Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
12-13-2008, 09:53 AM
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So I have to admit, I'm having second thoughts. I played around with the K20D in the store for about an hour yesterday, using multiple lenses.
Overall I like the system, but I have two concerns: I definately did notice a difference in the autofocus speed. I used a non-USM lens on a Canon 50D (same autofocus as my 40D) and a couple Pentax lenses with whatever their high speed focus system is and the Canon system was still faster - even without a sonic speed setup. I found myself ready to pull the trigger on my shots but not able to at the normal time becuase I had to wait just a bit more for the autofocus to catch up to me.
The second concern is ergonomics. I know that sounds weird because everyone says they like the K20D's ergonomics, but I'm not so sure. Maybe I'm just used to the 40D. I have big hands. With the grip on the K20 is certainly comfortable, but I do like to use my cams with the grip off just as often. With it off, my hand is far bigger than the space alotted on the K20D. My pinky just has no place to go. Felt like I was holding my XTi, but it was heavier. Also, with the grip on, there's no AF button when shooting vertical (other than the shutter). On Canon I can tell the * key to be the focus button.
So, I decided to wait and think about it a bit. I'm not sure I would want to goto two systems, but I'm unsure about the Pentax setup for these two reasons. I'm sold on the value, but I'm not sure I can get past those two points. Ergonomics I'd probably get used to, but what about AF?
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
12-12-2008, 10:07 AM
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Thanks for the concern, but you could hardly call me a pro at this point. I've shot one wedding, two family portrait sessions, one church directory, and a model session. I'm trying to make money at this on the side, but the business isn't exactly rolling in, and I'm not at a point where I can focus on it full time.
Also, a huge hurdle is cost of quality equipment aquisition. That's where Pentax shines over Canon. Canon's stuff is great - but it will all set you back huge sums of cash. For example: for a 70-200 f/2.8 IS telezoom, I'm looking at ~ $1,700. Right now, I use the Sigma version because it's way cheaper for the f/2.8 but I don't have IS which I really need (in addition to the f/2.9). With Pentax, the equivalent is the 50-135 f/2.8, which is substantially less than $1,000, AND it's IS due to the camera body. I can live with the loss of range from 135 to 200. If I really need the extra boost, I'll pick up Sigma's version again for the Pentax body.
At my income level to side job ratio, value per dollar is everything.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
12-12-2008, 09:19 AM
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Good to hear. I'm a little nervous about the transition. I do enjoy my Canon products, but I'm appalled by the value per dollar comparisons. It's just too expensive to be a Canon shooter. With Pentax, I'll get a better viewfinder, a weather sealed body, and every lens I put on the camera will be stabilized - and it all costs less to boot! There may be some give and take with image quality under various conditions, and there's the question of low light AF, but overall, I think Pentax is the better value.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
12-12-2008, 07:54 AM
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Weather sealing will not always be important - so I can lean on Sigma for a third party 70-200 solution, but I'll likely start with the 50-135 f/2.8. I hear it's a great lens.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
12-11-2008, 11:52 PM
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So I'm back... and still no switch. BUUUUUUTTTTT. With the K20D price dropped so cheap, especially over at Adorama, I'm thinking of starting the process tomorrow. I'll start by picking up one K20D kit, sell off some of my Canon gear, buy some lenses, sell more stuff, buy a backup K20D.
I figure now's a good time since the wedding is done and I have no family portraits booked anytime soon.
I'm really looking forward to the weather sealing (I've already had two times in the last month I wanted to go out and shoot in the snow/rain but was deterred) and the in camera IS.
Like it or not, I'm not a full blown pro at this point, and even if I was, the K20D would do a fine job. In the meantime, I'm trying to break into various elements of the photography biz and equipment is expensive. Being able to get great lenses for much cheaper than their Canon counterparts and still have IS is great.
So, I think I'll begin the transformation process tomorrow. Any idea how to best handle the sale of my Canon gear? I'm thinking eBay...
