Stop Gap Camera while we wait for a Digital M?

fotografz · February 16, 2004

Jeff, as I mentioned, the viewfinder is quite bright and uncluttered. I found it pretty easy to

focus. But I was using Paul's 85/1.8. Don't know what focusing would be like with a f/4

tele. or a f/3.5 wide angle. Has a built in diopter correction also for those like me who

need it.

patricks · February 16, 2004

BTW, not that photo mags are the ultimate source of camera evaluations, but the British Mag Digital Photography rated this camera at 84 out of 100, uneven pix quality being one of the chief complaints. Cams like Canon 10D, Nikon D100 etc. all scores over 90 pts.

greg_lovern · February 16, 2004

With K and M series lenses (M lenses are the subsequent compact variants), the camera gives you center weighted metering that is quite adequate for most purposes. With the later A lenses, all metering functions (matrix, program, spot, and center weighted) are available. Of course with the most recent F and FA lenses, you get all of the above plus autofocus.

K and M lenses can be modifed to allow all metering types. See:

<a href="http://www.robertstech.com/matrix.htm"> http://www.robertstech.com/matrix.htm</a>

The author has a note near the top of that page saying that his method doesn't allow K and M lenses to function on the *istD, but maybe that was written before the firmware upgrade was released, allowing K and M lenses to function on the *istD?

Greg

fotografz · February 16, 2004

Did you count the Canon and Nikon ads in that magazine Patrick? Then the number of

Pentax ads?

It may be true, but I didn't see any uneven pixels (whatever that is) when I took it up to the

Max interpolation in the Adobe RAW developer.

But you piqued my curiosity, so I took the normal sized (un-interpolated) Tiff file of Paul's

IIIc Pic and ran it in Fred Miranda's Step Interpolation program for the 1Ds. Took it up to

20"X24" @ 300ppi (resulting in a 243.3 meg file). Here's a slice of that enlargement (keep

in mind this is an ISO 800 image!!!!) Using that, tell me what "uneven pixels" are please.

Also, keep in mind I'm not defending this camera. I don't own one, nor am I likely to

replace my Canons with it. But these magazines need to be taken with a grain of salt.<div></div>

jeff_rivera5 · February 16, 2004

Marc,

Shit that looks good! Lets see, $1399 (Cameta Camera eBay) for a camera, battery, charger, and card reader, three lenses for $100 or so, and your off to the races. Damn. I need to think about this one.

godfrey · February 17, 2004

Dark Shadows - Sony DSC-U60

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I like the Pentax *ist D a lot, played with one at the store again the other day and was

tempted to buy...

But I chose the Canon 10D for reasons that haven't changed. Its bulk fits my hands well,

the controls suit me well, and access to the line of image-stabilized lenses is very

appealing.

Godfrey

fotografz · February 17, 2004

Yes Godfrey, the 10D is a great camera for the money, with some outstanding lenses,

especially the IS versions. However, the better glass isn't inexpensive nor small. I thought

this camera was of particular interest because of the small size... making it a possible

alternative to the "ever growing larger" P&Ss sporting a smaller sensor. Plus the lenses are

very good for not a lot of $. A good 1st digital for some who like/desire smaller cameras.

If it were priced in the neighborhood of the Canon Rebel, I'd probably pick one up to

replace the 10D that I just sold to make way for the Canon 1DMKII I have on order. I no

longer have a small digital camera of any kind, but size does matter in certain situations.

The plasticy, silver stripped down Rebel just doesn't interest me, but this camera does.