Excellent presentation. I have owned a Pentax K100D for about 12 year and I am totally satisfied. Cost me about $400 at the time. Love the range of lens it accepts.
This was my first Dslr camera ever...and it holds a very special place in my heart. I stayed my photography career with this and took some gorgeous images....it was my intent to sell it, but I have yet to do it. I think it's one of the best to learn on. And it's a durable body. I've printed 16x20 and they came out lovely
Good easy explained vid, the format Pentax use just cannot be faulted. Their lenses are A1 in my opinion as have many of their past models...Love my old film models,,but the K100d or K110D is a gem of a buy.
I'm still using my k100d s bought from new as they came out greater myself to a collection of limited edt lenses love this little camera it out performs many more expensive models easily .
I bought this camera for 189.50 on keh.com and looks new even though it was discontinued in 2007. One word of caution is don't use a hotshoe flash that was used on a SLR film camera. The voltage on these type of flash can fry the circuits of the Pentax K100D. Tried to use an old Vivitar 2000,thank goodness I didn't. Anyway,love my Pentax,plan to get a 70-200 zoom lens for it.
Adam, +1 on the Eneloop batteries. Sanyo really knows its stuff. Energizer and Duracell make batts that advertise higher mAh, but they take twice as long to charge, then last half as long in the camera. I'm an BELIEVER in Eneloops; must have spent $150 on them in the last year...
Thanks for your video. I thought long and hard before buying K100 and I agree- it has all you need and I don't like lithium batteries.I hope the new da lenses will fit it as well. Thanks- Mal London
I had this last day for £30.00 fully working from cash converters, for what it does it's amazing!! I maily use this as a back up body to my nex 5r! I use manual lenses with this camera.
With the original firmware, it will only take up to 2 GB. With a firmware update. (good instructions and the firmware are provided at pentax's website) the limit is removed.
That's a good buy. If you're like me, I think you'll find that 6 MP is PLENTY. I shoot most of the time at 4 MP or less. If you don't have any yet, get a couple sets of Sanyo Eneloop AAs for it.
MiMi - You're right to keep it, in my opinion. At 6 MP, it has enough resolution for any normal prints and post-processing. It takes AAs, so it's future proof, as long as memory cards are available. The lens mount is still the same. I'm thinking of upgrading now, but just to add HD video capability in one camera. Not sure it's worth the $500 to me though...
I ran into this too. You just need to upgrade the firmware on the camera in order for it to accept higher capacity cards. Go to Pentax's website and look it up. Or google it. (I think that's what I did)
Hey man what's a good beginner and good quality camera I can use for pictures and videos. I like to film skateboarding and also take pictures. But I need a camera that is able to make the screen pop out of its place so I can use it on different angles if u know what I mean?
I have a K7 and a K100D, and I tend to use my K100D more than my K7. Why? Because it is a rock solid piece of kit and it cost me the princely sum of £79 for the body.
You can't. On this camera, you can assign the depth-of-field preview function to either a) stop down the lens, or b) take a preview shot with the LCD. But you can't use the LCD to preview real-time: that was a later feature. It's something you can do with every point & shoot camera. Keep in mind though, that having the camera up to one's eye removes some motion blur from the picture, as the camera is braced in a third position, in addition to the two hands holding it.
I'm going to buy this, this week as my first DSLR. will buy a better one someday, but just to learn. I found one with a 2 lensen, and i have 2 other lenses. so 4 lenses :)
i am new to these type of cameras..i have the pentax k100 but i cant seem to use any SD card higher than 2GB...but i noticed you have a 4GB.is there only certain brand cards i can use?
Everytime I took a picture on manual mode, I can't see my pictures. Everytime I preview it or put it on pc to check on it, it is black screen I don't know why. I just bought this camera It's my first dslr.
Read the earlier comments regarding memory card size. With the original firmware, it would only work with up to 2 GB or something. That gave a memory card error though. Yours sounds like you bought a messed-up camera.
