Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/07/23
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Daniel, There is no catch, Pentax had a low price since the solstice holidays. Pentax doesn't spend much money on marketing and the CCD in that camera is getting a little long in the tooth so it is pretty cheap.(Same sensor as the Nikon D100 you use). As most things in western economies the costs are not in the product itself but all the surrounding expenses. Pentax hopes to increase market share by having a low price and good margins for dealers. Specific low points for the camera are relatively low autofocus speed and relatively poor high ISO performance. Good things include use of AA batteries, ability to use a lot of very cheap lenses if you are willing to be in manual mode as well as a pretty good interface for non program shooting. Have your daughter also check out the Nikon D50. It can be had for $549 if you use purchase with a 28-90(42-135 equivalent) lens. Same sensor as the Pentax. Not so hot on non automatic settings but high ISO performace is better as Nikon does a better job of filtering noise. And you wonder about why Americans own so much... Don don.dory@gmail.com On 7/23/06, Daniel Ridings <dlridings@gmail.com> wrote: > > Hi all. > > My daughter is in the US right now and the prices I am seeing for > Pentax ist DL are simply great, from my point of view. She would like > her own digital SLR (she got spoiled by using mine so the compact > digitals are no longer in favor with her). > > What's the catch? is the K100 or K110 so much better that they are > dumping the prices on the older ones? I expect the K100 and cousins > would be a bit too much for her. > > Once again, my question is: What's the catch? > > Phil, this is the camera (the ist DL) that your daughter is pleased with, > right? > > Daniel > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >