ripley

I took more photos with SR on/off in AF & MF, and altho SR off in MF seemed a little better, all the photos were still bad. I did buy it at the very reputable B&H, but I'm sure they'll refer me to Pentax since I bought the camera in March. Switching from film SLR to DSLR required a bit of a learning curve for me, and I don't think the k100d owner's manual is very user friendly. So there was no way I was going to figure out I had a defective product within the 14-day return period. I hope to get the problem resolved soon so I can start taking photos of the quality of your "bird" shot! Thanks very much for you help.

I recently posted on the problems I have been having with my Pentax k100d. But I think I may just have a faulty camera and will have to send it in. It happens. I would just say that you should definitely try both cameras out at the store, if you have that option where you live. Try to shoot in same lighting situations, and note when (and if) the flash pops up in the auto setting when the light is relatively bright. I think the brightness of the viewfinder is also very important, but that probably has more to do with my age & eyesight. Nikon is supposed to be better in that area. If I were buying today, I'd go with the Nikon, but that is only because of my frustration with the Pentax pkg I purchased a few months ago. I haven't even opened up the 360 flash yet! I've been too busy just trying to take good photos! My first SLR was a Pentax K1000, and my second was the Pentax ME Super, and I could not have been happier with either of them. And if I do just happen to have a "lemon" and get a repaired or replacement K100D, I probably would be telling you to with the Pentax. But do look carefully at both of them before you decide.

Thank you for your responses. I am definitely not a troll! Just someone who posted and left town! Yes, lens is in AF and I can hear it focus, and it looks in focus in viewfinder. Diopter setting ok. I did switch to center-spot focusing (but still see two red area focusing lights in viewfinder...one above the other. I would think center spot focus would only have one red light in center?). I also did a "reset" to original camera settings. I shouldn't need a tripod when the sun is out. Yes, fluttering Hummingbirds definitely not best to test on! lol! But still shots just as bad, and since I posted, it has gotten worse. Now the camera doesn't provide any clear photos. It beeps in focus for both AF and when I MF, and it appears to be in focus thru viewfinder; I get the smiley face, and shutter speeds and aperature values all look fine. But the photos look like "double vision", like I am taking shots with a Bulb shutter speed without a tripod. So it does appear to be "motion blur". Just had my husband stand outside on this bright Wisconsin morning and I put camera in auto mode and took a photo of him. It's blurry. I'd be glad to email photos to anyone, but it seems clear to me I have a faulty camera and/or lenses issue. (I meant to say I had the DA 50-200 lens, not 75-200). I actually feel relieved knowing it's NOT me! Will have to contact Pentax.

I won't get into a lot of detail or your eyes will blur over (like my photos)

and you won't read my entire post. I went from Canon Rebel film to dslr and

chose the Pentax K100d five months ago. The majority of my photos are a

blur. Got the rebate pkg, 18-55 and 75-200 lenses. The flash wants to pop up

almost every time, unless I am outside in bright sun and don't use the

telephoto on the far end. I keep the anti-shake setting on. I've used the

auto setting, flash off, manual, TV, + -, etc. I will say the macro flower

shots look nice. This morning I took several Hummingbird shots through my

patio door. Sun was out. I selected the flash off mode 'cuz did not have

time to go into manual. The shutter speeds seem ok, but shots still blurred.

I am so frustrated and disappointed. I'm just ignoring my camera. Pretending

I don't own it! I find myself grabbing my point and shoot digital, or my Canon

Rebel film camera. Just looking for some advice. I was thinking of taking the

camera to a local store and taking photos on their demo and then trying mine.

Not sure how they'll feel about that since I didn't buy camera from them. Or

if I sent it back to Pentax, will they check it over? Hey... I'm really not

an amateur. I've got some great bird photos (my favorites) over the years, but

not since I got the Pentax. I still have my original Pentax K1000 film

camera, and am tempted to just start using that again. Darn!

Once you are in the custom set menu you have to toggle down to the 14th and 15th choices to reach those settings. The owners manual is not very user friendly on explaining using older lenses. I had to do some surfing to finally figure out how to use my old Pentax K lens. This posting was helpful:

"==Necessary settings for using older lenses (pre A)==

 

Custom menu settings (remembered by the camera for future use):

- use of aperture ring: permitted

- focus confirmation with S-lenses : yes

 

further setting:

- put focus slider switch on manual focus

 

== Procedures to take pics with older lenses==

 

- A one size fits all procedure to take pics:

 

Put mode dial on M.

