Which non Pentax cameras do you use?

[petrochemist]

Most of this year I've been using micro four thirds mirrorless cameras instead of my Pentax Gear.
Partly to reduce weight, but also to explore non visible photography. (My GF2 was purchased pre-converted to Full spectrum response)
Last weekend my K7 got a real hammering to make up for the time off. With the Grand Prix, Colchester Military tournament & the Tour de France, I must have shot close to 4000 images over a four day weekend.

What other makes do you use, and are there any particular reasons?

[Smeggypants]

I use a Sony TX-5 and a Nokia 808 for carry anywhere snapping.

Very different image rendering and both very usedul. The nokia, looking like a phone, well it is a phone has an excuse to be carried anywhere, so I use it for my hobby of people shots in tescos. I'll post some soon, now we can

I'm also sniffing around the Sony A7 series, but I'm really waiting for a Pentax FF

[aliengrove]

I use an IR converted Sony Nex 5N for infrared, purely because I wanted an IR camera with an EVF. It's converted at 665nm. I use some Pentax lenses on it, in fact my 15mm Ltd is only ever used on that camera, in addition to two kit lenses. I'd also like a full-spectrum camera, and may get the K5 converted. I've also got a Fuji X20 because it's a great little compact and has a viewfinder. It takes better shots at ISO 400-800 than my K7 did. The GR is Ricoh, so the same brand as Pentax. It outperforms both my K5 and K3, as long as I only want to use 18.3mm. I've also got a Yashicamat, which I must use more, for dabbling in MF. Plus a Brownie, a Zenit E, a Holga (Medium Format too!) and an Agfamatic, all basically for Lomo type stuff, which I'm not doing at the moment, but intend to at some point.

[Gravelrash]

I was going to joke about my phone but that's a Samsung and kinda in the family in a ex-wife sort of way

[petrochemist]

I use an IR converted Sony Nex 5N for infrared, purely because I wanted an IR camera with an EVF. It's converted at 665nm. I use some Pentax lenses on it, in fact my 15mm Ltd is only ever used on that camera, in addition to two kit lenses. I'd also like a full-spectrum camera, and may get the K5 converted. I've also got a Fuji X20 because it's a great little compact and has a viewfinder. It takes better shots at ISO 400-800 than my K7 did. The GR is Ricoh, so the same brand as Pentax. It outperforms both my K5 and K3, as long as I only want to use 18.3mm. I've also got a Yashicamat, which I must use more, for dabbling in MF. Plus a Brownie, a Zenit E, a Holga (Medium Format too!) and an Agfamatic, all basically for Lomo type stuff, which I'm not doing at the moment, but intend to at some point.

Yes an EVF is a great bonus fr on visual work, I had to get one to complete the GF2.
I originally tried m4/3 so as to be able to tilt my Pentax lenses, but the adapter has sometimes proved very difficult to get off the camera/lens again so I don't risk that now.
I've also got a collection of film cameras I intend to try sometime, probably won't bother with the 35mm (Zenit & numerous Pentax) but the folding Agfa Billy Record, and one of the Box Brownies I might get round to (I've got the film ready).
My Toyo 4x5 monorail needs more effort but I must give it a try sometime - even if only for through the veiwfinder shots! Part of the thinking when piecing it together was to try early (DIY) photo processes. Real life gets in the way.

[ilovesaabs]

I have the Nikon D3 - which I've had for 4 years. Satisfied the craving for FF, great AF and flash. No desire to change from this camera.

Also Mamiya 645 Pro - since pre-digital - supreme images, slows me down (the complete anti-D3) but actually sourcing film is beginning to turn into a ball-ache - I like using slides and the options are decreasing all the time

[bjolester]

The last few months I have tried out the foveon sensor in the Sigma DP series compacts. At first I purchased a second hand Sigma DP1s, and afterwards a new (but heavily discounted) DP2 Merrill. The Merrill, especially, is a wonderful camera, and produces files that easily surpasses my K5 in resolution and level of details. The Merrill is the first digital camera I have tried that produces files that are reminiscent of my Pentax 67ii medium format film scans. I have not used my K20D and K5 much since I started checking out the Sigma compacts. The foveon excels at situations with non-moving objects, ISO 100-400 and good light. Anything high ISO, and the Sigmas are useless, except for monochrome. A combination of the Sigma foveon compacts and the K5 seems like a good combination for me, and of course the mighty Pentax 67ii for special occasions.

[Judderman62]

Main non Pentax one I use would be the Canon 500D. I use it when I want to travel light but want asp-c quality. I have never really taken to the Panasonic GX-1 and feel weight difference, while noticeable, isn;t huge so I prefer to take the Canon.

also I am really a Canon man so always enjoy using the 500D

[spinno]

My non pentax of choice is a Fuji XF-1..nice little compact camera, use it mainly for work- although it should be in P mode rather than A...otherwise you get blow out images at f1.8 at iso 800 on a lovely sunny afternoon......

[Matty]

Sony A7 is I think now my main camera, FF yes, but bought mainly for it's size and weight,

I also have a Canon EOS M with the 18-55mm and 22mm, not getting much use now but still a great camera and a shame it never caught on.

