Got a bigger budget: Keep D200 or get Pentax K-50

[bladerunner6]

I managed to up my budget and now have more options.

I have a D200 and I can buy an 18-140 and a Tamron 90 Macro. The 18-140 would be my walk around lens and the Tamron would be a macro and a portrait lens. (I realize there are limits to this as a portrait lens).

I can also get the Pentax with the 18-55 and the 50-200 lens, plus the Tamron. The Pentax lens would be my walk around lenses and the Tamron would be my portrait and macro lens. I would of course sell the D200.

I would be buying one of those kits for the Pentax that include various accessories, which are not a big deal but depending on which one they would include a bag, a 16GB card and even a AF200FG flash for $600 total for everything.

I was thinking the Pentax might have better performance about 400 ISO, plus it is 16megapixels versus 10, plus some other plus the weatherized body and other features.

I do like the D200 but I bought it because it would work with some old (and not particularly good) good Nikon lens and I had some budget constraints. Now that I have freed up more money to spend at a faster rate, I have some options.

Anyone with an opinion on this?

Thanks.

 

[Guidenet]

I do like the D200 but I bought it because it would work with some old (and not particularly good) good Nikon lens and I had some budget constraints. Now that I have freed up more money to spend at a faster rate, I have some options.

Anyone with an opinion on this?

Thanks.

That older D200 is a pro level all magnesium robust camera with an older sensor. It is by a fair margin a better build quality than the more entry level of the K50 in my opinion, so I wonder if you could get used to that. The D200 also has a good amount of external tactile controls cameras like this tend to have. If you don't use them, it wouldn't matter, but if you do, you might miss some of them. The problem is that today's Nikon equivalent is the D810 which is a full frame camera costing a whopping $3300 and probably well out of your budget.

In the Nikon world, the progression of that build and style is D100, D200, D300/s then end of crop sensor and then D700, D800/e, and today the D810. So, if you wanted to maintain the same look, build, feel and controls as your D200, you just look up that path and buy new or used depending. They may still make or offer the D300S new.

The nice thing about the Pentax K50 is it does have some of the features usually reserved for more upscale cameras like a real pentaprism viewfinder and twin command dials, but it still isn't a D200 by any stretch.

You'd have to decide if you could move to a more plastic entry level build or whether a used Nikon D300 would be a better choice. I personally love the Pentax K50, especially for people starting out, but I personally wouldn't want to step down to that build I'm used to. For myself, if I had to move to Pentax and was willing to give up full frame photography, the K3 or K5 would probably be closer to the D200 in build level and would thus be my choice. Otherwise, I'd be happy to keep the D200.

Take care.

 

[Mark S Abeln]

I still have my old D200 and it is a great camera, although lacking in dynamic range and high ISO ability.

I got a Nikon D7000 as a replacement. It has many of the ergonomic features as does the D200, has some weather sealing, and it is available at a good price these days.

Not having used the Pentax, I can’t say if it would be a good replacement or not.

 

[bladerunner6]

I do like the D200 but I bought it because it would work with some old (and not particularly good) good Nikon lens and I had some budget constraints. Now that I have freed up more money to spend at a faster rate, I have some options.

Anyone with an opinion on this?

Thanks.

That older D200 is a pro level all magnesium robust camera with an older sensor. It is by a fair margin a better build quality than the more entry level of the K50 in my opinion, so I wonder if you could get used to that. The D200 also has a good amount of external tactile controls cameras like this tend to have. If you don't use them, it wouldn't matter, but if you do, you might miss some of them. The problem is that today's Nikon equivalent is the D810 which is a full frame camera costing a whopping $3300 and probably well out of your budget.

In the Nikon world, the progression of that build and style is D100, D200, D300/s then end of crop sensor and then D700, D800/e, and today the D810. So, if you wanted to maintain the same look, build, feel and controls as your D200, you just look up that path and buy new or used depending. They may still make or offer the D300S new.

