Groucho, it's all your fault!

[Groucho]

Where did you look for the settings on my pics?

The settings are on your Photobucket site (BTW, the link in your signature is a little broken, there's an extra http in there) - when you view a pic, click the Show Details button under the pic to see the settings.

 

[Dcanoli]

Now, how did I miss this thread for so long?

I've been eyeing the 50 & 30mm lenses, and when I LAST looked, there weren't any rebates.

When did they come out? You guys are really frustrating me! Now, I have to start looking all over again! GEESH!

 

[Groucho]

Now, how did I miss this thread for so long?

I've been eyeing the 50 & 30mm lenses, and when I LAST looked, there weren't any rebates.

When did they come out? You guys are really frustrating me! Now, I have to start looking all over again! GEESH!

There's no rebates on the 50mm F1.4 lens currently - in fact, the only lens rebates are good only when you buy a new body at the same time.

The 30mm lens is a Sigma, not a Pentax, so you'll have to ask Sigma for a rebate on that one. Pentax does have a 31mm but it's much pricier.

You can find the Pentax rebates right on the Pentax SLR page.

 

[Dcanoli]

You can find the Pentax rebates right on the Pentax SLR page.

I should have posted right after my last post...I found the rebates and the stipulations right after I posted.

Thanks anyway....DARN IT!

 

[Master Mason]

Sticking with the theme of the thread, "Groucho, it's all your fault!"

We should make it the motto of the photography board

 

[Groucho]

To quote Snoopy (I'm currently reading the latest volume of "The Complete Peanuts" ):

I can't be held responsible for the actions of my colleagues.

 

[OHDisneyDaddy77]

I have to say that as of last Saturday evening I was ready to go out and get my first DSLR, thought that I had my mind made up, was going to get the Canon Xsi, had a brand i have come to trust for digital P&S, have a S2IS, and A570IS, and have had great success, plus a Minolta Maxxum 5 film camera. Even after going through the full POTD threads and seeing mostly Nikon's and Groucho's (AWESOME by the way) Pentax shots, i was still thinking Canon, and to be honest didn't look too far into other brands other than Canon and Nikon, even though I can use my Minolta lenses with a new Sony. So Saturday night i get a call from my dad asking me what i know about digital SLR's, Pentax in particular, and have to admit not much on them, to which he tells me he is getting a K200 kit as a gift. So now I start to look into it more, and now have another quandry to deal with, a new option for me, uses my AA rechargeable batteries, can still use my 12-14Gb of SD cards, and don't have to buy an image stabilized or vibration reduction lens, can use any pentax lens, but I would lose out on "live view", a lower resolution 10.2 vs 12 vs the Canon and a slower continuous fps rate 1.1 to 3.5. The latter being my bigger debate as I have a 9 month old at home and sometimes you need to get several shots in a row to catch what you are looking for.
Also looking for ease of use, especially for my wife who prefers the A570 P&S to the S2 cause it is easier. (The Minolta is her Camera and used it until our first digital about 4 years ago)
Sorry for being long winded looking for comments and guidance.
Thank you

 

[Groucho]

Thanks for the kind words re: my photos.

Well, only you can decide this one. I don't think the difference between 10 and 12 mp is all that significant (3872x2592 vs 4272x2848), certainly less than the difference between 8 and 10 mp, and Canon shooters would often happily choose the 8mp 30D over the 10mp XTi a year ago, and I think many would choose the 10mp 40D over the 12mp XSi today.

I don't think the speed of continuous shooting will really be that much of a real-world different re: shooting your kid moving around - a concern may be the number of shots you can take in a row, though. However, from at least one test (at Steve's Digicams), the K200D continuous shooting actually lasts longer, 5.3 seconds to fill the buffer vs 4.8 in the XSi. That's at the 2.8 fps speed, you can choose "Hi" or "Lo" depending on if you want the most pictures or to be able to shoot the longest.

IQ-wise, both cameras are certainly up to the task - and that goes for pretty much any DSLR out there, actual differences in image quality are usually pretty minor between the cameras. Lenses can be another matter, though. The Pentax kit lens will certainly have better build quality (solid feel, metal mount, true focus ring, non-rotating front element, lens hood), and has traditionally had better IQ than others, though some reports have said that Canon's new IS kit lens has much better IQ than their unloved old kit lens, while others haven't seen much of a difference. The XSi is smaller and has the Live View, the K200D is larger and is weather-sealed (though you also need a weather-sealed lens to be 100% confident in the rain.) The ergonomics are different, too; most people will probably have a clear favorite in terms of "feel".

Since your father is getting one, I'd say to take a look at it and see how it feels to you and try a few shots. I certainly think there are advantages to the Pentax system or I wouldn't be using it, and Canon is pretty close to my least favorite but even I have to admit that the XSi is a very solid contender (though still with some faults.) I'm sure you'll be happy either way you go.

One other quick note - with the K200D, I'd highly recommend picking up a set or two of Eneloop or similar low-discharge NiMH batteries. These will hold a charge for longer than regular NiMH batteries, so you won't have to worry about the batteries going flat if you don't touch the camera for a few weeks.

