K-30 Arrived.

Jon · 06-17-2013, 08:21 PM

My K-30 arrived this afternoon.
Initial thoughts... It looks a little more "futuristic" than the K-5 i was considering also. In pictures I was not sure about it looks, but is person it all makes sense. The grip is one of the best I have held. It feels far more natural than the Nikon d5100 my brother in law uses (which feels like its made for a 10 year olds hands). My intentions with this camera were to use my Pentax SLR lenses. (28[3.5], 50[1.7], 300[4]) (also have a Rokinon 35mm f.14 on the way later this week.) I have been adapting lenses on micro 4/3 cameras for a while and I really appreciate not having to use a bulky adapter on this body. Pentax-m lenses are a great visual contrast to this angular body. I have just tried the focus peaking and it seems very accurate. I thought I would miss a fold out screen, but with this beautiful viewfinder who needs it. This viewfinder is almost as good as that in my Pentax MX.
what i will miss from my other cameras... eye sensor for the view finder. i love the colors of the lcd screen, but not glowing under my eye as I'm framing a shot through the viewfinder. I'm sure there is someway to remedy this though. haven't dug that deep yet.
Also, while i really appreciate all the weather sealing i am not excited about having to ask my wife to remove the SD card for me. Maybe I'll carry some tweezers in my bag?!?! I can't be alone here.
what I like most though... the build. This difference is like closing the door on a luxury coupe and an econo-box car. This being the luxury car. The shutter and mirror movements feel so precise, secure, and their sound from inside that rugged body makes me want shoot more. Even my wife who has no interest in my cameras appreciated the satisfying feel of each capture as she kept shooting. compared to comparable canons and nikons the moment of capture in the K-30 instills so much more confidence, and is much nicer than the electronic noises of my mirror-less cameras. I've got a long flight tomorrow and will be tearing through the owners manual as I fine tune my settings and preferences, but at this early point I am proud to be part of the Pentax-Digital family.

**OrangeKx** · 06-17-2013, 08:36 PM

Nice!!

RonakG · 06-17-2013, 08:44 PM

That's great. Welcome to the forums. Do post some images with your new toy.

Enjoy.

**mike.hiran** · 06-17-2013, 09:59 PM

Awesome post! Hope you end up liking the camera as much as I think it deserves. Having a nicely engineered camera is such a pleasure to use. And if you decide to get a WR lens, there's not much weather wise to stop you.

There are so many good old lenses out there - be sure to check out the lens forums on this site. There's so much experience here and people are very willing to share their knowledge, it's such an added value to the great camera you already have.

Congrats and good luck making the transition!

Jon · 06-17-2013, 10:20 PM

Thanks Guys. I am very impressed with this forum as well.
I'll be travelling across the country for a wedding in New England this week, so the K-30 will certainly be put straight to work. I unfortunately won't have the Rokinon in time, so legacy glass will have to suffice.
Also, small side note. The one negative of in body IS (or SR) is the sensation of a shifting sensor while the camera is off. I did not expect that. ah well. Small price to pay.

**ramseybuckeye** · 06-18-2013, 09:44 AM

Two thing that can help, the manual can be downloaded in pdf and is searchable, and you can download your photos with the usb cord, there is no reason remove the SD card for that.

**JimJohnson** · 06-18-2013, 09:59 AM

Originally posted by Jon

i am not excited about having to ask my wife to remove the SD card for me.

The spring in the SD card slot is pretty strong. Press in the card, then slide your finger off and out of the way. Get ready to catch because that card might go airborne. With a little practice, I can get the card to self-eject about 75%. That is far enough to grasp the card by the left & right edges rather than trying to grab the front & back of the card near the end. As you have noticed, the weather seal makes grabbing the front & back a bit difficult.

**patrick9** · 06-18-2013, 07:38 PM

Originally posted by JimJohnson

The spring in the SD card slot is pretty strong. Press in the card, then slide your finger off and out of the way. Get ready to catch because that card might go airborne. With a little practice, I can get the card to self-eject about 75%.

That's about my average too. I still have it go flying on occasion tho.

Originally posted by Jon

i love the colors of the lcd screen, but not glowing under my eye as I'm framing a shot through the viewfinder. I'm sure there is someway to remedy this though. haven't dug that deep yet.