The nice thing about the Pentax K50 is it does have some of the features usually reserved for more upscale cameras like a real pentaprism viewfinder and twin command dials, but it still isn't a D200 by any stretch.

You'd have to decide if you could move to a more plastic entry level build or whether a used Nikon D300 would be a better choice. I personally love the Pentax K50, especially for people starting out, but I personally wouldn't want to step down to that build I'm used to. For myself, if I had to move to Pentax and was willing to give up full frame photography, the K3 or K5 would probably be closer to the D200 in build level and would thus be my choice. Otherwise, I'd be happy to keep the D200.

Take care.

--
Cheers, Craig
Follow me on Twitter @craighardingsr : Equipment in Profile - f/22 Club Member
I reserve the right to make mistakes in reasoning and logic as well as to change my mind anytime I wish. I also ask forbearance with respect to my typos. Please take a look at my gallery here at DPR.

Thanks for your input.

I was in the camera store yesterday and the build quality of the is totally fine with me.

The K5 alone and is the price of the K50 with a couple of lenses. And the K3 is even more than that. And the D300S for the body alone is more than my total budget for body, lenses and tripod.

So those are out of the picture. I have a bigger budget than before, but I still have a budget.

So taking the price of the Pentax and my comfort with the build quality (and lighter weight), does that affect the equation any for you?

Thanks for the input.

 

[bladerunner6]

I still have my old D200 and it is a great camera, although lacking in dynamic range and high ISO ability.

I got a Nikon D7000 as a replacement. It has many of the ergonomic features as does the D200, has some weather sealing, and it is available at a good price these days.

Not having used the Pentax, I can’t say if it would be a good replacement or not.

--
http://therefractedlight.blogspot.com

Thanks for the thought but the D7000 is typically the better part of $600 used.

I was talking about $900 total for a body, walk around lens (lenses) and the Tamron macro.

That really doesn't fit my budget.

 

[Guidenet]

Thanks for your input.

I was in the camera store yesterday and the build quality of the is totally fine with me.

The K5 alone and is the price of the K50 with a couple of lenses. And the K3 is even more than that. And the D300S for the body alone is more than my total budget for body, lenses and tripod.

So those are out of the picture. I have a bigger budget than before, but I still have a budget.

So taking the price of the Pentax and my comfort with the build quality (and lighter weight), does that affect the equation any for you?

Thanks for the input.

I'm well aware going with the same build as the D200 would be out of your budget. I was just wondering how advanced along the road of photography you were and that maybe you might have a hard time adjusting down to less controls and a more plastic, less robust body. If you're good with that and understand it, have at it. I often advise the K50 many times if you look at my posting history. I didn't know if you bought the D200 new or used and if you knew is was a pro-level build and design, just under the D2 series. New and even back in those days, it sold for more than the K50 and all the lenses you're looking at combined today.

I didn't tell you all this to get you to buy out of your budget for a similar new Nikon. I told you in order to get you to think about keeping that excellent D200 and just adding glass. As much as I like the K50, if I had to choose between a new entry level camera and an older but real thoroughbred like the D200, you can tell what my choice would be.

 

[bladerunner6]

Thanks for your input.

I was in the camera store yesterday and the build quality of the is totally fine with me.

The K5 alone and is the price of the K50 with a couple of lenses. And the K3 is even more than that. And the D300S for the body alone is more than my total budget for body, lenses and tripod.

So those are out of the picture. I have a bigger budget than before, but I still have a budget.

So taking the price of the Pentax and my comfort with the build quality (and lighter weight), does that affect the equation any for you?

Thanks for the input.

I'm well aware going with the same build as the D200 would be out of your budget. I was just wondering how advanced along the road of photography you were and that maybe you might have a hard time adjusting down to less controls and a more plastic, less robust body. If you're good with that and understand it, have at it. I often advise the K50 many times if you look at my posting history. I didn't know if you bought the D200 new or used and if you knew is was a pro-level build and design, just under the D2 series. New and even back in those days, it sold for more than the K50 and all the lenses you're looking at combined today.

