Recommendations with my setup

zelda64 · 07-08-2013, 03:12 PM

I currently have K-01 + 40mm XS (bundle), Sigma 30mm F1.4 and Pentax 50mm F1.8. All lens were acquired during promotions so I should be able to sell them at the similar price as I got them about half a year ago (even higher). I just bought the Canon EOS M + 22mm prime in the recent deal because I do want something really small (smaller than the K-01+40mm xs) so I can take with on the go, and 22mm is a nice add to the current 30-40-50mm range. BTW, I also have a Canon S100 but mostly used by my wife and she loves it.

The issue I have is that I am thinking to get something with fast focus, like a DSLR. Need the fast focus for more pictures of kids because they move! I definitely will get a K-30 or K-5 but leaning towards to a K-30 because it is cheaper, faster and newer. I used to own K-x with 2 kit lens (18-55mm and 55mm-200mm) but I let go of the K-x and the lenses after I got the K-01 because the IQ is much better on K-01.

Here are my plans:

In the pocket: Will decide between Canon EOS M + 22mm prime or Canon S100 after I received the Canon EOS M for compare. Definitely not the K-01 because it is still bulky even with the 40mm xs.

In the bag:

Option#1: Sell the K-01+40mm XS, get the K-30 body only so I will have K-30 with Sigma 30mm F1.4 and Pentax 50mm F1.8.

Option#2: Sell the K-01 body, get the K-30 body to go with the 30-40-50 lens.

Option#3A: Sell the K-01 +40mm XS+50mm F1.8, get the K-30 with 18-135mm and keep the Sigma 30mm F1.4 for low light.

Option#3B: Sell the K-01 +40mm XS+50mm F1.8, get the K-30 with 18-55mm and keep the Sigma 30mm F1.4 for low light. It is a cheaper solution because I am not very convinced the 18-135mm lens justify the price over 18-55 lens in terms of IQ.

your recommendations are highly appeciated, I really like the yellow K-01 but it just focus too slow for the kids.

**THoog** · 07-08-2013, 03:31 PM

I personally like 3A. IMHO, the 18-135 is a little better IQ than the kit 18-55 (certainly not worse), has a lot more reach, quiet focusing, and WR. Mine lives on my K-30 as my all-weather go-to kit.

From what I've heard, focusing on the EOS M is going to be slow like the K-01 (as they are both CDAF-only).

zelda64 · 07-08-2013, 04:00 PM

Originally posted by THoog

I personally like 3A. IMHO, the 18-135 is a little better IQ than the kit 18-55 (certainly not worse), has a lot more reach, quiet focusing, and WR. Mine lives on my K-30 as my all-weather go-to kit.

From what I've heard, focusing on the EOS M is going to be slow like the K-01 (as they are both CDAF-only).

I agree the EOS M is similar to K-01 in terms of focus speed, and the 22mm prime is even slower. However as wide as 22mm, focus speed may not be a big deal. The question is, is the 18-135mm worth the extra $300 vs the 18-55mm since I don't use the 55-135mm a lot. Also I never think the WR is a big deal for me because I never shoot in the rain. Does the 18-135 focus faster than the 18-55mm?

**THoog** · 07-08-2013, 06:33 PM

Originally posted by zelda64

I agree the EOS M is similar to K-01 in terms of focus speed, and the 22mm prime is even slower. However as wide as 22mm, focus speed may not be a big deal. The question is, is the 18-135mm worth the extra $300 vs the 18-55mm since I don't use the 55-135mm a lot. Also I never think the WR is a big deal for me because I never shoot in the rain. Does the 18-135 focus faster than the 18-55mm?

I've shot the DA21 on the K-01 quite a bit, and it's still not an action camera by any stretch,

You might use the longer reach if you had it available, rather than having to swap like the 18-55/55-200 pair. Likewise WR - I took my K-x out in the mist & snow plenty of times, but the K-30 gives me more confidence for that sort of thing. The 18-135 probably focuses faster than the 18-55, just because it has an internal motor. It's pretty snappy.

You probably would get more opinions in the K-30 or lens forums than the K-01 forum.

Kozlok · 07-09-2013, 06:00 PM

Option 3a. I love my 18-135 more than I ever did my 18-55. Better IQ, quiet focus, goes to 135 if you need it. It is perfect for 1 lens walk around. I also couldn't live without my Sigma 30.

What about option Z, get a part time weekend job for two weeks, buy the K-30/18-135 kit, keep everything else, then quit that second job after a third week so you can buy the wife something too.

Na Horuk · 07-12-2013, 03:31 AM

Maybe you can just try to use MF and focus peaking with your K-01 and you don't need the faster PD AF of the K-30?
At least, when I try to take photos of fast subjects with my K-01, I set it to MF and stop down a little for a bigger DoF (better chance of acceptable focus), use burst mode lo (no hi for raw). It might take some getting used to..

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07-08-2013, 03:12 PM	#1
zelda64 New Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 3	Recommendations with my setup I currently have K-01 + 40mm XS (bundle), Sigma 30mm F1.4 and Pentax 50mm F1.8. All lens were acquired during promotions so I should be able to sell them at the similar price as I got them about half a year ago (even higher). I just bought the Canon EOS M + 22mm prime in the recent deal because I do want something really small (smaller than the K-01+40mm xs) so I can take with on the go, and 22mm is a nice add to the current 30-40-50mm range. BTW, I also have a Canon S100 but mostly used by my wife and she loves it. The issue I have is that I am thinking to get something with fast focus, like a DSLR. Need the fast focus for more pictures of kids because they move! I definitely will get a K-30 or K-5 but leaning towards to a K-30 because it is cheaper, faster and newer. I used to own K-x with 2 kit lens (18-55mm and 55mm-200mm) but I let go of the K-x and the lenses after I got the K-01 because the IQ is much better on K-01. Here are my plans: In the pocket: Will decide between Canon EOS M + 22mm prime or Canon S100 after I received the Canon EOS M for compare. Definitely not the K-01 because it is still bulky even with the 40mm xs. In the bag: Option#1: Sell the K-01+40mm XS, get the K-30 body only so I will have K-30 with Sigma 30mm F1.4 and Pentax 50mm F1.8. Option#2: Sell the K-01 body, get the K-30 body to go with the 30-40-50 lens. Option#3A: Sell the K-01 +40mm XS+50mm F1.8, get the K-30 with 18-135mm and keep the Sigma 30mm F1.4 for low light. Option#3B: Sell the K-01 +40mm XS+50mm F1.8, get the K-30 with 18-55mm and keep the Sigma 30mm F1.4 for low light. It is a cheaper solution because I am not very convinced the 18-135mm lens justify the price over 18-55 lens in terms of IQ. your recommendations are highly appeciated, I really like the yellow K-01 but it just focus too slow for the kids.

07-08-2013, 03:31 PM	#2
THoog Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,685	I personally like 3A. IMHO, the 18-135 is a little better IQ than the kit 18-55 (certainly not worse), has a lot more reach, quiet focusing, and WR. Mine lives on my K-30 as my all-weather go-to kit. From what I've heard, focusing on the EOS M is going to be slow like the K-01 (as they are both CDAF-only).

07-08-2013, 04:00 PM	#3
zelda64 New Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 3 Original Poster	Originally posted by THoog I personally like 3A. IMHO, the 18-135 is a little better IQ than the kit 18-55 (certainly not worse), has a lot more reach, quiet focusing, and WR. Mine lives on my K-30 as my all-weather go-to kit. From what I've heard, focusing on the EOS M is going to be slow like the K-01 (as they are both CDAF-only). I agree the EOS M is similar to K-01 in terms of focus speed, and the 22mm prime is even slower. However as wide as 22mm, focus speed may not be a big deal. The question is, is the 18-135mm worth the extra $300 vs the 18-55mm since I don't use the 55-135mm a lot. Also I never think the WR is a big deal for me because I never shoot in the rain. Does the 18-135 focus faster than the 18-55mm?

07-08-2013, 06:33 PM	#4
THoog Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,685	Originally posted by zelda64 I agree the EOS M is similar to K-01 in terms of focus speed, and the 22mm prime is even slower. However as wide as 22mm, focus speed may not be a big deal. The question is, is the 18-135mm worth the extra $300 vs the 18-55mm since I don't use the 55-135mm a lot. Also I never think the WR is a big deal for me because I never shoot in the rain. Does the 18-135 focus faster than the 18-55mm? I've shot the DA21 on the K-01 quite a bit, and it's still not an action camera by any stretch, You might use the longer reach if you had it available, rather than having to swap like the 18-55/55-200 pair. Likewise WR - I took my K-x out in the mist & snow plenty of times, but the K-30 gives me more confidence for that sort of thing. The 18-135 probably focuses faster than the 18-55, just because it has an internal motor. It's pretty snappy. You probably would get more opinions in the K-30 or lens forums than the K-01 forum.

07-09-2013, 06:00 PM	#5
Kozlok Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Albuquerque Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,148	Option 3a. I love my 18-135 more than I ever did my 18-55. Better IQ, quiet focus, goes to 135 if you need it. It is perfect for 1 lens walk around. I also couldn't live without my Sigma 30. What about option Z, get a part time weekend job for two weeks, buy the K-30/18-135 kit, keep everything else, then quit that second job after a third week so you can buy the wife something too.

07-12-2013, 03:31 AM	#6
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Maybe you can just try to use MF and focus peaking with your K-01 and you don't need the faster PD AF of the K-30? At least, when I try to take photos of fast subjects with my K-01, I set it to MF and stop down a little for a bigger DoF (better chance of acceptable focus), use burst mode lo (no hi for raw). It might take some getting used to..