[normhead]

Interesting conversation with my local camera store owner a couple of hours ago, an official dealer for Canon and Nikon.

My experience holding one compared to a Pentax was, incredibly flimsy feeling. But other than that very nice camera.

[UncleVanya]

My experience holding one compared to a Pentax was, incredibly flimsy feeling. But other than that very nice camera.

Interesting. The 5600 and 7200 models I’ve held felt good. I just didn’t like other aspects including the lack of ibis.

[Igor Sotelo]

I have both the K-1 II and the D850, which one is better depends a lot of what you need the most. Also on available lenses. One couldn’t say straight, one is better than other.

[UncleVanya]

I have both the K-1 II and the D850, which one is better depends a lot of what you need the most. Also on available lenses. One couldn’t say straight, one is better than other.

I don’t doubt that for a minute. What - if you don’t mind - in your use drives the 850 to be selected over the k-1ii on a given day? And what causes the opposite? I shoot Sony ff and Pentax apsc and often it’s whim more than anything that determines what system I take. (And which has a charged battery - lol)

[mikesbike]

I have both the K-1 II and the D850, which one is better depends a lot of what you need the most. Also on available lenses. One couldn’t say straight, one is better than other.

That is very interesting, and you have a rare circumstance! As to the Nikon mirrorless, it is also interesting that their top models share the same sensor with the D850, which means the D850's technology is holding up well.

Of course, between it and the Pentax K-1 II there will be something positive for each, no doubt. And of course, I chose the K-1 II because I happen to already have a long history of Pentax use, and some very good FF glass. However, there are features of each that can be of interest to anyone coming from not being already immersed in a brand.

A couple of features from Pentax stand out for me, one being not having the AA filter, BUT having a built-in alternative functioning filter-substitute to deal with moire on the spot should it come up. Another being the Pentax Hyper System, as when shooting in the P mode, one can instantly take control to substitute a different shutter speed or aperture by using the front or rear dials for Hyper Program-, instantly switching to Av or Tv operation without having to change the mode dial before choosing one's preference. A touch of the green button instantly restores full P mode operation. Then when in the M mode, one can use the green button to instantly set meter-centered exposure- Hyper Manual. Not happy with the aperture or shutter speed? First hit the AE-L button to preserve the exposure value, then make your selection, and the other will follow along to keep that exposure value. Using this Hyper Manual system is a very fast and efficient way, for instance, to take spot-meter readings around a scene.

There are a number of others also. Such useful, unique features, along with reasonable pricing, for my purposes are good selling points for continuing with Pentax, or for others interested in a fine DSLR.

The Nikon D850's sensor will most likely be the basis for the next Pentax K-1 III. Imitation is the highest form of flattery. The Nikon D850 is widely recognized for excellence.

[Igor Sotelo]

I don’t doubt that for a minute. What - if you don’t mind - in your use drives the 850 to be selected over the k-1ii on a given day? And what causes the opposite? I shoot Sony ff and Pentax apsc and often it’s whim more than anything that determines what system I take. (And which has a charged battery - lol)

If you want to stick with Nikkor lenses, Nikon can offer the AF-S 50mm 1.4G, 58 1.4G, 85mm 1.8G and 85mm 1.4G in the 50-85mm range, neither is good as Pentax-D FA* 50 and 85mm 1.4 lenses. And if you opt for the Sigma 50mm 1.4 Art, that lens tends to have AF problems. The 58G and 85 1.4G are fine (and very expensive) lenses, but loaded with CA and bokeh fringing and not that sharp. The 50G and 85 1.8G are good inexpensive alternatives, though.

For my D850 I went with the 50G and Nikkor AF-S 105mm 1.4E ED route, and will buy the Sigma 50mm 1.4 Art this days, to upgrade the 50mm. But if you prefer 85mm, Pentax is better than what Nikon offers for the F-system.

Another point where the K-1 II is obviously better is for astrophotography. One would need to carry and buy a lot of star tracking equipment with the Nikon.

Where D850 is better, well is the resolution, base ISO 64, 7 fps that can be upgraded to 9 fps with the grip and big batteries, much better AF, and a lot of small improvements. Also Nikon has a far more lenses available for their F-system.

[UncleVanya]

If you want to stick with Nikkor lenses, Nikon can offer the AF-S 50mm 1.4G, 58 1.4G, 85mm 1.8G and 85mm 1.4G in the 50-85mm range, neither is good as Pentax-D FA* 50 and 85mm 1.4 lenses. And if you opt for the Sigma 50mm 1.4 Art, that lens tends to have AF problems. The 58G and 85 1.4G are fine (and very expensive) lenses, but loaded with CA and bokeh fringing and not that sharp. The 50G and 85 1.8G are good inexpensive alternatives, though.

For my D850 I went with the 50G and Nikkor AF-S 105mm 1.4E ED route, and will buy the Sigma 50mm 1.4 Art this days, to upgrade the 50mm. But if you prefer 85mm, Pentax is better than what Nikon offers for the F-system.

Another point where the K-1 II is obviously better is for astrophotography. One would need to carry and buy a lot of star tracking equipment with the Nikon.

Where D850 is better, well is the resolution, base ISO 64, 7 fps that can be upgraded to 9 fps with the grip and big batteries, much better AF, and a lot of small improvements. Also Nikon has a far more lenses available for their F-system.

Thanks! That’s helpful. I was a Nikon fanboy when I was young. The 105/2.5 (plain ai version) was a favorite of mine and I always liked it over the Nikon 85mm lenses. But when I moved to the Pentax PZ-1 the A* 85/1.4 was my favorite portrait lens at that time.