Iron
Hall of Famer
- Location
- New Zealand
- Name
- Tímo
Pentax K200D PGR
I have this camera for quite a while now and I believe I am already warranted to make a review of it. I acquired this because I was truly intrigued by the brand and by the images I see online.
Main pointers:
I have this camera for quite a while now and I believe I am already warranted to make a review of it. I acquired this because I was truly intrigued by the brand and by the images I see online.
Main pointers:
- I like the OVF. I know that Pentaprisms can be a bit brighter but the resolution I get from OVFs in general is just so satisfying. There isn't any extinction with polarised glasses, images are sharp and the colours, of course, don't degrade over time like EVFs do
- The CCD sensor renders really high-contrast images to the point that I have to make a completely different style in Darktable just for it.
- AA batteries - I already have 8 Energizer 2300mAh batteries and a fully-charged set of 4 can last from 900 to 1250 shots depending on conditions. AA batteries are also everywhere so if we get to have a zombie apocalypse and we lose power, at least, I can still be able to document everything with alkaline AA batteries from different households.
- Everything is just well-built. There are no squeaks at all and the whole camera screams quality the moment I touch it.
- Ergonomics - Everything is just very well-placed. It is a 690g body but because if well-thought-of ergonomics, much like the 590g E-M1 II, I don't get tired carrying it. I did street with it and without any strap, at all, although I have already placed a vintage Olympus strap on it but it may be temporary. I may opt for an Op/Tech one because they are just well-made (in Montana, USA). There are people who bought an OP/Tech strap 30 years ago and they still use it today.
- Pentax lenses - They are optically corrected and they just have a different feel for me. It's hard to explain.
- K-Mount - These lenses have been around since 1975 and there is just so much to choose from. We have around 2,600 K-mount lenses from Pentax and 3rd-parties. I mitigated my GAS with the system so I am good, for now.
- Images - They remind of my film days. At ISO 200, I now can almost distinguish a Pentax image from ones from other brands. The DNG RAW do not need much tweaking, even for landscape. B&W images have plenty of contrast.
- Green button - This extra 2-second operation before pressing the shutter button is worth it considering that the exposure will just be correct. I don't mind using it on the street.
- The screw-drive lenses can be challenging for some. I don't mind it, although for birding, I sometimes need to pre-focus to prevent the camera from hunting or locking onto something near the foreground.
- This model doesn't have Live View so it's old-school pure OVF only.
- The weather-sealing is phenomenal, although, I keep the seals lubricated, closed and clean all the time.
- The ISO goes up to 1600 only so I have to watch my shutter speeds in low-light.
- I wear glasses most of the time and with them on, I don't see the edges of the viewfinder. This can be solved with the use of contact lenses + sunnies.
- The images are ridiculously good in print. They are not as sharpened as most modern mirrorless alternatives but they just turn out well. Again, it's hard to explain but it brings be back to the moody shots we got with film.