Pentax Kx Kit

Hello ,
I was wondering of buying a new DSLR camera and i made my mind to buy D5000 , but im feeling that i should take Pentax kx cause it is smaller , has better features such as ISO 12800 , has internal image stabilization and the max shutter 1/6000 , cheaper ,accepts M42 lenses. Also i found now that the modern reviews like in depreview and others prefer Kx in sharpness . But some friends told me that Nikon Kit lenses 18-55 and 55-200 for Nikon are well made and better than Pentax , i need some advices especially i have some M42 lenses and need to re use them. Thanks

Hi laith,

Regarding your need to use your M42 lenses -- although you can use them on both the D5000 and the K-x, there are two big differences you'll want to be aware of before you choose:

1) With the D5000, you'll have to choose between an M42 adapter that has image-degrading glass elements, and one that does not allow focusing all the way to infinity. That's because M42 lenses are designed to be slightly closer to the film/sensor than the Nikon mount allows. With the K-x, all M42 adapters DO allow infinity focus and do NOT have any glass elements. That's because the Pentax mount allows M42 lenses to get exactly as close to the film/sensor as they were designed to be.

2) With the D5000, your camera won't meter with M42 lenses. So you'll have to use the LCD screen to decide if your shot is exposed correctly. With the K-x, you get metering with ALL lenses, including M42 lenses. With M42 lenses, metering is limited to center-weighted (no matrix or spot metering), and you have to meter in stop-down mode. But that's worlds better than not getting metering at all.

Of course, a third difference, which you are probably already aware of, is that with the K-x, you'll get image stabilization with your M42 lenses. That won't happen with the D5000.


Regarding the other considerations, on most of them only you can decide how important the specific features are, such as ISO 12800. For some people that's extremely helpful, while others would rarely use it.

Regarding the lens quality, though -- every brands' fanboys say their brands' lenses are best. The fact is that all the brands' kit lenses are very good, and you are not likely to notice any difference. With the K-x, you'd get the new version (II) of the 18-55, a big improvement, and the first version was already very good.

Nikon has more lenses than Pentax, but take a look at the specific lenses each offers, paying attention to size, weight, and cost. Although Nikon has more lenses, Pentax has more lenses that I both (a) would like to use enough to carry around, and (b) could realistically afford. Obviously, your mileage may vary. Also, in some cases I prefer the Tamron or Sigma lens over either the comparable Nikon or Pentax lens -- such as my excellent Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8, the smallest and lightest lens in it's class, and one of the least expensive. The Nikon equivalent, the 17-55/2.8, is very big, very heavy, and very expensive. And not really better optically than the Tamron, according to Nikon users who have tried both; see user reviews at fredmiranda.com.

Another difference between the D5000 and the K-x, which may or may not be important to you, is build quality -- the K-x is built sturdier than the D5000. It's hard to find Pentax DSLRs in stores lately, but if you have a Fry's Electronics nearby, you can probably find one there to handle.


Good luck and have fun!

2010-01-25 10:45:19 by laith

Minor noise reduction and color grading applied in Premiere Pro.

I was reccomended the Canon EOS 450D, but that is just slightly out of my price range unless it's really really worth the money.

It's my first SLR, I have no experience and I will be learning with it, but at the same time I want it to be able to produce the shots that I see in my head. I'll be shooting everything and anything, I'll just carry it around with me. I'm also going on photography courses at my local college later in the year.

I don't mind paying up to around £450, ideally including a lense.

I was looking at these, what do you think?
Canon EOS 1000D
(http://www.parkcameras.com/10150/Canon-E OS-1000D---18-55mm-Lens--non-IS-.html) Canon EOS 450D
(http://www.parkcameras.com/10277/Canon-E OS-450D---18-55-IS.html)
Canon EOS 500D
(http://www.parkcameras.com/11344/Canon-E OS-500D---18-55mm-IS-Lens.html
Nikon D3000
(http://www.parkcameras.com/12663/Nikon-D 3000---18-55mm-VR.html)
Olympus E-450
(http://www.parkcameras.com/11436/Olympus -E-450---ZUIKO-DIGITAL-ED-14-42mm---ED-4 0-150mm--lenses.html)
Olympus E520
(http://www.parkcameras.com/9481/Olympus- E-520--E520----ED-14-42mm-f-3-5-5-6---ED -40-150mm-f-4-0-5-6.html)
Panasonic Lumix DMC GI
(http://www.parkcameras.com/10055/Panason ic-Lumix-DMC-G1-Black---14-45mm-f3-5-5-6 -OIS-Kit.html)
Pentax Kx
(http://www.parkcameras.com/13125/Pentax- Kx---18-55mm-f-3-5-5-6-SMC-DA-AL---Black .html)

(Sorry, a lot a I know.)

Any reccommendations, from the list above or any other? Or any hints/tips of what I can look for?

Thank you!!