Hi from NZ

kiwi · 05-29-2010, 10:12 PM

Howdy all
I am a wannabe Kx or K7 user. Previous cameras include Minolta SRT 101, Canon new F1 (tank), Panasonic KZ7 and about to jump into DSLR.
I Like to travel, hike, ski, climb with camera, hence size and weight are factors. Also like to take landscape, street and sports type pictures eg ski-racing.
Originally considered Canikons for AF Speed but put off by bulk. I Really like the idea of Kx kit for travel and found a Sigma APO 100-300 f4 (non DG) which seems to have the fast AF (as per the Utube video) and IQ I want for sports but I could leave its1400g behind for travel.
Q 1. would the Sigma work well on the Kx considering the bulk difference?
Q2. Should I go the whole hog and get the K7 kit? In NZ there is equivalent of US $600 or more in price and I would rather spend that on more glass or travel unless:
a) the Kx really won't like the odd bit of damp
b) the AF speed is better on the K7

That is a lot for an intro I realise but I have spent a long time searching forums without finding definitive answers to these

**Ash** · 05-29-2010, 10:27 PM

Welcome Kiwi.
I can't see there being any problem with the K-x and Sigma 100-300 combination - a few users here have shown the pair to produce great results.
There are many discussions on this forum comparing the K-7 and K-x - do a search and see the differences that are pertinent to your needs.

**eaglem** · 05-30-2010, 01:29 AM

Welcome to the forum Kiwi.

Transit · 05-30-2010, 04:22 AM

Pity about NZ pricing. The wholesaler is greedy.
Buy from Aussie and more than pay the airfare out of the difference .
And get a genuine Pentax International warranty unlike Electron world and their ilk.

My daughter has a K-x and had a lot of fun with my sigma 70-300.
Good light camera for getting out and about.
With the DA40 ltd, it is so pocketable.
Pete

**GingerBeer** · 05-30-2010, 04:10 PM

Greetings from across the ditch. I don't see any real reason the K-x & Sigma 100-300mm wouldn't be a good pairing. The largest/heaviest lens I have is the DA* 50-135mm which is only about half the size of the Sigma but have no problems with it. For hiking & skiing I'd be considering the K-7 (particularly with the NZ weather). I haven't seriously tested the K-x's cold/wet weather abilities but I'd be nervous about taking into these sorts of conditions. For travel though, it's size & weight is great - particularly paired with DA Limited lenses.

Tonto · 05-30-2010, 05:32 PM

Welcome Kiwi from another Kiwi!
I am currently in Oz though originally from Wellington.
I too am jumping on the Pentax band wagon soon. My Camera will be a K7. I am coming from an Olympus Superzoom and got turned onto DSLR when I used to work at Sony Style in Auckland. I was close to pulling the trigger on a A550 then found out about K7 (higher features than an A700 but better $).
Enjoy your time here, there is a Kiwi group here too if you haven't found it already.

fractal · 05-31-2010, 03:06 AM

G'day & welcome in Kiwi. Good luck with your decision.

kiwi · 05-31-2010, 03:10 AM

thank GB
I would be nervous with Kx in the weather too. It would be good to hear from anyone who has wet their Kx, so to speak, and how it stood up.

kiwi · 05-31-2010, 03:37 AM

Thanks all for the welcome and advice.
Transit - does this mean going to Aus to purchase is better than PI and or on TM?
where would you purchase?
I might ask this on the Kiwi group!

05-29-2010, 10:12 PM	#1
kiwi Inactive Account Join Date: May 2010 Location: Canterbury Posts: 6	Hi from NZ Howdy all I am a wannabe Kx or K7 user. Previous cameras include Minolta SRT 101, Canon new F1 (tank), Panasonic KZ7 and about to jump into DSLR. I Like to travel, hike, ski, climb with camera, hence size and weight are factors. Also like to take landscape, street and sports type pictures eg ski-racing. Originally considered Canikons for AF Speed but put off by bulk. I Really like the idea of Kx kit for travel and found a Sigma APO 100-300 f4 (non DG) which seems to have the fast AF (as per the Utube video) and IQ I want for sports but I could leave its1400g behind for travel. Q 1. would the Sigma work well on the Kx considering the bulk difference? Q2. Should I go the whole hog and get the K7 kit? In NZ there is equivalent of US $600 or more in price and I would rather spend that on more glass or travel unless: a) the Kx really won't like the odd bit of damp b) the AF speed is better on the K7 That is a lot for an intro I realise but I have spent a long time searching forums without finding definitive answers to these

05-29-2010, 10:27 PM	#2
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Welcome Kiwi. I can't see there being any problem with the K-x and Sigma 100-300 combination - a few users here have shown the pair to produce great results. There are many discussions on this forum comparing the K-7 and K-x - do a search and see the differences that are pertinent to your needs.

05-30-2010, 01:29 AM	#3
eaglem Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Perth Western Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 43,146	Welcome to the forum Kiwi.

05-30-2010, 04:22 AM	#4
Transit Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Whanganui NZ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,624	Pity about NZ pricing. The wholesaler is greedy. Buy from Aussie and more than pay the airfare out of the difference . And get a genuine Pentax International warranty unlike Electron world and their ilk. My daughter has a K-x and had a lot of fun with my sigma 70-300. Good light camera for getting out and about. With the DA40 ltd, it is so pocketable. Pete

05-30-2010, 04:10 PM	#5
GingerBeer Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Brisbane Posts: 126	Greetings from across the ditch. I don't see any real reason the K-x & Sigma 100-300mm wouldn't be a good pairing. The largest/heaviest lens I have is the DA* 50-135mm which is only about half the size of the Sigma but have no problems with it. For hiking & skiing I'd be considering the K-7 (particularly with the NZ weather). I haven't seriously tested the K-x's cold/wet weather abilities but I'd be nervous about taking into these sorts of conditions. For travel though, it's size & weight is great - particularly paired with DA Limited lenses.

05-30-2010, 05:32 PM	#6
Tonto Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wellington Posts: 969	Welcome Kiwi from another Kiwi! I am currently in Oz though originally from Wellington. I too am jumping on the Pentax band wagon soon. My Camera will be a K7. I am coming from an Olympus Superzoom and got turned onto DSLR when I used to work at Sony Style in Auckland. I was close to pulling the trigger on a A550 then found out about K7 (higher features than an A700 but better $). Enjoy your time here, there is a Kiwi group here too if you haven't found it already.

05-31-2010, 03:06 AM	#7
fractal Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,547	G'day & welcome in Kiwi. Good luck with your decision.

05-31-2010, 03:10 AM	#8
kiwi Inactive Account Join Date: May 2010 Location: Canterbury Posts: 6 Original Poster	thank GB I would be nervous with Kx in the weather too. It would be good to hear from anyone who has wet their Kx, so to speak, and how it stood up.

05-31-2010, 03:37 AM	#9
kiwi Inactive Account Join Date: May 2010 Location: Canterbury Posts: 6 Original Poster	Thanks all for the welcome and advice. Transit - does this mean going to Aus to purchase is better than PI and or on TM? where would you purchase? I might ask this on the Kiwi group!