Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2005/03/14

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Subject: [Leica] looking at Pentax *istD
From: kididdoc at cox.net (Steve Barbour)
Date: Mon Mar 14 11:32:30 2005
References: <000501c525d1$072672c0$6501a8c0@dorysrusp4> <e8c92f2d050310164830f4355b@mail.gmail.com> <4234A52F.3000404@comcast.net> <4234AA36.2040404@cox.net> <42356B3D.8040304@hemenway.com>

Jim Hemenway wrote:
> Steve:
> 
> Screw mount with K-mount adapter: aperture priority and manual exposure 
> and manual focus. The Manual-Auto sliding switch on Spotmatic era lenses 
> is very useful for focusing.
> 
> K-mount, same and also focus confirmation. Perhaps other features which 
> I haven't tried yet.
> 
> I've only used the Fisheye Takumar screw mount, haven't tried any of my 
> other screw mount lenses as I already have a bunch of current AF Pentax 
> lenses.
> 
> The brightness of my R8 and isDS viewfinders are the same except that 
> that of the R8 is cool and the isDS is warm. It's as easy to focus as is 
> the R8 and is brighter than Nikon and Canon offerings.
> 
> The isDS is a year newer and substantially less expensive than the isD, 
> $698.79 at buydig.com.  It's also a little smaller, and the controls are 
> a little different than those on the D.  Unlike Peter, I find them 
> equally professional feeling.
> 
> Jim

thanks Jim... a very handy and tempting 
summary...much appreciated. Steve
> 
> 
> Steve Barbour wrote:
> 
>> David Rodgers wrote:
>>
>>> Juan,
>>>
>>> Viewfinder quality is very important to me. I don't expect a camera 
>>> -- regardless of how advanced it is electronically -- to see for me! 
>>> This day and age some people I think, may. I think most Leica users 
>>> appreciate a good eyepiece. Rangefinder viewfinders, and certain 
>>> Leica SLR viewfinders, are the best of the best.
>>>
>>> Having a real pentaprism is a plus. The Nikon  D100 has a pentaprism. 
>>> The popular D70 uses mirrors. All it takes is a glance into the 
>>> viewfinders of both  to see there's a difference.
>>>
>>> I had coffee with Mark Rabiner yesterday. Knowing I have many old M42 
>>> lenses, he told me about the *istD. I knew nothing about the Pentax 
>>> previously, but it sure is interesting. Small and I can use those old 
>>> Pentax lenses that haven't seen the light of day for years. They are 
>>> still great lenses.
>>> Dave.
>>
>>
>>
>> I too have some wonderful old Pentax lenses..hence the Pentax ist DS 
>> is of some (limited) interest. I assume that you use the old screw 
>> mount lenses with an adapter,   does this give you with these 
>> lenses...auto exposure?   manual focus?
>>
>> thanks,  Steve
>>
>>
>>> Juan Buhler wrote:
>>>
>>>> Do compare both by all means, especially the viewfinders. The Rebels
>>>> both have pentamirrors, while the Pentaxes, besides providing a bigger
>>>> image, are real pentaprisms.
>>>>
>>>> The viewfinder is one of the bigger selling points of the Pentax DSLRs.
>>>>
>>>> Also, besides the old M42 lenses, the Pentax will work with all K
>>>> mount lenses made, which is also a big plus (and is helping make those
>>>> lenses really expensive lately.)
>>>>
>>>> j
>>>>
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Leica Users Group.
> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
> 

Replies: Reply from jim at hemenway.com (Jim Hemenway) ([Leica] Pentax *istD review on photo.net)
In reply to: Message from dorysrus at mindspring.com (Don Dory) ([Leica] looking at Pentax *istD)
Message from juanbuhler at gmail.com (Juan Buhler) ([Leica] looking at Pentax *istD)
Message from drodgers7798 at comcast.net (David Rodgers) ([Leica] looking at Pentax *istD)
Message from kididdoc at cox.net (Steve Barbour) ([Leica] looking at Pentax *istD)
Message from jim at hemenway.com (Jim Hemenway) ([Leica] looking at Pentax *istD)