D700. I'd say keep the F100 and maybe pickup some of Nikon's less expensive FX lenses such as the 24-85 F2.8-4 or 28-105 and 70-210 F4 constant zooms. Maybe throw in a 50 1.8 AF or a Nikon 85 1.8 AF and your all set.