$4500 or £2500 for basic *istD system?

Alan Owen said:

If anyone in the UK can let me know where a Pentax 70-210 f4 can be
found, your help would be really appreciated. Comments on the
weight of this lens would be more than useful. Finally, any
thoughts on filters would also really help.

Click to expand...

Alan Owen said:

Hi,

I've been looking at a Pentax *istD system for my wife as she needs
a camera / lens solution that is not too heavy. Can you help me to
confirm that the following is an OK solution for someone that is
interested in an all round reach solution (We can't stretch to the
Pentax 80-200 2.8 etc) with the emphasis on portrait / group /
holiday landscape and general photography (not too specialist)
shots taken during good light / night light conditions.

My wife is switching from film (good photographer, not an intensive
user and first time digital user - can cope). Please help as this
is a serious inquiry - my money.

Proposed configuration:

*ist D + Battery Grip + 1GB Microdrive + AF360 FGZ Flashgun (£1,349)
Pentax 16-45 f4 (£325)
Sigma 55-200 f4 (£110)
Pentax 50 f1.4 (£190)
Additional 512MB (Sandisk) Ultra II Memory Card (£90)
Compact Flash Card Reader (Sandisk USB 2.0) ((£30)
Lowepro Nova 4AW Bag (£49)
Manfrotto 190CL Tripod + 141RC Pan & tilt Head + Padded Bag (£171)
Ansmann Energy 4 Traveller Charger + 8 X 2200mAh Batteries (£55)
Miscellaneous Filters (£100+)

If anyone in the UK can let me know where a Pentax 70-210 f4 can be
found, your help would be really appreciated. Comments on the
weight of this lens would be more than useful. Finally, any
thoughts on filters would also really help.

I'm sure that the above may not be quite complete but I'd rather
get the funds right now, so please don't hold back on any
recommendations.

Thank you for any help and advice.

Regards,

Alan

Click to expand...

John Glover said:

Alan Owen said:

If anyone in the UK can let me know where a Pentax 70-210 f4 can be
found, your help would be really appreciated. Comments on the
weight of this lens would be more than useful. Finally, any
thoughts on filters would also really help.

Click to expand...

I don't know about shipping to the UK but http://www.keh.com has a couple
of A70-210/4 lenses listed. This lens has not been made by Pentax
for a while now so to find one locally you will be looking at used
equipment most likely. I've never owned one but most of the
comments I've seen have been positive with regard to image quality.
However, as the lens is an older manual focus model, it is one the
heavy side weighing in at almost 700g.

As far as filters go, I'd go with Pentax SMC filters when you can.
The SMC coating makes a world of difference in handling flare.
Again, when you can find them, KEH usually has really good pricing
on these filters, especially in BGN condition. They are also
available new but generally they are a special order item in most
camera stores.

--
John

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

Click to expand...

Alan Owen said:

Hi,

I've been looking at a Pentax *istD system for my wife as she needs
a camera / lens solution that is not too heavy. Can you help me to
confirm that the following is an OK solution for someone that is
interested in an all round reach solution (We can't stretch to the
Pentax 80-200 2.8 etc) with the emphasis on portrait / group /
holiday landscape and general photography (not too specialist)
shots taken during good light / night light conditions.

My wife is switching from film (good photographer, not an intensive
user and first time digital user - can cope). Please help as this
is a serious inquiry - my money.

Proposed configuration:

*ist D + Battery Grip + 1GB Microdrive + AF360 FGZ Flashgun (£1,349)
Pentax 16-45 f4 (£325)
Sigma 55-200 f4 (£110)
Pentax 50 f1.4 (£190)
Additional 512MB (Sandisk) Ultra II Memory Card (£90)
Compact Flash Card Reader (Sandisk USB 2.0) ((£30)
Lowepro Nova 4AW Bag (£49)
Manfrotto 190CL Tripod + 141RC Pan & tilt Head + Padded Bag (£171)
Ansmann Energy 4 Traveller Charger + 8 X 2200mAh Batteries (£55)
Miscellaneous Filters (£100+)

If anyone in the UK can let me know where a Pentax 70-210 f4 can be
found, your help would be really appreciated. Comments on the
weight of this lens would be more than useful. Finally, any
thoughts on filters would also really help.

