Pentax World

[Airconvent]

Hi
Gavin got me going here...both Alvin and I have joind the rebels fighting against the C empire...
Why did we choose Pentax? (in our case, the K100D).

It has sensible pricing. good performance, built-in stabilised CCD (so you don't need to bleed your precious $$$ for "VR" or "IS" lenses), and the ability of be used with practically all pentax ( K-mount and M42) lenses ever built...full backward compatibility...how about it. Small and compact lenses as compared with the other makes...and yes, ability to run on AA batteries, so I'm never "out".

How about you all? The usual "C" and "N" owners?

BTW, a question for Gavin : what Pentax lenses do you still have now?

cheers

[ian0138]

Richard,
Performance wise, what do you think of K100D
Cost aside, would you consider the K10D. I am actually considering the K10D, not sure if it is a better performer than the K100D.

Cheers

[alvinsclee]

Ian,
While the K10D has more functions, it is bulkier and heavier. I know of people switching back from K10D to K100D... you may want to take this into consideration.

As for me, I'm not at all tempted by K10D because it uses proprietary batteries. I remained loyal to K100D... it uses standard AA alkaline or rechargeables. This is top-most consideration for me as a nature photographer... no power point for me to plug up my charger in the forest lah.

[ian0138]

Hi, Alvin,
How long does 1 set of AA alkaline last in your K100D. Battery is indeed a consideration, not so because of no power point to plug in the forest but the availability of the battery few years later. However proprietary batteries always do better.

Size and weight is no problem, it's more about feel, I do not like the light and plastic feel, I have yet to handle both these cameras so rather I am undecided which one to go

[mrngbss]

If you are attaching your camera onto your telescope for astrophotography, I do feel a lighter camera is more suitable.

[Tachyon]

Yes, for astrophotography, the lighter the better. As for me, my Canon 300D is still serving me well. I change cameras only once in 10 years so no plans to move over to any other camp yet.

However, I moved over from Nikon to Canon and had buy a new set of lenses all over again. Not sure I would like to do that again by moving into Pentax, even if it's good...

[starfinder]

Hi

BTW, a question for Gavin : what Pentax lenses do you still have now?

cheers

Let's see:

Pentax SMC 35mm f2.8 prime, manual focus
Pentax SMC 50mm f2.0 prime, manual focus
Asahi Takumar 135mm f2.5 prime, manual focus

Pentax FA 80-320mm zoom, f4.5 (auto-focus)
Tamron 50th Anniversary 24-135mm zoom, f3.5 (auto-focus)

I suppose if Pentax XL, XO and XW eyepieces are good, their lenses must be ok too. Has anyone heard of Canon eyepieces?

[starfinder]

Hi

and the ability of be used with practically all pentax ( K-mount and M42) lenses ever built...full backward compatibility...how about it.

Oh yes, I forgot to reply to this. That is the beauty of the Pentax system. They have doggedly used the same mount for dozens of years, that's why I could buy and use all those old prime lenses. And many SLR innovations came from Pentax (actually the Asahi Optical Company). I think these may include the auto mirror reflex return, auto light metering, prism system, etc, which we take for granted in SLRs. In fact, the brand name Pentax comes from "Penta-prism".

My compact digicam is also a Pentax.

However, I did get a Canon as my first dSLR as Pentax was slow onto the market. Then I discovered when trying to buy a used prime lens that both Canon and Nikon are [not as versatile]. I didn't know of this problem with backward incompatability for Nikon and Canon. Strange stuff to me.

Having said that, I am quite happy with the 350D: it's a good camera.

[alvinsclee]

Hi, Alvin,
How long does 1 set of AA alkaline last in your K100D. Battery is indeed a consideration, not so because of no power point to plug in the forest but the availability of the battery few years later. However proprietary batteries always do better.

Size and weight is no problem, it's more about feel, I do not like the light and plastic feel, I have yet to handle both these cameras so rather I am undecided which one to go

I don't count number of shots taken... I keep taking pictures until I need to change batteries. Because I use mainly prime manual lenses, the power drain from batteries is perhaps not felt. In fact, I have a set of batteries charged since the middle of December when I was in Myanmar... and it still has enough power for the camera on manual mode!

I use Sanyo 2700mAh batteries which are good enough for me. I plan to try Sanyo Eneloop batteries someday... heard that it is even better in that these new batteries do not lose charge when left on its own (many other types of rechargeable batteries lose charge after a while, even when it is not used at all).

[alvinsclee]

By the way, I mentioned Pentax in this thread...
http://www.singastro.org/viewtopic.php?t=4538

I guess it is a very good morale boost for Pentax users

And for those who thirst to have Carl Zeiss optics, it can be done... here is how to mod for Contax-Yashica lenses to fit onto your Pentax camera body (do this at your own risk!)...
http://forum.contax-club.org/viewtopic. ... 9fc5263111

Link by courtesy of another nice gentleman in CS Pentax forum.