A bit of Pentax vs. Nikon analysis (including K-5, D7000)

I'm rather surprised you would say this: "All in all, Nikon probably has a bigger market and old high end lenses available, but Pentax offers stabilization on old lenses."

The flange focal distance of the Pentax K/M42 system is 45.46mm, where Nikon's F mount is 46.50. Nikon's system places the rear lens element about as far back from the senor as any system out there, which means that no lens can achieve infinity focus (or even close to it) other than Nikon lenses and 3rd party lenses made for Nikon.

Correction: you can use M42 et al, but only with an adapter that has an extra optical element if you want infinity focus (not a good alternative).

So while it is true that plenty of great old Nikon and Pentax glass exists out there for those willing (like me) to stop down and focus manually, Pentax users can avail themselves of both lenses with an adapter, while Nikon users can't.

I've plenty of experience using Pentax DSLRs with old lenses (as my user name implies!) and can tell you that the *istDS, K-10D, K-20D and now K-7 have proven to be marvelous at exploiting my large collection of Carl Zeiss Jena and Meyer Optik golden oldies.

Pentax provides focus confirmation in the viewfinder (visual and auditory) and it's bang-on. Metering is very good and easy to optimize.

My only criticism, and it applies to every DSLR out there, is that the focusing screen can't precisely accommodate fast lenses (under f/4: but that applies to all lenses, including fast primes designed for digital.)

By the way, with a flange-back distance of 20mm, Micro Four Thirds is the universal receiver. And all kinds of adapters exist for it (even for Praktica B!).

But I still favour Pentax, all things considered.

Very good write-up.
Still sure the, as of yet, unannounced K-5 will have a few tricks up its sleeve.
As a photographer, they both look like great cameras.

As a Pentaxian, it might be time to start saving for the K-5, or even reduced K-7...my K10 still going strong though!
--
http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/kevinjohnhutt

It boils down to requirements and situation of the photographer. Relevant questions to ask yourself.

• Is it important to use old manual lenses (esp exotic old lenses)? Pentax

• Is the ultmost IQ in an APS-C camera important? Pentax (using primes)

• Can you afford FF to get the best IQ, in foreseeable future? Nikon

• Have many Pentax or Nikon lenses, incl. friends and family? Pentax or Nikon

• Is weight and size important (tiny lenses)? Pentax

• Travelling often (all-purpose zoom) or hate changing lenses? Nikon

• Any lens you must get (DA 15, 85/1.2, Tokina 11-16, shift...)? Pentax or Nikon

• Required to shoot actions (AF tracking speed and fast zooms) Nikon

• Need to use a good flash often (weddings etc) Nikon

• Becoming a pro? Nikon

• Use 2 bodies (for backup, dusty places, less need for zooms) Pentax (lighter)

Gazooma said:

It boils down to requirements and situation of the photographer. Relevant questions to ask yourself.

• Is it important to use old manual lenses (esp exotic old lenses)? Pentax

• Is the ultmost IQ in an APS-C camera important? Pentax (using primes)

• Can you afford FF to get the best IQ, in foreseeable future? Nikon

• Have many Pentax or Nikon lenses, incl. friends and family? Pentax or Nikon

• Is weight and size important (tiny lenses)? Pentax

• Travelling often (all-purpose zoom) or hate changing lenses? Nikon

• Any lens you must get (DA 15, 85/1.2, Tokina 11-16, shift...)? Pentax or Nikon

• Required to shoot actions (AF tracking speed and fast zooms) Nikon

• Need to use a good flash often (weddings etc) Nikon

• Becoming a pro? Nikon

• Use 2 bodies (for backup, dusty places, less need for zooms) Pentax (lighter)

Click to expand...

I like what you wrote here too. I personally may be one of those who will switch in near future. However, it's not because of D7000 being superior to K-5. It would be (then and after re-evaluation) the possibility of having those things I always liked in Nikon as a system, without having to give up too much of what I like in Pentax as a system.

Still, I do not see why I should try to convince any one other that myself which system is better for me. So, I don't see the reason people have already started fighting about which body/system is better (for everyone!)