I didn't tell you all this to get you to buy out of your budget for a similar new Nikon. I told you in order to get you to think about keeping that excellent D200 and just adding glass. As much as I like the K50, if I had to choose between a new entry level camera and an older but real thoroughbred like the D200, you can tell what my choice would be.

--
Cheers, Craig
Follow me on Twitter @craighardingsr : Equipment in Profile - f/22 Club Member
I reserve the right to make mistakes in reasoning and logic as well as to change my mind anytime I wish. I also ask forbearance with respect to my typos. Please take a look at my gallery here at DPR.

I bought the D200 used just less than a couple of months ago. It is my first DSLR, I bought it so I could meet a budget (since I have some old film lenses that I use with it) and it was a relatively low cost way to see if I wanted a DSLR. I have used film SLRs a lot but my only experience with digital has been with a few Kodak superzooms.

Now that I have decided I want a DSLR, the question is how many of the features of the D200 do I plan on using and if there are enough advantages to the Nikon to keep me from stepping up to a more modern camera.

I do really appreciate you line of thought and I am thinking about keeping D200. Neither way is a bad path for me, I just have to figure out my priorities.

Thanks for the useful comments and the pleasant and thought provoking discussion.

 

[BarnET]

I still have my old D200 and it is a great camera, although lacking in dynamic range and high ISO ability.

I got a Nikon D7000 as a replacement. It has many of the ergonomic features as does the D200, has some weather sealing, and it is available at a good price these days.

Not having used the Pentax, I can’t say if it would be a good replacement or not.

 

[Richard B.]

I managed to up my budget and now have more options.

I have a D200 and I can buy an 18-140 and a Tamron 90 Macro. The 18-140 would be my walk around lens and the Tamron would be a macro and a portrait lens. (I realize there are limits to this as a portrait lens).

I can also get the Pentax with the 18-55 and the 50-200 lens, plus the Tamron. The Pentax lens would be my walk around lenses and the Tamron would be my portrait and macro lens. I would of course sell the D200.

I would be buying one of those kits for the Pentax that include various accessories, which are not a big deal but depending on which one they would include a bag, a 16GB card and even a AF200FG flash for $600 total for everything.

I was thinking the Pentax might have better performance about 400 ISO, plus it is 16megapixels versus 10, plus some other plus the weatherized body and other features.

I do like the D200 but I bought it because it would work with some old (and not particularly good) good Nikon lens and I had some budget constraints. Now that I have freed up more money to spend at a faster rate, I have some options.

Anyone with an opinion on this?

Thanks.

The K-50 will provide excellent high ISO performance and very good IQ in general. I use the Pentax K-5 IIs, which has a few more features, but shares the same Sony 16MP sensor. I do a fair amount of low light theatrical shooting and often use the K-5 IIs at ISO 6400 with very nice results.

 

[bladerunner6]

I still have my old D200 and it is a great camera, although lacking in dynamic range and high ISO ability.

I got a Nikon D7000 as a replacement. It has many of the ergonomic features as does the D200, has some weather sealing, and it is available at a good price these days.

Not having used the Pentax, I can’t say if it would be a good replacement or not.

--
http://therefractedlight.blogspot.com

Thanks for the thought but the D7000 is typically the better part of $600 used.

I was talking about $900 total for a body, walk around lens (lenses) and the Tamron macro.

Well i reckon you still have a lens on that D200. I think the D7000 is a great suggestion of Mark.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-list...14956518&sr=8-1&keywords=D7000&condition=used

That really doesn't fit my budget.

And you can get one shiny new for 599,-

used for 499,-

Considering it's more or less a K5 competitor and a tad more advanced then the k30 is still have somewhere here it seems a great camera for you.

This is getting closer to my budget and I really appreciate the fact that you are looking at alternatives for me. That is very thoughtful. But I still have some conflicts with your suggestion on the D7000.