You can take a 'preview' picture, which isn't saved, by rotating the power switch to the other spring-loaded position. Alternately, that can be a depth-of-field preview. But you cannot use the LCD as a viewfinder. This is how single lens reflex cameras all used to be, and I believe most of them still are.
Because it is a "crop sensor" Since the sensor is smaller than a 35mm frame, the effect is that the focal length is effectively changed. Most digital SLRs are like this. Only the high end Canon and Nikons are full frame, and they cost thousands of dollars. It's just a fact of life these days. That's why the kit zoom lens is 18-55mm. That = about 28-80 in 35 mm.
I just bought this camera for $45 this week with two lenses I'm again I want to stress I think this kit lens is almost as good as most kit lenses made today ..i have a KS 2 I'm going to try this kit lens on I have a feeling it's going to be better than the one that it came with I also threw my 20 mm on this camera and the results are pretty nice this 6-megapixel sensor.. it's actually on par with the Epson rd1 which of those don't know was a leica mount camera that Epson mode.... Now again I have a Lumix gx7.. I have a Sony full-frame I have a Sony a6000 and I have a Fuji but there's something interesting and challenging about using an old CCD sensor and getting beautiful results it's about the process Gearheads do not understand this... I also picked up an old Samsung recently for cheap I'm not going to say which model cuz I don't want the price to go up but it again and had a cult following and the results I'm getting in macro pretty much on par with cameras made today or cameras like the Ricoh gxr
how big is your memory card ? I SAW just 4GB....my card is 16GB is it too much because it says that there is err in memory card and i cant actually see my galery. Could you help me please....
Jeremy D ... just for the fun. I bought also a Nikon D200, 6000 clics, 90$. For the fun of course. Both of them have bizarre colorimetry, not perfect as all Canon have.
Actually just bought a pentax k10d with a 15-55 for fun too, 4500 clicks, like new with box and all the stuff for 90 euros. There's no problem to buy used old dslr, it's like buying old film camera for me. Just a way to have fun when going shooting and take an old camera instead of my fuji x-t2 or olympus pen-F. I also work sometimes with high end canikon full frame, and yes they are better than old shit like d200, d100 or d40 and co but there is a little something i can't explain, maybe the love of risk :p You guys should look the videos "cheap camera challenge" from Digitalrev...
And of course for me buying an used k10d is like buying my dream dslr 10 years from now, so yeah there is no problem into it even if you have some brand new modern camera with 36 megashitpixel and autodrift mode iso from the futur.
German M. Yes, that was the whole point of this video. I will say though that newer cameras are much better. I've since switched to fixed lend compact cameras: Panasonic FZ1000. For most purposes, it's even better and with just the one lens needed. It added video and really fast continuous shooting. Better image processing too.
Hey I have a 8gb SD Memory Card, but I have to "update" it. I went about searching how to..... the instructions are... "Updating Procedure 1. Provide a formated SD memory card for the update software (with at least 8MB of available memory space). The downloaded file is self-extracting. The following files are extracted. readme.txt : this document fwdc156b.bin : Firmware Copy the above Firmware file [fwdc156b.bin] to the root directory in the SD card. If your computer does not have a card slot, you can copy the firmware update file by inserting the SD card into your camera and then connecting the camera directly to your computer. 2. If the camera power is on, turn it off. 3. Insert the update SD card (prepared in step 1) into the camera. 4. Connect the AC adapter to the camera. If you are using a rechargeable battery, make sure that it is fully charged, and if you are using batteries that are not rechargeable, make sure that they are fresh batteries. 5. Turn the camera power on while pressing the MENU button. 6. "NOW LOADING" appears in the LCD monitor, and will change to the "PROGRAM UPDATE". At the bottom of the LCD monitor, CURRENT VERSION 1.00/1.01 UPDATE VERSION 1.02 will be displayed. 7. Press the four-way controller to select "YES" and press the "OK" button. 8. "UPDATING" appears on the LCD monitor and updating starts. Please do not under any circumstances switch off the power before the update is completed. It will take approximately 90 seconds to complete update. 9. When update is completed, the "COMPLETE" will be displayed at the left bottom of the LCD monitor, then turn the camera off. 10. Remove the update SD card from the camera. 11. To check the Firmware version in your camera, turn the camera on while pressing the MENU button. Check that the version displayed in the LCD monitor is 1.02. The camera automatically starts up after about 5 seconds. (Caution) When updating is finished, the update SD card still contains the Firmware file." The thing is, I pressed the menu button the same time that I turned it on and it showed the Current Version Bumber "1.00", but it never went to the "Now Loading/Program Update" words..... my laptop had asked me to "Format Disk" and the letters "Pc" appears at the bottom right of the top DLC screen, but I already downloaded the proper two upgrade files onto my laptop. What should I do?
