Should I stay with Pentax?

Your limit of $1500 rules out most options. At least buying new cameras.

Your simplest choice would be to get a used K5 II or K3 II.

NOTE that only Pentax has a future in DSLR. So, if it is DSLR you want, stick with Pentax. But ... be prepared that new Pentax cameras probably are going to be EXPENSIVE!

And ... getting used and cheap MILC cameras from Canon and Nikon is maybe not easy yet. I guess.

Adam Rich wrote:

Pentax is the only brand of DSLR I have ever had. I own a K100D, K-x, and a K50. Unfortunately, the K50 is dying the sad slow solenoid death, and I am debating on what to do next. I only have a handful of non-kit lenses, the Sigma 170-500mm and a Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8. I have been debating whether I should move to another camera system or stay with Pentax. I need to make a decision fairly soon as I am taking a big trip over thanksgiving and would like to have a good camera. I really don't have the money to spend much more than $1500. I thought I could possibly get a used K3 Mark III, or I could jump into another system's basic camera with a kit lens or two. But I figured I would ask you guys that have way more experience with these cameras than I do what you feel is the best way to go.

It depends on what you intend to shoot and at what quality, for me I still find K-x good though i sometimes use k-50.

if you need to change then a F Frame camera like used K1 is a good option for your lenses.

Roland Karlsson wrote:

Your limit of $1500 rules out most options. At least buying new cameras.

Your simplest choice would be to get a used K5 II or K3 II.

NOTE that only Pentax has a future in DSLR. So, if it is DSLR you want, stick with Pentax. But ... be prepared that new Pentax cameras probably are going to be EXPENSIVE!

And ... getting used and cheap MILC cameras from Canon and Nikon is maybe not easy yet. I guess.

Just to clarify.

I would NOT switch to a used Canon or Nikon DSLR today. That is a dead end.

Adam Rich wrote:

Pentax is the only brand of DSLR I have ever had. I own a K100D, K-x, and a K50. Unfortunately, the K50 is dying the sad slow solenoid death, and I am debating on what to do next. I only have a handful of non-kit lenses, the Sigma 170-500mm and a Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8. I have been debating whether I should move to another camera system or stay with Pentax. I need to make a decision fairly soon as I am taking a big trip over thanksgiving and would like to have a good camera. I really don't have the money to spend much more than $1500. I thought I could possibly get a used K3 Mark III, or I could jump into another system's basic camera with a kit lens or two. But I figured I would ask you guys that have way more experience with these cameras than I do what you feel is the best way to go.

Here's an out of the box idea .

Have you considered a Pentax film body ? The MZ-S was the last , and arguably best film body they made ( I can speak to this as I had one for a while ) . I thought long and hard about keeping that camera , or my last LX , in the end I kept the LX because it had been one  of my main tools for over 20 years and I was more attached to it .

It is a modern AF body which will work with your lenses and supports P-TTL flash ; there is also an optional grip which takes additional batteries and has controls for portrait aspect shooting - this grip is an ergonomic delight as the camera is just perfectly sculpted to fit in your hand .

I don't think I'm allowed to link to eBay on here , but I just looked and these cameras , typically mint examples from Japan , are selling for between £200 and £300 .

Get one of these to be going on with , and a load of film - and enjoy your trip .

You can decide on another digital body later , and will probably always keep the film body to use alongside whatever else you have .

You will never lose money on it - values of these will only go up over time .

Roland Karlsson wrote:

Your limit of $1500 rules out most options. At least buying new cameras.

Depending on how firm that limit is, of course. The US Ricoh site is currently listing a new K-3iii (w/o lens) at $1599, and open-box or refurbished copies for less.

bob5050 wrote:

Roland Karlsson wrote:

Your limit of $1500 rules out most options. At least buying new cameras.

Depending on how firm that limit is, of course. The US Ricoh site is currently listing a new K-3iii (w/o lens) at $1599, and open-box or refurbished copies for less.

That is one (1) option. I said it ruled out most options, and it does.

But getting a K-3 III is an option.

The Pentax KF would be a great buy on special.

The Panasonics S5 full frame was just on special body kit lens, plus 85mm f1.8 for Aud 2600. The S5 mk2  is coming out soon. So you may get more deals in the future to get rid of old stock. Buy both, you only live once.