First DSLR

[GrumpyOne]

I recently found out that I have some extra money coming my way so I decided to break down and get a real camera before our trip to WDW in four weeks. I was considering the following from Adorama:

K10D w/ 18-55mm kit
Pentax lens 50mm f/1.4
Pentax lens 50-200mm f/4-5.6
SanDisk 2GB Extreme III SD x2
Pentax Cable Remote
Giottos Optical Cleaning Kit with Rocket Air Blaster, Brush & Liquid

Am I missing anything? Any real strong suggestions? (other than Canon/Nikon )

 

[DueyDooDah]

Looks good to me, assuming you have something to carry it in.

 

[Master Mason]

Looks like a real nice set up to me.

The only thing I see that is missing is a tripod and a bag to carry it. You might already have those, in which case your fine.

If you don't want to go with canon that is (sorry, couldn't resist)

 

[GrumpyOne]

I deliberately didn't list a bag, should have listed that I didn't list it for a reason though. We'll be returning to the US where I'll get the camera from my mother who will order it (otherwise, it would sit here in customs forever) and I'll get a bag at one of the local camera shops. I figure I'll have better luck by being able to examine them.

I did forget about a tripod though. I'd like one but only one that I would carry around. I don't have the urge to carry something big and bulky. I do remember seeing this sort of funky bendable tripod once that seemed interesting but can't recall the name.

 

[DueyDooDah]

...I do remember seeing this sort of funky bendable tripod once that seemed interesting but can't recall the name.

Gorillapod. If you get this, make sure you get a head for it. It's a bit cumbersome without one.

 

[YEKCIM]

I haven't seen any buzz on this board concerning the Pentax 16-45mm zoom lens. Way back in the dark ages (2006) when I was considering a Pentax rig, that lens was very appealing to me since it goes to 24mm equivalent on the wide end.

Just thought I'd toss that bone in the yard for some of you to fight over...

~YEKCIM

 

[MICKEY88]

I recently found out that I have some extra money coming my way so I decided to break down and get a real camera before our trip to WDW in four weeks. I was considering the following from Adorama:

K10D w/ 18-55mm kit
Pentax lens 50mm f/1.4
Pentax lens 50-200mm f/4-5.6
SanDisk 2GB Extreme III SD x2
Pentax Cable Remote
Giottos Optical Cleaning Kit with Rocket Air Blaster, Brush & Liquid

Am I missing anything? Any real strong suggestions? (other than Canon/Nikon )

SONY

sorry couldn't resist

 

[KrazyPete]

(other than Canon/Nikon )

I thought said you had decided to buy a real camera?

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I don't think two 2gig cards is enough. It might be passable if you are downloading to a PC nightly. I'd bump one or both of those to a 4 gig card.

 

[ukcatfan]

I haven't seen any buzz on this board concerning the Pentax 16-45mm zoom lens. Way back in the dark ages (2006) when I was considering a Pentax rig, that lens was very appealing to me since it goes to 24mm equivalent on the wide end.

Just thought I'd toss that bone in the yard for some of you to fight over...

~YEKCIM

I think it would be worth it if you wanted that little bit more on the wide end, but did not need it even wider. Even with the F/4 through the range, it is not going to be that much better than the kit. They should have gone with a f/2.8 on it and it would be more interesting. If you want wide, there are the 10-17mm and the 12-24mm that would be better suited for that purpose.

I have not seen any reviews on it yet, but the DA* 16-50mm f/2.8 is likely going to be an incredible lens and cause the DA 16-45mm to be obsolete. (I will be on the lookout for a good deal or rebate for it ) I am more interested in the DA 17-70mm that is in the pipeline b/c I might actually be able to afford it compared to the DA* models, that will be too much for me.

There is also a DA* 55mm f/1.4 on the way, but again likely too much for me to spend.

Kevin

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

I don't think two 2gig cards is enough. It might be passable if you are downloading to a PC nightly. I'd bump one or both of those to a 4 gig card.

I agree. I took over 7GB to WDW and used it all (I was there a week).

 

[MarkBarbieri]

You might want to through a circular polarizer in there as well.

What about hoods? Do those lenses come with hoods? You'll want to make sure that you have a hood for all of your lenses.

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

The 50mm does not come with a hood, but the 18-55mm does. I am not sure about the 50-200mm.

 

[ukcatfan]

I don't think two 2gig cards is enough. It might be passable if you are downloading to a PC nightly. I'd bump one or both of those to a 4 gig card.

I agree here. My K100D RAW files are around 11MB each. The K10D ones will be even larger, so memory will burn up quickly. My guess is that the 4GB you are planning on will give you around 250-300 shots. If you do any action shooting, you will use that up quicker than you think. Unless you want everything through Adorama, have you considered Newegg or Buy for your memory? There prices will likely be better and you really do not need Extreme III cards IMO. I have been very happy with my Kingston cards. They make three different speeds if I remember correctly (basic, high speed around 50X, and ultra high speed around 133x I beleive). My high speed card is the fastest I have and my basic speed one will even keep up with video from our S2 IS. My SanDisk basic speed shuts down the video after about 1.5-2 minutes. I have also had no problems with Corsair and Transcend, but I have had problems with PQI.

Kevin

 

[ukcatfan]

The 50mm does not come with a hood, but the 18-55mm does. I am not sure about the 50-200mm.

I am almost certain that the 50-200mm does.

KEvin

 

[MarkBarbieri]

There prices will likely be better and you really do not need Extreme III cards IMO

Rob Galraith's site has a database of CF/SD speeds. It shows how they perform on different cameras. They haven't listed any Pentax cameras yet, but you can get general idea by looking at other similar cameras.

The 50mm does not come with a hood, but the 18-55mm does. I am not sure about the 50-200mm.

A point for Pentax. I don't think the Canon kit lens comes with a hood.

 

[Master Mason]

A point for Pentax. I don't think the Canon kit lens comes with a hood.

No it doesn't, and it the front of the lens also rotates, which makes it terrible for CP filters as well. And I believe that the pentax one doesn't rotate, so that is 2 for pentax.

 

[ukcatfan]

Rob Galraith's site has a database of CF/SD speeds. It shows how they perform on different cameras. They haven't listed any Pentax cameras yet, but you can get general idea by looking at other similar cameras.


A point for Pentax. I don't think the Canon kit lens comes with a hood.

I have never researched it, but I doubt that the K10D will be fast enough to keep up with the Extreme III's.

Kevin

 

[ukcatfan]

No it doesn't, and it the front of the lens also rotates, which makes it terrible for CP filters as well. And I believe that the pentax one doesn't rotate, so that is 2 for pentax.

It even has a little removable slot so you can reach your CP to rotate it.

Kevin

 

[handicap18]

A point for Pentax. I don't think the Canon kit lens comes with a hood.

The Nikon 50mm f/1.8 does not come with a hood, but the kit lenses do as does the 70-300mm VR. I'd say maybe its a prime thing, but my Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Macro came with a hood (not that its needed though as the glass is pretty deep into the housing).

To the OP,

Nice setup. Thats a great camera (for a Pentax )

I would agree with the others that you'll want more memory. Especially for a camera of that size (MP wise). With my 6.1MP I currently have 10GB worth of cards (3 2GB cards and 4 1GB cards). On a 4 day trip to WDW last June I brought only 3 1GB cards and luckily I had the computer because I filled 1 card each day taking approx. 330 pics each day. Plus you can use them as backups once you get home and don't need all the memory at one time.