Wat camera to start with

[jimbojim]

Thinking about buying later this year a Pentax camera, mainly for weather seals on the camera.

I know I want 18-135 mm lens, hopefully good walk around ( general use ) lens. What are some ideas about not too expensive camera bodies.

Thanks in advance

 

[GPGeneralPhoto]

K50 should be a very good start for you. It is a WR camera. The 18-135mm is a good walk-around lens, it is also WR and sharper than the 18-55mm.

--
I'm thankful to still be able to...

 

[TomWret]

Jim, Adorama has the K-2S for $495.95. From what I have heard its an excellent camera.

Tom W(ret)

 

[ozdean]

K50

 

[Tatouzou]

The K-50 is the best buy for your bucks. I have the K30, previous model but inside it is the same camera, and it is a very good one, with all important features you need, wether it will be your first DSLR or you are already an advanced shooter.

K50 is at bargain price to make room for the newer K-S2, which offers a more recent sensor, with a few more pixels, a more recent and more powerful processor, a swivel back lcd and in-camera wifi.

K-S2 also has no lowpass antimoire AA filter, it being replaced by a commutable special vibration of the sensor to emulate the lowpass filter. This technology improves the sharpness, but it will only be noticeable when using high end very sharp lenses.

But if you dont need theses features, the K50 is in the same league as the K-S2. Its 16 MP Sony sensor is considered as one of the best Sony ever made, it scores almost the same as the K-S2 or the flagship K3 in DXO-marks.

The K3 is the flagship professional camera, thus better all metal built, rugged, silent, better ergonomy, much sharper sensor, fast burst and other pro features, but also heavier and more expensive; there are two models, almost identical, K3 and K3-II. In the K3-II, the built in flash has been replaced by a built in GPS with astrotracer function (that allows to track the stars for astrophotography), and an exclusive "pixel shift" feature has also ben introduced, that improves the IQ when shooting static scenes using a tripod.

IMO whatever camera you buy among K50, K-S2 or K3 should fulfill your expectations.

I have the DA 18-135, IMO it is the most convenient kit zoom, as you may face most shooting situations with this only one lens except extreme WA or extreme telephoto.

Though you can check my gear list is abundant, wether zooms or primes, the 18-135 is my favorite for travel or when I dont want to change lenses.

Though there are better lenses optimized for different situations, in which they will perform better, the DA 18-135 IQ is good enough to deliver very good pictures across its focal range.

--
Tatouzou,
https://www.flickr.com/photos/70066783@N06/

 

[The Squirrel Mafia]

If you look on Amazon, you'll find the K-50 with the 18-135 for dirt cheap. B&H & Adorama also have pretty decent deals as well.

The K-S2 is about +-$160 more for that same combo. It's about -+$300 more for the

K-3 & 18-135 combo.

 

[AviPro]

I would recommend the K5ii that I own. It is available at quite discounted rates and is just a step below K3. Takes great pics and you will find all the features of a pro camera.

 

[Holger Bargen]

Jim, Adorama has the K-2S for $495.95. From what I have heard its an excellent camera.

I own the K-S1 and I like the sensor and what Pentax made of it.

K-S2 has same sensor and is water sealed - so I would go with K-S2.

I would also have a look at the price of the cameras in your country. Here in Germany the old models - if they are available at all - like K50 or K5IIs are in a price league near K3. This does not make any sense. If I would have the money I would take K3 - or the K-S2 as for this camera the price is lower compared to the other ones.

Tom W(ret)

--
...a bad picture is like a missed putt, it's never your fault.
http://photographybythomaswhitehurst.zenfolio.com

 

[GossCTP]

Thinking about buying later this year a Pentax camera, mainly for weather seals on the camera.

I know I want 18-135 mm lens, hopefully good walk around ( general use ) lens. What are some ideas about not too expensive camera bodies.

Although deals come and go, I have seen some pretty good ones on the K50 bundled with the 18-135. That will likely be your best bang for the buck if you are buying new. If you are looking for advice on used bodies, keep in mind that not all Pentax models are weather sealed.

Thanks in advance

 

[photoramone]

The K-50 is the best buy for your bucks. I have the K30, previous model but inside it is the same camera, and it is a very good one, with all important features you need, wether it will be your first DSLR or you are already an advanced shooter.

K50 is at bargain price to make room for the newer K-S2, which offers a more recent sensor, with a few more pixels, a more recent and more powerful processor, a swivel back lcd and in-camera wifi.

K-S2 also has no lowpass antimoire AA filter, it being replaced by a commutable special vibration of the sensor to emulate the lowpass filter. This technology improves the sharpness, but it will only be noticeable when using high end very sharp lenses.

But if you dont need theses features, the K50 is in the same league as the K-S2. Its 16 MP Sony sensor is considered as one of the best Sony ever made, it scores almost the same as the K-S2 or the flagship K3 in DXO-marks.

The K3 is the flagship professional camera, thus better all metal built, rugged, silent, better ergonomy, much sharper sensor, fast burst and other pro features, but also heavier and more expensive; there are two models, almost identical, K3 and K3-II. In the K3-II, the built in flash has been replaced by a built in GPS with astrotracer function (that allows to track the stars for astrophotography), and an exclusive "pixel shift" feature has also ben introduced, that improves the IQ when shooting static scenes using a tripod.

IMO whatever camera you buy among K50, K-S2 or K3 should fulfill your expectations.

I have the DA 18-135, IMO it is the most convenient kit zoom, as you may face most shooting situations with this only one lens except extreme WA or extreme telephoto.

Though you can check my gear list is abundant, wether zooms or primes, the 18-135 is my favorite for travel or when I dont want to change lenses.

Though there are better lenses optimized for different situations, in which they will perform better, the DA 18-135 IQ is good enough to deliver very good pictures across its focal range.

 

[zakaria]

Thinking about buying later this year a Pentax camera, mainly for weather seals on the camera.

I know I want 18-135 mm lens, hopefully good walk around ( general use ) lens. What are some ideas about not too expensive camera bodies.

Thanks in advance

 

[ronniemac]

The K-S2, trust me.

If you don't look up this article starting here

 

[GPGeneralPhoto]

The K-S2, trust me.

If you don't look up this article starting here

I would miss the wired remote. How does one do a catch-in-focus with an IR remote?

 

[ronniemac]

The K-S2, trust me.

If you don't look up this article starting here

I would miss the wired remote. How does one do a catch-in-focus with an IR remote?

 

[GPGeneralPhoto]

The K-S2, trust me.

If you don't look up this article starting here

I would miss the wired remote. How does one do a catch-in-focus with an IR remote?