Pentax 100D ONE MORE TIME

[YEKCIM]

Don't look too much into their shots for comparison as they are both very good photographers. In the equation, I think it is about 10% camera and 90% photographer. If you want to improve your technique, you should look at the books from Bryan Peterson. Understanding Exposure is an excelent choice, but there is a newer book by him that goes into the digital aspects a little more. I have heard that it is very similar to UE with added information on post processing.

Kevin

Keep in mind, too, that PP has a lot to do with it. Jeff is a master at PP and, though I'm still struggling with Picasa, even just a little PP can make a HUGE difference in the appearance of the final result. I'm not absolutely certain, but I *think* the review images on most, if not all, of the review sites are straight from the camera. DSLR's typically do less PP in-camera, although the amount of in-camera PP is user-adjustable. In order to get the most out of the digital file, some PP will be required. One reason I settled on the D50 is that it produces very good out-of-camera JPEG's, but I still have to do some PP in order to make them look the way I want them to. That is especially true of RAW images, which the camera does not PP in any way, as I understand it.

Hope that is helpful.

BTW, I'm just back from The World and hope to have some images ready to post in a day or two.

~Ed

 

[Groucho]

I don't care for DPReview, and it doesn't matter if he had praised the K10D as well as he did the K100D, I still wouldn't think much of his difficult-to-navigate and confusing site, where press releases often masquerade as actual news. (Example, recently someone from here quoting glowing comments about a particular camera from a DPReview page, but it was actually just a press release and not clearly marked as so.) Just like I don't respect Consumer Reports even though they really like my favorite line of cars - even a broken clock is right twice a day.

Still, the hard stats can be helpful and I do often end up referencing them when I'm looking for things like sensor sizes, etc.

The only thing I am seeing right now that appears a little disappointing is that the on the disboards, I can see Nikon pictures by say, GDAD or YEKCIM, that are spectacular, and the examples I'm seeing on the above-mentioned review's website aren't as good....

There are a lot of excellent photographers around here. (Check out some of 0bli0's work sometimes - wow!) But the Nikon uses the same sensor as the Pentax, so if you're shooting raw, quality is basically identical, it's just up to the lens, and I think that with the basic kit lens (as well as the 50mm), you'll be slightly ahead with the Pentax. Note that I'm pretty sure that Gdad and YEKCIM are not using the kit lens.

Here's a few shots from my Pentax *ist DL, which is a bit older and has the same sensor as the K100D and D40/D50, but lacks image stabilization and has a cheaper and slower autofocus system. I'm certainly no great talent but I have a lot of fun, and I don't feel that the camera is letting me down in the IQ department.

Here's a few non-Disney ones.

If you want to see some really impressive work, check out the Pentax forums at any of the big sites (Steve's Digicams, DPReview, etc) or pentaxforums.com - there are plenty of folks producing really amazing shots with their cameras. Don't let IQ fear scare you away.

 

[Dcanoli]

Okay, I get the point!

I will try to head over to those sites sometime tomorrow, Groucho, and take a look around...sounds good.

I think I'm really gonna have to just play around w/the camera, because--frankly--between you and me--the RAW thing scares me a little. If you guys say, "Do It," then, I'm gonna do it, but just the thought of it is a little intimidating.

However, I did read the review that was linked above, and it showed pictures of the software that comes w/the camera, and it appears to be pretty simple and straightforward.

I do appreciate you posting about the Pentax's features that are the same as the Nikon's. That means that someday, with a little Pixie Dust, practice, and good luck, I can compete w/those two "old guys" and their Nikons!

...and you are right, I'm not sure Ed was shooting w/the kit lens...did you see the SIZE of the lens he was using? What was that? The 300mm?

...again, thanks for keeping posting...everything you post, puts me one step closer to being a better user....

Deb

 

[Dcanoli]

Does it matter what brand?

 

[Groucho]

The brand probably doesn't matter so much as buying a fairly decent one, preferably multicoated.

When you say NP, do you mean ND (neutral density)? I wouldn't worry too much about picking up one of those, you probably won't need one very often. I don't have any and I can't think of a time where I really wishes that I did. Maybe once I might have used one if I'd had one available, but nothing like the CP, which gets a lot of usage - mine'll probably be on my lens nearly non-stop for outdoor photos on my DL trip.

