Pentax ist DL & 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 lens

tontoshorse · 02-06-2006, 1:20 PM

I am seriously considering a Pentax ist with kit lens for £370 at jessops, unless someone knows of a flaw?
Any views?

cheers

midtones · 02-06-2006, 1:38 PM

It's an entry level DSLR, depends what you are looking for in a camera?

K.

tontoshorse · 02-06-2006, 1:49 PM

I have a panny fx9 at the moment so really an entry level would do fine.
Naturally the question of finances raises its head and I just need to confident its not a pup!
cheers

midtones · 02-06-2006, 2:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tontoshorse

I have a panny fx9 at the moment so really an entry level would do fine.
Naturally the question of finances raises its head and I just need to confident its not a pup!
cheers

Important thing is lenses, you will be limited with 18-55 to general outdoor use. Just have a look at the prices of the lenses in the range you might end up using. Trips to the zoo or whatever and you will need 200mm or above for those long(ish) shots.

K.

**Zone** · 02-06-2006, 3:18 PM

Lens mount is PK thats as old as the hills, therefore the choice of manual and AF lenses second hand is huge and good quality lenses can be picked up for relatively little

midtones · 02-06-2006, 3:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zone

Lens mount is PK thats as old as the hills, therefore the choice of manual and AF lenses second hand is huge and good quality lenses can be picked up for relatively little

Also I think Specsavers are doing a 2for1 on Pentax lenses

K.

tontoshorse · 02-06-2006, 3:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kavster

Also I think Specsavers are doing a 2for1 on Pentax lenses

K.

That'll be handy! Unless you're Pirate then you might get 4 for 2

many thanks for the comments.

midtones · 02-06-2006, 4:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tontoshorse

That'll be handy! Unless you're Pirate then you might get 4 for 2

many thanks for the comments.

I jest mate, you will find plenty of quality lenses for it

K.

tontoshorse · 02-07-2006, 10:41 PM

Is the iso of 200 a bit limited though?

many thanks

**Zone** · 02-07-2006, 11:02 PM

Nikons also start at iso 200 iirc, its simply how well does each respective camera's sensor handle the noise!
I've flashed (no jokes please) my 300d so it'll do iso3200, trust me, you'd only ever want to use it in an emergency, otherwise anything blown up past 6x4 looks like a picasso

350d will have less noise at iso1600 than my 300d at iso800; so really dont worry unduly over iso there are worse things to worry about

tontoshorse · 03-07-2006, 2:22 PM

Its now at £335 pay nowt for a year! read a review stating poor focusing in anything less than bright light - any views?

Main points re lenses is very true (a quick look on eb shows a huge range).

I just can't help thinking that I'll be disappointed with its performance, but its £120 quid cheaper than a 350D and an opportunity to aquire a lens or 2 for the same outlay.

Views much appreciated.

BananaTiger · 03-07-2006, 2:33 PM

For 50 quid more, you can get the Nikon D50 with Kit Lens. It's usually between the Nikon and Canon cameras when people recommend them.

tontoshorse · 03-07-2006, 2:44 PM

trouble is I don't like the feel of the nikon, so thankfully its one less to consider!

BananaTiger · 04-07-2006, 8:05 AM

lol, fair enough

h4rri · 04-07-2006, 9:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tontoshorse

Its now at £335 pay nowt for a year! read a review stating poor focusing in anything less than bright light - any views?

Main points re lenses is very true (a quick look on eb shows a huge range).

I just can't help thinking that I'll be disappointed with its performance, but its £120 quid cheaper than a 350D and an opportunity to aquire a lens or 2 for the same outlay.

Views much appreciated.

I looked at the ISD before settling on the 350D as I have a few PK lenses kicking about. The thing is the spec of the 350D is alot better for a few £'s more so I plumped for that and haven't been disappointed yet

The range of new lenses is the same in that Sigma, Tamron etc all do lenses for both and you can get S/H lenses for both. The 18-55mm kit lense with the 350D is good as is the Sigma 70-200[?].

Best advice is to have a read of all the reviews, check the specs side by side and buy the best you can afford.

richard plumb · 04-07-2006, 9:56 AM

canon 350d body only about £430? Then buy a kit lens off here for £30-40?

total cost around £470.

Canon is a safe bet. (nikon too but you discounted that already)

Any reason other than one review why you are hesitating on the *IST?

Check out some good reviews - eg steves digicams and dpreview.com If the body is good but the kit lens isn't great you can always replace that later.

Basic rule of thumb is to buy for the glass. You'll probably change your body later on, but if you invest in lenses you'll want to keep them.

tontoshorse · 04-07-2006, 9:10 PM

and so the fun begins..........
went into Currys to check out prices and and a touchy feely - ha!
although there was hardly anyone in the store and no one at the camera counter all I got from the salesman was "I've got a 350". and boys and girls that was as much assistance as I got!
"Do you match your own web site" I asks
"No" he says!
Must of been tea time.

Went to Jessops and was allowed to play for ages with a Canon and a Pentax, very helpful! Not only that but they beat any UK internet site and have a buy now pay June 07.

I've seen some marvelously creative accounting of late on here (£50 invoices indeed) to hide the value of good purchased from the better half, I just need a way of explaining the purchase of a Canon 350D!

hey ho.

richard plumb · 05-07-2006, 9:15 AM

my trick was simply paying crazy money for my previous cameras.

I think I paid over £600 for the Sony F505v when it first came out - all 2.5mp of it.

So the wife got desensitised to the price of the camera.

Although she isn't desensitised to the prices of the lenses (that £50 works both ways you know!)