Hope New DSLR's image will be sharper

[Dan Pidcock]

But the *ist d can use lithium rechargable. I think the bigger
point is not to produce a new propriety lithium. Rather use a
standard lithium that is available.

Yes - such as the rechargable CR-V3 LiIon batteries that are now available. Only need 2 cells. Still compatible with AA form factor if you want to use those.

 

[Dan Pidcock]

Let's hope the new DSLR [...] will [...] use a Li-ion battery

And in the Canon forum:

The battery chamber is separated, one battery is isolated to other 3.
This is very bad because I cannot use CR-V3 Li-ion batteries

So the Canon is bad because you can't use CR-V3. The Pentax is bad beacuse you can use CR-V3!

 

[richardday]

Use whatever type of battery you wish/like, the *istD will support it.

Any form of AA's (Alkaline/NiMh/Lithium). - YOU decide
Any form of CR-V3's and also RCR-V3 - YOU decide.

Just make up YOUR mind and go and take more (and better!) pictures. The *istD will continually reward your developing skills and "practice makes perfect". There 'aint no other way!

I'm finding mine an ever increasing joy since the day I bought it. I'm so pleased I've stuck with Pentax, it is so compact, tough and light. At a recent electronics exhibition (CEDIA UK 2004) I found that 2 out of the 5 Pro/Press photograpers I spoke with were using *istD's (the others were using 1 x Oly E1, 1 x Canon 1D and 1 Fuji S2) I asked why - "I just like it, its such light gear" was their first response, the same for the E1. The others had their gear for some time (Pre-*istD availability), had heard good things from their mates about the *istD and really liked the feel of mine when they handled it!

By the way - Just about everything is better in the "RAW" !

Richard Day - 'Carpe Diem!'
Gloucester UK

 

[John Glover]

I think you really need to use some cameras that use Li-ion
batteries. I currently have six cameras that do. My three Canon
DSLR's all use the BP511 battery that is nearly as powerful as the
four AA's in my *istD and keeps its charge for months while the
AA's start to lose theirs as soon as you take them from the

I do use the lithium CR3V's in my *istD as opposed to AA NiMH's for precisely that reason. I've found a new set of lithium CR3Vs lasts me well over 2000 shots. I'm also in the market for a set of rechargeable ones as well. It is just having the option of using the AA NiMHs is nice, as I already have a drawer full of those!

--
John

Fuji S7000Z, Fuji 2600Z,
Pentax *ist-D, Pentax ZX-M, Oly Stylus
http://www.pbase.com/jglover

 

[*isteve]

With a decent kit lens it would be sharper - the 18-35 is not the best and probably accounts for the bad reviews.

Prints at 300dpi are great with no sharpening. For screen viewing a little sharpening help, but since most printers already sharpen shots somewhat, it can look terrible in print if the source is too sharp.

And I'll keep those nice CRV3's thanks. I can go on holiday without a darn charger and plug converter. Two less things to plague me on the road. This is one of the few real trecker's cameras that can last forever on non-rechargeable batteries - like the old days. Up to 1320 shots on my current set and still going. Compared to film the £20 to buy new ones every 1500 shots or so seems like a minor investment.
Steve

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0406/04060601pentax900dslr.asp
Let's hope the new DSLR's image will be sharper than the very soft
*ist D image, and use a Li-ion battery and come with a good, 4x kit
D lens.

 

[Dave Lewis]

Is there anyone who hasn't thought that some day that flimsy battery door on the *istD isn't going to break when you are trying to close it on those four AA batteries. Practically all lythium batteries have side contacts. The only spring needed with them is a soft one that will allow them to come up high enough to get them out of the camera. There is no need to have harsh springs to hold them against their contacts.

--
Dave Lewis

 

[Wally OZ]

Use whatever type of battery you wish/like, the *istD will support it.

Any form of AA's (Alkaline/NiMh/Lithium). - YOU decide
Any form of CR-V3's and also RCR-V3 - YOU decide.

Just make up YOUR mind and go and take more (and better!) pictures.
The *istD will continually reward your developing skills and
"practice makes perfect". There 'aint no other way!

I'm finding mine an ever increasing joy since the day I bought it.
I'm so pleased I've stuck with Pentax, it is so compact, tough and
light. At a recent electronics exhibition (CEDIA UK 2004) I found
that 2 out of the 5 Pro/Press photograpers I spoke with were using
*istD's (the others were using 1 x Oly E1, 1 x Canon 1D and 1 Fuji
S2) I asked why - "I just like it, its such light gear" was their
first response, the same for the E1. The others had their gear for
some time (Pre-*istD availability), had heard good things from
their mates about the *istD and really liked the feel of mine when
they handled it!

By the way - Just about everything is better in the "RAW" !

Richard Day - 'Carpe Diem!'
Gloucester UK

At last another raw exhibitionist, I thought it was just me

 

[Dave Lewis]

But the *ist d can use lithium rechargable. I think the bigger
point is not to produce a new propriety lithium. Rather use a
standard lithium that is available.

I certainly agree with that. I have three consumer digitals that all use tiny lythium batteries that are practically identical but enough different as to not be interchangeable. Folks have talked about using the rechargable lithium AA batteries in cameras and fearing breaking the battery doors because they are just a little bit longer than standard AA's. I don't think I would want to risk the already flimsy battery door on the *istD. I already have a supply of standard NiMH batteries anyway.
--
Dave Lewis

 

[Dave Lewis]

I think you really need to use some cameras that use Li-ion
batteries. I currently have six cameras that do. My three Canon
DSLR's all use the BP511 battery that is nearly as powerful as the
four AA's in my *istD and keeps its charge for months while the
AA's start to lose theirs as soon as you take them from the

I do use the lithium CR3V's in my *istD as opposed to AA NiMH's for
precisely that reason. I've found a new set of lithium CR3Vs lasts
me well over 2000 shots. I'm also in the market for a set of
rechargeable ones as well. It is just having the option of using
the AA NiMHs is nice, as I already have a drawer full of those!

Oh, I agree with that, I have a bunch too and not having to buy a couple new expensive batteries was a definite plus. However, the relative small size of the *istD is betrayed by its heft. Those four AA batteries weigh almost three times as much as the one BP511 battery Canon uses and for comparable performance. My Rebel D, though much bigger than the *istD weighs a good bit less and it has a magnisum inner frame just like the *istD. It is the batteries that make the Pentax heavy.
--
Dave Lewis

 

[Wally OZ]

Is there anyone who hasn't thought that some day that flimsy
battery door on the *istD isn't going to break when you are trying
to close it on those four AA batteries. Practically all lythium
batteries have side contacts. The only spring needed with them is a
soft one that will allow them to come up high enough to get them
out of the camera. There is no need to have harsh springs to hold
them against their contacts.

--
Dave Lewis

You have a point Dave, the reason for the "harsh springs" is the ability to use either AA or CRV3, AA is SHORTER than CRV3 so a longer spring is fitted to accomodate either battery, you will find AA's don't feel as harsh as they aren't pushing as hard on the spring.

Place an AA and CRV3 side by side, note the substantiall difference in length.

Olympus C7** uses same scheme except they used soft springs which cause a problem if the camera is subjected to vertical vibration the battery disconnects from the door contacts moving vertically away from the door and the camera resets, looses date time, settings picture number etc all gone.

 

[John Glover]

a magnisum inner frame just like the *istD. It is the batteries
that make the Pentax heavy.

That's true. Doesn't the Nikon F5 use 8 AA's? I hope it uses lithium AAs. If not, talk about a heavy camera!!!
--
John

Fuji S7000Z, Fuji 2600Z,
Pentax *ist-D, Pentax ZX-M, Oly Stylus
http://www.pbase.com/jglover

 

[Dave Lewis]

Hi Dave, Thanks, I was considering buying a BETTER lens than the
sigma combo, you have saved me wasting money and time, thanks.

Yep, I think they're just fine, Wally, In fact your recommendation of them is what made me get them in the first place. I have no doubt that in absolute resolution comparison the primes would be sharper. Another consideration is that the primes are much much faster lenses, but my *istD has the 18-50 on it now, had it on it last week and will probably have it on it next week. That one lens has pretty well done everything for me since I got it, just like the 18-55 Rebel D kit lens has, even though I have a whole bag full of Canon lenses too.

I think lenses are an obsession. What it boils down to is one lens that stays on the camera most of the time and a bunch of others that we think about a lot but never seem to get around to.
--
Dave Lewis

 

[Dave Lewis]

Is there anyone who hasn't thought that some day that flimsy
battery door on the *istD isn't going to break when you are trying
to close it on those four AA batteries. Practically all lythium
batteries have side contacts. The only spring needed with them is a
soft one that will allow them to come up high enough to get them
out of the camera. There is no need to have harsh springs to hold
them against their contacts.