-+-+-+-
Farhad

Pentax didn't announce the K5 and you already talking about the blurr problem !!!

BTW you can use old Takumar (M42) lens ... they are older than 1977....sure it's stop down metering, i don't see any problem with that... i use them regularly !
--
Leopold
Pentax forever
http://smarcoux.zenfolio.com/

They can be use on all Pentax DSLR.
--
Leopold
Pentax forever
http://smarcoux.zenfolio.com/

Gazooma said:

It boils down to requirements and situation of the photographer. Relevant questions to ask yourself.

• Is it important to use old manual lenses (esp exotic old lenses)? Pentax

• Is the ultmost IQ in an APS-C camera important? Pentax (using primes)

Click to expand...

Nikon has primes too. Pentax has better selection adapted to small cameras, but better IQ overall is diffucult to state as a fact.

Gazooma said:

• Can you afford FF to get the best IQ, in foreseeable future? Nikon

• Have many Pentax or Nikon lenses, incl. friends and family? Pentax or Nikon

• Is weight and size important (tiny lenses)? Pentax

• Travelling often (all-purpose zoom) or hate changing lenses? Nikon

• Any lens you must get (DA 15, 85/1.2, Tokina 11-16, shift...)? Pentax or Nikon

• Required to shoot actions (AF tracking speed and fast zooms) Nikon

• Need to use a good flash often (weddings etc) Nikon

• Becoming a pro? Nikon

• Use 2 bodies (for backup, dusty places, less need for zooms) Pentax (lighter)

Click to expand...

The difference between D7000 and K7 is only 30g (780g vs 750g)

--
http://dslr-video.com/blogmag/

godfrog said:

Nothing really surprising, two brands producing great equipment. Nikon are looking better to me now than what they have in the past, but Pentax still has many unique selling points. For my own needs Id rather be a Nikonian now, but that is due to me not needing seals, wanting cheap primes and considering 3rd party Sigma OS HSM zooms. Pentax is looking strong as ever for those wanting 1st party constant aperture zooms, cheap sealed lenses and FA/DA Limiteds.

Click to expand...

K-5 is not announced yet.

leopold said:

They can be use on all Pentax DSLR.

Click to expand...

About 6x7 and 645 lenses, they can be adapted to all FF/APS-C mounts since they have such a long registration distance.

--
My Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36164047@N06/

In my book, in-camera image stabilization is the clincher in favor of Pentax. My Nikon using friends complain about the relative dearth of stabilized lenses in the Nikon line and how expensive the really good ones are. I don't know how I would get along without IS at this point, nor is there any reason for me to have to.

Rob

Robgo2 said:

In my book, in-camera image stabilization is the clincher in favor of Pentax. My Nikon using friends complain about the relative dearth of stabilized lenses in the Nikon line and how expensive the really good ones are. I don't know how I would get along without IS at this point, nor is there any reason for me to have to.

Rob

Click to expand...

That is true. To get all the best advantages of a Nikon, it costs a lot due to very expensive Nikon lenses, those are really good, fast or special. It is cheaper with Pentax, but there are limitations.

Unless you like swapping systems on a regular basis, it's best to think a little long-term rather than compare the latest bodies on a feature-by-feature basis. It seems to me that the best reasons to be a Pentaxian are if you prefer:
1. Smallish, less-conspicuous bodies
2. Optical viewfinders
3. In-body IS
4. Small, affordable (under $1k) high-quality prime lenses

If you're spending most of your time shooting with a grip and a big f2.8 telezoom, then you're probably constantly lusting after more expensive gear from Nikon and Canon, and are probably not going to be with Pentax long-term. And you are probably the type of forum poster who spends lots of time in Pentax forums complaining
--
http://www.pixelstatic.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pixelstatic/

Gary Martin said:

Unless you like swapping systems on a regular basis, it's best to think a little long-term rather than compare the latest bodies on a feature-by-feature basis. It seems to me that the best reasons to be a Pentaxian are if you prefer:
1. Smallish, less-conspicuous bodies
2. Optical viewfinders
3. In-body IS
4. Small, affordable (under $1k) high-quality prime lenses

If you're spending most of your time shooting with a grip and a big f2.8 telezoom, then you're probably constantly lusting after more expensive gear from Nikon and Canon, and are probably not going to be with Pentax long-term. And you are probably the type of forum poster who spends lots of time in Pentax forums complaining
--
http://www.pixelstatic.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pixelstatic/

Click to expand...

