K50 Owner and looking for a backup.

**photogem** · 12-31-2020, 08:25 AM

Originally posted by gatorguy

FWIW I found the K70 in-hand to be really similar to the K-50 but with even better control. The KP was the one that I wished I had held before purchasing it, the only Pentax camera I had that was "not like the others". Between the grip and the gosh-darn confusion between the IMO mispositioned BBF and green button made it and me a divorce waiting to happen.

Others obviously have no issue with either one. Had it not been for those two things which were showstoppers for me I'd be carrying two KP's instead as the camera itself is the overall more feature-rich of the two.

Ahhrggg... yes, I know exactly what you are talking about.
I was used to BBF from my K30 which has the AF/AE-L Button in the perfect position as well as the green button on top.

I applied BBF to my K5II (and K5IIs which is gone), here the AF button was fine in position particular because my thumb could feel/sense it very well (nicely surrounded).
With the KP I find myself still missing the AF/AE-L at times and mixing it up with the green button (also because I use both, the K5II and sometimes still the K30)

But I don't find the position on the K-70 better.

I use this method explained here
which I think is worth studying in not known.

wem59 · 12-31-2020, 08:47 AM

Originally posted by gatorguy

FWIW I found the K70 in-hand to be really similar to the K-50 but with even better control. The KP was the one that I wished I had held before purchasing it, the only Pentax camera I had that was "not like the others". Between the grip and the gosh-darn confusion between the IMO mispositioned BBF and green button made it and me a divorce waiting to happen.

Others obviously have no issue with either one. Had it not been for those two things which were showstoppers for me I'd be carrying two KP's instead as the camera itself is the overall more feature-rich of the two.

Thanks for that. I can check locally if they have a K-70 first, but I'm sure I'll get the best deal online.

wem59 · 03-03-2021, 04:50 AM

So, Initially I was hoping to upgrade to a K-70 from my current K-50, but after holding it and getting a "feel" for it in person,I was under-whelmed. Just felt small and plasticky.

Sooooo, I ordered a used K-3 from Henry's (Canadian version of B&H) last night and added a 2 yr warranty. I thought that was prudent...it is 6-8yrs old.
When I bought my K-50, the K-3 was my favoured camera, but the price was too restrictive at that time.

Did I make the right choice? Did I even have to switch bodies? I kinda have second thoughts right now that will likely disappear when the camera gets here.
Polite discussion is welcome here.

**photogem** · 03-03-2021, 09:30 AM

Originally posted by wem59

So, Initially I was hoping to upgrade to a K-70 from my current K-50, but after holding it and getting a "feel" for it in person,I was under-whelmed. Just felt small and plasticky.

Sooooo, I ordered a used K-3 from Henry's (Canadian version of B&H) last night and added a 2 yr warranty. I thought that was prudent...it is 6-8yrs old.
When I bought my K-50, the K-3 was my favoured camera, but the price was too restrictive at that time.

Did I make the right choice? Did I even have to switch bodies? I kinda have second thoughts right now that will likely disappear when the camera gets here.
Polite discussion is welcome here.

I can understand your choice very well.

The K3 is a great body and very rugged.

Keeping in mind that Ricoh expects a shutterlife of 200.000 and the extra warranty, you have a great workhorse.

nicolpa47 · 03-03-2021, 09:47 AM

I think, and believe, you will enjoy the K3. I have both a K30 and a K50 but decided to upgrade once I became aware of the ABF issue with those cameras. First picking up the K3 was a revelation, it felt and handled so much better, and it pushed me towards taking better photos and improve my technique. I kept the earlier cameras as a backup(I've self-repaired ABF in the K50), or to use in situations when the camera might be "at risk".

Enjoy

jeallen01 · 03-03-2021, 01:41 PM

Something about the K-70 that I don't think has been mentioned here before - it has a higher burst rate (6 fps) than the K-50 (albeit with a smaller buffer than the K-3/K-3 II). It's become my "go to" walkabout camera because it's also a better all round camera body.

PS: and then the next purchase should probably be a 55-300 PLM - works great with the K-70 (as it did with my K-30/ "K-50")

PPS: get a K-70 and then your K-50 will become the "backup".

**photogem** · 03-03-2021, 09:21 PM

Originally posted by jeallen01

Something about the K-70 that I don't think has been mentioned here before - it has a higher burst rate (6 fps) than the K-50 (albeit with a smaller buffer than the K-3/K-3 II). It's become my "go to" walkabout camera because it's also a better all round camera body.

PS: and then the next purchase should probably be a 55-300 PLM - works great with the K-70 (as it did with my K-30/ "K-50")

PPS: get a K-70 and then your K-50 will become the "backup".

He had a K70 and didn't like the feel of it... was underwhelmed
So he purchased a K3, meaning the K70 is out.

jeallen01 · 03-04-2021, 02:09 AM

Originally posted by photogem

He had a K70 and didn't like the feel of it... was underwhelmed
So he purchased a K3, meaning the K70 is out.

Must have missed that - Sorry!

wem59 · 03-04-2021, 07:28 AM

Originally posted by photogem

He had a K70 and didn't like the feel of it... was underwhelmed
So he purchased a K3, meaning the K70 is out.

Well, Cold feet changed my mind and I cancelled the K-3......For now, I think I'll just use the K-50 until it breaks or dies....
I'll invest in a new lens (Pentax 18-135) until that happens. Not the best but more in keeping with my budget right now....
maybe drag out a few of my M42 lenses to experiment abit too....

Wise advise has been to invest in better glass.
Thanks to all for the replies.

**Des** · 03-04-2021, 03:23 PM

Originally posted by wem59

Well, Cold feet changed my mind and I cancelled the K-3......For now, I think I'll just use the K-50 until it breaks or dies....
I'll invest in a new lens (Pentax 18-135) until that happens. Not the best but more in keeping with my budget right now....
maybe drag out a few of my M42 lenses to experiment abit too....
Wise advise has been to invest in better glass.
Thanks to all for the replies.

Enjoy the new combination anyway. The 18-135 is a very capable lens and available at very attractive prices. (Another one seduced by this thread? https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/179869-da-...can-do-51.html)

That sweet 16 sensor in the K-50 really is a gem and the camera offers plenty of scope to hone your skills - starting with improving your AF on moving targets, as Norm has pointed out.

wem59 · 03-04-2021, 03:52 PM

Originally posted by Des

Enjoy the new combination anyway. The 18-135 is a very capable lens and available at very attractive prices. (Another one seduced by this thread? DA 18-135 WR, Show us what it can do - Page 51 - PentaxForums.com)

That sweet 16 sensor in the K-50 really is a gem and the camera offers plenty of scope to hone your skills - starting with improving your AF on moving targets, as Norm has pointed out.

Well, I had the 18-135 in mind for a while now. But something told me to go get the camera body I've been wanting for a long time (K-3).
BUT ya, that thread kinda sealed the deal. LOL.

**tranq78** · 04-25-2021, 05:18 PM

Originally posted by wem59

Well, I had the 18-135 in mind for a while now. But something told me to go get the camera body I've been wanting for a long time (K-3).
BUT ya, that thread kinda sealed the deal. LOL.

I learned to put my money into good lenses before anything else.

If given a fixed budget and a good lens versus an expensive body, I will always go for the good lens and make do with a basic body. Good lenses are forever!

**reduno** · 04-26-2021, 05:19 AM

Keeping the K-50 and upgrading your lens is probably a good option. In my opinion, the K-50 had the best grip of the non-flagship cameras, so I think you would need to move to a k-5 IIs or K-3 to be happy with the feel. As Jeallen01 indicated, the 55-300mm PLM lens may make sense, as it would provide a more responsive lens for capturing the dog and also provide some insurance in case the K-50 develops aperture block issues.

wem59 · 04-27-2021, 03:06 AM

I had a K-5 iis deal in the making, but this virus had closed our borders and the camera owner can't get to town and bring the body with her...
I'll keep looking and wait for the right deal to upgrade my body. I recently bought the 18-135 which is a great lens in my book. So the K-50 will stay in service for now...
Thanks for all the comments.

