What? A Pentax K20D for PMPE stage 2 in Siem Reap?

[maxby]

One day a friend approached me and asked if I was interested to test the Pentax K20D, the top of the range Pentax DSLR.

Soon I found myself holding a Pentax K20D with a DA 17-70mm F4.0 zoom lens. I spent the next 2 days reading the operating manual. Coming from a background where the Photographer have absolute control over the camera, losing this control to a modern state of the art camera was a big hurdle to cross.

On the day before I left for Siem Reap, I tested the accuracy of the metering modes, spot, average and matrix. Understanding how the exposure meter works was the most important consideration for me, as I have to rely on it solely for controlling the exposure of the photos. I decided to use the average metering mode for all my shots.

This is not a technical review of the camera; you can get these here .

This is a hands on review of the camera used in taking real photo situations rather than taking cups and saucers in the coffee houses.

Day 1

On arriving at Siem Reap I put the camera to the test. I set the focusing mode to AF-S, average metering, selective focusing, jpeg (highest resolution), color space- adobe RGB, and AV mode. I shot some street shots. I was really disappointed, the camera did not respond as fast as my street shoot camera and the focusing was all over the place. Hyperfocusing was useless on the AF lens, so I had to depend on the accuracy of the focusing mechanism of the camera.



1. Portraiture maxby style

Day 2

After much thought I changed the settings, focusing mode set to AF-C, average metering, spot focusing and AV mode. The focusing system improved but still not as fast as my ancient RF camera. I decided to drop street photography and concentrated on other less demanding genres of photography like landscape, environmental portraiture, B&W conversions and travel.



2. Panning at Angkor Wat




3. Undecided




4. Sunburst.


Day 3

Participants for PMPE arrived and I have decided to challenge myself by using this camera for most of the time. During the whole outing I have been trying to test the camera and lens to its limit. The battery life was a bit short, about 350 shots with some flash photos in-between. However, this limit suits me well as I seldom shoot more than 300 images a day.



5. Environmental portrait.


Some features that I liked

After using this camera for the past 9 days, I have come to appreciate some of the features listed below:-
1. The impressive colors of the photos directly from the camera
2. The extended dynamic range
3. The anti-shake that was in built. This was equivalent to 2 stops of exposure.
4. The solid built and weather sealed.
5. The physical buttons to change the metering mode, focusing mode, single, continuous or manual focusing and one button raw mode for single photo instead of going into the menu and changing these modes.
6. The ergonomics of the camera was superior to other cameras I have held before.
7. The viewfinder is large and bright.



6. Baby please don't cry




7. Football at sunset




8. Baby won't you tell me why? There is sadness in your eyes. ( A B&W conversion)


Conclusion

This is a capable camera for general photography, like landscape, environmental portraiture, travel, nature, events and B&W conversions. However, it did not hold up very well as a camera for “street photography”.

This camera gives one the best value for money. Pentax is presently the only camera manufacturer that produces pancake lenses. These are great compact prime lenses for travelling.

The DA 17-70mm f4.0 lens was a good range (equivalent to 24 to 105mm) and was nice to use. The internal focusing couple with a fixed focus distance throughout the zoom range was a boon. In order to get it to focus faster, I usually zoom it to the widest angle, locked the focus and then zoomed out.

Overall this is an excellent camera and is able to produce excellent results.

[paklan]

Maxby? dSLR?

[david.tan]

Originally Posted by paklan Maxby? dSLR?

must be another maxby, nick name duplicated..

[maxby]

Originally Posted by paklan Maxby? dSLR?

I was just doing a test drive. Never used a DSLR before (sweat!)......

[digitalartist]

