Photo Ring

I’m not a pro in photography. Until recently I had several point-and-shoot cameras, but none of them made by Canon, Olympus, Nikon, Sony or Pentax. So when I finally decided to buy a DSLR, I didn’t have any brand affiliations or knowledge. I did a lot of research about DSLRs, read reviews and looked at various models performances and features. Finally I chose the Pentax K200D and I’m satisfied with my decision. Here are some of the reasons I chose this model from Pentax over other’s that I’ve read about:

1) It’s the first camera in its class that is environmentally sealed

2) While some models can only save medium quality JPEG, the Pentax K200D allows high quality JPEG and RAW saving at the same time (RAW+).

3) Like a preview from Popular Photography read, this camera is the mixture of a SLR with a tank. It’s very strong and firmly built, and I must admit that I did get the impression that some Canon and Nikon devices were a bit flimsy.

4) Even though some people consider that AA batteries are a downside, I believe this is an advantage. And good 2500mh AA batteries are very cheap and you can find them at every store around, so you don’t have to worry about running out of juice.

5) The model supports any Pentax lens that was ever made.

6) In-body stabilization – it’s a very neat feature. It translates to the lenses you buy and not once did it save my shots.

7) It is an APS-C sensor.

I have the camera for a few days now and I must say that I’m quite pleased by it. From what I’ve read on the Internet, its kit lens isn’t as bad as those of other cameras and I’ve “played” with it for a few days. The autofocus system is pretty quick, though I did experience slight delays at low light.

The burst rate is of 4 RAWs or JPEG, but it’s ok for the moment. When I’ll have a memory card with a lot of memory I’ll see if it’s an inconvenience for me. I find the grip and handling very comfortable. Also the menu is pretty clear and easy to understand. The manual is huge and explains everything you need to know about the device’s features.

I’ve tried using it in low-light situations, at night, and I got pretty good results. So, for now, I’m very pleased with my choice for my first DSLR.

Getting the perfect Pentax camera, is never an easy thing, especially with the way digital technology is constantly changing. Fortunately, there are plenty of helpful websites online, that can narrow down your search and help you find the Pentax camera with all the features important to you.

Nikon or Canon? (DSLR) … please see details?

I am hoping to purchase a good DSLR in the next 6-12 months, and need some help in deciding between Canon and Nikon.

Considering your budget, I’d get a Nikon D80 and use the 24-120 lens as your main lens for a while. It will translate into an equivalent of 36-180, so it’s not ultra-wide or anything, but it’s a decent lens. You didn’t say if your lens was the newer AF-S VR lens or the older non-VR lens. If it’s not AF-S, you can rule out the Nikon D40, which I’d rule out for someone with your experience anyhow.

I own a D70s and D200, so I can’t comment on the D80 from experience, but between the size and feel of the D70s and the sensor and processing of the D200, I have formed an opinion. One of these articles is subtitled, “Psst – Want a D200 at half the price?” If the D80 came out before I bought my D200, I may have bought that and been happy enough to stick with it. There are only a few tricks the D200 can do that the D80 can’t and the D80 can even do a couple that the D200 can’t. Here are a few links, in case you have not seen this material yet. They will give you more pros and cons than I could dream of.

http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/3476/editors-choice-10mp-dslrs.html

http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/3231/camera-test-nikon-d80.html

http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/3157/nikon-d80-competitive-set.html

http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/2794/hands-on-nikon-d80-dslr.html

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Nikon/nikon_d80.asp

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond80/

(Note: There are 30 pages to this article. Don’t stop after reading page 1.)

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/read_opinions.asp?prodkey=nikon_d80

(Note: There are over 60 owner opinions, including pros and cons in almost all of them.)

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/nikon_d80.html

(Note: There are 11 pages to this article. Don’t stop after reading page 1.)

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d80.htm

http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/3569/10mp-dslr-shootout.html

I do hope that you read other opinions here. Some will vote in favor of the Canon Rebel XTi and I won’t fight them – even though it doesn’t have a spot meter, which you are used to using in your N70. I happen to prefer Nikon. At this level, the way the camera feels in your hands makes all the difference in your enjoyment and success with the camera.

I’ve answered so many times comparing the D80 to the XTi that you can find these answers easily by clicking on my icon and looking at the questions I’ve answered. If you narrow your choise down to these two cameras, please post a new question asking specifically for those two cameras and I’ll post the whole thing. There is a comparison in the last link I listed above, though, where Pop Photo gave the D80 top honors.

Nikon AF Nikkor 24-120 lens F3.5-5.6 $200.00

Nikon AF 24-120/3.5-5.6 D Nikkor-Compact Zoom lens! $348.60

Nikon 24-120 mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S VR IF-ED Nikkor Lens $21.50

Nikon 24-120 AF-S VR 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED Nikkor $201.20

Nikon 24-120 AF-S VR Zoom Nikkor f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED $202.50

Nikon AF-S 24-120 3.5 - 5.6 Nikkor Lens $275.00

Nikon AF 24-120/3.5-5.6 D Nikkor-Compact Zoom lens $20.00

New Nikon HB-25 Lens Hood for AF Nikkor 24-85mm 24-120 $25.95

Nikon AF 24-120 VR 3,5 -5,6 Zoom Nikkor $547.00

Nikon AF-S VR Nikkor 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6 G 12-120 IF ED $598.86

Nikon 2145 AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 24-120 mm f/3.5-5.6G $411.22

Nikon AF-S VR Nikkor 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6 G 12-120 IF ED $598.86

General Brand 77mm White Balance Lens Cap Disk for Digital SLR Cameras $2.93 The White Balance Lens Cap is great for use with digital cameras. Just place the cap over your lens, point your camera at a subject area, and the incoming light is diffused to create an average white balance for a particular scene (check camera manufacturer's manual for setting white balance). The White Balance Lens Cap easily slips on to the front of any appropriately sized lens, or a lens with a...

Opteka Auto Focus DG Macro Extension Tube Set for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras $79.95 Extension tubes are designed to enable a lens to focus closer than its normal set minimum focusing distance. Getting closer has the effect of magnifying your subject (making it appear larger in the viewfinder and in your pictures). They are exceptionally useful for macro photography, enabling you to convert almost any lens into a macro lens at a fraction of the cost while maintaining its original ...

Nikon 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G ED IF Autofocus VR Nikkor Zoom Lens $550.00 Nikon is a precision optical company with worldwide manufacturing, research and marketing capabilities. The Nikon name is equated with extraordinary photographic performance, innovation, precision and optical quality.PRODUCT FEATURES:Nikon D-Type design provides precise distance information for flash and ambient light exposure processes;Internal Focus (IF) design for smoother focusing and great bo...