Joining the Pentax crowd soon

**HeavyCorPhotography** · 05-05-2015, 02:33 AM

I've been doing the best I can with point and shoot cameras for years now, and recently decided to get into DSLR photography.

About 2 months ago I picked up a used Canon Rebel XS, and it's been good for me to get started, but shortly after I found out about the Pentax K-50.

I had heard about Pentax, but hadn't even considered them when originally searching because I had the average consumer mentality that they weren't a Canon or Nikon so they probably aren't worth it. Shortly after getting my Canon though I started coming upon Pentax reviews. Especially concerning the K-50. And I felt stupid I had passed up on them for their name alone.

I decided to start saving up a bit of extra cash so I could buy a K-50. I figured I would use the Canon until I get a K-50, then sell it for lens money.

My biggest question is consistently, where to buy it from?

I've found a few Amazon places that are around $399 or so for a K-50 with lens kit, and the lowest local price I found is from a certified retailer with the same kit for $499, but they also include $350 in free photography classes with purchase of a new camera. Being new to DSLR photography this does appeal to me.

I've also heard rumors that if I just buy the camera off Amazon there's always the chance I get a refurbished, instead of new, camera. As well as a chance that Pentax won't help in case something goes wrong, since Amazon isn't an approved retailer. (Or things along the lines of that)

I am actually really excited to get the camera, and will get it no matter what. I have the money, but am also waiting until the end of the month, since I decided I'd get it as a birthday present to myself. I just want to know what dangers there are of getting an Amazon or eBay "new" camera, or if I really should just get it from the local camera shop, since I'll have someone close by I can go to, if needed.

Ron_Man · 05-05-2015, 05:55 AM

Here you go:

http://www.microcenter.com/product/438758/K-50_160_Megapixel_Digital_SLR_wit...ash_Bundle_Kit

And an advanced Welcome! Once you go Pentax, you don't go backs!

**Kerrowdown** · 05-05-2015, 06:07 AM

Welcome to the forum, have you tried B&H to see what kind of deals they have got going on.

**TER-OR** · 05-05-2015, 06:34 AM

Welcome aboard!

Always call B&H and Adorama - tell them the guys at the Pentax Forum told you to call for a price check. Sometimes they can sell for less than they can list.

**HeavyCorPhotography** · 05-05-2015, 03:58 PM

Another thing that confuses me. Colored rings. I've seen no color, silver, gold, red, green. I figured no ring is just standard lenses. Green and red might be HD coating? And no idea what silver or gold would be.

**TER-OR** · 05-06-2015, 05:55 AM

Red is the new HD coating. Green was the previous coating.

There's an article here somewhere explaining the colors...gold is the higher-end Star-series zoom lenses, IIRC.

**HeavyCorPhotography** · 05-11-2015, 12:04 PM

So frustrated! XD Was going to pick up my camera today finally! Really excited! Got all ready! Wooooh!

Wait... where are my keys?

Turns out I left them in my jacket, which I left in my wife's car over the weekend. She went to work this morning, and won't be back until right before I have to go to work today, so I have to wait a whole other day before I can get my new K-50! Arrrrrrggggghhhh!!!

Monday is just being a Monday I guess.

Also, found someone who is selling a basically new SMC Pentax DA 50mm F/1.8 lens a few miles from me for only $100. I'm eager to pick that up, but I want to get my camera first so I can test it out before I buy it.

**Kerrowdown** · 05-11-2015, 12:46 PM

Originally posted by HeavyCorPhotography

so I have to wait a whole other day before I can get my new K-50

Absence makes the heart grow fonder... or so they say.

**HeavyCorPhotography** · 05-11-2015, 01:58 PM

Yessss! My wife got home with enough time for me to pick up my camera! I'm almost tempted to call in to work so I can mess around with it, but bills also need to get paid, so I'll have to wait 8 hours until I can enjoy myself. Haha.

Man, I'm excited.

