Recommendation for Pentax K100D Super?


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nrclhr

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Mar 25, 2008
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Hi All,

Any recommendation for Pentax K100D Super? Is it good for beginners? there is a shop which is selling a new one at S$680 with Kit lens. Is it a good deal or not or any other alternatives? my budget is maximum S$500 - S$600. Any other recommendation?


Thanks,
Naveed
 

i am not sure about pricing, but the k100d super is a very good buy for beginners.

the image quality is very good, although with 6 megapixels, you must remember that composition is of utmost importance, since you can ill afford to crop unless you do not intend to make big prints. frankly speaking, it is hardly ever the camera's fault when it comes to producing pictures. i have not touched k100d super, but i have used the k100d, which is similar as it gets.

here are some points you might want to take note about k100d super though - the reasons why i upgraded to k20d from k100d:

1) base iso 200, limiting when you want to extend exposure
2) relatively limited DR, this is very apparent, but even then you can overcome it with photographic tools. this is more of a k20d being good, rather than k100d being bad problem

if you want to take a look at pictures taken with the k100d, most of my earlier photos in my galleries are taken with the k100d.
 

I have used the Pentax K100D Super before and I like it. Before that, it was the istDs. I have also used the Nikon D300 and D60, and I like Nikon even better as a camera system.

Both Pentax and Nikon systems are different in so many ways that I cannot even list them down. Moreover, the Pentax models that I have used came before the Nikons, so there is a technology gap.

What I like most about the Pentax is that it's image stabiliser is built on the camera body, which means every lens will have image stabilisation regardless of the brand or age. The colours of Pentax lenses are very good too, similar to those taken with Zeiss lenses. I have a very high regard for most Pentax prime lenses, my favourites being the 31mm, 77mm and the 35mm/f2. I even found the 16-45mm far better than what Nikon can offer at the same price range.

However, if I were a beginner, I would still want the D60. It has far better autofocus and a better external flash system. With the Nikon, it is not difficult to get good photos. I would recommend that you start off with the D60 kit or whichever model that comes later and the SB-600 with an omnibounce. The cost will be higher, but you will appreciate it even more.

It's not to say that Pentax isn't good, it has it's flaws and I feel that these flaws are evident with the K100D Super.
 

Thanks a lot for your feedback.

D60 is kinda bit expensive for me at a moment, I just want to buy a DSLR camera to start taking pictures and after getting some experience then I can buy a good one. Anyhow lets wait for other replies :) and thanks again for your feedback.

Regards,
Naveed
 

However, if I were a beginner, I would still want the D60. It has far better autofocus and a better external flash system. With the Nikon, it is not difficult to get good photos. I would recommend that you start off with the D60 kit or whichever model that comes later and the SB-600 with an omnibounce. The cost will be higher, but you will appreciate it even more.

It's not to say that Pentax isn't good, it has it's flaws and I feel that these flaws are evident with the K100D Super.

i would not disagree with the possible af and flash problems,

but to be honest, if you read up on the basics of photography well up enough, and wait for good light (in fact, most of the failed af usually results because of forcing the camera to take photos in bad light).. of course there are exceptions, like indoor events where the lighting is inherently poor..

let's be fair too, nikon has its flaws too. need i list the big big problem with d60, which needs af-motor lenses? :)

in short, there is no perfect brand. each brand has its shortcomings, just because you have made your choice, does not mean that you should force it on others.

in good will hunting, there was this line that i agreed with wholeheartedly, and i think you could apply it to cameras as well:

"You're not perfect, sport, and let me save you the suspense: this girl you've met, she's not perfect either. But the question is whether or not you're perfect for each other."

so the best advice i would give ts is:

try the cameras out in shop, if pentax does not feel good for you, try other brands. after all, the main constraint now is budget, and pentax is the best in terms of value for money, and no one is going to deny that, not even the nikon canon fanboys. :)
 

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in short, there is no perfect brand. each brand has its shortcomings, just because you have made your choice, does not mean that you should force it on others.

in good will hunting, there was this line that i agreed with wholeheartedly, and i think you could apply it to cameras as well:

"You're not perfect, sport, and let me save you the suspense: this girl you've met, she's not perfect either. But the question is whether or not you're perfect for each other."

I believe that the perception of opinions has a whole different meaning to people in some parts of the world when advice is given, especially when advice is not asked for. Here, the TS was asking for opinions, I gave an opinion as I have experience with Pentax and other systems, there is no coercion on my part.