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
08-17-2008, 08:56 AM
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Thanks everyone for your comments. I forgot to mention that IS, in addition to weather sealing, is one of my sticking points. While in the lens IS is supposed to be more effective - body IS to me just makes more sense. Then your not re-buying IS everytime your purchase a lens. You only have to pay for it once. My biggest debate right now is which Canon or Sigma 70-200 lens because I really want IS and it's WAAAAYYY too expensive. Lens IS may be more effective, but it's also a money maker for the camera manufacturers, over and over and over and over... Besides, body IS will improve as time goes by.
Weather sealing is also important to me. I love going out in the forrest for walks, and I don't want to have to deal with slight rain or snow bothering my equipment. I know I can use a rain sleave with my Canon gear, but that just gets in the way. I'd love to go photo walking on city streets in inclement weather too.
I am a little nervous about the auto focus system on Pentax. I have read that it's a little slower. I think I'll spend a lot more time in the camera shop messing around before I do anything.
I also appreciate your suggestion about waiting until after the wedding. Last night I decided that I'm just too close. Even if I could parse out my Canon gear and buy Pentax stuff in time, I'd have very little time to re-learn how to use everything. I'm just to close to the wedding for that. I know where all my buttons and switches are right now - often without even looking. I don't want to be second guessing that during an important event. I went ahead and dropped another $350 some odd dollars last night on the grip and extra batteries for Canon gear...and some CF cards on super sale over at Amazon.
If I trade, and I still might, I'll wait until after the wedding. I'd also really like to see what Pentax comes up with during Photokina... and Canon too. Could sway me either way.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
08-16-2008, 11:22 AM
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I'm not sure about the low light weddings. Next months wedding will be my first - and it's outside. That's another concern of mine is noise performance at hi ISO.
As far as the magenta cast, I've never personally done a comparison, but I've heard that Canon's portray skin tones with a bit of magenta to them v. Pentax - which I have found myself toning down in images I've taken under flash lighting.
As far as borrowing equipment, I'm not sure we're at that point yet...
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
08-16-2008, 11:07 AM
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Hello all, this is my first post here at Pentax Forums. I am currently a Canon shooter, but I have been thinking of converting. I've spent some time looking at Pentax at a local camera store, and one of the sales guys I'm sorta buddies with shoots Pentax himself.
Currently I shoot with the following equipment:
- Canon 40D
- Canon XTi
- Canon Rebel G
- Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
- Canon EF 50mm f/1.8
- Canon EF 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6 (hardly use)
- Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 OS DC
- Sigma 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 Macro (mainly use for the film body and for macro 1:2)
- Canon 430EX flash
I am thinking of selling all and replacing with the following lineup:
- Pentax K20D
- Pentax K200D
- Some variation of cheap Pentax film camera or stick w/ the Canon
- Pentax DA 16-50 f/2.8
- Pentax DA 50-135 f/2.8
- Pentax FA? 50mm f/1.8
- Pentax flash variant (equiv to Canon 430EX)
If I did the trade at the local camera store, I'd have to shell out an extra $1,700, so I'd probably do better parsing my gear out on eBay and buying new stuff online.
Currently, I shoot landscapes, portraits, and street photography. I am working on transitioning into a part time wedding and portraits business on the side.
Here's my thoughts:
- With the Pentax bodies and lenses, I gain weather sealant (don't like having to concern myself with that on Canon), dedicated RAW button, a few extra mega pixels (not a big concern but nice), and the lack of Canon's magenta cast when shooting portraits with flash. Also, a huge history of Pentax glass, which unfortunately I know nothing about.
I'd be giving up
-6.5fps - which I don't use all the time, but I've been grateful for having it when I did (air show, dive show, etc.)
- Juicy, albeit uber expensive, Canon glass.
- Compatability with what most of the rest of the industry is using
- Dedicated ISO, WB, Flash compensation, AF Drive, and metering buttons on top
- ability to see ISO AND remaining shots on the top lcd.
- My well researched knowledge of Canon glass and products - I'd have to start all over with Pentax
- Why do very few pros use Pentax?
So, I need some convincing. I'm thinking of dropping another $1,000 for gear on my Canon stuff for a wedding I'm shooting mid September. After that, maybe another $1,500. Just to try and get some lenses I'd want that would be somewhat equivalent to the Pentax lenses listed above. If I traded gear, I might be a little nervous too about not "knowing" my gear as well when walking into the wedding.
Thoughts? Convince me... Or not...
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