New to photography

boraclicks · 06-30-2014, 03:04 AM

Hi,

I am Anand, a creative software guy. I am into paintings, all kinds of Art forms and creative coding.

I have been taking lots of photographs in my point and shoot camera till last year. Then I decided to hop on to the world of photography and wanted to buy a camera. The DSLR was out of my budget and I got hold of an advanced point & shoot Nikon P330 since it was in a deal in the market. The camera is really nice and I have learnt a lot about photography as it gives me all the freedom. But it has its own limitations which only a DSLR can fulfill.

Since this would be my first DSLR, I am looking at buying a Pentax K-30/K-50 or a Nikon D5100. D5200 is expensive at my place and Nikon has warranty issues with online sellers. Pentax K30 has been phased out here, K50 is available but almost 40% expensive compared to the prices in the US. I handle things roughly and want to buy a sturdy DSLR to suit my needs.

I have couple of questions:
1. Is it a good idea to buy a High end camera body like K-3 for beginners? Or may be, couple a K50 with 18-135 lens?
2. If I buy Nikon D5100, I might require an upgrade in 2 years time. At that time, D5100 will not have proper re-sale value. Also, low end Nikon cameras have plastic feel to them. Should I still prefer Nikon D5100 as it is cheaper?

I would like to be married to the camera for long.

Last edited by Tom S.; 06-30-2014 at 04:33 AM. Reason: Personal link removed.

**TER-OR** · 06-30-2014, 06:09 AM - **1 Like**

A K50 with 18-135 is a great combo, the Weather Resistance gives you a lot of confidence. You can then look for some old manual prime lenses to satisfy your artistic ambitions.

You mention resale - you can also look for used K30 or K5 series cameras. This is a good option to save some money. The Pentax offerings are more solidly built than the lower to mid level Nikons. The Marketplace here on the PF website is a great place to look for used equipment.

You seem read to make the jump to a more technical camera, the K3 or K5 will give you all the flexibility you need, and the controls to do everything yourself or allow the camera to make some decisions. The K30/50 will give you much of this, too, but personally I like my K5, it's been a great performer.

tabl10s · 06-30-2014, 06:17 AM

To me, a K1000/MX/LX would be your best bet since you like to beat things up. If you get a DSLR, re-sale value won't be an issue since no one will want a beat up sample.

boraclicks · 06-30-2014, 06:59 AM

I am inclined towards Pentax only coz of its build quality. Recently I used the Canon 7D which was quite sturdy but heavy. I will be going to the Pentax dealer soon to check out the K50 in hand and try to have a feel for it.
The only con is that Pentax doesn't have a very good after sales support in India. People have been complaining a lot about the service.
I would also want to know whether kit lens (18-55mm) which comes with the Pentax cameras is seriously a problem as lot of people mention on the forums?

**TER-OR** · 06-30-2014, 09:12 AM

Pentax's 18-55WR is well-regarded as a kit lens from what I've read. Your other option for an upgraded kit would be the 18-135WR which is very nice, and quiet.

boraclicks · 06-30-2014, 10:17 AM

Thanks a lot. I think I will visit the store and check both the lenses. That might be the best way to choose. Thanks again for your inputs.

**Kerrowdown** · 07-01-2014, 02:36 AM

Originally posted by boraclicks

I would like to be married to the camera for long

Welcome to the forum, that's why I still have a couple of LX's about the place.

boraclicks · 07-01-2014, 11:05 AM

Thanks.

.
Cameras are a way of merging creativity with memories. We keep them for long as they become part of those memories.

**Kerrowdown** · 07-01-2014, 11:09 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by boraclicks

as they become part of those memories

Indeed, I can look at various camera bodies and both place where I was and at what stage in my life I was at.

OlavAgnar · 07-02-2014, 09:07 AM

Hello and welcome to the world of Pentax.
I hope you will learn a lot and have even more fun in this group.

boraclicks · 07-03-2014, 03:17 AM

Thanks Olav. Learning is always so much fun.

Aksel · 07-03-2014, 05:11 AM

Originally posted by boraclicks

...
The only con is that Pentax doesn't have a very good after sales support in India. People have been complaining a lot about the service.
...

Welcome to the forums!