Select aperture on lens (not on camera) as needed.

Press AEL button (camera automacilly selects correct shutterspeed)

Take pic, or series of pics as long as the light in the scene doesn't change.

 

- An "expert mode" procedure for all older lenses:

 

Put mode dial on M.

Select aperture on lens (not on camera) as needed.

Pull lever for DOF preview.

Watch the light meter readout (-2 to +2 EV)

Adjust shutter speed or aperture as required

Take pic or series of pics

 

- An optional procedure for manual diaphragm lenses

 

(these are lenses where you see the light levels change in the viewfinder as you turn the aperture ring, such as screw mount lenses mounted with an adapter, but also a few older K-mount teles, T-mount lenses with adapter, fixed aperure mirror lenses, telescope adapters etc..)

 

Put mode dial on Av

Select aperture on lens

 

Take pic or series of pics, because of the Av mode, the camera will automatically adapt to differing lighting.

 

 

==Further things of interest==

 

- The optional procedure can also be used with auto aperture K-mount lenses, but pics will always be wide open, whatever the setting of the aperture ring

 

-It's also possible to select spot metering, which is espescially interesting with the "expert procedure"

 

-Function of DOF preview lever for expert mode might need to be set in custom menu on latest camera's

 

-Use green button instead of AEL button on camera's with green button.

 

 

-Automatic aperture screw mount lenses need to have a A/M switch on the lens, otherwise you need to think of something to keep the aperture pin pushed in. Also keep in mind that on some lenses (SMC Takumars) the A/M switch only works when the lens is mounted, so don't try to force the switch when just playing with the lens

Did anyone purchase the $200 combination rebate?.. The K100d plus the DA 50-200 lens plus the AF-360 Flash? I am planning on buying the camera with the kit lens and the 50-200 lens, for a $150 rebate. I wasn't planning on buying the flash, but I keep thinking I should take advantage of that extra $50 rebate while I can. On the other hand, I haven't used my "big flash" on my film Rebel for a long time. The on-camera flash suffices for most of my needs. Decisions, decisions.

If I knew how to insert a hyperlink here, this would be a lot easier. Do a google search for: flickr groups pentax

Then click on the first hit "(Flickr: Pentax (Samsung) DSLR Users (3 per day)"

Under "Discuss" on left side menu, click on "auto/manual focus" link. In addition to the first post called "auto/manual focus", scroll down to the post titled "K100D annoyances/irritations/problems after use?" The information there should be helpful. I'm considering the K100d as I have old k-mount lenses from my K1000 and ME Super that "should" work on it. Looks like it may not be as simple as putting the lens on the camera and going into manual mode tho.

I found the Pentax "road map" of lenses, and the announcement of the new Pentax digital DA 60-250 and 70-300 lenses that are supposed to come out next month. Might be worth waiting for. Depending on price, either of those would work well for my needs. And the more I think about it, the DA 50-200 which is out now, getting good reviews, and included in the Pentax rebate pkg., would probably be enough of a zoom range for me (along with the 18-55 kit lens, which also got good reviews.) The K100d body & those two lenses would cost less than the XTi body only (after the $150 rebate). Whatever I ultimate deicde on, I'm sure I'll be happy with it. Too many options out there. The internet is great, but can sometimes put you in information overload.

OK, it seems it would be a waste of money to buy another Canon xx-300mm zoom lens UNLESS (in my budget range) it is the non-DO EF 70-300 IS USM. That makes sense. Although when I use my 75-300 zoom, I'm in the 300mm range 90% of the time, so maybe (down the road) I should consider the 300mm L lens instead.

 

On the other hand, Jim is right about the Pentax. I think I've made up my mind, but I keep steering back to the K100d. It really would be a good (and less expensive) dslr for my needs. I like the way it handles, I like the viewfinder, and I like the built-in IS. The only thing that is making me hesitate is that their new lenses designed specifically for their DSLR's (the DA lenses) seem limited. The kit lens is supposed to be better than the Rebel kit lens. But their DA telephoto zoom (in their rebate offer) is the P-DA 50-200. I know that on the dslr that will be somewhat equal to my canon 75-300 lens, but I'd still prefer the 70-300 range. Is there an alternative brand 70-300 range lens that would work with the Pentax K100d AND be comparable to the Canon 70-300 IS USM? Is it likely Pentax will be coming out with an 70/75-300 DA zoom in the future? I very much appreciate all the knowledge, advice and opinions.

