The Cheapest DSLR

[Rex914]

I don't know if anybody's noticed, but Pentax is practically "dumping" the *ist DL which was already cheaply priced before a rebate.

Normally, it retails between $400 - $450. They started offering a $100 rebate starting on July 1st, bringing it down to $300-$350, about the same price as a midrange point and shoot.

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/pentax/starist_dl-front.jpg

Edit - Shoot, how did this end up here? This goes into the Pentax DSLR section.

[bascom]

I noticed but I don't think the retail is $400 - $450. Circuit city offers it for $550, so it's $450 after the rebate. Some web sites offer it for less but I prefer stores.

[Rex914]

Circuit City is selling the Kit version for $550. If you look around at reputable online stores (with brick and mortar preseneces) like BHPhoto, Adorama and Buydig (Beach Camera), they all offer the body only version for $400-$450 before rebate.

[Rhys]

I predict dSLRs stabilising at around SLR prices in the next 3 years.

[bascom]

What are SLR prices these days?

[vedanthi]

Which other lenses (manufacturer) are compliant with Pentax DSLRs?

[DonSchap]

Obviously, you want a system of flexibility behind your rig... otherwise, you get bottlenecked.

Let's go down the list of websites... (from largest to ... dwarf):

Canon (http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ProductCatIndexAct&fcategoryid=111)
Nikon (http://www.nikonusa.com/template.php?cat=1&grp=6)
Fuji (http://www.fujifilmusa.com/JSP/fuji/epartners/proPhotoProductS3.jsp)/Nikon
Olympus (http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/cpg_digital_slr.asp)
Sony (http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_BrowseCatalog-Start?CategoryName=dcc_DIDigitalCameras&CP=sony_hm_nav_elec_digcamshop&ref=http%3A//www.sony.com/index.php)
Pentax (http://www.pentaxslr.com/home)
Sigma (http://www.sigmaphoto.com/cameras/cameras_cameras.asp)

Okay... now what? :eek: You have the next to the smallest dwarf flooding the market with cheap bodies... you still need serious glass to turn out a good photo, right?


Which other lenses (manufacturer) are compliant with Pentax DSLRs?


Thank goodness for TAmROn (http://www.tamron.com/lenses/default-photo.asp) ... SIGMA (http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all.asp)... and maybe Tokina (http://www.tokinalens.com/products/tokina/index.html)? ;) These links are crucial to a good effort with a Pentax rig.

[Rex914]

What are SLR prices these days?
I've been keeping this list up to date for a while. Check here.

http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11093

In general, entry level kits (D50, 350D, E-500) are between $500-$750 now, and second tier entry level kits are between $750-$1000 (D70s, E-330, A100). Prosumer kits are still between $1000-$1500 (20D, 30D).

[Rhys]

But film SLRs range between $110 to $2300 at Ritz.

Pricegrabber ranges from 110 to about $2300 with the vast majority being between $200 and $250.

I'd say that dSLRs have some way to fall in price before they'll be chucking them out for SLR prices.

And I don't buy the argument that innovation will be stiffled by low prices because SLRs were in continual development.

[gfmucci]

In the marketing world, some products are sold as "loss-leader" in order to make profit off accessories. I wouldn't be surprised to see companies jumping on the hot digital bandwagon to increase sales of lenses and other accessories ($$$$$) by selling the camera bodies at cost or less. There is no reason this wouldn't work the same as for other products, e.g. some low priced printers (make money from the ink); free razors (make money from the blades). You could probably think of many other examples. Great for the consumer!

[Spot focus]

Are pentax cheap or are other brands overpriced :confused:What other brand is backward compatable to 1955 lenses:confused:which can now be image stablized:)

[jeisner]

Thank goodness for TAmROn (http://www.tamron.com/lenses/default-photo.asp) ... SIGMA (http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all.asp)... and maybe Tokina (http://www.tokinalens.com/products/tokina/index.html)? ;) These links are crucial to a good effort with a Pentax rig.

Why? In general Pentax make better lenses than any of the third parties (like all the first part manufacturers Canon/Nikon/Oly)... I have a very good range of lenses with only one 3rd party lens (not necessary but was feeling cheap at the time)...