I'm sure that the above may not be quite complete but I'd rather
get the funds right now, so please don't hold back on any
recommendations.

Thank you for any help and advice.

Regards,

Alan

Click to expand...

Alan Owen said:

Hi,

I've been looking at a Pentax *istD system for my wife as she needs
a camera / lens solution that is not too heavy. Can you help me to
confirm that the following is an OK solution for someone that is
interested in an all round reach solution (We can't stretch to the
Pentax 80-200 2.8 etc) with the emphasis on portrait / group /
holiday landscape and general photography (not too specialist)
shots taken during good light / night light conditions.

My wife is switching from film (good photographer, not an intensive
user and first time digital user - can cope). Please help as this
is a serious inquiry - my money.

Proposed configuration:

*ist D + Battery Grip + 1GB Microdrive + AF360 FGZ Flashgun (£1,349)
Pentax 16-45 f4 (£325)
Sigma 55-200 f4 (£110)
Pentax 50 f1.4 (£190)
Additional 512MB (Sandisk) Ultra II Memory Card (£90)
Compact Flash Card Reader (Sandisk USB 2.0) ((£30)
Lowepro Nova 4AW Bag (£49)
Manfrotto 190CL Tripod + 141RC Pan & tilt Head + Padded Bag (£171)
Ansmann Energy 4 Traveller Charger + 8 X 2200mAh Batteries (£55)
Miscellaneous Filters (£100+)

If anyone in the UK can let me know where a Pentax 70-210 f4 can be
found, your help would be really appreciated. Comments on the
weight of this lens would be more than useful. Finally, any
thoughts on filters would also really help.

I'm sure that the above may not be quite complete but I'd rather
get the funds right now, so please don't hold back on any
recommendations.

Thank you for any help and advice.

Regards,

Alan

Click to expand...

Brett St Pierre said:

Alan Owen said:

Hi,

I've been looking at a Pentax *istD system for my wife as she needs
a camera / lens solution that is not too heavy. Can you help me to
confirm that the following is an OK solution for someone that is
interested in an all round reach solution (We can't stretch to the
Pentax 80-200 2.8 etc) with the emphasis on portrait / group /
holiday landscape and general photography (not too specialist)
shots taken during good light / night light conditions.

My wife is switching from film (good photographer, not an intensive
user and first time digital user - can cope). Please help as this
is a serious inquiry - my money.

Proposed configuration:

*ist D + Battery Grip + 1GB Microdrive + AF360 FGZ Flashgun (£1,349)
Pentax 16-45 f4 (£325)
Sigma 55-200 f4 (£110)
Pentax 50 f1.4 (£190)
Additional 512MB (Sandisk) Ultra II Memory Card (£90)
Compact Flash Card Reader (Sandisk USB 2.0) ((£30)
Lowepro Nova 4AW Bag (£49)
Manfrotto 190CL Tripod + 141RC Pan & tilt Head + Padded Bag (£171)
Ansmann Energy 4 Traveller Charger + 8 X 2200mAh Batteries (£55)
Miscellaneous Filters (£100+)

If anyone in the UK can let me know where a Pentax 70-210 f4 can be
found, your help would be really appreciated. Comments on the
weight of this lens would be more than useful. Finally, any
thoughts on filters would also really help.

I'm sure that the above may not be quite complete but I'd rather
get the funds right now, so please don't hold back on any
recommendations.

Thank you for any help and advice.

Regards,

Alan

Click to expand...

Alan, I must say that you have listed a very, very good kit - most
comprehensive and quality gear to boot (I feel I can say that as I
have 2/3rds of what you list!)

In terms of flash, have you considered the new Sigma DG500 Super?
does all that the FGZ360 does (wireless, HS sync, etc.) but has a
higher GN of 50, backwards compatible with recent Pentax film SLR
and is cheaper

In terms of lenses I totally agree with the DA16-45 and 50/1.4 --
they are both excellent, sharp lenses (from experience - the DA has
similar pincussion and barrel distortion to most zoom lenses).
Reports are the that Sigma 55-200 is excellent value for money. If
you were going for the best long zoom (& weight wasn't an issue) I
would suggest the excellent Sigma 70-200/2.8 EX -- it is a sharper
lens than the Pentax equivalent (and cheaper!) -- but a LOT to lug
around.