I am looking at the Canon Rebel XTi and also looking at the Pentax K100d because of the lower cost plus good rebates they have going on now. I tried my old Pentax K1000 lenses on the digital K100d at the camera store, and they did work, but the camera was not giving me information on shutter speed or other settings, and of course you will have to focus manually. So if I decide on the Pentax over the Canon, I will take advantage of the $150 rebate by purchasing the Pentax K100d with the 18-55 kit lens, and the P-DA 50-200 lens.

1) Can't believe you guys thought I was serious about the "cameras on the tables at weddings!" lol!

2) The autofocus on my 28-80 lens is broken. A couple of weeks ago I handed the camera to someone to take a couple of family photos, and I am guessing she was turning the focus ring (while on AF)instead of the zoom barrel. I had to get my Sigma 18-28mm repaired for the same reason last year.

3)I did take a couple of test photos with my 75-300 at the camera store, and they looked ok, but I'd prefer to test it out on a Hummingbird at my feeder, which I can't do since they won't let me take the camera home (not to mention Hummingbirds don't hang around Wisconsin in the winter.)

4) I've had a Fujifilm E550 digital for a couple of years and am very happy with the photos that are taken outside in daylight, or closeup inside. But I use my Rebel film camera for the "good stuff", so am looking forward to learning the dslr.

5) Pentax has a great rebate going on right now...$150 off if you buy the K100d plus the zoom telephoto, but it's only a 50-200mm zoom,

and I really want at least 300mm. I have several old Pentax telephoto lenses, but I'm not going digital to use lenses that I'll have to guess at settings and manually focus (except maybe I'd use my f1.4 50mm occasionally), SO...

6) I think the advice to go with the XTi with the kit lens and use my 75-300 for now is sound. I'll see what those Hummingbirds look like this summer, and will probably eventually upgrade lenses.

What I'd really like is a combination of three dslr's... That bright viewfinder on the Nikon D80, the in-camera IS in the Pentax K100d, and two good Canon lenses to cover wide angle to way out there.

Just used it a couple of weeks ago, but now it is not working on my film camera. I should have checked that out. Thanks. Based on posted "opinions", I don't think I'll have it repaired either. Looks like I'll have to go with new lenses no matter what I decide. Maybe I should just go with one of those cameras you find on your table at weddings.

I have a Rebel film SLR with two canon EF ultrasonic autofocus lenses: 28-80

1:3.5-5.6 II and 75-300 1:4-5.6 II. Took the lenses to the camera store and

tried them on the Rebel XTi. The 75-300 worked fine. The 28-80 worked

manually, but would not autofocus. I've read on these forums that these lenses

are the worst Canon made. I'm not a pro, but I got some very good photos with

these lenses. If I use my telephoto on the XTi, will the photos be "worse"

than on my Rebel film camera? Should I invest in another 75-300 lens? The

Canon EF 100-300mm 4.5-5.6 USM has been recommended as a decent telephoto, but

if the photos won't be significantly better than my current telephoto, I'd

rather spend the money on a different kit lens. I want the 300mm range for my

bird shots (and am glad to know I will get the "effect" of a 400mm-plus on a

dslr).

 

I'm also a Pentax fan (still have my first SLR, the Pentax K1000 SE...for

those old enough to remember it)so I also looked at the Pentax K100d. I liked

the feel of it, and the image stabilization is a big plus. So if I can't use

my Canon 28-80 on the XTi, and am going to have to re-invest in another Canon

telephoto, I would consider the Pentax K100d instead. I mostly do bird

photography, an occasional group event, family and kid photos, some sports,

and rarely enlarge above 5 x 7.

 

Does anyone have experience with old lenses on the XTi? Any idea why the 28-80

doesn't work? What would be a good lens to replace the kit lens (and possibly

telephoto lens). And any opinions on the Pentax K100d?