i have this one and i'm only 12 xDD it's really cute.. my dad got me this slr because it's cheap. umm.. can i ask.. can you take videos with this camera? because i can't record a video..
I'm glad it was a help! Pentax (Olympus too) is kind of a cult brand, for those who are a bit more open-minded than the sheep who immediately just flock to Canon and Nikon. Same quality, sometimes better features.
+Dana English Yes, as long as you consider the limitations. For all-around photography, it is good. The autofocus is not quite as accurate as today's SLRs, and it doesn't shoot video. But Pentax optics are still good, and the body-integral anti-shake is as relevant as ever. The ergonomics are great, and the menus are very intuitive.
I just sold mine the other day, shipped it out today. (replaced with a Lumix FZ1000) I miss it already: the optical, through-the-lens view. Had to buy a spare battery for $45. (instead of carrying extra rechargeable AAs) If you need a 50mm f/2 manual focus, auto expeosure lens, I have a mint one for cheap on ebay now...
As for exposure compensation, I don't remember, but it will surely be I the manual online. This video was not intended to be that instructional; just qualifying my recommendation.
Excellent presentation. I have owned a Pentax K100D for about 12 year and I am totally satisfied. Cost me about $400 at the time. Love the range of lens it accepts.
This was my first Dslr camera ever...and it holds a very special place in my heart. I stayed my photography career with this and took some gorgeous images....it was my intent to sell it, but I have yet to do it. I think it's one of the best to learn on. And it's a durable body. I've printed 16x20 and they came out lovely
Good easy explained vid, the format Pentax use just cannot be faulted. Their lenses are A1 in my opinion as have many of their past models...Love my old film models,,but the K100d or K110D is a gem of a buy.
I'm still using my k100d s bought from new as they came out greater myself to a collection of limited edt lenses love this little camera it out performs many more expensive models easily .
I bought this camera for 189.50 on keh.com and looks new even though it was discontinued in 2007. One word of caution is don't use a hotshoe flash that was used on a SLR film camera. The voltage on these type of flash can fry the circuits of the Pentax K100D. Tried to use an old Vivitar 2000,thank goodness I didn't. Anyway,love my Pentax,plan to get a 70-200 zoom lens for it.
I'm learning on my mom's Pentax and this gave me a lot of insight to finding things that I was struggling to figure out. Thanks!
My pleasure.:-)
Adam, +1 on the Eneloop batteries. Sanyo really knows its stuff. Energizer and Duracell make batts that advertise higher mAh, but they take twice as long to charge, then last half as long in the camera. I'm an BELIEVER in Eneloops; must have spent $150 on them in the last year...
Thanks for your video. I thought long and hard before buying K100 and I agree- it has all you need and I don't like lithium batteries.I hope the new da lenses will fit it as well. Thanks- Mal London
I have to admit, I'm now tempted by the new Pentax dSLR bodies, with HD video, HDR, and sensor cleaning...
I used a k100 for many years. I recently upgraded to a k5 with a battery grip attatchment and its fantastic. Amazing dslr. Highly recommended
I had this last day for £30.00 fully working from cash converters, for what it does it's amazing!! I maily use this as a back up body to my nex 5r! I use manual lenses with this camera.
