Am I Crazy?

Phinickphotos

3

29 Dec 2008 - 10:34 PM

• Options
  • Report Error / Abuse

0

I have always used the best glass I could afford on cheaper film cameras. My "standard" size of print is 16 " by 12 ".
For my first digital SLR I am considering a Pentax Km body with a 16-50 f2.8 SMC DA* SMD. AM I crazy ?
The reports of purple fringing seen on large prints is putting me off the K 20 D.
Is this just the Canon/ Nikon lobby? Advice please from other Pentax users.

Geo.

Laurel_Steinbeck (e2 Member)

10

29 Dec 2008 - 11:03 PM

• Options
  • Report Error / Abuse

0

Pentax......................nope, you've lost me?

AnthonyM

7

29 Dec 2008 - 11:54 PM

• Options
  • Report Error / Abuse

0

The Pentax DA* 16-50mm can have some bad fringing at f2.8. Stop it down a bit and most of that goes away.
I personally think this lens does not live up to its DA* name nor the price at which it was placed, but I have take plenty of very fine images. (Relatively few suffer from fringing even at f2.8... lighting conditions matter a lot).

(The DA* 50-135 on the other hand is a fabulous lens!! Even dropped it from over a meter with no ill side effects. It is a monster with fine quality!)

A very good lens is the 16-45mm f/4 (I hope I have that name right). Very sharp, and except for lack of water resistance, SDM and slightly higher f-stop, it is highly suggested by many users. For the price, you can hardly go wrong with hat one.

The K20D is an excellent camera, from what I hear. Having a K10D, there is little benefit to upgrade, but if I had my choice I would pick the K20D simply due to the better sensor.

Pentax really gained some speed with the K10D, but has lately been concentrating on lower end cameras. Meanwhile Canon & Nikon have been improving their higher end cameras.
Hopefully Pentax will get back into the higher end game again. But as it stands, the K20D should give you excellent prints even beyond 16x12.

A lot of the negative hype for Pentax is pure marketing/lobbying. Although honestly Pentax could be looked upon has having shortcomings in specific areas that some niche markets take advantage of. i.e. K20D does not do full size captures at 10 frames per second. It is not full frame. It does not go to ISO 128000.
Although fun to brag about, I' not sure how often I would use any of those features.

But requirements vary and the decision needs to take those capabilities into account regardless of the brand or model.

Anyway, hope that helps. Sorry for rambling.

Phinickphotos

3

30 Dec 2008 - 7:21 PM

• Options
  • Report Error / Abuse

0

Thank you for your comments & suggestions. I had already looked at the reviews on this site & lens reviews else where. Thanks Snapper for the link, it answered my question about mirror lock up. I have been misinformed by Jessops ( who no longer list Pentax SLRs)
& failed to find the information on the web.
Andy, my confession is that I have had issues with Pentax lenses in the past & never use them. I have thrown away kit lenses twice already ( spherical aberration at the wide end was a joke on 12" by 16" prints but on both occasions I could not buy body only. I see that the same nonsence is being repeated with the Km.
Perhaps I should continue with the f 2.8 Sigmas because I have been pleased with the three that I own as I am very disappointed that you have had problems with the 16-50 DA* since it got a good review in AP

Geo.