Pentax K2000 SLR Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens

Comments about Pentax K2000 SLR Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens:

I have had this camera only for a couple of weeks but so far I love it. This is my first digital SLR camera and I am excited about all the possibilities it offers. It is very easy to use on the automatic settings and I'm having fun experimenting with the manual settings. The camera is a good size - not huge but it feels very solid. The picture quality is great. After a point and shoot, the ability to rapidly take one shot after another is wonderful.

Comments about Pentax K2000 SLR Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens:

I have just begun to use this exceptional camera for grab shots -- landscapes -- museum style documentation of artifacts. It is complex but intuitive -- not at all hard to learn even though it looks daunting. The manual is comprehensive and clear. I have no negative reactions to it -- have used Pentax equipment from the time of the creation and this is a wonderful addition to my three "real" cameras. But not my first digital camera -- just my best!

Comments about Pentax K2000 SLR Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens:

I bought the camera as a birthday present for my wife. I have a Bronica RF645, so we have two cameras to use on vacation. She wanted a digital camera with a 35mm feel. The size, weight, and viewing the object through the viewfinder are perfect. The price was what I was looking for. The complexity of other cameras detracted from her use; travel photography, advanced amateur. The scene and picture modes are for fool proof shots for beginners. The usual exposure modes, i.e. Programmed, manual aperture preferred, etc. are more than anyone would need. The RAW feature is great for total control of end product. There are so many features within each mode setting that reading the manual takes quite a few re-reads along with playing with the camera to fully understand what each setting is capable of and requires. However, this camera offers the best trade off of any camera that I have read about or tried. The results of the shots taken so far have been great; the auto-focus is excellent, and the anti-shake reduction work well, although in low lighting settings, you may have to use a faster speed than the default 100 setting.

Comments about Pentax K2000 SLR Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens:

I'm an amateur photographer and I find this very easy to use. It's compacted and has all the features that I'm looking for in a starter camera. I do a lot of portraits and landscape pictures and it's very easy to use. The lens kit that came with the camera is pretty descent. Will be shopping for a new lens.

Comments about Pentax K2000 SLR Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens:

I learned film photography 11 years ago with a Pentax k1000 and hand loaded Tri-X film. It was great, everything was so hands on about it. Now out of school I have no access to a darkroom and frankly no cash to shell out of film and chemicals.

I chose the Pentax k2000 because it would accept my two lenses from my previous Pentax ZX-M and I love it. It does not have fancy menus, live view, movie capture but it works so easily and intuitively with the user that it feels as close to a Pentax K1000 as a dSLR can be. Its images have fine detail and capture a wide variety of tones and colors. It creates great images for B&W post production. Its high ISO helps shooting in low light, the noise does not have a pattern so it appears more as grain. It shoots very quickly both in terms of response to depressing the shutter and taking pictures in succession.

The jpeg settings that the camera comes loaded with are not so great and make post production harder. I choose the "portrait" setting which is as neutral as it gets. I need to get into shooting raw, which this camera does. It does not have a split prism focusing screen so manual focusing is not as simple as it was with my previous Pentax models, but I have gotten used to it. The focus indicator still works with a MF lens in the center which is helpful.

All in all I love this camera and it has made me a believer in digital photography. No more nasty chemicals and rolls upon rolls of film.

Comments about Pentax K2000 SLR Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens:

I have used this camera quite a bit in the last few weeks, after researching it seriously. It is simple to use and does everything as advertised. It shoots RAW files with excellent quality. I really am very happy with my choice.

Comments about Pentax K2000 SLR Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens:

This camera fit my needs exactly at a great price. I am taking my first digital photography class in college, and I needed a DSLR. This is the camera with the best price (for a new one, of course) on the web. Even when you find this camera other places, it isn't a cheap as it is here. I recommend this to beginners if they're looking for their first DSLR.

Comments about Pentax K2000 SLR Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens:

No issues with the K2000 DIGTAL CAMERA w/18-55mm LENS KIT. My first digital SLR camera producing great pictures with the convenience of reviewing on the spot rather than waiting for film to develop.
No need to spend thousands to enjoy digital SLR technology.

Comments about Pentax K2000 SLR Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens:

I got this camera as a back up and to put in my backpack.
27 years ago I started with Pentax K1000.And I have allways thought that the K1000 was the best camera ever made.Because it was simple to use and now in my mind the K2000 is much better then K1000 Pentax has out did there self's. I had a Nikon D60 its good camera but K2000 is much better. Im a Pro, I have Pentax K10d and K20d both are outstanding cameras. But I find myself time after time picking up the K2000.

Comments about Pentax K2000 SLR Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens:

Honestly, when I started looking for dslr deals, I was looking for a Canon XS. But, I saw a great deal on this Pentax K2000. I had not researched it much but the deal sounded very attractive. So I spent some time to review it, only to realize that it has almost everything that Canon XS has + a couple of other features. So with a bit of skepticism, I bought this camera.

On getting it and playing around with it for a few days, I have started loving it and it has more than met my expectations. Am planning to buy some more lens for the same.

Comments about Pentax K2000 SLR Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens:

I am a newbie to digital slr cameras, so I chose this camera because it was mentioned as an entry level camera. So far everything works great and I am learning more about the camera every time I use it. It is a good looking camera and is comfortable to operate. I will now buy a telephoto lens for my camera. I will continue to buy Pentax products.

Comments about Pentax K2000 SLR Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens:

For a relative beginner, I was snapping great pictures at full manual settings in less than a week. Nice step up from the point-n-shoots.
Out of the box, just set the Custom Image to "Natural" and increase the LCD Brightness +3 (default was a bit dark which made me over-expose some images).
This product competes with Canons and Nikons that cost more than twice as much. I can invest in quality lenses instead.

Comments about Pentax K2000 SLR Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens:

This camera is so easy to use. I can even take special pictures like macro in the automatic setting. I can also use the lenses from my 35mm Pentax on this camera. How cool is that?

Comments about Pentax K2000 SLR Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens:

It seems like there are two kinds of photogs. There are Canon people and there are Nikon people... kind of like the Ford/Chevy debate amongst domestic car buyers. I have no need for silly brand loyalty. I drive a Volvo, and I shoot on a Pentax.

The K2000 is a great "bridge" camera for the point-and-shoot novice to broaden their photographic skills. There are plenty of automatic features to for those less comfortable with exposure settings, white balance, etc., but you can also seize full control over your images when you're ready to make that leap.

I've been shooting video with a manual lens for about 10 years now, so when it was time to buy a still camera, I knew I could handle a good, basic DSLR. I didn't need a ton of bells and whistles. Just a decent camera with a good sensor and easily accessible manual settings. So far I'm happy with the K2000. I've had to touch the instruction manual once in the month or so I've had it, and now I doubt I'll ever need to touch it again.

Comments about Pentax K2000 SLR Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens:

The Pentax K2000 is not only one of the best deal in digital SLR cameras, it is also capable of capturing images as good or better than "high end" cameras. We were able to directly compare tthe Pentax camera $450 (our purchase) to the Nikon D90 ~$1200 (my father-in-laws purchase)Both camera came with comparible lens and equipment however the Pentax camera was able to use the set of 5 Pentax lens we had from our old film camera. However for this to work 3 of the custom settings have to be changed from the default mode and in manual mode you do not get a light meter reading of exposure. This is the one drawback of this camera, you need to rely on the camera's choice of either shutter speed (in maunal mode) or aperture (other modes) to get the right exposure. Because of this drawback the camera is easily fooled under low light or flash conditions into over exposing the image. Dispite this small problem the Pentax K2000 was able to produce some stunning image right out of the box. When compared to the Nikon camera in auto mode the Pentax images were sharper.(due to the complexity and confusing menu options we were not able to take pictures with the Nikon in manual mode). With the Pentax we where able to capture images of fireflies in our yard (max aperture, 30sec exposure, 3200ASA.) As an old film photographer I have to say I was impressed with the capability of the Pentax digit camera. While low light condition with movement and extreme high resolution (25-50ASA) images are still better captured with film camera, the Pentax camera is better suited for 90-99% of the pictures most people will want to take. In fact, due to the image stabilizer built into the Pentax camera it is possible to take pictures with a 35mm lens at 1/2 sec shutter speed without the use of a tripod, and use shutter speeds as low as 1/125 with lens as big as 1000mm. Overall the Pentax camera for price, ease of use, and quality of images, is the best value on the market. If you are getting started in digit SLR photography I recommend this camera with the 18-35mm zoom lens as the best chioce. Futhermore with a modest investment[...] can purchase old film lens for pennies on the dollar and use them with this camera therby getting a camera system comparible to ones costing several thousand dollars retail!.

