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Do I want a K20D?

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doc martin

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Hello, I am contemplating the purchase of a K20D. My question is does anybody wish they would have gone another route instead of Pentax?

I used to have Minolta gear but ended up changing systems to Oly after the Sony buyout. I LOVED Minolta (7D) gear but Sony's price gouging to the inherent faithful turned me sour. Oly (E-1) stuff was nice and well built but the image quality left something to be desired, so I ended up selling that gear. That was 2 years ago and the picture bug is back and now I get to start fresh all over again.

I normally shoot portraits so a fast fps is not important to me, but a quick, accurate AF is. I also want something that is up for the occasional wedding.

I can't stand the thought of going CaNikon, is buying into a Pentax system worth it?
 
Sounds like you're trying to talk yourself into getting a Pentax?!?

It would be a mistake not to look into conikon, so don't leave them out on principle. The Nik*n D90 and D700 are getting very interesting price/feature wise.

The oly E-3 / E-30 cameras are worth a look too, having built-in IS like pentax but better live view features.

If after that you still want the K20D then welcome aboard. It is a fine camera and holds up well against the competition. Look long and hard at the lens options too, there may not be as much variety in pentax compared to others, but the DA series are great value and oh, on the other hand, lets not forget the mount accepts all the "K" type lenses ever made and will AF / light meter confirm even M42 lenses, actually, anything stuck on the front, and try do that on the other cameras!

I still own an E-1, and an E-410 for that matter, like the quality and smootheness of the two, but have to say, its reasuring that I can maunually focus 100% on my Pentax bodies at times (the majority of the DA lenses allow you to overide the autofocus any time). Try to go to a shop and handle the various cameras, look through the viewfinders and feel the hand grip too, all important things if you REALLY want the camera.
Good Luck

Andy
 
I have a K20D and love it, it is a dream camera, when considering how it performs and what it costs. I used to think there were others here that felt the same, but after spending (too much) time in this thread, http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=30940363 I have come to realize that there are many here that think Pentax is not "up to par". There was a time when Pentax defenders would come out in droves to defend their cameras and expose the wonderful attributes of owning Pentax. Nowadays, a guy that buys a Canon or Nikon is a virtual "hero" to be praised and considered "genius". Since the mob rules, and is surely right, I would not recommend a Pentax. Most of those former supporters have left and bought "real" cameras, and I am sure you want a "real camera" not a second rate "wanna be".
Some of the reasons you might not want a K20D:

It is too cheap. At current pricing around $700-$800, you are just not going to impress your friends or family with a purchase that is obviously "not worth much". Get yourself a real camera for $3-$8K and you will feel more like a "real" man with a "real" camera. Some even say they "grow a little" and get an improved sex life when buying an big expensive camera. I can't verify that, but I know it will sure give you "hero status" on this Forum

The K20D IQ is just too damn good, it rivals those big expensive Canons and Nikons, costing thousands more. I can't explain why this is bad...but trust me, it is. There is something that is just not fair for a lowly Pentax to rival the "real" cameras, and Lord knows, we want to be fair here.

The AF speed is so pathetic that you can't get focus unless you have a backup Canon or Nikon in your bag. It is just not practical to use the Pentax AF unless you have all day to get the shot. Test charts printed and posted on this Forum in the past few days showing Pentax is very close to C&N in AF speed have no bearing here....facts just get in the way of owning a "real" camera, and should never be regarded as useful in making a purchase. The fact (remember, disregard anything factual) that Pentax AF is highly accurate should not count for anything special. After all, it is just the name up front that boosts your sexual prowess.

The SR on the K20D is stunningly effective, but not something "real" shooters would ever want to have available. "Real" shooters don't rely on "gimmicks" like this, they don't care if their shots are blurry, they just print it and tell you to like it...and you had better like it, they are after all big heroes on this Forum.

The Main Reason...Take your pick....It is not a teeny-tiny "Casio-like" shirt pocket camera that will let you walk about with a two foot Bigma attached, pretending you are an undercover agent and avoiding detection by those you wish to fool into thinking you don't have a camera at all. I know, this defies logic, but we already covered that, and logic is for fools...apparently.

The Second Main Reason....The K20D is not a FF camera. My friend, I beg you, do not buy any camera that is not a FF camera. I have learned here over time that FF is the Holy Grail of cameras. FF can walk...and talk....and glow in the dark. There is nothing FF can't do, and do better by a mile. It is your very manhood at stake here, if you want to be a man, you will leave all the "boys of Pentax" behind and get yourself a FF camera. With one of these babies, you can go from an novice shooter, disoriented and unsure of what you want, to a Forum hero of Pro status, ready to change the world of photography with your new FF machine. Your whole life will change overnight...all your photos will win you world acclaim, your love life will go through the stratosphere, and even the Pope will kiss your hand.

