Help with Upgrading to either K-r or K-5

cjas · 01-08-2011, 01:26 PM

Hi I currently have a Pentax K100D and am thinking of upgrading to either the Pentax K-r or K-5. I have the current lenses - Sigma 18-50mm 1:5.5-5.6DC (58mm); Sigma 28-80mm 1:3.5-5.6MACRO (50mm) and Sigma: 100-300mm 1:4.6-6.7DL (55mm) and Sigma EF-430ST flash. I gather these will all work with either camera. Of the three lenses which are the better two? Any help would be appreciate. I am a good amateur but not expert. Regards Chris (Australia)

hcc · 01-08-2011, 01:41 PM - **1 Like**

Chris
There have been a few threads in this forums about third-party lenses (Sigma, Tamron) that would not be compatible with the newer K-5 (and possibly K-r). It may be worthwhile that you pay a trip to your local store with your lenses and test your lenses.

I would recommend also that you contact CR Kennedy, the Australian representative of both Pentax and Sigma (Grey Importing Parallel and Grey Imports | Photographic, Digital, Medical, Surveying, Surveillance, Digital Audio. CR Kennedy. Australia). CR Kennedy is quite helpful and they may give you some your insight advice on lens compatibility.

The outcome of this check may affect your final decision.

Hope that the comment will help...

cjas · 01-08-2011, 02:00 PM

I just sent off an email to CR Kennedy asking about lense compatibility. Thanks for that suggestion. Regards Chris

dragra · 01-08-2011, 02:08 PM

Originally posted by cjas

Hi I currently have a Pentax K100D and am thinking of upgrading to either the Pentax K-r or K-5. I have the current lenses - Sigma 18-50mm 1:5.5-5.6DC (58mm); Sigma 28-80mm 1:3.5-5.6MACRO (50mm) and Sigma: 100-300mm 1:4.6-6.7DL (55mm) and Sigma EF-430ST flash. I gather these will all work with either camera. Of the three lenses which are the better two? Any help would be appreciate. I am a good amateur but not expert. Regards Chris (Australia)

Sorry but this will sound a bit rough: I wouldn't make a decision upon a new camera based on mediocre lens. I bet that the Pentax DA L 18-55 kitlens is performing better than the Sigma 18-50mm DC which seems to be the best of your current trio.

cheers,
d

**Ex Finn.** · 01-08-2011, 02:57 PM

Originally posted by cjas

I gather these will all work with either camera.

If they worked with your K100 then they will work with Kr or K5. As far as witch one is better, can`t help there.

Cheers, Mike.

timh · 01-08-2011, 03:19 PM

No personal experience, but from a quick survey of review sites your 28-80mm is thought to be better than the other two. But that's just "good for the price", not anything awesome.

If you're thinking of sinking serious cash into a K-5 you may find these lenses aren't going to do justice to the body. For the price of a K-5 you can pick up a K-r and at least 1-2 nice second-hand lenses (which won't lose their value unless you drop them). Or 3-4 nice second-hand lenses and keep the K100D...

cjas · 01-08-2011, 04:36 PM

Thanks for all the comments, i appreciate all the feed back. Is there someone local (perhaps in Melbourne) who could advise me on lenses etc. I am thinking of going for the K-r and then perhaps getting better lenses than I have. I definitely want a good zoom lense (i mean reasonably priced). Any suggestions would be appreciated. Cheers

timh · 01-08-2011, 05:33 PM

Which of those three do you use most often? That range would seem like a good candidate for replacement..

**Ex Finn.** · 01-08-2011, 05:56 PM

If going non weather resistant, then DA 18-55 and DA 55-300 would a good choice, without breaking the bank. The two cover most of the span with good results.

cjas · 01-08-2011, 06:19 PM

At the moment only using the 18-50 and the 100-300. In australia the Kr comes with with a 18-55 and 50-200mm, should i go with the Pentax 18-55 and keep using my sigma 100-300mm. At present do not use the 28-80 at all. Thanks for the help.

timh · 01-09-2011, 03:32 AM

The kit 50-200mm isn't very good, and it's optional - so don't buy the version with that in. The Pentax DA 55-300mm is as good as you'll get for the size/weight. There's a very cheap "DA-L 55-300mm" version of it too which is just as good optically but you'll need to buy your own lens hood for it.

The 18-55 that comes with the K-r is probably as good as your 28-80 but you could decide for yourself when it arrives - don't think you can buy a K-r without it there.

