Which Pentax DSLR?

Hi everyone, I have a K-01 and three Pentax mount lenses. The 35 f2.4, FA50 f1.7 and the new Sigma 17-70 "C" series zoom. My gripe with the K-01 is the same as everyone elses, I can't see the LCD in bright sun.

I have been looking at either the K-30, K-50 or even a K-5ii on that famous auction sight. I know the K-30 is discontinued but is still available for $80 less than the K-50. The K-30 and K-50 seem to be the same camera except for the shell. Should I save the money and buy the obsolete K-30 or is it a bargain considering the electronics seem to be shared with both the K-50, K-5 and K-5ii?

BTW, a new K-5ii is $160 more than the K-50. I think I answered my own question.

rb59020 said:

Hi everyone, I have a K-01 and three Pentax mount lenses. The 35 f2.4, FA50 f1.7 and the new Sigma 17-70 "C" series zoom. My gripe with the K-01 is the same as everyone elses, I can't see the LCD in bright sun.

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Yep.

rb59020 said:

I have been looking at either the K-30, K-50 or even a K-5ii on that famous auction sight.

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I notice you've found out the name of "that famous auction site" is one of the "swear words" one isn't allowed to write here.

rb59020 said:

I know the K-30 is discontinued but is still available for $80 less than the K-50.

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I don't know about Ricoh yet, but the discontinued one might be less likely to get new firmware releases than the one still in production.

rb59020 said:

The K-30 and K-50 seem to be the same camera except for the shell.

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So unless you just like the styling of the '30 better.

Personally I'd go with the '50 for the reason above. New firmware might be worth the extra 80 in the long run.

rb59020 said:

Should I save the money and buy the obsolete K-30 or is it a bargain considering the electronics seem to be shared with both the K-50,K-5 and K-5ii?

BTW, a new K-5ii is $160 more than the K-50. I think I answered my own question.

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Oh? K5II is a great cam.

Cheers.

rb59020 said:

rb59020 wrote:

BTW, a new K-5ii is $160 more than the K-50. I think I answered my own question.

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Yeah, with its price dropped that low, there's hardly any reason to consider any of the others. I expect the old stock of K5 IIs will get cleaned out a lot faster than the K-30s do.

One possible reason to consider the K-30 or K-50 over the K-5II would be for the focus peaking. Other than that, for the little added cost, the K-5II is probably the right choice.

Daryl

My K-30 is excellent in every way I've managed to explore so far and has worked very well for me. If you can get one at very deep discount in the holiday sales you could end up with a whole lot of camera for very little money.

rb59020 said:

Hi everyone, I have a K-01 and three Pentax mount lenses. The 35 f2.4, FA50 f1.7 and the new Sigma 17-70 "C" series zoom. My gripe with the K-01 is the same as everyone elses, I can't see the LCD in bright sun.

I have been looking at either the K-30, K-50 or even a K-5ii on that famous auction sight. I know the K-30 is discontinued but is still available for $80 less than the K-50. The K-30 and K-50 seem to be the same camera except for the shell. Should I save the money and buy the obsolete K-30 or is it a bargain considering the electronics seem to be shared with both the K-50, K-5 and K-5ii?

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I haven't handled either the K30 or K50, but I do know that I just got one of those new deals on a K-5ii and I am a happy camper. Coming from a k100d, a DS, and a K20d, the shutter in the K5ii is quieter than the DOF preview on the other cams. I also like the top lcd, though I'll admit the lcd info is way more helpful than it used to be.

Between the three, I'm not sure there's a bad choice to be made.

Thank's for the input, I bought a black K-30 today on Amazon for $445.00 Next-Day Air Saturday delivery was only $8.99 with Amazon Prime!

sure you'll maybe lose a shot to morie now and then but it brings a level of detail not present in the other bodies. Your glass is not quite going to tickle the max resolving power of this body though the 8-16 is no slouch in real world use.

I would shoot for a Black friday clearance but if you see a body for under $800 before hand BUY it. I agree with others this body will sell out before any of the others.

I'm still shooting the k5 and will for a long while yet but if buying today I would not even hesitate on the K5 IIs then begin building a selection of high end primes to really bring out the strengths of the body.

You might consider the Samyang/Rokinon 14/2.8 as a great value which is sharp wide open. You might even find a Black Friday price of around $250 on that one.

There may well be a lot of BF deals on the FA limiteds as well. A shame they are going to be the MIV (made in Vietnam) versions rather than MIJ but they are still excellent though they do seem to render differently. Of course so do MIJ versions from different periods...it's all about the coatings.

But treat yourself to a top of the line body and then enjoy getting the best out of your glass. A shame we won't see the K3 at $900 anywhere on Black Friday but for my shooting I might prefer the K5IIs if it is around $699. But low light AF of the K3 is very attractive for my needs in the oming year.