On Nov 2, 2005, at 1:53 PM, Sylwester Pietrzyk wrote:
Learning 7D controls pays very quickly - to change ISO, WB you just press button and turn wheel - you don't even have to remove eye from the viewfinder as these operations are displayed there. In *istD you have to run mode wheel, change the option and turn the wheel back to A, S, M or P position - this means that this camera is not shot ready all the time. Ds is a little better in this regads, but you have to press function button and change options in menus. The same apply to changing metering modes - direct on 7D, menu-driven on *istDs. Yes at first Ds ergonomics seems easier, but after a while 7D allows for quicker and more responsive change of important photo parameters.
I guess I only rarely change metering pattern, infrequently ISO or WB ... Well, I never change WB at all unless I am storing exposures in JPEG mode. ISO is the one I change the most, and is pretty simple with the Fn menu on the DS. I can do it without even looking.
I tend to use my cameras in a very simple manner and only move away from a basic set of control settings once in a while. With cameras that have a lot of controls poking up all over the place, I tend to get confused more easily since I don't use them all that much. I want the ones I do use a lot to be easy to get to and understand, and that's where the Pentax DS does the number well.
That's why I'd gladly see next Pentax DSLR similar in operation to MZ-S ;-) But as I said - it is all a matter of habits and getting used to - and taking it in consideration Ds is a fine photographic tool too :-)
I'd never seen the MZ-S until long after it would be silly for me to buy one as I was already converting everything to a fully digital workflow. But when I did get to play with one, it struck me as a very well designed piece. Now if only Pentax would consider using that camera, with small enhancements, as the basis for the D2...
Godfrey
