K1 Mark I still worthy today?

TJWest · 07-15-2019, 12:33 AM - **1 Like**

Hi all,

I bought a K30 back in 2012 and still use it to this day (and still quite happy with it tbh).

I am ready to upgrade to FF now though and was wondering, is the K1, which is selling new in Europe for 1200 Euros worth buying over the 1850 euro K1II?

I have the 28-105mm lens, the Tamron 90mm Macro and the 40mm limited which should all do well on the K1.

I could probably get a 43mm limited with the K1 mark 1 for the same price as just the body of the K1 II.

Choices, choices!

Sandy Hancock · 07-15-2019, 01:08 AM - **2 Likes**

Short answer. YES!!
I have upgraded both of my K-1 bodies to the Mark II, but really, they were great as they were

biz-engineer · 07-15-2019, 01:57 AM

Originally posted by TJWest

the K1, which is selling new in Europe for 1200 Euros worth buying over the 1850 euro K1II?

The official Ricoh list price for a K1 new is more around 1650E I believe. There are some K1 units for sale around that 1200E price, but it seems to be a limited stock (a few units, trying to get rid of inventory), the retailer selling as some kind of demo kit probably having opened the box and give it a few clicks and put it back in the box, to be able to say it's not new and not follow the official price.

saladin · 07-15-2019, 02:02 AM - **1 Like**

I've been using my Mk1 for about a week. It's simply great to use and I'd happily use the money saved on a MK2 on a lens instead.

**pentageek** · 07-15-2019, 04:55 AM

I have K-1 Mark I, and I decided not to upgrade it - I took a look at comparison (here at PF) of Mark I and Mark II, and came to conclusion that differences were rather not applicable to my style of shooting. These EUR 500 (the cost of upgrade) would not make my photos any better, so I can spend the money elsewhere.

DeadJohn · 07-15-2019, 05:35 AM

Yes, the original K-1 is still a good camera. The mark 2 was a very minor upgrade.

5r82 · 07-15-2019, 06:53 AM

You should get that K-1 as fast as you can because at 1200 euros it is very good price for a new camera.

DSLRnovice · 07-15-2019, 07:46 AM

At that savings I would go for the K-1, unless the upgraded features are really important to you. You should be warned that depth of field will be significantly less at a given aperture. Of course that can be an advantage depending upon your goal.

**savoche** · 07-15-2019, 08:25 AM

€1200 for a K-1? I'd say grab one while you can.

**barondla** · 07-15-2019, 09:04 AM

Bought a K-1 this month. It's so far ahead of my K-7. Truly amazing. There's far more difference between your K30 and K-1 than K-1 & II. Even in crop mode the K-1 still beats the K30. Don't hesitate, buy the K-1 at that superb price.

Thanks,
barondla

Adam · 07-15-2019, 09:06 AM - **1 Like**

I say yes. The difference between the K-1 and K-1 II is very small, certainly better to get a free lens IMO

**Alex645** · 07-15-2019, 12:34 PM

Originally posted by TJWest

I am ready to upgrade to FF now though and was wondering, is the K1, which is selling new in Europe for 1200 Euros worth buying over the 1850 euro K1II?

IMO yes, the K1-II is not worth an additional 650 €, and a new K1 Mark 1 is a bargain at 1200 € as long as supplies last.

Paul the Sunman · 07-15-2019, 01:10 PM

Some of us resisted the temptation to upgrade our K1 to K1 II when that was available, not only because of the cost, but also because the upgrade didn't really offer a compelling improvement. There were also doubts about the built-in noise reduction of the new model.

beachboy2 · 07-15-2019, 05:09 PM

The K1 is still available new in Australia from Ricoh and C R Kennedy. While delivery date for K1 Mark ii is on back order only.

Correction: K1 now showing back order only.

**Merv-O** · 07-15-2019, 07:40 PM

Originally posted by pentageek

I have K-1 Mark I, and I decided not to upgrade it - I took a look at comparison (here at PF) of Mark I and Mark II, and came to conclusion that differences were rather not applicable to my style of shooting. These EUR 500 (the cost of upgrade) would not make my photos any better, so I can spend the money elsewhere.

I bought a K-1 Mark ii in Mid-2018 after its introduction. Did not like the noise reduction filter, particularly on the RAW files I was generating (no turn off switch for it) and decided to sell it and buy a K-1 (Mark I) instead. Immediately I was more pleased with how the camera was reacting. The RICOH/Pentax dedication was apparent in the firmware updates (I am up to 1.51 presently). I have been using the K-1 i more often than the K-1 ii. Don't get me wrong the hand-held pixel option and additional high ISO potential is evolutionary, but I have never shot photos over 12,500 so the 250,000 ISO is a bit gimmicky (unless you're on the dark side of the moon and even then). While the K-1 v. K-1ii comparos show additional limited sharpness at about 6400, it as Pentageek has said above, for my style of shooting, the differential is minute and I like the control of my RAW files. Additionally, my K-1ii was sold for only $100 off what I bought it for (1799). With that money, I bought a DEMO K-1 (for 1200), added a 50 f1.4 and a Mitakon Zhyongi manual 85mm f/2 creator lens. I think it was a good deal and if RICOH/Pentax continues to support the K-1, it will remain relevant for a long time.

