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afiy92

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Feb 27, 2008
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okay I am intending to get a DSLR soon and currently I am doing my research about cameras and such.

I am still undecided to get either D3000 or Pentax kx.

One of my friend recommend me to get d3000 whereas quite number of forumers recommend me Pentax kx . I felt I got brainwashed by them on Pentax :bsmilie:

I have a budget 1k for a starting and this is some question I gonna ask . Pardon me for my noobness yeah

1) Pentax , is it popular brand for DSLR ? Good?

2) Is it considered as those "FOR BEGGINER WHO WANNA TRY DSLR" camera?

3) What is the market price for KX and which shop sells that?

4) Any brand of lense can fit in KX , is it ?

5) Dry cabinet/Dry box is a must have eventhough I gonna use it all the time for outing and such?

6) Why people recommend me KX , why not others?
 

if you do some research by yourself, you can find out the answers to all your questions. then you will be more assured by your own decisions, instead of still pondering over more opinions, won't you?:D

http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=598556

to start you off, here's an exact answer to your questions:)
 

okay I am intending to get a DSLR soon and currently I am doing my research about cameras and such.

I am still undecided to get either D3000 or Pentax kx.

One of my friend recommend me to get d3000 whereas quite number of forumers recommend me Pentax kx . I felt I got brainwashed by them on Pentax :bsmilie:

I have a budget 1k for a starting and this is some question I gonna ask . Pardon me for my noobness yeah

1) Pentax , is it popular brand for DSLR ? Good?

Pentax is not as well know a brand as the "big two", but they make excellent DSLRs. The reason why you don't hear so much about Pentax is mostly because Pentax doesn't spend as much on marketing as the other two, and nothing to do with which brand makes better cameras.

2) Is it considered as those "FOR BEGGINER WHO WANNA TRY DSLR" camera?
Yes, it is an (upper-) entry level camera.

3) What is the market price for KX and which shop sells that?
Around $940 - $960, and just about all camera shops sell it. General electronics shop like Best Denki, Harvey Norman and Courts do NOT sell it though, so don't go to those (those are usually terrible places to look for cameras anyway)

4) Any brand of lense can fit in KX , is it ?
No, all brands have their own lens mount. Third party lens makers (Tamron, Sigma) do make lenses for various lens mounts, but you need to make sure you buy one that is made for the Pentax K-mount.

5) Dry cabinet/Dry box is a must have eventhough I gonna use it all the time for outing and such?

Yes, Singapore is a warm humid place that encourages fungus to grow on glass.

6) Why people recommend me KX , why not others?

The K-x is an entry level camera that has amazing value for money. Feature and performance wise, it is at least around the level of the very popular 500D, but is $300 cheaper.

Feature-wise, the D3000 just cannot compare with the Pentax K-x. If you have done your research you should know this. Of course, at ~$870-$880 it is slightly cheaper, but you get so much more topping up less than a hundred for the K-x. The next cheapest upper-entry level DSLR in the market that does video recording is the D5000 at ~$1150, still $200 more than the K-x.
 

Btw, you are Whizdom on the HardwareZone forum, right?
 

1) Pentax , is it popular brand for DSLR ? Good?

2) Is it considered as those "FOR BEGGINER WHO WANNA TRY DSLR" camera?

3) What is the market price for KX and which shop sells that?

4) Any brand of lense can fit in KX , is it ?

5) Dry cabinet/Dry box is a must have eventhough I gonna use it all the time for outing and such?

6) Why people recommend me KX , why not others?

1) popular, not yet. good, that depends on YOU. and YOU alone.

2) for k-x, it is an entry level camera at a low price with a lot of advanced features. if you want to try try try, then yes, for "beginner who want to try dslr" it will not be a bad choice.

3) go and check the price list

4) no, only lenses that work with K-MOUNT for pentax. i.e. canon does not make lenses for pentax; same goes for sony, nikon. no one wants to whack their own backside.

5) yes, because singapore is humid, and humidity encourages the growth of fungus in lenses.

6) most of the time when people recommend something it is either a choice they have made, or they think it is a good choice to make.

i stress again and again, that despite the fact that k-x is good, all cameras are good. you can produce good images with any entry level dslr - look at the people who are producing great photographs with the sony entry level cameras, the canon 1000d/400d/450d/500d people who can shoot, the nikon d3k, etc.. every brand has its share of great photographs being produced.

all we can tell you is WHY THE K-X IS GOOD, or WHY THE K-X IS NOT SO GOOD. all that has been discussed in another thread, even comparing it to equivalent priced k20d (different segment of market being targeted)

my advice is, given the picture presented to you, don't take our word for it. go and try all the entry level cameras available on the market in the shops, you will know what to buy.

if you don't, then anything will do for you, it doesn't matter.
 

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1) Pentax , is it popular brand for DSLR ? Good?

