Quick Decision Help Needed

ceroglu · 01-30-2014, 10:03 AM

Hi everybody,
This is my first post. I have been following this forum for a quite a bit now and I have two opportunities to become a pentaxian but I can't make my mind. There are two deals avaliable now. One is
K-5IIs with DA-50mm for $815 @ B&H
Or K-3 body for $1019 @ amazon

Which one would you go with if you were in the market now?
I am a learning amateur person. I used k-30 over the summer and liked it a lot.

Last edited by ceroglu; 01-30-2014 at 10:33 AM.

Ole · 01-30-2014, 10:29 AM

If you have the extra $200 go for the K-3. It is faster in operation, has a new and excellent light meter, better resolution, and a larger rear monitor in the 3:2 aspect ratio which makes a big difference when reviewing images. And if you want to sell it or trade it in in a few years you'll get a better price since it is newer.

**TER-OR** · 01-30-2014, 11:02 AM

I don't know if the K5II will give you that big a boost.

I'd probably spend the money on a nice lens or two now, then later consider bumping to the K3.

That's if you don't have many lenses yet...

ceroglu · 01-30-2014, 11:06 AM

Thanks for the replies.
I only have a DA-35 mm f/2.4 at the moment.

Last edited by ceroglu; 01-30-2014 at 11:11 AM.

**TER-OR** · 01-30-2014, 11:35 AM

Personally, I'd look at expanding your lens collection. the 35 is nice, but it really limits what you can do.
What kind of photos do you like to take? What can't you do now, but would like to do?

ceroglu · 01-30-2014, 11:43 AM

I usually do landscape and portraits. Again, k-30 was great while using it. But, it is my brothers. So, now I want to decide between the k-5IIs +DA-50mm or K-3 for my self.

**TER-OR** · 01-30-2014, 12:12 PM

I think the K5IIs would be good for both of these. A 50mm is good for portraits, and you can look for inexpensive wider lenses (A-series manual focus) which should be great for landscapes. I don't know if the K3 would give you that much more for portraits and landscape.

You can also look for used cameras here on the Marketplace, though the deal on a new one isn't bad.

mrNewt · 01-30-2014, 12:13 PM

K5IIs + better lens

.

Kozlok · 01-31-2014, 11:40 AM

If you don't have any camera, get a used K-30 and spend the rest on lenses.

ceroglu · 01-31-2014, 11:47 AM

Thanks for all the responses. I picked the K -5IIs with DA-50mm. I already have DA-35mm. And I think if I find a good deal on a Sigma 17 -50mm or a Pentax WR 18-135mm
I would be set for a long time!

**TER-OR** · 01-31-2014, 12:00 PM

The 18-135 is a fine walkaround lens - I've been in rain and snow storms with it, no problems. I think it would bring more flexibility than the 17-50 since you have two decent primes in that range. You can find used ones in the Marketplace here for around $350.

K57XR · 01-31-2014, 12:22 PM

I agree with the 18-135 suggestion, it's what I have 95% of the time on my K5. There are actually two at the market place right now. Another walk-around option is a Sigma 17-70 - there is one (older version) at the marketplace as well. Albeit not WR but for an even longer reach alternative to the 18-135WR is the Sigma 18-250 Macro for around $350 new at BH.

OldNoob · 02-01-2014, 08:54 AM

B&H Much more reliable buying experience and customer support. But sometimes you can find B&H deals through amazon

Deedee · 02-01-2014, 11:09 AM

I second TER-OR

He recommended the same thing to me. Buy a cheaper body and invest in lens. So my thoughts again, save for the lens.

It is the eye behind the camera and the lens infront of the camera. Pentax K-5, K-5 II, K-50, K-500 almost essentially have the same sensor. K-3 is essentially a game changing sensor but if you were to put a DA* lens with K-5 and cheapo lens with K-3. K-5 would win hands down.

Good luck for your decision.

Cheers!

