Yes, your lenses are usable with Pentax DSLRs. If you're really serious about photography go for K10D body (you already hav lenses, right?), you won't be disappointed..

Edvinas..

I have a film SLR Pentax and want / need a dSLR for my uni degree. Idon't know much about cameras but that's why I'm here - to learn!Question is - do I buy a Pentax dSLR so I can use my three Sigmalenses or do I start from scratch?Are my Sigma lenses even usable on a new Pentax? I realy enjoyphotography - so far just the point and shoot type, but I'm hoping topursue something more serious down the track. I'm majoring incommunications and apart from the enjoyment factor thinkphotography's an excellent skill to have in the journalism field.Budget up to $1000.Thanks.

If you have some Pentax-fitting sigma lenses that you are happy with it makes perfect sense to go for a Pentax DSLR. If the lenses have an autofocus capability they will still work on a newer body, and the automatic metering should be fine too. Even if they are older lenses with an f-stop ring the pentax DSLRs can be configured to work with those in aperture priority mode, i.e. you choose the aperture by selecting on the lens and the camera will do the rest. If they are manual-focus lenses they will still work in manual focus. The nice thing about the Pentax system is it's very good compatibility with older lenses..

Just bear in mind that the effective magnification given by these lenses will be different because the sensor is smaller than a 35mm negative, so you are effectively expanding a smaller part of the image circle generated by the lens. For Pentaxes the 'multiplier' is about 1.5, so a (for example) 28-80 standard zoom from a 35mm camera becomes the equivalent, in terms of field of view, of a 42 - 120 zoom; an 80-200 becomes the equivalent of 120 - 300mm. So you will get a good telephoto range from older lenses, but for a wide angle (equivalent of, say, 24mm focal length on a film camera) you would need a lens with a focal length of 16mm on a DSLR..

I have a K100D which I am very happy with. In the UK it costs 300 at the moment; it is shortly being replaced by the K100D super which will have a few more bells and whistles on it, and I think the 'super' is now available. Particular benefits (and this is of course a purely personal view) compared to other cameras at the same price point are (i) there is a second LCD on the top plate, so you can see the f/stop and shutter speed without having to look at the screen on the back; and (ii) it has built-in image stabilisation, which allows the sensor to move to compensate for camera shake. This allows you to hand-hold the camera with shutter speeds considerably slower than you would risk otherwise and still get sharp pictures. The 6MP sensor provides enough resolution to print sharp A3-sized pictures and has very good performance in low light; I find that setting ISO800 gives pictures that are less grainy / noise than I used to get with ISO400 film. If you want to spend more, the excellent K10D should be just within your price range..

All DSLRs in your price range are good and will do an excellent job, so don't get hung up on agonising about minor technical differences between a Nikon, Canon, pentax, Olympus, Sony etc. The availability of your existing sigma lenses makes the decision to go with Pentax pretty simple in my view; you have enough money for an excellent DSLR which comes with a good 18-55 mm zoom as standard (27-82mm equivalent for 35mm film), and since you already have a range of other lenses you can put the change towards things like a copy of Photoshop Elements, a decent bag if you need one, memory cards etc.Mike..

Mitti wrote:.

I have a film SLR Pentax and want / need a dSLR for my uni degree. Idon't know much about cameras but that's why I'm here - to learn!Question is - do I buy a Pentax dSLR so I can use my three Sigmalenses or do I start from scratch?.

Maybe. Can you please say which lenses they are (focal length, aperture)..

Are my Sigma lenses even usable on a new Pentax?.

Yes they are..

Lenses for film Pentax SLR cameras will also fit the DSLR bodies. However, some lenses are more useful than others. The DSLR sensor is smaller than the 35mm film frame. That means the field of view of lenses changes, to behave more like a telephoto. The factor is roughly 1.5x. For example, if you already have a 300mm lens, it will have the field of view similar to a 450mm lens.

On the other hand a 24mm wideangle will now behave like a 36mm lens. Still wideangle, but not nearly as useful..

Hope this helps,Peter..

The smaller sensor does change the overall FOV but that may not be a bad thing. I have a nice A28/2.8 which is a wide angle on film but on my Pentax DSLR makes a great normal lens. My F50/1.7 is now an excellent portrait lens...

K1000Photographer wrote:.

The smaller sensor does change the overall FOV but that may not be abad thing. I have a nice A28/2.8 which is a wide angle on film but onmy Pentax DSLR makes a great normal lens. My F50/1.7 is now anexcellent portrait lens..

Of course you are right, it may not be a bad thing. I had several lenses for my film SLR and went ahead and purchased a Pentax K100D with no hesitation. I've not regretted it and it's given me quite a lot of flexibility for relatively little cost..

However, it happens that I like to shoot wideangle shots, and until I start to add more lenses to my collection, I'm continuing to use film for my wideangle pictures. For me that is a realistic option as I also have a reasonably good film scanner..

Regards,Peter..

You gots to get a Zenitar 16! It is the most fun lens you could ever hope to get. The curvature on an APS C is not that bad and the quality is great...

Wow thanks for the information everyone. I have a 28-29mm F3.5-5.6 and a 100-300mm F4.5-6.7DL allowing for that 1.5 difference that has been spoken about what size new lense do you think I should buy? I think I'l go with the Pentax K100D as the K10D is like $2000 here in Oz. I'm realy into landscape and nature photography, especially beach and outback scenes...

Do you mean the Sigma 28-90 with the plastic lens mount? I actually have one. AF is very fast and the lens does well stopped down. I use it for outdoor action, stopped to F8...

You're pretty fortunate..

Pentax makes some damn good DSLR's, and since you already own lenses, your choice should be easy..

Some folks will tell you that the Nikon, Canon, or Sony is "better" but that's really just their personal preference, or due some technical specification that will make absolutely no difference to you..

The Pentax K10D or K100D are both excellent choices. And in both cases, your lenses will benefit from the in-body image stabilization.MartyPanasonic FZ20,Panasonic FZ7,Olympus C7000,Leica M3..

Assuming you mean the 28-90 mm, and the 100-300, your telephoto range is well covered. The K100D comes with a good 18-55 lens (27-82 mm equivalent in 35mm film terms) so you'll be covered to reasonable wide angle range too..

Depending on your photogtaphic needs, and budget, you might also consider the sigma 10-20 mm for (very) wide angle work, landscapes etc; it is quite reasonably priced (220 UK). Alternatively, if you take pictures a lot in low light, a prime (fixed focal length) lens with a wide aperture might be useful. Ebay regularly has old Pentax standard lenses, like the 50mm f/1.7, going quite cheaply (typically 40 UK) - they will work on the K100D in aperture priority mode and will work fine in manual focus - this gives you an extra 3-and-a-bit stops compared to the 18-55 standard zoom lens at the same focal length, for about one-fifth of the cost of a new autofocus equivalent which is comparable optically..

Good luck!Mike..