All true, but there are also other reasons than big f/2.8 telezooms to go elsewhere, as I mentioned, AF, sports, support services...etc. Here are some specific reasons that are making me considering Nikon, besides a good $1200 camera:

Ultra Wide Zoom

http://www.amazon.com/Tokina-11-16mm-2-8-AT-X116-Nikon/dp/B0014Z5XMK/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1284709442&sr=8-1-fkmr0

Accurate Flash

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-SB-600-Speedlight-Digital-Cameras/dp/B0002EMY9Y/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1284710137&sr=1-2

Versatile Travel Zoom
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-16-85mm-3-5-5-6G-Telephoto-Cameras/dp/B0013A1XDE

Gazooma said:

Robgo2 said:

In my book, in-camera image stabilization is the clincher in favor of Pentax. My Nikon using friends complain about the relative dearth of stabilized lenses in the Nikon line and how expensive the really good ones are. I don't know how I would get along without IS at this point, nor is there any reason for me to have to.

Rob

Click to expand...

That is true. To get all the best advantages of a Nikon, it costs a lot due to very expensive Nikon lenses, those are really good, fast or special. It is cheaper with Pentax, but there are limitations.

Click to expand...

Life is full of trade-offs. Each person has to decide for himself which ones to make.

Rob

Gazooma said:

Gazooma said:

Unless you like swapping systems on a regular basis, it's best to think a little long-term rather than compare the latest bodies on a feature-by-feature basis. It seems to me that the best reasons to be a Pentaxian are if you prefer:
1. Smallish, less-conspicuous bodies
2. Optical viewfinders
3. In-body IS
4. Small, affordable (under $1k) high-quality prime lenses

If you're spending most of your time shooting with a grip and a big f2.8 telezoom, then you're probably constantly lusting after more expensive gear from Nikon and Canon, and are probably not going to be with Pentax long-term. And you are probably the type of forum poster who spends lots of time in Pentax forums complaining
--
http://www.pixelstatic.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pixelstatic/

Click to expand...

All true, but there are also other reasons than big f/2.8 telezooms to go elsewhere, as I mentioned, AF, sports, support services...etc. Here are some specific reasons that are making me considering Nikon, besides a good $1200 camera:

Ultra Wide Zoom

http://www.amazon.com/Tokina-11-16mm-2-8-AT-X116-Nikon/dp/B0014Z5XMK/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1284709442&sr=8-1-fkmr0

Accurate Flash

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-SB-600-Speedlight-Digital-Cameras/dp/B0002EMY9Y/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1284710137&sr=1-2

Versatile Travel Zoom
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-16-85mm-3-5-5-6G-Telephoto-Cameras/dp/B0013A1XDE

Click to expand...

The 'big telezoom' was just one example - yours are good reasons too! Notice that you are essentially agreeing with me: two zooms in your argument. Like I said: smallish cameras with (mostly) prime lenses are the Pentax niche. Everything else can arguably done better by other brands.

--
http://www.pixelstatic.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pixelstatic/

Hey Gazooma.

I am trying to digest all that is happening in the world of photography.

We know what Nikon is releasing.

I guess we have an idea of what Canon is offering.

In a few days, we will get an idea of what Pentax will offer.

I like a lot of things about the D7000 - except the price of the new lenses like the AF-S Nikkor 35mm f/1.4G lens. That is an expensive lens. LOL! I do like new flash that Nikon has announced.

What does Pentax have to offer to make you re-up with them?

Egor_Media said:

Hey Gazooma.

I am trying to digest all that is happening in the world of photography.

Click to expand...

It is an exciting month with Photokina coming up. A lot of new cameras.

Egor_Media said:

We know what Nikon is releasing.

Click to expand...

The D7000 does sound like a very nice upgrade to the old D90. It seems to take alot of from the Pentax K-7.