Fujifilm X-S1, my great big bridge camera, I love this camera, it's big and heavy and built line a tank with a superb lens,

And finally, ordering a Fuji X-T1 this week, tried one out a few weeks back and this could be the one to replace the A7.

I think I may have to many cameras after reading back what I have just listed

[ronniemac]

My main and only non Pentax camera isn't really a camera; it's a phone.
But a phone that can blow the socks off quite a few point and shoot cameras.
It is the Nokia Lumia 1020 and it's absolutely fantastic.
Because I always carry a phone, it effectively weighs nothing & takes no extra space.
Cool operating system too which works nicely with my computers.

The addition of a grip (with wrist strap) transforms it into a tactile one handed camera
with the shutter release button exactly where you expect it to be.
It also includes a thread for tripod etc, and built in battery - doubling capacity
and charge indicating LEDs.

The specs are good for a phone camera:

41 megapixel 1/1.5inch BSI sensor
Carl Zeiss Tessar f/2.2 lens, 26mm equivalent
Saves in Raw and Jpeg
3x high resolution zoom
Optical Image Stabilisation
Xenon Flash, AF assist light
Full HD Video, stereo sound
4.5inch AMOLED touch screen, 15:9 WXGA (1280 x 768)
Dual-core 1.5 GHz processor
6x zoom FullHD video without image quality loss
ISO100 to ISO4000
15cm macro focus
Photo Geotagging, A-GPS, A-GLONASS
32GB mass memory, 2GB ram

Despite it's 41 megapixel spec, it's not an alternative to a DSLR let alone the 40 megapixel 645D,
but the fact that I can easily keep it in a shirt pocket (grip kept in trouser pocket )
means I always have it with me.
Ideal for street photographers.

Thanks to Smeggy for the heads up on this device long before it was released (he has the 808).
I waited for it, wanting the Windows phone version, but it was well worth waiting for.


Ronnie

[Mike]

Canon 7D. Originally I purchased a 50D as I had always wanted to try the Canon MP-E65mm macro lens but have upgraded it due to the 7D being a bit of a bargain. Have since built up a nice collection of full frame lenses and intend to buy a 5D MKIII some time.

To be honest if the 7D had the same sort of ISO performance as my K-5II I would have probably sold all my Pentax gear by now because the AF performance is in another league entirely.

Also have a Panasonic LX-5 for walkabout.

[Smeggypants]

My main and only non Pentax camera isn't really a camera; it's a phone.
But a phone that can blow the socks off quite a few point and shoot cameras.
It is the Nokia Lumia 1020 and it's absolutely fantastic.
Because I always carry a phone, it effectively weighs nothing & takes no extra space.
Cool operating system too which works nicely with my computers.

The addition of a grip (with wrist strap) transforms it into a tactile one handed camera
with the shutter release button exactly where you expect it to be.
It also includes a thread for tripod etc, and built in battery - doubling capacity
and charge indicating LEDs.

The specs are good for a phone camera:

41 megapixel 1/1.5inch BSI sensor
Carl Zeiss Tessar f/2.2 lens, 26mm equivalent
Saves in Raw and Jpeg
3x high resolution zoom
Optical Image Stabilisation
Xenon Flash, AF assist light
Full HD Video, stereo sound
4.5inch AMOLED touch screen, 15:9 WXGA (1280 x 768)
Dual-core 1.5 GHz processor
6x zoom FullHD video without image quality loss
ISO100 to ISO4000
15cm macro focus
Photo Geotagging, A-GPS, A-GLONASS
32GB mass memory, 2GB ram

Despite it's 41 megapixel spec, it's not an alternative to a DSLR let alone the 40 megapixel 645D,
but the fact that I can easily keep it in a shirt pocket (grip kept in trouser pocket )
means I always have it with me.
Ideal for street photographers.

Thanks to Smeggy for the heads up on this device long before it was released (he has the 808).
I waited for it, wanting the Windows phone version, but it was well worth waiting for.


Ronnie

I wish my 808 created RAWs

The two caveats of the 808 is


1] the shutter button is truly shit. It has a feel click for half press, but no tactile freedback for full press, which means you always press too hard and camera shake is common dammit.

2] The GPS tagging is widely innaccurate.

How are these two features on the 1020?

[Percy]

Canon G1-X

I was looking for a large sensor compact with a fixed zoom, preferably a viewfinder and RAW capability - something I could take on the bike without taking up too much room rather than have my Pentax & lenses rattling around in the top box, and something that I wouldn't lose too much sleep over if it got damaged. Also for days where you just want to travel light. So far it's fulfilled its purpose well enough, but it's certainly not a camera for action shots. the autofocus struggles with the grandchildren running around. Image quality is pretty good, but I am a bit undecided about it. Nothing I can put my finger on - I don't dislike it, but somehow it's not a camera I feel enthusiastic about.

I am tempted by a Fujifilm X20, or an Olympus Stylus 1. A friend recently bought the Olympus as his second camera. It feels really good in the hand and the EVF is excellent. I'll have to persuade him to lend it to me for a weekend to see how it performs

[dpmiller]

The phone's always in my pocket, a Motorola Pro Plus. Having AF, a good flash,and a decent macro mode make it darned-handy for me- great for recording details of equipment in hard-to-reach places.
Personally, I'm astounded by the fact that even a simple phone these days takes such good images.