Pentax ist*DL opinions?

[Tazicket]

We've been comparing possible dSLR purchases: the Canon Rebel XT, the Nikon D50, and this one - Pentax ist*DL. The Pentax is significantly less expensive, but still seems to have some good reviews. This will be our first dSLR and the Canon would seriously push our camera budget, especially after you add in a zoom lense, tripod, carrying case, batteries, etc... The Pentax would allow us to purchase all of those extra things for about the same amount as just the base Canon XT kit.

Will the Pentax take good fireworks photos? What about night parades with the lights and stuff?

Are there any serious problems with this camera? What possible reasons are there for us to NOT go with the Pentax over the Canon? We're not professionals or anything, we just want a good dSLR that will last us for a number of years but still provide enough quality and flexibility to give us better picture options than a plain old point and shoot.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Canon has higher MP count and slightly cleaner high ISO and if you are planning to one day go serious in photography, there are more lenses available for Canon.

However, the ist*DL is a VERY capable camera. This is from a heavy Canon user. Let me put it this way. With the price of ist*DL, why even bother buying a point and shoot. Its high ISO is pretty much very clean albeit a bit on the soft side (due to noise reduction) but I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this camera coupled with Sigma 18-125 lens to anybody.

 

[Tazicket]

It is our understanding that the difference between a 6mp and an 8mp image will only be noticable if you really blow up the image into something larger than an 8x10 right? If so, we aren't too worreid since we don't plan on printing anything bigger than 8x10 and most will be standard 4x6 or 5x7.

Is any special attachment or mount required to fit a Sigma 18-125 lens onto the Pentax? We are pretty much lens illiterate at this point, only just now learning about the cameras themselves, much less the lenses.

Is the kit lens that comes on the Pentax even worth keeping? If I can find one that is just the body, would that be the better route and get the Sigma lens and maybe one more instead?

 

[Tazicket]

Is there an available remote shutter release to aid in taking fireworks pictures for this Pentax?

 

[Kelly Grannell]

The remote shutter release for this camera is available: Cable Switch CS-205

Yes, the 6 MP vs 8 MP difference is not that important if you're not going to blow it up beyond 12"x18".

The Sigma 18-125 is available with Pentax mount. The kit lens is worth keeping. What I don't know is whether you can buy the ist*DL body only. If you can, there is no point in getting the kit lens because it'll be covered with the Sigma 18-125.

For more info about Pentax isd*DL click here

Hope it helps.

 

[Greg K.]

I love it. It's a substantial camera, made mostly with metal, but it's built to last and does all I need it to do. I haven't tried fireworks photos yet, but here are some samples of what I have been able to snap -- virtually all of them in AUTO mode, handheld. Yes, you can buy it, body only, and add on. It's a real bargain. Check out www.buydig.com. I got the kit lens, but wanted more "oomph" and bought the Sigma 18-125, and that's my walkaround. I use it all the time.

 

[Tazicket]

Thanks, Greg K. Nice photos. If we can take pics like those with the same combination, we will be quite pleased. I think we are 99% sure that this is the right camera for us for right now. We'd love it if we could afford the Rebel XT based on all the great reviews, but the Pentax istDL sounds like it will do everything we want for right now and for a lot less money, which we can then spend on our vacation instead.

So far I've found the body only package for just over $400 incl. shipping, and a Sigma 18-125 for just under $250 incl. shipping.

What else will we truly need? I know we want a tripod and remote shutter control for fireworks taking (gotta get it soon so we can practice on July 4th!!!)

Anything else to recommend?

 

[Kelly Grannell]

lots of SD cards (Sandisk Ultra II is highly recommended)
UV0 from Hoya Super HMC series (don't go for Pro series, it's not worth the money)
one additional battery (just get 3rd party battery from eBay)

one tip, just don't get el-cheapo tripod, it won't be stable enough and may introduce shakes for long exposure shots.

BTW, we (especially "I") have to thank Greg K. for the info on Pentax ist*DL, it's virtually imposible to find it in Canada due to its high price (only Cdn$70 cheaper than RebelXT body only, so people buy Rebel XT, also you are FORCED to buy the ist*DL with its kit lens in Canada). If he didn't post the high ISO pics of the Pentax, I wouldn't know how clean it is and how affordable the camera is in the US.