As an alternative and saving some money you could take the Sigma
18-55 (but probably not as good & the Pnetax has some nice
features) instead of the Pentax DA16-45 and if you could find one
the old Pentax SMC-F 70-210/4-5.6 - the first of the autofocus
Pentax long zooms and annoyingly had a rotating front element but
included ED glass, is reasonably light and the sharpest of the long
zooms.

Manfrotto 190 + 141 RC -- great stuff! A Classic

Check the RiData 512CF cards (see perfomance results under 'digital
film' in Reviews of this site) -- represent slightly better value
than SanDisc Ultra II and I'm not sure if you'll tell the speed
difference in the RW.

Of course, there are a 1000 solutions but I think you are onto the
right stuff, these suggestions are just alternative thoughts...

Good luck... be interested to hear the final set up.

Cheers,
Brett

Click to expand...

John Glover said:

(snip)
As far as filters go, I'd go with Pentax SMC filters when you can.
The SMC coating makes a world of difference in handling flare.
Again, when you can find them, KEH usually has really good pricing
on these filters, especially in BGN condition. They are also
available new but generally they are a special order item in most
camera stores.

Click to expand...

• Edmund Burke

Jim King said:

I agree that the SMC Pentax filters are very fine, but as they are
hard to find I'm using B+H milticoated filters instead. These are

Click to expand...

Brett St Pierre said:

features) instead of the Pentax DA16-45 and if you could find one
the old Pentax SMC-F 70-210/4-5.6 - the first of the autofocus
Pentax long zooms and annoyingly had a rotating front element but
included ED glass, is reasonably light and the sharpest of the long
zooms.

Click to expand...

Alan Owen said:

Hi John,

Appreciate your advice on the filters.

Keh.com - What a great little site. I've marked this one for future
reference. In the immediate future, we'll go with the 55-200 as the
70-210 is not the top priority for shooting purposes and it's clear
that I'd have to carry the lens around all day.

Thanks so much for everything. You've helped to finalise and
confirm a few of my thoughts.

Click to expand...

John Glover said:

Alan Owen said:

Hi John,

Appreciate your advice on the filters.

Keh.com - What a great little site. I've marked this one for future
reference. In the immediate future, we'll go with the 55-200 as the
70-210 is not the top priority for shooting purposes and it's clear
that I'd have to carry the lens around all day.

Thanks so much for everything. You've helped to finalise and
confirm a few of my thoughts.

Click to expand...

Hi Alan,

You're welcome! You'll love the *istD, it's a terrific camera and
I think you will find that quality Pentax glass in the used market
can be a real bargain. I suppose that is because so many people
are dumping their Pentax gear so they can buy a "real" camera like
a Canon or a Nikon. Oh well, I figure their loss is my
gain.......

I've bought a lot of gear from keh.com. Very conservative grading,
don;t be afraid of something in bargain "BGN" condition. I've
bought almost all my used gear from KEH in BGN condition. Their
grading is generally so conservative I have not a clue as to why
they even grade the gear as bargain.....to me it would excellent
condition anywhere else. I think you'll be happy with them,
provided the shipping costs are not prohibitive.

--
John

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

Click to expand...

Jim King said:

John Glover said:

(snip)
As far as filters go, I'd go with Pentax SMC filters when you can.
The SMC coating makes a world of difference in handling flare.
Again, when you can find them, KEH usually has really good pricing
on these filters, especially in BGN condition. They are also
available new but generally they are a special order item in most
camera stores.

Click to expand...

I agree that the SMC Pentax filters are very fine, but as they are
hard to find I'm using B+H milticoated filters instead. These are
also very fine optically and come in brass mounts which are
smoother than the more common aluminum mounts. I get these at The
Filter Connection http://www.2filter.com/ which keeps them in stock

--
Colormonger.
* * * * *
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do
nothing.

• Edmund Burke

Click to expand...

Alan Owen said:

Appreciate your comments. Not sure about getting the SMC Pentax
filters in the UK but will certainly be looking at the B + W or
Heliopan multicoated filters.

Best,
Alan

Jim King said:

John Glover said:

(snip)
As far as filters go, I'd go with Pentax SMC filters when you can.
The SMC coating makes a world of difference in handling flare.
Again, when you can find them, KEH usually has really good pricing
on these filters, especially in BGN condition. They are also
available new but generally they are a special order item in most
camera stores.

