I might go digital

[GrahamNR17]

I'm starting to get the hump with my film setup. The latest thing to annoy me is my scanner leaving lines across every frame.

So, the question is what do I get? I hate cropped sensors, but my budget won't get near a Canon 5D, so I'm going to have to bite the bullet for a few years and put up with APSC sized.

Here is my short list:

Pentax K110d or Canon EOS 350D.

I have a mix of M42 and PB mount lenses. Logic suggests a 350D as Alex does both adaptors.

I have owned a K110d and K100d in the past and liked the IQ of the K110d (the K100d was slightly less sharp). I have never owned a EOS 350D but like the idea of higher resolution when I copy 120 negs. I am not too bothered about the Canon build quality, I only need this thing to last a year or two.

My budget is GBP 175.00 maximum, this is what I can raise with sale of unwanted/redundant gear.

I am interested to know what the 'procedure' is for metering with the Canon. I know with the Pentax it was easy as pressing the button on the back.

Unbiased suggestions and guidance would be gratefully recieved

[Orio]

I think you wouldn't be wrong with any of these cameras.
Canon has the advantage of being able to mount more MF lenses.
Pentax has the advantage of a better build.
I can not speak of Pentax models, about Canon, I would suggest that you go for a 400D instead of a 350D. The price difference would not be big. The 400D has a larger LCD, which allows for better previews, and has 2 MP more resolution, and the buttons operational design is more friendly.

[eeyore_nl]

[GrahamNR17]

[naplam]

A 10D might be within budget too. And about the 350/400D, I'd say the only difference in practice is the bigger LCD which is nice to have. The additional 2mp isn't a big difference (8 vs 10), and otherwise both cameras are very similar. Well, and the average 350D will be older and maybe it will have had some more use than the average 400D. All in all, no big difference.

Anyway, whichever camera you choose, I suggest that you get a focusing screen for it. It's a real a pain to focus without one, you'll get half your shots misfocused (i think that's the average result people get). Focus confirmation adapters are not as good as a good focusing screen, for what i've heard here (I have a split prism screen but no chipped adapters).

[Farside]

Any of the ones you mention would be good. I can personally recommend a 10D for build quality, and you'll certainly find one for less than your budget now, but they are getting on a bit and have a small LCD, so if you can stretch to a 20D, it would be all the better.

A K100D @ 6mp means you'd be ok with 6, so a 10D gives you all the lens compatibility you need. Otoh, the K100D has IS, which I find bloody useful and is the main reason I bought a K10D. Additionally, a K100D takes AA batteries, which is bloody useful out and about.

I suppose it's what you find locally /online for the best price. Only problem is, PB lenses on PK, is no go.

Luckily, I now have both, so I'm ok.

[F16SUNSHINE]

Graham
Congrats on the choice to jump over to the chimppy side
There are a few 10d cameras at KEH for as little as $225 for a bargain one up to $350 for like new.
20d starts areound $275.
I would be happy to come out of Relat retirement when I get back to Washington if it helps you.

As for 6mp vs 8/10.
I've gone back to 6 with the RD1.
Sometimes I think the output is better than others I have seen at 10 or higher.
Surely you can print large enough on most occasions with 6mp.

[eeyore_nl]

[GrahamNR17]

Ok, going by Fleabay auctions, even 350D are going for over my budget. That's illogical! There are some stupid people paying some stupid prices.

Looking around dealer sites, they are asking around 165 to 225 GBP for 350D and 250 upwards for 400D. Pentax K10d seems to be very much "think of a number". I just saw a Samsung GX1L go for over 200 quid - unbelievable!

I've decided to go with Canon, for no other reason than size/weight. I'll tolerate the plastic. I also want to share lenses with the Praktica B-series bodies. It's not an option to have two of all lenses anymore.

I'll start emailing all the dealers. For once I'm avoiding ebay, I just can't afford to win anything usable there.

So, back to part of the original question, what's the metering procedure on a Canon with manual lenses? Straightforward?

[Orio]

[Farside]

Canon 10D
Even the dealers are selling them for just on your budget.
http://www.waltersphotovideo.co.uk/category/used-canon-digital-slrs/475/0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0/1

[GrahamNR17]

[GrahamNR17]

[ryan s]

I've seen a couple ist dS cameras go for $200-ish USD recently. I know it's old but the Canon 10D is older

Also remember that Canons don't have the "digital preview" so you have to take a picture if you're not sure about exposure, and that takes up space on your memory card. And of course no "Green Button/AE-L" equivalent button to set exposure.

I'm glad having moved from Canon to Pentax overall. Only reason I'd get something like a 40D/5D would be to mess around with other lenses that can't fit on the Pentaxes...

[Attila]

Pentax 1st DS and Olympus E-1 or E300 my budget suggestion.

[nemesis101]

I am not completely sure, but I thought the 10D and 20D shared a small LCD and only the 30D introduced a larger one?

I would not go for either mind you - I'd buy a cheap Oly e330 or e500 / 510 Olympus coz then you can mount anything! I have had Canons, and have 3 Pentax bodies istD, K10D and K20D but it's the Olympus (520) and Panasonic (L-1) bodies that get most use.. You can get a 500 or a 501 for not a lot here.. a body only 510 went for 198 dollars yesterday.. that's what, about 135 pounds?


Doug

[eeyore_nl]

[nemesis101]

Dank u!

tot ziens,

Doug.

(ja, spreek ik het Nederlands)

[hk300]

i have seen 350d going for EUR180 and 400d going for EUR240 locally in HK in good conditions.

Because of the new 500d, a lot of 350/400/450d users are dumping their camera bodies.

[GrahamNR17]

Thanks everyone for your comments and suggestions. I thought I had settled on Canon, but the PITA metering with MF lenses would just make me crazy. Unfortunately that is the only option for my PB lenses. Olympus I like a lot, but that 2x crop factor is just no good to me at all.

It kind of brings me back to Pentax. That will be ok for my M42, and I recently sold all my Pentax stuff

I may wait a while and aim for a K-m. It seems quite small, but I can find no news of how well/badly it works with MF lenses. Some Pentax have had issues in the past. Will research more.

Thanks again for all comments and suggestions, it has all been valuable

[ManualFocus-G]

I have a 300d and 2 x Sonys. I have found it far harder getting the exposure right on the 300d, but not impossible. You really need to underexpose with it. My biggest problem with that camera, however, is speed. It's slooooooow! You can only take a few at a time, and reviewing pictures is impossible. That said, it's still usable, just not that convenient.

The Sony a100 and a200 are far newer cameras, but you can tell! Bigger screen, lightening fast operation.

That said, I have had very good results from all three cameras. It's really all about what you are prepared to put up with!

N.b. If us nutters used the cameras properly, with AF lenses, we'd be having no problems at all and should remember that

[GrahamNR17]

I hadn't even considered Sony. Are they quick and easy to meter with MF lenses?

[Orio]

[eeyore_nl]

[Orio]