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kurt1968 · 11-24-2013, 02:17 PM

Hi ,
i noticed that a certain warehouse still has a purple(!!) kit in stock for 350 euro , 450$, 3 years warranty.
I know this camera has good high iso capabilities , but has it fast AF ?
How is the viewfinder ?
And how do you guys compare it with IQ of K-01 ?

twitch · 11-24-2013, 02:36 PM

Not very fast AF
Inferior viewfinder to K-5
Not as good IQ as a K-01

I'd suggest a second hand K-30 or K-5 instead.

**paulh** · 11-24-2013, 02:36 PM

At $450, you are approaching K-30/50 territory. The K-r does have pretty good high-iso ability, but has been eclipsed by the newer models. It has a smallish penta-mirror viewfinder, and has the typical not-so-fast AF of the older Pentax bodies. That said, it can produce some very nice images - but for me, there are better options at that price level.

hnikesch · 11-24-2013, 02:49 PM

I agree go with the K30 you should be able to find one close to that price, I upgraded from a Kr to a K30 and it was worth the move

Giklab · 11-24-2013, 02:53 PM

For 350€ it's a pretty nice deal.
@paulh keep in mind the K-30/K-50 territory over here starts at 500€/650$

krebsy75 · 11-24-2013, 03:24 PM

Forget the K-r if you will be shooting in tungsten light with fast lenses.

VisualDarkness · 11-24-2013, 03:51 PM

Originally posted by Giklab

For 350€ it's a pretty nice deal.
@paulh keep in mind the K-30/K-50 territory over here starts at 500€/650$

Even in Sweden K-30 was just sold for under 400€

Adam · 11-24-2013, 04:22 PM

Originally posted by kurt1968

Hi ,
i noticed that a certain warehouse still has a purple(!!) kit in stock for 350 euro , 450$, 3 years warranty.
I know this camera has good high iso capabilities , but has it fast AF ?
How is the viewfinder ?
And how do you guys compare it with IQ of K-01 ?

The value of the K-r is around 300-350 bucks these days. I would recommend trying to get a K-30 instead.

**mattt** · 11-24-2013, 07:18 PM

No Grip
No Tethering
No Weather Sealing
No Dual E-Dial / TAv

Think about what you will be doing with the camera - I've enjoyed my Kr immensely - but it is limiting my shooting these days - at 30,000 shots in, it owes me nothing at this point, but I would recommend you consider a K5 or K30 / K50 - for just a few dollars more you get much more bang for your buck.

kurt1968 · 11-24-2013, 10:09 PM

k30 body is 440 € , k500 kit is 399€
i like the idea of the weather sealing, but that is only useless if i have WR lenses too
and alas , only seldom there is a secondhand k30 for sale

thegadge · 11-24-2013, 11:16 PM

I've never had a DLSR before and I recently got a new Kr for $595 NZ which is about $450 U.S. Didn't come with a groovy purple option, unfortunately. Anyway, for a complete novice like me, I reckon it's a good starting point.
Enough megapixels, buttons and functions to be getting on with!

Giklab · 11-24-2013, 11:45 PM

Originally posted by VisualDarkness

Even in Sweden K-30 was just sold for under 400€

Ohhhh boy... I don't even get mad anymore.

icy · 11-26-2013, 01:28 AM

I think k20d is a better choice. It's much robust than Kr, and the prices for used ones are almost the same (I meant that if you like Kr/K20d, pick the used one).

jkomp316 · 11-26-2013, 02:05 AM

It has front focus and mirror flop issues. I own one and it does take decent pictures, but can be rather frustrating.

The 12mp sensor is great for low light high ISO work.

The even older CCD sensors 6mp/10mp are great for bright light low ISO work.

Depends what you want to use it for.

Lupine · 12-21-2013, 10:31 AM

I like my K-r and have no plans to replace it anytime soon. That said, if I were buying a camera today I would not even consider a new K-r if I could find a used K-30 within 20-30% of the price of the K-r.

