Pentax Why I bought a second DSLR instead of a mirrorless compact

[wolfie]

Don't get me wrong - I am in love with the whole mirrorless concept - but I havent made the jump ...yet.
Why?
Money - let's be honest is big reason. Where I live even a second hand GF1 body sells for nearly $700, and the cheapest lens is about $300. Even more for a NEX or a PEN combo.
So when I needed a second camera (to back up my K7) for some upcoming weddings, an M43 body and lens was way out of my budget. And as much as I love Canon G-series powershots they are commonly $500+ and can't offer similar IQ to the K7.

So I tracked down a secondhand Pentax *ist DL with kit 18-55 AL zoom for a modest $450 - cheaper than a used G10! Yes it is "only" 6MP, but I get good OVF, good AF speed, useable 1600 and runs on AA batteries.:smile: And compatibility with my current Pentax lenses.

Of course if you took the money reason away, then the issues would be different like:
where is a WR sealed mirrorless body and lens? How good is the LCD in bright daylight (my K7 LCD is useless for video on a bright day ...) and is the AF quick enough?

 

[BBW]

Wolfie, let's face it - for most of us - the cost of cameras and lenses is very important. Each of us has our own desires, and our own bank accounts. There is no right or wrong in the camera world - it's all about personal choice which is, uh - personal.

Congratulations to you on that Pentax *ist DL with kit 18-55 - from what I've read about it, it sounds like a super camera! Now we'll be looking forward to seeing some of your photographs!

 

[Andrewteee]

Funny, I'm thinking of selling my Olympus E-P2 and mFT lenses and E30 FT DSLR for a Pentax K-5. 100% OVF, weather resistant for our rainy season, good primes and supposedly excellent great DR for my B&W work. And not too big.

 

[wt21]

I don't think I'd sell my mirror less, but that k5 sure is interesting.

 

[Amin]

Wolfie, that makes a lot of sense, and I agree with Andrew and wt21 that the K5 looks terrific.

 

[stillshunter]

Oh I thought I'd be spared talk of the K5 by coming over here. Alas it is not to be. But, I will admit for the test shots I've seen - even at ISO 51200 - are astounding. I can certainly vouch for the PK primes - best in all the camera platforms I've tried so far. But beware, after only a few months you will be hankering for the Pixie Dust trifecta - FA31, 43, 77. Funny thing is that you might get there....then look back, do your sums, and wonder how you never afforded a Leica M kit

 

[wolfie]

Small DSLRs really are small

these days, hence my purchase of the K7. But once you whack a zoom on a Micro 4/3 body they lose their raison d'etre for me - but if I could get a WR version of a GF-1 and the 20mm f1.7 I would be very happy. Because the ultimate issue for me is a slim profile camera/lens that will be on a neckstrap on my chest , out of the way of fishing line or branches or tucking inside a vest or jacket, while I am fishing, wading or hiking - in whatever conditions that Mother nature decides on giving that day. The K7 is as good as it gets in the WR department and probably the most compact WR interchangable lens body - but hey, Pentax could surprise us with a mirrorless APS sensor Optio WS ... hint, hint!

And I have some of my first DL shots posted over at pentaxforums:
http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/members/ps3737-albums-my-garden-through-ist-dl.html

 

[BBW]

wolfie, I think we might have to get you to start a Requisite Cat thread with either one or both of those of your cat photos. Love the Dandelion Blues!

 

[jbart]

p&s to m43 to dslr to...

Interesting post. Im thinking of either picking up a second m43 body like the g1 or g10 or getting a 4/3 body so I have a real view finder.
I agree the poster about lens compatibility i.e. keeping pentax to share lenses.
Anyways, just my 2 cents. I like the new stuff coming out too, but thinking of getting some stuff others are shedding. hopefully find some bargains too.

 

[deirdre]

We desperately need a requisite cat photo. If only my cat were the posing type. She's not very cat like in some ways.

 

[Boyzo]

A DSLR still makes sense ( I still have the L1 43)
The low end DSLR's now are not impressive small dim OVF's minimum controls cheap plastic bodies and kit lens (not that the L1 is a marvelin the OVF department) but an OVF does have a certain magic in the clarity
I think the Pentax K's are good Pentax were always a serious company camera wise
But I think the new Oly E-5 is a gem and you have all that great Oly glass available I mean the Pro stuff ($ ;-) ) tho

 

[Amin]

Oh I thought I'd be spared talk of the K5 by coming over here. Alas it is not to be. But, I will admit for the test shots I've seen - even at ISO 51200 - are astounding. I can certainly vouch for the PK primes - best in all the camera platforms I've tried so far. But beware, after only a few months you will be hankering for the Pixie Dust trifecta - FA31, 43, 77. Funny thing is that you might get there....then look back, do your sums, and wonder how you never afforded a Leica M kit

I tell myself I'd only need the FA31. Seriously, I could do most of my photography with a K5 and an FA31.

Or a K5, DA21, and DA70 .

Or maybe a K5, DA15, DA21, FA31, and FA 77

 

[wolfie]

I tell myself I'd only need the FA31. Seriously, I could do most of my photography with a K5 and an FA31.

Or a K5, DA21, and DA70 .

Or maybe a K5, DA15, DA21, FA31, and FA 77

Amin,

Do you committement issues?

 

[PeterB666]

I am buying some second-hand Nikon stuff off a couple of friends.

From one I am getting a Nikon D90 with a Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 and from the other the Nikkor 10-24mm zoom. The main reson for picking up this stuff is that I am getting a good deal (compared to local new prices) and the gear is in pristine condition. I want the Nikon for ultra-low light work where it has always been a compromise fighting the noisy Olympus sensor (exposurse longer than 2 minutes are unsuable in my opinion) and to get some AF lenses that can also be reliably manually focussed at light levels where you cannot see anything on the LCD.

The E-P1 will remain my main camera for everything other than pre-dawn and night work and I will be keeping an eye on any future semi-professional models in the Pen range.

 

[BBW]

Peter, I'm going to be very interested to see your pre-dawn and night shots with this new set up. Good for you for getting such a good buy!

 

[JoepLX3]

You are a little ahead of my in time, but made a comparable decision.
- I already own LX3 for compactness, bought a K-x recently and think the K-5 is a sweet DSLR, but also the GF2...