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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
02-23-2009, 11:20 PM
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thanks all - good stuff. While it's obvious that most folks on the forum have a Pentax body and lenses already, I think it's an amazing opportunity to get this kind of IQ for today's low prices...
It may (or may not) surprise some of you to know that I am a 3rd generation Nikon DSLR owner (D100, 200, 300) who - having just sold my D300 to a family member who really wanted one-) now find myself possibly selling my Nikkor 18-200, 80-400, and Speedlight SB-600 all for like Pentax gear:
-K20D
-lens #1 (16-50, 18-55?)
-lens #2 (most likely a 55-300)
-AF360
-BG2 Battery/Grip
and I'll likely have enough left over to get a new Kata bag if I got this way...amazing...
my other path is possibly to sell my Nikkor 80-400 (too heavy and limited anyway) and use the proceeds to buy a D90, and throw in a few buck for a battery/grip.
As much as I know and respect the Nikon brand, the D90, and my 2-lens/flash investment, I'm leaning toward going Pentax...if they announce a better flagship DSLR at PMA, I'll be a bit tweaked, but I'm guessing it will cost a fair chunk more and I'd have to wait a few months to get one to boot....we'll see...
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
02-23-2009, 05:59 PM
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thanks Flyer -
is the issue with sports shots using the K20D one of slow AF? My sports shots are mostly snow skiing, but these aren't pros going by at 55mph - I want to be able to AF on an aerial maneuver at the apex of a jump for example, but the subject at that moment is not moving at a high rate of speed...the other camera I'm considering is a Nikon D90
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
02-23-2009, 05:17 PM
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The recent low prices have me very interested in a K20D, and I've read about as much material (reviews, etc.) as exists on the camera. While I hear lots about the AF (not much of which is good) I'd like to hear more specifics...does it hunt?, is it just slow to focus, are some lenses better than others and if so which ones?
I also see some negative comments about underexposing...is that correctable via a permanent setting (essentially as a preference?) or only via +/- exposure adjustments?
Is the exposure metering up to modern snuff? How does it compare (qualitatively, not numerically) to Nikon's 3D Matrix system?
I don't care about the limitations of live view or the comparative 'slow' FPS. I know the 2.7" LCD is both smaller and lower resolution than many, and can deal with that.
...just trying to get a better handle on the minuses to this otherwise impressive camera..perhaps I will just have to buy one from B&H or elsewhere (and a lens) and give it a go for a week or so and pay the re-stocking fee if it doesn't work out...
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
02-20-2009, 11:41 AM
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My sports needs are modest, and not high speed or professional in nature. I have had no trouble at all with any of my Nikons, D100, D200 and D300, even though I was aware Canon had the best overall performance and lenses for sports shooting.
I may try to get the local camera store to pop a newer, faster Sandisk card in the K20D to make sure the write speed and LCD display are not problematic. I do not need instantaneous display, just something less than 2 seconds or so would be acceptable.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
02-20-2009, 10:56 AM
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thanks for all the good input....everyone seems to agree this is an SD card issue, compounded by a demo camera that is probably in need of a serious 'system reset'.
It also seems the K20D is adequate for most non-pro level sports photo use, both in terms of AF and FPS. I never used the full speed FPS of my D300 anyway - a few frames a second is good enough for my intended purposes.
I am still debating between the D90 and the K20D. The video features of the D90 are cool for a quick demo, but without any form of autofocus, the feature is limited to usage where I'd probably opt for still images anyway.
One thing I won't be doing is waiting for a new Pentax DSLR - the price will be too high, and I don't really need megapixels or full-frame.
Thanks again
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
02-19-2009, 04:51 PM
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After selling my Nikon D300, I'm considering a switch to the K20D. I'm impressed by the overall features, the weather sealing, and recently, the low price w/rebate.
Two questions I have not been able to get straight in my head:
1) There seems to be general complaint about the AF speed...trying this out in the limited venue of a camera store I did not notice anything particularly slow. I do some photography of sports, mostly snow skiing and want input as to just how slow the AF is compared to other cameras, such as a Nikon D90 (the other DSLR I am considering)
2) The K20 D I used at a local store took 4-6 seconds for a photo to appear on the LCD screen after being taken. I tried various settings, but got consistently the same result, and the camera sales guy (who admitted he didn't know Pentax cameras well) had no explanation. The memory card was 'reasonable' , a 1GB PNY I think. Is this an issue with the D20? All the DSLR's I've ever used displayed a photo on the back LCD very quickly, and the K20 D was horrible in this regard.
In this economy, price is really an issue (at least for me). The K20 body, a serviceable 18-250 lens, battery grip, and spare battery can be had for about $1400, which is a huge plus compared to Nikon, Canon, et al.
Thanks for any input on the two issues I mentioned, or anything else on the K20D in general.
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