Should I or shouldn't I Pentax K100d super

[npmommie]

Well after much investigation regarding a good camera for lowlight conditions........i looked into dslr's and I am surprised at the prices.
I looked at the pentax after seeing it mentioned in another thread. Buydig has it for $579 with a 18-55mm lens and there is a $100 rebate.........so end price $479.
that is not much more than the fuji s9100 p&s i was considering.
so should I go for a dslr? i read the reviews and it seems like this pentax gets good marks and is good for a beginner.
buydig also has the canon xti with the same lens for $588
are these prices too good to be true??

so should i just go for it, so I can finally hopefully be happy with the shots I take??
any advice is welcome.
honestly I didn't want to spend much more than $500 so either of these prices is fine, and I am still really shocked, I thought they were more expensive.

 

[npmommie]

I forgot to say, I have an old film slr camera, the thing is about 20 yrs old a Chinon, probably don't even make them anymore, but it takes beautiful pics.
i stopped using film though when i got my first sony cybershot back in 2003...........but i did pull out the dinosaur slr a couple years ago when my sony broke........and i got some nice pictures.
my hubby thinks i should go back to film and use that old camera..........hahahahaha

 

[Master Mason]

If you have had a film SLR in the past, then I am sure your aware of all that goes with having an SLR.

So it sounds to me like your ready to make the move.

Make sure you go play with the camera for a bit at the local store before you buy it, so your sure of which one you want. They are all good, but one will just feel better to you usually.

 

[captaincrash]

WARNING!

BUYDIG is a SCAM!

Try Googling BUYDIG and SCAM...

You'll have lots to read...

plus if you click IMAGES on google with these search words you'll see the other fake store fronts they've used. Their prices are too low to be true - they take your credit card and charge the purchase now... and you wait - and wait - and wait for a delivery which never comes. When and IF you get through on the phone - they will say it ships soon if you want to buy the BATTERY for it. They claim your particular camera was sold without a battery... and you can have the battery for something outrageous in price. Then if you refuse the battery they say your shipment will go out when inventory comes in (never). These scam artists have exploited some kind of loop hole in enforcement for NY and they do this perpetually. The google images show a series of shoddy storefronts they've operater under. I originally saw this on one of the news hour shows like 20/20 or 60 minutes.

So remember - don't buy a thing from them - spread the word! They're SCAMMERS!!!

Reputable mid-priced mail-order sellers like B&H photo offer a black XTi with kit lens 18-55 = $589

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...arch=yes&O=productlist.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t

...or on the west coast its' Sammys' with the same XTi kit for $609

http://www.samys.com/product_detail.php?item=9657

So - these prices are not much different from BuyDIG however, that firm has some nasty deals - beware!​

 

[Jeanne B]

BUYDIG is a SCAM!

Huh???

Buydig is recommended on here and several other photography boards all the time, along with their sister site beachcamera. I've purchased from both sites several times and have always had my order within 1-2 business days at most with free shipping. I've never experienced any bait and switch tactics with them and I've never read of anyone else experiencing this either. Sorry, but I find your post a little confusing.

To the OP, I purchased the K100 a year and a half ago (from buydig) and I've been VERY happy with it. The price you're seeing isn't too good to be true and Pentax has had a lot of nice rebates the last year or so.

 

[Master Mason]

I think that captian crash is confusing buydig with someone else

http://www.resellerratings.com/store/BuyDig_Beachtr

8.8/10 for a lifetime rating isn't too bad at all.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Should I or shouldn't I Pentax K100d super ...

should i just go for it, so I can finally hopefully be happy with the shots I take??

Boy, that's really a loaded question! Will going the dSLR route guarantee you're going to be happy? I really don't think so, necessarily.

There are a lot of things you need to look at first. Like your picture taking habits and and how much you really want to get into photography as a hobby - to start.

Let's start with picture taking habits. How do you carry your camera usually? Do you like to stick it in your pocket or do you not mind carrying along a bag? Have you gone into the camera store and held a dSLR yet (they're fairly heavy)? How many pictures do you usually take? Many? If so, that heavy camera and bag will make it's presence known after a fairly short time. Are you an "auto" type person or would you enjoy venturing into manual settings and using different lenses, etc? If you haven't used an SLR before (ETA I see that you have), there can be a significant learning curve. There are many happy dSLR users here, but I have seen some posts where users feel they've got "too much" camera than they want or feel comfortable using.

