ruel
07-09-2007, 01:00 AM
I am looking to "graduate" to a dSLR soon.
I started with a basic point and shoot from Canon, moving to the S2. However I have become frustrated with the lack of flexibility, among other things. So, I am finally looking to buy my first dSLR.
I have had experience using Canons, obviously, and had used a Nikon D80 for a couple months, it was a teacher's and we were working on a publication.
In all honesty, I had not learned enough or had enough experience to take advantage of the D80 and its features.
Now I can't really afford its features, regardless of whether I would be able to put them to use or not. I am looking for a good dSLR to continue learning with and gaining experience. I am looking to spend under $800 with the body and a decent lens, obviously if I can fit in a decent lens and a more specialized lens, all the better, or if buying just the body and a 3rd party lens would be better, I am up for that too. Basically, I am flexible for what I expect in the price, I just want the basics, a body and at least a decent lens.
Also, I have invested already in the SD storage type so would like to stay with a camera that uses that storage format. I would also like a camera that supports some form of IS, I frequently use a tripod or monopod, but travel a lot when I do not bring these tools. Also walking around all the time with one like I do my camera, would not be as practical.
I am looking to shoot many various styles from black and white, to macro, to portrait, landscape, and night. Portrait and black and white being more important. to me. So if the camera were to come with a kit lens suitable for shooting portrait or in b&w that would also be great.
I would like a camera that had the ability to shoot in RAW as well, although I would not use that feature so much that it is necessarily a make or break factor.
The type of battery it uses is also not a make or break factor, although AA would be more convenient.
Finally, and this may be odd but I really enjoy using cameras that have a sturdy construction and don't feel too light in the hands. This may seem odd, but I just don't know how to word it correctly, perhaps saying "I wan't to know I am holding a camera." makes a bit more sense.
I have been looking at
the Pentax K100D
and the pricier K10D.
Advantages I see towards the K100D are that it is cheaper, and it used AA batteries.
For the K10D I see myself appreciating its greater range of possible exposures, being slightly heavier , as well as being more feature rich, therefore I would have more "room to grow" although I am not sure if all that justifies the greater cost.
I don't really need the weather proofing of the K10 as I am not planning on taking many shots near splashing water, or in a sandstorm. Also I probably will not use a battery grip.
As for the K100D the features it brings regarding shooting modes are similar to those of the S2 I am looking to move from. The K10D provides much, much more flexibility, or so it seems.
A benefit to the K10 is also that more of its controls are available without using a menu. However, I am not looking to make very large prints so its extra resolution doesn't mean much.
So when it boils right down to it
The K100 is much cheaper, and uses AA batteries. Yet is a bit more limited.
The K10 offers greater flexibility, which I was looking for, but I will also be paying for features I will not take advantage of, such as its sealing, battery grip option, and resolution.
I am not sure which offers a better kit lens for portraits or black and white photos though.
What do you think I should go for?
The K100D
or The K10D?
Thank you!
R
P.S. A recommendation on a good portrait lens, and a good "walk-around" would be appreciated. For the walk around, high zoom is not really needed as I don't tend to take many high zoom photos.
I started with a basic point and shoot from Canon, moving to the S2. However I have become frustrated with the lack of flexibility, among other things. So, I am finally looking to buy my first dSLR.
I have had experience using Canons, obviously, and had used a Nikon D80 for a couple months, it was a teacher's and we were working on a publication.
In all honesty, I had not learned enough or had enough experience to take advantage of the D80 and its features.
Now I can't really afford its features, regardless of whether I would be able to put them to use or not. I am looking for a good dSLR to continue learning with and gaining experience. I am looking to spend under $800 with the body and a decent lens, obviously if I can fit in a decent lens and a more specialized lens, all the better, or if buying just the body and a 3rd party lens would be better, I am up for that too. Basically, I am flexible for what I expect in the price, I just want the basics, a body and at least a decent lens.
Also, I have invested already in the SD storage type so would like to stay with a camera that uses that storage format. I would also like a camera that supports some form of IS, I frequently use a tripod or monopod, but travel a lot when I do not bring these tools. Also walking around all the time with one like I do my camera, would not be as practical.
I am looking to shoot many various styles from black and white, to macro, to portrait, landscape, and night. Portrait and black and white being more important. to me. So if the camera were to come with a kit lens suitable for shooting portrait or in b&w that would also be great.
I would like a camera that had the ability to shoot in RAW as well, although I would not use that feature so much that it is necessarily a make or break factor.
The type of battery it uses is also not a make or break factor, although AA would be more convenient.
Finally, and this may be odd but I really enjoy using cameras that have a sturdy construction and don't feel too light in the hands. This may seem odd, but I just don't know how to word it correctly, perhaps saying "I wan't to know I am holding a camera." makes a bit more sense.
I have been looking at
the Pentax K100D
and the pricier K10D.
Advantages I see towards the K100D are that it is cheaper, and it used AA batteries.
For the K10D I see myself appreciating its greater range of possible exposures, being slightly heavier , as well as being more feature rich, therefore I would have more "room to grow" although I am not sure if all that justifies the greater cost.
I don't really need the weather proofing of the K10 as I am not planning on taking many shots near splashing water, or in a sandstorm. Also I probably will not use a battery grip.
As for the K100D the features it brings regarding shooting modes are similar to those of the S2 I am looking to move from. The K10D provides much, much more flexibility, or so it seems.
A benefit to the K10 is also that more of its controls are available without using a menu. However, I am not looking to make very large prints so its extra resolution doesn't mean much.
So when it boils right down to it
The K100 is much cheaper, and uses AA batteries. Yet is a bit more limited.
The K10 offers greater flexibility, which I was looking for, but I will also be paying for features I will not take advantage of, such as its sealing, battery grip option, and resolution.
I am not sure which offers a better kit lens for portraits or black and white photos though.
What do you think I should go for?
The K100D
or The K10D?
Thank you!
R
P.S. A recommendation on a good portrait lens, and a good "walk-around" would be appreciated. For the walk around, high zoom is not really needed as I don't tend to take many high zoom photos.