Help me spend $1000

donalson · 01-10-2011, 07:19 PM

i'm in about the same situation as you... I'm on a k10d, had it for about a year and i've found it's limits and want to upgrade... I played with some nikon and canons that I wouldn't feel like I was moving down from (aka not entry level)...

so the question is do I want to continue to invest in pentax, or sell off and buy into another system.

for some reason I keep 2nd guessing myself on the choice... either way... i LOVE how the k10d feels in my hands... but I know the newer bodies got a lot smaller :-/... but just looking at how good the new bodies stack up it makes it even more difficult decision...

anyway... may consider the sigma 17-70 2.8-4 macro... no need for the OS that it comes with but it's fast at the wide end... could use it as a fixed 4 if you wanted... it doesn't drop TO quickly so you have a little flexibility

but in the comparisons the 17-50 2.8 tamron looks awesome...

options options... :-/

schmik · 01-10-2011, 08:09 PM

The best bet is to look at photos taken by the lenses you are considering to buy. Search here and on flikr.

I have a A50.17 and a M501.4 in my drawer. I have barely used them since i got the 40. BUT that may be due to not being auto focus.

Being wider lenses, you can get away slower shutter speeds.

twitch · 01-10-2011, 08:38 PM

Originally posted by schmik

I have a A50.17 and a M501.4 in my drawer. I have barely used them since i got the 40. BUT that may be due to not being auto focus.
.

I've read this exact thing a number of times here

Frogfish · 01-10-2011, 08:41 PM

Originally posted by Frogfish

OR ......

Option #3 - Sell the 20d and buy a Kx kit with the new WR 18-55 (for ca. US$100+ is great value) and a DA (L) 55-300. Keep your Sigma 17-70 which gets a new lease of life with your Kx sensor then sell it later when you've saved enough for a DA70, the FA 50/1.4 gives you superb coverage at low light too with the Kx.

Oops sorry you have a 10d not 20d. In that case it's getting rather long in the tooth (though still a good camera) and I'd go for Option 3 that I mentioned above. The Kx will do far far more for you than just adding new lenses.

You'll have plenty $$$ left over and after using your 17-70 with it for a month or two can then decide if you then want to go for the Sigma 10-20 and/or Tamron 28-75 as your next lense. Good luck and let us know what you decide and how you are liking your new set up !

donalson · 01-10-2011, 09:12 PM

Originally posted by Frogfish

Oops sorry you have a 10d not 20d. In that case it's getting rather long in the tooth (though still a good camera) and I'd go for Option 3 that I mentioned above. The Kx will do far far more for you than just adding new lenses.

in that case he could sell the k10d and pick up a a used k-7 for about the same as getting the kx... (something i've thought about myself) (and the k-r is $150 more but doesn't use AA so that would be worth the extra bit over the kx imho)

again options options...

Frogfish · 01-10-2011, 09:19 PM

Originally posted by donalson

in that case he could sell the k10d and pick up a a used k-7 for about the same as getting the kx... (something i've thought about myself) (and the k-r is $150 more but doesn't use AA so that would be worth the extra bit over the kx imho)

again options options...

I have had a K7 for a year and loved it (and now have the K5 too) but for his uses the Kx is a much better bet. Newer and better sensor than the K7 would give a new lease of life to his Sigma 17-70 at low light levels (indoors with children). IMHO.

There seems to be a much bigger difference in pricing for a Kx with 2 kit lenses against a Kr with the same than just US$150 .. or am I wrong ?

lavascript · 01-10-2011, 10:02 PM

Daggummit! Now you have me looking at a K-x, which was previously totally off my radar. I actually looked into the K-x a while back:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-dslr-discussion/93116-upgrade-k10d-k-x.html

Going back and re-reading that post, I think I really could be ok with the limitations. An acquaintance of mine has a K-x, I might see if we could trade cameras for a week or something.

donalson · 01-10-2011, 10:16 PM

ya the higher ISO would be nice... (and I've considered it also)...

prices at adorama...
KX w/ 18-55 kit and 50-200 kit = $579 (dang good price)
$460 for just the body and 18-55 (colors only)

KR body only is $650 with the 18-55 and the 50-200 its $790

if the kit long lens would do me i'd consider the kx kit (nearly $200 might be worth dealing with NImH AA's lol)

I do wonder how long before used K5 prices drop to the used k7 prices... hmm

paperbag846 · 01-10-2011, 10:28 PM

Just buy the K-X (no kit) with the Tamron 28-75 for all sorts of low-light portrait fun.

Add the DA 12-24 or DA 15 for spice, eventually.

lavascript · 01-10-2011, 10:37 PM

I'm now thinking of trying to save for a K-r... AF assist lamp, 6fps, ISO25600, Li-Ion battery, VF AF points, ...

I wonder if I could get $300 for a K10D with 25K actuations...

donalson · 01-10-2011, 10:45 PM

this is fun to play with... it's only numbers... but still fun

DxOMark - Compare sensors

for some reason I expected the 1600 and up to be a LOT less noisy then the k10d... doesn't look that way... seems 1 more stop (3200) on the kx puts you just as noisy as the k10d... so I suppose 1600 would be usable.

still has me thinking on what to do (as i'm sure it does with the OP)... not easy in a market with such quick change, so many options, and so much information...

paperbag846 · 01-10-2011, 10:46 PM

Originally posted by lavascript

I'm now thinking of trying to save for a K-r.

Don't invest in cameras, they don't hold their value.

My advice would be to use that K10d till it breaks. If you must upgrade, do the KX because it is pretty cheap and performs really well.

Investing in high ISO is like buying the fastest CPU on the market... enjoy it while it lasts... because it won't last long.

donalson · 01-10-2011, 10:51 PM

Originally posted by lavascript

I'm now thinking of trying to save for a K-r... AF assist lamp, 6fps, ISO25600, Li-Ion battery, VF AF points, ...

I wonder if I could get $300 for a K10D with 25K actuations...

CL might do it for you with a kit lens... maybe more

**jeffshaddix** · 01-10-2011, 10:56 PM

Ha you've had lots of suggestions!

Here's another approach...I just had the opportunity to spend $700 on gear. The priorities I used were:

1. Rare finds at good prices that are long term keepers.
2. Most immediately useful
3. Nice to have, but not "needed"

Using these priorities I ended up sorting my lens "wish list" as such:
1. Tokina 90mm f2.5 Macro and Voigtlander 58mm f1.4
2. DA 18-135mm DC WR
3. DA 35mm f2.8 Macro, DA 55-300mm, Sigma 10-20mm f3.5

I ended up purchasing the 2 with "top priority" and have no regrets.

All this to say, you should make a list of priorities like this so you know how to move forward. Only you can make this list, that way after your purchases you can be confident that you made headway on your personal priority list.

donalson · 01-10-2011, 11:02 PM

just to add more fuel to the fire... a good flash system will go a lot further than a fast lens... you say you have a lot of lighting stuff.. what kind of stuff do you have?...

like paperbag846 said... ISO is like the CPU mhz wars... prob why we are shooting a few generation old cameras (and i'm typing this on a few generations old processor computer haha)

01-10-2011, 10:46 PM	#27
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	Originally posted by lavascript I'm now thinking of trying to save for a K-r. Don't invest in cameras, they don't hold their value. My advice would be to use that K10d till it breaks. If you must upgrade, do the KX because it is pretty cheap and performs really well. Investing in high ISO is like buying the fastest CPU on the market... enjoy it while it lasts... because it won't last long. Last edited by paperbag846; 01-10-2011 at 10:52 PM.

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01-10-2011, 07:19 PM	#16
donalson Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Milton, FL Posts: 30	i'm in about the same situation as you... I'm on a k10d, had it for about a year and i've found it's limits and want to upgrade... I played with some nikon and canons that I wouldn't feel like I was moving down from (aka not entry level)... so the question is do I want to continue to invest in pentax, or sell off and buy into another system. for some reason I keep 2nd guessing myself on the choice... either way... i LOVE how the k10d feels in my hands... but I know the newer bodies got a lot smaller :-/... but just looking at how good the new bodies stack up it makes it even more difficult decision... anyway... may consider the sigma 17-70 2.8-4 macro... no need for the OS that it comes with but it's fast at the wide end... could use it as a fixed 4 if you wanted... it doesn't drop TO quickly so you have a little flexibility but in the comparisons the 17-50 2.8 tamron looks awesome... options options... :-/

01-10-2011, 08:09 PM	#17
schmik Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sydney Aus Photos: Gallery Posts: 527	The best bet is to look at photos taken by the lenses you are considering to buy. Search here and on flikr. I have a A50.17 and a M501.4 in my drawer. I have barely used them since i got the 40. BUT that may be due to not being auto focus. Being wider lenses, you can get away slower shutter speeds.

01-10-2011, 08:38 PM	#18
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	Originally posted by schmik I have a A50.17 and a M501.4 in my drawer. I have barely used them since i got the 40. BUT that may be due to not being auto focus. . I've read this exact thing a number of times here

01-10-2011, 08:41 PM	#19
Frogfish Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shanghai Posts: 4,490	Originally posted by Frogfish OR ...... Option #3 - Sell the 20d and buy a Kx kit with the new WR 18-55 (for ca. US$100+ is great value) and a DA (L) 55-300. Keep your Sigma 17-70 which gets a new lease of life with your Kx sensor then sell it later when you've saved enough for a DA70, the FA 50/1.4 gives you superb coverage at low light too with the Kx. Oops sorry you have a 10d not 20d. In that case it's getting rather long in the tooth (though still a good camera) and I'd go for Option 3 that I mentioned above. The Kx will do far far more for you than just adding new lenses. You'll have plenty $$$ left over and after using your 17-70 with it for a month or two can then decide if you then want to go for the Sigma 10-20 and/or Tamron 28-75 as your next lense. Good luck and let us know what you decide and how you are liking your new set up !

01-10-2011, 09:12 PM	#20
donalson Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Milton, FL Posts: 30	Originally posted by Frogfish Oops sorry you have a 10d not 20d. In that case it's getting rather long in the tooth (though still a good camera) and I'd go for Option 3 that I mentioned above. The Kx will do far far more for you than just adding new lenses. in that case he could sell the k10d and pick up a a used k-7 for about the same as getting the kx... (something i've thought about myself) (and the k-r is $150 more but doesn't use AA so that would be worth the extra bit over the kx imho) again options options...

01-10-2011, 09:19 PM	#21
Frogfish Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shanghai Posts: 4,490	Originally posted by donalson in that case he could sell the k10d and pick up a a used k-7 for about the same as getting the kx... (something i've thought about myself) (and the k-r is $150 more but doesn't use AA so that would be worth the extra bit over the kx imho) again options options... I have had a K7 for a year and loved it (and now have the K5 too) but for his uses the Kx is a much better bet. Newer and better sensor than the K7 would give a new lease of life to his Sigma 17-70 at low light levels (indoors with children). IMHO. There seems to be a much bigger difference in pricing for a Kx with 2 kit lenses against a Kr with the same than just US$150 .. or am I wrong ?

01-10-2011, 10:02 PM	#22
lavascript Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Baton Rouge Posts: 396 Original Poster	Daggummit! Now you have me looking at a K-x, which was previously totally off my radar. I actually looked into the K-x a while back: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-dslr-discussion/93116-upgrade-k10d-k-x.html Going back and re-reading that post, I think I really could be ok with the limitations. An acquaintance of mine has a K-x, I might see if we could trade cameras for a week or something.

01-10-2011, 10:16 PM	#23
donalson Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Milton, FL Posts: 30	ya the higher ISO would be nice... (and I've considered it also)... prices at adorama... KX w/ 18-55 kit and 50-200 kit = $579 (dang good price) $460 for just the body and 18-55 (colors only) KR body only is $650 with the 18-55 and the 50-200 its $790 if the kit long lens would do me i'd consider the kx kit (nearly $200 might be worth dealing with NImH AA's lol) I do wonder how long before used K5 prices drop to the used k7 prices... hmm

01-10-2011, 10:28 PM	#24
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	Just buy the K-X (no kit) with the Tamron 28-75 for all sorts of low-light portrait fun. Add the DA 12-24 or DA 15 for spice, eventually.

01-10-2011, 10:37 PM	#25
lavascript Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Baton Rouge Posts: 396 Original Poster	I'm now thinking of trying to save for a K-r... AF assist lamp, 6fps, ISO25600, Li-Ion battery, VF AF points, ... I wonder if I could get $300 for a K10D with 25K actuations...

01-10-2011, 10:45 PM	#26
donalson Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Milton, FL Posts: 30	this is fun to play with... it's only numbers... but still fun DxOMark - Compare sensors for some reason I expected the 1600 and up to be a LOT less noisy then the k10d... doesn't look that way... seems 1 more stop (3200) on the kx puts you just as noisy as the k10d... so I suppose 1600 would be usable. still has me thinking on what to do (as i'm sure it does with the OP)... not easy in a market with such quick change, so many options, and so much information...

01-10-2011, 10:51 PM	#28
donalson Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Milton, FL Posts: 30	Originally posted by lavascript I'm now thinking of trying to save for a K-r... AF assist lamp, 6fps, ISO25600, Li-Ion battery, VF AF points, ... I wonder if I could get $300 for a K10D with 25K actuations... CL might do it for you with a kit lens... maybe more

01-10-2011, 10:56 PM	#29
jeffshaddix Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,473	Ha you've had lots of suggestions! Here's another approach...I just had the opportunity to spend $700 on gear. The priorities I used were: 1. Rare finds at good prices that are long term keepers. 2. Most immediately useful 3. Nice to have, but not "needed" Using these priorities I ended up sorting my lens "wish list" as such: 1. Tokina 90mm f2.5 Macro and Voigtlander 58mm f1.4 2. DA 18-135mm DC WR 3. DA 35mm f2.8 Macro, DA 55-300mm, Sigma 10-20mm f3.5 I ended up purchasing the 2 with "top priority" and have no regrets. All this to say, you should make a list of priorities like this so you know how to move forward. Only you can make this list, that way after your purchases you can be confident that you made headway on your personal priority list.

01-10-2011, 11:02 PM	#30
donalson Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Milton, FL Posts: 30	just to add more fuel to the fire... a good flash system will go a lot further than a fast lens... you say you have a lot of lighting stuff.. what kind of stuff do you have?... like paperbag846 said... ISO is like the CPU mhz wars... prob why we are shooting a few generation old cameras (and i'm typing this on a few generations old processor computer haha)