Hello! I'm planning to buy a DSLR with a limited budget so I won't be able to afford the K10D. I prefer a K100D over the D40 since the VR lens are so expensive. Here are my questions:

1. What would I be missing in getting the K100D over the K10D (I couldn't find noticeable differences in reviews)?

2. How much would a good walkaround lens cost (similar to Nikon's 18-135 or 18-200)?

3. How much does the external flash cost? Would I be able to buy a decent one with a 5-10k budget?

4. When the shutter dies, is there a replacement locally? Do you guys have an estimate how much this would cost?

I apologize for having lots of questions. Thanks in advance! :)

Hi! Here are some quick answers. Others will definitely come in to fill in the blanks... :)

1. What you will miss in the K100D are an extra 4 megapixels, weather sealing and compatibility with the DA* or SDM lenses. You can wait for the K100D Super which has the two latter features included.

2. Pentax currently does not have in its lens line up in that range (18-200ish). If you have to have that range you might have to look to Sigma or Tamron. Otherwise, my walkaround lens is the FA 28-105/4-5.6 IF (a little bit lacking on the wide side...). There is a 28-200 version of that lens, if I might add. Others usually work with the DA 18-55 and DA 50-200 combo.

3. Pentax flashes are over 10k...for that price range the Sigma flash comes into mind.

4. So far we do not know anyone's shutter dying, Pentax shutter are rated for 100k shutter count. There is local support for Pentax c/o Sanly.

Some of these are addressed in existing threads around here...:Grin:

there you go Manuel... came from one of the Pentax Masters :D

and BTW, thanks for visiting us here :)

Thanks Master Bong for the quick reply! I was hoping to get one before my Singapore trip in October.

I'm not yet familiar with the terminology of Pentax lenses so I want to know what the following acronyms are for:

DA* - is this similar to Canon's L lenses?
SDM, FA, IF - clueless :Thinking:

How much is the FA 28-105/4-5.6 IF? :)

AF360FGZ = P9.5K Camerahaus.

Thanks Master Bong for the quick reply! I was hoping to get one before my Singapore trip in October.

I'm not yet familiar with the terminology of Pentax lenses so I want to know what the following acronyms are for:

DA* - is this similar to Canon's L lenses?
SDM, FA, IF - clueless :Thinking:

How much is the FA 28-105/4-5.6 IF? :)

* = a "star" designation is Pentax's pro grade lenses.
FA = Full frame like Canon EF
DA = APS-C like Canon EF-S / Nikon AFS
DFA = Optimized for both FF and APS-C
IF = Internal Focusing, the lens does not change it's length while focusing.
SDM = Supersonic Drive Motor like USM, Silentwave, HSM, etc.
M, K, A = Legacy manual focus Pentax lenses
SMC = The original Pentax Super Multi-Coating... very little or no flares!
SP = Super Protect Coating which makes grime unusually easy to wipe off.

DA = Digital AF. Reduced image circle comparable with Canon's EF-S or Nikon's DX

DA* = Digital AF - Professional Line. Similar to the best Canon L-series lenses, but with a reduced image circle, therefore not compatible with Pentax film cameras or full-frame (in the future).

FA = Pentax's AF lenses. Compatible with film cameras and digital crop-sensors (with 1.5x multiplier)

FA* = AF lenses - Professional Line. Similar to Canon's L-series lenses. Hard to find. :)

FA Limited = AF lenses - Compact - Metal - Great Optics. Only three are available. Hard to find too. 31mm, 43mm, 77mm.

DA Limited = Digital AF - Compact/Pancake - Metal - Great Optics. Similar to the FA Limiteds but with reduced image circles. A bit slower than the FA Limiteds. Only three are available. Easier to find. 21mm, 40mm, 70mm

SDM = Supersonic Drive Motor(?) - Similar to Canon's USM or Nikon's AF-S. Only three lenses as of now... the 3 DA*s

IF = Internal Focusing(?)

Thanks for the quick replies! I'll try to visit camerahouse in glorietta later. At least I won't get confused with the acronyms when I see them:)

I passed by Camerahaus Glorietta last night in search of a focusing screen.

Currently they have a DA50-200, DA14, DFA100, DA10-17FE I think and some older FA and FAJ lenses and the AF360FGZ.

manny, there's also SSDF - that's maurene's SUNPAK SELF-DEFENSE FLASH.

i use a sigma 18-125mm lens. check out www.sigma4less.com (http://www.sigma4less.com) for their prices. glad you're considering pentax. check out sanly in cubao also. look for lovely.

Also planning to buy a Pentax(probably next month) but still choosing between K10D or K100D Super. K10D is around 1.4K SGD(30PHP = 1SGD), 1.25K if body only, while K100DSuper is 950SGD(always with the kit lens). The price difference is not that big if I buy the body only since I would be buying a separate lens in either option. The charger is also an additional cost if I choose the K100D. My questions are:

Is the weight difference significant?

What charger should I buy(if K100D)? Is the Maha C401FS enough(or should I get the Maha C9000)? I read somewhere that the K100D is picky regarding batteries. So the money that I saved might be going to experimenting on the right kind of batteries or chargers.

I will be using the camera most of the time for low light photography(parties etc). Still a newbie on photography. I have played around with the controls of my Canon S1 so I know a little bit. I would not be using the scene modes so that would not be an option.

I was going to go for the K100D myself, but after handling it, I knew that I wanted the K10D. Where else can you find a camera that's up to par with a Canon 30D? :)

Also planning to buy a Pentax(probably next month) but still choosing between K10D or K100D Super. K10D is around 1.4K SGD(30PHP = 1SGD), 1.25K if body only, while K100DSuper is 950SGD(always with the kit lens). The price difference is not that big if I buy the body only since I would be buying a separate lens in either option. The charger is also an additional cost if I choose the K100D. My questions are:

Is the weight difference significant?

What charger should I buy(if K100D)? Is the Maha C401FS enough(or should I get the Maha C9000)? I read somewhere that the K100D is picky regarding batteries. So the money that I saved might be going to experimenting on the right kind of batteries or chargers.

I will be using the camera most of the time for low light photography(parties etc). Still a newbie on photography. I have played around with the controls of my Canon S1 so I know a little bit. I would not be using the scene modes so that would not be an option.

I think the C401FS + a set of eneloops would work quite well with the K100DSuper. Goodluck on your purchase.:)

Guys, does the K100D have wireless flash control? Might be a consideration for some.
Nols

gigahz... i think we should all use real first and last names. ask nino carandang on how to change your username to comply with this policy.

Now we have two Alan Gs... :Grin: