Have I found the right digital camera for me?

Existing Light · Nov 21, 2011

Hey guys!

I've been a lurker here for a while, but (up until recently) a decently active APUG member.

I've decided to enter the world of digital and need some advice. I've got a small stockpile of Pentax K1000's and a few lenses (2 50mm and a 135mm). I've read online that I can use these lenses on their digital lineup, so I'd like to go with a Pentax digital camera if possible. After doing a bit of research, I've pretty much narrowed it down to the K-r (and it was a tough decision, given their massive lineup of dSLR's ).

It's a 12 megapixel camera, which I think is good enough for my needs. I'd like to do some landscapes with the ocassional portrait session, with prints rarely getting 11x14 or bigger. My biggest prints will most likely be 8x10 and 8x12 unless someone just wants something bigger.

The problem is I'm not sure if 12megapixels will be enough. Should I go ahead and splurge on the K-5 with it's 16 megapixel sensor, or will the K-r be sufficient for me?

Thanks in advance, guys (and and ladies)

2F/2F · Nov 21, 2011

Even 6 Mpix would be enough for you, based on my years of ownership of a 10D. My advice is that if you are going to spend extra money on a digital camera, do it for some reason other than larger pixel dimensions.

Are any of Pentax's offerings full frame? That would be a reason to splurge, IMO, regardless of the pixel dimensions. No camera until the D700 made me seriously want to upgrade from my 10D.

Existing Light · Nov 21, 2011

2F/2F said:
Even 6 Mpix would be enough for you, based on my years of ownership of a 10D. My advice is that if you are going to spend extra money on a digital camera, do it for some reason other than larger pixel dimensions.

Are any of Pentax's offerings full frame? That would be a reason to splurge, IMO, regardless of the pixel dimensions. No camera until the D700 made me seriously want to upgrade from my 10D.

Thanks for the quick reply. I assumed the K-r would be enough for me. I Guess the marketing hype had me second guessing myself

Unfortunatly, Pentax doesnt have any full-frame sensors. From what I've gathered around the internet (opinions and reviews and such), they seem to be making cameras for entry-level photographers and mid-level photographers. The only exception in their digital lineup is their MF digital camera, which runs around the $10k mark, meaning it's a bit out of my price range

I do know when they'll announce a full-frame camera: the day after I pay for a K-r

L Gebhardt · Nov 22, 2011

I have used a 12MP D300 for the last three years and have never found it to have too few pixels for what you state are your intended uses. To me the most important things to look for in getting a new camera is how it feels in use. I really like the Nikon interface over Canon's. Never tried the Pentax cameras so I can't comment. But make sure you pickup and try to use the camera before you settle on it. Make sure the autofocus works well in the light you'll be working in. To me I like buttons for common features, and not menu systems, so I make sure I can quickly adjust ISO, exposure compensation, mode (A S P) in any camera I buy.

Also, make sure the Pentax can use your old manual focus lenses. The consumer Nikons can't meter with older lenses, and can't even autofocus with the older AF lenses.

But don't worry too much about the number of pixels. More important is how the images look and how easy the camera gets out of the way to let you make them.

chuck94022 · Nov 22, 2011

I will echo the last poster (L Gebhardt), and will add this: if the sensor size is the same, but the pixel count is increased, look carefully at noise and sensitivity. More pixels does not necessarily mean a better picture. Also, if the sensor is not full frame, your lenses, while usable, will not have the same angle of view. Your 50mm will become a nice portrait lens (it will behave more like an 80-85mm lens), and your 135mm will become a more serious telephoto lens. And, you'll probably end up with a kit lens that covers both of these if you don't just buy a body.

Just something to consider...

-chuck

Existing Light · Nov 22, 2011

This chart here ( The Pentax Camera Lens Compatibility Chart ) says the lenses I have will fit, but they'll have limitations in metering. The legend at the bottom, if I'm reading it right, shows that I'll have to set the aperture on the camera manually and the camera body will figure out the right shutter speed, and, obviously, I'll have to manually focus. That isnt a problem for me. I'm not sure how often I'd need fully automatic exposures; the sunny f/16 rule and my handheld light meter have worked fine for me so far, so it should continue to be fine with this camera.

One thing I think might be a problem is the focusing screen. the one that comes in the camera is for auto focus cameras. I can get a focusing screen like in my K1000's, and they seem fairly easy to replace. They're not cheap, though. Good thing is I wont have to buy any new lenses unless I just want them later

I've read over the sensor size affecting te angle of view stuff on the internet, so I was familiar with that change. That might actually work out for the best. I've complained a lot when shooting film that the 50mm isnt long enough a lot of times and the 135 is either too long or too short. Maybe this will fix the problem..... or just make it worse. I'll deal with that as I need to when I finally get the camera

2F/2F · Nov 22, 2011

IMO, that is a blessing; you are better off with a camera that cannot meter. It forces you to trust your experience and a hand held light meter, which will give you better exposures unless you only shoot gray cards.

