K-30 Kit - New

SirBismuth · 01-13-2013, 07:00 AM

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Hi All,

In 2011, I almost bought a K-r, as discussed on the relevant thread here. I never ended up buying it, but did end up buying a high-end gaming PC.

Now with the K-30, and all I've read about it, the bug has bitten again. I found this kit on Ebay, which represents the most value atm.

What do you guys/gals think, is it worth it?. As much as I would like the 18-135 WR kit, it is just not within my budget, that kit is.

Something similar from Adorama comes in at least 10-15% more. I would rather support them or B&H through this site, however, if I do purchase a Pentax DSLR via Ebay, will renew my site supportor membership in any case. So, either way, these forums will score!

B

**patrick9** · 01-13-2013, 08:06 AM

Your going to love the K-30. I got mine last week
It seems like a pretty good offer, If you need all the stuff that is included. Also note that the lenses are not WR lenses. So the system will not be weather sealed .

Hamiltom · 01-13-2013, 08:33 AM

I think that if you need two lenses,you may want to look at this one:

BLACK Pentax K-30 Digital SLR Body w/ 18-55mm & 55-300mm DA L 2 Lens Kit | eBay

It doesn't have all the extras, but you may not need all that stuff. All those extras affects shipping costs with their extra weight and size.

I ended up with the K30 -18-55 WR kit so I could have at least one WR combo when heading out in questionable weather or to beach/shoreline/high humidity environments. The same Ebay supplier overs that kit for US$765.00 plus shipping. http://www.ebay.ca/itm/NEW-Pentax-K-30-Blue-Digital-SLR-Camera-Body-with-18-...item1e74c5f52c

No matter which you decide on, the K30 is a bargain for the features/image IQ and ease of handling.

**colonel00** · 01-13-2013, 10:55 PM

I am kind of in the same boat as I am on the verge of purchasing the K-30. For me, I have decided to get the kit with the 18-135 WR lens. This will give me a solid walk around lens that has WR and has a good zoom range. From what I have read, it isn't the perfect lens (as no zoom lens is perfect) but it should serve me nicely as a beginner lens and keep me able to shoot should the weather be less than ideal. Also, by buying it with the camera body as a kit, it shaves off a couple hundred dollars off the cost of the lens alone. Just something to think about. Once I make the initial purchase, I plan to pick up a DA 55-300mm and probably a good prime at 21mm or 35mm or somewhere in that range. That should set me up with a good beginner setup with minimal out of pocket expense.

FWIW, Adorama has the cheapest deal that I can find for the 18-135mm kit at $979 after you add it to your cart. I did see it for right at $900 after a $100 rebate before Christmas but that deal is over now.

SirBismuth · 01-14-2013, 12:20 AM

I currently have the following lenses:

Pentax FA SMC 4.5-5.6 100-300mm
Pentax-F SMC 4.7-5.6 80-200mm
Sigma Aspherical 3.5-5.6 28-80mm MACRO
Imado 2x Auto Teleconvertor

And might be adding the SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/1.7 Prime Lens and Sigma 170-500mm F5-6.3 APO (non-DG) to that collection, budget-permitting ofc!

So, currently am inclinced to the Pentax K-30 Digital SLR Camera with 18-135 WR (Weather Resistant) DA Lens, 16.3MP, 1080p HD Video, 3.0" LCD, Black that is at Adorama for $1,096.95, so that at least I have a decent WR setup for when the weather is a bit dodgy.

B

SirBismuth · 01-14-2013, 04:59 AM

Hi All,

Have just ordered the Pentax K-30 Digital SLR Camera with 18-135 WR, from Abe's Of Maine. Used the link in one of Adam's post, so hopefully the forums get something out of it, and I can get a month or so of Supporter Status!

Damn, am now excited, just want the friggin' camera, hope it isn't held up in Customs or anything.

Dunno what I am going to do with my old film SLR, maybe keep it for memories?

B

dcBear78 · 01-14-2013, 07:53 AM

I very much regret not getting the kit with the 18-135 lens. I discovered that I really wanted the one lens that had more range than the 18-55 in order to get candid snapshots of friends over New Years Eve (ie no camera in their face).

SirBismuth · 01-14-2013, 11:15 AM

Yeah, wasn't even going to get a WR lens, but I read comments on this thread and in other places, and decided that the kit with the 18-135 WR lens, gives me some flexibility in bad weather. Considered the 18-55 WR, but decided that the 18-135 is less restrictive, and like dcBear78 wanted to do, lets you get that little bit further from your subjects, which can make all the difference.