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12-31-2020, 08:25 AM	#16
photogem Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 3,520	Originally posted by gatorguy FWIW I found the K70 in-hand to be really similar to the K-50 but with even better control. The KP was the one that I wished I had held before purchasing it, the only Pentax camera I had that was "not like the others". Between the grip and the gosh-darn confusion between the IMO mispositioned BBF and green button made it and me a divorce waiting to happen. Others obviously have no issue with either one. Had it not been for those two things which were showstoppers for me I'd be carrying two KP's instead as the camera itself is the overall more feature-rich of the two. Ahhrggg... yes, I know exactly what you are talking about. I was used to BBF from my K30 which has the AF/AE-L Button in the perfect position as well as the green button on top. I applied BBF to my K5II (and K5IIs which is gone), here the AF button was fine in position particular because my thumb could feel/sense it very well (nicely surrounded). With the KP I find myself still missing the AF/AE-L at times and mixing it up with the green button (also because I use both, the K5II and sometimes still the K30) But I don't find the position on the K-70 better. I use this method explained here which I think is worth studying in not known.

12-31-2020, 08:47 AM	#17
wem59 New Member Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 21 Original Poster	Originally posted by gatorguy FWIW I found the K70 in-hand to be really similar to the K-50 but with even better control. The KP was the one that I wished I had held before purchasing it, the only Pentax camera I had that was "not like the others". Between the grip and the gosh-darn confusion between the IMO mispositioned BBF and green button made it and me a divorce waiting to happen. Others obviously have no issue with either one. Had it not been for those two things which were showstoppers for me I'd be carrying two KP's instead as the camera itself is the overall more feature-rich of the two. Thanks for that. I can check locally if they have a K-70 first, but I'm sure I'll get the best deal online.

03-03-2021, 04:50 AM	#18
wem59 New Member Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 21 Original Poster	So, Initially I was hoping to upgrade to a K-70 from my current K-50, but after holding it and getting a "feel" for it in person,I was under-whelmed. Just felt small and plasticky. Sooooo, I ordered a used K-3 from Henry's (Canadian version of B&H) last night and added a 2 yr warranty. I thought that was prudent...it is 6-8yrs old. When I bought my K-50, the K-3 was my favoured camera, but the price was too restrictive at that time. Did I make the right choice? Did I even have to switch bodies? I kinda have second thoughts right now that will likely disappear when the camera gets here. Polite discussion is welcome here.

03-03-2021, 09:30 AM	#19
photogem Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 3,520	Originally posted by wem59 So, Initially I was hoping to upgrade to a K-70 from my current K-50, but after holding it and getting a "feel" for it in person,I was under-whelmed. Just felt small and plasticky. Sooooo, I ordered a used K-3 from Henry's (Canadian version of B&H) last night and added a 2 yr warranty. I thought that was prudent...it is 6-8yrs old. When I bought my K-50, the K-3 was my favoured camera, but the price was too restrictive at that time. Did I make the right choice? Did I even have to switch bodies? I kinda have second thoughts right now that will likely disappear when the camera gets here. Polite discussion is welcome here. I can understand your choice very well. The K3 is a great body and very rugged. Keeping in mind that Ricoh expects a shutterlife of 200.000 and the extra warranty, you have a great workhorse.

03-03-2021, 09:47 AM	#20
nicolpa47 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2016 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,031	I think, and believe, you will enjoy the K3. I have both a K30 and a K50 but decided to upgrade once I became aware of the ABF issue with those cameras. First picking up the K3 was a revelation, it felt and handled so much better, and it pushed me towards taking better photos and improve my technique. I kept the earlier cameras as a backup(I've self-repaired ABF in the K50), or to use in situations when the camera might be "at risk". Enjoy

03-03-2021, 01:41 PM	#21
jeallen01 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2008 Location: London, UK Posts: 1,697	Something about the K-70 that I don't think has been mentioned here before - it has a higher burst rate (6 fps) than the K-50 (albeit with a smaller buffer than the K-3/K-3 II). It's become my "go to" walkabout camera because it's also a better all round camera body. PS: and then the next purchase should probably be a 55-300 PLM - works great with the K-70 (as it did with my K-30/ "K-50") PPS: get a K-70 and then your K-50 will become the "backup".