 

[Golf4food]

lots of SD cards (Sandisk Ultra II is highly recommended)
UV0 from Hoya Super HMC series (don't go for Pro series, it's not worth the money)
one additional battery (just get 3rd party battery from eBay)

one tip, just don't get el-cheapo tripod, it won't be stable enough and may introduce shakes for long exposure shots.

Thanks. How do we tell what size UV filter we need? I assume that depends on the size of the lens, which in our case will be the Sigma 18-125 you recommended. I tried searching for the Hoya filter but see them in different sizes and am not sure how to differentiate them...

Also, how much should a non-el cheapo tripod cost? Obviously we should steer away from $39.99 specials, but is $100 enough? $200?

 

[Greg K.]

My Sigma uses a Tiffen filter I got at a local camera store. It's 62 mm.

I don't use a tripod with the Pentax, so someone else will have to help you there.

And thanks for the plug, Kelly! It's a dandy camera -- versatile, easy to to learn, with a straightforward and intuitive LCD menu. And a massive LCD, which is very useful. All in all, I think, a superlative "starter" dslr for someone who doesn't want to plop $1500-2000 into a system.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

in the case of Sigma 18-125, the diameter is 62 mm. In front of each lens there is a diameter of the lens printed. Canon 50mm f/1.8, for example, the diameter is 52mm, Canon 17-55 f/2.8 IS is 77mm etc.

non-cheapie tripod runs from at least about $100 including head. If possible find the one which middle shaft has a hook so you can dangle a bag or something to make the tripod even more stable. You can get these tripods from Slik, Manfrotto/Bogen, Amvona. Another hint, the smaller it is folded, the less rigid it's going to be (because they'll have to fold the tripod in more sections. Also get a tripod with ball-head, it's easier to adjust.

 

[Tazicket]

Well, the orders have been placed!

Camera body, 2GB SD card (we'll get more cards before hitting Disney in December, but 2GB should be plenty for now), and remote shutter control from Beachcamera.

Sigma 18-125mm and Hoya UV(0) filter from sigma4less

Hopefully we'll have it all near the end of this week or early next week and we can practice some fireworks pics on July 4th.

Now I just need to find a tripod and we'll be ready to go!

Thanks for all the recommendations and reviews! They were invaluable!

 

[Greg K.]

Let us know what you think. And: post pictures when you can!

Make sure you read Kelly's "sticker" at the top of the page about how to take fireworks pictures. And have fun!

 

[handicap18]

Congratulation on the new camera. Welcome to the dSLR world.

Great place to get media cards. Buy.com

Check out this one for a kingston card. I used one of these in Disney last week. Its just a 1 gig, but you can't beat the price. I'm thinking of getting more, but I already have 3 so it might be overkill for me right now (unless we confirm plans for Disney next fall for a week, the I might need 2 or 3 more!!!)

Kingston at Buy.com

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Congratulation on the new camera. Welcome to the dSLR world.

DANG! you beat me to it!

 

[Golf4food]

Congratulation on the new camera. Welcome to the dSLR world.

Great place to get media cards. Buy.com

Check out this one for a kingston card. I used one of these in Disney last week. Its just a 1 gig, but you can't beat the price. I'm thinking of getting more, but I already have 3 so it might be overkill for me right now (unless we confirm plans for Disney next fall for a week, the I might need 2 or 3 more!!!)

Kingston at Buy.com

How does the Kingston card perform vs. the Sandisk? I see that they also have good prices on the Sandisk cards. Thanks for the link and welcome!

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Kingston is supposedly more rugged than Sandisk, I've never tried it lately. They tend to be more expensive and slightly slower than Sandisk (at the time). I don't know about now. Currently I only use Sandisk Ultra II

 

[handicap18]

I currently use a SanDisk, Viking and a Kingston. All 1 gig in size. I really haven't noticed any difference between the 3 outside of the total # of exposures that can fit on the card when empty. I don't recall which is which, but one says 288, one says 287 and one says 285. Realistically I get about 325 on each depending on the subject. Average size file is 2.5 meg.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

it also depend on the ISO setting. You'll get more shots with lower ISO. Also the more complex your image is, the less image you'll fit into the card.