You said, that Pentax has problems with after sale support in India? Here was one guy, who said that he is part of Ricoh India group. It seems to me that you had the idea to contact him.

Here you can find him:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/29-welcomes-introductions/265444-hello-ri...ml#post2847175

boraclicks · 07-03-2014, 07:32 AM

Thanks a ton. I will PM him.

06-30-2014, 03:04 AM	#1
boraclicks Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Bangalore Photos: Albums Posts: 96	New to photography Hi, I am Anand, a creative software guy. I am into paintings, all kinds of Art forms and creative coding. I have been taking lots of photographs in my point and shoot camera till last year. Then I decided to hop on to the world of photography and wanted to buy a camera. The DSLR was out of my budget and I got hold of an advanced point & shoot Nikon P330 since it was in a deal in the market. The camera is really nice and I have learnt a lot about photography as it gives me all the freedom. But it has its own limitations which only a DSLR can fulfill. Since this would be my first DSLR, I am looking at buying a Pentax K-30/K-50 or a Nikon D5100. D5200 is expensive at my place and Nikon has warranty issues with online sellers. Pentax K30 has been phased out here, K50 is available but almost 40% expensive compared to the prices in the US. I handle things roughly and want to buy a sturdy DSLR to suit my needs. I have couple of questions: 1. Is it a good idea to buy a High end camera body like K-3 for beginners? Or may be, couple a K50 with 18-135 lens? 2. If I buy Nikon D5100, I might require an upgrade in 2 years time. At that time, D5100 will not have proper re-sale value. Also, low end Nikon cameras have plastic feel to them. Should I still prefer Nikon D5100 as it is cheaper? I would like to be married to the camera for long. Last edited by Tom S.; 06-30-2014 at 04:33 AM. Reason: Personal link removed.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
New to the forum, new to photography	haaskids	Welcomes and Introductions	6	05-01-2014 07:36 PM
New here, new to photography, new to Pentax	nkull	Welcomes and Introductions	6	01-30-2014 01:53 AM
New Member And New To Film Photography	photographyguy74	Welcomes and Introductions	7	12-09-2013 05:26 PM
Old to photography, new to the forums	Divideby0	Welcomes and Introductions	6	05-24-2013 09:33 AM
new to photography, how to check if lenses are original?	dmunteanu23	Welcomes and Introductions	6	05-16-2013 09:55 AM

06-30-2014, 06:09 AM - 1 Like	#2
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699	A K50 with 18-135 is a great combo, the Weather Resistance gives you a lot of confidence. You can then look for some old manual prime lenses to satisfy your artistic ambitions. You mention resale - you can also look for used K30 or K5 series cameras. This is a good option to save some money. The Pentax offerings are more solidly built than the lower to mid level Nikons. The Marketplace here on the PF website is a great place to look for used equipment. You seem read to make the jump to a more technical camera, the K3 or K5 will give you all the flexibility you need, and the controls to do everything yourself or allow the camera to make some decisions. The K30/50 will give you much of this, too, but personally I like my K5, it's been a great performer.

06-30-2014, 06:17 AM	#3
tabl10s Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Sacramento(formerly from B'Ham, England). Posts: 1,424	To me, a K1000/MX/LX would be your best bet since you like to beat things up. If you get a DSLR, re-sale value won't be an issue since no one will want a beat up sample.

06-30-2014, 06:59 AM	#4
boraclicks Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Bangalore Photos: Albums Posts: 96 Original Poster	I am inclined towards Pentax only coz of its build quality. Recently I used the Canon 7D which was quite sturdy but heavy. I will be going to the Pentax dealer soon to check out the K50 in hand and try to have a feel for it. The only con is that Pentax doesn't have a very good after sales support in India. People have been complaining a lot about the service. I would also want to know whether kit lens (18-55mm) which comes with the Pentax cameras is seriously a problem as lot of people mention on the forums?

06-30-2014, 09:12 AM	#5
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699	Pentax's 18-55WR is well-regarded as a kit lens from what I've read. Your other option for an upgraded kit would be the 18-135WR which is very nice, and quiet.

06-30-2014, 10:17 AM	#6
boraclicks Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Bangalore Photos: Albums Posts: 96 Original Poster	Thanks a lot. I think I will visit the store and check both the lenses. That might be the best way to choose. