I have owned my Pentax K-r for just over 18 months now (picked it up new at the bargain price of £320 as it was being discontinued) and truth be told its been brilliant. However recently i can't help but cast lustful glances at the K-30, K-50 and K-5ii and had almost decided to make the upgrade when my other half made the comment "you already have a good camera, why go buy another one?". As much as i don't like to admit it she had a point and this has led me here. Do i upgrade the K-r or do I upgrade/expand my range lenses?????????
I'm aware to answer this a bit more information is required so have included what i've got, what i use it for, hope to use it for and thoughts on which path to take
Current Kit:
Whilst i have a few lenses I only really use 3 of them and these come with me everywhere, they are:
Pentax DAL18-55mm stock lens
Pentax-M 1:1.7 50mm
SMC Pentax FA J 75-300mm
*note: Because this seems to cover me for nearly any situation and fit in the small carry bag i have I've avoided LBA but does go against one of the main reasons for choosing the K-r in the first place - well priced but good quality old glass.
How I use it and what for:
I still consider myself an amateur photographer - I tend to leave it in Av mode but will happily flip it into M mode if the camera can't quite get things the way i want. I'm ashamed to say i do put it in Auto as well if i am having a lazy day. I tend to use it for city shooting whilst on holiday or day trips, landscape views, wildlife and scenery as well as pictures of the family/pets - pretty much what any amateur photographer would use it for. It also does get treated a bit worse than your average DSLR; dogs, parrots and even horses have had their noses/mouths/beaks all over it fairly regularly and it is known to have stints out in the rain (Kudos on Pentax's build quality that its lasted so long without issue and looks to do so in the future).
Future Use:
Much the same as its current use, except maybe pushing more on the wildlife/animal side (horses and birds in particular). Would like to experiment with macro shots as well.
New Lens/New Camera ideas/thoughts:
The K-30/K50 route would give me all the obvious advantages of upgrading to this camera (better sensor, improved AF, Weather proofing etc). My worry is in real word use will i see *that* much of a difference?
Ifi were to buy new lenses i imagine i would look to replace the current 18-55mm with something of a bit more quality and versatility that would cross over with the 75-300mm (Pentax 18-135mm WR perhaps?) and maybe one other good prime lens. Not really sure the way to go for macros - maybe some extension tubes on the Pentax-M 1:1.7 50mm or a new lens entirely. My worry with this would be I end up using my current lenses and relegate the newer/more expensive lenses to "the box", or conversely end up with LBA and end up buying a small army of lenses i dont really use (albeit having good fun in the process).
Conclusion
HELP! Given the above do you guys think i am better off sticking with the K-r and getting some more/better lenses to really make the most of the camera or pass on the K-r to my father (who's looking for a good beginners SLR) and get a new K-30/K-50 and get the most out of the current lenses i already have? Opinions and lens suggestions welcomed