Anyone use a Pentax *ist DSLR?

[elgerber]

Hi everyone,

I am currently shooting with a Panasonic FZ20, but we are moderately considering moving up to a DSLR. I can find very few reviews of the Pentax *ist cameras, so I am wondering if anyone here uses one? Most reviews seem to favor the Rebel XT, or possibly the Nikon D50. The reason we would be leaning toward the Pentax is that we have a film Pentax, so I already have a Tamron 28-200 lens, and many SD memory cards already. I have noticed it only goes down to ISO 200 and the Rebel goes to 100. Any opinions on that? If we do go SLR, I want stellar pictures (yeah, I know, I want everything LOL), so all opinions are welcome!

Thanks!!!

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Not necessarily a bad thing (depending on your needs and photographic style), but not too many pros use Pentax due to several reasons such as

1. more limited lens selection
2. that minimum ISO200 (which means more grain than ISO100)
3. The way Pentax minimizes grain in ISO1600 is by blurring the picture.

Now if you want to use it just as a point and shoot replacement (and the price actually reflects a high-end point and shoot), go with Pentax, it wil still be leaps and bounds compared even to the highest end P&S. Even if it's just for startup time and shutter lag time. Oh, even the best P&S ISO1600 can't match ISO1600 on any dSLR.

(well, maybe Fuji F10, which has absolute kick-**** ISO1600 performance may match it,, but that's debatable)

 

[Anewman]

Kelly is pretty much right on, allthough Pentax users do mention that their cameras use older generations of lenses(including manual focus) very effectivley, so they claim they have a larger selection than us Canon users. I am not sure that is done with or without adapters.

Some of Nikon Dslrs also start with ISO 200, but it is a very good performing(noise wise) ISO 200.


If you already own a compatible lens or two I would say GO FOR IT, Make sure you get the kit lens because you really will need the 18mm wide portion of it.

http://www.buydig.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=PKISTDL1855

 

[Greg K.]

I bought a Pentax *ist DSLR back in February. It's a great little machine -- and if you already have the lenses that are compatible, so much the better. I got mine at buydig for about $500 -- a veritable steal. It's a monumental step up from a digital P&S (though the P&S I have -- a Canon A95 -- is among the best out there.)

At the risk of boring people, I'll take the liberty of posting a couple of my more recent pics, all hand-held, using available light. I use a Sigma 18-125 lens, which covers everything I need pretty nicely.

This is iso 400

iso 200

And this, iso 1600

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Greg, the first picture is absolutely amazing!

 

[Greg K.]

Greg, the first picture is absolutely amazing!

Aw, thanks. The camera does make all the difference. What you've noted elsewhere, Kelly, is true: even a budget dSLR far outclasses any P&S. My only regret is that there are no IS lenses as yet available for this model. (Of course, the ones out there cost more than the camera... )

 

[Kelly Grannell]

I think most IS or VR lenses out there are more expensive than any entry level (sometimes even mid-end) dSLR body

My 70-200 is clost to US$2k, my now on-order 18-55 is about US$1,200. The cheaper IS (70-300, 17-85) tend to be optically sucky