Thanks this helped a bunch, now I'm more comfortable playing around with it.
Hi jzorns.Thanks for the reply and the tip - have had 6MP DSLRs previously and found them really good.All the best PAUL
. slr is hard to handle compared to dslr nowadays ,but when you master and capture something the quality is amazing
Just picked up a K100d with 18-55+50-200mm lens with 3 bags and extras all for £190 - cant wait it get it and try it out
I'm glad to hear it. Let me know what you think if you get one.
It arrived last week and am really pleased with it - am a total PENTAX convert now!!! Thanks jzorns for posting this!!!
Bai how to see on screen taking picture time
With the original firmware, it will only take up to 2 GB. With a firmware update. (good instructions and the firmware are provided at pentax's website) the limit is removed.
I own a K7 and a K100D...guess which one I use most? I just love this DSLR.
Awesome video
That's a good buy. If you're like me, I think you'll find that 6 MP is PLENTY. I shoot most of the time at 4 MP or less. If you don't have any yet, get a couple sets of Sanyo Eneloop AAs for it.
Does it have the focus assist feature that will beep if I'm using a manual focus lens?
It doesn't beep, but has a focus indicator.
I have the K100D Super and it both beeps and shows the indicator. The K100D should have it too. I believe there is a setting to turn the beep on/off?
MiMi - You're right to keep it, in my opinion. At 6 MP, it has enough resolution for any normal prints and post-processing. It takes AAs, so it's future proof, as long as memory cards are available. The lens mount is still the same. I'm thinking of upgrading now, but just to add HD video capability in one camera. Not sure it's worth the $500 to me though...
Hello! Could you send me a link or something to a pic made with that camera? I wanna see the quality of it. Thank you!
I ran into this too. You just need to upgrade the firmware on the camera in order for it to accept higher capacity cards. Go to Pentax's website and look it up. Or google it. (I think that's what I did)
Hey man what's a good beginner and good quality camera I can use for pictures and videos. I like to film skateboarding and also take pictures. But I need a camera that is able to make the screen pop out of its place so I can use it on different angles if u know what I mean?
I have a K7 and a K100D, and I tend to use my K100D more than my K7. Why? Because it is a rock solid piece of kit and it cost me the princely sum of £79 for the body.
I can't remember how to switch between the viewfinder and the led screen when taking a photo. Can anyone tell me please?
You can't. On this camera, you can assign the depth-of-field preview function to either a) stop down the lens, or b) take a preview shot with the LCD. But you can't use the LCD to preview real-time: that was a later feature. It's something you can do with every point & shoot camera. Keep in mind though, that having the camera up to one's eye removes some motion blur from the picture, as the camera is braced in a third position, in addition to the two hands holding it.
I'm going to buy this, this week as my first DSLR. will buy a better one someday, but just to learn. I found one with a 2 lensen, and i have 2 other lenses. so 4 lenses :)
i am new to these type of cameras..i have the pentax k100 but i cant seem to use any SD card higher than 2GB...but i noticed you have a 4GB.is there only certain brand cards i can use?
Everytime I took a picture on manual mode, I can't see my pictures. Everytime I preview it or put it on pc to check on it, it is black screen I don't know why. I just bought this camera It's my first dslr.
Read the earlier comments regarding memory card size. With the original firmware, it would only work with up to 2 GB or something. That gave a memory card error though. Yours sounds like you bought a messed-up camera.
Hi, I just got my first DSLR Camera, Pentax K100D. can you take photos using the LCD screen? if so, how do you turn it on
You can take a 'preview' picture, which isn't saved, by rotating the power switch to the other spring-loaded position. Alternately, that can be a depth-of-field preview. But you cannot use the LCD as a viewfinder. This is how single lens reflex cameras all used to be, and I believe most of them still are.
