[ScooterMaxi Jim]

I'd have to agree that better deals likely are around the corner. Soon the K3 will be discounted, forcing the K5 series lower, and that will put downward pressure on the K30/50/500. I was one of the fortunate ones to get the K30 with the WR metal mount 18-55 for $500 shortly after the K50 came out; the lens is better built and deserves its higher price on the open market.

You tend to hit a lull in mid-November where prices float higher - a retail strategy to garner greater post-Thanksgiving sales by contrasting the greater relative price reduction.

[galaxytab]

Thank you folks for your help. I am now convinced that K-30 is worth the extra money I pay. So, I'll go with that option.

[shaX 07]

Thank you folks for your help. I am now convinced that K-30 is worth the extra money I pay. So, I'll go with that option.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/94-pentax-price-watch/243180-k30-w-18-55m...-87-hunts.html

[galaxytab]

Thank you "shaX 07". I bought the camera.
The funny thing that happened (and it happened to me a couple times before) was that I added the camera to my card. I was thinking if I really want to buy an open box camera or not. Then I clicked the checkout button since I imagined that it will show me another page to ask for payment confirmation. But it didn't. It said: "purchased successfully". Haha
Anyways, I decided to continue with the purchase and I can't wait to receive the camera.

I hope everything is ok about it. Thank you again for the link.

[shaX 07]

Thank you "shaX 07". I bought the camera.
The funny thing that happened (and it happened to me a couple times before) was that I added the camera to my card. I was thinking if I really want to buy an open box camera or not. Then I clicked the checkout button since I imagined that it will show me another page to ask for payment confirmation. But it didn't. It said: "purchased successfully". Haha
Anyways, I decided to continue with the purchase and I can't wait to receive the camera.

I hope everything is ok about it. Thank you again for the link.

You're welcome! I wouldn't be too worried about buying an open box demo. I actually bought Hunt's (in South Portland, ME) last K-30 which was also a demo model. It only had like 27 clicks on it and it looked pristine. I would just inspect it on arrival, look for any blemishes and check the shutter count right off the bat. If it's low I wouldn't fret. If its got several hundred on it already, I might ask them for a partial refund to compensate.

Hope you enjoy the camera!

[patrick9]

I bought mine as store demo. It had 10 shutter clicks on it . I checked the first one I took. It was number 11. It has been a fantastic camera that I have never regretted purchasing it

[ScooterMaxi Jim]

Mine came from Hunt's as well. You'll be pleasantly surprised about the lens. With the cash saved, spend $20 for the two-year extended warranty. Well worth the extra, and a free cleaning if you want it.

[hnikesch]

I have the K30 and can recommend it, I also have the 18-135 and it makes a great package. The weather sealing came in handy at Niagara Falls with all the spray. I moved up from my Kr and really like the K30. From what I have read I would pass on the 50-200 and go with the 55-300 I really enjoy mine at the grand kids soccer games and the 18-135 for indoor volleyball. For all around shooting the 18-135 never leaves the camera.

[formercanuck]

Don't forget - the K-30 you can also get in a color/colour besides black.

[galaxytab]

@hnikesch: cool point man. I have to get a ticket to Niagara falls then
@formercanuck: I bought the black k-30 since it was cheaper but I like the blue one better.

[galaxytab]

Hi folks,

Finally, I received my open box K-30. It looks like a new camera and I am happy with it. The first picture I took with the camera has a sequence number of 95 but I cannot find the sequence number from the EXIF info. Is that saved in EXIF at all? Is there anything special to check to make sure the camera is perfectly fine?

[elpolodiablo]

Try upload one of the out of camera JPG here to find out

Check Shutter Count & Camera Manufacture Date Online - EXIF Reader

[galaxytab]

Thanks elpolodiablo. The shutter count is ~100 as I expected.

[AldaCZ]

The camera does it without cropping though, it rotates the sensor when you're taking the shot.

Really? If I think about it rotating of the camera would be useless if it rotates its sensor back( 4:3 vs 3:4 pic ratio) It might be just understanding!

[BerndM]

I was talking about horizon correction, if you're not holding the camera perfectly level it can correct for you by rotating the sensor a few degrees. The alternative done in post processing crops the edges off the image to achieve this rotation. It can come in handy if you do a lot of handheld shots. The level displayed in the viewfinder is nice as well.

I use the grid overlay in the view screen and if that isn't good enough to get a level horizon.....just sayin...



I just received my K500 package which included the K500 body, the 18-55 AND the 50-200 lenses, a 32 gb SDHC class 10, a camera bag to hold everything AND the latest (?) Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Elements 12 on DVD shipped, tax free to the house for a TOTAL of $549.

I couldn't be happier.



IMHO, the differences between the K30 / K50 / K500 are absolutely insignificant.


BTW...I got it from BuyDig