Pentax *ist DS Digital Camera with Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Digital SLR Lens (6.1MP, 3008x2008)

78

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5 User Reviews | add yours »

Pros
Shoots well in auto mode
Cons
Smaller-size CCD

$525.51
From 1 Merchant

User Reviews for Pentax *ist DS Digital Camera with Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Digital SLR Lens (6.1MP, 3008x2008)

Reviewed by: aslatter

Duration of ownership:

Strengths: Don't know. Have not been able to use camera.

Weaknesses: Needed repair within 24 hours of purchase. Warranty not honored by Pentax.

Overall Evaluation: I bought this camera partly on the basis of the reviews posted here but also on my past experience with Pentax products.On a recent trip to Singapore I bought an *ist DL camera and was looking forward to rekindling my interest in photography on my return to Indonesia, where I live.Within 24 hours of owning camera the electronic controls and display had gone haywire and the camera was unusable.I took the camera to the Pentax agent in Jakarta and was informed that they do not honor warranties on products bought in Singapore. They said they would repair the camera at my expense. The dealer in Singapore was equally unhelpful offering to "look at the camera" if I took it back to Singapore!With no alternative I have left my brand new Pentax in the repair shop and await it's return. Not a very good start to my digital SLR experience!I have tried to seek recourse from Pentax but cannot find a service or customer relations contact.I am bitterly disappointed with Pentax and this product.Andrew Slatter
Reviewed by: hyattdk

Duration of ownership:

Strengths: The autofocusing is great. It produces beautiful photos. There are lots of perks with this camera.

Weaknesses: The only thing I don't like is how you have to push two buttons to see an enlarged version of your photo.

Overall Evaluation: This is a great digital slr. All of my old lenses fit and work wonderfully with the Ds. I am still playing with the camera to see what all it can do and am still amazed at times at how good it is. I can print large prints from the SD card and they are beautiful. The natural lighting looks great on my subjects and that makes me happy. I am so glad I have it!
Reviewed by: mrbmarco

Duration of ownership:

Strengths: Forgot

Weaknesses: The Worst Customer Sevice EVER

Overall Evaluation: Last March I bought the ist ds kit on line from J&R. I bought it from them because I have bought electronics from them for over 20 years. I loved this camera--The images were breathtaking. I was so happy, all my old pentax lenses worked perfectly. In June 2005, I set up the tripod and started to take close ups of flowers on the patio. The pictures were the best yet, all of a sudden the camera started to act up, all the lights, bell and whistles started to go on and off. I shut the camera off, and the problem continued. I took out the batteries, put them back in and the problem continued. I shipped the camera back to Pentax in Colorado since it was still under warranty. After 6 weeks in the last days of August, the camera came back still broke. Pentax said they found either water or motor oil or sticky substance in the camera, when they opened it up. It could not be fixed, the warranty was void. I was floored, I never opened the camera. Why would any one open an 800.00 digital camera still under warranty. I called several times with no luck. The camera still looks brand new. I checked the front where the lens and mirror are and I could not find any substance. Called Pentax Monday November 14th. Finally spoke to the supervisor of Customer Service a Mr Phil Kerswill. He told me the same bull I've heard before. They found liquid in the camera, and I said I did not abuse the camera. So, it's me against Pentax. We just kept arguing back and forth. He told me there are no regional offices, only the office in Colorado. Finally I asked for the name of his boss, and he told me he reports to the president, Jim Kast. I told him I was going to write him a letter with a cc to Popular Photography. He told me in a few words that the letter would be given to him, so why bother--I then reported this to The Denver Better Business Bureau and got nowhere. So it looks like I now have to spend around 480.00 to get the new Pentax DL body. I haven't had a digital camera since June of 2005--
Reviewed by: hero1117

Duration of ownership:

Strengths: Size, Price, Picture, Ease of use

Weaknesses: Would have liked an ISO of 100, Jpeg + Raw Feature

Overall Evaluation: excellent Production Value. Backward compataible to my old Glass. Great Veiw. Overall Excellent Camera. Fun to use Great Customer Support. good solid feel. Pictures are sharp and Clean. Get the new firmware
Reviewed by: fredigolo

Duration of ownership:

Strengths: use of SD memory and 4xAA batteries, allows the use of old Pentax lenses (even manual lenses from the 70's). Great sensitivity to low-light situations (up to ISO 3200)

Weaknesses: Some functions are a bit difficult to use. Quite Grainy images on ISO 1600 and 3200)

Overall Evaluation: Easy to use camera for those upgrading from point-and-shoot (specially if you have a point-and-shoot Pentax, as many buttons and options are the same). It presents an Auto Mode similar to the ones on point-and-shoot, easing the transition (you can leave it in auto and increasingly try new settings). I choose it over the Canon Rebel as it uses SD memory (the same as my Palm and Point-and-shoot) and AA batteries (in an emergency on the road, you can just buy new batteries). Some functions are quite hidden, and demand reading the manuals.

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