B

**patrick9** · 01-16-2013, 07:19 PM

Originally posted by SirBismuth

gives me some flexibility in bad weather

I got body only I thought I would get an 18-135 WR in a couple of months. It has rained everyday since got the K-30

. I may have to order it sooner than planned

curlednoodles · 01-19-2013, 07:40 AM

Good decision spending the extra to get the WR lens. The weather sealing is a huge advantage of the K30 so theres little sense in pairing it with a non WR lens IMO.

harriska2 · 01-23-2013, 12:49 PM

I had the 18-55 kit lens on my k20 for 4 years. It was the only lens I had. I upgraded to the k30 with the WR 18-135 and haven't looked back. Much faster!

SirBismuth · 01-24-2013, 12:16 AM

Originally posted by harriska2

I had the 18-55 kit lens on my k20 for 4 years. It was the only lens I had. I upgraded to the k30 with the WR 18-135 and haven't looked back. Much faster!

I have finally ordered the K-30, the various overseas sites didn't have stock, or didn't like my CC, so I have sourced the K-30 w/18-135mm WR lens locally. Should have it in a week or so.

I have also ordered the DA 50-200mm F/4-5.6 ED WR, so I can have at least 2 WR lenses. Eventually I want to add the Tamron AF 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD IF Macro and SIGMA APO 150-500MM F5-6.3 DG OS HSM, then my glass collection is complete.... for now!

B

altopiet · 01-24-2013, 01:51 AM

Douglas, I understand you had a bit of rain lately, the K-30 might come in handy! I have about 2000 shots on mine, and it already had a splash or two without any problems. Good luck with your purchase.

georgecape · 01-24-2013, 02:04 AM

Originally posted by altopiet

Douglas, I understand you had a bit of rain lately, the K-30 might come in handy! I have about 2000 shots on mine, and it already had a splash or two without any problems. Good luck with your purchase.

Altopiet, there's a message for you on the 'First Try Shooting Sports with the K-30' thread.
cheers
George

altopiet · 01-24-2013, 02:07 AM

Thanks George, being in the retail liquor trade, I'm only now getting a little bit of time for the forums, after a hectic Xmas period, I'll have a look!

01-13-2013, 07:00 AM	#1
SirBismuth Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Pretoria, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 126	K-30 Kit - New Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. Hi All, In 2011, I almost bought a K-r, as discussed on the relevant thread here. I never ended up buying it, but did end up buying a high-end gaming PC. Now with the K-30, and all I've read about it, the bug has bitten again. I found this kit on Ebay, which represents the most value atm. What do you guys/gals think, is it worth it?. As much as I would like the 18-135 WR kit, it is just not within my budget, that kit is. Something similar from Adorama comes in at least 10-15% more. I would rather support them or B&H through this site, however, if I do purchase a Pentax DSLR via Ebay, will renew my site supportor membership in any case. So, either way, these forums will score! B

01-16-2013, 07:19 PM	#9
patrick9 Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Murfreesboro Tennessee Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,458	Originally posted by SirBismuth gives me some flexibility in bad weather I got body only I thought I would get an 18-135 WR in a couple of months. It has rained everyday since got the K-30. I may have to order it sooner than planned

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01-13-2013, 08:06 AM	#2
patrick9 Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Murfreesboro Tennessee Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,458	Your going to love the K-30. I got mine last week It seems like a pretty good offer, If you need all the stuff that is included. Also note that the lenses are not WR lenses. So the system will not be weather sealed .

01-13-2013, 08:33 AM	#3
Hamiltom Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 100	I think that if you need two lenses,you may want to look at this one: BLACK Pentax K-30 Digital SLR Body w/ 18-55mm & 55-300mm DA L 2 Lens Kit \| eBay It doesn't have all the extras, but you may not need all that stuff. All those extras affects shipping costs with their extra weight and size. I ended up with the K30 -18-55 WR kit so I could have at least one WR combo when heading out in questionable weather or to beach/shoreline/high humidity environments. The same Ebay supplier overs that kit for US$765.00 plus shipping. http://www.ebay.ca/itm/NEW-Pentax-K-30-Blue-Digital-SLR-Camera-Body-with-18-...item1e74c5f52c No matter which you decide on, the K30 is a bargain for the features/image IQ and ease of handling.

01-13-2013, 10:55 PM	#4
colonel00 Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 483	I am kind of in the same boat as I am on the verge of purchasing the K-30. For me, I have decided to get the kit with the 18-135 WR lens. This will give me a solid walk around lens that has WR and has a good zoom range. From what I have read, it isn't the perfect lens (as no zoom lens is perfect) but it should serve me nicely as a beginner lens and keep me able to shoot should the weather be less than ideal. Also, by buying it with the camera body as a kit, it shaves off a couple hundred dollars off the cost of the lens alone. Just something to think about. Once I make the initial purchase, I plan to pick up a DA 55-300mm and probably a good prime at 21mm or 35mm or somewhere in that range. That should set me up with a good beginner setup with minimal out of pocket expense. FWIW, Adorama has the cheapest deal that I can find for the 18-135mm kit at $979 after you add it to your cart. I did see it for right at $900 after a $100 rebate before Christmas but that deal is over now.

01-14-2013, 12:20 AM	#5
SirBismuth Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Pretoria, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 126 Original Poster	I currently have the following lenses: Pentax FA SMC 4.5-5.6 100-300mm Pentax-F SMC 4.7-5.6 80-200mm Sigma Aspherical 3.5-5.6 28-80mm MACRO Imado 2x Auto Teleconvertor And might be adding the SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/1.7 Prime Lens and Sigma 170-500mm F5-6.3 APO (non-DG) to that collection, budget-permitting ofc! So, currently am inclinced to the Pentax K-30 Digital SLR Camera with 18-135 WR (Weather Resistant) DA Lens, 16.3MP, 1080p HD Video, 3.0" LCD, Black that is at Adorama for $1,096.95, so that at least I have a decent WR setup for when the weather is a bit dodgy. B

01-14-2013, 04:59 AM	#6
SirBismuth Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Pretoria, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 126 Original Poster	Hi All, Have just ordered the Pentax K-30 Digital SLR Camera with 18-135 WR, from Abe's Of Maine. Used the link in one of Adam's post, so hopefully the forums get something out of it, and I can get a month or so of Supporter Status! Damn, am now excited, just want the friggin' camera, hope it isn't held up in Customs or anything. Dunno what I am going to do with my old film SLR, maybe keep it for memories? B

01-14-2013, 07:53 AM	#7
dcBear78 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Gladstone, QLD Photos: Gallery Posts: 823	I very much regret not getting the kit with the 18-135 lens. I discovered that I really wanted the one lens that had more range than the 18-55 in order to get candid snapshots of friends over New Years Eve (ie no camera in their face).

01-14-2013, 11:15 AM	#8
SirBismuth Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Pretoria, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 126 Original Poster	Yeah, wasn't even going to get a WR lens, but I read comments on this thread and in other places, and decided that the kit with the 18-135 WR lens, gives me some flexibility in bad weather. Considered the 18-55 WR, but decided that the 18-135 is less restrictive, and like dcBear78 wanted to do, lets you get that little bit further from your subjects, which can make all the difference. B

01-19-2013, 07:40 AM	#10
curlednoodles Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Far North Qld, Australia Posts: 184	Good decision spending the extra to get the WR lens. The weather sealing is a huge advantage of the K30 so theres little sense in pairing it with a non WR lens IMO.

01-23-2013, 12:49 PM	#11
harriska2 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Corvallis, OR Posts: 43	I had the 18-55 kit lens on my k20 for 4 years. It was the only lens I had. I upgraded to the k30 with the WR 18-135 and haven't looked back. Much faster!

01-24-2013, 12:16 AM	#12
SirBismuth Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Pretoria, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 126 Original Poster	Originally posted by harriska2 I had the 18-55 kit lens on my k20 for 4 years. It was the only lens I had. I upgraded to the k30 with the WR 18-135 and haven't looked back. Much faster! I have finally ordered the K-30, the various overseas sites didn't have stock, or didn't like my CC, so I have sourced the K-30 w/18-135mm WR lens locally. Should have it in a week or so. I have also ordered the DA 50-200mm F/4-5.6 ED WR, so I can have at least 2 WR lenses. Eventually I want to add the Tamron AF 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD IF Macro and SIGMA APO 150-500MM F5-6.3 DG OS HSM, then my glass collection is complete.... for now! B

01-24-2013, 01:51 AM	#13
altopiet Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: The Gem of the Karoo, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,307	Douglas, I understand you had a bit of rain lately, the K-30 might come in handy! I have about 2000 shots on mine, and it already had a splash or two without any problems. Good luck with your purchase.

01-24-2013, 02:04 AM	#14
georgecape Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kenridge, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 212	Originally posted by altopiet Douglas, I understand you had a bit of rain lately, the K-30 might come in handy! I have about 2000 shots on mine, and it already had a splash or two without any problems. Good luck with your purchase. Altopiet, there's a message for you on the 'First Try Shooting Sports with the K-30' thread. cheers George

01-24-2013, 02:07 AM	#15
altopiet Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: The Gem of the Karoo, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,307	Thanks George, being in the retail liquor trade, I'm only now getting a little bit of time for the forums, after a hectic Xmas period, I'll have a look!