Bit the bullet...

yorik · 04-09-2013, 10:20 AM

... at $250.00 my objections (not a big fan of the design, no VF, no tilting screen) were finally overcome by the positives (cheap, excellent IQ, same lenses as K5 (so a good back-up), focus peaking, and did I mention: CHEAP!).

Perhaps I will follow up with an informal critique for the rest of the reluctant crowd.

Yonatan

robtcorl · 04-09-2013, 10:22 AM

Welcome to the 01 club!
I jumped in when it hit $450 with the 40mm XS, and have no regrets.

yorik · 04-09-2013, 10:28 AM

Thanks! I have (and love) the 43 ltd, so I decided against the 40mm xs (in spite of the svelter lines). I may however be `forced' to get the 21 ltd for the K-01.

Docrwm · 04-09-2013, 11:42 AM

I did the same at $299 with the 40XS and sold the 40XS and kept my 40Ltd. It has proven a useful backup to the K-5 and better in some regards for static shots because of the Focus Peaking and its utility with my MF lenses. At $249 its a reasonable price for the body only IMHO as a backup to a dSLR. Enjoy your new K-01!

Painter · 04-09-2013, 12:10 PM

I just ordered the yellow version which has always been my favourite. I would have liked to get the 40mm XS lens but I think the DA35Ltd will be a better focal length anyway.

Charles Hueter · 04-09-2013, 12:18 PM

Another bullet-biter here. It was random luck I browsed past the forums today and saw the deal. I'm definitely in on a cheap way to get a K-5 sensor! I shoot in low, crappy light frequently and am excited about seeing what it can do.

**Wormtographer** · 04-09-2013, 02:49 PM

Browsing all the K-01 forum entries since I just became another brick owner...good grief I tought my lens collection was out-of-control, my camera collection is catching-up.

JimbotheScot · 04-09-2013, 02:56 PM

I got mine this week, I only had a Sony w200 point and shoot jobby, so at this price it would jolly well be rude not to and I had two pentax lenses for my mz-5n, love the k mounting system and Pentax

normhead · 04-09-2013, 03:28 PM - **1 Like**

You guys are really missing out with the 40 xs, for me it's either that or the 21 Ltd on this camera. I wear it around my neck even when I'm shooting with the K-5 sometimes, and I like the fact that neither of those lenses really get caught up on anything. The odd lens hood on the 21 is perfect on the K-01.

Painter · 04-09-2013, 05:26 PM

Originally posted by normhead

You guys are really missing out with the 40 xs, for me it's either that or the 21 Ltd on this camera. I wear it around my neck even when I'm shooting with the K-5 sometimes, and I like the fact that neither of those lenses really get caught up on anything. The odd lens hood on the 21 is perfect on the K-01.

Normhead that may be the case about the 40mm but it wasn't an option from this reasent sale from Adorama

Docrwm · 04-09-2013, 06:18 PM

Originally posted by Painter

Normhead that may be the case about the 40mm but it wasn't an option from this reasent sale from Adorama

For a very brief period I had the 40XS, 40Ltd, and 35/2.4. I sold the 40XS. The 40Ltd does everything the 40XS does and more. The only advantage I saw in the 40XS was a few mm in physical depth. The disadvantages were build quality, very poor decision about the lens cap and thread diameter (non-standard size), and lack of QS. The 40LTD has better build, QS, and the same IQ. The 35/2.4 is bigger but suffers from the lack of QS but has the advantage of a bit wider vision on the camera. All-in-all a 40 of either stripe is a very nice and handy lens to have on the K-01, but do not forget the 35/2.4 as they can be had for $140-160 used here and are excellent lenses too.

yorik · 04-16-2013, 08:31 PM - **2 Likes**

I came home from work early with every intention of getting a couple of home-improvement chores done... only to find a big box from Adorama by the front door.

The K-01 has landed...

Initial impressions: feels good in the hands; focus peaking is a nice feature; the 43 ltd looks right at home on the front of the brick.

And here's a jpg unprocessed... The IQ has that famlliar K5 feel to it - another good thing!

emergo · 04-17-2013, 12:08 AM

i got a yellow, myself - it should arrive tomorrow, and here I am out of town on business! but I've got my Q with me so that's some consolation...

like others, I plan to park the 21 on it and call it good. The 43 is usually on the K5, although lately it's been "bumped" by the 77 I got a deal on at that Pentax sale in Denver...

mamethot · 04-17-2013, 04:14 AM

I do not know how many of them Adorama sold for the last couple of weeks but one landed here as well, in the great white north

First thing to say is thumbs up to Adorama for a lightning fast shipping.

Despite the lack of OVF, the camera handles well, better than expected. The rubber doors aren't my favorites but other than that the finish is quite good. IQ is quite good.

One thing I'm not impressed with is the AF motor noise. It IS loud. but it works.

smarter · 04-17-2013, 12:06 PM

I ordered a second K-01 this week, I already had a black one with the 40mm XS. Now I'll recieve the silver one as well. I intend to use the black one for everyday use with AF lenses and set up the silver one to use with my manual Pentax lenses. So I have one ready for point and shoot and the other for special occasions. At this price level: Get them while you still can!

