| A | is outstanding and exceptional, rated in the top 10% of digital cameras. |
| B | means they are good, with some standout features. |
| C | means they are mediocre, and probably more trouble than they are worth. |
| D & F | mean they are absolutely awful or old. Avoid at all costs. |
- 5 out of 5
- 5 out of 5
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- 36th of 40 in 6 Megapixel (#1 is Nikon D40)
- 49th of 50 in SLR/Professional (#1 is Canon 50D)
- 24th of 29 in Pentax (#1 is Pentax K-7)
- 60th of 71 in Over $600 (#1 is Canon 500D)
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| 47digital | $988.00 |
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- 5 out of 5
The question was Nikon 70DS, Canon 350D or Pentax DS ? ..mmmm.
( - 1/23/06)After 20+ years using film, it was time to go digital. Comparative quality between film and digital at 6 mp is already there for enlargements of up to A3.
The question was Nikon 70DS, Canon 350D or Pentax DS ?
..mmmm.
After looking trough the viewfinder there was no question anymore. The Pentax DS is in a complete different league from the Nikon and Canon. The viewfinder is very clear matching the expectations from a decent SLR camera. Nikon and Canon opted for a cheap optical system and it reflects on the quality of their view finders.
Another good point, is the fact that the ist*DS uses AA batteries opening the gap even further. I use 2500mA rechargeable batteries, and they last for more then 1000 shoots (including viewing, downloading etc.).
On the downside, I didnt like the 18-35 mm zoom, its not to the standard of older Pentax lenses, and for a fraction of the price you can by a top class zoom if you are ready to compromise on a manual second hand. I bought a Carl Zeiss 28-70/2.8 including the adapter to Pentax K, for the ridiculous sum of £20 ( ~$35). The clarity of photos from this lens is astonishingly good and only challenged by my Pentax 50mm/1.4 (£25 including vat).
This camera takes all older Pentax lens including the screw lens (needs dedicated adapter ~£12), in some cases with some limitation.
This is a very good Digital SLR camera and if you are a Pentax veteran and have plenty of Pentax lens go for this one.
Some of you may find the following comments useful;
1) If you use Pentax old lenses you will need to change the default setting of the camera to enable the use of these lenses (check in your manual)
2) You can upgrade your camera software version. There is a firmware upgrade for the camera in Pentax home page, can be downloaded and its free.
3) If you are using Manual Lens and the camera doesnt shoot, check that the Auto/Manual switch is in Manual mode.
4) If you are thinking to buy the ist*DL, go the extra mile and buy the DS.
5) The focal length of the lens will increase by a factor of 1.5 but keeping the original aperture (Great for telephotos) crap for wide angle lens. My 17mm Pentax fish eye is now a 26mm.
