kfrog

<p>I just got word from Pentax on facebook that they do have an outlet in Houston. Frys on the north freeway. There is also another Frys on southwest freeway but whether or not that store has Pentax in stock or not I'll have to check.</p>

<p>I've said it once and I'll say it again, The DA35 is a great lens. When it first came out it was $599. I couldn't afford it and I got the Tamron 90mm for my macro use. I did rent the DA35 from Camera Lens Rentals and found it to be a superb Limited lens. I still don't have a Pentax Limited but this is one I get given some cash reserves.</p>

<p>In store or online or both?</p>

<p>I've always heard that the 55-200 was a fine low budget zoom. It's not a 70-300. I suspect most Pentax users looking for a low budget zoom will go with the 55-300 and go for the extra reach and for go the WR.</p>

<p>Oh no. Wonder if it's online only? Ooo they have some DA * lenses...</p>

<p>I was just thinking what Les Lammers just said about Canon and Nikon cameras feeling like plastic a few years back. When I was looking for my first DSLR the one I decided on was the Nikon D50. Good price, starter DSLR, easy to operate. Seemed just right. Then I held one. Seemed small a plasticky. So I decided to go up to the next model the D70S. Little bigger, grid is kind of small, priced a little higher but still kind of small and plastic feeling.</p>

<p>All the sales people I spoke with said Canon of Nikon. Canon just never felt right to me. Then I tried a Pentax K100D. Salesman directed me away from Pentax. Not as good autofocus, not as good picture quality, not good in low light and on and on.</p>

<p>So then I tried a K10D. I was so impressed by the size, heft, feel of the grip and all it's technical achievements. Good price. This was my first "Starter" DSLR. Now look at what I went thru. Most of my desitions are based on feel. You just have to get some hands on the products people.</p>

<p>Houston Texas the 4th largest city in the United States has one independent major camera store (that I'm aware of) Houston Camera Exchange. I go there to get some hands on time with the few Pentax products that they have in stock there. I wanted to check out K7 just for kicks. There are a few Wolf/Ritz stores around but most of them have gone out of business.</p>

<p>Went there today and all they had on display was an old K100D and a really old K110D, kit lenses and a couple of DA* lenses... on the top shelf... of the Olympus display case! The Canon, Nikon and Sony cases where full of their latest cameras, lenses, flashes and plenty of other accessories. Same thing for the Oylmpus display case, less the top shelf.</p>

<p>Very depressing to say the least.</p>

<p>I spoke with one of the salesmen. He said there are no Pentax sales reps so their products don't move and they have not received anything to sell or display.</p>

<p>Whats the deal guys? Not even a K20D or even a K-x much less a K7. I don't understand the Pentax sales philosophy and I'm not sure anyone does. Maybe they have abandoned the brick and morter stores and gone strickley online. What else could it be?</p>

<p>I'm glad to see the price is droping sooner rather than later. I have a K10D and the K7 is on my wish list big time.</p>

<p>The 18-55mm WR is basically the same as the kit lens isn't it? Has anyone tried one of those out? I never got the kit lens with my K10D but in order to get a weather resistant setup I might pick one up.</p>

<p>Mmm... very interesting, 14mm f/2.8 and for $350? How can that be? I'll believe that when I see it. Then I'll probably get one! Need to keep an eye on Samyang.</p>

<p>It is a disturbing trend that Pentax is on. If Pentax steps away from a value brand and goes the Leica path then I'll be looking at joining the Nikon Nation. I will want a new Pentax camera in a year or two as well as a limited lens and a DA*. But if prices continue to climb I'll have to re-evaluate that thinking. Sigh...</p>

<p>I'm with you MM. Three batteries is the way to go as far as I'm concerned.</p>

<p>I have a K10D, the Tamron 90mm macro lens, two Pentax batteries and one minolta battery. I've never had a problem with batteries dying or or running out of juice too soon. I would recommend you have a minimum of two batteries; three of course is better. I just use them for awhile then when they loose charge just rotate in another one while odd one out charges.<br>

Got a battery grip? Any issues with batteries can be helped by having one in the grip for more shooting time.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>"My initial thought was to go for the K200D but this camera seems to have disappeared from the general scene."</p>

