Customer Reviews

Magic Lantern Guides: Pentax K200D

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was unsure about buying this book. I've found the K200D manual somewhat readable and have gleaned other info, such as using manual lenses, from the internet. I have never read a Magic Lantern Guide, and the reviews for other camera guides are generally positive but also sometimes mixed.

That said, I am extremely pleased with this book. It is exactly what I was looking for. To start with, the photos are all black and white, but they are very effective at demonstrating the point--much better than Pentax's drawings and photos. I don't know how much of the book is boilerplate with other guides, but it definitely seems to be tailored to the K200D.

I haven't read this book in detail yet, but I've already learned about the different Pentax series lenses as well as filter types. In addition, I've learned about its dedicated flash (AF-360FGZ). The instruction manual for the flash is full of tables and cryptic modes. This book makes it easier for me to understand and apply.

One thing that may be missing is information on using older Pentax lenses, specifically manual lenses. It's mentioned briefly in the aperture ring section, but that probably isn't sufficient information by itself. For me this is important because one of the reasons I went with this camera is the huge lens availability. Other than that, it's a great book that I'm glad I bought.

I recently purchased the book Pentax K200D by Magic Lantern Guides and it is an excellent publication. The user manual that came with the camera is good but basically gives one the bare facts about the camera. The Guide goes into much more detail plus it is in a language that is easy to follow. I recommend this book to anyone who has a Pentax K200D as it will help them in getting the best out of a great camera.

I recently purchased the Pentax K200D, my first foray into digital photography. The camera is great. The manual was as expected. I was after a book that would take me through getting the most out of the camera and how to best set it up for different photographic scenarios, e.g. low light, landscape, portraiture, etc. This book fell a little short.

However, it does work on expanding from the manual. It covers all settings and functions of the camera, expanding on them, and explaining their affect or purpose in very easy to understand language. This would be great for someone new to photography who is a little bewildered by the jargon and too-the-point manner of the manual.

The photos are black and white but they serve their purpose.

In that respect, I give it four stars. It does achieve what it was intending, just not what I was wanting.

Having read several reviews of this book prior to purchasing, I was expecting a very useful reference and "how-to" guide to photography with my Pentax K200D. After reading the book cover to cover, it feels like this author/publisher has a template for many cameras, and simply fills in the specifics for your camera, rather than the book being really dedicated to your camera. I did learn several useful bits which were not clear at all in the manual, but I would have learned them on my own using the camera. If you are new to photography, this book may help, as the author does explain fundamentals in clear language. If you have ever used an SLR or DSLR before, you can probably figure it all out reading Pentax's included manual and takings lots of shots while playing with settings.

This is a thorough review of the features of the Pentax K200D SLR camera together with appropriate advice on the use of the camera and accessories. It is compact enough that it can be carried in a camera bag without too much displacement.

Excellent guide for inexperienced or non pro SLR users. Answers questions in a well laid out plan. It works for me.

The book was much more reader friendly than the manual. It had plenty of anectdotal tips and situations. It is most helpful to those folks, like me, who have previous film SLR experience but no serious digital SLR experience.

This Magic Lantern Guide for the Pentax K200D is a little better than the Owners Manual and easier to read. The guide includes many black and white photographs. However if you are only going to buy one book for the Pentax K200D then take a look at David Busch's Pentax K200D Guide, it is an easier to read comprehensive guide suitable for beginners and more advanced photographers and at just a few dollars more is a better buy.

This is a very helpful guide to use with the K200d. It would have benefited greatly had the pictures and illustrations in the book been in color. It is well organized, and I think it acts as a more detailed manual that is better organized than the one that comes with the camera. I would still recommend it.

The book is very informative with a lot of illustrations. If you never used a digital camera before, this book will enlighten you on how to take good pictures.