Because it is a "crop sensor" Since the sensor is smaller than a 35mm frame, the effect is that the focal length is effectively changed. Most digital SLRs are like this. Only the high end Canon and Nikons are full frame, and they cost thousands of dollars. It's just a fact of life these days. That's why the kit zoom lens is 18-55mm. That = about 28-80 in 35 mm.
Dop Prez . i saw this at a second hand shop saving up to buy one
You'll love it. Do the firmware upgrade so that it can handle more than a 1 or 2 GB card.
shot thanks
Subscribed. Thanks
Thanks for the sub! I'll do some more camera reviews in the future. (I don't have a ton up now)
Can the K100 shoot video?
how to update firmware ? in 2022
Not sure, I sold this camera years ago to make room for newer (but still old) gear.
I just bought this camera for $45 this week with two lenses I'm again I want to stress I think this kit lens is almost as good as most kit lenses made today ..i have a KS 2 I'm going to try this kit lens on I have a feeling it's going to be better than the one that it came with I also threw my 20 mm on this camera and the results are pretty nice this 6-megapixel sensor.. it's actually on par with the Epson rd1 which of those don't know was a leica mount camera that Epson mode.... Now again I have a Lumix gx7.. I have a Sony full-frame I have a Sony a6000 and I have a Fuji but there's something interesting and challenging about using an old CCD sensor and getting beautiful results it's about the process Gearheads do not understand this... I also picked up an old Samsung recently for cheap I'm not going to say which model cuz I don't want the price to go up but it again and had a cult following and the results I'm getting in macro pretty much on par with cameras made today or cameras like the Ricoh gxr
The kit lenses on this camera are BETTER than those made today. Better (glass) optics and steel mounts. Smoother zoom and focus action, too.
I read that it will only take up to 2GB SD cards but it looks like you have a 4GB one in yours? Does it work alright?
Good video! I subscribed!
thank you...i will take a look and figure it out.... :-)
Weather sealed?
how big is your memory card ? I SAW just 4GB....my card is 16GB is it too much because it says that there is err in memory card and i cant actually see my galery. Could you help me please....
Get the firmware upgrade from Pentax's site. I had the same problem, but the firmware upgrade fixed it.
Bought one yesterday ... 40$ ... 2481 clics !
Canon5d MKIII you'rea junkie, eh? I can't see buying one of these, if you have a 5d MkII.
Jeremy D ... just for the fun. I bought also a Nikon D200, 6000 clics, 90$. For the fun of course. Both of them have bizarre colorimetry, not perfect as all Canon have.
"not perfect as all Canon Have" lol
Actually just bought a pentax k10d with a 15-55 for fun too, 4500 clicks, like new with box and all the stuff for 90 euros.
There's no problem to buy used old dslr, it's like buying old film camera for me. Just a way to have fun when going shooting and take an old camera instead of my fuji x-t2 or olympus pen-F.
I also work sometimes with high end canikon full frame, and yes they are better than old shit like d200, d100 or d40 and co but there is a little something i can't explain, maybe the love of risk :p
You guys should look the videos "cheap camera challenge" from Digitalrev...
And of course for me buying an used k10d is like buying my dream dslr 10 years from now, so yeah there is no problem into it even if you have some brand new modern camera with 36 megashitpixel and autodrift mode iso from the futur.
Hi there, just wondering does this camera take videos? I've always been confused what the video mode is,
thanks Cherri
Cherri Music no, it's from before the days when SLRs alsoshot video.
I also run on eneloop and the camera last forever! 5 day trip 200-300 a day without charge easy
I can only use a 2 GB card, You show 4 GB one. How can I upgrade to get 4 GB?
Anthony Sparacio There's a (free) firmware update you'll need to download from Pentax. A Google search will turn it up quickly.
I got it for 70$ on eBay
I know this camera is old, but is it still good?
German M. Yes, that was the whole point of this video. I will say though that newer cameras are much better. I've since switched to fixed lend compact cameras: Panasonic FZ1000. For most purposes, it's even better and with just the one lens needed. It added video and really fast continuous shooting. Better image processing too.
does it film? or only photos
+Alex FreestyleSkate Only photos.