Second question - how much do you want to get into photography as a hobby? Many joke about it here, but joining the dSLR world can become a very expensive hobby. Unlike your S2, a dSLR doesn't have "everything built in". If you want the type of zoom you have on your S2, you need a special lens for that. Or if you want really good low light shots, you need a special lens for that, too. Costs (and weight) can add up quickly. The kit lenses are good general lenses, but once you start using your new camera you may find some shortcomings with it, too. Many people even buy better "external" flashes for their dSLRs. There's no magic bullet, unfortunately. OTOH, once you master the learning curve andf figure out what type of lenses and accessories you want, then you can go places with your dSLR you can't go with your S2, for sure. But you really need to be honest with yourself about whether a dSLR is really for you.

I posted on your other thread that I think you can improve your shots with your S2 with practice. Perhaps you should try that first, because even with a dSLR, technique is rather important in getting good shots. If you really think going the dSLR route will suit you, then go for it! I think you should do your homework first, though, in not only choosing a camera, but studying whether a dSLR is right for you. There's tons of information out there. And remember, there's really no rush. I'm making the leap myself and it's taken me a long while to get there. I'm sure I'll enjoy it, but I am concerned about the learning curve and I'm really not looking forward to carrying a big bag around but I know I'm going to have to. Make sure you read about all the entry level cameras and what they offer, and go into the stores and hold them to see what you're most comfortable with.

Good luck!

http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/should-you-buy-a-dslr-or-point-and-shoot-digital-camera/

 

[npmommie]

Boy, that's really a loaded question! Will going the dSLR route guarantee you're going to be happy? I really don't think so, necessarily.

There are a lot of things you need to look at first. Like your picture taking habits and and how much you really want to get into photography as a hobby - to start.

Let's start with picture taking habits. How do you carry your camera usually? Do you like to stick it in your pocket or do you not mind carrying along a bag? Have you gone into the camera store and held a dSLR yet (they're fairly heavy)? How many pictures do you usually take? Many? If so, that heavy camera and bag will make it's presence known after a fairly short time. Are you an "auto" type person or would you enjoy venturing into manual settings and using different lenses, etc? If you haven't used an SLR before (ETA I see that you have), there can be a significant learning curve. There are many happy dSLR users here, but I have seen some posts where users feel they've got "too much" camera than they want or feel comfortable using.

Second question - how much do you want to get into photography as a hobby? Many joke about it here, but joining the dSLR world can become a very expensive hobby. Unlike your S2, a dSLR doesn't have "everything built in". If you want the type of zoom you have on your S2, you need a special lens for that. Or if you want really good low light shots, you need a special lens for that, too. Costs (and weight) can add up quickly. The kit lenses are good general lenses, but once you start using your new camera you may find some shortcomings with it, too. Many people even buy better "external" flashes for their dSLRs. There's no magic bullet, unfortunately. OTOH, once you master the learning curve andf figure out what type of lenses and accessories you want, then you can go places with your dSLR you can't go with your S2, for sure. But you really need to be honest with yourself about whether a dSLR is really for you.

I posted on your other thread that I think you can improve your shots with your S2 with practice. Perhaps you should try that first, because even with a dSLR, technique is rather important in getting good shots. If you really think going the dSLR route will suit you, then go for it! I think you should do your homework first, though, in not only choosing a camera, but studying whether a dSLR is right for you. There's tons of information out there. And remember, there's really no rush. I'm making the leap myself and it's taken me a long while to get there. I'm sure I'll enjoy it, but I am concerned about the learning curve and I'm really not looking forward to carrying a big bag around but I know I'm going to have to. Make sure you read about all the entry level cameras and what they offer, and go into the stores and hold them to see what you're most comfortable with.

