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10-22-2010, 05:38 PM   #1
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More Camera or Better Glass?

Hello All,
I've been lurking a bit, but never posted. My current outfit is a K-100 with 18-35mm Kit lens and a Tamron 28-200mm f3.8-5.6. My son is in high school show choir. Think of dancers waving arms at top speed in a darkened auditorium with stage lights. It looks like enough light until you try to take a picture. Even wide open at ISO 3200, my long lens won't stop the action. I can take a decent picture when they stop, but that's not the shot I'm looking for.

I had about decided to upgrade to a K-7 and a Sigma 70-200 constant f2.8 lens. Then I saw the specs on the K-5. It appears that the increased sensitivity of the K-5 sensor will buy me the same two stops that the new lens would give, maybe more. The K-5 alone will cost about as much as the K-7 + Lens. I can't afford the K-5 AND the 70-200 lens.

So the question is, should I invest in glass or camera??

10-22-2010, 06:03 PM   #2
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Better Glass.
10-22-2010, 06:04 PM   #3
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QuoteOriginally posted by Danny Delcambre Quote
Better Glass.

I agree.
10-22-2010, 06:06 PM   #4
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price these in your budget:

Kx + 70-200
Kr + 70-200

10-22-2010, 06:10 PM   #5
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Glass. I know the K100D is not the newest greatest thing out there, but for the most part, the price of glass won't go down, but up. The prices for cameras will invariably go down.
10-22-2010, 06:10 PM   #6
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Sigma 70-200F2.8 now. K5 in a years time. The Sigma will get you faster shutter speeds now. The K5 will get you better autofocus (seems relevant for the types of shots you re taking) and the high iso performance is gonna allow you to use faster shutter speeds on top of the gain from the faster lens.

Also, the extra wavelength light sensor helps af performance under tungsten lighting = less front focus.

My two cents.
10-22-2010, 06:14 PM   #7
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I agree with Kx + Sigma. I think you'll be in good shape in low light with that rig.

10-22-2010, 06:17 PM   #8
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I am using the K100D, and though I have extra money to buy a K-5, I am looking to buy a 15mm Limited and maybe the FA77... my K100D still does the job and until it breaks down, won't get another camera... (btw, I had the K10 and K20 before, but sold them and kept the K100).
10-22-2010, 06:21 PM   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by howieb101 Quote
Sigma 70-200F2.8 now. K5 in a years time. The Sigma will get you faster shutter speeds now. The K5 will get you better autofocus (seems relevant for the types of shots you re taking) and the high iso performance is gonna allow you to use faster shutter speeds on top of the gain from the faster lens.

Also, the extra wavelength light sensor helps af performance under tungsten lighting = less front focus.

My two cents.
Thanks to all for the quick replies. My son is a senior, and I only have until June to get shots of him in show choir. Even with its low-light faults, the k-7 should still be a quantum leap better than the k-100 in low light, right? I can buy the K-7+lens, but not the K-5+Lens.
10-22-2010, 06:32 PM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by mrmetts Quote
Thanks to all for the quick replies. My son is a senior, and I only have until June to get shots of him in show choir. Even with its low-light faults, the k-7 should still be a quantum leap better than the k-100 in low light, right? I can buy the K-7+lens, but not the K-5+Lens.
The Kx trumps the K7 in low light arena; if you've read some comparisons in the forums there were/are many who wished/wondered/scorned Pentax for not putting it in the K7 too, leaping forward the Kr now shares the same sensor qualities as the K5 separated only by build and features to support different budgets...Pentax is learning albeit slowly That said, Kx and K7 still exhibits for some situations AF issues BUT that seems to have been corrected in the newer Kr and K5, a better new evolution for Pentax to compete with the competition and for those who are manual focus challenged

Last edited by Clicker; 10-22-2010 at 06:41 PM.
10-22-2010, 06:34 PM   #11
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K100D is an entry level camera, while the K-7 is more for experienced/semi-pro (or pro) users. It will be a big leap of ability above the K100D. Plus it's more complicated to use. If you use Av or Tv modes, you'll be able to take the K-7 and use it effectively. The video mode may be a bonus too.

Edit: The K-7 is a much larger frame camera too and weighs about 1/3 more than the K100D. K-7 also uses a battery pack instead of AA's. K-x and K-r use AA's.

I use the K200D at work for macro and play around with the K20D. I imagine I will get the K-5 next year, but i'm more interested in getting better lenses.
10-22-2010, 06:46 PM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by Clicker Quote
price these in your budget:

Kx + 70-200
Kr + 70-200
I had not really considered the Kx or Kr because they are "entry level" and I wanted to move into the top-of-the-line arena. I'll research them more carefully. I use the Av and Tv functions on my K-100 often, but I don't really know what specifically I need that the Kx or Kr won't do. Faster autofocus would be nice, but I've been getting pretty good shots by locking the autofocus on the K-100 to keep it from hunting. It tends to hunt pretty bad in low light, especially wide open. I'm about settled on good glass and a better camera instead of springing for the K-5. But then . . . the 70-200 is BIG and Heavy. Thanks to all for the advice.
10-22-2010, 07:12 PM   #13
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This is a member's blog who had used the Kx quite a lot till he had issues with Pentax service center (long story but not the point here) Not quite sure what locations you can shoot from when your son is on stage, so many variables to consider but i'm posting Hinman's stage experience with his Kx and lenses he used. ( i hope he doesn't mind me linking it?)

I'm one who doesn't use the description "entry level"; cameras are tools some have more or less features and or build is different, this to carry different price points to different users but this is another thread on to itself and really shouldn't be an issue for those who've been shooting for awhile with various formats and brands.

Hin's Tech Corner: Pentax FA 77mm f/1.8 limited vs Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8


btw...WELCOME to the forums, there's a lot of info in here.

Last edited by Clicker; 10-22-2010 at 07:18 PM.
10-22-2010, 07:17 PM   #14
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If the body capabilities fall short (AF, ISO limit) you can always work on your skill.
If the image processing is inadequate, you can always PP yourself.
If the glass is bad (or not good enough), you cannot make it better.

Ok some will argue you get better shots (or at least easier) with better tech bodies, like the ones they didn't have decades ago .
10-22-2010, 07:18 PM   #15
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I bought a K7, but sold it and got a Kx instead. I was not happy with the K7's low-light shots.
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