Pentax *ist D

Thanks to all that responded to my question. Looks like a no-brainer after
reading your comments and I'm headed for the local camera shop. Just happen
to have a neice getting married in a couple of weeks so along with a couple
of film cameras, it looks like the *new* ist will get a workout also.

Charlie, thanks for your succint critique - as usual - and also to the rest
of you for sharing your experiences and insight. To those that posted links
to their sites, I've added them to my short list. Some very impressive
work.

The link to the photokina was a nostaglia trip - thanks! I was there in '66
and what a show it was. That was the year the picture of the monk that set
himself on fire made all the news and as I recall, it was Minolta that blew
it up (~20'x50') and hung it from the ceiling of the show tent. It was taken
with their 8mm "spy" camera as I recall.

Thank you,

Bob S.

Kewl, I just dropped my money down on a *istD w/ 14mm/2.8 today

"Charlie Self" wrote in message
...
tony notes:

owever, I'm wondering if that will still have full
backwards lens compatibility, or if it will retain the *istD's bright
pentaprism viewfinder.


Yes. I forgot to mention that viewfinder. It's as good as it gets. Lovely.
Even
matte screen focusing is easy, and with my aged eyes, that's saying a lot.

Charlie Self
"Inanimate objects are classified scientifically into three major
categories -
those that don't work, those that break down and those that get lost."
Russell
Baker

Kewl, I just dropped my money down on a *istD w/ 14mm/2.8 today

"Charlie Self" wrote in message
...
tony notes:

owever, I'm wondering if that will still have full
backwards lens compatibility, or if it will retain the *istD's bright
pentaprism viewfinder.


Yes. I forgot to mention that viewfinder. It's as good as it gets. Lovely.
Even
matte screen focusing is easy, and with my aged eyes, that's saying a lot.

Charlie Self
"Inanimate objects are classified scientifically into three major
categories -
those that don't work, those that break down and those that get lost."
Russell
Baker

"BobS" wrote in message
. ..
About ready to make the jump to the Pentax *ist D but would like to get a
couple of real world comments from those that own one already or have used
it. I've read plenty of reviews - all favorable and the pro's and con's
about the sharpness and the CF card. Since I already have 3 other Pentax
camera's and a few lenses in my collection (which can be used on the
*ist),
it makes economical sense to go with this camera.

But... any real-world gotcha's (reliability, parts falling off, etc.) that
only show up after having used it for awhile - any regrets?

Just a novice photographer with high expectations !

Thanks,

Bob S.

*ist D is missing a P :-) The silly name would put me off.
On a serious note make sure that the lenses you have are usable on the *ist
if not *ist is not a good idea.
Bear in mind that the focal lenth is multiplyed by 1.5 (actualy its
cropping the image but for a rule of thumb multiply by 1.5) and for the
money your getting I believe a 5 mp camera. why not go for the Nikon D70 for
less money you get a desent wide angle lense which also zooms to 150 mm ala
35 mm full frame camera. Or better still, before making up your mind, try
them all.
MikeS Nikon D70 user

"BobS" wrote in message
. ..
About ready to make the jump to the Pentax *ist D but would like to get a
couple of real world comments from those that own one already or have used
it. I've read plenty of reviews - all favorable and the pro's and con's
about the sharpness and the CF card. Since I already have 3 other Pentax
camera's and a few lenses in my collection (which can be used on the
*ist),
it makes economical sense to go with this camera.

But... any real-world gotcha's (reliability, parts falling off, etc.) that
only show up after having used it for awhile - any regrets?

Just a novice photographer with high expectations !

Thanks,

Bob S.

*ist D is missing a P :-) The silly name would put me off.
On a serious note make sure that the lenses you have are usable on the *ist
if not *ist is not a good idea.
Bear in mind that the focal lenth is multiplyed by 1.5 (actualy its
cropping the image but for a rule of thumb multiply by 1.5) and for the
money your getting I believe a 5 mp camera. why not go for the Nikon D70 for
less money you get a desent wide angle lense which also zooms to 150 mm ala
35 mm full frame camera. Or better still, before making up your mind, try
them all.
MikeS Nikon D70 user

"MikeS" wrote:


On a serious note make sure that the lenses you have are usable on the *ist
if not *ist is not a good idea.

All old Pentax lenses work (and meter) with the *istD with the 1.11
firmware updfate, unlike Canon, Nikon and the rest where you pretty
much take pot luck if you have old lenses.

Bear in mind that the focal lenth is multiplyed by 1.5 (actualy its
cropping the image but for a rule of thumb multiply by 1.5) and for the
money your getting I believe a 5 mp camera.

No. it's a 6 mp sensor, and the same one as fitted to the D70 and
D100.

TonyH

"MikeS" wrote:


On a serious note make sure that the lenses you have are usable on the *ist
if not *ist is not a good idea.

All old Pentax lenses work (and meter) with the *istD with the 1.11
firmware updfate, unlike Canon, Nikon and the rest where you pretty
much take pot luck if you have old lenses.

Bear in mind that the focal lenth is multiplyed by 1.5 (actualy its
cropping the image but for a rule of thumb multiply by 1.5) and for the
money your getting I believe a 5 mp camera.

No. it's a 6 mp sensor, and the same one as fitted to the D70 and
D100.

TonyH

MikeS writes:

*ist D is missing a P :-) The silly name would put me off.
On a serious note make sure that the lenses you have are usable on the *ist
if not *ist is not a good idea.

Almost all Pentax lenses are usable, though some of the real early ones don't
work as well as the later ones. That includes those for the 6x7 and 645. Try
that from another maker.

nd for the
money your getting I believe a 5 mp camera. why not go for the Nikon D70 for
less money you get a desent wide angle lense which also zooms to 150 mm ala
35 mm full frame camera. Or better still, before making up your mind, try
them all.

The latter thought is a good one, but IIRC, he said he had some Pentax lenses
on hand already. Pentax. Not Nikon. Not Canon.

Charlie Self
"Bore, n.: A person who talks when you wish him to listen." Ambrose Bierce, The
Devil's Dictionary

MikeS writes:

*ist D is missing a P :-) The silly name would put me off.
On a serious note make sure that the lenses you have are usable on the *ist
if not *ist is not a good idea.

Almost all Pentax lenses are usable, though some of the real early ones don't
work as well as the later ones. That includes those for the 6x7 and 645. Try
that from another maker.

nd for the
money your getting I believe a 5 mp camera. why not go for the Nikon D70 for
less money you get a desent wide angle lense which also zooms to 150 mm ala
35 mm full frame camera. Or better still, before making up your mind, try
them all.

The latter thought is a good one, but IIRC, he said he had some Pentax lenses
on hand already. Pentax. Not Nikon. Not Canon.

Charlie Self
"Bore, n.: A person who talks when you wish him to listen." Ambrose Bierce, The
Devil's Dictionary

Correct - I have a small assortment of Pentax lenses with all kinds of
filters that are in excellent shape and I know what to expect from the macro
to the zoom.

Now finding one locally is turning out to be a real trick - not available.


Bob S.


The latter thought is a good one, but IIRC, he said he had some Pentax
lenses
on hand already. Pentax. Not Nikon. Not Canon.

Charlie Self
"Bore, n.: A person who talks when you wish him to listen." Ambrose
Bierce, The
Devil's Dictionary