The D has a few more features and shares the viewfinder with the *ist
DS/DS2 models, but the image quality it produces is identical to the
image quality produced by all of them, including the DL model. DL
bodies are available for under $500 new. The DS through DL2 are all a
little faster on capture than the D.
If I were "on the fence" and wanted to buy something to test the
water/handle some short-term needs, I'd go for the newer, less
expensive body and reserve more money in the fund for when the higher-
spec replacement for the D model comes out.
The only futures related difference to me is the kind of storage
cards you need. The D takes CF cards, all the others take SD cards.
If you buy a D and buy several CF cards, that works fine BUT if the
next high-end body from Pentax takes only SD cards, you'll need to re-
buy storage cards when you need them. If you buy any of the others
and a complement of SD cards, and Pentax fits the new high-end model
with CF card slot again, you can re-use the SD cards in the CF slot
by means of an adapter. (I do that now ... use SD cards in my Canon,
Minolta and Sony cameras that take CF using an adapter.)
I hope these thoughts are a help.
Godfrey
On Feb 21, 2006, at 7:24 AM, Rick Womer wrote:
I've been on the "digital fence" for some time, and
had pretty much decided to buy the ist D successor
when it becomes available.
I'm getting itchy, though, since it doesn't look as
though the new body will be here by summer.
In May and June, a niece is getting married, I'm going
to GFM, my son is graduating from high school, and my
wife and I will be traveling in Europe. That's 50
rolls of Ektachrome right there, i.e. $500 with
processing.
I'm really not sure how I will feel about the "digital
workflow." It is possible that I will run screaming
back to film. I really like my slides.
Soooo... I can probably pick up a used ist D for
$700-800, looking at the recent prices on eBay and
KEH.
