New K-3 (from K-r)

dcumpian · 04-30-2015, 11:48 AM - **1 Like**

Just upgraded to anew K-3 after using a K-r for about 3 years. The K-3 was my first DSLR, but not my first Pentax SLR. I've been using Pentax cameras for 30 years. Being my first digital camera, I chose the K-r due to a special deal Amazon had way back then. I wasn't at all sure about how I would like shooting without film, lol.

After a year of learning how to get the results I wanted, I really took to the K-r and bought several prime lenses for the camera. Eventually, I think I just outgrew it. I wanted the dual edials of the K-3 (that actually work!), and 24MP is quite a jump from 12MP. The additional exposure modes/options are very nice and make it much easier to quickly get what I want without too much thought. The K-r was more work due to the limitations baked into the camera: a) limited exposure modes, b) no HDR or filters for RAW images.

Anyway, just a "how do you do" from a longtime Pentaxian and new K-3 owner.

Regards,
Dan

**jatrax** · 04-30-2015, 12:14 PM

Welcome!

max_pyne · 04-30-2015, 12:32 PM

Yes, its a huge difference to the K-r, I'm always shocked when i have to help my girlfriend out in it's configuration or when I take a snap to proof that it is possible. :-)
The biggest plus on the K-7/5/3 is the layout, dual dial, iso-button, etc., etc.

Great you made the jump, I'm sure you will not regret it, the K-3 is much better camera in all regards.

Na Horuk · 04-30-2015, 12:36 PM

Welcome! The K-r is a nice camera, but the K-3 is a great jump! Congratulations and enjoy your stay, I think you'll fit right in. Lots of users here started with Pentax SLRs, and many still use various older lenses on their new DSLRs. This is another advantage of Pentax DSLRs - they have great compatibility with older lenses

jddwoods · 04-30-2015, 05:04 PM

I hope you enjoy your new K-3 as much as I do mine. Great Camera. One thing you need to be aware of. If you use it with one of the DA Limiteds, your addicted. You will want them all. It took me a few years and most of them were bought used but the K-3 and DA 21, 35 macro (or DA40) and the DA 70 and you have an incredibly compact high quality kit that covers almost anything you could want except extreme telephoto.

dcumpian · 04-30-2015, 05:42 PM

Thanks for the warm welcome!

Dan

---------- Post added 04-30-15 at 05:43 PM ----------

Originally posted by jddwoods

I hope you enjoy your new K-3 as much as I do mine. Great Camera. One thing you need to be aware of. If you use it with one of the DA Limiteds, your addicted. You will want them all. It took me a few years and most of them were bought used but the K-3 and DA 21, 35 macro (or DA40) and the DA 70 and you have an incredibly compact high quality kit that covers almost anything you could want except extreme telephoto.

Already have these:

smc PENTAX DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED
smc PENTAX DA Star 55mm F1.4 SDM
HD PENTAX DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited
HD PENTAX DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Limited

I'd say I'm way addicted...

Regards,
Dan

Dlanor Sekao · 04-30-2015, 05:57 PM

Welcome to the Forum ! I would say you jumped right in going for the K3. Its a great camera you wont regret.

KxBirds · 05-01-2015, 10:10 AM

I'm curious: you mentioned you wanted e-dials that worked...is yours kinda flaky? I'm still using an almost-five yr old K-x, and the e-dial is now a crapshoot: it might go up, it might go down, it might do nothing! I also have some kind of sensor-movement issue that gives almost every shot the same amount of double-image-type blur no matter what speed or tripod I use, shake-reduction or not.

So, I'm (finally) going up to K-3, too. Decided the new K-3 II wasn't "better" enough to beat the K-3's bang-for-buck. Looking at Adorama's bundle: body, grip, and 50mm f/1.8 for $850.

Also, I can't say enough about the DA*300mm f/4 - worth every penny (and I don't have many to spare!) 'cause I shoot mostly nature.

Enjoy!

dcumpian · 05-01-2015, 11:39 AM

Originally posted by KxBirds

I'm curious: you mentioned you wanted e-dials that worked...is yours kinda flaky? I'm still using an almost-five yr old K-x, and the e-dial is now a crapshoot: it might go up, it might go down, it might do nothing! I also have some kind of sensor-movement issue that gives almost every shot the same amount of double-image-type blur no matter what speed or tripod I use, shake-reduction or not.

So, I'm (finally) going up to K-3, too. Decided the new K-3 II wasn't "better" enough to beat the K-3's bang-for-buck. Looking at Adorama's bundle: body, grip, and 50mm f/1.8 for $850.

Also, I can't say enough about the DA*300mm f/4 - worth every penny (and I don't have many to spare!) 'cause I shoot mostly nature.

Enjoy!

Using the edial on my K-r was tedious. I'd scroll to go up, and it would go up, then down, then nothing, then up. I've heard (on these here forums) that there is a way to degrease the edial as, apparently, the lubricant is the cause the wonky control. But I've never had any other issue with my K-r, so I learned to work around it.