Egor_Media said:

I guess we have an idea of what Canon is offering.

Click to expand...

Canon did announce the 60D, but it doesn't seem to be making a lot of news. It is kind of hard to get a news worthy in the niche between the 7D and all the lower end cameras Canon has.

Egor_Media said:

In a few days, we will get an idea of what Pentax will offer.

Click to expand...

The K-5 will be position between the Nikon D7000 and D300s. It will be a more rugded camera with full metal frame and shell (Nikon D7000 is only partial metal body and shell). It will have more rugged temper glass over the lcd screens. I am sure there will be more differences. Still it looks like people will be compairing the K-7 with the lower price Nikon D7000 and Canon 60D instead of the Nikon D300S and Canon 7D.

Egor_Media said:

I like a lot of things about the D7000 - except the price of the new lenses like the AF-S Nikkor 35mm f/1.4G lens. That is an expensive lens. LOL! I do like new flash that Nikon has announced.

Click to expand...

Modern high-end fast glass is expensive.

Egor_Media said:

What does Pentax have to offer to make you re-up with them?

Click to expand...

The following:
1. A good solid camera
2. Easy to handle
3. Takes good photos
4. Takes the K-mount lenses I own

So far the K-7 has served me well for 16 months and nearly 20,000 photos. I have had the Pentax *ist DS, K10D and K20D and the K-7 is the best one of the bunch. Handles better and quicker with quicker AF and image quality equal to the K20D. I would expect the K-5 will be even better with better AF, better image quality and the same excellent handling of the K-7.

Dave
--

Thanks for the response...

I REALLY want Pentax to release a new flash.

In addition, I am hoping for most of the things you mentioned...

Faster auto-focus-especially in low-light
Better ISO performance than the K20D
Video on par with the other manufacturer's in the same price range.
6-8 FPS

One correction:
K-r has a SAFOX IX
K-5 has a SAFOX IX+
--
Cameras & Lenses listed in Plan.

Hi, Egor.

Egor_Media said:

Hey Gazooma.

I am trying to digest all that is happening in the world of photography.

We know what Nikon is releasing.

I guess we have an idea of what Canon is offering.

In a few days, we will get an idea of what Pentax will offer.

I like a lot of things about the D7000 - except the price of the new lenses like the AF-S Nikkor 35mm f/1.4G lens. That is an expensive lens. LOL! I do like new flash that Nikon has announced.

What does Pentax have to offer to make you re-up with them?

Click to expand...

I have not given up on Pentax yet. I am trying to be open minded and keep all options open until I see the offer. I hope to see more reasonable prices for the K-r and K-5, and that is not only for me to save some money, but also to show that Pentax is competitive and can continue the momentum which started with the K-x. I also hope to see that there is something more exciting than just updates of existing models (call it new models or whatever). A new flash?, a mirrorless concept camera? new WR lenses, something innovative or whatever that can show me that it is more proactive and can be more decisive in some strategy, without which it does not inspire confidence in its future and hence support, servicie and ability to produce good exciting products. So, far the only promising sign is a 35mm f/2.4 value lens and I hope to hear more on Monday.

If it is just showing 2 updated cameras, then it will look pretty bad at a time of great changes and I would have to think it is not in control of its future and we can expect a continuation of the small market share, increasing prices etc. I think it needs to show show some bold steps, take some risk, tough decisions, like show us there is a strategy, a road map, planned releases and conviction in them, breaking the silence and the perception of inaction. If there is nothing except those 2 updated models at prices that are not competitive (and therefore unlikely to break out of the predicament that does not look so promising), then it would be hard for me to invest in Pentax.

Photography is a hobby for me, not a job, not a religion, not something I want to defend my purchases or feel unhappy about if the brand I invest in is always under a dark cloud and cannot show it has a future. It should be fun. I do not want to be stuck with a lot of expensive lenses and feel threatened and unhappy as a result of the constant anxiety due to the future of Pentax or losing support from lens makers, or inability to provide products, whether it is new flash, or some missing lens .. I know it will not happen overnight, but there should be some indications hopefully from new directions, products, road maps, ...