L Gebhardt · Nov 22, 2011

One thing I think might be a problem is the focusing screen. the one that comes in the camera is for auto focus cameras.

None of the DSLRs seem to come with a good focus screen. I just bought a KatzEye screen for the D7000 and it seems to make a big difference, but it's only been in the camera for 2 days. I did not have good luck with manual focus lenses on the D300, or on the new D7000, unless I used the LiveView feature (indispensable for macro and tripod use I am finding). It looks like KatzEye makes a screen for the Pentax K-r.

Existing Light · Nov 23, 2011

2F/2F said:
IMO, that is a blessing; you are better off with a camera that cannot meter. It forces you to trust your experience and a hand held light meter, which will give you better exposures unless you only shoot gray cards.

Totally agree. Might make snapshots of friends and family a little more of a hassle, but I dont think it's so much of a hassel to buy new lenses if I dont need to.

L Gebhardt said:
None of the DSLRs seem to come with a good focus screen. I just bought a KatzEye screen for the D7000 and it seems to make a big difference, but it's only been in the camera for 2 days. I did not have good luck with manual focus lenses on the D300, or on the new D7000, unless I used the LiveView feature (indispensable for macro and tripod use I am finding). It looks like KatzEye makes a screen for the Pentax K-r.

There's also a site called Focusingscreen.com. They have focusing screens a bit cheaper than Katzeye. Any difference in quality between the two businesses? If the KAtzeye prism is superior in some way, I'll go with it, but if I can save about $30 with no difference (or noticible difference) in quality, I'd prefer to do that

L Gebhardt · Nov 23, 2011

Existing Light said:
There's also a site called Focusingscreen.com. They have focusing screens a bit cheaper than Katzeye. Any difference in quality between the two businesses? If the KAtzeye prism is superior in some way, I'll go with it, but if I can save about $30 with no difference (or noticible difference) in quality, I'd prefer to do that

Katzeye has excellent support, I do not know how focusingscreen.com is. I wanted to get a bright screen, so I went with the Optibright option from Katzeye. I do not know if it really makes a difference and is brighter than the ones from focusingscreen.com. I am happy with the new screen, even if I possibly paid more than I needed to.

Existing Light · Dec 31, 2011

Well, I finally got around to ordering it. My Pentax K-r will be here on the 4th of January, according to the UPS tracker.

I'm excited

Existing Light · Feb 9, 2012

Well ,the camera's been here for a while, and I really like it.

I ordered a focusing screen from Katzeye since I only have older K-mount lenses, and that helps out quite a bit with focusing. I dont like having to listen for a beep from the camera (I might be young, but my hearing seems to not be where it should be :\) and looking for a green light in the viewfinder. I actually installed the focusing screen right the first time without screwing anything up

Hopefully I'll get around to doing some real shooting with it soon

desertfotog · Aug 18, 2012

Stating the number of megapixels does not give out accurate information on how sharp the images will be. Digital image quality is a three-legged stool -- number of megapixels, the size of the pixels and the size of the sensor.
Personally I would read some reviews in magazines I trusted -- the photo mags or PC World -- and see what they say about Pentax digital cameras. I used an old HP 3 megapixel digital for a while and the results were great. My present Nikon SLR is six and I can make large prints that are swell. I have an Olympus rangefinder digital I found for $15 at a thrift shop It is 3 megapixels and the photos are stunning.
The number of megaixels by itself is meaningless.

RalphLambrecht · Dec 6, 2013

2F/2F said:
IMO, that is a blessing; you are better off with a camera that cannot meter. It forces you to trust your experience and a hand held light meter, which will give you better exposures unless you only shoot gray cards.

that was my opinion(experience )too until I saw the capabilities of Nikon's matrix metering.there is no wayI can beat thatwith any other method.

Pioneer · Dec 6, 2013

I started with a K1000 many, many years ago and still use it. In my opinion Pentax has continued to do a good job maintaining backwards compatibility with their legacy glass, even better than Nikon has though they also do a decent job.

Using the older, manual glass on the digital Pentax cameras is pretty simple if anyone decides they want to try. First, go into the Custom Menu and select the menu option that allows you to work with lenses using aperture rings on the lens. Then, set the aperture you want to work with, aim at your subject, and press the green button. The camera will automatically stop the lens down to the aperture you selected, meter using the metering method you have chosen (matrix, center-weighted, spot), and set a shutter speed based on your aperture. You can accept that and take your picture, or make an adjustment that fits your view better.

Focusing can be done using the cameras own in-focus indicator but I went out and bought a Katz Eye focus screen which has a split image prism. It works so great that I have an older ist DL2 I am still using regularly even though the focus motor died a couple years ago.

Have I found the right digital camera for me?

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