Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2005/03/14
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Steve: You might want to take a look at this review on photo.net. I disagree with some of his statements and assumptions, but the review is more favorable than not: http://www.photo.net/equipment/pentax/istds/ A quote from the review, "I even felt at ease leaving my Leica M6 at home during most of the trial." If you get one, consider changing the default settings from Jpeg to RAW, sRGB to Adobe RGB and natural versus bright color. The result is latitude similar to color negative film. Otherwise it's similar to slide film. You can do the RAW conversion via Photoshop CS, or use the supplied Pentax RAW converter. I haven't upgraded to CS yet and won't for awhile because there's a rumor of a new CS after April first. For now I convert the RAW to TIFF in the Pentax Browser and then optimize the photos in Photoshop 7. Jim PS: There's a switch to enable B&W only photography. Steve Barbour wrote: > 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 >> > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >