Newbie thread: which camera? D40x / k100d / k10

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blawrie

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Hi all,

Taking the next step up to a dSLR, and i have been mulling everything over and distilled it down to three camera's which fit within my limited budget.

The uses are mainly to photograph the environment around me (i live in the Cotswold's), and the ubiquitous pictures of my tribe. Nothing too flashy really.

The cameras:

Pentax k100d super (£334) - seems to be dirt cheap, and from what i understand very easy to use. The downside seems to really only be the mega pixel count, which I might add seems to be a not that important.

Nikon D40x (£350) - Seems to be a very competent camera, and Nikon seems to have very loyal users. With the upping to 10mp it seems to have come back fighting, but the lack of image stabilisation worries me a little. On the plus side, since they are everywhere accessories abound.

Pentax k10 (£450) - Right at the limit of what I can really afford, but seems to be a superb camera, has image stabilisation and future lenses are cheaper as a result. However lenses are thinner on the ground.

Any thoughts from anybody?

thanks in advance.
 
Lenses for Pentax cameras are easily available, Pentax themselves tend to specialise in primes not zooms but all of the independent makers (Tamron, Tokina, Sigma) lenses come in Pentax fittings.

Of the three you have there I'd go for the K10D without question, it's built in image stabilisation is worth it's weight in gold. I have a friend who's recently bought one and loves it.
 
I really like my K100d, which (a) has image stabilisation, and (b) should be available for under £300 (unless you're really after the Super variant with anti-dust features).

But, if I had the dosh, I'd go the K10d for all the extra spec you're getting.
 
i think i am going to go for the Pentax, can anybody give me any lens recommendations?
 
I work in camera retail and recommend the K10D. Lovely machine and exposes very very well. Ideal for landscape work in my opinion.
 
The K10D has won numerous awards over the last year and is going to go down as one of the best DSLR's in history. They have recently released a 16-50 f/2.8 and a 50-135mm f/2.8 to complement the camera with its weather sealing too. Both great looking lenses and I am sure they will perform. To be honest I think its a no brainer. Plump for the K10D and live the pro life for a thrid of the cost.

King.
 
I would ask yourself how far you are likely to take the photography lark.

If you think that you are the sort of person who will go "all in" over time then I'd plump for the Nikon as this has the best upgrade route all the way up to Pro level lenses and bodies. Also with the Nikon it's possible to hire some exotic glass for a special occasion should you desire (something that's not easily possible with a Pentax).

I'd would also suggest looking again at the D40 (non x) version as I don't beleive that the megapixel increase in the X is neccessary. 6MP - 10MP sounds like alot but it doesn't increase he width / height that much. If you did go for the D40 then you should be able to put the extra savings in to accessories like an extra lens e.g. 55-200 VR, tripod, filters etc that will be far better for your photography than the extra MPs.

However, if you think you'll be happy with a DSLR and standard consumer type lenses and are unlikely to want to go further then whichever Pentax you feel is best is probably the better option.

Just my 2p
 
so which lenses would you guys recomend then on the basis that I only get two?

The camera already comes with a 18-55mm, would a 50-200 or a 17-135 lens be better?
 
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