- Pentax SMC DA 16-45mm f4
- Pentax SMC FA 28mm f2.8
- Pentax SMC FA 35mm f2.0
- Pentax SMC FA 50mm f1.4
- Pentax SMC DA 50-200 f4-5.6
- Pentax SMC FA 28-105mm f3.2-4.5
- Tamron SP DI 90mm f2.8 Macro
- Pentax SMC F* 300mm f4.5

And with my K100D these are all image stabilised...


There are also a number of other great Pentax lenses I would love..
- Pentax DA 10-17 fisheye
- Pentax DA 12-24/4
- Pentax DA 14/2.8
- Pentax DA 21/3.2 Pancake
- Pentax DA 40/2.8 Pancake
- Pentax DA 70/2.4 Pancake
- Pentax FA* 80-200/2.8
- Pentax FA 31/1.8 Limited
- Pentax FA 77/1.8 limited

WOW, thats an expensive list LOL

And the 2 new DA 2.8 zooms on the way. Though I only want the 50-135/2.8, as I am happy with the 16-45/4 as my standard wide zoom...

For DA (digital specific) lenses Pentaxes range is actually only second to Olympus..

In the wide to short tele lens there is no need whatsoever to look at third party lenses, Pentax has a very complete line up.. If you are a tele shooter though and don't want to shell out for one of the older F* or FA* tele lenses then yes you would have to consider third party lenses.. But I say buy the best (beyond happy with my F*300/4.5)..

[jeisner]

Are pentax cheap or are other brands overpriced :confused:What other brand is backward compatable to 1955 lenses:confused:which can now be image stablized:)

Pentax lenses are cheaper for one as they have no motors in them, they are somewhat easier to construct mechanically...

Sticking with in camera AF has meant the AF speed although good (esp on the K100D and D) does lack a little behind the competition.. Though more noticable on the long end than the wide end.. Notice how they have been holding back on new long end lenses though????

That said by the end of this year they will have in lens motor lenses announced (maybe released), but they will keep both connections so people don't feel left out (very good committment to their customers).. You should expect new higher range tele lenses after this is announced.. Unfortunately these will probably cost more..

[nbs2]

That said by the end of this year they will have in lens motor lenses announced (maybe released), but they will keep both connections so people don't feel left out (very good committment to their customers).. You should expect new higher range tele lenses after this is announced.. Unfortunately these will probably cost more..
So how would the K100 handle (or would it not) the in lens motor? Will there be some sort of divide where the K100 crowd must be happy with a camera motor while the K10/K1 folks get their pick of the litter (me? I'll be happy with whatever the wife lets me have), or do you think it would be possible to control the in lens with the K100?

[rfortson]

If I had to guess, I'd say the lenses with motors would have a way to shunt/override the in-camera motor. This would be consistent with Pentax's philosophy of maintaining compatibility with past Pentax equipment. This is a major selling point for Pentax when you can mount basically any Pentax-mount lens made on their most current dSLR. This is a huge advantage for Pentax and one that they don't promote effectively.

[KFrog]

Why? In general Pentax make better lenses than any of the third parties (like all the first part manufacturers Canon/Nikon/Oly)... I have a very good range of lenses with only one 3rd party lens (not necessary but was feeling cheap at the time)...

- Pentax SMC DA 16-45mm f4
- Pentax SMC FA 28mm f2.8
- Pentax SMC FA 35mm f2.0
- Pentax SMC FA 50mm f1.4
- Pentax SMC DA 50-200 f4-5.6
- Pentax SMC FA 28-105mm f3.2-4.5
- Tamron SP DI 90mm f2.8 Macro
- Pentax SMC F* 300mm f4.5

And with my K100D these are all image stabilised...


There are also a number of other great Pentax lenses I would love..
- Pentax DA 10-17 fisheye
- Pentax DA 12-24/4
- Pentax DA 14/2.8
- Pentax DA 21/3.2 Pancake
- Pentax DA 40/2.8 Pancake
- Pentax DA 70/2.4 Pancake
- Pentax FA* 80-200/2.8
- Pentax FA 31/1.8 Limited
- Pentax FA 77/1.8 limited


In the wide to short tele lens there is no need whatsoever to look at third party lenses, Pentax has a very complete line up.. If you are a tele shooter though and don't want to shell out for one of the older F* or FA* tele lenses then yes you would have to consider third party lenses.. But I say buy the best (beyond happy with my F*300/4.5)..