2) Is it considered as those "FOR BEGGINER WHO WANNA TRY DSLR" camera?

3) What is the market price for KX and which shop sells that?

4) Any brand of lense can fit in KX , is it ?

5) Dry cabinet/Dry box is a must have eventhough I gonna use it all the time for outing and such?

6) Why people recommend me KX , why not others?

This like Q&A but here are my thoughts on Pentax and k-x....

Pentax was the most popular brand for film SLR back in the 70-90s but because they focused more on developing quality lenses for real "photographers" were overtaken by Nikon and subsequently Canon. They were also slow in getting into the dslr market. That's why they don't have a full-frame camera at the moment.

Their philosophy is very different form the big two - they focus more on having great image quality with maximum user control (i'm speaking about the experience with the Pentax k10d). Their definition of image quality is totally different - which is to capture the most details in your images instead of applying massive noise reduction to the photos, just so they look good. Noise in Pentax images can always be post-processed in NR software - not a big deal once you get over the comparison in dslr review websites like dpreview.com.

They tend to pack more features into a package at a very attractive and reasonable price; in other words value for money. I could go on but which entry level camera has in-built image stabilization and auto-focus motor? Entry level Nikon/Canon do not have that and you find that lens choices are limited to those with VR/OIS/IS and in-lens af motor - which of course costs more $$$ in the long run.

The most important point, if you were to go into photography seriously in the long run. You would buy a few more lenses that you need. Prime lens, Zoom lens - ultra wide, wide, tele... etc. Pentax is compatible with most of the legacy lenses and with in-built stabilization you can have the joy of image stabilization with any lenses. :)

K-x would be classified as a camera for a beginner to grow into it. Not just start but with all the features you can learn more effectively to become a very competent mid-range dslr user.

Not any brands but many many pentax lenses and with the right adapter many screwmount lenses which are cheap and good. Anything from $50-200 can get you really great legacy lenses. Now, beat that.

For a range of pentax lenses both old and new -> Pentax lenses Easily 100-200 for you to try out. :devil:

Get a dry box to protect your investment lah.... Why k-x beats me? I chose k10d because it suits me. Hahahahaha... seriously, go and handle the camera. If you like the handling just get it.

My main reason for getting a pentax - it gives me what I need to grow into a mid-range user at a very reasonable price. Bodies for k10d and k20d are like $550-750 range with kit lens. Can use your remaining 250 on a couple of prime lenses like 50/1.7 or 28/3.5. I don't know about you but i'm quite tired of looking for the next BIG thing in dslr development when a 10.1mp camera will fulfill all that i need at the moment.
 

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I think between the D3000 and K-x, the K-x is obviously superior. Pentax has a better selection of glass for crop bodies, plus the prices of the glass are actually somewhat affordable.

If you get semi serious, I think Pentax can keep up - unless you shoot primarily sports, in which case nikon's D300/s might be slightly better (mainly - higher continuous shooting rate, although it's not clear that's really necessary).

If you get super serious, that's "full frame" anyway, so who cares. Most of the lenses you will buy with crop won't be useful that where you upgrade that much. Of course, if you buy lenses with this in mind...

So - in this specific situation, I would get a K-x - unless you plan on being super serious soon, in which case you could possibly get the D3000 + kit + 50/1.4 AF-S.

--

But - must say - just buy whichever you prefer the feel of after you handle. It doesn't really matter all that much what you buy.
 

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Hmmm... don't understand your point of view about being super-serious and getting a D3000 + kit + 50/1.4 AF-S ? My point is D3000 is the successor of the D60 - which I (used to) owned but personally don't think it is a "super-serious" camera - a very good basic entry level dslr. Super-serious is a D300 but the D3000 just leaves me kinda puzzled.

Agree with you that it doesn't really matter on what you buy. As long as TS is comfortable with the body, functions, etc. :)

Don't buy too many DA lenses or DX lenses if you intend to go full frame. LOL :bsmilie:
 

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okay I am intending to get a DSLR soon and currently I am doing my research about cameras and such.

I am still undecided to get either D3000 or Pentax kx.

One of my friend recommend me to get d3000 whereas quite number of forumers recommend me Pentax kx . I felt I got brainwashed by them on Pentax :bsmilie:

I have a budget 1k for a starting and this is some question I gonna ask . Pardon me for my noobness yeah

1) Pentax , is it popular brand for DSLR ? Good?

2) Is it considered as those "FOR BEGGINER WHO WANNA TRY DSLR" camera?

3) What is the market price for KX and which shop sells that?

4) Any brand of lense can fit in KX , is it ?

5) Dry cabinet/Dry box is a must have eventhough I gonna use it all the time for outing and such?

6) Why people recommend me KX , why not others?

1. I am ex Nikon (D200), Canon (5D, 1D2N) and Leica (M8) owner. Pentax gives best value for the money, period. Results are on par, in many cases better than competitors of the same class. You don't see much Pentax advertisement of bus and mrts. Therefore, you can presume most of your money actually goes towards the R&D for your camera.