11-24-2013, 02:17 PM	#1
kurt1968 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 57	K-R still a good buy ? Hi , i noticed that a certain warehouse still has a purple(!!) kit in stock for 350 euro , 450$, 3 years warranty. I know this camera has good high iso capabilities , but has it fast AF ? How is the viewfinder ? And how do you guys compare it with IQ of K-01 ?

11-24-2013, 04:22 PM	#8
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	Originally posted by kurt1968 Hi , i noticed that a certain warehouse still has a purple(!!) kit in stock for 350 euro , 450$, 3 years warranty. I know this camera has good high iso capabilities , but has it fast AF ? How is the viewfinder ? And how do you guys compare it with IQ of K-01 ? The value of the K-r is around 300-350 bucks these days. I would recommend trying to get a K-30 instead. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

11-24-2013, 10:09 PM	#10
kurt1968 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 57 Original Poster	re k30 body is 440 € , k500 kit is 399€ i like the idea of the weather sealing, but that is only useless if i have WR lenses too and alas , only seldom there is a secondhand k30 for sale

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11-24-2013, 02:36 PM	#2
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	Not very fast AF Inferior viewfinder to K-5 Not as good IQ as a K-01 I'd suggest a second hand K-30 or K-5 instead.

11-24-2013, 02:36 PM	#3
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,319	At $450, you are approaching K-30/50 territory. The K-r does have pretty good high-iso ability, but has been eclipsed by the newer models. It has a smallish penta-mirror viewfinder, and has the typical not-so-fast AF of the older Pentax bodies. That said, it can produce some very nice images - but for me, there are better options at that price level.

11-24-2013, 02:49 PM	#4
hnikesch Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,316	I agree go with the K30 you should be able to find one close to that price, I upgraded from a Kr to a K30 and it was worth the move

11-24-2013, 02:53 PM	#5
Giklab Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Slovenia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,182	For 350€ it's a pretty nice deal. @paulh keep in mind the K-30/K-50 territory over here starts at 500€/650$

11-24-2013, 03:24 PM	#6
krebsy75 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Chester County, Pa. Posts: 804	Forget the K-r if you will be shooting in tungsten light with fast lenses.

11-24-2013, 03:51 PM	#7
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	Originally posted by Giklab For 350€ it's a pretty nice deal. @paulh keep in mind the K-30/K-50 territory over here starts at 500€/650$ Even in Sweden K-30 was just sold for under 400€

11-24-2013, 07:18 PM	#9
mattt Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Niagara Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,907	No Grip No Tethering No Weather Sealing No Dual E-Dial / TAv Think about what you will be doing with the camera - I've enjoyed my Kr immensely - but it is limiting my shooting these days - at 30,000 shots in, it owes me nothing at this point, but I would recommend you consider a K5 or K30 / K50 - for just a few dollars more you get much more bang for your buck.

11-24-2013, 11:16 PM	#11
thegadge Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Queensland, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 87	I've never had a DLSR before and I recently got a new Kr for $595 NZ which is about $450 U.S. Didn't come with a groovy purple option, unfortunately. Anyway, for a complete novice like me, I reckon it's a good starting point. Enough megapixels, buttons and functions to be getting on with!

11-24-2013, 11:45 PM	#12
Giklab Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Slovenia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,182	Originally posted by VisualDarkness Even in Sweden K-30 was just sold for under 400€ Ohhhh boy... I don't even get mad anymore.

11-26-2013, 01:28 AM	#13
icy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Berlin Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 197	I think k20d is a better choice. It's much robust than Kr, and the prices for used ones are almost the same (I meant that if you like Kr/K20d, pick the used one).

11-26-2013, 02:05 AM	#14
jkomp316 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 227	It has front focus and mirror flop issues. I own one and it does take decent pictures, but can be rather frustrating. The 12mp sensor is great for low light high ISO work. The even older CCD sensors 6mp/10mp are great for bright light low ISO work. Depends what you want to use it for.

12-21-2013, 10:31 AM	#15
Lupine Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 93	I like my K-r and have no plans to replace it anytime soon. That said, if I were buying a camera today I would not even consider a new K-r if I could find a used K-30 within 20-30% of the price of the K-r.

K-R still a good buy ?

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