Got a new toy today...

[Groucho]

Amazon brought me a nice new photography tool today...

That's my new Pentax K20D along with my K100D (kept as wife camera/backup) and my *ist DL (which a friend is buying.) (In retrospect, I should have put the K1000 in there, too!)

I haven't played with it too much yet, but a couple quick observations compared to the K100D:
Noticeably bigger viewfinder
Much "snappier" in responsiveness - the K100D isn't exactly slow, but this zips through photos, zooms in and out, goes through menus, etc, much faster
Autofocus seems faster
The front dial is great to have! It's really handy being able to program the dials in any way you want, and to have Hyperprogram to zip into Av or Tv mode immediately. I also like that you can hold down OK and use the dial to change ISO at any time without going through a menu.
The shutter is much quieter and seems faster, it sounds more "high tech"
And yes, it's definitely bigger, too! I haven't put identical lenses on both yet and I'm sure it's heavier, too - but it doesn't feel like a brick by any means. (Fortunately, our second Op/Tech strap arrived today too!)

One thing that's clear from photos I've seen that others have been getting from retail K20Ds is that the low light performance is astounding - 3200 and 6400 ISO photos with some noise reduction look really good, with lots of detail. 3200 especially is completely usable.

One other observation: I was surprised to find that Live View may really be a huge boon for manual focus lenses. It's so quick and easy to zip into Live View and zoom into to see for sure if you've really got good focus or not. I may end up using it more than I expected (which was that I'd never use it when the camera wasn't on a tripod.)

All in all, I'm impressed and can't wait to put it through its paces at WDW in a little under eight weeks. I haven't processed any photos from it yet but will probably have something to show in the next few days.

One other good thing is that Amazon lowered the price twice today, and since they have a 30-day price guarantee, I'll be able to get back $55. Nice!

 

[MarkBarbieri]

There is nothing like the excitement of a new camera. Of course, our expectations for your photos will be higher now.

 

[jann1033]

congratulations!

 

[Gdad]

Excellent!

 

[rtphokie]

let's see some sample photos

 

[AndrewWG]

Nice, Groucho! Congrats! Can't wait to see some sample pics!

I hope you didn't buy it on credit.

 

[wkrider]

Congrats...I am jealous. Can't wait to see some new photos.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

As my mother would say, use it in good health!

 

[Groucho]

There is nothing like the excitement of a new camera. Of course, our expectations for your photos will be higher now.

Hey now, cameras are just a tool, I'm still the same ol' photographer.

Thanks folks. I'll try to get some sample photos together. Gotta put on the latest Pentax raw software... apparently ACR doesn't recognize the new Pentax RAW format, and you can shoot in DNG but again, ACR doesn't have the camera profile yet and apparently people are getting poor results with ACR processing. Strangely enough, from what I hear, you can use the Pentax software to convert the Pentax RAWs to DNGs and those work fine in ACR. It might actually be a firmware issue with the camera, as one early tested indicated that the cameras with beta firmware produced DNGs that were fine in ACR as is. I guess there's a little inconsistency in Adobe's standard regarding white balance and a couple other things.

Regardless, I'll see what I can come up with. I need to learn all the new features before the trip. I want to start playing with wireless flash, too... lots of new stuff to learn!

 

[DVC Jen]

ohhh have fun!

 

[handicap18]

NICE!!! Good for you Groucho. Looking forward to seeing some pic's.

When's the next trip to WDW? Peter Pan just got easier for you to photograph.

 

[Abby's Dad]

Amazon brought me a nice new photography tool today...

That's my new Pentax K20D along with my K100D (kept as wife camera/backup) and my *ist DL (which a friend is buying.) (In retrospect, I should have put the K1000 in there, too!)

I haven't played with it too much yet, but a couple quick observations compared to the K100D:
Noticeably bigger viewfinder
Much "snappier" in responsiveness - the K100D isn't exactly slow, but this zips through photos, zooms in and out, goes through menus, etc, much faster
Autofocus seems faster
The front dial is great to have! It's really handy being able to program the dials in any way you want, and to have Hyperprogram to zip into Av or Tv mode immediately. I also like that you can hold down OK and use the dial to change ISO at any time without going through a menu.
The shutter is much quieter and seems faster, it sounds more "high tech"
And yes, it's definitely bigger, too! I haven't put identical lenses on both yet and I'm sure it's heavier, too - but it doesn't feel like a brick by any means. (Fortunately, our second Op/Tech strap arrived today too!)

One thing that's clear from photos I've seen that others have been getting from retail K20Ds is that the low light performance is astounding - 3200 and 6400 ISO photos with some noise reduction look really good, with lots of detail. 3200 especially is completely usable.

One other observation: I was surprised to find that Live View may really be a huge boon for manual focus lenses. It's so quick and easy to zip into Live View and zoom into to see for sure if you've really got good focus or not. I may end up using it more than I expected (which was that I'd never use it when the camera wasn't on a tripod.)