 

[Dcanoli]

Yes, that's what I meant! Thanks!

There are so many on Ebay, I was curious it brand mattered...got a watch on a Hoya now...

Thanks!

 

[Greg K.]

I just got the Pentax 50 lens (Beach Camera, $184) and it IS an impressive piece of work. Especially in low light.

One caveat: depth of field is very shallow. This can make for some gorgeous shots, but if anything is an inch or two off from the focus point, it's out of focus. Like the picture below.

 

[Groucho]

Yes, that's what I meant! Thanks!

There are so many on Ebay, I was curious it brand mattered...got a watch on a Hoya now...

Thanks!

I just picked up a Hoya CP from Spotlight Photo aka slphotogear on eBay. Good price and very quick shipping. I'd buy from them again if I was picking up another filter.

 

[Dcanoli]

This thread is really old, but I was just reading through it again for a friend of mine. (She is contemplating a DSLR purchase, and I thought this thread would be a great read for her!)

I just wanted to publicly thank KEVIN AND JEFF for helping me. It's been almost a year now since I purchased my K100D, and when I read back thru my old posts on here, I sound like such an idiot, but you both were gracious, kind, and patient.

A year later, and I feel like I have grown so much using my DSLR! Everything you said on here now makes INCREDIBLE, PERFECT SENSE! Ha! Ha!

This is also a great thread to bump back up to the top for anyone considering purchasing a Pentax SLR.

THANKS AGAIN KEVIN AND JEFF! You guys were (and still are) incredible!

Deb

 

[ukcatfan]

You're welcome!

 

[Groucho]

Hey, it's great to see you enjoying your camera! (I assume you meant another Jeff - I'm Jeff too but rarely say so!)

How time flies... one year, two DSLRs ago, one DL trip, one WDW trip, and one web host ago for me, so I went back and updated my broken (from my old host) photo links on page 3. I'll check the earlier pages to see if I missed any others.

 

[Dcanoli]

(I assume you meant another Jeff - I'm Jeff too but rarely say so!)

NOPE! I meant you!

 

[Groucho]

In that case, even more thanks!

I saw Jeff AKA Gdad mentioned earlier in the thread but didn't re-read the whole thing to see the context, and wasn't sure if you knew my "real" name or not.

 

[Dcanoli]

In that case, even more thanks!

I saw Jeff AKA Gdad mentioned earlier in the thread but didn't re-read the whole thing to see the context, and wasn't sure if you knew my "real" name or not.

Yep! Knew it!

Heard it mentioned somewhere in time amongst these threads!

 

[Thumper_ehhhhh]

I also have the Pentax K100D with the 2 lens package. I've had it for just over a year. I love it. I got mine after reading these forums and the fact I have had other Pentax cameras and have always been happy with them.

 

[Dcanoli]

I also have the Pentax K100D with the 2 lens package. I've had it for just over a year. I love it. I got mine after reading these forums and the fact I have had other Pentax cameras and have always been happy with them.

I have to say that it really is a great camera, and I am happy with my decision.

Sometimes, it is hard to be the "lone" Pentax user out there, when everyone around you is using Nikon (and their pictures keep turning out FABULOUS), but when you tell people that Pentax has the same sensor inside as the Nikon, that usually stops them in their tracks. (Not to mention that it also costs a FRACTION of what their Nikon cost!)

I've had a hard time adjusting over the year, learning (and forcing myself) to NOT use the Auto setting.

(I recently went hiking w/my 11YO son, and I forced myself to use M for most of the shots. He was getting annoyed waiting on me all the time, but I was so fascinated with how much better my shots were on that mode [versus my Av shots for that day] that I just kept on fiddling with the settings!)

I am loving every minute of owning an SLR, and the fact that Groucho and UK are on here encouraging people is a big plus for me. ...not to mention that I love reading their reviews and opinions on other threads.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Hey, just wanted to say - this is a great thread with an amazing amount of good info for Pentax buyers and users.

I've heard some of you say before you don't have an "official" Pentax thread and just wanted to suggest that maybe you could use this one - just edit the title. I'm sure it would be helpful to lots of befuddled potential buyers...

Sometimes, it is hard to be the "lone" Pentax user out there

Don't I know it!