Hey I have a 8gb SD Memory Card, but I have to "update" it. I went about searching how to..... the instructions are... "Updating Procedure
1. Provide a formated SD memory card for the update software (with at least 8MB
of available memory space).
The downloaded file is self-extracting.
The following files are extracted.
readme.txt : this document
fwdc156b.bin : Firmware
Copy the above Firmware file [fwdc156b.bin] to the root directory in
the SD card.
If your computer does not have a card slot, you can copy the firmware
update file by inserting the SD card into your camera and then connecting
the camera directly to your computer.
2. If the camera power is on, turn it off.
3. Insert the update SD card (prepared in step 1) into the camera.
4. Connect the AC adapter to the camera.
If you are using a rechargeable battery, make sure that it is fully
charged, and if you are using batteries that are not rechargeable,
make sure that they are fresh batteries.
5. Turn the camera power on while pressing the MENU button.
6. "NOW LOADING" appears in the LCD monitor, and will change to the
"PROGRAM UPDATE". At the bottom of the LCD monitor,
CURRENT VERSION 1.00/1.01
UPDATE VERSION 1.02
will be displayed.
7. Press the four-way controller to select "YES" and press the "OK" button.
8. "UPDATING" appears on the LCD monitor and updating starts.
Please do not under any circumstances switch off the power before the
update is completed.
It will take approximately 90 seconds to complete update.
9. When update is completed, the "COMPLETE" will be displayed at the left
bottom of the LCD monitor, then turn the camera off.
10. Remove the update SD card from the camera.
11. To check the Firmware version in your camera, turn the camera on while
pressing the MENU button.
Check that the version displayed in the LCD monitor is 1.02.
The camera automatically starts up after about 5 seconds.
(Caution)
When updating is finished, the update SD card still contains the
Firmware file."
The thing is, I pressed the menu button the same time that I turned it on and it showed the Current Version Bumber "1.00", but it never went to the "Now Loading/Program Update" words..... my laptop had asked me to "Format Disk" and the letters "Pc" appears at the bottom right of the top DLC screen, but I already downloaded the proper two upgrade files onto my laptop. What should I do?
i have this one and i'm only 12 xDD
it's really cute.. my dad got me this slr because it's cheap.
umm.. can i ask.. can you take videos with this camera? because i can't record a video..
I'm glad it was a help! Pentax (Olympus too) is kind of a cult brand, for those who are a bit more open-minded than the sheep who immediately just flock to Canon and Nikon. Same quality, sometimes better features.
Just remember that those lenses will be come a 75mm f/1.8 and a 42mm f/2.8. You will have to buy an 18mm lens if you want to have a wide angle!
THANKYOU
AlexanderJohn Sutherland My pleasure, Alexander.
would you say it's still a good camera now?
+Dana English Yes, as long as you consider the limitations. For all-around photography, it is good. The autofocus is not quite as accurate as today's SLRs, and it doesn't shoot video. But Pentax optics are still good, and the body-integral anti-shake is as relevant as ever. The ergonomics are great, and the menus are very intuitive.
great thanks I ended buying it today for $60CAN
I just sold mine the other day, shipped it out today. (replaced with a Lumix FZ1000) I miss it already: the optical, through-the-lens view. Had to buy a spare battery for $45. (instead of carrying extra rechargeable AAs)
If you need a 50mm f/2 manual focus, auto expeosure lens, I have a mint one for cheap on ebay now...
You show a 4 GB memory card. mine will only take 2 GB.
card. Youdo not show how to set the expouser + or - .
You need to do a firmware upgrade for it to take more than a 2 GB card. I think we discussed it here in the comments; take a look.
As for exposure compensation, I don't remember, but it will surely be I the manual online. This video was not intended to be that instructional; just qualifying my recommendation.
Ah.....my first dslr
go for 55-300. It's better optically than 50-200 kit lens.