K-3 Purchasing Strategy

rawr · 11-03-2013, 05:40 AM

Originally posted by Sakura

I know there is a new grip, but does that really means the BG4 grip won't fit and/or work?

There is a guy on DPR who has just hacked up a 3rd party k-5 grip and got it to work. You might look over there for some info. It involved removing one of the pins, and maybe switching some of the buttons around too, since the green button for example is in a different position on the BG-5 compared to the BG-4. Otherwise everything worked.

Last edited by rawr; 11-03-2013 at 05:50 AM.

**Digitalis** · 11-03-2013, 05:50 AM

Originally posted by Sakura

does that really means the BG4 grip won't fit and/or work?

No, it wont work on the K3. there are physical differences in the camera that have to be taken into account with the new grip.

saladin · 11-03-2013, 05:57 AM

keep the 10. the ccd sensor offers a point of difference in rendering and tones imo, and you will probably never see one in a pentax body ever again.

rawr · 11-03-2013, 06:15 AM

Originally posted by Digitalis

there are physical differences in the camera that have to be taken into account with the new grip.

Apparently not very substantial differences. awaldram over at DPR only wrenched one metal body alignment pin out of a clone BG-4 and it mated fine to the K-3. He even has pix.

manntax · 11-03-2013, 06:18 AM

Originally posted by saladin

keep the 10. the ccd sensor offers a point of difference in rendering and tones imo, and you will probably never see one in a pentax body ever again.

+1 this!

**Mikesul** · 11-03-2013, 06:37 AM

It seems we always have this dilemma with new cameras. In general I agree with those who say to sell both unless you have a specific use for one of the old cameras. Otherwise they just sit unused like my MX which I will not sell for sentimental reasons.

**Sakura** · 11-03-2013, 06:53 AM

Originally posted by rawr

Apparently not very substantial differences. awaldram over at DPR only wrenched one metal body alignment pin out of a clone BG-4 and it mated fine to the K-3. He even has pix.

Well, than the choice is easy, spending an other 200 dollars or removing a pin of the old grip.

DIY K3 Battery grip: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

**Mikesul** · 11-03-2013, 06:58 AM

This is great. The camera has been available for three days and the DIYers are already at work making it better/cheaper. I love this stuff.

johnmflores · 11-03-2013, 07:37 AM

Originally posted by Louicio

Keep them all, sell a kidney, buy lots of stuff with the cash from your organs

Or this.

Youtu.be

BlakeShellman · 11-03-2013, 07:57 AM

After reading the feedback plus throwing my ideas into the mix I'm thinking that keeping the K10D body is the way to got.

I would then sell the K-5 after I get the viewfinder repaired. I'll sell the K-5 with the battery and charger, the owners manual, strap and the kit lens I got with the K10D.

I think I'd like the K-3 with a WR lens to compliment the camera, even though 90% of the time I use the primes. I may consider a WR lens with a wide zoom range or maybe one that is more suitable to work in. Though in reality the standard kit range may be just fine.

Thanks so far for your suggestions.

**Digitalis** · 11-03-2013, 08:28 AM

Originally posted by rawr

Apparently not very substantial differences. awaldram over at DPR only wrenched one metal body alignment pin out of a clone BG-4 and it mated fine to the K-3. He even has pix.

ohh yeah I'm sure people are just so desperate to void their warranties to do this. Not only on the Grip but on the camera as well.

DogLover · 11-03-2013, 10:09 AM

Originally posted by Digitalis

ohh yeah I'm sure people are just so desperate to void their warranties to do this. Not only on the Grip but on the camera as well.

Yeah, even the guy that did it said he wouldn't do it to an actual DBG-4, only a knock-off. The fit is close, but not close enough to really look right, IMO. After spending $1300 on the body, I'm not about to cheap out and do something like that. My grip order will be left standing and I'm sure I'll get it soon enough, though it will seem strange to me to use a Pentax camera without a grip, other than a K-01. My K-3 is due tomorrow.

johnmflores · 11-03-2013, 10:28 AM

Originally posted by DogLover

Yeah, even the guy that did it said he wouldn't do it to an actual DBG-4, only a knock-off. The fit is close, but not close enough to really look right, IMO. After spending $1300 on the body, I'm not about to cheap out and do something like that. My grip order will be left standing and I'm sure I'll get it soon enough, though it will seem strange to me to use a Pentax camera without a grip, other than a K-01. My K-3 is due tomorrow.

Yeah, and if that guy ever has any trouble with his K-3 and sends it on for warranty service and mentions to Pentax that he used a hacked grip, I could see Pentax denying the warranty claim. Not worth it IMO.

**Michaelina2** · 11-03-2013, 11:35 AM

Originally posted by johnmflores

Yeah, and if that guy ever has any trouble with his K-3 and sends it on for warranty service and mentions to Pentax that he used a hacked grip, I could see Pentax denying the warranty claim. Not worth it IMO.

Good point...

Guess your line of thinking could go for all non-branded items attached to a branded camera body (grip, lens, flash, battery, battery charger, etc.)... eh?

Yep, perhaps the use of third party attachments may poof the warranty. Anything is possible...

Cheers... M

**monochrome** · 11-03-2013, 11:37 AM

Originally posted by Michaelina2

Guess your line of thinking could go for all non-branded items attached to a branded camera body (grip, lens, flash, battery, battery charger, etc.)... eh?