If you want to step up in image quality you can either buy bigger heavier modern lenses (zooms or primes), small light modern "Limited" primes, or old manual-focus lenses. Horses for courses, and all that! The lens database on this site is very good.

Frogfish · 01-09-2011, 06:22 AM - **1 Like**

If you go for the Kr and not the K5 (in your situation that is what I would do) then you can also add a Tamron 17-50/2.8 and the Pentax DA 55-300 (not the cheaper L version). That is a huge step up in quality in both camera and lenses for the price of a K5.

cjas · 01-11-2011, 02:09 AM

Thanks for all the suggestions and help - I found that Camera House in Melbourne were selling the K-R Body only and so today I bought the K-r and the Tamron 17-50/2.8 and the Pentax DA 55-300 and an 8gb and 16gb SD card so hopefully I have a good camera kit to last me for several years. I just have to work out how to use it all now. Cheers Chris

Frogfish · 01-11-2011, 10:49 AM

Originally posted by cjas

Thanks for all the suggestions and help - I found that Camera House in Melbourne were selling the K-R Body only and so today I bought the K-r and the Tamron 17-50/2.8 and the Pentax DA 55-300 and an 8gb and 16gb SD card so hopefully I have a good camera kit to last me for several years. I just have to work out how to use it all now. Cheers Chris

Fantastic ! I think you have made the right choice and you will be delighted with the quality of your work from now on. Good luck and read the forum threads to solve any issues you may have / get great tips on how to use your kit to the max.

**Deimos** · 01-12-2011, 02:44 PM

Originally posted by cjas

Thanks for all the suggestions and help - I found that Camera House in Melbourne were selling the K-R Body only and so today I bought the K-r and the Tamron 17-50/2.8 and the Pentax DA 55-300 and an 8gb and 16gb SD card so hopefully I have a good camera kit to last me for several years. I just have to work out how to use it all now. Cheers Chris

I have the k-r and 17-50 tammy great combo. I hear the 55-300 is good as well. For some extra fun pick up a couple of old film primes, they are pretty cheap fun to play with, are super small and light and give interesting bokeh/colours.

Enjoy

01-08-2011, 01:26 PM	#1
cjas Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Melbourne Posts: 9	Help with Upgrading to either K-r or K-5 Hi I currently have a Pentax K100D and am thinking of upgrading to either the Pentax K-r or K-5. I have the current lenses - Sigma 18-50mm 1:5.5-5.6DC (58mm); Sigma 28-80mm 1:3.5-5.6MACRO (50mm) and Sigma: 100-300mm 1:4.6-6.7DL (55mm) and Sigma EF-430ST flash. I gather these will all work with either camera. Of the three lenses which are the better two? Any help would be appreciate. I am a good amateur but not expert. Regards Chris (Australia)

01-08-2011, 02:00 PM	#3
cjas Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Melbourne Posts: 9 Original Poster	Thanks I just sent off an email to CR Kennedy asking about lense compatibility. Thanks for that suggestion. Regards Chris

01-08-2011, 04:36 PM	#7
cjas Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Melbourne Posts: 9 Original Poster	Thanks for all the comments Thanks for all the comments, i appreciate all the feed back. Is there someone local (perhaps in Melbourne) who could advise me on lenses etc. I am thinking of going for the K-r and then perhaps getting better lenses than I have. I definitely want a good zoom lense (i mean reasonably priced). Any suggestions would be appreciated. Cheers

01-08-2011, 06:19 PM	#10
cjas Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Melbourne Posts: 9 Original Poster	Thanks At the moment only using the 18-50 and the 100-300. In australia the Kr comes with with a 18-55 and 50-200mm, should i go with the Pentax 18-55 and keep using my sigma 100-300mm. At present do not use the 28-80 at all. Thanks for the help.

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01-08-2011, 01:41 PM - 1 Like	#2
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,002	Chris There have been a few threads in this forums about third-party lenses (Sigma, Tamron) that would not be compatible with the newer K-5 (and possibly K-r). It may be worthwhile that you pay a trip to your local store with your lenses and test your lenses. I would recommend also that you contact CR Kennedy, the Australian representative of both Pentax and Sigma (Grey Importing Parallel and Grey Imports \| Photographic, Digital, Medical, Surveying, Surveillance, Digital Audio. CR Kennedy. Australia). CR Kennedy is quite helpful and they may give you some your insight advice on lens compatibility. The outcome of this check may affect your final decision. Hope that the comment will help...

