Pentax *ist DSLR

I had a ist DL that I was very happy with but unfortunately I dropped it on concrete and it didn't survive my attempt to repair. I used for 6 or 7 years no problems great camera. I bought a used ist DS for $125 and it is better in some respects, Pentaprism view finder, multiple focus points. Very happy with it. I think you will find happiness with yours. I have been using Li-on AA batteries get a lot of shots.

The only complaint about this series is the autofocus can be slow in low light.

episodic wrote:

I have a chance to pick up a used Pentax *ist DSLR 6.1 megapixel camera. There are about 21,000 shutter clicks the person tells me (a friend, so I tend to trust them). He isn't selling a lens with it, so I would need a lens - for about a hundred bucks. Do these cameras tend to last a while and would this be a good starter DSLR?

I'd say it would be worth $100 if he's going to throw in a kit lens.  If he isn't and you're looking at $200 for the body and lens separately, go for something like a K-x (look on ebay for prices) which you should be able to get for $250 or so with a lens, and is massively better in all respects - image quality, bulk, speed of use, screen, focus...

The *ist is about 10 years old technology even if this copy is newer than that.  I wouldn't pay $200 for a 10 years old PC (with all that is implied in terms of usability) if I could get a 3 years old one for $250... that's a reasonable analogy.

Best wishes

ist series is a good starter camera, though as others have noted, for a bit more you can get a newer series with more bells & whistles.  The ist sensor is very good.  KEH has a couple of bodies from $130s to 160s for LN, but they typically sell on ebay for around $100 to 150 with the 18-55 kit lens.

episodic wrote:

I have a chance to pick up a used Pentax *ist DSLR 6.1 megapixel camera. There are about 21,000 shutter clicks the person tells me (a friend, so I tend to trust them). He isn't selling a lens with it, so I would need a lens - for about a hundred bucks. Do these cameras tend to last a while and would this be a good starter DSLR?

You can get a decent *ist with kit lens for less than $150 on eBay. I still shoot my DL, which was converted to IR, but I would suggest you get something with better sensor and AF.

I think it makes a big difference as to which model. Is it a *istD.....or a *istDL or *istDS. The former was the high end version of the three. The latter were considered entry level models. As such, the image quality differences were subtle, but other feature differences were more pronounced....most esp. as it relates to your situation with shutter life.

Shutter life expectancy on average for the *istD is 57,000 clicks. For the DL, 37,000.....and for the DS, only 24,000. Not to say these don't vary, but it gives you an idea of the value for possible remaining lifespan for each.

That being said, I still have my DL and love it. It is what I learned on for DSLR and very good in that regard. It is a supplement to my K-r and it takes great low ISO shots. As others have suggested, the newer generation models are SO much more responsive with AF, fps, etc. And high ISO shots are much better from the K-x on.  I would agree if you can get a good K-x for less than $250, then you will be very happy.

I dont Think you should pay more than 10 -20 dollars for it maximum 30. It is not really a good camera for starter theese Days. You will only get disapointed when you see how bad it performes conserning iso and dynamic range. You will almost immidiatley buy a newer one. trust me.

episodic wrote:

I have a chance to pick up a used Pentax *ist DSLR 6.1 megapixel camera. There are about 21,000 shutter clicks the person tells me (a friend, so I tend to trust them). He isn't selling a lens with it, so I would need a lens - for about a hundred bucks. Do these cameras tend to last a while and would this be a good starter DSLR?

As the others have said, $100 without a lens is too much.  Your friend is probably - like most people selling off old gear - honestly expecting a higher price than the item is worth.  If he throws in the kit lens that came with it I'd expect a price of about $80-90; if not, try elsewhere.

On the other hand, if you want to try DSLR photography so you can learn about the techinques involved, I'd say it's a good start for exactly the reasons the others think it poor: because it is so limited by today's standards you need to work a lot harder to get good results so you learn faster.

If, however, you want the improved image quality that DSLRs give without wanting to get deeply into technique it's a bad choice because it is so limited.  Don't get me wrong - there are plenty of people here still using the *ist series and getting good results - but they've had plenty of practice.

kriztian wrote:It is not really a good camera for starter theese Days. You will only get disapointed when you see how bad it performes conserning iso and dynamic range. You will almost immidiatley buy a newer one. trust me.

Yeah, plus its not very heavy, uses AA batteries, has the CCD sensor that seems to give good rendition, OK jpgs and great RAW, etc., and the market prices them at $100-150 - guess you should avoid it and spend a lot more to get a k5IIs . . .

Namche 2006, ist DL - prints great to 12x18

JNR wrote:

Why would we trust you with no proof? This was shot at ISO 800, and if I took the time to process it with newer software it would be especially low in noise and sharper (and with better color balance):

Portrait - istD - FA35 at ISO 800

Fantastic shots. Which software did you use?

My first Pentax was the *istDS. I believe it was the last Pentax that had TTL flash capabilities. Birds in flight were possible with care in shooting. Catch-in-focusing was and still is a blast to use for capturing hummingbirds in flight. BTW: The American Avocet in flight images were taken with a Tamron 70-300mm lens that I gave $65 for from KEH. Keep your ISO at or below 800 and you can still make some pretty good images with an *istDS from Pentax IMO.

Cheers.

Ron

What Ron said!

I have a DS as well as a K20D, K-5 and K-01 (gave the K10D to my son last year). I still use the DS for some things, such as going out in Lake Superior in a canoe (because I can afford to lose it). It takes excellent photographs and is the smallest and lightest of the three. Equipped with a 35mm f2.4, it makes a great camera to carry on long hikes when you don't want a heavy weight around your neck. Also I keep it in the glove compartment of my car on long auto trips and leave it there. Buy it!

Thanks for posting those pics, perfect work imo.

Cheers

Dick

brandrx wrote:

My first Pentax was the *istDS. I believe it was the last Pentax that had TTL flash capabilities. Birds in flight were possible with care in shooting. Catch-in-focusing was and still is a blast to use for capturing hummingbirds in flight. BTW: The American Avocet in flight images were taken with a Tamron 70-300mm lens that I gave $65 for from KEH. Keep your ISO at or below 800 and you can still make some pretty good images with an *istDS from Pentax IMO.

Cheers.

Ron

I know exactly what I am talking about. My first digital camera was a 6 megapixel Samsung wich used the same sensor as pentax ist D if I am not wrong. I liked the camera  because it was good   technology at the time. Today however I would not buy one for ten dollars. Especially not a used one. Wy bother with old stuff when you can get a newer body for 100 dollars if you just want to try out photografy.
Cheers