Digital Imaging and Photography → [Tech] Questions regarding the Pentax *ist DL

I ordered a Fuji S9000 as an upgrade from the S7000, but I'm now questioning that purchase as I read more about the *ist DL.

First and foremost, I don't want a DSLR just for the sake of having one. I've been fairly happy overall with the S7000, and see the S9000 as a good upgrade for my hobby purposes.

I like to take pictures of plant and animal wildlife (mostly macro style) with some scenery and family events mixed in. I also like the convenience of a P&S fixed lens, not having to carry around and care for a bag of heavy camera gear.

I purchased the S9000 for $465 after $100 rebate. My high-end budget would be $600, but lower is always better.

With the *ist DL body being $350 after rebates, is there a nice all-around lens that would allow for decent macros as well as provide the capability to shoot things like scenery and family events, and costs $2-250?

Would the choice of a DSLR over a P&S (*ist DL vs. S9000 in this case) really make that much of a difference for my use?

I know nothing of the DSLR arena and will fully depend on those more knowledgeable to guide me here. The thing that scares me most is the overwhelming array of lenses. At least with the fixed lens P&S, you're not yearning for another lens to do this, then another to do that. You use what you have and make the most of it.

Comments, suggestions and recommendations are most welcome.

Copy cat... haha Joking. I'm pretty new to DSLR, even though I've took photography in high school dealing with manual SLR. From the price, it looks like you're thinking of purchasing the kit with the lens. I would defintely say that 18-50mm is more of everyday shooting, and you can certainly use it for P&S. Just set the settings to automatic, its even got auto focus, so that should help.

If you want to take pictures of plant and animal wildlife, you might want to get another lens.

I found the kit w/ 18-55 lens for $466 or body only for $410. The thing I really don't know is lens selection. When I see $7-800+ lenses, I start to get a bit scared.

I've become comfortable with shutter and aperture priority modes on my Fuji, and have started dabbling with full manual. I'm hoping that I can learn to use the *ist DL for what it is w/o too much fuss, if I decide to go that route.

I think you will find the Pentax much better then the s9000. The s9000 is actually worse of a camera then your s7000. The s9000 Fuji tried to cram too many MPs on such a tiny little sensor which introduced alot of noise and loss of finer details. I think Cariad did what you did and quickly changed to a dSLR because of the lack of quality with the s9000 images.

Hmmm... Interesting...

OK then, I guess I break down and finally buy a DSLR. Question is, should I get the kit or body only and spend the difference on a better, general purpose lens? From what I've read, the kit lens is decent, which leaves me needing a macro lens if I go the kit route.

What are the recommendations for "inexpensive" lenses (less than $250) that produce decent output for my purposes?

Thanks for the suggestions so far!

I don't think you can go wrong with the DL. I love mine. For macros you have a few choices - especially if you are willing to do everything manually.

Something like this 100mm macro - its full manual, but excellent quality. »cgi.ebay.com/SMC-PENTAX- ··· ViewItem

I'm not a real macro shooter, so you'll have to get advice from others on "best" macro lenses - but ebay can be your friend, and with the Pentax, you have a wealth of lens available to you since the mount hasn't changed in 35 years or so

»search.ebay.com/_W0QQsas ··· oQQhtZ-1

The 70-300mm SIGMA is a pretty well respected low cost lens, and would complement the kit lens, adding up to 10x "normal" range.

While not true macro a very decent 1:2 ratio and the advantage of not having to be right on top of the subject. Great for shooting insects and thing that move/get spooked.

i have the s7000 now as a backup to my pentax DS. you will not believe the difference!!!!!!! and i've got a 70-300APO for 105usd delivered and a smc-M100 f4 on ebay that i listed today. actually i listed 5 lenses today..for the price of the DL i'd think you were making a BIG mistake getting the s9000. which is a mistake anyway..9megs on that little sensor is just too much.. just my 2cents..

I will 2nd the recommendation of the Sigma 70-300mm APO Macro, great lens and a great way to get started into macros without buying a dedicated macro lens, but it does only do 1:2 as Hayward stated (half life size), but it does quite nicely. Here is a few shots I have done with mine:
»www.pbase.com/digitaldev ··· 70_300mm

I have much better lenses (Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX HSM, Canon EF 300mm f/4 IS USM L, and a Novoflex 400mm f/5.6) that I use but I still find myself always going back to the Sigma 70-300mm lens, lol. Nice and light as a carry all lens too! Mine is the non-APO and non-DG model, but I recommend the APO model instead.

Robar's price on the APO model is a nice deal!! The SMC-M100 f/4 macro lens he has for auction is also a nice lens!

Mine is the non APO but DG current version... even though not APO, FAR out performs my earlier SIGMA APO 28-300mm at the 300mm end in brightness/contrast and sharpness.

And it could also only do 1:3 macro (and some others only do 1:4).
My DG 70-300 can actually do 1:2 to 1:3... even locked into macro mode, it still has a slight zoom variation. Full zoom it is 1:2, backed off (200mm) it is 1:3

Hi, I have a few questions on the term that you guys use. What 's APO? and what does the ratio of macro mean? Is 1:1 the best and most expensive? thanks

The ratio is the amount of magnification given. 1:2 would be half life sized, 1:3 would be a third of life sized, 1:1 would be life sized, 2:1 would be double life sized.

NM

Just wanted to say "Thanks!" to everyone who provided information and feedback.

I've decided to order the *ist DL kit and the Sigma 70-300 APO DG Macro.

In preparation, I went out and bought two "digital photography" books which explain (to a certain extent) the differences, functions and features of DSLRs compared to P&S cameras. Both books contain a wealth of other information about photography in general as well, which should keep me busy for a while!

Hopefully I won't have to bother everyone with a bunch of "omg I got a DSLR, now what!?" questions .

are you chastising me? jk. its good that you bought books for it. I was thinking of buying those Learning DVD's made for Pentax and Nikon. I saw them both online, but i don't know how helpful they would be though. You might wanna look into that if interested.

Lol! That was not my intent . I just understand how it can be frustrating for those that "know" to answer the same basic questions time after time. Sometimes excited "noobs" such as myself can forget that and fire off a question that's already been answered 100+ times... It's like the little kid that won't stop asking "why?"

Regarding the learning DVDs, I'm definitely going to do some searching for those. A book is good, but instructional video can be much better. Thanks for the info!

Hey promfret: found a good site for ya. Its from pentax's own website, its a little tutorial on the basics, from exposure, aperture, to iso. The site is really helpful. When i took B&W photography in high school, we were never taught what iso is. or maybe i was just day dreaming... But basically iso is the same as the film speed. Which i just learned from the site Its not that long of a read, and is super helpful for newbies.

duh... forgot to post link
»www.digital.pentax.co.jp ··· dex.html

Does anyone know if the *ist DL will take larger than a 1GB SD card? I'm looking at a 2GB that's on sale.

Thanks.

I have a 4Gb card in mine. 365 images in raw (or close to that and 999+ in high quality jpeg. The counter stops at 999 but I have estimated it will take about 1300 images on the card.

Will the camera format this card properly or do you have to do it via your computer?

I was wondering the same thing. I've been reading that a lot of devices have problems with SD over 2GB. Being able to use a 4GB w/o a problem would just be terrific.

i'm wondering here also. i thought the ist series would only support a max of 2gigs as in a ''fat format''