[jpzk]

Get the K3 and DFA 100 at the same time, but used in market place problem solved

+1 for that.

There are quite often some very great deals to be found right here at the Marketplace.
I've seen gear that is "like new" with very little use .... something to think about.

[skierd]

The DFA macro pops up on eBay for a good price pretty often too.

A yongnuo 560iv flash and 560tx trigger will run you about $110. I love mine.

Then sell the k50 and put it and the remainder towards a k3ii or a k70.

[Zephos]

The DFA macro pops up on eBay for a good price pretty often too.

A yongnuo 560iv flash and 560tx trigger will run you about $110. I love mine.

Then sell the k50 and put it and the remainder towards a k3ii or a k70.

Good idea. That would leave me without a camera though unless I bought the new one immediately. Thanks for your advice. Do those flashes have P-TTL and is that ever an issue?

[Sluggo]

Some have found the pixel shift feature of the K-3 ii gives it an advantage for macro shooting. Just one more thought to add to the pile.

[redcat]

Do those flashes have P-TTL and is that ever an issue?

The Yongnuo is manual flash, but unless you do wedding or event (where you need to shoot very fast) you won't need P-TTL. For studio (portrait, product), macro and other slow-paced scenario... manual flash is the most accurate and highly recommended

[UncleVanya]

I sold my F 100 macro and I have the DFA 100 WR - the two are both stellar. There is no use quibbling over which is better. If you don't need the aperture ring and you don't need the focus limiter then buy whatever you run across that's cheaper. If you need WR - there's only one choice.

As for what to spend your money on. Here's a breakdown.

Metz 48AF-1 in the marketplace now - good PTTL flash.
DFA 100 WR several in the marketplace now. Great macro.
Spare/upgrade body - pick up a K5 / K5ii / K5iis / K-3 / K-3II
DA 15
Samyang 14mm
Pentax DA 12-24

[gm4life]

You could certainly do the glass but the K3 II is an awesome camera. I know my beloved 16-85 was mentioned you could do that an a flash as well. Anything you have on the list is tempting.

[skierd]

Good idea. That would leave me without a camera though unless I bought the new one immediately. Thanks for your advice. Do those flashes have P-TTL and is that ever an issue?

Buy the camera and flash, sell the k50, then buy the lens.

The yongnuos are fully manual but are reliable in my experience and having the wireless controller is really really nice when using the flash off-camera. I've shot a couple weddings with them even, a little more difficult than a TTL flash but not unbearable. The flexibility of Pentax files help a ton too when editing; as long as you get close it'll turn out fine... err on the side of underexposure.

[UncleVanya]

The Metz flash is a PTTL flash. It can't function as a master but can be a slave allowing you to control it off camera via the onboard flash. It can also function on camera on the hotshot or on an acon pttl trigger as a pttl remote flash. The knock on the flash is that the menus are a little complex and confusing. Keep the manual handy.

[Alex645]

For your budget, Iʻd keep the K-50 until you had to upgrade. For now, you can afford the DFA 100mm f/2.8 macro plus a Metz Mecablitz 44 AF2 flash.

Metz mecablitz 44 AF-2 Digital Flash for Pentax MZ 44327PEN B&H

Iʻd put the Metz on par with the Pentax swivel and tilt dedicated flash units except no weather-sealing. This particular unit also has a small video light.

[Not a Number]

If you feel you've outgrown your K-50 the answer is obvious (to me at least). You'll run into the same limitations with new lenses.

You can always sell the K-50 and put the money towards a lens.

[TaoMaas]

...the WR is something I'd regret not having I think.

Why do you feel you need WR? If it's a "must", that will really limit your options. A good plastic bag in a side pocket might save you hundreds of dollars if used right.

[WPRESTO]

You have not indicated how you intend to use the lens, but I will assume you intend to do macro rather than using it for portraits. In that case I would recommend:
1) get a new K3II, it is nothing short of an outstanding APS-C DSLR. IMHO the only desirable feature it lacks is some kind of tilting screen.
2) MANY macro lenses have outstanding IQ, and have had such going back even into the 1970's. Macro photographers use manual focus most of the time. SO, any macro lens made over the past 20 years or so will give excellent results. LOOK FOR: 1) a good sale on the DFA 100; 2) a used DFA 100; 3) a used FA 100; 3) a used SMCA 100mm f2.8 macro; 4) a Tamron 90mm macro, new or used. All versions of the Tamron macro going back 40 years have been excellent.
BTW: Aside from AF and excellent IQ, the current DFA 100 macro has the advantage of remarkably compact size and feather-weight.

[The Squirrel Mafia]

I say put those $800 to the side & hold off on the K-3/3II. Save up a few more chips & wait for the next generation APS-C flagship. I'm going to guess that it's going to have a lot of newer features & better performance.

[csa]

Unless you absolutely need to; I would not sell your K50. Keep it as a spare body, in case something happens to your "new" camera. Things do happen, even to brand new items.