My lenses are really mediocre at best: a1990's Nikon 28-80 and Tamron 75-300 they stopped making in 2002. I am definitely upgrading the lenses and have to figure that into my budget.

As for the camera body, I am not interested in spending $500+ on a used body. Now I could consider buying some refurbished Nikon gear at their 10% off sale and that would be $783 for comparable gear but with only a 90 day warranty versus the one (or possibly two years, depending on the CC I use to buy the gear) on the Pentax. Plus with all the cashback, gift cards and such, the Pentax system would set me back only about $520.

The price and warranty difference is pretty big. Warranties are important to me. I have had a TV and two pieces of audio gear breakdown under (credit card) warranties that that would have cost me $780 total if I wasn't covered.

As I said I really appreciate the fact that you are coming up with ideas but there are are still some pretty big gaps that I have a hard time overcoming.

 

[bladerunner6]

I managed to up my budget and now have more options.

I have a D200 and I can buy an 18-140 and a Tamron 90 Macro. The 18-140 would be my walk around lens and the Tamron would be a macro and a portrait lens. (I realize there are limits to this as a portrait lens).

I can also get the Pentax with the 18-55 and the 50-200 lens, plus the Tamron. The Pentax lens would be my walk around lenses and the Tamron would be my portrait and macro lens. I would of course sell the D200.

I would be buying one of those kits for the Pentax that include various accessories, which are not a big deal but depending on which one they would include a bag, a 16GB card and even a AF200FG flash for $600 total for everything.

I was thinking the Pentax might have better performance about 400 ISO, plus it is 16megapixels versus 10, plus some other plus the weatherized body and other features.

I do like the D200 but I bought it because it would work with some old (and not particularly good) good Nikon lens and I had some budget constraints. Now that I have freed up more money to spend at a faster rate, I have some options.

Anyone with an opinion on this?

Thanks.

The K-50 will provide excellent high ISO performance and very good IQ in general. I use the Pentax K-5 IIs, which has a few more features, but shares the same Sony 16MP sensor. I do a fair amount of low light theatrical shooting and often use the K-5 IIs at ISO 6400 with very nice results.

--
Richard B.
http://www.rbpics.com

Thanks, that is very useful info. I also have an interest in astrophotography and that is useful to know.

BTW, what lenses do you use?

 

[Guidenet]

I bought the D200 used just less than a couple of months ago. It is my first DSLR, I bought it so I could meet a budget (since I have some old film lenses that I use with it) and it was a relatively low cost way to see if I wanted a DSLR. I have used film SLRs a lot but my only experience with digital has been with a few Kodak superzooms.

I do really appreciate you line of thought and I am thinking about keeping D200. Neither way is a bad path for me, I just have to figure out my priorities.

Thanks for the useful comments and the pleasant and thought provoking discussion.

It might all hinge on what those old Nikkor lenses you mention actually are. If those are useful, it would leave a lot of extra money for spending on quality glass to augment your kit. So, what are those old film lenses?

I have Nikon lenses I purchased back in the 1960s and 1970s which I still use frequently today. They are still part of my working kit. As long as my eyes remain good enough to manually focus them, I see no reason to update them. One is a 1978 105 f/2.5 AI model which stays in my portrait studio providing wonderful head and shoulder shots with its own special rendition. I have an even earlier lens that's a Nikon 55 f/3.5 Micro I use for product photography. It might be one of the sharpest lenses ever made and I bought it used in, I think, 1968. I may be off on the date slightly. I have a somewhat newer 55 f/3.5 Micro bought in the 1970s I use for flowers and such. It came with its own extension tube. Most of my pre-1977 glass have had a little notch cut into the mount to make them AI compatible for cameras made after 1977. That notch costs $25 to have done today.

All these old Nikon lenses that are AI converted, AI or AIS all work on your D200 by inputting the max aperture and focal length into the menu. With that, you get Aperture Priority automatic use, metered manual and matrix metering with your camera. This is true for pretty much all Nikon lenses or lenses made for Nikon going back to 1959. No adapters are needed. They just work.