03-03-2021, 09:21 PM	#22
photogem Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 3,520	Originally posted by jeallen01 Something about the K-70 that I don't think has been mentioned here before - it has a higher burst rate (6 fps) than the K-50 (albeit with a smaller buffer than the K-3/K-3 II). It's become my "go to" walkabout camera because it's also a better all round camera body. PS: and then the next purchase should probably be a 55-300 PLM - works great with the K-70 (as it did with my K-30/ "K-50") PPS: get a K-70 and then your K-50 will become the "backup". He had a K70 and didn't like the feel of it... was underwhelmed So he purchased a K3, meaning the K70 is out.

03-04-2021, 02:09 AM	#23
jeallen01 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2008 Location: London, UK Posts: 1,697	Originally posted by photogem He had a K70 and didn't like the feel of it... was underwhelmed So he purchased a K3, meaning the K70 is out. Must have missed that - Sorry!

03-04-2021, 07:28 AM	#24
wem59 New Member Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 21 Original Poster	Originally posted by photogem He had a K70 and didn't like the feel of it... was underwhelmed So he purchased a K3, meaning the K70 is out. Well, Cold feet changed my mind and I cancelled the K-3......For now, I think I'll just use the K-50 until it breaks or dies.... I'll invest in a new lens (Pentax 18-135) until that happens. Not the best but more in keeping with my budget right now.... maybe drag out a few of my M42 lenses to experiment abit too.... Wise advise has been to invest in better glass. Thanks to all for the replies.

03-04-2021, 03:23 PM	#25
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,423	Originally posted by wem59 Well, Cold feet changed my mind and I cancelled the K-3......For now, I think I'll just use the K-50 until it breaks or dies.... I'll invest in a new lens (Pentax 18-135) until that happens. Not the best but more in keeping with my budget right now.... maybe drag out a few of my M42 lenses to experiment abit too.... Wise advise has been to invest in better glass. Thanks to all for the replies. Enjoy the new combination anyway. The 18-135 is a very capable lens and available at very attractive prices. (Another one seduced by this thread? https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/179869-da-...can-do-51.html) That sweet 16 sensor in the K-50 really is a gem and the camera offers plenty of scope to hone your skills - starting with improving your AF on moving targets, as Norm has pointed out.

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03-04-2021, 03:52 PM	#26
wem59 New Member Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 21 Original Poster	Originally posted by Des Enjoy the new combination anyway. The 18-135 is a very capable lens and available at very attractive prices. (Another one seduced by this thread? DA 18-135 WR, Show us what it can do - Page 51 - PentaxForums.com) That sweet 16 sensor in the K-50 really is a gem and the camera offers plenty of scope to hone your skills - starting with improving your AF on moving targets, as Norm has pointed out. Well, I had the 18-135 in mind for a while now. But something told me to go get the camera body I've been wanting for a long time (K-3). BUT ya, that thread kinda sealed the deal. LOL.

04-25-2021, 05:18 PM	#27
tranq78 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,005	Originally posted by wem59 Well, I had the 18-135 in mind for a while now. But something told me to go get the camera body I've been wanting for a long time (K-3). BUT ya, that thread kinda sealed the deal. LOL. I learned to put my money into good lenses before anything else. If given a fixed budget and a good lens versus an expensive body, I will always go for the good lens and make do with a basic body. Good lenses are forever!

04-26-2021, 05:19 AM	#28
reduno Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Central NY, USA Posts: 965	Keeping the K-50 and upgrading your lens is probably a good option. In my opinion, the K-50 had the best grip of the non-flagship cameras, so I think you would need to move to a k-5 IIs or K-3 to be happy with the feel. As Jeallen01 indicated, the 55-300mm PLM lens may make sense, as it would provide a more responsive lens for capturing the dog and also provide some insurance in case the K-50 develops aperture block issues.

04-27-2021, 03:06 AM	#29
wem59 New Member Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 21 Original Poster	I had a K-5 iis deal in the making, but this virus had closed our borders and the camera owner can't get to town and bring the body with her... I'll keep looking and wait for the right deal to upgrade my body. I recently bought the 18-135 which is a great lens in my book. So the K-50 will stay in service for now... Thanks for all the comments.