K-500 Impressions

alex212 · 05-29-2014, 07:28 AM

And I'm very satisfied with it. I wanted the K-50 but for the deal I got for a new K-500 Body and 18-55mm and 50-200mm DA (not DAL) lens kits it was too good to pass up. But overall I'm glad I made this purchase and the lack of AF points in the VF doesn't even bother me. I will say one thing I noticed the K-500 doesn't get a whole lot of love on this site and I don't understand why when it's a great budget DSLR.

AldaCZ · 05-29-2014, 11:15 AM

Yeah. If I were buying a dSLR today I would buy a K500 with Tamron 17-50 as a very nice beginner set!

Canmannac · 05-31-2014, 12:01 PM

The K-5oo has not disappointed It was suposed to allow more people into the dslr market, however it is too closely matched to the k-5o and has almost all similar functions (there are some differences). The K-5oo even has some points weather sealed as well. I have had mine now almost a year and it has been totally reliable. No regrets with this purchase.

BerndM · 06-01-2014, 10:29 PM

I posted back on Page 1 that I planned on getting a K500 with the 18-55 and 50-200 lenses. I did get that kit.
I am quite happy with the setup and I still have endless hours of experimentation ahead of me to figure it all out.
But then again, that's part of the fun, right?

Here is a compiled list of everyone who has fessed up to owning a K500 up to June 1st, 2014.

Canmannac
tomwil
Adam
brelip
salb
black-kx
DennisH
cps1959
Trickortreat
Travis Butler
NS_Sailor
paulcote
spinno
alex212
and me, BerndM

That's only 15 of us total.
I'm sure there's thousands more out there but they don't know we're here.
We should try to convince PENTAX to inform all the K500 owners out there about this Forum and suggest they sign up.
Then we could have our own section!

Steve.Ledger · 06-02-2014, 04:54 AM

Originally posted by Canmannac

Seems K-50 & K-500 owners are in witness protection program

none seem to be around.

I bought the K-50 + 18-55 WR kit a few weeks ago, though I'm using the Sigma 30mm F1.4 mostly.
The ergonomics are no match for the K-7, but I'm very happy with the camera as a whole.

paulcote · 06-02-2014, 04:56 AM

We could have our own section I imagine anyways. Yes I have the K500 and its my first DSLR. I bought it with the two lens kit and then got the tamron 18-200 for a good price used. I also bought the 35mm and a 50mm pentax prime lenses and a 50-300. I think I went overboard on adding the primes etc. The tamron I like though because I can put it on as a sole lens and carry the camera around on a trip without needing to carry other lenses.

BerndM · 06-02-2014, 02:57 PM

I've been contemplating THIS lens

18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC (OS)* MACRO HSM | Sigma Corporation of America

Not quite up to the performance of the Tamron 18-270, but close. Then I could sell my 18-55 and 50-200

alex212 · 06-02-2014, 09:01 PM

Originally posted by BerndM

I've been contemplating THIS lens

18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC (OS)* MACRO HSM | Sigma Corporation of America

Not quite up to the performance of the Tamron 18-270, but close. Then I could sell my 18-55 and 50-200

I'm thinking the same thing, but wondering if a single lens will provide the same quality shots as 2 individual lens'.

paulcote · 06-03-2014, 05:27 AM

I have the 18-200 which I hear is not as good as each of my pentax brand lenses in the two lens kit but the thing is that if you want to go out and not carry as much stuff, or you don't like changing lenses all the time then I like the wider range lens for myself. Most of my experience is in the point and shoot realm. If I could go shooting by myself without family around, then I could take more time planning shots, changing lenses etc, but with them around, I like the wider breadth lens so I don't have to spend so much time fiddling. How much does that sigma cost?

alex212 · 06-03-2014, 06:16 AM

Originally posted by paulcote

How much does that sigma cost?

I know, the one thing that has kept me from buying it. So much for the budget DSLR theory. There are others that are cheaper but the tradeoff is the performance.

paulcote · 06-03-2014, 06:54 AM

The two kit lenses are high enough quality if you don't mind switching lenses.

**NS_Sailor** · 06-04-2014, 05:26 AM

Every time I pickup my K500 I learn something new.
I especially like the option of being able to use a wired shutter release on the K500 like I have on my K100D over the infrared remote. I took these "Close to the Ground" pics using the shutter release and the shoulder strap as a sling to support my Sigma 10-20 Wide angle lens.

BerndM · 06-04-2014, 08:30 AM

Originally posted by paulcote

The two kit lenses are high enough quality if you don't mind switching lenses.

I agree with you and it's not difficult at all to swap lenses BUT, and it's a BIG BUT, I find that unless you are in a "clean room" you will most certainly end up with some crap on your mirror or worse, your chip. All the dust and foreign matter flying around out there is just waiting for a nice clean surface to jump on to. I have had to clean my K500's interior a few times already. I don't like to do this for obvious reasons.

**NS_Sailor** · 06-04-2014, 08:55 AM

I agree that you have to be very careful when you change lenses but the risk of dirt entering the camera is common to all DSLR's or anything else for that matter that is normally sealed when it's internal components are exposed to the atmosphere. The only options to avoid this risk is to revert back to a camera that the lenses can't be changed, invest in multiple bodies or put up with the drawbacks of using wide range multi-purpose zoom lenses

Trickortreat · 06-18-2014, 03:08 AM

Hi all!
I have a question that is related to K-500 and MF lenses. I have bought a Samyang 10mm f2.8 and it server me great, but one thing bothers me - i cant find a way to couple exposure lockw with the shutter button. For that i have to press AEL button. With other lenses i had no problem asigning half way shutter to exposure lock.
Help please! :P

05-29-2014, 07:28 AM	#31
alex212 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 28	I also have the K-500 And I'm very satisfied with it. I wanted the K-50 but for the deal I got for a new K-500 Body and 18-55mm and 50-200mm DA (not DAL) lens kits it was too good to pass up. But overall I'm glad I made this purchase and the lack of AF points in the VF doesn't even bother me. I will say one thing I noticed the K-500 doesn't get a whole lot of love on this site and I don't understand why when it's a great budget DSLR.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
New Firmware for K-500, K-50, K-5 II, K-5 IIs, K-5, K-30, K-01, K-r, and 645D is out	Adam	Pentax News and Rumors	60	09-16-2013 05:46 AM
Pentax K-500, first day impressions	knaster	Pentax K-30 & K-50	10	07-21-2013 04:08 AM
K-30 first impressions of a K-x user	mee	Pentax K-30 & K-50	10	03-02-2013 05:00 PM
K-30 First Impressions Coming from a K-x	Sagitta	Pentax K-30 & K-50	8	02-15-2013 01:50 AM

05-29-2014, 11:15 AM	#32
AldaCZ Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: North Bohemia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,251	Yeah. If I were buying a dSLR today I would buy a K500 with Tamron 17-50 as a very nice beginner set!

05-31-2014, 12:01 PM	#33
Canmannac Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Prague Photos: Albums Posts: 272 Original Poster	The K-5oo has not disappointed It was suposed to allow more people into the dslr market, however it is too closely matched to the k-5o and has almost all similar functions (there are some differences). The K-5oo even has some points weather sealed as well. I have had mine now almost a year and it has been totally reliable. No regrets with this purchase.

06-01-2014, 10:29 PM	#34
BerndM Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Placentia, California Posts: 86	I posted back on Page 1 that I planned on getting a K500 with the 18-55 and 50-200 lenses. I did get that kit. I am quite happy with the setup and I still have endless hours of experimentation ahead of me to figure it all out. But then again, that's part of the fun, right? Here is a compiled list of everyone who has fessed up to owning a K500 up to June 1st, 2014. Canmannac tomwil Adam brelip salb black-kx DennisH cps1959 Trickortreat Travis Butler NS_Sailor paulcote spinno alex212 and me, BerndM That's only 15 of us total. I'm sure there's thousands more out there but they don't know we're here. We should try to convince PENTAX to inform all the K500 owners out there about this Forum and suggest they sign up. Then we could have our own section!

