Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
07-01-2014, 05:23 PM   #1
Pentaxian
Driline's Avatar

Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 3,664
K3 or FA 31? Which to Purchase?

With price being equal..... I'm torn between the possible purchase of a K3 or adding the FA 31 to my repertoire of lenses. My question is......Will I see a noticeable improvement with my current arsenal of lenses by purchasing a K3? Or should I just go for the FA 31 and enjoy it's marvelous IQ. I absolutely love the FA 43 and don't want it to become the red headed step child if in fact I do purchase the FA 31

I currently own a K5.

Please help a fellow LBA'r.

My current lens Roster:

DA 21

FA 43

F* 300

DA*16-50

DA*50-135

F35-70

Tokina AT-X F4 100-300

07-01-2014, 05:32 PM   #2
Administrator
Site Webmaster
Adam's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Arizona
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 51,558
QuoteOriginally posted by Driline Quote
Will I see a noticeable improvement with my current arsenal of lenses by purchasing a K3?
Seeing that you have a nice lineup of premium lenses, I think the K-3 would be the way to go- and yes, you'll see and improvement in resolution and auto white balance (especially at night), the two key areas in which the K-3 shines.

Since the K-3 currently comes with a free grip and flucard, you could sell the extra for an additional $200-250 toward your next lens purchase

Adam
PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide | Site Help | My Photography)



PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:
07-01-2014, 05:35 PM   #3
Veteran Member
JayBee451's Avatar

Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Queensland, Australia
Posts: 379
I would go for the K3 Special with the extra you get for the price right now.
The price on the FA31 stays about the same, but with Pentax announced an updated version to come, price will come down.
Who knows the new version might be better and have WR.
Just my thoughts.
07-01-2014, 05:43 PM   #4
Veteran Member
Eyewanders's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Land of the Salish Sea
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 3,343
Toss up in my opinion. My 43 was red-headed for awhile, but they shift back and forth. They are all so good that they see their days on my cameras, and recently actually, the 43 is enjoying a bit of a renaissance. It's been on my cam for a couple weeks now, while the 31 wonders what it did wrong. Nothing... it did nothing wrong. I just don't have enough love for ALL of you at once sweethearts.
I guess I'd actually suggest the K3 as well, but that being said, I don't see myself replacing my K3 with any subsequent model for a VERY long time. This is partially because I've come to believe that digital cams are 10% tech improvements and 90% hustle... And I've been shooting so much film the past year, it's a really a novel situation that the K3 even comes out with me anymore ever, particularly when a GR is sitting in my backpack at all times.
Make whatever sense you can out of this rambling addition to your questioning thread...

07-01-2014, 06:08 PM   #5
Pentaxian
normhead's Avatar

Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Near Algonquin Park
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 40,442
You have great lenses, get the camera.
07-01-2014, 06:19 PM   #6
Pentaxian




Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 2,962
Rather recently I bought a 31mm and a 43mm... I bypassed (for now) a K3... and wow... those are some nice lenses.

The K3 is still high on my list but I would go for the lenses... but that's just me.
07-01-2014, 06:36 PM - 1 Like   #7
Pentaxian
Kozlok's Avatar

Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Albuquerque
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 3,145
You could get the K-3, and pick up a used Sigma 30/1.4 for another $300. Is it an FA31? No, but it scratches the same itch 95% as well for 1/4 the price.

07-01-2014, 06:54 PM   #8
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
todd's Avatar

Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: arizona
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 6,762
Personally I am still plenty happy with the K-5. Sure, I'd love the improved AF but I can wait... So I spent that last couple years acquiring the three amigos while holding out some hope that a K-mount FF dslr will arrive on the scene someday. Until then I will keep shooting film with the Amigos here and there to scratch the itch... If FF doesn't happen in another year say from September, then a K-3 will probably be looking real good to me.
07-01-2014, 07:04 PM   #9
Pentaxian
Driline's Avatar

Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 3,664
Original Poster
QuoteOriginally posted by todd Quote
If FF doesn't happen in another year say from September, then a K-3 will probably be looking real good to me
And so will the price. Probably under $700 like the K5iis
07-01-2014, 07:12 PM   #10
Veteran Member
OregonJim's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Posts: 1,327
I'd go for the K-3. With your current lens selection, the FA31 won't add as much versatility as the K-3 would.
07-01-2014, 07:53 PM   #11
Emperor and Senpai
Loyal Site Supporter
VoiceOfReason's Avatar

Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Mishawaka IN area
Photos: Albums
Posts: 6,124
I've almost wondered the same but with the choice between the K3 and Sigma 18-35 that for some reason still hasn't made it to the US.
07-01-2014, 09:45 PM   #12
Veteran Member
devorama's Avatar

Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Chicago, IL
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 638
I vote for the K-3. Its autofocus is much more reliable than the K-5. For a while I was shooting low-light posed photos with my K-01 because I just didn't trust the K-5 in those situations.
07-02-2014, 01:38 AM   #13
Banned




Join Date: Jan 2009
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 9,675
Maybe sell one of your less used lenses and buy both K-3 (first choice in your case) and a 31mm.
07-02-2014, 03:23 AM   #14
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
dhodgeh's Avatar

Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: FLA-USA
Photos: Albums
Posts: 214
Just my couple of pennies:

In this day and age, camera bodies come and go. Lenses are forever......
07-02-2014, 04:50 AM   #15
Veteran Member
peterjcb's Avatar

Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Weddington, NC
Posts: 468
...you really know that you want both

K-3 prices are/will be dropping, get the lens now and the K-3 when prices drop later
Reply

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook
  • Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter
  • Submit Thread to Digg Digg
Tags - Make this thread easier to find by adding keywords to it!
fa, k-mount, k3, k3 or fa, lenses, pentax lens, purchase, slr lens
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
FA 31 or DA*16-50 AND FA 35/2 Driline Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 21 08-17-2014 05:19 PM
FA 31-To buy or not to buy? jbennett1971 Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 37 06-21-2014 06:28 PM
Purchase a K3 or wait? sccarter Welcomes and Introductions 8 11-29-2013 09:25 AM
To 31 or not to 31, that is my question. feilb Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 137 04-05-2011 08:42 PM
Poll; Which lens should Fishy buy: DFA 100 2.8 or FA 31 1.8 ltd? fishy Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 31 02-16-2010 05:16 AM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:35 AM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top