01-30-2014, 10:03 AM	#1
ceroglu New Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 12	Quick Decision Help Needed Hi everybody, This is my first post. I have been following this forum for a quite a bit now and I have two opportunities to become a pentaxian but I can't make my mind. There are two deals avaliable now. One is K-5IIs with DA-50mm for $815 @ B&H Or K-3 body for $1019 @ amazon Which one would you go with if you were in the market now? I am a learning amateur person. I used k-30 over the summer and liked it a lot. Last edited by ceroglu; 01-30-2014 at 10:33 AM.

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01-30-2014, 10:29 AM	#2
Ole Administrator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,408	If you have the extra $200 go for the K-3. It is faster in operation, has a new and excellent light meter, better resolution, and a larger rear monitor in the 3:2 aspect ratio which makes a big difference when reviewing images. And if you want to sell it or trade it in in a few years you'll get a better price since it is newer.

01-30-2014, 11:02 AM	#3
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699	I don't know if the K5II will give you that big a boost. I'd probably spend the money on a nice lens or two now, then later consider bumping to the K3. That's if you don't have many lenses yet...

01-30-2014, 11:06 AM	#4
ceroglu New Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 12 Original Poster	Thanks for the replies. I only have a DA-35 mm f/2.4 at the moment. Last edited by ceroglu; 01-30-2014 at 11:11 AM.

01-30-2014, 11:35 AM	#5
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699	Personally, I'd look at expanding your lens collection. the 35 is nice, but it really limits what you can do. What kind of photos do you like to take? What can't you do now, but would like to do?

01-30-2014, 11:43 AM	#6
ceroglu New Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 12 Original Poster	I usually do landscape and portraits. Again, k-30 was great while using it. But, it is my brothers. So, now I want to decide between the k-5IIs +DA-50mm or K-3 for my self.

01-30-2014, 12:12 PM	#7
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699	I think the K5IIs would be good for both of these. A 50mm is good for portraits, and you can look for inexpensive wider lenses (A-series manual focus) which should be great for landscapes. I don't know if the K3 would give you that much more for portraits and landscape. You can also look for used cameras here on the Marketplace, though the deal on a new one isn't bad.

01-30-2014, 12:13 PM	#8
mrNewt Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: ON, RH Posts: 2,181	K5IIs + better lens .

01-31-2014, 11:40 AM	#9
Kozlok Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Albuquerque Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,148	If you don't have any camera, get a used K-30 and spend the rest on lenses.

01-31-2014, 11:47 AM	#10
ceroglu New Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 12 Original Poster	Thanks for all the responses. I picked the K -5IIs with DA-50mm. I already have DA-35mm. And I think if I find a good deal on a Sigma 17 -50mm or a Pentax WR 18-135mm I would be set for a long time!

01-31-2014, 12:00 PM	#11
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699	The 18-135 is a fine walkaround lens - I've been in rain and snow storms with it, no problems. I think it would bring more flexibility than the 17-50 since you have two decent primes in that range. You can find used ones in the Marketplace here for around $350.

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01-31-2014, 12:22 PM	#12
K57XR Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 830	I agree with the 18-135 suggestion, it's what I have 95% of the time on my K5. There are actually two at the market place right now. Another walk-around option is a Sigma 17-70 - there is one (older version) at the marketplace as well. Albeit not WR but for an even longer reach alternative to the 18-135WR is the Sigma 18-250 Macro for around $350 new at BH.

02-01-2014, 08:54 AM	#13
OldNoob Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 402	B&H Much more reliable buying experience and customer support. But sometimes you can find B&H deals through amazon

02-01-2014, 11:09 AM	#14
Deedee Veteran Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 307	I second TER-OR He recommended the same thing to me. Buy a cheaper body and invest in lens. So my thoughts again, save for the lens. It is the eye behind the camera and the lens infront of the camera. Pentax K-5, K-5 II, K-50, K-500 almost essentially have the same sensor. K-3 is essentially a game changing sensor but if you were to put a DA* lens with K-5 and cheapo lens with K-3. K-5 would win hands down. Good luck for your decision. Cheers!