Should I stay with Pentax?

zakaria wrote:

Bobkraus09 wrote:

I am in a similar place as the OP, with an aperture control failing K-50, but with only two lenses: DA 18-135 WR (not PLM) and a 55-300 WR with the screw motor. The 18-135 seems pretty decent to me, but the 55-300 is just awful - very slow to focus and very loud. I really like the feel of my K-50, and like using Pentax equipment. So I've taken to heart the suggestions for a K-5 or K-3 model to replace the OP's K-50.

I mostly shoot landscape and travel photos, but want to try out BIF & wildlife photography now that I live in Maine. My sister-in-law is a good wildlife photographer with Canon equipment, and happy to take me out and teach me, and share lenses. So a completely new setup with a Canon R7, RF 18-150 & RF 100-400 is a possible new route for me. I have never bought anything but relatively low end cameras & lenses, so may be time to treat myself.

On the other hand, I really like Pentax. If I were to replace the K-50 with a used K-3ii and added the 50-300 PLM lens, would I have a decent BIF setup? The better AF performance from the R7 would help my limited skills. But the Pentax camera and lenses would be weatherproof. And 400mm reach would be better than 300mm...

Could I be happy with a K3ii and 55-300 PLM for BIF/wildlife - or is this a bit of wishful thinking?

Thanks,

Bob

Hi Bob Canon R 7 is a modern mirrorless camera has the 2022 technology but k5 or k3ii are from ten years ago technology. If you are in birding photography and like what Pentax offers i recommend k3iii. It is the best Pentax camera regarding AF. Lenses for birding?

I think 55-300 is not the ideal lens .may be da 150-450 is your choice.

Honestly it depends: if you intend to track small birds flying fast, the PLM will be (much) better.

If your thing is big and not so fast birds in flight, and/or mostly static birds on a branch, then the DFA will be faster aperture and better IQ wide open.

And for one who is completely new to wildlife and bif, the 55-300 is a cheaper entry ticket to this world, and is flexible enough to be used on other subjects thanks to it reaching 55mm wide.

I see those lenses as complementary (waiting for the 70-300 ?).