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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
02-22-2009, 09:03 PM
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In just one week we'll begin to get results from PMA. Some tidbits get aired even before that.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
02-22-2009, 10:04 AM
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Except that the K90 is recent vintage. Compare with the K30, not the K20. Like they said above, PMA is right around the corner.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
02-20-2009, 12:05 PM
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You compare the K200 with the XS not XSi.
Pentax (and Olympus) are noted for excellent yet modestly expensive lenses. Moreover, owing to in-body IS, you don't have to select between a "normal" and "IS-containing" lens at greater cost (and weight).
I mentioned Olympus because they are in some ways on the same track and I counsel you to look them over as well. But I have no intention of "pushing" you in either direction. What I did was to list the good points and bad. That includes things as far afield as availabilities and track record of brand-repair facilities. VERY important is to see how they all fit your hands, and maybe rule out one or more right then and there. Things like size, weight, placement of buttons, intuitiveness of the menuing system... these are some of the things you will want to take a close look at. In the end of course you will "bite the bullet" on some things because they constitute the lesser of two evils. Decide what features really matter to you, and which ones "aren't all that bad". Use this "fudge factor" on your list of features and characteristics of each camera. Unlike Olympus (and Canon and Nikon), Pentax simply and easily accepts and utilizes legacy K-mount lenses. (Most or maybe all can handle M42 lenses via an adapter)
As to Canon and Nikon, I have owned SLRs of both makes over the years, and I find them excellent, though that was in the days of film and no luxury of IS.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
02-17-2009, 01:57 PM
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You're forgetting focal length. (Also the magnfiication of the final image)
I am only thinking theoretically: Since you can't focus on the hyperfocal length, why not compute the point of perfect focus which obtains coincident to the desired hyperfocal distance, and focus on *that* using the focusing screen? Would work very poorly, but it might garner you what you seek.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
02-17-2009, 04:09 AM
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The way I took it in, he asked about yet better deals on the K-20 after the K-30 hit the shelves.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
02-17-2009, 04:06 AM
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Additionally, how does the K-20 fit his hands? If the body is identical in size/shape to your K-200, you have no worries there.
When he used your camera, he took advantage of what existed. But when he gets his own, the more so since he will be using it quasi-professionally, lots of smaller details come under consideration (need to, that is). Why not forget the cultural penchant for "a surprise" and let him into the decision-making loop? Oh, yes, if he will have to go out to get that assignment somewhat without regard to the weather, you might want the lenses to be sealed as well as the body.
You will be getting him a dedicated flash and a decent tripod, won't you? As a hobbyist, he could elect not to shoot; but on assignment, things get more demanding of him. Still not as bad as for a newspaper or some other organization, but still, some pressure on him.
Just some thoughts.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
02-15-2009, 03:20 PM
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Those CATs (300mm & 500mm) must be a thing of the past. I couldn't find them at all in the Pentax sporting dept.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
02-15-2009, 03:04 PM
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Wonderful information; thanks, guys. I'll save even the photos. I wonder if the Leupold hunter's scope is a rebadged Pentax? Does Pentax still make the 300 & 500mm CATs?
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
02-15-2009, 11:42 AM
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Yes, I did see them, but memory seems good on this point. I was a Nikon nut in College, but when Pentax started showing its stuff and making Nikon look a little silly, I began to take notice of it. MX and ME Super were greatly interesting to me. Also the superior and more expensive Gallium-Arsenide light meter material which nobody else tried to match at all. But my life took a turn and I had to make choices. Left photography till last year when I tried to get into the world of digital. What I'm trying to convey by all this verbage is that I was following Pentax quite closely during those years when I had to attend to other priorities in life. I definitely do recall the one or two short cats.
Ah, speaking of cats: Can anyone tell me about the Katz-eye finder screen used on a Pentax K-10/20? The version with the extra pizzazz (don't recall their nomenclature) is what is meant.
Leonard Durrenberger
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
02-15-2009, 11:35 AM
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Thank you, Steve. I really need to understand all the ins and outs of Pentax digital because I have to choose whether to leave my current family. The rapid advance and the delightful features are super-attractive to me.
Need to know things like ability to use legacy lenses and which are of superb optical quality (by today's lens standards). Studied flashes yesterday. For example shutter priority automation (ability) is a desirable feature.
If you can think of something you can guess I would want to know but am still too ignorant to ask, please fill it in. Also anyone else out there. I'm being swamped by a whole new world and all its literature. I joined yesterday hoping to be led by the hand to desired information.
What is the quality, especially IQ of the Tamron 500/8 CATs (in Pentax mount, of course)? Are there any other CAT options, especially under 500mm, and what is the difficulty of obtaining them in Pentax mount?
Thank you all for your help. I copy/paste things like Steve's chart into a WP file and save it in my documents folder under useful sub-classifications.
Leonard Durrenberger
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
02-15-2009, 08:36 AM
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If I read and remembered correctly, the new Panasonic EVF camera has a square sensor with an adjustment to switch it between a number of aspect ratios from square to 16:9; and the rectangular ones it can rotate by itself so you don't have to play "one-wing" to shoot in portrait mode.
I didn't read into the article so I can't say more.
Leonard Durrenberger
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
02-15-2009, 07:52 AM
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I'm brand new both to this forum and to the idea of buying a digital Pentax.
While ruminating, I recalled that years ago, Pentax came out with some unusually short CAT lenses (300mm?; 250mm?). Look as I do, I can only find, including in your database, the 1,000 & 2,000mm. I don't put anything Irish in my coffee, so what gives?
Also note that I don't know the differences between various pre-modern prefixes (e.g. K, M, F, FA), so please add the pertinent details so I will comprehend fully.
Thank you.
Leonard Durrenberger
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