--
Dave Lewis

You have a point Dave, the reason for the "harsh springs" is the
ability to use either AA or CRV3, AA is SHORTER than CRV3 so a
longer spring is fitted to accomodate either battery, you will find
AA's don't feel as harsh as they aren't pushing as hard on the
spring.

Place an AA and CRV3 side by side, note the substantiall difference
in length.

Olympus C7** uses same scheme except they used soft springs which
cause a problem if the camera is subjected to vertical vibration
the battery disconnects from the door contacts moving vertically
away from the door and the camera resets, looses date time,
settings picture number etc all gone.

Well, it's fine to be able to accommodate different kinds of batteries, but if you do you should provide a good strong metal door that will withstand the abuse those different batteries are going hand out over the long term. I think Pentax is a ground breaker in making its camera compatible with a whole host of lenses and even batteries, but they might want to look at the longevity issue of the two doors that betray the otherwise good solid construction of the camera. That card door is almost laughable and having to dump the card out on the floor every time is a bit of a joke too.

They haven't made the perfect camera yet. Go over to the Rebel D forum and hear the complaints about things it is lacking too - makes the *istD look like something god would use. (G)
--
Dave Lewis

 

[Wally OZ]

Hi Dave, Thanks, I was considering buying a BETTER lens than the
sigma combo, you have saved me wasting money and time, thanks.

Yep, I think they're just fine, Wally, In fact your recommendation
of them is what made me get them in the first place. I have no
doubt that in absolute resolution comparison the primes would be
sharper. Another consideration is that the primes are much much
faster lenses, but my *istD has the 18-50 on it now, had it on it
last week and will probably have it on it next week. That one lens
has pretty well done everything for me since I got it, just like
the 18-55 Rebel D kit lens has, even though I have a whole bag full
of Canon lenses too.

I think lenses are an obsession. What it boils down to is one lens
that stays on the camera most of the time and a bunch of others
that we think about a lot but never seem to get around to.
--
Dave Lewis

Dave you are absolutely right, after the initial novelty of the 200 or 300mm zoom wore off the 18-50 is almost glued to the camera [saves on dust blowing too] and I do like the results from the 18-50 more and more and the combination is so small and light.

Honestly I was thinking of getting a better lens working on the assumption that there must be a better lens, and therefore I must have one right?

But after what you wrote, I decided to just enjoy the great camera and have fun.

 

[Dave Lewis]

Dave you are absolutely right, after the initial novelty of the 200
or 300mm zoom wore off the 18-50 is almost glued to the camera
[saves on dust blowing too] and I do like the results from the
18-50 more and more and the combination is so small and light.

Honestly I was thinking of getting a better lens working on the
assumption that there must be a better lens, and therefore I must
have one right?

But after what you wrote, I decided to just enjoy the great camera
and have fun.

Well, I'm really let down, now, Wally. I was really counting on you trying a whole bunch of stuff and passing along your findings. You sent me off in the right direction once and I was counting on you to do it again. (VBG)
--
Dave Lewis

 

[Wally OZ]

Dave you are absolutely right, after the initial novelty of the 200
or 300mm zoom wore off the 18-50 is almost glued to the camera
[saves on dust blowing too] and I do like the results from the
18-50 more and more and the combination is so small and light.

Honestly I was thinking of getting a better lens working on the
assumption that there must be a better lens, and therefore I must
have one right?

But after what you wrote, I decided to just enjoy the great camera
and have fun.

Well, I'm really let down, now, Wally. I was really counting on you
trying a whole bunch of stuff and passing along your findings. You
sent me off in the right direction once and I was counting on you
to do it again. (VBG)
--
Dave Lewis

OOPS, sorry, well I am working on raw exhibitionism that should be fun and less expensive than glass

 

[Dave Lewis]

OOPS, sorry, well I am working on raw exhibitionism that should be
fun and less expensive than glass

Yeah, I know you're one of those "raw guys." That's really the only thing I hold against you. (G)
--
Dave Lewis

 

[J2D2]

Dave Lewis

We met before.

I wasnt talking to you, nor would I normally wish to.
Kindly shut the f* up.

 

[J2D2]

Dave Lewis

Being inept doesnt make you right.

 

[J2D2]

I'm curious about how many DSLR's you've owned and compared the
*istD to.

This means,

"I've had more experience than you!"

Big deal DL.