Pentax K20 (Page 2): You could not have said it better. :sm24:...

Nosaj Loc: Sarasota, Florida

Ched49 wrote:

Arguably the closest match in terms of specs to the K7 is the Nikon D300 and the Sony alpha a700, the Pentax beats both cameras on resolution and more importantly, on price. Most people on this forum hardly mention Pentax cameras, you mostly hear about Nikon, Canon or Sony. There's a lot to be said about Pentax cameras.

You could not have said it better.

hassighedgehog Loc: Corona, CA

If you do a search on Pentax, you will find a lot. I have a K-50, used to have a K-x, have two film cameras. One is a K-1000 other a semi automatic

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

Ched49 wrote:

Arguably the closest match in terms of specs to the K7 is the Nikon D300 and the Sony alpha a700, the Pentax beats both cameras on resolution and more importantly, on price. Most people on this forum hardly mention Pentax cameras, you mostly hear about Nikon, Canon or Sony. There's a lot to be said about Pentax cameras.

Many people dont talk about the great Pentax because their generation has rarely seen any advertisement on Pentax. So they don't reallt know about them and don't own them. That being so, the popular camera marketerds win.

I can't remember the amount of times while covering high school sports, that someone asks me what is a Pentax.

Nosaj Loc: Sarasota, Florida

GENorkus wrote:

Many people dont talk about the great Pentax because their generation has rarely seen any advertisement on Pentax. So they don'treallt know about them and don'town them. That being so, the popular camera marketerds win.

I can'tremember the amount of times while covering high school sports, that someone asks me what is a Pentax.

Good example of how people can be easily led by the nose and blinded to what's around them.

Kingman

The K20D is a very sturdy camera. I accidentally dropped my K20D from waist high to the concrete sidewalk. The left side of the body took the hit and I caught the camera and lens after the first bounce before the second bounce damaged the lens. The battery popped out and I tried to fire up the camera the first time and nothing happened. I was disheartened and went home knowing it was a gonner. At home I fired it up again and everything worked! Since then I’ve retired the K20D for more pixels density with the K3 and now K1 upgraded to Mark II. The sensor on the K20D is certainly not as sensitive to that of the K3 or K1, but is a fine tool.

Gallopingphotog

Not sure how the 20 compares with more modern iterations, but Pentax cameras are really sturdy. And being a licensed, professional, full-time klutz who has fallen with, dropped, misplaced and otherwise abused a k3=II, k10, k100 and two film k1000's, I should know!
My advice: If it's in good working condition, get shootin'. You can save your pennies while you are dusting off your skills and then look into a new body, or perhaps a killer lens.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Kingman wrote:

The K20D is a very sturdy camera. I accidentally ... (show quote)

The K-50 is an extremely sturdy camera, too, Kingman … it feels quite hefty, in the hand - no doubt due to its pure metal underbody. Mine has been with me on some very wild adventures, over rough trails, and in some inclement weather. When I need something I feel can stand up to ANYTHING - that's the one I take!!!

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Chris T wrote:

The K-50 is an extremely sturdy camera, too, Kingman … it feels quite hefty, in the hand - no doubt due to its pure metal underbody. Mine has been with me on some very wild adventures, over rough trails, and in some inclement weather. When I need something I feel can stand up to ANYTHING - that's the one I take!!!

I don't believe the consumer-level Pentax cameras {K-30, K-50, K-S1, K-S2, K-70} have metal chassis.

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

rehess wrote:

I don't believe the consumer-level Pentax cameras {K-30, K-50, K-S1, K-S2, K-70} have metal chassis.

The body is a high strength fiber reinforced polycarbonate.

The pro grade have a magnesium chassis, the consumer grade, as you listed, have a stainless steel chassis.

Either way it's a metal chassis in my book.

unanchored Loc: san diego ca

love my k-5 great camera does all I could ask any where I take it enjoy the k-20

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

GENorkus wrote:

The body is a high strength fiber reinforced polycarbonate.

The pro grade have a magnesium chassis, the consumer grade, as you listed, have a stainless steel chassis.

Either way it's a metal chassis in my book.

GE - RE is right about the K-S1 and K-S2 - which are both plastic. However, the K-30 he owns, and the K-50 I own - both have the steel chassis. Think they abandoned that on the K-70, however - not quite sure.

The K-50 is one very solid feeling camera. There's no other camera I have - feels quite like it. But, if you drop it - watch out! The body may survive, but the internal electronics, take a hit, none-the-less!!!!

TreborLow

Sorry for the delay in responding: I had a K20d for many years and enjoyed it very much. I was able to use my older film era Pentax and other brand lenses for general shooting and with inexpensive, manual extensions play around with macro shots. Using manual lenses is also a nice way for force yourself to think about what you are doing. Sure, it is not as fast as automatics, but it is a wonderful learning experience.
I eventually went to a K3 for more pixels and a few other features. Still using those older lenses.
Pentax glass is quite good and used samples are not that expensive. Enjoy your K20!

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

TreborLow wrote:

Sorry for the delay in responding: I had a K20d f... (show quote)

I fully agree with your comment about using manual lenses. My only "dislike" about them is that my old eyes are not maintaining the focus accuracy I had a few years ago.

Kingman

GENorkus wrote:

I fully agree with your comment about using manual lenses. My only "dislike" about them is that my old eyes are not maintaining the focus accuracy I had a few years ago.

As my eyes age, I am finding it harder to get macro shots dead on. Even with fast autofocus, it still doesn’t read your mind on what to focus on. As a result, I am still mostly on manual focus for macros. The K20D is a solid body. I replaced it also with a K3 and eventually a K1. The K20D is retired.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

GENorkus wrote:

I fully agree with your comment about using manual lenses. My only "dislike" about them is that my old eyes are not maintaining the focus accuracy I had a few years ago.

GE … went for an eye test at an Ophthalmologist on Monday - turns out my vision is only 20-40 - which is due to a cataract in my right eye - thus producing blurry images with that eye. I've scheduled cataract surgery, already … hopefully, I'll be back to 20-20 afterwards. I'd no idea there was something actually WRONG with either eye. Just put it down to age, as you have. You might want to get your eyes checked.