Comments about Pentax K2000 SLR Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens:

I purchased this camera as an upgrade from a Fuji FinePix. I am working on a photo-essay book where my subject matter moves quickly and is dimly lit. I am very happy with the outcome.

I took the camera with me on a vacation so I could get used to it before shooting the aforemention subjects.

The weight of the camera is good, as I like something with heft.

The capture mode is swift.

My only complaint is that the LCD screen is not for viewing your subject matter, but rather to see what settings you are working with and for viewing captured images. I over came this handicap very quickly.

I have recommended this camera to others.

Comments about Pentax K2000 SLR Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens:

Compact cameras simply can't capture my one-year old, so I needed a DSLR. I would have bought a Nikon if they offered internal motors in their entry level bodies to drive my old lenses. They didn't, so I was open to any brand. I bought the K2000 because it's the cheapest DSLR I can find. At $[$], it's cheaper than the top of line compact cameras from any make and carries a bigger sensor which gurantees better picture in most conditions albeit with a much bigger body.I was not disappointed. The camera focused instantaneously (but slower than the CaNikons according to reviews) and has less noise than compact cameras at higher ISO. However, the camera plus the kit lens is still not fast enough to capture everything indoor. Perhaps a lens faster than F2.8 will be necessary.At this price, this has got to be the best camera for the casual shooter looking for better picture quality than a compact can offer.

Comments about Pentax K2000 SLR Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens:

I love my Pentax K2000 and take it with me everywhere...vacations, concerts, family gatherings and everyday activities. The camera was easy to program, light weight and takes incredible photos. It makes me look like a pro (although I'm a digital camera novice). I have recommended the Pentax K2000 to my friends.

Comments about Pentax K2000 SLR Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens:

I use this camera mostly for automotive shots, but sometimes for landscape or beach pictures.

The shake reduction is great, pictures came out clear even at the highest stop setting at 1/8s shutter speeds.

My only real complaint is that the auto focus gets confused in some low light settings, but switching it to manual focus is quick so this is not so bad.

Comments about Pentax K2000 SLR Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens:

I've just had this camera for about 2 weeks and have been using it for hobby photography. I love the ease with which I can get great photos, even in the fully auto mode. Having a good bounce flash has made indoor photography so much more fun. I also have found my tripod is invaluable.

The lens is great for standard uses. It's not really designed for macro shots (which I've been attempting to use it for), but it still can pull out a lot of detail. It is also backwards compatible with 2 older lens I've had since my 35mm days. This is great because I can still use my old 80-210mm lens and not have to spend for a new one.

I've found the controls fairly easy to use, although I might have put the wheel for making adjustments to shutter and aperture in a slightly different location (I tend to use my left eye and my face gets in the way slightly). If you are familiar with basic photography (I took a B/W 35mm class in high school) then it is very easy to get used to flipping it into manual mode for full control of your shot.

So far, it does well on everything that I would have expected from a DSLR, and I have no complaints. Most of the shots I've taken have been good, even if my settings were a bit out of wack, and they only get better as I dial in a shot. Now I just need to get some more accessories to play with.