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05-15-2019, 11:04 AM   #1
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Travel choice: k3 or k1?

I have been using k3 for over 2 years and have all the lenses that I wish to have and was pretty happy with the setup. Recently, I acquired the full frame K1, FA 15-30mm f/2.8 ED SDM, FA 24-70mm f/2.8ED SDM , Sigma 35mm Art as someone was selling the set for a good price. Initially, I regretted the purchase as the whole setup was heavy and I felt did not give me better pictures than what I was getting with the k3 with Sigma 10-20mm, SMCP-DA 17-70mm f/4 and the Tamron 70-200mm, Pentax DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 that I already had.

I have now been using the K1 exclusively for last 2-3 months and have come to appreciate it better. I love the way I can lift the shadows so much in Post. They dynamic range is much better.

Next month I am travelling to India to visit family and friends. I very much want to take the K1 with me, but I am hesitant as it is so much heavier than equivalent setup with k3. I will be mostly taking pictures of people in their living rooms, birthday parties of toddlers, touristy photos, maybe a few landscapes etc.

What would you suggest I take with me on this trip? Here are my choices:
1. K1+FA 24-70mm f/2.8+Tamron 70-200mm+Pentax AF540FGZ II Flash (+Sigma 10-20mm used in crop mode, if I want to use filters for landscape)
2. K3+17-70mm f/4+DA 55-300mm+Sigma 10-20mm+Pentax AF540FGZ II Flash

I want to be able to get good IQ but at the same time I don't want a too heavy setup. Any suggestions?

05-15-2019, 11:18 AM   #2
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I'd take the K-3 combo.
05-15-2019, 12:17 PM - 2 Likes   #3
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Bring the k1, lights, a tripod and an assistant. Your assistant can carry your gear and help with set up. The larger sensor captures more light. You can make photos suitable for very large high resolution prints.
Or just bring the k3 since no one will no the difference when the best display these shots will be on, is a high resolution monitor.
05-15-2019, 12:20 PM   #4
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QuoteOriginally posted by muraliy Quote
... I will be mostly taking pictures of people in their living rooms, birthday parties of toddlers, touristy photos, maybe a few landscapes etc....
Take the K3. You'll hate the extra weight lugging a full-frame kit around in that heat.

05-15-2019, 12:28 PM - 1 Like   #5
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K-3 for travel. I use the K-1 for road trips and local events.
05-15-2019, 01:18 PM   #6
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Take the K3 and send me the K1 and lenses
05-15-2019, 01:19 PM   #7
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Its a pity you don't have a DFA28 - 105 as thats great for travel with the K-1.

Given what you have, sounds like the K-3 setup is more sensible for travel.

05-15-2019, 01:38 PM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by muraliy Quote
I have been using k3 for over 2 years and have all the lenses that I wish to have and was pretty happy with the setup. Recently, I acquired the full frame K1, FA 15-30mm f/2.8 ED SDM, FA 24-70mm f/2.8ED SDM , Sigma 35mm Art as someone was selling the set for a good price. Initially, I regretted the purchase as the whole setup was heavy and I felt did not give me better pictures than what I was getting with the k3 with Sigma 10-20mm, SMCP-DA 17-70mm f/4 and the Tamron 70-200mm, Pentax DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 that I already had.

I have now been using the K1 exclusively for last 2-3 months and have come to appreciate it better. I love the way I can lift the shadows so much in Post. They dynamic range is much better.

Next month I am travelling to India to visit family and friends. I very much want to take the K1 with me, but I am hesitant as it is so much heavier than equivalent setup with k3. I will be mostly taking pictures of people in their living rooms, birthday parties of toddlers, touristy photos, maybe a few landscapes etc.

What would you suggest I take with me on this trip? Here are my choices:
1. K1+FA 24-70mm f/2.8+Tamron 70-200mm+Pentax AF540FGZ II Flash (+Sigma 10-20mm used in crop mode, if I want to use filters for landscape)
2. K3+17-70mm f/4+DA 55-300mm+Sigma 10-20mm+Pentax AF540FGZ II Flash

I want to be able to get good IQ but at the same time I don't want a too heavy setup. Any suggestions?
Just take the K-3 ...
05-15-2019, 01:41 PM   #9
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My choice would be the K-3 kit. A bit Less mass to pack around plus the built-in flash which is great for fill on the fly. (Assuming K-3 and not a K-3II, that is.)
05-15-2019, 01:56 PM   #10
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People in their living rooms and birthday parties of toddlers in a travel package strongly suggests the K-3 for the built-in flash.
05-15-2019, 02:35 PM   #11
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If you want to have a distance advantage, you may want to bring the K-3. Otherwise, if you are satisfied with the distance that you can get with your K-1 and lenses, you may want to use that equipment for the possible megapixel advantage.

Have a nice trip.
05-15-2019, 03:01 PM   #12
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I'd take whichever body you feel most comfortable with, personally I'd take the k-1 (without battery grip if you have one). Lenses wise the 24-70 and perhaps an M135/3.5 or similar may be all you need.

I wouldn't take the flash, without proper attention to your lighting and backgrounds, indoor flash usually results in awful shadows (at least that's my experience). I'd make sure I carried a spare battery if you have one.
05-15-2019, 03:05 PM   #13
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I’m also a K3 and K1 user owner with a lens selection.

No brainer for me... a trip to India :

If I am planning to take pictures to keep - K1 every time.
If its snaps - K3, or frankly, iPhone 8... these are brilliant and always handy.
I also use a Sony RX100 V... fantastic for travel and v inconspicuous in a crowd.

I fly to Japan in June... I will be taking pictures, and will have the K1 !

Hope that helps.
05-15-2019, 03:14 PM   #14
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Thank you all for your replies. It looks like the vote is for K3. I might go with it. What I think I will miss with not having K1 is, in mixed lighting and fast situations with toddlers running around, the flash might not light up where I intend. In such situations, I can pull out a lot more shadows with K1 than with K3 in post, which might give me more keepers. Of course, that will be with the added weight I will have to carry. What do you think of this combo:
K1, 24-70mm, 55-300mm, flash which will reduce the weight and still give me the advantage of K1?
05-15-2019, 06:40 PM   #15
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When traveling I would not want to openly carry anything that yells: 'mug me I'm a rich tourist'. If you're walking around with kit that is worth the annual income of the people around you, you don't want to be too conspicuous about it.
BTW, the times I've traveled, I regret bringing my flash. Never used it. It also makes your camera look twice as large, so that's a no-no. Same with the 10-20. That's a big lump of glass and draws attention.

Last edited by calsan; 05-16-2019 at 01:53 AM. Reason: typo
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