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Reviewed by
snoid
, Casual
Price Paid
$0.00
at Adorama
Photography Experience
21+ years
, Other
Summary
This is my first attempt at this. So, please bear with me.
The K200D is my first digital camera.
I shot many rolls of 35mm with a Yashica AF230 I bought to chronical my daughters growth. I have some great shots and a lot junk and some plain old snapshots. So I guess I'm pretty much normal. (Not a chance...LOL)
When I retired, I decided to get back into photography.
I looked into the Nikon D60 and the Canon XSi. I read many reviews and adds for both of these cameras and found them both kind of limiting. IE: no braketing on the D60. So I checked out the D80 and found it's cost out of reach.
In the case of the XSi. I found it's perfomance to look very good. But at the the same time I would be paying for options I would find little use for. IE: So many frames per second I might as well get a video camera and the ability to control it from a computer. Just couldn't see myself trying to drag around a laptop just to get a picture. Plus the cost of lenses for both of these cameras was VERY high.
At this point I took a look at the Pentax K20D. A rugged high performance piece of equipment, but once again beyond my budget.
So I set my sights on the K200D.
The conclusions of every review was this. Yes it has some limits. IE: FPS a bit slow and no instant preview. But a great bargain in terms of bang for the buck, along with the best kit kens available.
So I looked into lens costs and found Pentax to be the most reasonable out there, plus I could use any K mount and with a little more work, even the old screw mount lenses. A this point I was sold.
I bought it from Adorama with the 18-55 kit lens for around $500 with a $100 rebate and my Wife bought me the much maligned Pentax 75-300 lens for a retirement present.
So here is my impression of K200D, after a few months use.
A fine piece of equipment.
After getting used to the controls, I've taken some pretty impressive shots with it.
Yes even with the 75-300.
Plus I've had some fun on Fleabay.
A Sigma 28-80 macro for $25, that works fine in it's middle range, though a find the macro setting to be a hassle.........The kit lens will focus as close without the macro switch and is sharper to boot.
A Tamron 35-90 macro......Macro??? fegettaboutit. But it only cost me $20 and it too works fine and sharp in it's mid ranges of zoom and appreture.
A Sears KR mount 135 macro AE with manual focus.....I over paid at $75.
It's quit sharp with good contrast, but it's 3 range macro function gives a rather quirky halo effect that I haven't figured out to take advantage of just yet.
Side story: I got it stuck on my camera the first time I tried to mount it, but a trip to the auto part store for a .060 shim let me get it off. I had to take the back of it apart to remove the offending Ricoh pin. So let that be a lesson.
I just picked up a Sigma 70 macro for $400, also from Adorama. My first top flight prime......:)
So as you can see. reasonable lenses are available that won't break the budget. Although top of the line are available at a price still less than the big 2.
Ok then enough about lenses.
The camera is a pleasure to use. Most controls and settings are well placed. the camera feels solid in my hands and is well balanced no matter what lens is on it.
I love the 11 point AF as it allows me to compose a shot then pick my focus point. An option I'm just learning to use to full advantage.
White balance and custom image options have enough settings to keep me busy for a long time to come.
All in all. I have no regrets on buying this camera. Just suffering from a bit of K20 envy.
The 10.2mp sensor gives me enough latitude to crop without losing too much sharpness.
Strengths
Solid build. Felt better in my hands than the D60 or XSi.
Great lens collection. from Pentax and other manufacters. Some of which can be had for a song.
Nice kit lens.
Easy or complicated to use, depending on your pediliction.
Great camera to grow into.
Weaknesses
Could use a bigger RAM buffer, as I have found it's FPS to be a bit wanting.
Similar Products Used
None
Customer Service
Haven't needed it
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