There are plenty of other great reasons not to buy a K20D, but these are just a few I have learned here over time. Save yourself now, hit the "Clear all Data" and erase your tracks to this Forum, go over to a "real" Forum and get yourself a "real" camera.

BTW- Those other Forums are the most friendly places in the world...it is like being at your own birthday party.... if you are a newbie there, they treat you like you are the Queen and even send out representatives to visit with you and cater to your every desire......I read it right here.

Regards, Good Luck, and if you are as smart as I am hoping you are..I will never see you here again.
Rupert
--
'This is more serious than I thought.....but it is still fun!
http://www.pbase.com/rupertdog Take a look- It's Free!
WSSA Pentax Ambassador #125PX
 
OHHHH so true , we pentax people are just bafoons for buying a less than stellar camera

i mean trully who needs weather sealing when you can brag about how much you paid for your N* or C*

but then again at the last concert i did photos for
a guy with a d90 was saying my photos are way better than his

but liked i learned recently

its not the camera that makes the good photo its the person . the camera just helps you get photos other camera can not
--





live music is the best

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9684309@N06/sets/
http://www.shutterfly.com/share/pictures.jsp - more farm photos

Pentax K10d
DA* 50-135mm f/2.8
18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens
AF540fgz external flash
Sto-fen
BG-2 Battery Grip
Silk U-212 Deluxe Tripod
 
You are not helping this poor soul. That talk of weather sealing and excellent IQ ...what the heck has that got to do with anything? Without the "Seal of Approval" on the front saying C or N and without being FF, the K20D is just another "toy camera" that will cause this poor guy massive suffering and ridicule. His girlfriend will lave him for a "real man", and he will have to chew Viagra like candy mints just to convince himself that he is still a man. (Of course, we all know he won't be, but no one wants the facts

I can appreciate that "misery loves company" but we need to save this poor guy from the life that has plagued us with our highly inferior equipment. Think of it as a sacrifice for the common good. I know you mean well, and someday will get a "real" camera, but let's not pull in another poor sucker to the life of misery we both share.
--
'This is more serious than I thought.....but it is still fun!
http://www.pbase.com/rupertdog Take a look- It's Free!
WSSA Pentax Ambassador #125PX
 
OMG Rupert - you are GOOD! :-) I had no idea you had this proclivity for such facetious, saterical writing. I only worry that the OP is actually taking your seriously! lol
Good stuff . . .
Brian
 
Glad you have a sense of humor...You say "good"...my wife says I am a "smart ass", and she probably has plenty of company here, but I just go on my way.....and have tons of fun! There is a time for every purpose under the heaven....even for fools like me!
--
'This is more serious than I thought.....but it is still fun!
http://www.pbase.com/rupertdog Take a look- It's Free!
WSSA Pentax Ambassador #125PX
 
Rupert60 said:
The Second Main Reason....The K20D is not a FF camera. My friend, I
beg you, do not buy any camera that is not a FF camera. I have
learned here over time that FF is the Holy Grail of cameras. FF can
walk...and talk....and glow in the dark. There is nothing FF can't
do, and do better by a mile. It is your very manhood at stake here,
if you want to be a man, you will leave all the "boys of Pentax"
behind and get yourself a FF camera. With one of these babies, you
can go from an novice shooter, disoriented and unsure of what you
want, to a Forum hero of Pro status, ready to change the world of
photography with your new FF machine. Your whole life will change
overnight...all your photos will win you world acclaim, your love
life will go through the stratosphere, and even the Pope will kiss
your hand.
Click to expand...
You forgot to mention, full-frame cameras will solve world hunger and end childhood disease around the world. That's something Pentax can't possibly do.
 
don't pay too much attention to the waves of frustration as the "storm" is just over.., but the "storm" was in a glass of water btw; if you have no intention to make living with your camera, just get K20, 31mm, 77 mm, and 200 or 300 mm primes. You will love K20 no doubts.
--
torhalik
 
What ever you do stick to pancake lenses. After all APS-C users with big lenses are just compensating for something...
 
LOL!
Rupert60 said:
You are not helping this poor soul. That talk of weather sealing and
excellent IQ ...what the heck has that got to do with anything?
Without the "Seal of Approval" on the front saying C or N and without
being FF, the K20D is just another "toy camera" that will cause this
poor guy massive suffering and ridicule. His girlfriend will lave him
for a "real man", and he will have to chew Viagra like candy mints
just to convince himself that he is still a man. (Of course, we all
know he won't be, but no one wants the facts
I can appreciate that "misery loves company" but we need to save this
poor guy from the life that has plagued us with our highly inferior
equipment. Think of it as a sacrifice for the common good. I know you
mean well, and someday will get a "real" camera, but let's not pull
in another poor sucker to the life of misery we both share.
--
'This is more serious than I thought.....but it is still fun!
http://www.pbase.com/rupertdog Take a look- It's Free!
WSSA Pentax Ambassador #125PX
Click to expand...
--
'when 900 years you reach, look as good you will not'
-- master yoda

http://jordanpaw.zenfolio.com
 
Hi doc,

If this is your visit to Pentax SLR forum, don't be shocked with the comments above
These guys are just joking but actually they're really helpful.

We just can't stand people putting Pentax down without knowing the fact that Pentax is a good system and most of all is affordable for most of us.

Yes you can do wedding but if your bride / groom is running around like crazy or moving so fast with their car, your Pentax AF won't be able to chase them around :) ...you know what I mean.

But if the best IQ at the best price is what you're looking for then Pentax has it for you.

Please consider the comments above though coz they're the truth ...just put a smile on it...like this :)

--
'I will treasure every moment in my life!'
Herman
 
Let me state the obvious:

Rupert's humor, satire and irony makes the point in answering the OP better than anyone could. Rupert, your version of the "Colbert" persona is outstanding. Call it the "Rupert Report".

Best series of post that I can recall.

Dave
 
It these type of comments "if your not planning on making a living from it get a k20d" that make pentax look like a boys toy. I plan on making money from mine and i cant see why not.

I

Have done 4 studio shoots this year and have 2 weddings in line so YES you can make a living with pentax, dont listen to comments like TORHALIKs.

Paul
TORHALIK said:
don't pay too much attention to the waves of frustration as the
"storm" is just over.., but the "storm" was in a glass of water btw;
if you have no intention to make living with your camera, just get
K20, 31mm, 77 mm, and 200 or 300 mm primes. You will love K20 no
doubts.
--
torhalik
Click to expand...
 
The only reservation i would have is that there is no f/4 or faster zooms lens past 135mm and the one due for release is looking frightfully expensive. The 50-135 is a stunning lens but may be a tad short for oyu, not sure (can you elaborate here please).

The other reservation maybe the somewhat temperamental AF compared to the competition, in decent light it's fine but can struggle when light drops and tends to hunt.

Otherwise it appears perfect for you.

--
***********************************************
Please visit my gallery at http://www.pbase.com/alfisti
Pentax Lens examples at http://www.pbase.com/alfisti/images_by_lens
Updated January '09
 
I think the pentax would be a good option for you... You can use old glass like this Vivitar 28mm close focus baby here...

My 'Macro' Wedding Photo business "Close Encounters" has not really caught on yet... But, Just know that her wedding dress was beautiful and you can kind of see the groom reflected in her pupil.

There are plenty of helpful folks on this forum who can help you with all the work arounds for the issues Rupert mentioned... I think he may have a bit of pepper stuck under his dentures, because usually he is one of Pentax's biggest supporters.

'THE BRIDE WORE WHITE'



vivitar 28mm close focus

--
Gus --- Master of the Obvious
 
I appreciate all the info and replies.

Coming from a Minolta world I definitely know what it's like to have others look at your gear as second rate. I must add that I am not a newbie either, just been out of the game for 2 years and as we all know 2 years in a digital world is a lifetime. In a prior life I actually owned a studio and shot weddings. Unfortunately (fortunately?), I had an epiphany one day and realized that I hated people and hated the fact that their lying, cheating, and nickel and diming ways made me hate photography and anything to do with it (but I love a good portrait, go figure). So the studio went and the gear right after. Wasn't all bad though I raised enough money from the sale of my gear to buy a new truck :)

Now the bug is back, just for personal work this time, not for business.

I used to be quite active here, just on the Minolta and then Oly boards.

I was also kinda looking to see if there has been any reported problems with the K20 also, such as backfocus issues or any blinking lights of death. I haven't seen any reported so I think I may order a K20D today.
 
Your response is pretty rude, I would suggest to read my post again..

First of all I never said that K20 could NOT be used to make a living. Secondly, I suggested to buy 3 particular pieces of glass, that I would consider for myself, but never mentioned anything to challenge somebody's credibility or professional skills. So, next time, please, try to be nice a you'll get nice responses.
--
torhalik
 
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