Hi! Igor, my reply is between your lines.
On 1/15/2010 7:36 PM, Igor Roshchin wrote:
In view of various comments from people about K-7 and K-x, I've been thinking, - why am I shooting with Pentax?
'Cause I like the glass and 'cause I invested enough and 'cause I am lazy enough not to want to move.
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.
Having considerable experience with *istD, K10D and K-7 and limited experience with *istDS, K100D and K20D I should say that K-7 has the best AF of the Pentax line up so far. Is it good enough *for you* - how could I tell. It is _mostly_ good enough for me.
It is likely that K-x outdoes K-7 re low light shooting. I, for one, have the very first camera in years that can shoot at ISO 1600 and ISO 2000 and get good results. Again, I generally shoot between ISO 100 and ISO 400 and way more often at ISO 100 than anything else.
3. The P-TTL performance is inconsistent (I don't know how I-TTL/E-TTL etc. are in that regard - any comments?)
I played only once (like for an hour or so) with 360th flash. It wasn't hmmm well, it wasn't straightforward. I am using old SCA 3701 and old Metz flash that work for me. But I shoot very little with flash...
So, I was re-thinking my use of Pentax. ... I enjoyed my ZX-5n greatly.
Likewise, Julia and I chose MZ-5n on top of F-80 but got MZ-6 at the end. It still works, the little fella...
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?
That's a good question. E.g. why don't you buy yourself a special (not Pentax) kit for low light (dance events) shooting? Assuming, of course, you've got the money.
I still like Pentax.
Count me in.
I don't like at all the consumer line of Canons (Rebels etc.).
Me too...
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 kind of dislike their colors. Yes, I know with proper processing any reasonable color can be obtained and all that. But I kind of like Pentax and Canon's colors better.
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.
I should've bought that Panasonic GF-1 camera for Galia with 20/1.7 pancake, but I confused it with Olympus offering and went on buying K-7 and giving her my K10D. I might have made a mistake...
As for Pentax, I am currently evaluating if I should exchange the K-7 for a K-x for a better low-light performance.
Some say it outshoots all of its siblings and generally is the best low-light low-price offering on the market today. Since this is rather strong and broad statement, careful examination thereof is in order.
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.
Good, but do you change AF mode, ISO and metering mode all that often at shoot-time???
I would be glad to hear what others have to say about these thoughts.
Here you have mine. Hope it helps... Boris -- 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.
