Pentax K7

[Lovin]

Too bad that Pentax doesn't have nice lens range :(

[F8&Bthere]

Too bad that Pentax doesn't have nice lens range :(

Well it all depends on one's perspective. Because their shake reduction is in body, and their lens mount hasn't changed in decades, you can get all kinds of old lenses to work on the DSLR bodies and benefit from newer technology...even manual focus lenses. And there's plenty of nice older lenses out there for good prices.

And up until about a year ago (maybe almost two now) even the modern Pentax lens lineup was very reasonably priced, if a bit quirky with "pancake" lenses, Ltd lenses, lenses made of steel (god forbid!), and some real gems, but lacking the completeness of, say, the Canikon range. But then they hiked their prices, and in doing so one big reason that I was so high on Pentax went out the window.

But yes, essentially you are correct...especially if you are a professional like a wedding photographer or something along those lines, you might find too many holes in the Pentax line-up.

[Fortytwo]

Too bad that Pentax doesn't have nice lens range :(

Huh? I don't know about you, but I can get a big range of Pentax lenses, rangeing from 10mm to 300mm (and more, if you're willing to travel). What exactly are you guys missing?

[Lovin]

Not so many Pro lenses, or high grade. Not so many options at all, or at least I didn't find.
I've checked official site and I was disappointed.

[jjeling]

I think at this point, you need to establish the definition of PRO. Personally, I would be more than willing to take a Pentax K7, with most any of their DA* lenses(200mm, 300mm, or their 400mm) and put them against Canon or Nikon. They may not be considered "Pro" level products, but I can almost promise, that if you were to compare the images side by side on our monitors we would not notice much of a difference. For that reason, I would have no problem taking a K7 or two with a couple nice prime lenses and standing right next to some of the more expensive Canons and Nikons commonly used for "Pro" events. You may catch some funny looks, but I didnt think we cared about that.

This is why Ive chosen Pentax, because the level of quality they bring to the table is much more appealing than that of a similar quality of Nikon or Canon. To be quite honest, I believe that Pentax is much more flexible than any Nikon or Canon out today due to the availability of their older lenses as well.

To me, photography is about learning and adventure. I do this because I like it. I have no real need for a specific function. I can understand why you would buy a Canon or Nikon for certain needs, but really there isnt anything Pentax doesnt, or hasnt already offered.

[Fortytwo]

DA* (or anything with a star in it) is more than a match for Canon L lenses or top spec Nikkors. Just because they're more affordable doesn't make them less. Pentax has a tendency to be very reasonalby priced compared to the compitition...

[Wicked Dark]

jj - Olympus is the same way - image stabilization in the body and it works with all my old glass, so given that Pentax and Oly are two very old companies who produced a lot of excellent lenses there's a huge variety for those willing to look. And yeah, the pro thing is funny. I wonder if I had a Leica if I'd be allowed to be one.

[casil403]

This guy is a National Geographic PRO photographer who shoots with Pentax cameras and lenses...one of the few.

Bio-Images

He seems to be doing okay with the equipment.

[Wicked Dark]

It takes guts to go against the crowd and win success. One really has to believe in one's work and that it can stand on its own, unsupported by the perceived cachet of a brand name. Look, I have respect for other brands, but not the idea that only two brands are worth using or can produce quality. It's ridiculous.

[masp]

DA* (or anything with a star in it) is more than a match for Canon L lenses or top spec Nikkors. Just because they're more affordable doesn't make them less. Pentax has a tendency to be very reasonalby priced compared to the compitition...

Hi, pardon me for jumping in the middle of this thread.

Are Pentax's lens prices still competitive since they raised them last summer? I'm shopping for my first DSLR and I am considering the K7 (I would go with the Kx except for the lack of AF points in the viewfinder). However I was rather disappointed to see that they hiked the price on the 50mm f1.4 so much.

Also, what would be some good beginner lenses to go along with the K7 on a $1500-2000 (US) budget? Mainly, I would like to try to do some amateur birding with a sharp telephoto that is not too heavy, but also landscapes, maybe night photography and macro. Does Pentax have a good telephoto zoom that would fit the bill? Thanks!