While framing the shot a slight touch of the shutter button will turn off the LCD screen. You can also go into the info button 2 presses and shut it off but then you have to go back and turn it back on when you want to use it again. I just hold the shutter button half way down when I am composing using the VF

Jon · 06-18-2013, 10:58 PM

Thanks guys. I thumbed through a PDF version of the manual on my flights today, and learned quite a bit. Most cameras I have had didn't have such a learning curve, but I hear that is Pentax's thing. I hear what you are saying about the SD card, I'll get it down. I have been setting my presets up, which is certainly difficult for older M lenses. I love using the green button for stop down metering in manual. I did have the minor freak out about getting the lens out of wide open, but with a little research I determined it was due to the ISO being in auto. No biggie, I prefer manual ISO as well, but was getting pretty nervous when every shooting mode was AV regardless of the dial location, and every shot was wide open. Hopefully I'm prepared enough for a day of shooting around Boston tomorrow. We'll see, but so far still smitten with this camera despite its challenges.

Nerdlinger · 06-19-2013, 07:16 AM

I was going to reply that you need to let the spring launch/push it out, but I was beat to the punch...that is what I do...definitely the way to go...

Jon · 06-19-2013, 12:13 PM - **1 Like**

Just spent the day shooting around Boston. Lots of street shots, some architecture, some portraits.
This camera is a breeze to handle all day. I use a wrist lanyard and did not fatigue at all from holding the camera all day. That finger notch in the grip feels just right. The shutter and green button location is great. I wish the focus switch didn't protrude when it was in manual though. As for focusing the red box focus hint in the viewfinder is nice. It was too bright to do any live view focus peaking. I initially feared I was under exposing most my shots, but once I was indoors the picture review confirmed they were just right. Must have been that the LCD was turned down to conserve battery and it was dim in the bright sun. I am still a long way from processing the raw files, but in camera review things look great. Good range and colors. Also the review function is pretty good. Very fast at scrolling through files, no lag. I did notice between shots it can take a little effort to get the camera out of sleep. I am used to a half shutter press doing the trick. I ended up taking some worthless pics trying to wake it up. Haha, ah well. After over 300 shots the battery is still going strong, near full (at least the display says so). The particulars of this camera have certainly forced me to change my shooting habits to fit the camera functions. But I love that. After about 100 shots me and the camera were one. Metering with the green button is so addictive, and in 'most' occasions it proved very accurate. It won't be till Sunday before I get my shots on a computer but who cares. I am just having fun shooting with it. Way to go Pentax... You hooked me!

Jon · 06-23-2013, 03:55 PM

Finally some of the shots. I'm very happy with how everything turned out.

and one in color x-posted in k30 pictures.

**OrangeKx** · 06-23-2013, 04:35 PM

The IQ of the color shot looks nice.

EarlVonTapia · 06-26-2013, 01:42 PM

Great shots! Glad you're enjoying the camera.

Originally posted by Jon

Haha, ah well. After over 300 shots the battery is still going strong, near full (at least the display says so).

That's a minor annoying thing about the battery LCD display. It takes nearly 400 shots for the meter to go from green to yellow, then only 50-75 or so until it dies. It can be deceiving, thinking you have 3/4 of a battery left, when really you have less than half. That's why I carry a spare.

Originally posted by Jon

I thumbed through a PDF version of the manual on my flights today, and learned quite a bit. Most cameras I have had didn't have such a learning curve, but I hear that is Pentax's thing.

I *tried* reading the manual, front to back. It's just like . . . reading a manual. Only got half way. I've learned a lot more from browsing these forums (specifically the DSLR and the K30 sub-forums) and reading up on past threads, and of course messing around with my camera. More fun that way too.

I do keep a PDF copy of the manual on my phone though, just in case I need to reference something in the field.

SteveB · 06-26-2013, 02:38 PM

Originally posted by Jon

I did notice between shots it can take a little effort to get the camera out of sleep. I am used to a half shutter press doing the trick.

A half shutter brings it out of sleep but you have to hold it for a second longer than ideal.

06-17-2013, 08:21 PM	#1
Jon Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Goodyear, AZ Posts: 145	K-30 Arrived. My K-30 arrived this afternoon. Initial thoughts... It looks a little more "futuristic" than the K-5 i was considering also. In pictures I was not sure about it looks, but is person it all makes sense. The grip is one of the best I have held. It feels far more natural than the Nikon d5100 my brother in law uses (which feels like its made for a 10 year olds hands). My intentions with this camera were to use my Pentax SLR lenses. (28[3.5], 50[1.7], 300[4]) (also have a Rokinon 35mm f.14 on the way later this week.) I have been adapting lenses on micro 4/3 cameras for a while and I really appreciate not having to use a bulky adapter on this body. Pentax-m lenses are a great visual contrast to this angular body. I have just tried the focus peaking and it seems very accurate. I thought I would miss a fold out screen, but with this beautiful viewfinder who needs it. This viewfinder is almost as good as that in my Pentax MX. what i will miss from my other cameras... eye sensor for the view finder. i love the colors of the lcd screen, but not glowing under my eye as I'm framing a shot through the viewfinder. I'm sure there is someway to remedy this though. haven't dug that deep yet. Also, while i really appreciate all the weather sealing i am not excited about having to ask my wife to remove the SD card for me. Maybe I'll carry some tweezers in my bag?!?! I can't be alone here. what I like most though... the build. This difference is like closing the door on a luxury coupe and an econo-box car. This being the luxury car. The shutter and mirror movements feel so precise, secure, and their sound from inside that rugged body makes me want shoot more. Even my wife who has no interest in my cameras appreciated the satisfying feel of each capture as she kept shooting. compared to comparable canons and nikons the moment of capture in the K-30 instills so much more confidence, and is much nicer than the electronic noises of my mirror-less cameras. I've got a long flight tomorrow and will be tearing through the owners manual as I fine tune my settings and preferences, but at this early point I am proud to be part of the Pentax-Digital family.

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06-17-2013, 08:36 PM	#2
OrangeKx Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Vancouver, WA Photos: Gallery Posts: 817	Nice!!

06-17-2013, 08:44 PM	#3
RonakG Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 603	That's great. Welcome to the forums. Do post some images with your new toy. Enjoy.

06-17-2013, 09:59 PM	#4
mike.hiran Site Supporter Join Date: May 2007 Location: portland Photos: Albums Posts: 1,491	Awesome post! Hope you end up liking the camera as much as I think it deserves. Having a nicely engineered camera is such a pleasure to use. And if you decide to get a WR lens, there's not much weather wise to stop you. There are so many good old lenses out there - be sure to check out the lens forums on this site. There's so much experience here and people are very willing to share their knowledge, it's such an added value to the great camera you already have. Congrats and good luck making the transition!

06-17-2013, 10:20 PM	#5
Jon Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Goodyear, AZ Posts: 145 Original Poster	Thanks Guys. I am very impressed with this forum as well. I'll be travelling across the country for a wedding in New England this week, so the K-30 will certainly be put straight to work. I unfortunately won't have the Rokinon in time, so legacy glass will have to suffice. Also, small side note. The one negative of in body IS (or SR) is the sensation of a shifting sensor while the camera is off. I did not expect that. ah well. Small price to pay.

06-18-2013, 09:44 AM	#6
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,288	Two thing that can help, the manual can be downloaded in pdf and is searchable, and you can download your photos with the usb cord, there is no reason remove the SD card for that.

06-18-2013, 09:59 AM	#7
JimJohnson Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Summer:Lake Superior - Michigan Winter:Texas Hill Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,772	Originally posted by Jon i am not excited about having to ask my wife to remove the SD card for me. The spring in the SD card slot is pretty strong. Press in the card, then slide your finger off and out of the way. Get ready to catch because that card might go airborne. With a little practice, I can get the card to self-eject about 75%. That is far enough to grasp the card by the left & right edges rather than trying to grab the front & back of the card near the end. As you have noticed, the weather seal makes grabbing the front & back a bit difficult.