All in all, I'm impressed and can't wait to put it through its paces at WDW in a little under eight weeks. I haven't processed any photos from it yet but will probably have something to show in the next few days.

One other good thing is that Amazon lowered the price twice today, and since they have a 30-day price guarantee, I'll be able to get back $55. Nice!

I'm jealous, but congrats - I know that you have been waiting for this time to come. I am still in the early learning mode with my K10D. Your perspective on the K20D's Live View is interesting - and changes my view of its potential worth a little. Can't wait to see some results.

 

[MassJester]

Very Nice!!

Of course Mark is absolutely correct. New hieghts muct be achieved.

 

[mabas9395]

The problem with upgrading your camera gear is that you can no longer blame your equipment when your photos don't turn out.

 

[Groucho]

The problem with upgrading your camera gear is that you can no longer blame your equipment when your photos don't turn out.

That's what lenses are for. Though actually I've managed to get a few really great lenses in there, so far I've only put the best on the new camera.

I have some test shots if anyone's curious...

The first two were taken from a tripod with my Lester A Dine 105mm F2.8 macro, and I manually focused with the viewfinder first (definitely easier than with the K100D!) then switched to Live View to fine-tune focus - I hate to say it, but I'm definitely an instant fan of Live View! (As long as it doesn't affect the viewfinder at all, which it doesn't in this camera.) Here's the basic "old and new" shot. ISO 100, F8, 1 second.

To give you an idea of just how big 14.6 mp is (and how amazing this sensor is), here's a 100% crop:

A shot of my grandfather's old Kodak from the '50s. ISO 100, F11, 1 second.

Here's a couple 100% crops. I have to say that I am honestly impressed! If my other pics are blurry, it's not the sensor's fault.

Here's a shot taken with my fisheye, playing around with wireless flash. I handheld the flash in the upper right, out of frame. I definitely like the wireless flash! The only problem is that I need to grow another arm to hold the flash! These are a few of my lenses. I had them all together for a couple other photos but nothing that really "popped" for me. ISO 800, 10mm, F8, 1/20th second, handheld. (Thank you, shake reduction!)

OK, high ISO test... ISO 6400! This is somewhat cropped and has been run through Noiseware. This is the top of our 1920 piano.

Here's a 100% crop to give an idea of detail left after Noiseware has its way. Still not too bad IMHO...

 

[Groucho]

When's the next trip to WDW? Peter Pan just got easier for you to photograph.

Our next trip is a little under eight weeks. Six nights, seven days, then a few days at my parent's condo. Should be a good time.

I will definitely be keeping my eyes out for an 8 gig class 6 card before then... this thing can make some big raw files.

(Anyone starting on page 2 - this is my second reply, look at page 1 for demo shots!)

 

[AndrewWG]

Our next trip is a little under eight weeks. Six nights, seven days, then a few days at my parent's condo. Should be a good time.

I will definitely be keeping my eyes out for an 8 gig class 6 card before then... this thing can make some big raw files.

(Anyone starting on page 2 - this is my second reply, look at page 1 for demo shots!)

Nice demo shots! My boss is looking to buy one of these or the Pentax 200D (?) not sure which. I'll direct him to some of your shots once you get a bunch out here into our world. They look great to me!

 

[YEKCIM]

Congrats on the new "addition" to your Pentax family. Very nice piece of gear, for sure. Your sample images are VERY impressive. I know you will have a ball with it at WDW, and we'll be anxious to see some great images from your upcoming trip.

~Ed

 

[Groucho]

Congrats on the new "addition" to your Pentax family. Very nice piece of gear, for sure. Your sample images are VERY impressive. I know you will have a ball with it at WDW, and we'll be anxious to see some great images from your upcoming trip.

~Ed

Thanks! I can't wait, hopefully I'll have it all figured out by then. Probably not but I'll try.

AndrewWG, sounds good. There's still some unknowns about the K200D, but it sounds very promising, though it'll probably be a little overpriced when it first arrives, but then it'll offer a good number of features that other entry-levels don't have. I'm just amazed that they were able to get the K20D out so soon... the K200D was supposed to be out a bit earlier, either one is pretty quick as they were just introduced a few weeks ago.

 

[tinkergrumpybuns]

Congrats! I have been online looking for a small camera I can carry along without bulk at WDW in May. I have a Minolta Z6 which I am not that happy with and it is just too much to carry and have fun.
Looking to replace old olympus z50. I want a little more zoom and good macro.
Right now I am between Canon powershot 720 (?) and panasonic lumix TZ3.
Lumix has 10x zoom, but I am not crazy about lack of manual controls and
no eye piece. I just can't shoot totally with the LCD, I seem to drift down for some odd reason. Looks good on LCD and I get feet.<G>
Any thoughts?
I am hoping to go do another touchy feelie at the local store, but will wait for a good price and order it thru ebates.
Thanks!