In view of various comments from people about K-7 and K-x, I've been thinking, - why am I shooting with Pentax? This is a summary of my thoughts - I'd like to hear what others think about this.
In the past few weeks I realized that compared to other brand DSLR's Pentax DSLRs (even the "flagman" K-7) has serious problems. In crude terms: 1. The AF sucks. 2. The low-light performance sucks. 3. The P-TTL performance is inconsistent (I don't know how I-TTL/E-TTL etc. are in that regard - any comments?) So, I was re-thinking my use of Pentax. I started with ZX-5n back in 1997. The reason I chose it over Nikon was that I didn't like ergonomics of N70/F70, and couldn't afford N90. ZX-5n had incredible ergonomics, especially after coming from an all-manual SLR (Kiev-19) where I could set everything blind-folded; ZX-5n had all-analog knobs and buttons. Despite lack of continuous AF that is found in Nikon models, I enjoyed my ZX-5n greatly. When the time came to buy a DSLR, I thought if I should switch to a Nikon, but decided to get *ist DS. And I've been rather happy with it for over 4.5 years by now. Yes, the low-light performance has been bothering me a lot, and while until recently I didn't suffer much from the shortcomings of the AF, - I just learned to work around it. In the last 2-3 years, I started taking photos at dance events, and that's where quick and accurate AF matters, and low light performance and an accurate flash are important. So, why am I still using Pentax, and buying new bodies and lenses? While thinking about it, I recalled a very old joke about two worms. A son and his father are seating in a pile of bull sh.. manure, and talking: -- Daddy, is it nice to live in that grove across the field? -- Yes, son. -- Daddy, is there plenty of food over there? -- Yes, son. -- Then why, daddy, we live in this pile of bull sh..? -- Because that's our Motherland. ... I still like Pentax. I don't like at all the consumer line of Canons (Rebels etc.). I seem to like mid-line of Nikon's circa 2005-2008 but have almost no idea about their more recent (and higher) models. I've been looking at Panasonics that are highly regarded by some PDMLers, but I am not sure if they have that good AF and low-light performance. As for Pentax, I am currently evaluating if I should exchange the K-7 for a K-x for a better low-light performance. I just got a K-x that I will try "in action" during the weekend. My first impression of a K-x is that functionality- and layout-wise, it is very reminiscent of the DS. But I was rather disappointed by the lack of the small top status display. I don't mind the versitality of the AA's (I use them for the flash anyway). K-x is lighter, but compared to K-7 the feel a bit plasticy; more so than that for DS. I like that the choice of the AF mode, ISO and exponometry mode in the K-7 is done by physical switches, not via the menu. I would be glad to hear what others have to say about these thoughts. Igor PS. The obvious short response "BS" is not accepted. ;-) -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
