K100D..Pentax at it's best

[John Gregory]

I'm new to this web page, and so much enjoy it already. The Gallery has the very best that everyone can offer, and it is really very encouraging.
I then noticed that a thread titled K10D got 675 views and 50 replies, far more than any other. So I assume from this that there could also be an interest in the Pentax K100D. And since I just upgraded my old Nikon digital to the new Pentax, I'd like to open up a discussion on this camera.
I have very specific reasons for my choice, and right up on top is the fact that I can now use again all the 40+ year old prime lens that I bought for my old film Asahi Spotmatic. As I was making a decision on this camera I made a very detailed comparison of the zoom lens that could have been included, with my old prime lens, and I was totally convinced that my old Pentax lens were far superior to any new lens available.
Now I know that this is pushing pretty hard in many of your very experienced minds, but this is My opinion only. Then as I added all the other significant capabilities, e.g. Shake Reduction Function, and the CCD sensor cleaner, and the decision was made.
I'm sure that many of you may think that the 10 megapixel version is worth the price, but IMO a 6 megapixel camera with the best choice of a prime lens will outperform.
I carry with me a 35mm, 135mm, and 200mm prime lens, and a Joby tripod. If this is not enough, then I just move on.
I'm really interested in your feedback..
John Gregory

[Rudi]

Hi John,

welcome; to Pixel-Shooter! :)

It's always good to hear what others are up to (and I mean, "others" as in - not Nikon or Canon :D). The Pentax K10D has attracted my attention, and I am pretty heavily invested in Canon. Pentax have always had good ideas (same as Olympus), and I think the K100D will serve you well.

As for your lens line-up, 35mm is pretty much "normal" on the Pentax. Are you missing something wider at all???

[John Gregory]

Hello Rudi,
Good to hear from somone on this forum so soon.. Actually I did try using my 50mm (normal) lens on my K100D, but it did not give me enough space. So I tried the 35mm, and it has given me good options to capture a group of people and/or also I captured 14 side by side views of a golf course, and then blended them together. I can now view the tee to the green on a 425 yd course. The overlap was perfect to make the blending software work, and it was on my iMAC machine.
Best regards,
John Gregory

[Rudi]

Ah, a fellow Mac user - you must be a good bloke then! :D

[John Gregory]

Thanks, Rudi, that was nice of you.. I've had my iMac now for exactly one year, and I never looked back.. It is by far THE very best in computing power that industry could put together.http://www.pixel-shooter.com/forum/vbplaza.php?do=givegift&userid=14
Best regards,
John Gregory
PS..And of course it handles all my pic software, and stored images flawlessly..

[Jeff M]

Ah, a fellow Mac user - you must be a good bloke then! :D



Me too???:wave:

I'm a Mac user too! Had mine for over a year now.

[John Gregory]

Hello Jeff,
Well, at least three blokes know how to do it RIGHT!!!

Hello again Rudi,
I visited your web page, and was very impressed.. Is that your dog??
My dog, SAM, is on my profile..My best buddy...
Best regards,
John Gregory

[Kevin]

Hi John and welcome;

We actually have/had a member who was shooting Pentax but he moved away and hasn't participated much since then. It's nice to have another member offer opinions about another brand of gear.

It's cool that Pentax has maintained backward compatability with their previous lenses. That's one thing I liked about Nikon as well.

Well, I'm anxious to see some of your goodies.

[Rudi]

Hello again Rudi,
I visited your web page, and was very impressed.. Is that your dog??
My dog, SAM, is on my profile..My best buddy...
Best regards,
John Gregory

Nope, not my dog. Everyone I know owns pets though, and for some reason I am always their favourite. They know if a person loves animals or not. :D

[Jeff M]

Hello Jeff,
Well, at least three blokes know how to do it RIGHT!!!


That just proves great minds do think alike! :)

Macs .....:cheer:

PCs....:arghh:

[John Gregory]

Hello Kevin, Thanks for the welcome.. Actually I did put one image on the July show. One of my Hummer shots. I visited your very extensive web page.. Very, very impressive.. You have quite a wide range on interests..
I had many of my shots on Smugmug, but ran into security questions, so I am looking for options.
Best regards,
John Gregory

[Jerry]

Hi John, welcome to the forum, I recently switched from the Pentax K10D to a Canon 30D, but the K10D and the K100 are great cameras, I miss some of the great features the K10D offered, and the K100's 6 MPs are alot cleaner than the 10MP that was on the K10D. I had no past lenses, but had got some great glass for the K10D, but due to 90% of my shooting being Birds, the 30D was more suited to my shooting requirements, but the Pentax was the best bang for the buck and the K100 is a fantastic value. There were issues metering with the MF lenses on the K10D, so I sold the whole "system" and switched for faster AF, cleaner sensor and upgrade path. You will be very happy with the K100, I'm sure and look forward to your posts.

[John Gregory]

Hello Jerry, Good to hear from you.. I'm still very satisfied with my many old lens combined with a new camera. Overall it really is a good deal. I handle the focus issue by opening my aperature to about half, and adjusting the manual focus ring till I get the 'in focus' indictor lite. I use aperature priority most of the time, so the exposure time is auto.. So this is not a fully auto camera such as you might need to get your birds, but I've learned to make it pretty quick..
My wife put a hummer feeder on our porch, so I get a constant flow of these beautiful birds. I'll add a couple of my shots for some feedback from the pros. The Shake Reduction function of the K100D makes it possible for me to 'chase' the birds around to get the best shot.
Regards, John
PS.. How does a new member get on the 'member list'? I just noticed that I am not included yet.. Is that only for special members?

[Kevin]

PS.. How does a new member get on the 'member list'? I just noticed that I am not included yet.. Is that only for special members?

I noticed that myself a while back. I asked Keith about it and thought it was once you reached a certain number of posts (25 maybe?). Not to worry though, you'll show up soon. :)

[Bobby]

John, if you are happy with your Pentax and your lens selection then it absolutely the right choice for you. Looking forward to your posts. It's never the arrow, it's always the indian.

[Rudi]

It's never the arrow, it's always the indian.

Amen! :)

[txbonds]

Hi John and welcome;

We actually have/had a member who was shooting Pentax but he moved away and hasn't participated much since then. It's nice to have another member offer opinions about another brand of gear.

It's cool that Pentax has maintained backward compatability with their previous lenses. That's one thing I liked about Nikon as well.

Well, I'm anxious to see some of your goodies.



I'm guessing you are referring to me. :)

I did move, and have just been crazy with the new job and all, but do check in from time to time to read what's going on. Just don't have much free time anymore for shooting or posting. I still have the K10d, 18-55 kit lens and 70mm limited. However, I'm only shooting family shots these days.

The new 40d though gets me drooling a little though to get back into bird photo's, but I just don't have the free time at the moment. :)

Cheers,

Greg

[Kevin]

Hey Greg! Glad to see you alive and kicking. Glad also to hear you've still been coming around. I've missed our exchanges.

Don't feel pressured to post but please be sure to say hello when you can. Hope all is well. Sounds like you're busy. :)

[Rudi]

Hey Greg, nice to hear from you. Keep in touch! :)