Digital Cameras : Pentax K10D

Luckily, I didn't fall off the turnip truck. I ended up ordering my K10D from Broadway Photo, after having cancelled an order at Century 21 Photo. They had the lowest prices I could find and BOTH tried to up-sell me a battery, Century 21 claiming that the camera didn't come with a battery at all, and Broadway trying to tell me that the one that comes with the camera only lasts for 20 minutes. The batteries they wanted to sell me cost $140, which is not surprising since they also charge $400 for a 256MB SD card! Pentax rates their included 750 mAh batery at 500 shots. If that's not enough, you can get a 1700 mAh battery on eBay for $17.95. Hide Full Review

I just wanted to let the person who wrote in about the battery issue know that I am using the battery supplied with the camera body and it is going strong after more than 200 photos. In fact, the charge indicator hasn't moved off of the fully charged indication yet!

It is far too early for me to write a good review but as a new user of Digital SLRs this camera has been great. I love the ability to easily flip through different "filters", including a black and white filter. Its feature comparison to even the higher level Nikon and Canon are no match. I'm using a Promaster 18-200mm which one lens of the year from one of the top industry websites and it also has worked flawlessly. Once I start getting more photo results i'll write another review. Hide Full Review

since it isn't currently available at most shops outside of the internet world, people have been drooling over my camera left and right... people are very excited to see it, feel, it etc. i'm told that the sensor is bigger than some $4000 professional cameras, which says a lot about the value for the money and how the competition will HAVE to react to this camera or they will get shut out by this one. it's almost as if pentax was waiting for the perfect moment to compete at this level, and boy did the chose the right moment!

with that said, i've already shot more than 600 shots in many different settings (cold new york city, rainy portland oregon, and mild san francisco). i was initially having focusing problems in the cold but later realized that I had inadvertantly loosened the lense (my fault). so far, SO good. am loving it to death. bought a larger zoom lense today and can't wait to try it out on mount hood for some winter shots and the oregon coast.

shake reduction tested out well. i was on a ferry in san francisco bay and the pictures came out just fine. you can tell they aren't as clear as pics i took on solid ground (so my untrained eyes think), but that's only if you look very closely. they're good enough to frame without zooming in on the final edits before printing.

the only problem is i had to have it cleaned today since i noticed a blotch on my pictures ever since day one. that could be my fault since i am new to digital slr's... didn't realize how sensitive you have to be when you put on the lense - you have to hold the camera upside down and do it quickly and infrequently, so i'm told. i don't blame it on this particular camera model one bit.

i strongly recommend it as someone who has been shooting pics as a serious hobby for more than 12 years. Hide Full Review

Since the purchase of my K10D

I have been on the road constantly

and the Camera has performed wonderfully.

The weather seals allow me to take

the camera to the beach without worrying ( as long as i dont change lenses).



I Purchased the battery grip,

I don't really need it as the battery supplied with the camera is good enough to last an average shoot, but couldn't resist because it makes the camera look so cool.



for the price I believe you cannot get a better camera and the camera supports any Pentax mount lens

ever made, so if you are on a budget ( lets face it who isn't)

you can find various odd lenses at second hand stores really cheap try them out and improve your technique

without spending thousands Hide Full Review

The early reviews were very positive and I enthusiastically looked forward to using the K10D. The kit lens and the 50-200 lens only take so-so photos. The in-camera anti-shake is also so-so compared to Nikon VR lens.



I particularly liked the concept of weather proofing, as most of my work is outdoors, on the trail or in a kayak or canoe.



After 2000 photos, the auto focus refused to work and the shutter would not release. I contacted Pentax warrantee repair, and was told 6-8 weeks for repair, or $40 for expedited 10 day repair. I needed the camera, and paid the extra.



After I got the camera back I took 200 photos and the problem returned. I wrote to Pentax warrantee repair one week ago, I am still waiting for a response!



Save your money and your time and order a Canon XTi or Nikon d80 Hide Full Review