06-18-2013, 07:38 PM	#8
patrick9 Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Murfreesboro Tennessee Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,458	Originally posted by JimJohnson The spring in the SD card slot is pretty strong. Press in the card, then slide your finger off and out of the way. Get ready to catch because that card might go airborne. With a little practice, I can get the card to self-eject about 75%. That's about my average too. I still have it go flying on occasion tho. Originally posted by Jon i love the colors of the lcd screen, but not glowing under my eye as I'm framing a shot through the viewfinder. I'm sure there is someway to remedy this though. haven't dug that deep yet. While framing the shot a slight touch of the shutter button will turn off the LCD screen. You can also go into the info button 2 presses and shut it off but then you have to go back and turn it back on when you want to use it again. I just hold the shutter button half way down when I am composing using the VF

06-18-2013, 10:58 PM	#9
Jon Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Goodyear, AZ Posts: 145 Original Poster	Thanks guys. I thumbed through a PDF version of the manual on my flights today, and learned quite a bit. Most cameras I have had didn't have such a learning curve, but I hear that is Pentax's thing. I hear what you are saying about the SD card, I'll get it down. I have been setting my presets up, which is certainly difficult for older M lenses. I love using the green button for stop down metering in manual. I did have the minor freak out about getting the lens out of wide open, but with a little research I determined it was due to the ISO being in auto. No biggie, I prefer manual ISO as well, but was getting pretty nervous when every shooting mode was AV regardless of the dial location, and every shot was wide open. Hopefully I'm prepared enough for a day of shooting around Boston tomorrow. We'll see, but so far still smitten with this camera despite its challenges.

06-19-2013, 07:16 AM	#10
Nerdlinger Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Homer Glen, IL Photos: Gallery Posts: 55	I was going to reply that you need to let the spring launch/push it out, but I was beat to the punch...that is what I do...definitely the way to go...

06-19-2013, 12:13 PM - 1 Like	#11
Jon Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Goodyear, AZ Posts: 145 Original Poster	Just spent the day shooting around Boston. Lots of street shots, some architecture, some portraits. This camera is a breeze to handle all day. I use a wrist lanyard and did not fatigue at all from holding the camera all day. That finger notch in the grip feels just right. The shutter and green button location is great. I wish the focus switch didn't protrude when it was in manual though. As for focusing the red box focus hint in the viewfinder is nice. It was too bright to do any live view focus peaking. I initially feared I was under exposing most my shots, but once I was indoors the picture review confirmed they were just right. Must have been that the LCD was turned down to conserve battery and it was dim in the bright sun. I am still a long way from processing the raw files, but in camera review things look great. Good range and colors. Also the review function is pretty good. Very fast at scrolling through files, no lag. I did notice between shots it can take a little effort to get the camera out of sleep. I am used to a half shutter press doing the trick. I ended up taking some worthless pics trying to wake it up. Haha, ah well. After over 300 shots the battery is still going strong, near full (at least the display says so). The particulars of this camera have certainly forced me to change my shooting habits to fit the camera functions. But I love that. After about 100 shots me and the camera were one. Metering with the green button is so addictive, and in 'most' occasions it proved very accurate. It won't be till Sunday before I get my shots on a computer but who cares. I am just having fun shooting with it. Way to go Pentax... You hooked me!

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06-23-2013, 03:55 PM	#12
Jon Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Goodyear, AZ Posts: 145 Original Poster	Finally some of the shots. I'm very happy with how everything turned out. and one in color x-posted in k30 pictures.

06-23-2013, 04:35 PM	#13
OrangeKx Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Vancouver, WA Photos: Gallery Posts: 817	The IQ of the color shot looks nice.

06-26-2013, 01:42 PM	#14
EarlVonTapia Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vancouver Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,207	Great shots! Glad you're enjoying the camera. Originally posted by Jon Haha, ah well. After over 300 shots the battery is still going strong, near full (at least the display says so). That's a minor annoying thing about the battery LCD display. It takes nearly 400 shots for the meter to go from green to yellow, then only 50-75 or so until it dies. It can be deceiving, thinking you have 3/4 of a battery left, when really you have less than half. That's why I carry a spare. Originally posted by Jon I thumbed through a PDF version of the manual on my flights today, and learned quite a bit. Most cameras I have had didn't have such a learning curve, but I hear that is Pentax's thing. I tried reading the manual, front to back. It's just like . . . reading a manual. Only got half way. I've learned a lot more from browsing these forums (specifically the DSLR and the K30 sub-forums) and reading up on past threads, and of course messing around with my camera. More fun that way too. I do keep a PDF copy of the manual on my phone though, just in case I need to reference something in the field.

06-26-2013, 02:38 PM	#15
SteveB Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: U.K. Posts: 685	Originally posted by Jon I did notice between shots it can take a little effort to get the camera out of sleep. I am used to a half shutter press doing the trick. A half shutter brings it out of sleep but you have to hold it for a second longer than ideal.