04-09-2013, 10:20 AM	#1
yorik Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Scotts Valley, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 991	Bit the bullet... ... at $250.00 my objections (not a big fan of the design, no VF, no tilting screen) were finally overcome by the positives (cheap, excellent IQ, same lenses as K5 (so a good back-up), focus peaking, and did I mention: CHEAP!). Perhaps I will follow up with an informal critique for the rest of the reluctant crowd. Yonatan

04-09-2013, 12:10 PM	#5
Painter Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 348	sigh, I couldn't help myself either I just ordered the yellow version which has always been my favourite. I would have liked to get the 40mm XS lens but I think the DA35Ltd will be a better focal length anyway.

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04-09-2013, 10:22 AM	#2
robtcorl Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: St Louis, MO Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,606	Welcome to the 01 club! I jumped in when it hit $450 with the 40mm XS, and have no regrets.

04-09-2013, 10:28 AM	#3
yorik Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Scotts Valley, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 991 Original Poster	Thanks! I have (and love) the 43 ltd, so I decided against the 40mm xs (in spite of the svelter lines). I may however be `forced' to get the 21 ltd for the K-01.

04-09-2013, 11:42 AM	#4
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	I did the same at $299 with the 40XS and sold the 40XS and kept my 40Ltd. It has proven a useful backup to the K-5 and better in some regards for static shots because of the Focus Peaking and its utility with my MF lenses. At $249 its a reasonable price for the body only IMHO as a backup to a dSLR. Enjoy your new K-01!

04-09-2013, 12:18 PM	#6
Charles Hueter Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Austin, TX Photos: Gallery Posts: 42	Another bullet-biter here. It was random luck I browsed past the forums today and saw the deal. I'm definitely in on a cheap way to get a K-5 sensor! I shoot in low, crappy light frequently and am excited about seeing what it can do.

04-09-2013, 02:49 PM	#7
Wormtographer Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Diego Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 166	Browsing all the K-01 forum entries since I just became another brick owner...good grief I tought my lens collection was out-of-control, my camera collection is catching-up.

04-09-2013, 02:56 PM	#8
JimbotheScot New Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 11	I got mine this week, I only had a Sony w200 point and shoot jobby, so at this price it would jolly well be rude not to and I had two pentax lenses for my mz-5n, love the k mounting system and Pentax

04-09-2013, 03:28 PM - 1 Like	#9
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	You guys are really missing out with the 40 xs, for me it's either that or the 21 Ltd on this camera. I wear it around my neck even when I'm shooting with the K-5 sometimes, and I like the fact that neither of those lenses really get caught up on anything. The odd lens hood on the 21 is perfect on the K-01.

04-09-2013, 05:26 PM	#10
Painter Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 348	Originally posted by normhead You guys are really missing out with the 40 xs, for me it's either that or the 21 Ltd on this camera. I wear it around my neck even when I'm shooting with the K-5 sometimes, and I like the fact that neither of those lenses really get caught up on anything. The odd lens hood on the 21 is perfect on the K-01. Normhead that may be the case about the 40mm but it wasn't an option from this reasent sale from Adorama

04-09-2013, 06:18 PM	#11
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by Painter Normhead that may be the case about the 40mm but it wasn't an option from this reasent sale from Adorama For a very brief period I had the 40XS, 40Ltd, and 35/2.4. I sold the 40XS. The 40Ltd does everything the 40XS does and more. The only advantage I saw in the 40XS was a few mm in physical depth. The disadvantages were build quality, very poor decision about the lens cap and thread diameter (non-standard size), and lack of QS. The 40LTD has better build, QS, and the same IQ. The 35/2.4 is bigger but suffers from the lack of QS but has the advantage of a bit wider vision on the camera. All-in-all a 40 of either stripe is a very nice and handy lens to have on the K-01, but do not forget the 35/2.4 as they can be had for $140-160 used here and are excellent lenses too.

04-17-2013, 12:08 AM	#13
emergo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coloroado Photos: Gallery Posts: 271	i got a yellow, myself - it should arrive tomorrow, and here I am out of town on business! but I've got my Q with me so that's some consolation... like others, I plan to park the 21 on it and call it good. The 43 is usually on the K5, although lately it's been "bumped" by the 77 I got a deal on at that Pentax sale in Denver...

04-17-2013, 04:14 AM	#14
mamethot Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Greater Montreal Area Posts: 736	I do not know how many of them Adorama sold for the last couple of weeks but one landed here as well, in the great white north First thing to say is thumbs up to Adorama for a lightning fast shipping. Despite the lack of OVF, the camera handles well, better than expected. The rubber doors aren't my favorites but other than that the finish is quite good. IQ is quite good. One thing I'm not impressed with is the AF motor noise. It IS loud. but it works.

04-17-2013, 12:06 PM	#15
smarter Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 18	I ordered a second K-01 this week, I already had a black one with the 40mm XS. Now I'll recieve the silver one as well. I intend to use the black one for everyday use with AF lenses and set up the silver one to use with my manual Pentax lenses. So I have one ready for point and shoot and the other for special occasions. At this price level: Get them while you still can!