Pentax, at long last...?

I've been doing a bunch of research over the past few months, and have come up with the following (after several posts on here):

1. I can afford $500, give or take.

2. I like not only to take good pictures, but like to experiment.

3. I'd like to stick with dSLRs in order to have maximum "messing" capability.

I looked at Olympus, Canon, Nikon, etc., and finally considered Pentax.

Out of all of them, as Pentax has the best "back compatibility" with lenses (or seems to), and has a decent bang for the bank buck, I am looking at (priced used, with lenses):

• The k-r, roughly $200 - $400;
• The K-5 / K-5 II, roughly $250 - $500;
• The K-50, roughly $400 - $700;
• The K-3, roughly $500, and up

Am I missing anything here? Other than price and megapixel, is there any reason to favor one over another...?


Thanks!

--Jonathan

you will get a ton of replies. The k5 II is the one to get. Don't look for the less expensive one but look for one with a fairly low shutter count.

JAWats said:

The K-5 / K-5 II, roughly $250 - $500;

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Get a low shutter count used K-5ii , it is much better than the plain K-5 and spend the leftover cash on a good lens.

Couldn't agree more. Mine ( bought refurbished about 5 years ago) is still my go to DSLR and I feel no need to replace it. The K-5IIS is a true classic.

I used to upgrade often; until I got the K-5IIs which I have for a few years now. I don't have the urge to buy the K-3II.

The K-5IIs is indeed a fine camera.

Don't get the K-5. The lens release button of mine dropped off.

Another vote for the K5IIs, it really hits the sweet spot. Try to fit at least one prime into your budget so you can taste the full potential of the body. The * zooms and the 20-40 ltd. are strong as well, but likely over budget.

JAWats said:

I've been doing a bunch of research over the past few months, and have come up with the following (after several posts on here):

1. I can afford $500, give or take.

2. I like not only to take good pictures, but like to experiment.

3. I'd like to stick with dSLRs in order to have maximum "messing" capability.

I looked at Olympus, Canon, Nikon, etc., and finally considered Pentax.

Out of all of them, as Pentax has the best "back compatibility" with lenses (or seems to), and has a decent bang for the bank buck, I am looking at (priced used, with lenses):

• The k-r, roughly $200 - $400;
• The K-5 / K-5 II, roughly $250 - $500;
• The K-50, roughly $400 - $700;
• The K-3, roughly $500, and up

Am I missing anything here? Other than price and megapixel, is there any reason to favor one over another...?

Click to expand...

The K-50 has a history of shutter failure. The K-50 and especially the K-r, are lower spec'd bodies than the other (semi-pro) bodies in your short list. Shooting manual focus lenses with the small K-r pentamirror would be a definite compromise.

The K-r and K-5 have severe focus accuracy problems in low and coloured light, e.g tungsten/incandescent. The major reason for the K-5 II update was to provide improved AF, which it did. The K-5 IIs eliminated the blur filter, which increased sharpness but with a potential for moire.

The K-3 added more sophisticated continuous auto-focus for action shots, along with dual card slots and more megapixels. I believe the selectable blur filter remains a feature exclusive to Pentax. Per DXOMark, high ISO shooting is virtually equal between all the choices you listed except for the K-r, which has poorer noise performance.

Internally, the K-5 II gets only a few updates, including a new air-gapless LCD and an improved autofocus system; the latter of which Pentax claims to offer a noticeable improvement in AF speed overall, and greater sensitivity in low light. https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentax-k-5-ii-k-5-ii-s

At first glance, the K-3 may look like the K-5 II with a higher resolution sensor, but that's far from the whole story. Ricoh has improved upon the K-5 II in every way, with special attention given to video recording. On the photo side, there's the new sensor (probably from Sony), improved autofocus and metering systems, larger optical viewfinder and LCD, and of course, the selectable AA filter. Performance-wise, the K-3 shoots at 8.3 fps, up from 7.0 fps on the K-5 II. https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentax-k-3

I strongly recommend you select the K-5 II, K-5 IIs or K-3. My choice would be the K-3 for the features it has over and above previous bodies, but also because it is the only body listed that will work with the new PLM lens technology (electromagnetic diaphragm control). So far only the PLM lens is the amazing little HD DA 55-300mm, but more are on the way.

--
Dan

I recommend the K-5 IIs. It is very capable and is still used by a large number of photographers because it just works so well.

Another vote for K-5IIs. Just a freaking excellent camera.

bkpix said:

Another vote for K-5IIs. Just a freaking excellent camera.

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And another vote for the K5iis, definitely not selling mine

David.

While I understand owners of the K5's love their cameras if you can get a K3 it is the more recent and better camera.

Cheers

Brett

Plakanina said:

you will get a ton of replies. The k5 II is the one to get. Don't look for the less expensive one but look for one with a fairly low shutter count.

Click to expand...

The K-5II (K-5 IIs, unless you shoot moire-prone subjects) is a fine camera. And yes, it has to be the K-5II(s) and not the K-5.

One thing to keep in mind, though: it's not compatible with KAF4 lenses. Don't count on any future Pentax lens working on it (and the existing 55-300 RE PLM is out, too).

Alex

Hello JAWats

I am a K5 user, my points are:

- K5/ K3 series are very quite cameras when you release the shutter.

- K5 or K5 II or K5 IIs:

the AF module did changed: the K5 II and IIs use a f2.8 centre AF point.

the K5 IIs do not have a AA filter

Now with this f2.8 AF centre point you can still focus in dim light, meanwhile my K5 do give up.

I loan a K5 II for such situations, like this:

For that this f2.8 AF advantage centre point works so well in dim light, you must use a fast lens with min. f2.8 or faster, with slower lens this sensor act like a normal one.



Ok , I did not focus to the dark centre here. For a picture like this, I must focus with the centre focus point and recompose (quickly) for the picture, or I centre my subject and decentre it via a crop

- the K3 has also f2.8 AF points...look at the spec. of each camera.

- the K3 use no AA-filter, but can simulate one.

best regards KPM2

The K3 ............

..........I sold mine for less that $500!

JAWats said:

I've been doing a bunch of research over the past few months, and have come up with the following (after several posts on here):

1. I can afford $500, give or take.

2. I like not only to take good pictures, but like to experiment.

3. I'd like to stick with dSLRs in order to have maximum "messing" capability.

I looked at Olympus, Canon, Nikon, etc., and finally considered Pentax.

Out of all of them, as Pentax has the best "back compatibility" with lenses (or seems to), and has a decent bang for the bank buck, I am looking at (priced used, with lenses):

• The k-r, roughly $200 - $400;
• The K-5 / K-5 II, roughly $250 - $500;
• The K-50, roughly $400 - $700;
• The K-3, roughly $500, and up

Am I missing anything here? Other than price and megapixel, is there any reason to favor one over another...?

Thanks!

--Jonathan

Click to expand...

Jonathan,

I could say the same thing, that "I like not only to take good pictures, but like to experiment." As a consequence I acquired a lot of Olympus DSLRs & lenses & then when Olympus quit making DSLRs switched to Pentax. I tried a lot of the lesser (2nd & 3rd tier) cameras in my Olympus days, but when I switched to Pentax I've mostly stuck to top tier cameras, and presently prefer my K5iis, K3 and K3ii.

I've taken my K5iis on my last two hikes with the FA 35 f/2.0 mm lens on one and the 43 & 70 mm lenses on the last one.

I expect I'll buy the next Pentax flagship APSC camera if it becomes available in the next few months. If not I'll probably buy the Full Frame K1. I've accumulated a lot of very good FA (full-frame) lenses that also work well on the APSC. The FA35 f/2.0 is an excellent example. I used it on my K5iis on November 15 with excellent results.

The K5iis, K3, or K3ii would all be good choices that (if you get one in good condition with under 5,000 shutter clicks on it) will most likely last you through all of your experimentation.

Then when you are considering an old lens, come back. You will get tons of advice.

Good luck,

Lawrence

K-5IIs: built like a tank, handles like a dream, superb sensor.

Don't bother with any of the K-30/50/S1/S2 cameras at all. Even though they are great cameras with a ton of features that you can't get from Nikon or Canon at a similar price point, there's a 50% chance that they will develop the dreaded aperture motor failure issue. It's more common in the K-30/50 bodies. My black K-50 developed the issue & I personally opened it & fixed it by replacing the whole aperture unit. My red K-50 is still going, but who knows for how long...

Just head straight for the K-5/5II/5IIs/3/3II instead. The K-5II/5IIs has better AF than the K-5 & the K-3/3II has better AF than the K-5II/5IIs.

If you can wait a bit more, chances are that you can get a new K-70 for about +-$500 around the holidays or maybe for about $600 bundled with a decent lens. If you save some more money, you can get a brand new K-3II body with a grip from B&H for about $845. It might drop some more or might get some kind of lens bundled with it this holiday. There will definitely be some decent sales and/or incentives since everyone else is competing to sell their cameras too.

Historicity said:

Jonathan,

I could say the same thing, that "I like not only to take good pictures, but like to experiment." As a consequence I acquired a lot of Olympus DSLRs & lenses & then when Olympus quit making DSLRs switched to Pentax. I tried a lot of the lesser (2nd & 3rd tier) cameras in my Olympus days, but when I switched to Pentax I've mostly stuck to top tier cameras, and presently prefer my K5iis, K3 and K3ii.