On the other hand, Pentax is a great company and makes some really high quality gear. I like the fact they tend to have photographer oriented features on many of their more entry level offerings. I really can't denigrate the K50 in any way other than it could be too entry level if you're used to something more robust. Otherwise, I'd be hard pressed to choose a better inexpensive DSLR.

Take care.

 

[ImageAmateur]

Thanks.

The K-50 will provide excellent high ISO performance and very good IQ in general. I use the Pentax K-5 IIs, which has a few more features, but shares the same Sony 16MP sensor. I do a fair amount of low light theatrical shooting and often use the K-5 IIs at ISO 6400 with very nice results.

--

Interesting, that. DO you have much samples?

Seeing as how the K5IIs WITH grip is going new for USD600 at B&H, as of today's date.

Loading…

www.bhphotovideo.com

 

[Richard B.]

Thanks.

The K-50 will provide excellent high ISO performance and very good IQ in general. I use the Pentax K-5 IIs, which has a few more features, but shares the same Sony 16MP sensor. I do a fair amount of low light theatrical shooting and often use the K-5 IIs at ISO 6400 with very nice results.

--

Interesting, that. DO you have much samples?

Seeing as how the K5IIs WITH grip is going new for USD600 at B&H, as of today's date.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/891519-REG/Pentax_12050_K_5_II_Digital_SLR.html

--
Wishing You Good Light.

The K-5 IIs is a pretty good price right now.

I mainly shoot the theatricals at 3200, but don't hesitate to go to 6400 if needed. Here are a few high ISO samples

Our Town (ISO 6400)

Sweeny Todd (IS 3200)

Beauty and the Beat ISO 6400

Chinese Juggler (ISO 3200)



--
Richard B.

http://www.rbpics.com

 

[bladerunner6]

I bought the D200 used just less than a couple of months ago. It is my first DSLR, I bought it so I could meet a budget (since I have some old film lenses that I use with it) and it was a relatively low cost way to see if I wanted a DSLR. I have used film SLRs a lot but my only experience with digital has been with a few Kodak superzooms.

I do really appreciate you line of thought and I am thinking about keeping D200. Neither way is a bad path for me, I just have to figure out my priorities.

Thanks for the useful comments and the pleasant and thought provoking discussion.

It might all hinge on what those old Nikkor lenses you mention actually are. If those are useful, it would leave a lot of extra money for spending on quality glass to augment your kit. So, what are those old film lenses?

I have Nikon lenses I purchased back in the 1960s and 1970s which I still use frequently today. They are still part of my working kit. As long as my eyes remain good enough to manually focus them, I see no reason to update them. One is a 1978 105 f/2.5 AI model which stays in my portrait studio providing wonderful head and shoulder shots with its own special rendition. I have an even earlier lens that's a Nikon 55 f/3.5 Micro I use for product photography. It might be one of the sharpest lenses ever made and I bought it used in, I think, 1968. I may be off on the date slightly. I have a somewhat newer 55 f/3.5 Micro bought in the 1970s I use for flowers and such. It came with its own extension tube. Most of my pre-1977 glass have had a little notch cut into the mount to make them AI compatible for cameras made after 1977. That notch costs $25 to have done today.

All these old Nikon lenses that are AI converted, AI or AIS all work on your D200 by inputting the max aperture and focal length into the menu. With that, you get Aperture Priority automatic use, metered manual and matrix metering with your camera. This is true for pretty much all Nikon lenses or lenses made for Nikon going back to 1959. No adapters are needed. They just work.

On the other hand, Pentax is a great company and makes some really high quality gear. I like the fact they tend to have photographer oriented features on many of their more entry level offerings. I really can't denigrate the K50 in any way other than it could be too entry level if you're used to something more robust. Otherwise, I'd be hard pressed to choose a better inexpensive DSLR.

Take care.

