Pentax general discussion

[disneyboy2003]

Got the tripod, and am ordering a remote. Finally was able to figure out how to change ISO setting (get around auto setting of 200-1600). Hopefully this will help. One other stupid question...so used to P&S, any way to get the camera to shoot faster? Seems to take forever and end up missing the shot.

Your Pentax K-x is actually capable of shooting up to 4.7 frames-per-second! That's like 1 photo every 0.2 seconds!

There are very few entry-level dSLR cameras that have this high frame rate. To go faster than this, you'd probably have to look into semi-pro or pro-level dSLR cameras.

 

[zackiedawg]

I'm guessing they are speaking of the shutter delay, not the continuous frame rate. As UKCatfan mentioned, it might have something to do with using live view mode, if indeed they are. The KX should be plenty fast at acquiring focus and firing the shutter with no delay, so if they are experiencing delays long enough to miss a shot, only the live view would seem to be the answer, as the live view system has to execute a series of mirror-flipping maneuvers and focus maneuvers before taking the shot - so pressing the button and actually getting the shot can be more than a second apart. Most DSLRs are really not suitable for use in live view mode except for manual focusing accuracy on tripod mounted shots where shutter delay has no real consequence - they focus slower and shoot slower in that mode (only one brand being the exception). And you're right - there's only one other camera in the price range capable of shooting at that continuous frame rate - it's a little faster (5fps), but also costs a bit more. Most of the others are more than 2x the price. The KX is an excellent bargain and feature packed for the price.

 

[Golf4food]

Specs on Pentax K-5 and KR Leaked
Two new Pentax bodies to be released in late 2010 By Adam on 08-23-10

PENTAX K-5 - New Pentax flagship model
16 Megapixel Sensor
Maximum expanded ISO of 25600
7 frames per second
To be officially announcd on September 20th
To be released in October, 2010
$1600 suggested retail price
Serious-amateur/professional use

The Pentax K-5 will be the successor to the Pentax K-7, Pentax's current flagship model. Although the K-5 will still employ an APS-C sensor, we expect this model to build upon the main shortcoming of the K-7: high-ISO performance. With a maximum ISO of 25600 (4 times that of the K-7), the K-5 is bound to perform very well at lower ISOs such as 6400 or 3200, at which the K-7 had great difficulty producing usable photos. If the K-5 will indeed launch with the current suggested price of $1600, it will not only become the most advanced digital SLR in its price class, but also a formidable rival for competing manufacturers.

PENTAX KR

12 Mexapixel Sensor
6 frames per second
Up to 120 color combinations: 10 body colors, and 12 grip colors
To be officially announcd in September
To be released in October, 2010
$875 suggested retail price
Into-level DSLR

The Pentax KR will succeed the Pentax K-x, which revolutionized the intro-level DSLR market back in 2009. The KR is expected to further extend the already-wide feature set of the K-x, with an improved frame rate among with added controls. At $875, it will retain is place on the market as the most cost-effective intro-level DSLR. Upon the launch of the KR, the K-x's price is expected to fall significantly, making it an even bigger steal!

Would love better high ISO performance from my K-7 (especially for dark rides at WDW!) but certainly couldn't plop out $1,600 for an upgrade less than a year after buying the K-7...

 

[RBennett]

I agree with you!! DW just bought me my K-x in April and I don't see enough there to justify either one of these. The K-5 has double the ISO but between my 12,800 and Topaz DeNoise.... I think I'm good!! And sweetheart, if you are reading this... I PROMISE NOT TO BUY ONE OF THESE!!!!!

 

[gokenin]

I have to admit I wouldn't mind the drop on the KX camera I would definately buy the orange one then

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Well for us that have been shooting with the K10D for the past four years, if everything is as leaked, it may be time to upgrade. While I have enjoyed the K10, the thought of a better low light AF, faster burst and high ISO capability camera, has me drooling. Now I just have to convince the DW its worth it! Since she also shoots with her own K10, how do I convince her that only I need the upgrade. I think I'm in trouble!

 

[ukcatfan]

Since these are different specs and different price points from the K-x and K-7, I wonder if they are going to keep making them for a little while as well. A price drop on the K-x with a continuing supply would make it one of the best deals I can think about.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

There should be some deals out there. When Pentax announced the K7 is when I was able to purchase my second K10D body for $250! Because of the K7 and K20, they were having a hard time getting rid of their stock of K10's.

 

[Groucho]

When the K-7 was released, the K20D went out of stock in most places extremely quickly. The K-7 at its current pricing is a stealllllllllllllll!!!! and I would assume that it will be discontinued and will sell out quickly.

The K-5 sounds great - but the K-7 is so capable that I am not feeling the upgrade urge too badly. Of course, I'm lucky enough to have the K-x available if I need a little extra low-light ability. The rumors were that the K-5 will offer D700 levels of high ISO noise performance. I doubt it'll be that good but if it's truly a stop better than the K-x - which is probably 1-1.5 stops better than the K-7 - then that is pretty darned compelling. The sensor should also have very good dynamic range, assuming it's the same sensor as in the new Sony A55 - and that one is shooting through a translucent mirror all the time! From what I understand, the sensor will be shared with the Sony A55, Pentax K-5, and Nikon D95 - though obviously there'll be differences in implementation.

There isn't much to improve with the K-x IMHO apart from adding focus point indicators. Putting in weathersealing would be great but I doubt it'll happen. Actually, moving to 30fps video would be nice - and 1080p if possible.

 

[Groucho]

Got the tripod, and am ordering a remote. Finally was able to figure out how to change ISO setting (get around auto setting of 200-1600). Hopefully this will help. One other stupid question...so used to P&S, any way to get the camera to shoot faster? Seems to take forever and end up missing the shot.