I've taken my K5iis on my last two hikes with the FA 35 f/2.0 mm lens on one and the 43 & 70 mm lenses on the last one.

I expect I'll buy the next Pentax flagship APSC camera if it becomes available in the next few months. If not I'll probably buy the Full Frame K1. I've accumulated a lot of very good FA (full-frame) lenses that also work well on the APSC. The FA35 f/2.0 is an excellent example. I used it on my K5iis on November 15 with excellent results.

The K5iis, K3, or K3ii would all be good choices that (if you get one in good condition with under 5,000 shutter clicks on it) will most likely last you through all of your experimentation.

Then when you are considering an old lens, come back. You will get tons of advice.

Good luck,

Lawrence

Click to expand...

Lawrence,

Thank you! Now that you mention it, I've been looking at one of these two lenses to go with it:

Pentax DA 50-200mm f/4.0-5.6 ED Lens - https://www.amazon.com/Pentax-50-200mm-4-5-6-Samsung-Cameras/dp/B0009OAFI4

Tamron LD A17 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 LD AF Di Lens - http://lenstests.com/reviews/tamron-af-70-300mm-f4-5.6-di-ld-macro-1-2

The Squirrel Mafia said:

Don't bother with any of the K-30/50/S1/S2 cameras at all. Even though they are great cameras with a ton of features that you can't get from Nikon or Canon at a similar price point, there's a 50% chance that they will develop the dreaded aperture motor failure issue. It's more common in the K-30/50 bodies.

Click to expand...

I have not heard of the K-S1 or K-S2 having aperture failures. Are you sure about this?

JAWats said:

JAWats said:

Jonathan,

I could say the same thing, that "I like not only to take good pictures, but like to experiment." As a consequence I acquired a lot of Olympus DSLRs & lenses & then when Olympus quit making DSLRs switched to Pentax. I tried a lot of the lesser (2nd & 3rd tier) cameras in my Olympus days, but when I switched to Pentax I've mostly stuck to top tier cameras, and presently prefer my K5iis, K3 and K3ii.

I've taken my K5iis on my last two hikes with the FA 35 f/2.0 mm lens on one and the 43 & 70 mm lenses on the last one.

I expect I'll buy the next Pentax flagship APSC camera if it becomes available in the next few months. If not I'll probably buy the Full Frame K1. I've accumulated a lot of very good FA (full-frame) lenses that also work well on the APSC. The FA35 f/2.0 is an excellent example. I used it on my K5iis on November 15 with excellent results.

The K5iis, K3, or K3ii would all be good choices that (if you get one in good condition with under 5,000 shutter clicks on it) will most likely last you through all of your experimentation.

Then when you are considering an old lens, come back. You will get tons of advice.

Good luck,

Lawrence

Click to expand...

Lawrence,

Thank you! Now that you mention it, I've been looking at one of these two lenses to go with it:

Pentax DA 50-200mm f/4.0-5.6 ED Lens - https://www.amazon.com/Pentax-50-200mm-4-5-6-Samsung-Cameras/dp/B0009OAFI4

Tamron LD A17 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 LD AF Di Lens - http://lenstests.com/reviews/tamron-af-70-300mm-f4-5.6-di-ld-macro-1-2

Click to expand...

Photo zone has a reputation for tough tests: http://www.photozone.de/pentax

Scroll down and check the test for the DA 50-200. Go to the conclusion and you will see that Photozone considers this a very poor lens. I don't agree with Photozone on everything, but I had this lens and kept trying to find its "sweet spot" (which some Pentax users said was there) and never managed; so I ended up giving the lens to my son. In short, I didn't like it.

You can also find your Tamron 70-300 on the photozone site. They like it better than they did the 50-200 but it sounds as though they think it surprisingly good for such a low price. I never got this lens.

Another site you should become familiar with is the Pentax forums test (test by users) site. Here is the location of the test for the Tamron 70-300: https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/tamron-70-300mm-f4-5-6-af-di-ld-macro.html There is frequent mention that it is pretty good for such a cheap lens. A couple of users thought it under-rated.

But probably few Pentax users today would buy the Tamron 70-300 because Pentax has come out with a very fine lens, and there are three versions. It is the 55-300. The first, using a lot of plastic was very cheap, but the optics were just as good as the next version which was better built and is WR (Weather Resistant). I have this later version. The Third version has a PLM which is a pulse motor to speed up focusing. It will work on my K3, K3ii and K70 but will not work on older cameras, including K5iis.

And so you can find a lot of the earlier versions of the 55-300 on eBay for fairly good prices, and the 55-300 would be a much better lens (in any version) than the Tamron 70-300.

But you should get some other opinions. A lot of people on this forum know a lot more than I do about this stuff.

Lawrence