--
Cheers, Craig
Follow me on Twitter @craighardingsr : Equipment in Profile - f/22 Club Member
I reserve the right to make mistakes in reasoning and logic as well as to change my mind anytime I wish. I also ask forbearance with respect to my typos. Please take a look at my gallery here at DPR.

My lenses are really mediocre at best: a1990's Nikon 28-80 and Tamron 75-300 they stopped making in 2002. I am definitely upgrading the lenses and have to figure that into my budget.

 

[bladerunner6]

Thanks.

The K-50 will provide excellent high ISO performance and very good IQ in general. I use the Pentax K-5 IIs, which has a few more features, but shares the same Sony 16MP sensor. I do a fair amount of low light theatrical shooting and often use the K-5 IIs at ISO 6400 with very nice results.

--

Interesting, that. DO you have much samples?

Seeing as how the K5IIs WITH grip is going new for USD600 at B&H, as of today's date.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/891519-REG/Pentax_12050_K_5_II_Digital_SLR.html

--
Wishing You Good Light.

The K-5 IIs is a pretty good price right now.

I mainly shoot the theatricals at 3200, but don't hesitate to go to 6400 if needed. Here are a few high ISO samples

Our Town (ISO 6400)

Sweeny Todd (IS 3200)

Beauty and the Beat ISO 6400

Chinese Juggler (ISO 3200)

--
Richard B.
http://www.rbpics.com

Nice work! Thanks for the samples.

 

[ImageAmateur]

Very nice, thanks for sharing.

 

[Guidenet]

My lenses are really mediocre at best: a1990's Nikon 28-80 and Tamron 75-300 they stopped making in 2002. I am definitely upgrading the lenses and have to figure that into my budget.

I'll tell you something my friend. Whoever gets that little 28-80 will be getting a cheaply built lens but a real secret with regards to optics. Nikon made a pile of various kit 35-70 and 28-80 zooms and most of them were wonderful from an optical performance point of view. Your modern 18-55 kit lens might be a more usable focal range, but I don't think will be sharper if as sharp.

I normally do not care for Ken Rockwell's writings but I think he hit the nail on the head with this review.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/2880.htm

 

[bladerunner6]

My lenses are really mediocre at best: a1990's Nikon 28-80 and Tamron 75-300 they stopped making in 2002. I am definitely upgrading the lenses and have to figure that into my budget.

I'll tell you something my friend. Whoever gets that little 28-80 will be getting a cheaply built lens but a real secret with regards to optics. Nikon made a pile of various kit 35-70 and 28-80 zooms and most of them were wonderful from an optical performance point of view. Your modern 18-55 kit lens might be a more usable focal range, but I don't think will be sharper if as sharp.

I normally do not care for Ken Rockwell's writings but I think he hit the nail on the head with this review.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/2880.htm

--
Cheers, Craig
Follow me on Twitter @craighardingsr : Equipment in Profile - f/22 Club Member
I reserve the right to make mistakes in reasoning and logic as well as to change my mind anytime I wish. I also ask forbearance with respect to my typos. Please take a look at my gallery here at DPR.

I have the G version of this lens.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/28-80mm-g.htm?refby=rflAID021866&sku=NK2880AFGU

KR says a lot of good things about it optically but it is not as useful a focal range as an 18-55. I agree. Today I had a hard time composing a number of images. A lens can have great optical quality but if other aspects make it impractical to use, then you have a problem.

I am definitely keeping it for my film camera.

 

[bobmarley]

FYI Costco has a K-50 bundle for $600...I mention this because they have a great return policy which you mentioned was important.

What's Included

• Pentax K-50 Weatherproof Camera Body
• 18-55mm WR Lens
• 50-200mm WR Lens
• Camera Bag
• 16GB SD Card
• USB Cable I-USB7
• Battery Charger Kit K-BC109(A)
• Strap O-ST132
• Eyecup FR
• Li-Ion Battery D-LI109
• AC Plug Cord D-C02J
• Hotshoe Cover FK
• Body Mount Cover
• Software CD-ROM S-SW138