A comment on being perfect and all that, and it's really off topic, the line sounds really good and comforting, but experience tells me that nothing is really as simple as any quote makes anything out to be.

Suppose that I accept the quote as how you have meant it, my advice to the TS will sound like, "This girl, I know her very well, I don't think never be happy with her as your first sweetheart. You can give it a try, but I reckon that you might as well try that other girl that I know well too, because I think she will give you better memories". :sweatsm:
 

Suppose that I accept the quote as how you have meant it, my advice to the TS will sound like, "This girl, I know her very well, I don't think never be happy with her as your first sweetheart. You can give it a try, but I reckon that you might as well try that other girl that I know well too, because I think she will give you better memories". :sweatsm:

:eek::eek::eek:

well, she is my first sweetheart, and she will be my last. :heart:
 

I'd suggest you hunt for a 2nd had K10D (~$650) or a new K200D (~$750; could be lower now). Try MS color or Orient Photo

I got K100D when it 1st came out in 2007. Paid $1270 for it w/ kit lens and the usual PC show bag of junk... er goodies :)
I've not out grown it even now, as I personally believe that the point of a SLR is the ability for control of exposure and depth of field (shutter, aperture, iso), utilization of lens characteristics (rendition of color, bokeh, sharpness/softness, contrasts). The camera is no more than a digital film for me. Admittedly, a camera body does need to have some nice bells and whistles to 'enable' the photographer (Shake reduction, spot metering, large+bright viewfinder, low noise pref at higher and higher ISO, good resolution, good color interpretation).

Here is what I like about Pentax cameras and K100D in particular
================================================
1. Very good value for money vs cameras of same price point
2. No lacking or cutting off of the 'essential' features to differentiate lower end model vs higher end models
3. Excellent construction/build standard
4. Compatibility to very good, cheap legacy lenses. (don't look down on this, it can play a significant part in filling (cheaply) rarely used lens ranges and 'fun' options)
5. Excellent lenses (esp. 'wide' normal, normal, short portrait to short tele)
6. Lenses are usually less costly vs other major brands
7. Nice color rendition.
8. On camera shake reduction, spot metering


Why I suggest you get K200D or K10D
============================
1. K100DS is really old (2 generations old in fact)
2. Auto WB is not as 'smart' as K200D and new cameras
3. The offered price $680 is just that little bit high in my opinion vs K200D new (~$750) or K10D 2nd hand (~$650)
4. 6Mp is showing its age for me. Still excellent for viewing and prints (which I do a fair bit), but cropping photos will show the limitation of 7mp.
5. The newer pentax models come with better customization options
 

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I'd suggest you hunt for a 2nd had K10D (~$650) or a new K200D (~$750; could be lower now). Try MS color or Orient Photo

I got K100D when it 1st came out in 2007. Paid $1270 for it w/ kit lens and the usual PC show bag of junk... er goodies :)
I've not out grown it even now, as I personally believe that the point of a SLR is the ability for control of exposure and depth of field (shutter, aperture, iso), utilization of lens characteristics (rendition of color, bokeh, sharpness/softness, contrasts). The camera is no more than a digital film for me. Admittedly, a camera body does need to have some nice bells and whistles to 'enable' the photographer (Shake reduction, spot metering, large+bright viewfinder, low noise pref at higher and higher ISO, good resolution, good color interpretation).

Here is what I like about Pentax cameras and K100D in particular
================================================
1. Very good value for money vs cameras of same price point
2. No lacking or cutting off of the 'essential' features to differentiate lower end model vs higher end models
3. Excellent construction/build standard
4. Compatibility to very good, cheap legacy lenses. (don't look down on this, it can play a significant part in filling (cheaply) rarely used lens ranges and 'fun' options)
5. Excellent lenses (esp. 'wide' normal, normal, short portrait to short tele)
6. Lenses are usually less costly vs other major brands
7. Nice color rendition.
8. On camera shake reduction, spot metering


Why I suggest you get K200D or K10D
============================
1. K100DS is really old (2 generations old in fact)
2. Auto WB is not as 'smart' as K200D and new cameras
3. The offered price $680 is just that little bit high in my opinion vs K200D new (~$750) or K10D 2nd hand (~$650)
4. 6Mp is showing its age for me. Still excellent for viewing and prints (which I do a fair bit), but cropping photos will show the limitation of 7mp.
5. The newer pentax models come with better customization options

Thanks a lot for your detailed reply, will try to find K200D or K10D because in the market they are not available easily. Also they are bit expensive as per my limited budget anyhow lets see what happens. Thanks again

Regards,
Naveed
 

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