You jest, I assume?

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11-03-2013, 05:40 AM	#16
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by Sakura I know there is a new grip, but does that really means the BG4 grip won't fit and/or work? There is a guy on DPR who has just hacked up a 3rd party k-5 grip and got it to work. You might look over there for some info. It involved removing one of the pins, and maybe switching some of the buttons around too, since the green button for example is in a different position on the BG-5 compared to the BG-4. Otherwise everything worked. Last edited by rawr; 11-03-2013 at 05:50 AM.

11-03-2013, 05:50 AM	#17
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Originally posted by Sakura does that really means the BG4 grip won't fit and/or work? No, it wont work on the K3. there are physical differences in the camera that have to be taken into account with the new grip.

11-03-2013, 05:57 AM	#18
saladin Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: outer eastern melbourne, australia Posts: 427	keep the 10. the ccd sensor offers a point of difference in rendering and tones imo, and you will probably never see one in a pentax body ever again.

11-03-2013, 06:15 AM	#19
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by Digitalis there are physical differences in the camera that have to be taken into account with the new grip. Apparently not very substantial differences. awaldram over at DPR only wrenched one metal body alignment pin out of a clone BG-4 and it mated fine to the K-3. He even has pix.

11-03-2013, 06:18 AM	#20
manntax Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,972	Originally posted by saladin keep the 10. the ccd sensor offers a point of difference in rendering and tones imo, and you will probably never see one in a pentax body ever again. +1 this!

11-03-2013, 06:37 AM	#21
Mikesul Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,594	It seems we always have this dilemma with new cameras. In general I agree with those who say to sell both unless you have a specific use for one of the old cameras. Otherwise they just sit unused like my MX which I will not sell for sentimental reasons.

11-03-2013, 06:53 AM	#22
Sakura Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 438	Originally posted by rawr Apparently not very substantial differences. awaldram over at DPR only wrenched one metal body alignment pin out of a clone BG-4 and it mated fine to the K-3. He even has pix. Well, than the choice is easy, spending an other 200 dollars or removing a pin of the old grip. DIY K3 Battery grip: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

11-03-2013, 06:58 AM	#23
Mikesul Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,594	This is great. The camera has been available for three days and the DIYers are already at work making it better/cheaper. I love this stuff.

11-03-2013, 07:57 AM	#25
BlakeShellman Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 224 Original Poster	After reading the feedback plus throwing my ideas into the mix I'm thinking that keeping the K10D body is the way to got. I would then sell the K-5 after I get the viewfinder repaired. I'll sell the K-5 with the battery and charger, the owners manual, strap and the kit lens I got with the K10D. I think I'd like the K-3 with a WR lens to compliment the camera, even though 90% of the time I use the primes. I may consider a WR lens with a wide zoom range or maybe one that is more suitable to work in. Though in reality the standard kit range may be just fine. Thanks so far for your suggestions.

11-03-2013, 08:28 AM	#26
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Originally posted by rawr Apparently not very substantial differences. awaldram over at DPR only wrenched one metal body alignment pin out of a clone BG-4 and it mated fine to the K-3. He even has pix. ohh yeah I'm sure people are just so desperate to void their warranties to do this. Not only on the Grip but on the camera as well.

11-03-2013, 10:09 AM	#27
DogLover Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 2,054	Originally posted by Digitalis ohh yeah I'm sure people are just so desperate to void their warranties to do this. Not only on the Grip but on the camera as well. Yeah, even the guy that did it said he wouldn't do it to an actual DBG-4, only a knock-off. The fit is close, but not close enough to really look right, IMO. After spending $1300 on the body, I'm not about to cheap out and do something like that. My grip order will be left standing and I'm sure I'll get it soon enough, though it will seem strange to me to use a Pentax camera without a grip, other than a K-01. My K-3 is due tomorrow.

11-03-2013, 10:28 AM	#28
johnmflores Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Somerville, NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,361	Originally posted by DogLover Yeah, even the guy that did it said he wouldn't do it to an actual DBG-4, only a knock-off. The fit is close, but not close enough to really look right, IMO. After spending $1300 on the body, I'm not about to cheap out and do something like that. My grip order will be left standing and I'm sure I'll get it soon enough, though it will seem strange to me to use a Pentax camera without a grip, other than a K-01. My K-3 is due tomorrow. Yeah, and if that guy ever has any trouble with his K-3 and sends it on for warranty service and mentions to Pentax that he used a hacked grip, I could see Pentax denying the warranty claim. Not worth it IMO.

11-03-2013, 11:35 AM	#29
Michaelina2 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: SE Michigan USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,301	Originally posted by johnmflores Yeah, and if that guy ever has any trouble with his K-3 and sends it on for warranty service and mentions to Pentax that he used a hacked grip, I could see Pentax denying the warranty claim. Not worth it IMO. Good point... Guess your line of thinking could go for all non-branded items attached to a branded camera body (grip, lens, flash, battery, battery charger, etc.)... eh? Yep, perhaps the use of third party attachments may poof the warranty. Anything is possible... Cheers... M

11-03-2013, 11:37 AM	#30
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by Michaelina2 Guess your line of thinking could go for all non-branded items attached to a branded camera body (grip, lens, flash, battery, battery charger, etc.)... eh? You jest, I assume?