05-05-2015, 02:33 AM	#1
HeavyCorPhotography Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 82	Joining the Pentax crowd soon I've been doing the best I can with point and shoot cameras for years now, and recently decided to get into DSLR photography. About 2 months ago I picked up a used Canon Rebel XS, and it's been good for me to get started, but shortly after I found out about the Pentax K-50. I had heard about Pentax, but hadn't even considered them when originally searching because I had the average consumer mentality that they weren't a Canon or Nikon so they probably aren't worth it. Shortly after getting my Canon though I started coming upon Pentax reviews. Especially concerning the K-50. And I felt stupid I had passed up on them for their name alone. I decided to start saving up a bit of extra cash so I could buy a K-50. I figured I would use the Canon until I get a K-50, then sell it for lens money. My biggest question is consistently, where to buy it from? I've found a few Amazon places that are around $399 or so for a K-50 with lens kit, and the lowest local price I found is from a certified retailer with the same kit for $499, but they also include $350 in free photography classes with purchase of a new camera. Being new to DSLR photography this does appeal to me. I've also heard rumors that if I just buy the camera off Amazon there's always the chance I get a refurbished, instead of new, camera. As well as a chance that Pentax won't help in case something goes wrong, since Amazon isn't an approved retailer. (Or things along the lines of that) I am actually really excited to get the camera, and will get it no matter what. I have the money, but am also waiting until the end of the month, since I decided I'd get it as a birthday present to myself. I just want to know what dangers there are of getting an Amazon or eBay "new" camera, or if I really should just get it from the local camera shop, since I'll have someone close by I can go to, if needed.

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05-05-2015, 05:55 AM	#2
Ron_Man Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: MD Posts: 221	Here you go: http://www.microcenter.com/product/438758/K-50_160_Megapixel_Digital_SLR_wit...ash_Bundle_Kit And an advanced Welcome! Once you go Pentax, you don't go backs!

05-05-2015, 06:07 AM	#3
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,816	Welcome to the forum, have you tried B&H to see what kind of deals they have got going on.

05-05-2015, 06:34 AM	#4
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699	Welcome aboard! Always call B&H and Adorama - tell them the guys at the Pentax Forum told you to call for a price check. Sometimes they can sell for less than they can list.

05-05-2015, 03:58 PM	#5
HeavyCorPhotography Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 82 Original Poster	Another thing that confuses me. Colored rings. I've seen no color, silver, gold, red, green. I figured no ring is just standard lenses. Green and red might be HD coating? And no idea what silver or gold would be.

05-06-2015, 05:55 AM	#6
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699	Red is the new HD coating. Green was the previous coating. There's an article here somewhere explaining the colors...gold is the higher-end Star-series zoom lenses, IIRC.

05-11-2015, 12:04 PM	#7
HeavyCorPhotography Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 82 Original Poster	So frustrated! XD Was going to pick up my camera today finally! Really excited! Got all ready! Wooooh! Wait... where are my keys? Turns out I left them in my jacket, which I left in my wife's car over the weekend. She went to work this morning, and won't be back until right before I have to go to work today, so I have to wait a whole other day before I can get my new K-50! Arrrrrrggggghhhh!!! Monday is just being a Monday I guess. Also, found someone who is selling a basically new SMC Pentax DA 50mm F/1.8 lens a few miles from me for only $100. I'm eager to pick that up, but I want to get my camera first so I can test it out before I buy it.

05-11-2015, 12:46 PM	#8
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,816	Originally posted by HeavyCorPhotography so I have to wait a whole other day before I can get my new K-50 Absence makes the heart grow fonder... or so they say.

05-11-2015, 01:58 PM	#9
HeavyCorPhotography Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 82 Original Poster	Yessss! My wife got home with enough time for me to pick up my camera! I'm almost tempted to call in to work so I can mess around with it, but bills also need to get paid, so I'll have to wait 8 hours until I can enjoy myself. Haha. Man, I'm excited.