06-02-2014, 04:54 AM	#35
Steve.Ledger Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Far North Qld Posts: 3,301	Originally posted by Canmannac Seems K-50 & K-500 owners are in witness protection program none seem to be around. I bought the K-50 + 18-55 WR kit a few weeks ago, though I'm using the Sigma 30mm F1.4 mostly. The ergonomics are no match for the K-7, but I'm very happy with the camera as a whole.

06-02-2014, 04:56 AM	#36
paulcote Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 96	We could have our own section I imagine anyways. Yes I have the K500 and its my first DSLR. I bought it with the two lens kit and then got the tamron 18-200 for a good price used. I also bought the 35mm and a 50mm pentax prime lenses and a 50-300. I think I went overboard on adding the primes etc. The tamron I like though because I can put it on as a sole lens and carry the camera around on a trip without needing to carry other lenses.

06-02-2014, 02:57 PM	#37
BerndM Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Placentia, California Posts: 86	I've been contemplating THIS lens 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC (OS)* MACRO HSM \| Sigma Corporation of America Not quite up to the performance of the Tamron 18-270, but close. Then I could sell my 18-55 and 50-200

06-02-2014, 09:01 PM	#38
alex212 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 28	Originally posted by BerndM I've been contemplating THIS lens 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC (OS)* MACRO HSM \| Sigma Corporation of America Not quite up to the performance of the Tamron 18-270, but close. Then I could sell my 18-55 and 50-200 I'm thinking the same thing, but wondering if a single lens will provide the same quality shots as 2 individual lens'.

06-03-2014, 05:27 AM	#39
paulcote Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 96	I have the 18-200 which I hear is not as good as each of my pentax brand lenses in the two lens kit but the thing is that if you want to go out and not carry as much stuff, or you don't like changing lenses all the time then I like the wider range lens for myself. Most of my experience is in the point and shoot realm. If I could go shooting by myself without family around, then I could take more time planning shots, changing lenses etc, but with them around, I like the wider breadth lens so I don't have to spend so much time fiddling. How much does that sigma cost?

06-03-2014, 06:16 AM	#40
alex212 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 28	Originally posted by paulcote How much does that sigma cost? I know, the one thing that has kept me from buying it. So much for the budget DSLR theory. There are others that are cheaper but the tradeoff is the performance.

06-03-2014, 06:54 AM	#41
paulcote Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 96	The two kit lenses are high enough quality if you don't mind switching lenses.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

06-04-2014, 08:30 AM	#43
BerndM Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Placentia, California Posts: 86	Originally posted by paulcote The two kit lenses are high enough quality if you don't mind switching lenses. I agree with you and it's not difficult at all to swap lenses BUT, and it's a BIG BUT, I find that unless you are in a "clean room" you will most certainly end up with some crap on your mirror or worse, your chip. All the dust and foreign matter flying around out there is just waiting for a nice clean surface to jump on to. I have had to clean my K500's interior a few times already. I don't like to do this for obvious reasons.

06-04-2014, 08:55 AM	#44
NS_Sailor Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Dartmouth Nova Scotia Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,020	I agree that you have to be very careful when you change lenses but the risk of dirt entering the camera is common to all DSLR's or anything else for that matter that is normally sealed when it's internal components are exposed to the atmosphere. The only options to avoid this risk is to revert back to a camera that the lenses can't be changed, invest in multiple bodies or put up with the drawbacks of using wide range multi-purpose zoom lenses

06-18-2014, 03:08 AM	#45
Trickortreat Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 561	Hi all! I have a question that is related to K-500 and MF lenses. I have bought a Samyang 10mm f2.8 and it server me great, but one thing bothers me - i cant find a way to couple exposure lockw with the shutter button. For that i have to press AEL button. With other lenses i had no problem asigning half way shutter to exposure lock. Help please! :P