Ep. 6 - The Pentax K100D Series - Forgotten Diamonds

In this video I have a look at the Pentax K100D series. This APS-C DSLR from the mid 2000s features a 6mp-CCD sensor. It's AA battery powered and delivers great image quality.
Have a great day!

[@Fred-q1x]

Thank you for this nice overview of the K100D, one of my favorite cameras. Even in JPG the image quality is outstanding.

[@someoneelse318]

My first DSLR was the K100D in 2006. Today I still own a K100D and an *ist DS, the predecessor of the K100D. One advantage of the *ist DS over the K100D is its prism viewfinder, which is much better for manual focusing. The *ist series started with the *ist D (prism viewfinder), followed by the *ist DS and the *ist DL. Note that the DL has a mirror viewfinder rather than a prism, just like the K100D/K100Ds/K110D. All *ist models lack IBIS. One nice feature of the *ist D is the flap in the base plate that allows easy access to the button cell that stores date and time settings. Unfortunately, Pentax omitted this handy feature from all subsequent bodies. Also worth mentioning is the so-called debug mode. All *ist models as well as the K100D and K110D have this mode available in the firmware. Not so with the K100Ds, you have to download this software separately (Pentaxforums is a source for such stuff). Debug mode allows fine tuning of the AF to compensate for front or rear focus, a feature not available on the mentioned models per se. AF tuning can only store one value at a time, so when I change lenses I quickly switch into debug mode to set the appropriate value for that lens. Once you get used to it, it takes about 15 seconds. Note, however, that there are settings in debug mode that can potentially damage your camera, so please read up well on what to do and what to avoid before you decide to try it out. Gruß und cheers!

[@geoffr9422]

Thanks for this great video. I still love shooting with my K100D, it's a great camera and lots of fun to use. Unlike some other big brands, Pentax didn't de-feature their cameras to protect sales of upper-end models, they gave you everything and the kitchen sink. It's a shame the market didn't fully recognise it at the time. Here's a fun tip if you want to feel like you're shooting an old Spotmatic with manual light meter switch: When using K lenses enable the optical preview, this stops down the lens but also turns on the meter so you can manually set your exposure in real time by adjusting the shutter speed. It works on all my Pentax bodies.

[@linhampton4827]

Thank you for an interesting and informative video. I have a Pentax K100D Super, it is my first digital camera and was used for a quite a few years primarily for sports photography (football/soccer). It's been replaced for sports by later models but is still working well and gets taken out occasionally so I can appreciate the quality of the images it procuces.

[@philipchristy9210]

Was unlucky with my Pentax cameras.K100 said you could use any AA batteries (even on auto battery sensing) but in reality only reliable on “Lithium”.My KR lost date and time setting after about 8 years,even when changing batteries.But seem nice feel and build quality.I bought 2 KR s the second one in a cupboard 10 years ,still has its date time memory ? Nice menus,full page on screen ,unlike Nikon that you go off page at the bottom on some models…Sony good menu s too.

[@arisskarpetis]

The kit lens was not great. The Pentax 35mm DA L f/2.4 AL prime lens elevated the picture quality so much everyone should grab one.very sharp.

[@artgraficalex9582]

I have k100d and I m very happy with this canera. Only missing the beep when is focused. I dont now why….

[@HerbsVintageTech]

You can turn on the focus confirmation beep in the menu.

[@brunoeiler8192]

great videos in your channel ... very realistic about the reality paradigma of no need at all for non professionals to keep upgrading cameras and lenses !!!! the current "old models" of.cameras.offers more than we need to have great photos !! congratulations !!

[@HerbsVintageTech]

Thanks for much for your comment. I appreciate it :)

[@armingutschick9105]

Hallo Herr Eisengruber, Glückwunsch zu diesem Video. Ich werde mir mal eine Nikon d40 bestelle, da ich noch einige alte Nikkor Objektive habe, z.B. Das 55mm, 2.8 AIS Micro Objektiv. Ich war auch gerade auf Ihrer Webseite. Suscribed to your channel.

[@HerbsVintageTech]

Vielen Dank!

[@danielpfc8665]

Nikon D3100 or Canon 1200d? 🤔

[@HerbsVintageTech]

Choose the one in better shape. They are both capable of excellent images. If they both come with a kit lens only, the Nikon kit lens is better.

[@scrptwic]

I bought the istDL & The K100D both new and still own and use these cameras and agree with you about the cameras they take great pictures and editing the raw files make the pictures pop

[@niaky005]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the Pentax K100D, I think it's a great camera and I'm excited to buy one. Greetings from Guatemala.

[@HerbsVintageTech]

Thanks for watching my video. My wife and I visited your beautiful country a few years ago and we had a wonderful time! Tikal and Semuc Champey were fantastic! I look forward to see some photos from the K100D if you buy one.

[@jameschang8174]

I have both K100D Super and *ist D. The latter's shutter sound is much quieter.

[@HerbsVintageTech]

Thanks for the info. I will give the *ist D a try.

[@photoguyinPEI]

I have this canera, original K100d, and it chews through 2800mAh rechargable batteries... I get max 10 shots before I need to recharge.

[@HerbsVintageTech]

What batteries are you using? I would say your batteries are not the best. Like I said in my video, I use 2000mAh Energizer batteries and I get hundreds of shots out of them. Also, Panasonic Eneloop batteries are used a lot by photographers with Pentax D100D and K200D cameras.

[@jameschang8174]

This is unusual. Something is wrong. Try a set new batteries.