2. You might want to borrow or really make up your mind before commiting to a new system. I know people who buy a DSLR in the heat and fail to utilize the camera adequately. In short, their new camera is just a white elephant. And digital cameras depreciate in value fast.

But to answer your question, yes. It is an excellent begineer's camera.

3. Refer to other CS members' answer.

4. Yes and no. 3rd party lens designed for Pentax mount will work. Nikon, Canon, Sony/Minolta, Leica lens will not work unless an adapter exist or modifications are done.

5. Yes. If you want to grow plants inside your lens and camera, then no.:bsmilie:

6. I think there was a thread comparing the K-x to the D300s and 7D. I'd take a look there.

If you're super duper doubly sure you will squeeze every bit of capability out of your camera, pay a couple of hundreds more and get a K7.:thumbsup:
 

After using Nikon & Pentax..ok let me help you on that.

For me very simple:

1) if you hobby shooter using it for serious shoot out like,landscape/marco/street shooting &
people & outdoor photography. I strongly recommend ( Pentax )

2) if you thinking of doing some events like wedding / sports / ballroom shoot / flash & others etc in future, go with N or C.

That simple right..haha! just ME.;)
 

so KX using rechargeable batt or normal batt?
 

it uses AA

you can use lithiums, or recjhargeable nimhs, it will be better.

alkalines as a last resort, but based on track record of any digital camera, alkalines are horrible for battery life.
 

After using Nikon & Pentax..ok let me help you on that.

For me very simple:

1) if you hobby shooter using it for serious shoot out like,landscape/marco/street shooting &
people & outdoor photography. I strongly recommend ( Pentax )

2) if you thinking of doing some events like wedding / sports / ballroom shoot / flash & others etc in future, go with N or C.

That simple right..haha! just ME.;)

Nik, it makes so much sense why go professional must use N or C. Not because features not good but more likely to impress clients. :bsmilie:

Has it ever happen that a wedding photog meets a couple for a job. The groom asked "arhh... what camera you use?" Photog goes "Pentax k-7" Couple walks out of the door and mumbled "Simi is Pentax?"

Ignorance of the masses... hahahahaha...

Personally to me, Pentax makes me happy. More so than N but not from C. :sticktong
 

Nik, it makes so much sense why go professional must use N or C. Not because features not good but more likely to impress clients. :bsmilie:

I don't think it's the reputation that nik is basing his decision on..... at least that's my guess.
 

I don't think it's the reputation that nik is basing his decision on..... at least that's my guess.

Really, what is your guess because it's kinda puzzling why N & C and not Pentax? :think:
 

it uses AA

you can use lithiums, or recjhargeable nimhs, it will be better.

alkalines as a last resort, but based on track record of any digital camera, alkalines are horrible for battery life.

That is one thing I miss. My old fuji prosumer uses AAs too and I find it very flexible. But nowadays most cameras are all going propriety battery route. So refreshing to find Pentax still in the AA route.
 

Really, what is your guess because it's kinda puzzling why N & C and not Pentax? :think:

use pentax for ?

1) sports
2) wedding
3) landscape
4) portraits
5) Journalism

1) pentax not there yet... AF tracking and lacking long teles
2) there are better options
3) probably can do the job but i think many pros uses MF as well
4) same as point 3
5) probably the most suitable

CPS / NPS, i dunno is there a equivalent service from pentax but if i make a living from photography, i need priorites in my equipment servicing...

C / N are more than happy to consign their equipments to many pros during big events...

If pentax start targeting the pros out there, think they are digging their own grave... we cannot follow the model use by N / C...

its best to focus on targeting the right ppl and making more products like K-x...

but im still waiting for them to have a FF camera... :bsmilie:
 

Any dSLR camera on the market should be more than enough to most amateurs like us. It doesn't really matter which camera you choose or use, they are all capable of making great photos. It's the user to make the decision, not some others. Just go to a shop and test out the cameras you are looking at and see which one you like the best.

Between Nikon D3000, Canon 500D, Pentax Kx or Sony A500, I'd go w/ Kx for its smaller size, great features and most of all, being different from the crowd (the reason I went for Pentax *istD 5 years back ;))
 

Really, what is your guess because it's kinda puzzling why N & C and not Pentax? :think:

For events and weddings, I think Nikon has has the advantage over Pentax with their superior flash system, better AF, and for the FF bodies you can pump ISO. For sports, working against Pentax is the AF, and lack of fast super-tele lenses (unless you can pick up some rare old gems on eBay).

But I'm assuming that the guy has to be pretty serious about shooting sports, events, etc, and whatever little bit of difference is going to count. Most of us are probably not so concerned, and like nik said, for hobby shooters (or for the other genres), Pentax is highly recommended.
 

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