mw_rip

Very helpful, thanks everyone. I did not realize that once formatted a card was basically universal. Knowing this will make my life easier in the future and save a bunch of time!

Could someone please tell me if you are switching cards between a K100D and a

K10D if the card has to be reformatted in each camera every time you switch,

or if you can just format it in one camera and thereafter switch at will?

Don't understand what 'formatting' technically does, just that it needs to be

done. Friend bought the K10, I have the K100. Ran out of memory today while

out and he offered me one of his cards to use, but then we realized it already

had a few pics. on it and were afraid to either try to take pics. using the

K100D or reformat for fear of messing up what was already on there. Would be

good to know for the future. Thanks!

I appreciate you taking the time to answer all my questions. Thanks Mike!

Hi everyone. Happened to see this lens while shopping online. Am a complete

newbie so could use some help in answering the following: (1) What if any

restrictions would I have when using it on the K100D? For example, I have read

that certain older sigmas have to be 'rechipped' (no idea what that is) to work

properly in newer cameras. Also, is everything automatic in green/auto mode

except focus? (2) Is manual focus lens a good idea for someone trying to learn?

(3) Already purchased 'nice' lenses beyond the kit lenses, just wondering if it

is worth the 40$ for this sigma for practice and an extra lens that I wouldn't

have to worry about carrying hiking or around the barn where it could get

scratched or dropped. Thanks for your advice!

Thanks Mike. I called both B&H and Pentax CS this morning and they are confused as well. They said there is only one version of that lens (50-200), as in, no USA version vs. import/grey market, etc. And they confirmed that the product code printed right above the UPC code matched the lens, but are clueless as to why the UPC code itself does not match what they have. Anyway, they said to make copies of everything, send it in, and see what happens. In this, my first dealing with Pentax CS, they seemed willing to help and offered to pursue it for me if for some reason the rebate was rejected.

Thanks everyone for clearing that up. Now the sole remaining problem is I just noticed that the rebate states "only the UPC product codes listed are eligible". Oddly enough, the smc P-DA 50-200mm I ordered has a UPC code that is not even close to what is listed on the rebate form. Right lens, even right product code printed on the box, but wrong UPC code. Huh. Ah well, guess I'll have to wait and see if it is an issue.

My B&H invoice says "serial #9937". The only number printed on the upc code or on the lens box for that matter is "027075030535". So you are saying to write down what is on the B&H invoice even though I don't see that number anywhere else? Thanks, I would never have even thought about that.

Well, just got my order from B&H, and since it means a couple of hundred back

from Pentax in rebates I want to be sure I fill out the form correctly. Where

it says,

"Product Code Serial Number(s):" what do I write? I expect it is either the

numbers printed immediately below the upc code/lines on the box, or the actual

product code (such as 20817 for the 50mm 1.4 lens) as designated by Pentax.

What worked for you all? Thanks!

Well, you have all given me a lot to think about and I definitely appreciate the many suggestions. Yes, Joseph/Mike E./Lindy, that was exactly the initial problem-I was trying to get the 'combination rebate' offer in which Pentax states that all qualifing items have to be on the same receipt-quite a hassle. Anyway, I think it will all work out for the best. I have decided that rather than concentrate on what brings the best rebate or 'most bang for the buck', I should focus on which lens/setup interests me most for the long run even if it takes me a little longer to accumulate everything. I should have realized that from the start. So, I was on B&H this morning and found the 50mm 1.4 in stock and purchased that. Any comments on that lens? I will add the K100D body and Pentax 50-200 lens this weekend. From there, I will consider what to get for something wider...perhaps the Sigma 17-70 (just seems a bit more versatile than the 16-45?) or one of the limited primes such as the 21mm as Mike K. suggested, which I love the look of, but have to consider which will be more useful to start with. Once again, thanks everyone!

Yes, I know other stores have some of those items-but I can't find any store that has all 4 of the items I wanted (at the same time to get the full rebate). I just figured since my original order didn't work out and since I would want to upgrade eventually, that perhaps I should just buy the 'better' lenses to start and save the money I would have spent on the kit lenses, though I did hear they were quite decent for their low price. I don't want to put down a store based on one dealing with them-perhaps it was just a fluke. However, I will say my one order with B&H was awesome and easy, I'm sticking with them from now on!

Hi. Based on everyone's previous advice, I had placed an order for the K100D,

the 18-55 kit lens, the pentax 50-200 zoom, and the 360 flash, thinking this

would be a good start for a newbie and of course would have the 200$ rebate.

