In the market for a new camera ..soon

M

mcbeee

Veteran
 Chestermere, Alberta
I've seen lots of discussion about new cameras etc on here and knowing the number of "Pro's" on here I'm looking for an "Unbiased" opinion, if that's possible :wink:

I am in process of selling /disposing of a truckload of camera gear( Dad's old stuff) and will have some cash to play with . I also get a small "retirement gift" from my employer later next year (I'm counting the days ... :D ). The general background is " I have been using Pentax for over 40 years with a couple of Contax, Yashica's , medium format rigs and now have my dad's *istD Pentax . (it's great to be #1 on the hand-me-down list., Dad was a FRPS)

I've looked at the Pentax K-5 and the Canon EOS 7D. My budget will be about $2000-$2500 , hopefully for a body and two lenses or one lens and a flash with the other lens to come later.

I would like to hear some opinions from the folks who are more experienced with DSLR's,.....on what to get ????


And NO, I didn't buy Microsoft in the IPO and am now looking for a supercar, that was Beancounter :D
 
I looked at this recently. Apparently the new Nikon 7000 is well worth a look and one of the next gen, good mid range DSLR's. I personally ended up getting a D90 so I could spend extra cash on extra lenses.

Also heard good things about the full frame EOS 5D Mark II.
 
inkey$ said:
I looked at this recently. Apparently the new Nikon 7000 is well worth a look and one of the next gen, good mid range DSLR's. I personally ended up getting a D90 so I could spend extra cash on extra lenses.

Also heard good things about the full frame EOS 5D Mark II.
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I heard good things about the 5D as well but the body alone blows my budget..ouch.

The Nikon D7000 is in the running but there is almost no stock in canada until the spring....and that's a maybe in the spring....
and the Canon EOS 7D has dual processors .....and I'm getting confused.... :dizzy:

I'll have to go and play with some at the store, they all seem pretty well matched (within a couple of hundred bucks in price and closely matched on features)

I assume that each will only work with it's "own" brand of flash and then we have to think "lenses". My collection of lenses has a couple that may work with a istD Pentax but they are dated and probably will be up for disposal when I get something new.
 
mcbeee said:
I heard good things about the 5D as well but the body alone blows my budget..ouch.

The Nikon D7000 is in the running but there is almost no stock in canada until the spring....and that's a maybe in the spring....
and the Canon EOS 7D has dual processors .....and I'm getting confused.... :dizzy:

I'll have to go and play with some at the store, they all seem pretty well matched (within a couple of hundred bucks in price and closely matched on features)

I assume that each will only work with it's "own" brand of flash and then we have to think "lenses". My collection of lenses has a couple that may work with a istD Pentax but they are dated and probably will be up for disposal when I get something new.
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Yeah that 5D is pricey! As for the D7000 have you tried B&H Electronics? I usually try and get all my kit from there when over in NYC and I'm sure they'll ship to you, even in CanadaLand :D You could also job-lot your old kit on eBay if they don't work and put the pennies towards a new lens or two.

Edit: Just checked B&H for you and alas 'Temporarily Unavailable' comes up, however they are often getting new stock in so might be worth a call.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=D7000&N=0&InitialSearch=yes

Best of luck with whatever you decide to go for :thumbsup:
 
Thanks, I've got a Bronica SQ-B, an LX and a Yashicamat 24G that are listed on Kijiji along with a ton of lenses. I won't put the big stuff on e bay but the left over Takumars and other assorted Pentax goodies might end up there. I really would like to have a good look at the Nikon, up close and personal and compare it to the Canon. I noticed that the new Pentax lenses seem a lot cheaper (inexpensive) than the Canon and Nikon lenses.

Is there that much difference in lens quality??? (Sorry for asking but I used Pentax and Vivitar for 40 years....)
 
That some pretty good kit you've got there for sale mcbeee; should go easily.

Re: the lens quality I can only speak for Nikon and Canon, as the last Pentax I used was at art school in 92; although from what I've read the modern models are good value for money and still great quality. My father is a photographer and he used to swear by Pentax. Best to try before you buy, as you say. Personally I'm amazed at the difference my new D90 makes compared to even my old 350D. 4 years of technology and 'expected quality' in the DSLR world is like night and day IMO. If price is an issue then you always have the Sigma/Tamron options; both worthy patterned part lens manufacturers.
 
I always thought that Nikon was a bit overpriced compared to Canon and Pentax , much like Mercedes vs BMW vs Audi. Paying extra for the name etc.
( A little bias there 'coz I had a large supply of Pentax equipment to borrow most of the time :D , too bad he drove a Buick, rats ! and Mum had a Lotus Cortina but she was too smart to lend it to me)

I'm hearing nothing but good things about the Nikon D7000, must be why it's sold out everywhere :thumbsup:
I do have a couple of the better Tamron zooms that work on the istD Pentax along with three other Pentax lenses that work well on it. I have to check if all the lenses work on the new Pentax K-5 ( I sincerely doubt it :thumbsdown: )
 
I think for the money the Canon D700 Digital SLR Camera ranging between $2K and $2.5K (your budget) is best and gets some nice reviews. Besides you have the heads up in alberta only paying the GST tax :) or has this changed? I always got good deals (specials) at McBain Camera in Edmonton.

Good Luck and "Happy Retirement when you get there"
 
mcbeee said:
I do have a couple of the better Tamron zooms that work on the istD Pentax along with three other Pentax lenses that work well on it. I have to check if all the lenses work on the new Pentax K-5 ( I sincerely doubt it :thumbsdown: )
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This issue came up before and while the link below is now dead the quote from the link might be of interest to you... :thumbsup:

WLH said:
Z4Me, you might what to take a look at this site.
http://www.pentaximaging.com/slr/K2000_-_Black/
Full backward lens compatibility
PENTAX has manufactured over 25 million lenses in the last six decades; all DSLR bodies offer backward compatibility with every one.* Whichever lens is used, whether a most recent lens or a classic screwmount, it will faithfully capture the image desired.
*With adapter for screwmount and 645/67 lenses.
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WLH: I have a few Pentax Takumars, and some SMC Pentax M and A lenses. Some nice glass but ..... :(
 
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