Two subjective questions for KP users

mikesbike · 12-13-2018, 07:57 PM - **1 Like**

Miguel, I just saw your portrait shot using the KP and DA 40mm Limited, posted in the "Post your best KP shots" thread. I left a response there also. Very nice! Good handling of the lighting.

**reh321** · 12-13-2018, 08:17 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by howieb101

If you use large lenses though the grip is likely substandard. You really need the battery grip for mid and larger lenses.

The user interface is great and I like it more than the K1.

Apparently you need the battery grip for mid and larger lenses. Whether the OP does, depends on experience and methods developed - I have been using the Pentax-DA 55-300mm PLM lens with no problems .... and I have not used anything larger than the smallest grip on my KP - but I learned to use old something-300mm lenses on my Super Program {and as you can see from my signature photo, both the camera (on far left) and grip were smaller than the KP (on far right) and its smallest grip}.

rogerstg · 12-14-2018, 10:55 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by reh321

Apparently you need the battery grip for mid and larger lenses. Whether the OP does, depends on experience and methods developed - I have been using the Pentax-DA 55-300mm PLM lens with no problems .... and I have not used anything larger than the smallest grip on my KP - but I learned to use old something-300mm lenses on my Super Program {and as you can see from my signature photo, both the camera (on far left) and grip were smaller than the KP (on far right) and its smallest grip}.

I remember when the little bump on the battery door of the Canon AE-1 was considered an ergonomic advancement. The year was 1981. It was a vertical raised edge about 1/8" tall and wide x 1" long on the right side of the body. It wasn't to help hold the camera up to take a photo. It improved grip while holding the camera relaxed, down by one's side. Then, like now, the left hand held up the camera and the right hand helped steady the aim and worked the controls.

**SSGGeezer** · 12-15-2018, 02:28 PM

Originally posted by reh321

Apparently you need the battery grip for mid and larger lenses. Whether the OP does, depends on experience and methods developed - I have been using the Pentax-DA 55-300mm PLM lens with no problems .... and I have not used anything larger than the smallest grip on my KP - but I learned to use old something-300mm lenses on my Super Program {and as you can see from my signature photo, both the camera (on far left) and grip were smaller than the KP (on far right) and its smallest grip}.

Maybe with the 150-450 or the 560mm, but I used the Sigma 120-400 HSM @ 4 pounds without the grip on multiple occasions since a lens that heavy is supported by the off hand on the mounting ring when shooting hand held.

Sandy Hancock · 12-15-2018, 03:10 PM - **6 Likes**

Originally posted by sqrrl

I frankly don't trust the weather sealing as much

I do. This is sitting on the floor of a moving Zodiac. In Antarctica. In a blizzard.

sqrrl · 12-15-2018, 06:37 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

I do. This is sitting on the floor of a moving Zodiac. In Antarctica. In a blizzard.

That specifically was - I don't trust the weather sealing on the Kp as much as that on the K10. My Kp has been out in all sorts of weather (though admittedly not Antarctica, I'm slightly jealous). The weather sealing on the Kp is very good, and far better than most of the big name professional cameras, but it doesn't have locking flaps and suchlike that the K10 did.

The K10 is a tank - mine's been bounced all over Australia and New Zealand in every weather condition I could throw at it, apart from the Auto exposure going screwy it's never missed a beat, I still use it pretty often though I'm starting to get concerned about the availability of replacement batteries.

**MiguelATF** · 12-16-2018, 07:53 PM - **3 Likes**

I know some KP users are fond of larger lenses but I don't number myself among them: my lenses range from the minuscule (DA 40 Ltd) to the smallish pancake (DA 21mm Ltd) to my seemingly enormous DA 10-17mm fisheye zoom (which to my surprise was barely larger than another Rokinon fisheye I used to own for a micro-four-thirds camera). None of which require either a larger battery grip or the largest size interchangeable grip that the camera came with.

All in all, from my perspective - as a former K200d user who has now sold his K200d and totally converted to being a quite happy (so far) KP fan(atic) and user, the camera is doing quite nicely in the two areas I was initially worried (or wondering) about---color rendition....and OVF viewfinder brilliance-general usability.

The RAW (DNG) files from my KP are every bit as good as those from my old K200d (which, I have to say, again, weren't merely good but, between 100-200 ISO, were superb) --- and the Pentaprism is slightly-but-noticeably brighter than that of the K200d's supposedly inferior pentamirror. Though, truth be told, in my side-by-side comparison viewings with the KP and the K200d, it (the Pentaprism) wasn't ALL that much brighter (to my eyes, at least) than its (pentamirror) K200d sibling.

Bottom line: in my admittedly prejudiced opinion, it (my KP) is a beautifully designed camera.....which is delivering fine images.
This one was taken with the DA 40.

Sandy Hancock · 12-17-2018, 03:38 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by sqrrl

That specifically was - I don't trust the weather sealing on the Kp as much as that on the K10. It doesn't have locking flaps and suchlike that the K10 did.

But the KP's battery grip *does* have a locking battery flap. The photo I showed has the D-BG7. It's every bit as well sealed as the K10D.

sqrrl · 12-17-2018, 04:06 AM

I haven't used the battery grip, the K10 has twist locks on the SD card and the battery on the body.

fsge · 12-17-2018, 08:13 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

I do. This is sitting on the floor of a moving Zodiac. In Antarctica. In a blizzard.

The photo itself is better than any explanation.

**SSGGeezer** · 12-21-2018, 10:01 AM

Originally posted by sqrrl

I haven't used the battery grip, the K10 has twist locks on the SD card and the battery on the body.

SO does the KP's grip.

sqrrl · 12-21-2018, 12:52 PM

There's an sd card on the Kp's optional grip? - that's really clever.

**UncleVanya** · 12-21-2018, 08:46 PM

Originally posted by sqrrl

There's an sd card on the Kp's optional grip? - that's really clever.

Only storage as I understand. Read this thread: available battery grips for KP - PentaxForums.com

**dlh** · 07-16-2019, 11:33 AM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

Only storage as I understand. Read this thread: available battery grips for KP - PentaxForums.com

that's correct - it's just a little "handy storage slot" to keep the sd card in.

the big problem with the b-grip from my perspective is that the mounting screw hole is offset sideways (towards the side opposite the gimbal arm), so you can't use the camera on a gimbal mount if the b-grip is attached.

robtcorl · 07-16-2019, 03:33 PM

I have no problem whatsoever with the DA 300* on my KP, even when I add the 1.4X.

12-14-2018, 10:55 AM - 2 Likes	#18
rogerstg Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Rhode Island Photos: Albums Posts: 768	Originally posted by reh321 Apparently you need the battery grip for mid and larger lenses. Whether the OP does, depends on experience and methods developed - I have been using the Pentax-DA 55-300mm PLM lens with no problems .... and I have not used anything larger than the smallest grip on my KP - but I learned to use old something-300mm lenses on my Super Program {and as you can see from my signature photo, both the camera (on far left) and grip were smaller than the KP (on far right) and its smallest grip}. I remember when the little bump on the battery door of the Canon AE-1 was considered an ergonomic advancement. The year was 1981. It was a vertical raised edge about 1/8" tall and wide x 1" long on the right side of the body. It wasn't to help hold the camera up to take a photo. It improved grip while holding the camera relaxed, down by one's side. Then, like now, the left hand held up the camera and the right hand helped steady the aim and worked the controls. Attached Images Last edited by rogerstg; 12-14-2018 at 12:27 PM. Reason: added AE1 ad photo

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12-13-2018, 07:57 PM - 1 Like	#16
mikesbike Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 2,385	Miguel, I just saw your portrait shot using the KP and DA 40mm Limited, posted in the "Post your best KP shots" thread. I left a response there also. Very nice! Good handling of the lighting.

12-13-2018, 08:17 PM - 2 Likes	#17
reh321 retired sw engineer Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 16,389	Originally posted by howieb101 If you use large lenses though the grip is likely substandard. You really need the battery grip for mid and larger lenses. The user interface is great and I like it more than the K1. Apparently you need the battery grip for mid and larger lenses. Whether the OP does, depends on experience and methods developed - I have been using the Pentax-DA 55-300mm PLM lens with no problems .... and I have not used anything larger than the smallest grip on my KP - but I learned to use old something-300mm lenses on my Super Program {and as you can see from my signature photo, both the camera (on far left) and grip were smaller than the KP (on far right) and its smallest grip}.

12-15-2018, 02:28 PM	#19
SSGGeezer Journeyman Cat Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Maine, U.S. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,481	Originally posted by reh321 Apparently you need the battery grip for mid and larger lenses. Whether the OP does, depends on experience and methods developed - I have been using the Pentax-DA 55-300mm PLM lens with no problems .... and I have not used anything larger than the smallest grip on my KP - but I learned to use old something-300mm lenses on my Super Program {and as you can see from my signature photo, both the camera (on far left) and grip were smaller than the KP (on far right) and its smallest grip}. Maybe with the 150-450 or the 560mm, but I used the Sigma 120-400 HSM @ 4 pounds without the grip on multiple occasions since a lens that heavy is supported by the off hand on the mounting ring when shooting hand held.

12-15-2018, 03:10 PM - 6 Likes	#20
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,926	Originally posted by sqrrl I frankly don't trust the weather sealing as much I do. This is sitting on the floor of a moving Zodiac. In Antarctica. In a blizzard.

12-15-2018, 06:37 PM - 1 Like	#21
sqrrl Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Otago, New Zealand Posts: 422	Originally posted by Sandy Hancock I do. This is sitting on the floor of a moving Zodiac. In Antarctica. In a blizzard. That specifically was - I don't trust the weather sealing on the Kp as much as that on the K10. My Kp has been out in all sorts of weather (though admittedly not Antarctica, I'm slightly jealous). The weather sealing on the Kp is very good, and far better than most of the big name professional cameras, but it doesn't have locking flaps and suchlike that the K10 did. The K10 is a tank - mine's been bounced all over Australia and New Zealand in every weather condition I could throw at it, apart from the Auto exposure going screwy it's never missed a beat, I still use it pretty often though I'm starting to get concerned about the availability of replacement batteries.

12-17-2018, 03:38 AM - 1 Like	#23
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,926	Originally posted by sqrrl That specifically was - I don't trust the weather sealing on the Kp as much as that on the K10. It doesn't have locking flaps and suchlike that the K10 did. But the KP's battery grip does have a locking battery flap. The photo I showed has the D-BG7. It's every bit as well sealed as the K10D.

12-17-2018, 04:06 AM	#24
sqrrl Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Otago, New Zealand Posts: 422	I haven't used the battery grip, the K10 has twist locks on the SD card and the battery on the body.

12-17-2018, 08:13 AM - 2 Likes	#25
fsge Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Genf Posts: 1,086	Originally posted by Sandy Hancock I do. This is sitting on the floor of a moving Zodiac. In Antarctica. In a blizzard. The photo itself is better than any explanation.

12-21-2018, 10:01 AM	#26
SSGGeezer Journeyman Cat Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Maine, U.S. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,481	Originally posted by sqrrl I haven't used the battery grip, the K10 has twist locks on the SD card and the battery on the body. SO does the KP's grip.

12-21-2018, 12:52 PM	#27
sqrrl Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Otago, New Zealand Posts: 422	There's an sd card on the Kp's optional grip? - that's really clever.

12-21-2018, 08:46 PM	#28
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 16,440	Originally posted by sqrrl There's an sd card on the Kp's optional grip? - that's really clever. Only storage as I understand. Read this thread: available battery grips for KP - PentaxForums.com

07-16-2019, 11:33 AM	#29
dlh F.O.G. (fat old geezer) Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Northern Piedmont of Virginia Posts: 1,605	Originally posted by UncleVanya Only storage as I understand. Read this thread: available battery grips for KP - PentaxForums.com that's correct - it's just a little "handy storage slot" to keep the sd card in. the big problem with the b-grip from my perspective is that the mounting screw hole is offset sideways (towards the side opposite the gimbal arm), so you can't use the camera on a gimbal mount if the b-grip is attached.

07-16-2019, 03:33 PM	#30
robtcorl Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: St Louis, MO Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,776	I have no problem whatsoever with the DA 300* on my KP, even when I add the 1.4X.

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