 

</blockquote>

<p>Not sure I understand what you mean by this. I checked B&H, Adorama and Amazon and there are K200D's available at all three. Ebay even has them. Do you mean you don't see them in the stores? I would agree with you there. Of course finding any Pentax camera in a store is getting tougher these days!</p>

<p>Oh for goodness sakes! I didn't even see that button! Thanks Frank. I had set it on 10 sec but now I think I'll take it back to 5 sec. Sure is a involved process. Much easier on a K10D. The D90 does over more options however.<br>

Thanks again.</p>

<p>I have a growing collection of manual focus fixed focal length Super-Takumar lenses that I use with my Pentax K10D. They offer excellent quality for the money. The the longer ones can be a bit heavy though (all metal construction). I also have the FA 50mm f/1.4 which I picked up for $200. It costs a little more now. If you like small compact lenses Pentax offers plenty of options to choose from. Limiteds, old screw mounts, and other manual focus K mounts.<br>

I think the new 18-55 and 55-200 WR would make for a nice low weight low cost package. I've had my K10D for a couple of years now. I didn't get the kit lens then but I might just pick up that 18-55 so I would have at least one weather resistant lens.<br>

I have a Nikon D90 that is available to me from work. It is an outstanding camera. I made the recommendations as to what lenses to get with it. We got the Nikkor 18-105, 70-300 and a Tokina 12-24. Going through the process I saw how expensive those Nikkor lenses. I can understand why you're looking for alternatives! That's a tough decision to make between the two systems. </p>

<p>Well Jeff, based on the prices the screw mount Super-Takumars and SMC Takumars are getting on that auction site these days compared to corresponding bayonet lenses I'd say they are more desirable. Or maybe its basic supply and demand: there are more K mounts available? That's what I base my opinion on. I admit I don't have any of the old manual K mount lenses so I'm not speaking from experience. Just an observation.</p>

<p>Thanks Guys. I found both those settings and tried the 2 sec delay setting. It delays about a second. I tried the 10 sec setting. it delays about 2 seconds.<br>

Go figure. Anyway I think I can work with that.</p>

<p>OK I found the self timer function, set it to 2 sec, then went back and tripped the shutter. No delay, it just took the picture. Is there another setting?</p>

<p>I am a regular Pentax K10D user but I have access to a Nikon D90 for a limited time and I am in need of assistance. I want to take some sharp photos of some buildings, inside and out and I will be using a tripod. Is there a shutter release that delays say 2 seconds or so, or some other settings I can use? I want to be able to trip the shutter without worrying about camera shake. Thanks.</p>

<p>Got to go with the second photo too. So cool. You have some cooperative friends to take the time to pose for you.</p>

<p>Thanks for the link Steve.<br>

Sounds like a nice lens Michael. PM sent.<br>

Thanks for the education Jeff. I got the impression that for the most part the K mount lenses were not quite as desirable as the Super Taks and the SMC's but were still ok lenses. That's what I figured.</p>

<p>I have been looking to get an SMC or a Super-Takumar 135mm f2.5 but they are hard to come by and can be pricey on that auction site. So I started to wonder about the K mount Takumars. I've read that some were of lesser quality and some were ok to good. Not exactly glowing reviews but maybe enough for my uses. Any thoughts on them?</p>

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<p>Thank you Javier for your impressions of the K7 and the K20D. I'm still holding on to my K10D until can get a bit more fast glass. I really like the looks of the K7 with the battery grip. The location of the buttons looks good too. I hope to try one out soon but I'm not holding my breath.</p>

<p>The better low light performance size and weight are big pluses for me with K7 over the K20D. My K10D with grip is pretty hefty when you add a 200mm f/4 Takumar. Any weight savings is appreciated. </p>

<p>1500 shots photos already?! Man you are a photo taking fool :) </p>

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<p>Without a doubt, get it. The first two lenses I got with my K10D was the DA18-250mm and the FA50mm f/1.4. It has to be one of the best bargins in fast glass for a DSLR on the market today. Check out the cost of a fast 50 in other brands and you'll see what I mean. As far as I'm concerned it's a must have for indoor photography without a flash. Saved my bacon a few times.</p>