[johnnyporto3]

Hi fellow Pentax users,
I have been using Pentax gear since 2010 and love the value it provides me. I have been lurking in the forums since 2010 but I was formerly known as SharonPhotoGuy. I have moved from Sharon, MA so I changed my name.

I have been shooting with a Red Kr since 2010 and just recently I have decided to look at upgrading. I am considering a K-5 IIs over the K-3, though I would like the jump in resolution of the latter.

One thing that has caught my attention recently is the Astrotracer feature when the camera is paired with the GPS unit. If anyone has experience with this in terms of how well this works I would appreciate the feedback.

I also want to upload some photos to get some feedback so hopefully that will happen soon.

Thanks for reading,

John

[Kerrowdown]

Welcome, you could've pm'd Adam to get your named changed on the original account.

[mamba909]

Welcome to sunny So Cal! Be sure to check out the California Pentax Users group if you wanna meet up with some fellow Pentaxians.

As for the K5 IIs vs the K-3, I'd recommend getting the K-5 IIs unless you really need that much performance which the K-3 offers. I own a K-3, and while it's my favorite camera body and such a pleasure to shoot with, I don't take it out too often because I really don't want to fill up my hard drive with its huge RAW files. The K-5 IIs should be adequate.

[johnnyporto3]

I am expecting my new K-5IIs tomorrow from Adorama. I was leaning toward the K-3 and then I saw the deal for the K-5 IIs which I couldn't pass up. I am going to get the o-gps1 with my savings and give some astrophotography a try.

[crewl1]

Welcome to the forums! Enjoy your new cam, post some shots now that you are out of the lurk

[Jean Poitiers]

Bonjour from France, John, and welcome to PF ... hope to see an image or two soon ... Salut, J (John)

[TER-OR]

Welcome aboard! The GPS unit is nice in the field to keep track of your photos.

I've only used the astrotracer once, to give it a test. It worked well but my sky was pretty bright and humid that night. I'll get outdoors once the nightime temperature hits the 20s....

[johnnyporto3]

TER-OR, I feel your pain on the cold temps. I lived in New England up until 2011 and with my Kr I couldn't do any photography outdoors for most of the winter. I just got my K-5 IIs and while the difference is night and day, I no longer live in a cold environment where temps are the issue. So no more excuses, time to get out there and shoot more. Just looking for the best deal on the GPS unit now. Looks like most places are the same price though.

[TER-OR]

The only problem with the camera when that cold is battery life...it seems to wear out about the time my boots give up against the cold. I'm going to get a couple of those workshop foam pads. Maybe that will help.

The battery seems to report dead more quickly if it's half-charged to begin with. I had this issue on my recent trip to Starved Rock - check out my Flickr stream - but had brought a new spare battery with me. A swap from the interior pocket of my jacket, and I was able to shoot all day.