New to pentax?

Alr68 · 11-29-2013, 08:20 AM

Greetings from Iowa. I'm new to the forum and am seriously considering a K3 purchase. I'm a hobbyist who's husband bought a Nikon D90 a couple years ago for me with kit 18-105 & 70-300 lens. I typically shoot HS football at night and indoor basketball games as well as general nature/travel shooting. I'd like to have something newer, faster, and better at low light. But because I'm still learning I'm interested in some experienced users opinions. K3 with the 18-135 and a Sigma 70-200 2.8 is what I'm about ready to do. I would greatly appreciate any advice. Thx!

**jatrax** · 11-29-2013, 09:33 AM

Don't see why that would not be a great kit. K-3 is excellent at low light AF. Though honestly, getting good shots is at least as much practice, learning the camera, knowing the game and anticipating the action than it is a new camera. They shot great sports images with manual focus for a long time.

I got the K-3 on pre-order and have no regrets, it has been an excellent camera so far. The files are larger, and I find my PP is different than with the k-5 so I am having to change some things but all in all I am very happy.

18-135 is a great all around lens, my wife has one on her k-5IIs 90% of the time. I've no experience with the 70-200 but it is highly regarded.

One of the pluses of the k-3 is the larger files so you can crop a lot and still get a very usable shot.

Alr68 · 11-29-2013, 09:54 AM

Thanks for your input. I definitely know the game, get lots of practice, just working the camera part out now - much more learning to do. I was considering getting the faster lens for the D90, but then was shown the K3 (loved it) and the sigma 70-200 and thought this might be the best value for my money, rather then investing big $ in nikon lenses for the older body. Just need to pull the trigger!

**Kerrowdown** · 11-29-2013, 02:04 PM

Welcome to the forum, please post some images of the two sports once you get your K3.

TenZ.NL · 11-29-2013, 02:12 PM

Welcome, it seems that you allready did your homework, the K-3 coupled with a Sigma 70-200 is probably the best and fastest setup by Pentax for lowlight fastpaced games. The 18-135 makes an excellent addition for a nice allround set.

Jean Poitiers · 11-29-2013, 11:00 PM

Welcome to PF and bonjour from France, Alr68 ... enjoy the forum and hope to see a Pentax

image or two soon ... Salut, J

11-29-2013, 08:20 AM	#1
Alr68 New Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 5	New to pentax? Greetings from Iowa. I'm new to the forum and am seriously considering a K3 purchase. I'm a hobbyist who's husband bought a Nikon D90 a couple years ago for me with kit 18-105 & 70-300 lens. I typically shoot HS football at night and indoor basketball games as well as general nature/travel shooting. I'd like to have something newer, faster, and better at low light. But because I'm still learning I'm interested in some experienced users opinions. K3 with the 18-135 and a Sigma 70-200 2.8 is what I'm about ready to do. I would greatly appreciate any advice. Thx!

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11-29-2013, 09:33 AM	#2
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Don't see why that would not be a great kit. K-3 is excellent at low light AF. Though honestly, getting good shots is at least as much practice, learning the camera, knowing the game and anticipating the action than it is a new camera. They shot great sports images with manual focus for a long time. I got the K-3 on pre-order and have no regrets, it has been an excellent camera so far. The files are larger, and I find my PP is different than with the k-5 so I am having to change some things but all in all I am very happy. 18-135 is a great all around lens, my wife has one on her k-5IIs 90% of the time. I've no experience with the 70-200 but it is highly regarded. One of the pluses of the k-3 is the larger files so you can crop a lot and still get a very usable shot.

11-29-2013, 09:54 AM	#3
Alr68 New Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 5 Original Poster	Thanks for your input. I definitely know the game, get lots of practice, just working the camera part out now - much more learning to do. I was considering getting the faster lens for the D90, but then was shown the K3 (loved it) and the sigma 70-200 and thought this might be the best value for my money, rather then investing big $ in nikon lenses for the older body. Just need to pull the trigger!

11-29-2013, 02:04 PM	#4
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,816	Welcome to the forum, please post some images of the two sports once you get your K3.

11-29-2013, 02:12 PM	#5
TenZ.NL Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Below sealevel Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,100	Welcome, it seems that you allready did your homework, the K-3 coupled with a Sigma 70-200 is probably the best and fastest setup by Pentax for lowlight fastpaced games. The 18-135 makes an excellent addition for a nice allround set.

11-29-2013, 11:00 PM	#6
Jean Poitiers Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Lost in translation ... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,076	Welcome to PF and *bonjour* from France, Alr68 ... enjoy the forum and hope to see a Pentax image or two soon ... *Salut*, J

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