Regards,
Dan

04-30-2015, 11:48 AM - 1 Like	#1
dcumpian Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: King William, VA Posts: 83	New K-3 (from K-r) Just upgraded to anew K-3 after using a K-r for about 3 years. The K-3 was my first DSLR, but not my first Pentax SLR. I've been using Pentax cameras for 30 years. Being my first digital camera, I chose the K-r due to a special deal Amazon had way back then. I wasn't at all sure about how I would like shooting without film, lol. After a year of learning how to get the results I wanted, I really took to the K-r and bought several prime lenses for the camera. Eventually, I think I just outgrew it. I wanted the dual edials of the K-3 (that actually work!), and 24MP is quite a jump from 12MP. The additional exposure modes/options are very nice and make it much easier to quickly get what I want without too much thought. The K-r was more work due to the limitations baked into the camera: a) limited exposure modes, b) no HDR or filters for RAW images. Anyway, just a "how do you do" from a longtime Pentaxian and new K-3 owner. Regards, Dan

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04-30-2015, 12:14 PM	#2
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Welcome!

04-30-2015, 12:32 PM	#3
max_pyne Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: zurich Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 409	Yes, its a huge difference to the K-r, I'm always shocked when i have to help my girlfriend out in it's configuration or when I take a snap to proof that it is possible. :-) The biggest plus on the K-7/5/3 is the layout, dual dial, iso-button, etc., etc. Great you made the jump, I'm sure you will not regret it, the K-3 is much better camera in all regards.

04-30-2015, 12:36 PM	#4
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Welcome! The K-r is a nice camera, but the K-3 is a great jump! Congratulations and enjoy your stay, I think you'll fit right in. Lots of users here started with Pentax SLRs, and many still use various older lenses on their new DSLRs. This is another advantage of Pentax DSLRs - they have great compatibility with older lenses

04-30-2015, 05:04 PM	#5
jddwoods Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Newark, Delaware Posts: 1,035	I hope you enjoy your new K-3 as much as I do mine. Great Camera. One thing you need to be aware of. If you use it with one of the DA Limiteds, your addicted. You will want them all. It took me a few years and most of them were bought used but the K-3 and DA 21, 35 macro (or DA40) and the DA 70 and you have an incredibly compact high quality kit that covers almost anything you could want except extreme telephoto.

04-30-2015, 05:42 PM	#6
dcumpian Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: King William, VA Posts: 83 Original Poster	Thanks for the warm welcome! Dan ---------- Post added 04-30-15 at 05:43 PM ---------- Originally posted by jddwoods I hope you enjoy your new K-3 as much as I do mine. Great Camera. One thing you need to be aware of. If you use it with one of the DA Limiteds, your addicted. You will want them all. It took me a few years and most of them were bought used but the K-3 and DA 21, 35 macro (or DA40) and the DA 70 and you have an incredibly compact high quality kit that covers almost anything you could want except extreme telephoto. Already have these: smc PENTAX DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED smc PENTAX DA Star 55mm F1.4 SDM HD PENTAX DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited HD PENTAX DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Limited I'd say I'm way addicted... Regards, Dan

04-30-2015, 05:57 PM	#7
Dlanor Sekao Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 1,457	Welcome to the Forum ! I would say you jumped right in going for the K3. Its a great camera you wont regret.

05-01-2015, 10:10 AM	#8
KxBirds New Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: New Jersey, USA Posts: 40	I'm curious: you mentioned you wanted e-dials that worked...is yours kinda flaky? I'm still using an almost-five yr old K-x, and the e-dial is now a crapshoot: it might go up, it might go down, it might do nothing! I also have some kind of sensor-movement issue that gives almost every shot the same amount of double-image-type blur no matter what speed or tripod I use, shake-reduction or not. So, I'm (finally) going up to K-3, too. Decided the new K-3 II wasn't "better" enough to beat the K-3's bang-for-buck. Looking at Adorama's bundle: body, grip, and 50mm f/1.8 for $850. Also, I can't say enough about the DA*300mm f/4 - worth every penny (and I don't have many to spare!) 'cause I shoot mostly nature. Enjoy!

05-01-2015, 11:39 AM	#9
dcumpian Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: King William, VA Posts: 83 Original Poster	Originally posted by KxBirds I'm curious: you mentioned you wanted e-dials that worked...is yours kinda flaky? I'm still using an almost-five yr old K-x, and the e-dial is now a crapshoot: it might go up, it might go down, it might do nothing! I also have some kind of sensor-movement issue that gives almost every shot the same amount of double-image-type blur no matter what speed or tripod I use, shake-reduction or not. So, I'm (finally) going up to K-3, too. Decided the new K-3 II wasn't "better" enough to beat the K-3's bang-for-buck. Looking at Adorama's bundle: body, grip, and 50mm f/1.8 for $850. Also, I can't say enough about the DA*300mm f/4 - worth every penny (and I don't have many to spare!) 'cause I shoot mostly nature. Enjoy! Using the edial on my K-r was tedious. I'd scroll to go up, and it would go up, then down, then nothing, then up. I've heard (on these here forums) that there is a way to degrease the edial as, apparently, the lubricant is the cause the wonky control. But I've never had any other issue with my K-r, so I learned to work around it. Regards, Dan