 

[OHDisneyDaddy77]

Thanks for the info and all the help.
Talked with dad this evening and he should be getting his in the next week or so. I will definitely have to "borrow" his and give it a workout, as I have not had a chance to see it hands on, as I have the Canon, Nikon, and Sony's. Plus the rebates being offered are a nice bonus as well. I'll let you know how it goes as I want to get something in the next couple of weeks so I have some time to get used to it before our trip this year.
Thanks again.

 

[WVDisGeek]

Still a "newbie" myself to DSLRs but I chose the K200D about a month ago and have been VERY happy with my choice....

Two of my friends at the office (CFO and Corporate Director) both shoot Nikon D200's (more disposable income!) and we have gone an a few shoots together and both were very impressed with my K200D. The CFO even used a few of MY shots in an update to our Board of some new construction we have going on.

I have the 18-250 and have been very happy with both its reach and its sharpness. I rarely take it off the camera. I have an old 50mm 2.0 from my K1000 days and it does make a big difference in low light.

I am picking up some low-discharge AAs tomm. night!

I too have been in awe of Groucho's pics and between he and UK, they have answered any Pentax question I have posted.

IMHO, the K200D is the best entry-level DSLR out there, and I DID vote with my wallet!

 

[Dcanoli]

...and I'd like to add my 2 cents in here too...

Groucho was also a big help to me in my time of choosing a DSLR last summer....so, I'd like to chime in here for the K100D.

Mine isn't even a year old yet, so even though they have discontinued manufacturing it, I'm sure it's still readily available.

It's another good choice if you are looking for a great entry-level DSLR!

 

[Groucho]

Thanks guys! Keep this up and my head will get too big to go through the door. But seriously...

Dcanoli, actually the K100D/K100D Super sold out pretty quickly... in the month or two before the K200D was released, it was getting very hard to find a good deal on the K100D from the usual recommended retailers. Now, I think you'd have a pretty hard time finding out at all. Amazon shows one left from a third-party merchant, for $999! Adorama and B&H are sold out. You'd probably have to find a relatively small store that still has them in stock if you were after one. They could have kept it around as a cheaper alternative, but if the rumors are true, they'll have a cheaper camera coming before long, slotting in below the K200D.

 

[Dcanoli]

Thanks guys! Keep this up and my head will get too big to go through the door. But seriously...

Dcanoli, actually the K100D/K100D Super sold out pretty quickly... in the month or two before the K200D was released, it was getting very hard to find a good deal on the K100D from the usual recommended retailers. Now, I think you'd have a pretty hard time finding out at all. Amazon shows one left from a third-party merchant, for $999! Adorama and B&H are sold out. You'd probably have to find a relatively small store that still has them in stock if you were after one. They could have kept it around as a cheaper alternative, but if the rumors are true, they'll have a cheaper camera coming before long, slotting in below the K200D.

Well, that is just WRONG!! That is double what it cost me, and I had a few rebates on top of my original price....WOW!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Dcanoli, actually the K100D/K100D Super sold out pretty quickly... in the month or two before the K200D was released, it was getting very hard to find a good deal on the K100D from the usual recommended retailers. Now, I think you'd have a pretty hard time finding out at all. Amazon shows one left from a third-party merchant, for $999! Adorama and B&H are sold out. You'd probably have to find a relatively small store that still has them in stock if you were after one. They could have kept it around as a cheaper alternative, but if the rumors are true, they'll have a cheaper camera coming before long, slotting in below the K200D.

The Ritz Camera Store at MOA in MN had at least one K100D a couple of weeks ago on their shelves. Don't know what the charge was for it but maybe I should have picked it up and resold it!

 

[OHDisneyDaddy77]

Thank you everyone for the great input, and to the OP for starting this thread. We were at our local mall Ritz store Sunday so my dad could check out the K200D he is getting, but they only had the K100, silly me I was still looking over the Canon's and Nikon's at the time. Should have compared all three. Going to stop on the way home from work and see if they still have it.
Although Dell has the K200D kit for $699.99 and then according to the Pentax website, Dell is an authorized vendor and I could pick up the extra $100 rebate...

 

[Groucho]

Thank you everyone for the great input, and to the OP for starting this thread. We were at our local mall Ritz store Sunday so my dad could check out the K200D he is getting, but they only had the K100, silly me I was still looking over the Canon's and Nikon's at the time. Should have compared all three. Going to stop on the way home from work and see if they still have it.
Although Dell has the K200D kit for $699.99 and then according to the Pentax website, Dell is an authorized vendor and I could pick up the extra $100 rebate...

The K200D is, I believe, basically the same externally as the K100D, so you could get can idea of the feel of it. The K200D is probably slightly heavier though.

Beach Camera has the K200D for $699 with lens or $628 without - I'd buy from them over Dell any day. (Did I mention that I don't like Dell either? ) Beach is an authorized retailer, I've gotten rebates from Pentax stuff from them several times.