During the whole of the week that I was with Maxby and the participants of Stage Two of PhotoMalaysia's Photography Workshop in Seam Reap, I have to admit that I didn't even touch the Pentax. I was more interested in the photographic gems that Maxby was churning out with the Pentax.
Take a look at the pictures.
That football at sunset (7) and the sunburst (4) are sunsets with soul .... photographs which are made, with the shutter depressed at a precisely timed moment, and with viewpoints pre selected and assessed while waiting for the right subject to come into the frame, very unlike those cliche' snapshots of sunset clouds in the sky that many newbies and even seasoned photographers shoot immediately upon stoping the car when they notice a brilliant sunset. That tear drop under the baby's eye in Pic Number 6 is another shot which can only be made by an alert and thinking photographer with an eye for those elements which count in a compelling picture. Pic number 3 is an example of precise metering where the parts to be precisely exposed are carefully selected to create the desired mood. That portrait of Noree (1) sidelighted by light coming into a darkened corridor at Angkor Wat did'nt need any Potatochop to make it special. All that was needed to make those shots was a photographic eye and an ability to see the light. Although he would have been more comfortable with his Sputnik Rangefinder, Maxby forced himself to use the Pentax because all the participants in the PMPE class were using DSLRs. Its the six inches behind the lens of any camera that makes the pictures.....any camera will do, as long as you thoroughlyfamiliarise yourself on how to use it. The Stage Two of the PhotoMalaysia Photography Workshop was designed to teach participants how to recognise those magic moments and when to hit the shutter button..... skills which can be learned....
Great review, Uncle Maxby, although I have to say that any camera in front of that lightmeter in your head, would have been equally capable of producing those shots....

[maxby]

Thanks to DA for your kind comments. All the shots were taken at high resolution jpeg mode, cropped and some adjustment on levels, curves and some minor colour balance in PS. I was really impressed by the color output off the camera and its ergonomics. The extended dynamic range is an advantage to B&W conversions.

If you want a camera that can do most of the things an advance camera can do at a reasonable price, then this may be the camera for you.

[buzzsaw]

Maxby, I wonder if you should be a programmer creating Metering softwares for cameras...I think cameras would have no problem getting the right exposure & etc. metering...

Very good shots. I'm very impressed by the pics you took. If only the focusing of the Pentax was better, you will be more satisfied...

[beyond]

Sunburst! Drama! EV10!

[maxby]

Originally Posted by david.tan must be another maxby, nick name duplicated..

I can tell you that it was very stressful for me. This was the first time I was using a DSLR for a photo journey. I am so used to having full control of the camera and all of a sudden this control was taken out of my hands.

My only physical control was how the exposure system works and how to use it to my advantage. So testing the camera's metering system was my priorty.

At the end of the PMPE, we sat down and tested the exposure systems of the various camera models and brands. The most accurate exposure systems were by Nikon D3, Canon 1Ds MkII, Pentax K20D. The fairly accurate exposure system (within +/- 1/2 stop off the lightmeter and grey card readings) were by Canon EOS, 300, 350, 450 and Nikon D90. The exposure system that has a mind of its own was by Nikon D300. We had 3 Nikon D300's tested and all have exhibited these strange behaviour.

[LoctorMayat]

eh? what happened to SHOOT RAW ONLY?

[maxby]

Originally Posted by LoctorMayat eh? what happened to SHOOT RAW ONLY?

That is if you can't exposed the scene properly......

It is more forgiving.

[LoctorMayat]

Oh yeah that's the way to do it Unker M...

kekekkeke

[v3t0]

nice review..and beautiful scene..
love #6 and #7 most

[noordin]

Give a sifu a good camera and he'll produce masterpieces! Love the photos.

I have the K20D and I think that is as accurate a summary that I can concur. Good job, maxby.

[sanctus]

Good writeup and nice pictures. Wait till you try out the prime lenses...

[TakeHuat]

Wow!! finally maxby is using DSLR! very impressive photos!!!

Originally Posted by maxby The most accurate exposure systems were by Nikon D3, Canon 1Ds MkII, Pentax K20D. The fairly accurate exposure system (within +/- 1/2 stop off the lightmeter and grey card readings) were by Canon EOS, 300, 350, 450 and Nikon D90. The exposure system that has a mind of its own was by Nikon D300. We had 3 Nikon D300's tested and all have exhibited these strange behaviour.

No doubt you are the best person to test out metering, as you are the walking light meter . I'm surprise to know that an APSC DSLR metering on par with both FF flagship of C & N too.

[maxby]

Originally Posted by v3t0 nice review..and beautiful scene.. love #6 and #7 most

Thanks...

[beyond]

D300 has a mind of its own? Oh dear..

[maxby]

Originally Posted by noordin Give a sifu a good camera and he'll produce masterpieces! Love the photos. I have the K20D and I think that is as accurate a summary that I can concur. Good job, maxby.

Thanks Noordin, it great to know another Pentax User shares the same opinion.....

[yoong]

darn. i went into film to catch up with max, now i have to buy a dSLR....