After waiting for 9 days, I just now got an email telling me it was backordered

for at least another two weeks and had never been sent (and yes, this was one of

the stores commonly recommended here). So, cancelled order and am now thinking

of getting K100D body only, the Sigma 70-300 apo dg, and either the pentax 16-45

or the sigma 17-70.

 

The question is, are both the Pentax 16-45 and the Sigma 17-70 fully compatible

with both the K100 and the K10 (which I hope to purchase at a later date), and

which one would you recommend?

Very informative-thanks to all for the info!

Thanks everyone. Guess I'll go with the Sigma when I can find one.

Hi. I would really appreciate if someone could tell me the difference between

the widely recommended Sigma APO DG 70-300/4-5.6 which is difficult to find in

stock anywhere, and the Pentax FA J 75-300/4.5-5.8 which seems to be available

everywhere but is never suggested when people ask for a good inexpensive zoom

recommendation. Why is this lens less popular/not as desirable? I tried

looking up all the lens codes for each company and while I found the correct

pages to decipher them, am still not sure I understand the difference. Thanks!

Thanks for the advice. I think since one of the main reasons I like the K100D as an initial body is for travel due its smaller size and ease of use, and then factoring in cost and size of the different flashes, I'd have to go with the AF360FGZ for its compactness and price since no strong arguments were made against it. Now the question is, spend the money on the flash or buy an extra lens? (am planning on the 16-45 or 18-55, and 50-200 to start). Also, perhaps I should have started another thread for this, but I have read many of the threads on this site about lenses and while the 16-45 seems very popular and recommended, the kit lens appears to be 'acceptable'. Worth the extra money for the 16-45 for a newbie? Get the 16-45 instead of the flash? Also-general question, are teleconverters ever worth while, or all poor quality? I just discovered them... Sorry for pestering you all-suggestions welcome!

In the process of purchasing the K100D....wondering to what extent I will need a

flash as a beginner, if I should buy one now or wait a bit until I understand

the camera better. Will be in Europe in May with this camera, plan to take

mostly outdoor shots but occasionally indoor. Also, if the one they are

offering a rebate on (the AF-360FGZ) is good or another is recommended. Thanks!

Wow, you guys have been great! Sounds like the consensus is that you can't go wrong for the money with the K100D for a first DSLR. I don't want to get in over my head and end up frustrated because there is so much more to learn before being able to take a decent picture with the K10. Occasional successes do wonders for continued motivation! In addition, you are right that with the way technology advances, by the time I am actually knowledgable enough to fully appreciate and utilize the additional features of the K10 it will probably have somewhat, if not greatly, depreciated in price. I also like the idea of having two bodies eventually, and I can see the convenience in having the smaller one for travel. Thanks again to everyone for your input, its been extremely helpful.

Can you recommend a way to learn the RAW file format-ie,a good beginners book like "RAW for Dummies" :-), or an online course, etc? Also, I am not technically or mathmatically oriented, is it exceptionally complicated or pretty accesible to the average person? If large prints were not in the equation, would you still recommend the K10D? Appreciate your help!

Hi! Thanks in advance to all who take the time to answer. I am a rank

beginner and have not used a slr in several years. I have no brand loyalty

nor lenses and am looking to enter into dslrs. I went to a local shop and

held all the cameras, ruled out Canon immediately. Nikon was fine, but Pentax

just appealed for some reason. Considered Nikon D40 or D50 (anyone see

advantages over the Pentax?), but most of my attention is focused on getting

either the K100 or K10. I want a camera that does not limit me so much that I

have to buy a new body in a years time. I am looking for a body that is user

friendly for now, but that I can grow in to, learn completely, and hopefully

use for 4 or 5 years before upgrading. Please leave money out of the equation

and just advise on which would be a better 'fit' overall. After reading, and

reading, and reading...my questions are:

1) Is there a noticable difference between the SR in the K100 and the K10 and

their effectiveness (have read K10's is better)?

2) I would like to take pictures from my travels and blow them up to poster

size (mostly landscapes, castles, or the occasional animal), or even 20X30,

and wonder if the difference in megapixels is truly important if that is one

of my goals.

3) I've read that the K10 does not create JPEGS right out of the camera that

are as crisp as the K100, and that it has higher noise at ISOs over 800 than

the K100, and vertical banding (that may have been fixed with the 1.1

update). Is this true in your experience, and if so, does the image quality

of the K100 take precedence over the megapixel of the K10?

Any and all suggestions welcome, thanks!