If you are doing tripod shots, you may also want to consider putting the camera in the 2-second delay mode. With this, a remote is not as important (hopefully the two seconds is enough to keep the camera from shaking), but also it enabled "mirror-up" which means that mirror is moved up at the beginning of the 2-second wait, which is one less thing moving in the camera which could cause movement on a weak tripod, and it also automatically disables the image stabilization, which you would not want on a tripod photo.

To change ISO, just hit the ISO button and spin the dial. Are you having a problem changing that? FWIW, I would tend to always leave it in Auto unless you are doing tripod shots where you specifically want a low ISO. I would never set it direction to a high ISO, I would change the top end of the Auto range instead.

If you are using Live View, then that is definitely the speed problem. It is fine for tripod use but for day-to-day shooting, you will want to use the viewfinder.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Pentax announced the release of a new mid-level DSLR (Kr), two new P & S' and a new lens. http://www.dpreview.com/. The preliminary reports are promising for the Kr. Us Pentaxians are still waiting on the announcement of the new high end (APS-C) K5 release.

 

[MinnieForMe]

Pentax announced the release of a new mid-level DSLR (Kr), two new P & S' and a new lens. http://www.dpreview.com/. The preliminary reports are promising for the Kr. Us Pentaxians are still waiting on the announcement of the new high end (APS-C) K5 release.

So, with 5 days left that I could return my K-X without penalty (gotta love Sam's Club 90 day no questions asked policy), would you exchange your K-X for the K-R? It has the focus points everyone complains about with the K-X, is faster but I didn't see a price.

In 90 days, I've come to adore my K-X but I probably would have purchased the better model if I had waited!

Also, did you notice if that new prime is for the K-X? I'll jump on it if it is!

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

I'm just going on the reviews of the Kr. I think it said its not going to be available until October. They are taking orders at the release price which is $800 for body only. If history is a judge, that will probably drop once it is in the stores for awhile. The lens will fit any Pentax DSLR. That is one of the nice things about Pentax. The new lens has the same plastic mount as the DAL series of kit lenses. I don't know if that is an issue for you. There is considerable talk about the plastic mount in the Pentaxian world. Personally, since they have been making pistol frames (Glock) out of polymers (plastic) for a long time, I don't think its a real big deal. Just remember that because they introduce a new model doesn't mean your Kx doesn't work anymore. If you are satisfied with your images and the camera isn't limiting you, then why switch. There will be another new release in 18 months. My K10 technology is now 4 years old and I still obtain images that please me and that's all that counts. Will I upgrade to the new K5? Maybe if there is a marked improvement in low light AF and higher ISO improvement.

 

[Groucho]

The two big things about the Kr that immediately stand out IMHO vs the Kx are the lit focus points in the viewfinder (though if you shoot center-point only, this is not that big of a deal) and the bigger, higher resolution 3" LCD. (Very nice!) I am disappointed but not shocked that it's not weathersealed. The wording sounds like it may slot above the Kx and the Kx may stick around, but who knows? The Kr is also only going to be in three colors (black, white, and red) but IIRC the new lens will come in 12 (!) colors so I expect the Kr will offer more colors in short order.

It does have the SAFOX 9 autofocus system rather than the SAFOX 8 in the Kx (and 8+ in the K7), which supposedly will give better low-light performance - nice, but the currently models are not too bad already.

Most of the other features are nice, I guess, but not really worth upgrading IMHO - 6fps vs 4.7, 1/6000 flash sync vs 1/4000, wireless, etc.

 

[MinnieForMe]

Hi:
I'm very happy with my K-X and wouldn't want to wait until October to upgrade. LOL! I would still love to have brighter images but that isn't the camera's fault. I either need to shoot manually more or post process my images better!

We went to an Airshow two weeks ago and the K-X with only the 50-200 mm kit lens did a fantastic job. I can't take credit as the jets were moving too fast for me to think manually. I put it on sports and got incredible pictures. My husband begged to use it!

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

If it was weather sealed I would definitely consider it an upgrade, but I guess the K5 is going to be the "big one"...

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

I'm waiting for the K5 reviews. It is supposed to be announced around September 19th. Although I still enjoy shooting our K10's, if the new AF is better in low light and the usable high ISO is as advertised, I may have to upgrade and demote the K10 to backup status. Our K10's have been very good cameras and the thought of them being back-up sort of saddens me! I am hoping the prices will drop into my price range and be able to purchase it by late spring. At least that's my plan.

 

[ukcatfan]

I'm waiting for the K5 reviews. It is supposed to be announced around September 19th. Although I still enjoy shooting our K10's, if the new AF is better in low light and the usable high ISO is as advertised, I may have to upgrade and demote the K10 to backup status. Our K10's have been very good cameras and the thought of them being back-up sort of saddens me! I am hoping the prices will drop into my price range and be able to purchase it by late spring. At least that's my plan.

My K100D was relegated to backup status until a couple weeks ago when my daughter got photography class at school (senior). The teacher did not require a DSLR, but prefers them. She is now using the K100D.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Hello,

After getting great advice from the disboards, I'm considering purchasing a Pentax k-x. It will be my first dslr. I've been reading tons of reviews and one drawback seems to stand out the most...the live view is frustrating for focusing and drains the batteries very quickly. For those of you with this particular camera, do you find this to be true?

 

[gokenin]

Not meaning to discourage you at all but you may want to wait for the K-r which is coming out next month there are upgrades from the Kx that may be worth it for you. I am thinking of upgrading myself and keeping my K200d as my backup and possibly converting my K100 to completely IR