Click to expand...

I agree that the SMC Pentax filters are very fine, but as they are
hard to find I'm using B+H milticoated filters instead. These are
also very fine optically and come in brass mounts which are
smoother than the more common aluminum mounts. I get these at The
Filter Connection http://www.2filter.com/ which keeps them in stock

--
Colormonger.
* * * * *
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do
nothing.

• Edmund Burke

Click to expand...

--
Alan

Click to expand...

James O'Neill said:

It's a very comprehensive solution. I might avoid buying it all in
one hit. e.g. do you need the grip (I prefer the camera without), a
really serious tripod, and 16-45 is a well regarded lens especially
for a "one lens kit", but are the others the ideal for the work
your wife does. I've got the 50mm f/1.4 and wouldn't be without it
(great portrait lens on this camera), but it may not be what other
people need.

If you DO walk into a camera shop with that shopping list,
negoitiate a decent discount !

Click to expand...

richardday said:

Alan Owen said:

Appreciate your comments. Not sure about getting the SMC Pentax
filters in the UK but will certainly be looking at the B + W or
Heliopan multicoated filters.

Best,
Alan

Jim King said:

John Glover said:

(snip)
As far as filters go, I'd go with Pentax SMC filters when you can.
The SMC coating makes a world of difference in handling flare.
Again, when you can find them, KEH usually has really good pricing
on these filters, especially in BGN condition. They are also
available new but generally they are a special order item in most
camera stores.

Click to expand...

I agree that the SMC Pentax filters are very fine, but as they are
hard to find I'm using B+H milticoated filters instead. These are
also very fine optically and come in brass mounts which are
smoother than the more common aluminum mounts. I get these at The
Filter Connection http://www.2filter.com/ which keeps them in stock

--
Colormonger.
* * * * *
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do
nothing.

• Edmund Burke

Click to expand...

--
Alan

Click to expand...

--
For Pentax SMC filters join the Pentax Users club and order through
them and get 10% discount - http://www.pentaxuser.co.uk .

I tend not to use so many filters now with digital as with film.
Mainly use grey grads (great to avoid white blow out) or polariser
and I tend to use Cokin P series.

For the best in CF cards readers etc http://www.ebuyer.com (1GB CF cards
at well under £100)

Richard Day - 'Carpe Diem!'
Gloucester UK

Click to expand...

*isteve said:

Alan, after a few swaps I ended up with almost the same kit with
the addition of the 70-300 Sigma APO macro and a second hand 77LTD
for portrait work. I dont own the 50 F1.7 but its a fine lens and
would do as well as the LTD.
When travelling I take the 16-45 and 55-200 - a very compact
combination considering it covers 24-300mm on the camera. The grip
I like because I do a lot of portrait mode shooting and it does
make the camera more stable. However when travelling I leave the
charger and the NiMH's at home and just take a spare set of CR3Vs
or two. These last such a long time (well over 1000 shots) and I
dont have to worry about the charger or finding compatible socket
adapters etc. This leaves me carrying everything in a Lowepro
Toploader 65 AW and a small lens case.
Would advise more memory though. I hardly use microdrives any more
because of the speed and energy consumption but the 1GM solid state
cards are pretty cheap now. If you shoot any RAW pics you will
definately want a few of those or an image tank.
Steve

Click to expand...

Patrick T. Kelly said:

There is nothing wrong with what you've selected since it is, as
you say, your money. IMHO, it's far from a basic kit. Unless you
get some sort of discount for buying it all at once I'd slow down
and buy parts as the needs present themselves.

I have the Pentax with the 16-45mm lens for special occasions, a
50mm f/1.8 which I love, and a 135mm f/2.8 which I don't use much.
I have a remote cable release which I wouldn't be without. I have a
Manfrotto 724b as a carry-along tripod. That's my "basic" kit.

With higher usable ISO than I've been used to I haven't really felt
compelled to get an external flash. Since I carry my camera with me
as I stroll around town I haven't felt compelled to get the battery
grip, either. I find portrait orientation to be very easy with this
camera without the grip.

My next lens will be in the 24-90 or 28-105 range but then I simply
don't need 200mm which translates to 300mm on the Pentax.

Click to expand...