Quote: Good Morning,
I love the Caribbean, the crystal clear blue water, the sailing and everything else. You might consider looking for the lenses on the Forum's Marketplace. The 35/f2.4 when its on sale (during the holidays) goes for $111 new. I have also seen very good prices here on the 50 as well.
The difference between the K5II and the K5IIs is only the lack of an AA filter on the IIs. Otherwise, the two are identical.
The Caribbean is lovely indeed with all the white sandy beaches with turquoise water, but the humidity can really get to you.
June, July and August are the worst; sometimes after I leave my home or office, after being on AC, and walk outside I feel as if I hit a brick wall from all the humidity, but hey it sure beats shoveling snow in upstate NY....
I found the Pentax 21987 DA 35mm f/2.4 AL at 122.65 on Amazon with free shipping since I'm on Amazon prime, actually I already have it on my cart
Quote: As far as a book, I would suggest Yvon's K3 book. The manual explains the operation/functionality of the camera - but does not explain to you as to why it's there or why (what situations) you might be interested in using it. You can buy/download it on line, and keep it on your desktop. He offers a free sample for you to take a look at....
Thanks for suggesting Yvon's book, I followed the link you posted but was not able to get the sample, but it seems it is exactly what I'm looking for, something that would go beyond the camera manual and explain the why's, the when, and give suggestions. Most probably will order it since it is on sale until today.
Quote: To tell you the truth, I have not seen a lot of posts about it in the last year or so. There may be some instances. One lady who was doing time lapse imaging (professionally), taking several thousand frames a day (and wearing out several bodies in the process), was one of the main folks affected. She worked closely with Pentax in finding a solution, testing out fixes, etc. She has moved on to a Sony mirrorless. That is somewhat of a non answer - but without a K3 and with plans to essentially leapfrog it, that's what I remember.
You are essentially doing what I discovered a number of years ago. Buying one model behind the current - saves a tremendous amount of money, gets you a body that is well known/understood and mature with all the bugs worked out. It is an acquisition approach that worked very well for me over the last 8 years or so.
Well I'll just keep my fingers crossed and just hope for the best since I'm not in the US you have no idea the pain that it is having to return an Item to the US and all the paper work that I have to fill out son when the product returns to the country customs doesn't charge me again with taxes. Anyway when I buy the camera and receive it, will check what version of firmware it has installed and if it's not the latest one I will upgrade it.
Actually her video was the first video that I watched in regards to this issue and because it I had almost discarded the K-3 as a viable option..funny how things work out in the end. In this country there is an old Spanish saying that goes something like this "When something is truly meant for you, no matter how many problems and difficulties you have to face, sooner or later it will find its way to you" and that is exactly what happened between the K-3 and myself.
Quote: You can get the same Sigma WA lens. I have their 8-16 along with the 18-35 (for astro). I also have the Pentax 10-17 Fisheye and the 12-24. They are all wonderful.
My friend you have a lens paradise for us landscape photography lovers, I really like Sigma lenses and have had very good experience with them, unfortunately can't say the same with Tamron so I guess I'm a little biased in this area. Also that Pentax lenses look really sweet, specially the 12-24.
It will definitely take me a while to build my Pentax platform , my goal is that by December I should have two nice lenses, a Wide angle zoom, a mid-range zoom, a good midrange Flash (another area where I need help) and for sure I will need the external battery grip since I have rather big hands. I really don't know how the camera's ergonomics will feel in my hand since I have only seen the camera on pictures and videos but just in case I'm prepared on getting the grip.
For now, the K-3 and the 35mm lens (will also try to get the 50mm) and also a screen protector.
Take good care and have a great evening my friend, you have really been a great help.
Cheers,
JJ
---------- Post added 07-05-15 at 02:25 PM ----------
Ladies and gentlemen, first I would like to thank each and everyone who took the time to post in this thread in order to help me. One of the first person to reply to my post was interested_observer and he mentioned that this forum was like no other forum and he is totally correct, it has really been a pleasure to take advise from you guys with out the usual flaming or wise cracks that you find in other forums when what you write goes against their way of thinking.
No having said that, I would like to inform you that I have purchased the K-3 and that I don't feel as bad as I thought I would feel. My desiccation was not only based on the technical characteristics of the camera, though I have to admit that it did play an important part, but my final decision was based on all the response I received from all of you, so thank you !!!!
Now comes the hard part, waiting at least 10 to 15 days until it reaches my needy hands..lol
Tomorrow will order the lens or lenses, could not order them with the camera because of customs and the taxes I would have to pay.
Any useful links you guys can send my way in regards to setting the camera up would be greatly appreciated.
Kind regards to all,
JJL