07-15-2019, 12:33 AM - 1 Like	#1
TJWest Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 116	K1 Mark I still worthy today? Hi all, I bought a K30 back in 2012 and still use it to this day (and still quite happy with it tbh). I am ready to upgrade to FF now though and was wondering, is the K1, which is selling new in Europe for 1200 Euros worth buying over the 1850 euro K1II? I have the 28-105mm lens, the Tamron 90mm Macro and the 40mm limited which should all do well on the K1. I could probably get a 43mm limited with the K1 mark 1 for the same price as just the body of the K1 II. Choices, choices!

07-15-2019, 09:06 AM - 1 Like	#11
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	I say yes. The difference between the K-1 and K-1 II is very small, certainly better to get a free lens IMO Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

07-15-2019, 05:09 PM	#14
beachboy2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Perth Western Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 222	The K1 is still available new in Australia from Ricoh and C R Kennedy. While delivery date for K1 Mark ii is on back order only. Correction: K1 now showing back order only. Last edited by beachboy2; 07-15-2019 at 05:28 PM. Reason: updated

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07-15-2019, 01:08 AM - 2 Likes	#2
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	Short answer. YES!! I have upgraded both of my K-1 bodies to the Mark II, but really, they were great as they were

07-15-2019, 01:57 AM	#3
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,232	Originally posted by TJWest the K1, which is selling new in Europe for 1200 Euros worth buying over the 1850 euro K1II? The official Ricoh list price for a K1 new is more around 1650E I believe. There are some K1 units for sale around that 1200E price, but it seems to be a limited stock (a few units, trying to get rid of inventory), the retailer selling as some kind of demo kit probably having opened the box and give it a few clicks and put it back in the box, to be able to say it's not new and not follow the official price.

07-15-2019, 02:02 AM - 1 Like	#4
saladin Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: outer eastern melbourne, australia Posts: 427	I've been using my Mk1 for about a week. It's simply great to use and I'd happily use the money saved on a MK2 on a lens instead.

07-15-2019, 04:55 AM	#5
pentageek Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 420	I have K-1 Mark I, and I decided not to upgrade it - I took a look at comparison (here at PF) of Mark I and Mark II, and came to conclusion that differences were rather not applicable to my style of shooting. These EUR 500 (the cost of upgrade) would not make my photos any better, so I can spend the money elsewhere.

07-15-2019, 05:35 AM	#6
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,834	Yes, the original K-1 is still a good camera. The mark 2 was a very minor upgrade.

07-15-2019, 06:53 AM	#7
5r82 Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2017 Photos: Gallery Posts: 462	You should get that K-1 as fast as you can because at 1200 euros it is very good price for a new camera.

07-15-2019, 07:46 AM	#8
DSLRnovice Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 192	At that savings I would go for the K-1, unless the upgraded features are really important to you. You should be warned that depth of field will be significantly less at a given aperture. Of course that can be an advantage depending upon your goal.

07-15-2019, 08:25 AM	#9
savoche Master of the obvious Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lowlands of Norway Posts: 18,311	€1200 for a K-1? I'd say grab one while you can.

07-15-2019, 09:04 AM	#10
barondla Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: midwest, United States Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,714	Bought a K-1 this month. It's so far ahead of my K-7. Truly amazing. There's far more difference between your K30 and K-1 than K-1 & II. Even in crop mode the K-1 still beats the K30. Don't hesitate, buy the K-1 at that superb price. Thanks, barondla

07-15-2019, 12:34 PM	#12
Alex645 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Kaneohe, HI Photos: Albums Posts: 3,526	Originally posted by TJWest I am ready to upgrade to FF now though and was wondering, is the K1, which is selling new in Europe for 1200 Euros worth buying over the 1850 euro K1II? IMO yes, the K1-II is not worth an additional 650 €, and a new K1 Mark 1 is a bargain at 1200 € as long as supplies last.

07-15-2019, 01:10 PM	#13
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,843	Some of us resisted the temptation to upgrade our K1 to K1 II when that was available, not only because of the cost, but also because the upgrade didn't really offer a compelling improvement. There were also doubts about the built-in noise reduction of the new model.

07-15-2019, 07:40 PM	#15
Merv-O Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Philadelphia Photos: Albums Posts: 2,098	Originally posted by pentageek I have K-1 Mark I, and I decided not to upgrade it - I took a look at comparison (here at PF) of Mark I and Mark II, and came to conclusion that differences were rather not applicable to my style of shooting. These EUR 500 (the cost of upgrade) would not make my photos any better, so I can spend the money elsewhere. I bought a K-1 Mark ii in Mid-2018 after its introduction. Did not like the noise reduction filter, particularly on the RAW files I was generating (no turn off switch for it) and decided to sell it and buy a K-1 (Mark I) instead. Immediately I was more pleased with how the camera was reacting. The RICOH/Pentax dedication was apparent in the firmware updates (I am up to 1.51 presently). I have been using the K-1 i more often than the K-1 ii. Don't get me wrong the hand-held pixel option and additional high ISO potential is evolutionary, but I have never shot photos over 12,500 so the 250,000 ISO is a bit gimmicky (unless you're on the dark side of the moon and even then). While the K-1 v. K-1ii comparos show additional limited sharpness at about 6400, it as Pentageek has said above, for my style of shooting, the differential is minute and I like the control of my RAW files. Additionally, my K-1ii was sold for only $100 off what I bought it for (1799). With that money, I bought a DEMO K-1 (for 1200), added a 50 f1.4 and a Mitakon Zhyongi manual 85mm f/2 creator lens. I think it was a good deal and if RICOH/Pentax continues to support the K-1, it will remain relevant for a long time.