Pentax K-7 Three Months On
I've now had my Pentax K-7 for about three months now, in which time I've put about 4500 shots though it, and I think it's not a bad time now to provide an update with my thoughts on the camera. When I first got it, I noted that the camera didn't "grab" me as much as I though it would and it didn't really scream "use me", which is fair enough since it still is more of an evolution from the K10D and K20D than a revolution, but I really like using the K-7 now. When I first got the camera, I didn't like the positioning of the EV and ISO buttons, however, after spending more time with the camera, I'm quite used to the positions and they don't feel too bad. Of course, it can get confusing sometimes when I'm using both the K10D and K-7, and the buttons are not where I expect them to be. I didn't like how the 4-way controller felt initially, and now, I still think it sucks. I tend to use AF SEL, meaning I use the 4-way controller to select which AF point to use, but the controller makes it really hard to feel which button I'm hitting; something more akin to a traditional single-piece 4-way controller, instead of individual buttons would be a lot better. Having the LV button so close to the 4-way controller doesn't help either, and I still find myself hitting that sometimes; move the damn button elsewhere.
A dedicated top LCD illumination button would be nice as well, since I'm no fan of the current implementation where the top LCD lights up after measuring the exposure, so I have it turned off. The removal of a SR switch was not missed, since i can quickly access it via pressing the Info button, which gets me into a control panel with commonly used settings; I quite like that control panel. One slight issue I did come across recently is that there is nothing on the top LCD screen, or in the VF to indicate that the WB has been changed off AWB. Once or twice, I accidently changed it from AWB, and once again I blame this on the terrible 4-way controller, and I had no way of knowing, unless I went into the WB menu. The locking button on the exposure mode dial has been lovely, and it has meant that the mode dial cannot change without my knowing. The LCD screen is also quite good, and is especially noticeable when I go back to using the K10D.
The increase to a 14.6MP sensor has meant that I could crop a lot more, something which I have taken advantage of, and I am quite impressed with the sensor's performance. ISO100 - 1600 isn't a problem, and I'll even use ISO3200 indoors if need be and I quite like the noise pattern generated. Image quality, great. I have no solid evidence regarding battery life, but my general feeling is that it is doing close to 1000 shots per charge of battery, which is quite awesome. The SD card is still a little bit fiddly to pull out, although that hasn't been too much of an issue. On thing that may be an issue is the location of the corded cable release port, on the bottom right of the camera. If a cable release is plugged in, I can see it getting in the way of holding the camera normally, although I haven't actually done any cable release shooting with the K-7 yet. The strap lugs have now also allowed me to use a single-point rifle sling, with a quick release clip as a camera strap, and I quite like the carrying configuration I've not got, although the quick release clip has worn some of the paint off near the left lug. Overall, I'm quite damn pleased with the K-7.
Also, a few points on the Pentax AF-540FGZ flash unit that I picked up in Hong Kong last month. It's a nice flash and I'm really digging the fact that the flash head can swivel and tilt, however there are a few improvements that could be made. Some people have had issues with the locking pin and locking mechanism, and although it hasn't affected me yet, it's something I do keep in mind when putting the flash on or off, so it could be improved. The battery cover sucks, and feels really flimsy and badly designed. The adjustment dial could also be improved as sometimes, it doesn't seem to register when I turn it, and I much prefer the feeling of the one on the AF-360FGZ instead. Those are my personal gripes with it, but otherwise, I'm quite glad I picked up this flash unit.
A dedicated top LCD illumination button would be nice as well, since I'm no fan of the current implementation where the top LCD lights up after measuring the exposure, so I have it turned off. The removal of a SR switch was not missed, since i can quickly access it via pressing the Info button, which gets me into a control panel with commonly used settings; I quite like that control panel. One slight issue I did come across recently is that there is nothing on the top LCD screen, or in the VF to indicate that the WB has been changed off AWB. Once or twice, I accidently changed it from AWB, and once again I blame this on the terrible 4-way controller, and I had no way of knowing, unless I went into the WB menu. The locking button on the exposure mode dial has been lovely, and it has meant that the mode dial cannot change without my knowing. The LCD screen is also quite good, and is especially noticeable when I go back to using the K10D.
The increase to a 14.6MP sensor has meant that I could crop a lot more, something which I have taken advantage of, and I am quite impressed with the sensor's performance. ISO100 - 1600 isn't a problem, and I'll even use ISO3200 indoors if need be and I quite like the noise pattern generated. Image quality, great. I have no solid evidence regarding battery life, but my general feeling is that it is doing close to 1000 shots per charge of battery, which is quite awesome. The SD card is still a little bit fiddly to pull out, although that hasn't been too much of an issue. On thing that may be an issue is the location of the corded cable release port, on the bottom right of the camera. If a cable release is plugged in, I can see it getting in the way of holding the camera normally, although I haven't actually done any cable release shooting with the K-7 yet. The strap lugs have now also allowed me to use a single-point rifle sling, with a quick release clip as a camera strap, and I quite like the carrying configuration I've not got, although the quick release clip has worn some of the paint off near the left lug. Overall, I'm quite damn pleased with the K-7.
Also, a few points on the Pentax AF-540FGZ flash unit that I picked up in Hong Kong last month. It's a nice flash and I'm really digging the fact that the flash head can swivel and tilt, however there are a few improvements that could be made. Some people have had issues with the locking pin and locking mechanism, and although it hasn't affected me yet, it's something I do keep in mind when putting the flash on or off, so it could be improved. The battery cover sucks, and feels really flimsy and badly designed. The adjustment dial could also be improved as sometimes, it doesn't seem to register when I turn it, and I much prefer the feeling of the one on the AF-360FGZ instead. Those are my personal gripes with it, but otherwise, I'm quite glad I picked up this flash unit.