01-08-2011, 02:08 PM	#4
dragra Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Ljubljana Photos: Albums Posts: 238	Originally posted by cjas Hi I currently have a Pentax K100D and am thinking of upgrading to either the Pentax K-r or K-5. I have the current lenses - Sigma 18-50mm 1:5.5-5.6DC (58mm); Sigma 28-80mm 1:3.5-5.6MACRO (50mm) and Sigma: 100-300mm 1:4.6-6.7DL (55mm) and Sigma EF-430ST flash. I gather these will all work with either camera. Of the three lenses which are the better two? Any help would be appreciate. I am a good amateur but not expert. Regards Chris (Australia) Sorry but this will sound a bit rough: I wouldn't make a decision upon a new camera based on mediocre lens. I bet that the Pentax DA L 18-55 kitlens is performing better than the Sigma 18-50mm DC which seems to be the best of your current trio. cheers, d

01-08-2011, 02:57 PM	#5
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	Originally posted by cjas I gather these will all work with either camera. If they worked with your K100 then they will work with Kr or K5. As far as witch one is better, can`t help there. Cheers, Mike.

01-08-2011, 03:19 PM	#6
timh Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wales Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 445	No personal experience, but from a quick survey of review sites your 28-80mm is thought to be better than the other two. But that's just "good for the price", not anything awesome. If you're thinking of sinking serious cash into a K-5 you may find these lenses aren't going to do justice to the body. For the price of a K-5 you can pick up a K-r and at least 1-2 nice second-hand lenses (which won't lose their value unless you drop them). Or 3-4 nice second-hand lenses and keep the K100D...

01-08-2011, 05:33 PM	#8
timh Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wales Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 445	Which of those three do you use most often? That range would seem like a good candidate for replacement..

01-08-2011, 05:56 PM	#9
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	If going non weather resistant, then DA 18-55 and DA 55-300 would a good choice, without breaking the bank. The two cover most of the span with good results.

01-09-2011, 03:32 AM	#11
timh Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wales Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 445	The kit 50-200mm isn't very good, and it's optional - so don't buy the version with that in. The Pentax DA 55-300mm is as good as you'll get for the size/weight. There's a very cheap "DA-L 55-300mm" version of it too which is just as good optically but you'll need to buy your own lens hood for it. The 18-55 that comes with the K-r is probably as good as your 28-80 but you could decide for yourself when it arrives - don't think you can buy a K-r without it there. If you want to step up in image quality you can either buy bigger heavier modern lenses (zooms or primes), small light modern "Limited" primes, or old manual-focus lenses. Horses for courses, and all that! The lens database on this site is very good.

01-09-2011, 06:22 AM - 1 Like	#12
Frogfish Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shanghai Posts: 4,490	If you go for the Kr and not the K5 (in your situation that is what I would do) then you can also add a Tamron 17-50/2.8 and the Pentax DA 55-300 (not the cheaper L version). That is a huge step up in quality in both camera and lenses for the price of a K5.

01-11-2011, 02:09 AM	#13
cjas Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Melbourne Posts: 9 Original Poster	Thanks for all the suggestions and help - I found that Camera House in Melbourne were selling the K-R Body only and so today I bought the K-r and the Tamron 17-50/2.8 and the Pentax DA 55-300 and an 8gb and 16gb SD card so hopefully I have a good camera kit to last me for several years. I just have to work out how to use it all now. Cheers Chris

01-11-2011, 10:49 AM	#14
Frogfish Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shanghai Posts: 4,490	Originally posted by cjas Thanks for all the suggestions and help - I found that Camera House in Melbourne were selling the K-R Body only and so today I bought the K-r and the Tamron 17-50/2.8 and the Pentax DA 55-300 and an 8gb and 16gb SD card so hopefully I have a good camera kit to last me for several years. I just have to work out how to use it all now. Cheers Chris Fantastic ! I think you have made the right choice and you will be delighted with the quality of your work from now on. Good luck and read the forum threads to solve any issues you may have / get great tips on how to use your kit to the max.

01-12-2011, 02:44 PM	#15
Deimos Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Kingdom of Wonder Posts: 1,777	Originally posted by cjas Thanks for all the suggestions and help - I found that Camera House in Melbourne were selling the K-R Body only and so today I bought the K-r and the Tamron 17-50/2.8 and the Pentax DA 55-300 and an 8gb and 16gb SD card so hopefully I have a good camera kit to last me for several years. I just have to work out how to use it all now. Cheers Chris I have the k-r and 17-50 tammy great combo. I hear the 55-300 is good as well. For some extra fun pick up a couple of old film primes, they are pretty cheap fun to play with, are super small and light and give interesting bokeh/colours. Enjoy