Wolf Camera: Pentax *ist DL kit $263 (or less!)

[rfortson]

Wolf Camera has the Pentax *ist DL with 18-55 kit lens on clearance for $263. But wait! You can lower that cost even more! :)

If you also purchase the Epson R280 printer for $100, you'll get $100 of mail in rebates making the printer free. Then, just sell the printer on ebay (currently going for ~$50) and take that off your total system price. Even without the printer hoops, its still a nice deal.

This is a typical FatWallet deal, but in the end, you should have a net price of ~$220 for a Pentax dSLR kit.

Note - the *ist DL is the last model without the in-body shake reduction. However, it does have that sweet 6mp CCD with those big, fat pixels, so it's still a nice low-light camera for cheap.

[gkreth]

Originally Posted by rfortson

Note - the *ist DL is the last model without the in-body shake reduction. However, it does have that sweet 6mp CCD with those big, fat pixels, so it's still a nice low-light camera for cheap.

Technically, the K110D was the last Pentax without SR. The K110D was released at the same time at the K100D; the only difference between the two was the SR.

I own an ist DL, and while $263 is a very low price, I honestly would recommend it only to someone who just wanted to try a Pentax for absolutely as little money as they could. By today's standards, the AF is pretty slow and the buffer is pretty small.

If one is not afriad of buying used, the K100D or K10D are much better deals. Both have SR, and both got much better reviews than the DL.

If you want big pixels and great in-camera JPEGs, go for the K100D.

If you want faster AF, a bigger buffer, dual control wheels, weather sealing, and an overall better performing camera, go for the K10D.

But, $263 is a very low price....

--greg

[HOUSCOUS]

$263 is not much a low price to me. I got this EXACT camera kit for my brother couple years ago around the same price range. And two of my friends got it too after they heard. I am very surprised they are still being sold new after two years later.

[Daniel W.]

On the other side of things... I bought the same thing for little less than double a few years ago.

[rfortson]

Originally Posted by HOUSCOUS

$263 is not much a low price to me. I got this EXACT camera kit for my brother couple years ago around the same price range. And two of my friends got it too after they heard. I am very surprised they are still being sold new after two years later.

Well, how about posting all those new dSLR kits that are selling for under $300 right now? Uh...(chirp...chirp...chirp) that's what I thought. ;)

Originally Posted by gkreth

Technically, the K110D was the last Pentax without SR. The K110D was released at the same time at the K100D; the only difference between the two was the SR.

I own an ist DL, and while $263 is a very low price, I honestly would recommend it only to someone who just wanted to try a Pentax for absolutely as little money as they could. By today's standards, the AF is pretty slow and the buffer is pretty small.

If one is not afriad of buying used, the K100D or K10D are much better deals. Both have SR, and both got much better reviews than the DL.

If you want big pixels and great in-camera JPEGs, go for the K100D.

If you want faster AF, a bigger buffer, dual control wheels, weather sealing, and an overall better performing camera, go for the K10D.

But, $263 is a very low price....

--greg

Greg, don't cloud the issue with facts! I realized that after I made the post. Point still stands that you won't be getting SR with this camera. I'd forgotten how good the IQ was on this thing (or any of the 6MP CCD cams). I'm happy with it as a little backup/go anywhere camera for the car.

In general, I agree with you about getting SR. I love it and it's got to be part of my primary kit. I wish I'd gotten the W00t deal on the K100D a little while back. However, there's something to be said to getting a new kit (even if it's a 3 year old design) with the factory warranty. Some people aren't comfortable buying used, and for them, I think it's a good deal. I'm happy to go either way, and have had good luck with used stuff. Especially from the Pentax Forum marketplace. Looking for Pentax gear around here is a little "challenging", to say the least. :)

The BEST deal was for the Samsung GX-1L kit (same as the *ist DL2) for $230, but those sold out fast. I got one for my sister. Heck, I paid more than that for my close out Canon G9 at Circuit City!

[toverman]

After the photo equipment I've bought in the last year, this seems like a really good deal to me. My wallet gets at least $500 lighter just looking at Canon stuff to buy.

This would be great for a beginner just getting into the system. I no longer shoot with Pentax equipment (not since my ME Super), but my mom has a K10D and my dad has a K100D. They are fine cameras.

[Daniel W.]

Ha ha Todd I'll give you some Pentax stuff for some Canon

[toverman]

Originally Posted by Daniel W.

Ha ha Todd I'll give you some Pentax stuff for some Canon

If I wasn't already in too deep, I'd take you up on that.