Good luck!

http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/should-you-buy-a-dslr-or-point-and-shoot-digital-camera/

Pea you have me confused with the other poster, I am the one that posted about taking pics with low light, i posted a few pics I took with my p&s in low light.
I agree about the bulk and the bag etc.........I am thinking for things like a day at the beach I would still throw my p&s in my bag, thats it, for other times like taking pics of the kids at home, or events like weddings etc.......i would bring the dslr. i don't honestly think i would use the dslr all the time, i don't know, maybe i would.
the other reason i was thinking the pentax is that i read the lens are not as expensive as say a canon because of the focus built into the body not the lens, hope i am understanding that right.
i am just afraid if i shell out 300-400-500 dollars on a higher level point and shoot i still may not be happy, I don't know,
I pulled out the pics I took with my film slr a few years back, the last time i used it, and they are really nice shots of the kids and landscapes, etc..........it was a trip to the white mountains,
anyway, I have much to think about.

oh and regarding the camera , it is also at Ritz camera for $599 with lens kit and a $100 dollar rebate.
i never read anything bad about buydig either and i have been investigating and reading ever since i asked my question about where to buy the other day.

pea i have one more question for you. what kind of camera do you use now? the shots you post on here are beautiful!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Pea you have me confused with the other poster, I am the one that posted about taking pics with low light, i posted a few pics I took with my p&s in low light.

Oops, sorry about that. I thought it was you.

i have one more question for you. what kind of camera do you use now? the shots you post on here are beautiful!

Why thanks! Many of the pictures I've posted in the Weekly Photo Contests (including the August 07 MGM winner) were taken with my old HP point and shoot. Currently I have a Canon S3 and after much thought and research I am about to buy an Olympus Evolt E-510. Hopefully my dSLR pictures will look halfway decent - it's not the camera I'm worried about, it's me. I'm worried I will be completly clueless the first time I hold it in my hands, LOL.

 

[npmommie]

Oops, sorry about that. I thought it was you.


Why thanks! Many of the pictures I've posted in the Weekly Photo Contests (including the August 07 MGM winner) were taken with my old HP point and shoot. Currently I have a Canon S3 and after much thought and research I am about to buy an Olympus Evolt E-510. Hopefully my dSLR pictures will look halfway decent - it's not the camera I'm worried about, it's me. I'm worried I will be completly clueless the first time I hold it in my hands, LOL.

Somehow I think your pics will come out brilliant!
Do you have any pics you took in lowlight with the canon s3?
the s3 or s5 was another consideration for me.
there are just too many choices and ways to go with all of this, LOL

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Do you have any pics you took in lowlight with the canon s3?

I do, but I have to warn you, I really had to work at getting those. And for every decent one I got, I had many more that were not so great. Which is why I ultimately decided to go the dSLR route.

See here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1570685&referrerid=70088

 

[npmommie]

I do, but I have to warn you, I really had to work at getting those. And for every decent one I got, I had many more that were not so great. Which is why I ultimately decided to go the dSLR route.

See here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1570685&referrerid=70088

Those are really good!!! great pics, I think you did a great job with that camera!
when you mentioned the video capability , that is another thing about the dslr i have to consider, I use my p&s for video too, so if i think i want to do video and i bring the dslr, that means i have to still bring the p&s.
my bag is getting bigger.........LOL

 

[ash&abby'smom]

npmommie,
I just ordered a Pentax K100d super with kit lens from Bhphoto last week. Check their price because I paid $499 plus a $100 rebate which makes it cheaper than buydig or beachcamera. I should have it Monday.

Sharon

 

[Groucho]

The K100D Super is definitely much more camera than the Fuji S9100... and its sensor is, oh, 10x as large, maybe more.

However, the usual store recommendation, Beach Camera/Buydig, is for some reason charging an extra $150 for the K100D/K10D bundled with the kit lens. This is crazy, the difference used to be more like $20-30. I think (off the top of my head) that you can get the same kit lens separately from bhphotovideo or Adorama for $80. So I would either buy the kit from somewhere else, or buy just the body from Beach/Buydig and buy the lens elsewhere. Or buy a different lens... they have had the nice Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 at Beach in Pentax mount lately though I think it's out of stock at the moment. It's also pricier, a bit over $300, but is a faster, nicer lens. (Not that the kit lens is piece of junk - it's definitely not.)

Actually, currently Beach doesn't have the K100D Super in stock at all! So you couldn't go with them anyway. In fact, their site is confusing - they are showing "rebate available" on the old "regular" K100D, but that's not true - the rebate is only for the K100D Super or K10D. The actual product page for the K100D does not mention the rebate, unlike the product page for the K10D (or K100D Super when in stock.)

 

[ukcatfan]

I have bought from Buydig/Beach Camera four times with no problems at all. Not one single bait or upsell. The shipping was also very fast and free.

Kevin

 

[jann1033]

i think maybe the confusion was buy.com ( not rated so good) vs buydig.com( always been good with me and rated well from what i see)