New Pentax K3 owner

Mr.Leon · 03-11-2015, 08:35 PM

Hello fellow Pentaxians, I am a new K3 owner, I have a Nikon D610, but always had curiosity about the Pentax cameras. Last week I had a fantastic deal on a K3 with a 18-270mm Pentax lens I couldn't resist. The little K3 it's a very nice compact camera I am getting used to the settings and the menus. I think I will keep my Nikon system for indoors and portrait photography and the K3 for macro and wildlife.
The only problem I have with the K3 is the AF system I think Nikon has a better AF in general.
These are some samples I have taken please don't be so harsh I am not a pro, just a guy that enjoys taking pictures

Aaron28 · 03-11-2015, 08:42 PM

nice! happy shooting

ScooterMaxi Jim · 03-11-2015, 08:44 PM

Nice photos. The super zooms often need some clean up - and these shots indicate a need for that. You have some fringing that could be removed.

While I agree that the Nikon cameras - especially the higher end ones - will be quicker on the AF, it depends a lot on the lens selected. Many of the SDM lenses are a bit slow, and any super-zoom or otherwise slow lens is going to struggle. The K-3 has put Pentax in better position to compete on AF. Oddly enough, older screw drive lenses are typically quite fast. I've even shot college basketball from an upper deck with an f/5.6 zoom - and better than 50% nailed focus. So, the whole AF problem has gotten far less clear cut than in the past.

**jbinpg** · 03-11-2015, 10:59 PM

Welcome! You gave us a kitty shot so you are in. No secret password necessary.

Stavri · 03-12-2015, 06:36 AM

The K3 AF need getting used to. Like other's have stated the SDM do in fact handicap K3's AF, they're just not responsive enough. If you were to get a F*/FA 300 or Fa 200mm or even a F/FA 135mm f2.8 then you'll truly know how fast K3's screw drive really is. There's lots of threads that explain the AF functions on the K3, bone up and you'll be in good shape.

Mr.Leon · 03-12-2015, 07:42 AM

yes I believe the 18-270mm lens is not up to the K3, I will save some money and my next lenses will be the Pentax 300mm and the 100mm Macro, in the meantime I will get to know my new camera better

**eminker** · 03-12-2015, 07:57 AM

Welcome! Definitely try the Pentax 100mm macro and you won't be sorry. In fact, the Tamrom 90mm macro and Sigma 70mm macro also work wonderfully but I always tend to drift back to the Pentax lenses as I feel the colors
and contrast work better on Pentax gear.

normhead · 03-12-2015, 08:06 AM

Welcome to the forum... best photo forum on the planet... I don't know what Pentax did to get a guy like Adam on their side, but they lucked out. But be sure and visit the macro and 300 plus thread, which is my favourite thread on the forum...

Stavri · 03-12-2015, 09:39 AM

The K3 is an excellent APS-C camera, probably one of the best on the market right now, superb for landscapes, macro or wildlife and everything in between. All you need to do is invest in some high performance quality lenses and you'll learn to love this dslr.
K-3 + Sigma Ex 300mm f2.8 @f4.0

Mr.Leon · 03-12-2015, 11:46 AM - **1 Like**

I will need at least two grand to get the two lenses I want. That won't happen any time soon LOL For now I have to make the most of what I have. Like I said I am not a pro, I don't make a living out of photography. I am sure I will love this setup for now.

Stavri · 03-12-2015, 11:56 AM

Originally posted by Mr.Leon

I will need at least two grand to get the two lenses I want. That won't happen any time soon LOL For now I have to make the most of what I have. Like I said I am not a pro, I don't make a living out of photography. I am sure I will love this setup for now.

great shot...

03-11-2015, 08:35 PM	#1
Mr.Leon New Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 15	New Pentax K3 owner Hello fellow Pentaxians, I am a new K3 owner, I have a Nikon D610, but always had curiosity about the Pentax cameras. Last week I had a fantastic deal on a K3 with a 18-270mm Pentax lens I couldn't resist. The little K3 it's a very nice compact camera I am getting used to the settings and the menus. I think I will keep my Nikon system for indoors and portrait photography and the K3 for macro and wildlife. The only problem I have with the K3 is the AF system I think Nikon has a better AF in general. These are some samples I have taken please don't be so harsh I am not a pro, just a guy that enjoys taking pictures

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03-11-2015, 08:42 PM	#2
Aaron28 Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 7,131	nice! happy shooting

03-11-2015, 08:44 PM	#3
ScooterMaxi Jim Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,520	Nice photos. The super zooms often need some clean up - and these shots indicate a need for that. You have some fringing that could be removed. While I agree that the Nikon cameras - especially the higher end ones - will be quicker on the AF, it depends a lot on the lens selected. Many of the SDM lenses are a bit slow, and any super-zoom or otherwise slow lens is going to struggle. The K-3 has put Pentax in better position to compete on AF. Oddly enough, older screw drive lenses are typically quite fast. I've even shot college basketball from an upper deck with an f/5.6 zoom - and better than 50% nailed focus. So, the whole AF problem has gotten far less clear cut than in the past.

03-11-2015, 10:59 PM	#4
jbinpg Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Prince George, BC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,546	Welcome! You gave us a kitty shot so you are in. No secret password necessary.

03-12-2015, 06:36 AM	#5
Stavri Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: at a Bean & Leaf Photos: Albums Posts: 1,832	The K3 AF need getting used to. Like other's have stated the SDM do in fact handicap K3's AF, they're just not responsive enough. If you were to get a F*/FA 300 or Fa 200mm or even a F/FA 135mm f2.8 then you'll truly know how fast K3's screw drive really is. There's lots of threads that explain the AF functions on the K3, bone up and you'll be in good shape.

03-12-2015, 07:42 AM	#6
Mr.Leon New Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 15 Original Poster	yes I believe the 18-270mm lens is not up to the K3, I will save some money and my next lenses will be the Pentax 300mm and the 100mm Macro, in the meantime I will get to know my new camera better

03-12-2015, 07:57 AM	#7
eminker Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Brooklyn, New York Posts: 150	Welcome! Definitely try the Pentax 100mm macro and you won't be sorry. In fact, the Tamrom 90mm macro and Sigma 70mm macro also work wonderfully but I always tend to drift back to the Pentax lenses as I feel the colors and contrast work better on Pentax gear.

03-12-2015, 08:06 AM	#8
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Welcome to the forum... best photo forum on the planet... I don't know what Pentax did to get a guy like Adam on their side, but they lucked out. But be sure and visit the macro and 300 plus thread, which is my favourite thread on the forum...

03-12-2015, 09:39 AM	#9
Stavri Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: at a Bean & Leaf Photos: Albums Posts: 1,832	The K3 is an excellent APS-C camera, probably one of the best on the market right now, superb for landscapes, macro or wildlife and everything in between. All you need to do is invest in some high performance quality lenses and you'll learn to love this dslr. K-3 + Sigma Ex 300mm f2.8 @f4.0

03-12-2015, 11:46 AM - 1 Like	#10
Mr.Leon New Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 15 Original Poster	I will need at least two grand to get the two lenses I want. That won't happen any time soon LOL For now I have to make the most of what I have. Like I said I am not a pro, I don't make a living out of photography. I am sure I will love this setup for now.

03-12-2015, 11:56 AM	#11
Stavri Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: at a Bean & Leaf Photos: Albums Posts: 1,832	Originally posted by Mr.Leon I will need at least two grand to get the two lenses I want. That won't happen any time soon LOL For now I have to make the most of what I have. Like I said I am not a pro, I don't make a living out of photography. I am sure I will love this setup for now. great shot...