[Denv12]

Hi everyone.

I just joined the forum minutes ago.

I'm investing money soon into a new digital slr camera.I've seen some nice cameras out there and there are some poor quality ones too.As I'm an owner of a 1986 35mm fild slr Pentax A3 I have to admit it was easy to want to stick with Pentax for my next camera.Just have to decide which is the best camera to start with.

My budget will be under $1000 Australian so if you can make suggestions and recommend any retailers/online stores where I can get a good deal,that be greatly appreciated.

i've seen some photographs that show very poor colours whilst other photos are high quality.I need to make sure I get the best colours in my next camera.I'm going to buying a camera thats going to have to last for a few years before I upgrade further.

Thanks.

[Adam]

Hi everyone.

I just joined the forum minutes ago.

I'm investing money soon into a new digital slr camera.I've seen some nice cameras out there and there are some poor quality ones too.As I'm an owner of a 1986 35mm fild slr Pentax A3 I have to admit it was easy to want to stick with Pentax for my next camera.Just have to decide which is the best camera to start with.

My budget will be under $1000 Australian so if you can make suggestions and recommend any retailers/online stores where I can get a good deal,that be greatly appreciated.

i've seen some photographs that show very poor colours whilst other photos are high quality.I need to make sure I get the best colours in my next camera.I'm going to buying a camera thats going to have to last for a few years before I upgrade further.

Thanks.

I'd recommend the K-5 (around $750, mostly discontinued advanced bode, but stock still lingers here and there) or the K-30 (around $650, current mid-range model). The K-5 still has best-in-class APS-C image quality. The K-30 has the same sensor, but because it can't do 14-bit RAW, its colors and dynamic range can be a bit worse.

Check out these reviews:
Pentax K-30 Camera Review - Introduction - PentaxForums.com
Canon 7D vs. Pentax K-5 - Introduction - PentaxForums.com

Pentax has also released a successor to the K-5 called the K-5 II, but it's basically the same camera, yet it costs $400 more. Review is here:
Pentax K-5 II / IIs Review - Introduction - PentaxForums.com

Hope these links helps, and good luck with your camera hunt. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention: if mirrorless floats your boat, the the Pentax K-01 is by far the cheapest way to get the best possible image quality. It's currently around $299:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-price-watch/208522-k-01-body-299-teds-australia.html

[sam-joseph]

welcome to the forums.

Regards

[Ash]

Welcome here mate. Without a doubt, the K-5 is an excellent value for money camera and you can grab one on the marketplace here for cheap (second-hand) or new locally (if you can find one). You'll even have enough left over for a fine little quality prime lens like a DA 35/2.4 or DA 50/1.8

Hope you find this forum useful.

[Musto Pentaxian]

Hi everyone.

I just joined the forum minutes ago.

I'm investing money soon into a new digital slr camera.I've seen some nice cameras out there and there are some poor quality ones too.As I'm an owner of a 1986 35mm fild slr Pentax A3 I have to admit it was easy to want to stick with Pentax for my next camera.Just have to decide which is the best camera to start with.

My budget will be under $1000 Australian so if you can make suggestions and recommend any retailers/online stores where I can get a good deal,that be greatly appreciated.

i've seen some photographs that show very poor colours whilst other photos are high quality.I need to make sure I get the best colours in my next camera.I'm going to buying a camera thats going to have to last for a few years before I upgrade further.

Thanks.

Welcome to another Aussie, grab a K5 classic, at the current price it's a steal, you'll be stunned with the image quality...

P.S. where in this wide brown land are you from? There's a lot of Aussies here, Pentax had a very strong market share with film cameras in Australia back in the day...

Cheers

Chris

[AussieTrev]

Welcome, you will enjoy the friendships here.

[musings]

Welcome,

When you've decided what gear you're after, check out digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au for their pricing.

Regards, Gary

[Denv12]

G'day guys.Thanks for all the feedback on this.And,so soon too.

I'm looking at your suggestions here.

I had started looking at the K-R.I saw at ryda.com.au in Sydney.I'm in SA so dont mind where I buy in Australia.
Pentax KR Digital SLR Camera 18-55 - ($598.85)RYDA Cameras

And,here's the camera bag I'd like to get unless there's a better one:


Ryda Digital Superstore - Lowepro Adventura 170 Camera Bag(

Is the KR and the K5 similar?

Thanks.

Chris.

[Adam]

Is the KR and the K5 similar?

Nope: the K-r is an intro-level DSLR, while the K-5 is semi-pro/enthusiast. Here's a specs comparison:
Pentax Cameras | Pentax K-5 vs. Pentax K-r vs. Pentax K-30 - Pentax DSLR Comparison - PentaxForums.com

[Ash]

The K-r is a camera you can grow into whilst the K-5 is a camera that you won't grow out of. The extra customisability and features of the K-5, coupled with its dual e-dial and weather sealing make it an excellent choice. I have both, and although I like both, I do appreciate the added advantages of the K-5, even with its considerably increased weight over the K-r.

[AdrianM]

There is currently a special on the K30 with a 18-200 lens for $999 - most of the major camera stores (Diamonds in Adelaide)

[southlander]

Hi there from another Adelaidean. There are three Adelaide forum users quite active on the forum at present.

One thing to watch on web purchases is the issue of warranty. The offshore websites and the local grey importers won't have Australian warranties. Also, if importing from overseas, total landed value incl delivery must be less than AUD1000 or GST and duties payable.

I have a kx, but will upgrade soon. The kr is a mild upgrade of the kx. The k30 is kind of a poor man's k5 with higher res sensor and weather sealing compared to the kx/kr. A k30 with the Pentax 18-135 WR lens can be well priced if you keep an eye out for deals. Combo would be a little over a grand but you would have a much better lens than the 18-55 kit lens and full weather resistance which for our dusty summer conditions I consider a plus. Personally I'd be considering a k30 or k5/k5 ii as the kr is a bit dated and outclassed now. Locally, classic k5 unfortunately not very keenly priced. You could try talking turkey with some of the city specialist camera shops and see what they come up with.

[Ash]

Hi and welcome here. The K-r is a useful upgrade from the K-x. I did this myself, and find it better in every practical way. But the K30 is no doubt even better an entry level, but mainly for the focus peaking and weather sealing. The K-5 is a very good camera, as it still sports one of the most advanced APS-C sensors and features that are practical and timeless. Unless predictive or very low light focusing is a must then the K-5 classic is still a very good choice. Check Ryda or this forum's marketplace for some good deals on this camera.

[Ash]

You can check out this sale for a K-5 for an idea of how much you are up against getting a second-hand body: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/photographic-equipment-sale/207400-sale-p...-5-630aud.html

[elpolodiablo]

Ha, another Aussie! Welcome to PF, the most friendly online photography community!

K-30 is the best deal these days in terms of value for money here in Oz I think, had I not had K-5 and K-01 both I'd go for one of those.