[techmulla]

I have been using a k-x with an M50-1.4 along with an old manual flash for the time being.

I have a baby along the way in around 7 months, also I have some money to spare (around 3000 USD) ... I am looking to upgrade my k-x and want to buy a couple of lenses and a good flash .. I have these alternative path to go

Camera Upgrade

1. Buy K-5
2. Buy K-30

Does K-30 offer anything substantiale over K-5? because I prefer shooting raw .. and 14 bit raw apeal .. also the enhanced bracketing mode.?

Lens Paths.

1. Zooms + Metz 58
2. Primes + Metz 58

1. Zooms

DA* 16-50
DA* 50-135

+ Flash

2. Primes

DA 15
DA 40
DA* 55
DA 70

+ Metz.

If you were me ... what path would have chosen? both camera wise and lenses wise?

[DSims]

Don't spend too much on the camera - in fact only upgrade it after you have the lenses you want. The K-x is still a very good camera. The K-5 - though it clearly has some advantages - didn't seem like much of an upgrade to me. That's because I already had a full collection of quality lenses similar to those you mention here. The image quality comes from the lenses.

Primes are more fun and allow more creativity, but the DA*16-50 and 50-135 really make up the essential kit. I'd get those, plus an FA77, DA*55, or DA15 if you can, and call it a day.


If you do go the prime route, I'd look at something like DA15, DA35/2.4, and FA77, plus maybe DA*55 and/or DFA 100 WR macro. Your current 50 is pretty good, so you could keep using it. But as you probably know, the DA*55 has outstanding sharpness and IQ beginning at f/1.4 or f/1.6, which no Pentax 50 can match (well, the K (or A) 50/1.2 nearly can, but the character of their images is almost the exact opposite of the DA*55 - the f/1.2 lenses have nearly ideal bokeh, while the DA*55 has nearly ideal sharpness).

[Adam]

I disagree- I think both bodies are a fairly big upgrade over the k-x, and will both deliver superior image quality and better overall performance. While the k-30 doesn't have 14 bit raw, it is the latest Pentax DSLR, so I would recommend picking one up, together with one or more of the leneses listed here, depending on your needs:

Pentax K-30 Lens Guide - Pentax Camera News & Rumors - PentaxForums.com

Don't miss the k-30 review, either!

[DSims]

I disagree- I think both bodies are a fairly big upgrade over the k-x, and will both deliver superior image quality and better overall performance.

Adam, I think the AF improvements and overall handling in real-world use would be the biggest advantage of the upgrade, and the K-30 would even be a slight improvement over my K-5. However, hard as I try, I can't seem to make the old images I took with the K-x look any worse than the images I get from the K-5 now!

[lytrytyr]

If you were me ... what path would have chosen? both camera wise and lenses wise?

Both the K-5 and K-30 are excellent choices in the USD 1000 range.
The K-5 replacement will probably cost a lot more during its first year.

It may not be a good idea to use flash with the baby.

For speed of autofocus, the primes will be better.
The DA 70 is very fast to focus, as good as it gets on Pentax.

[DaveHolmes]

K5 and the primes you listed get my vote

[Allison]

I would go with the k5 for you camera. There are some great deals out there right now. As for lenses, I would do a mix for zooms and primes. Either of the zooms you picked are excellent, but for the first few years you will probably want the 16-50. When they get a little older, then look at either the 50-135 or the 60-250.

For primes, I would got with the fa77, the 55, and the dfa100 wr. The dfa100 because it gets you all of those close-up pictures of baby toes and eyelashes and whatnot. The 55 is going to be needed because your current 50 doesn't have AF, and even though manual is always good, it is nice to have the ability of AF with kids. And the 77 because it fills the hole of the zoom to the 100 and it had phenomenal IQ.

[Canada_Rockies]

I would go for the K-5 camera. Lenses are a very personal choice, and I like the flexibility of zoom lenses. The K-5 can be dumbed down when needed. As with all Pentax cameras, the green settings can turn it into a point and shoot when you need to, as I do with my K-10. The extra control available with the K-5 will come to be very highly appreciated when you grow into it.

[techmulla]

Just pulled the trigger on k-5

[techmulla]

And noe da* 55, needed caliberation on my k5, cant decide between da21 or da15 or sigma 17-50, which route?

[Wired]

good choice on the K5. For bracketing and the 14bit depth alone is why I would choose it over the K30. I returned my K30 for a second K5 because of those two reasons (in addition to quite a few others)

As for primes, I would recommend getting the FA versions of the DA limiteds. I find the DA's are too slow personally and don't have the 3D pop that the FA's do. The FA's also seem to be more contrasty therefore having a bit nicer color rendition. You can't go wrong with either though.

The following is a great kit that if I'm going into the unknown I know I can count on:

K5
DA*16-50
DA*50-135
DA*55mm 1.4
DA 77mm 1.9
540FGZ flashgun

It's pricey, but it allows me to leave everything else at home! I would go the two zooms and the 55mm first. Then add the 77 later. I would hunt down a used 540FGZ, I haven't paid more than $200 CAD for each of mine.

[techmulla]

I am leaning towards the two zooms also. But devided between sigma and pentax for the 16/17-50

[Wired]

DA*, weather sealing, that's why I chose it.

I have had no issues with SDM with mine, but it does seem to affect others.

I love it personally, wouldn't take my bag anywhere without it either.