That is one nice lens collection. What is the best way you've found to aquire Pentax lenses? Regular retail stores, specialty camera shops, online, KEH? I was wondering since I've never seen them in stores or on sale .

[mathetes]

... Pentax's philosophy of maintaining compatibility with past Pentax equipment. This is a major selling point for Pentax when you can mount basically any Pentax-mount lens made on their most current dSLR. This is a huge advantage for Pentax and one that they don't promote effectively.

No kidding! I had been concerned for years because their lens compatibility chart showed "limited functionality" for all of my old manual lenses (from the Pentax LX generation and earlier). Yet I also kept reading that you could use them. So I finally called Pentax and learned that "limited functionality" meant, in truth, that these lenses have to be focused manually (which is how they were designed to work in the first place) and that the preset aperture would work (this requires that one set the K100D to Aperture priority). So "limited functionality" turns out to mean "full functionality as the lens was designed" which was definitely something I could live with ... after all, I had been!! :D

Pentax really should be able to come up with a better way to word their description of backward compatibility. It is true that the old lenses don't appear to work fully with the built-in flash; I have yet to attempt to figure out that, but the automatic lens that comes with the K100D kit is nice and suitable for most pictures where I'd want flash anyway.

[Razr]

Okay... now what?
You have the next to the smallest dwarf flooding the market with cheap bodies... you still need serious glass to turn out a good photo, right?
"Flooding the market"? And it seems you know (very) little about Pentax SLR glass. But "flooding the market" with the only affordable DSLR with in-body IS? You jest of course.

How you overlooked the entire PENTAX lens line I do not know.
It stretches back to 1953 with the many superb M42 Pentax optics to today. Since the inception of their SMC (ghostless) coating, PENTAX has put out sterling lenses, dozens of them "pro" glass, one such lens an astounding 250-600mm** ("L" class) zoom!
**The now discontinued 250-600mm, has yet to be equaled by other super zooms. Maybe in focal length by the Sigma "Bigma", but not otherwise equaled.
Then there is The Pentax "Limited" series of lens, each a literal jewell in its own right.
Certainly you cannot be so cavalier as to place Pentax in your pantheon of "Dwarfs"; but then maybe you do not know of Pentax, they who produce the "Limited" lens line, the Pentax 645 & 67 medium format SLRs, the world famous Pentax LX (Y2K copies of which Japanese collectors are willing to pay upwards of $3,500 to obtain).

But I see your "fancy", like many, is toward top sellers, somehow equating that with "quality".
Then again, you probably never held a Pentax Spotmatic M42 SLR, or Pentax ME SLR body, or heard the magnificent whirring-chatter of a Pentax Super Program SLR over a Pentax Motor "A' as it goes about its business.

Then again, the world famous Pentax M42 and "K" mounts have seen thousands of lenses (and cameras manufactured just to use "K" mount glass.
At least 17 (seventeen!) different camera amkers adopted the "K" mount and hudreds of diffrent lenses have been made by them.
Today, Nikons, Canon FD and EOS, Minolta and other makers owners using "K" mount adapters, clamor for different "K" mount lens versions from the many "K" mount lens makers (including the Russians!).
There are thousands of M42 and "K" mount lenses out there.

It's like this: Canon FD & EOS, Nikon users line up for used and new M42 and "K" mount lenses: enough said!

[tommccarty]

I love this. I have a question that any may have asked in different ways
I will buy a K10d is it is close to what they advertise. I would most likely try to swap the kit or? I am not sure if it is a keeper unless you later upgrade the camera and have to include a lens. The new ones with weatherstripping and fast glass intrigue me.
What do you think would be a good kit.. starters say 50mm lens or good for indoor snap shots etc.... and say 1.4 ( fast glass )

I am waiting for the release and would like to see a discussion start when they come up.:) http://www.dcresource.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif