[SA Chris]

Thinking of upgrading old DSLR (Pentax *ist D) because of a few reasons; only goes down to ISO 200, autofocus struggles in low light and seem to have a constant battle with dust.

Now, choice is between current K20D and K200D

http://www.pentax.co.uk/en/product/19385/body/overview/Photo_Digital_SLR.html

for about £400

http://www.pentax.co.uk/en/product/19541/body/overview/Photo_Digital_SLR.html

for about £600 (I am leaning towards this)
or do I suck it up and get the top of the range
http://www.pentax.co.uk/en/product/17531/body/overview/Photo_Digital_SLR.html
for about £1100, which i would struggle to justify, fantastic though it looks. And the HD movie recording is tempting, as I am thinking of getting a new camcorder.

Bear in mind I am no more than a keen amateur. Will I notice any massive difference between the K7 and the K20D? Or will both be a shedload better than my current camera.

And Pentax is my only real option, unless I want to replace 4 lenses and two flashes.

Thanks

[dave]

why is the ISO 200 thing a problem especially?

Beware with the HD video thing that most of these new DSLRs can't autofocus whilst taking video, so you're screwed for moving subjects. it won't be a replacement for a proper camcorder, not elast a proper HD one.

[SA Chris]

It's not especially a problem really, just a nice to have.

If it can't autofocus while filming it's probably not worth it. Might have to spend some cash on a decent one of those too.

[slackline]

I'd be more concerned with the ISO at the other end of the scale.

A friends Nikon D700 produces some amazingly crisp shots at ISO > 3200.

[SA Chris]

True. I never use the current one at 800 as images are too crap.

[Johnny Brown]

I know nothing about Pentax other than their superiority to Canon. Having recently made a smaller upgrade from a Nikon D200 to D300, here are the main advantages that swayed me, in vague order of worth:

superior autofocus - in hindsight, this is the biggest advantage and a serious upgrade on the D200 (also focus tweak function)
better high iso - 800 now usable for A4 publication
viewfinder - generally cleaner, 100% instead of 95% back to the precision framing I like
liveview - very handy for macro work, especially zooming in for fine focus
12mp instead of 10 - no big shakes but gives a bit more cropping flexibility
battery life - same battery, almost double the life.
dynamic range optimization thing - leave it on auto, better highlight and shadow control.

One step backwards, moved tripod hole to a worst place, why?

These may or not be relevant to you. What will be relevant is the size, make sure you handle them first to make sure the more professional model isn't a brick that will weigh you down. Mine is a pain in this respect, its not practical to take it up a route like my film slrs or the consumer nikon models.

[cofe]

i'd seriously consider the one that gives you better high ISO. any kind of highlight saving shit is handy too.

or sell up, and buy a Nikon D700. that's what i'd do.

[SA Chris]

All good points JB, especially considering the current camera is 6mp, the 14 mp ish on both will seem like a vast improvement.

my current one weight 550g, the K20 is 715 g and the K7 is 750 g so not too much weight difference.

Also want to make sure current flash is still compatible.

Unfortunately too far down Pentax route to make a U-turn. Would be daft to start again, as i have shelled out for a fair bit of reasonable quality Pentax mount lenses.

Am currently in discussion with colleagues in Dubai to see what deals there are about there.

[Johnny Brown]

6 to 14 mp will be a quantum leap in resolution.

I don't know about Pentax options on onboard wireless flash control, but this has been one of the most useful extras on my two and well worth shelling out for.

[dave]

yeah the nikon wireless flash system is dynamite.

[SA Chris]

At risk of sounding dense, is this not something the flashgun would have rather than the camera? I think you can do wireless, but need some attachements.

I have slaved my flash from the pop-up flash in the past, with mixed results.

[Johnny Brown]

Yes, the flashgun and the body/pop-up flash have to be compatible, but you don't need anything else, ie the slave is built into the remote flash, and the body can communicate metering info via the pop-up flash. If you slaved the flash previously, without anything else, it sounds like you may already have it. With Nikon the control capabilities of the body/pop-up increase with price, it may be the same with Pentax.

My top tip for wireless flash is to always work fully manually. With the D300 I can dial the remote flash up or down to suit form the rear screen on the camera. Canon Cofe has to use Pocket Amateur Magicians and run back and forth...

[dave]

My top tip for wireless flash is to always work fully manually. With the D300 I can dial the remote flash up or down to suit form the rear screen on the camera. Canon Cofe has to use Pocket Amateur Magicians and run back and forth...

Using the TTL in the nikon wireless is invaluable for shit where you're working fast and have no chance for either test shots or a re-take, i.e. events, babys, family stuff. it has limitations but generally as long as the subject of the flash is not at the extreme edge of the shot you'll get good results, the nikon ttl system is very smart in the respect and work buying nikon for it, although granted not as intrinsically repeatable as doing it manual but still very good. for example for basic fill you can generally dial in the old galen -1.7 and fire away. another good one if you need to run and gun but have a bit of time is to lock your ambient with manual exposure and let the flash TTL do the rest, works very well.

pocket davids blaines may mean walking to and from the flash but can be a good and cheap way of using multiple flashes, i.e. not having to drop 150 mazulians on another sb600 (not to mention the line-of-sight issue, but then again i've found the nikon system pretty good even given that limitation, i.e. it doest litterally need lin-of-sight, just something to bounce off).

[SA Chris]

The Flash is the Pentax AF 500 FTZ, which is quite a smart bit of kit, purchased courtesy of our own Hong Kong resident.

[SA Chris]

Has anyone bought a DSLR through an international seller on fleabay? Is the saving worth the risk of getting stung for taxes or getting conned?

[cofe]

consider whether you get warranty. i know enough people (inc me) who've had to return new cameras under warranty.

[dave]

Buying from europe can be OK warranty wise, depends on the brand. For example Nikon UK is part of Nikon Europe so if you buy a camera cheap from say pixmania in france then Nikon UK in surrey will honour the warranty (which happened to me), whereas they won't honour the warranty of something bought in honkers or the US&A. I wouldn't buy from the far east with anything less than a full worldwide warranty, or at all - shipping can takes weeks for a start, by which time your camera has devalued by £100.

I would say anything coming in from abroad in the size of box that DSLRs come in, at the value that DSLRs are worth is unlikely to excape the gaze of the customs man unnoticed.

[slackline]

Bought a Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens from Digital Rev who are Hong Kong based through fleabay as it was one of their offers whereby they paid the import duty (which was applied).  They did refund it, but it was a real ball-ache 'cause they cocked up delivery and communicating with them was an absolute nightmare.  The one positive aspect was because it was a "grey area" purchase they'd thrown in a seven year warranty with a US company (that is valid in the UK) so the lens is covered for a few more years That said I'd still have the expense of getting the lens too and from the US for repair should it be required (although given it survived bouncing around inside my rolling car the other day with only a shattered UV filter I'd say its pretty robust  ). 

My advice would be not to go anywhere near Digital Rev even with someone else's barge pole.

But basically....what dave said!

[SA Chris]

Kind of what I was thinking regarding taxes, especially coming from Far East. Pentax appear to have worldwide warranty though.

[dave]

i once ordered some accessory or other from divitalrev, the basis being it was a fairly low value item and low risk. after about 4 weeks of no show they concluded it was lost in the post and refunded the dollar. then got one on ebay from UK for literally FUCK ALL. surprised me that they couldn't even get a simple item to me.

You're best best getting stuff from honkers and the like is collar someone who's going on holiday or on a stopover, though they can still get done for duty its unlikely. I bought a nikon lenscap in bangkok, saved about £5. highlight of the trip.

[SA Chris]

You're best best getting stuff from honkers and the like is collar someone who's going on holiday or on a stopover, though they can still get done for duty its unlikely.

Am in the process of doing so. Was trying for Dubai angle, but nobody in our office there could find the camera I am after. Probably have to try myself.

[Johnny Brown]

I bought a big lens from digital rev and the service was awesome. Wouldn't hesitate to use again. And I got a new lens for less than I could find a Uk one second hand.

[Jim]

Bought my Nikon 50mm 1.8 from digitaltrev no problem.
Also bought my Nikon d50 kit in Singapore with international warranty and the lens was fixed over here for free under warranty

[hongkongstuey]

Chris - will stop off and check prices on the way home tonight

Grace currently trying to swap for some UK flights so she may be back in blighty in the near future

[SA Chris]

Sweet. Cheers stu.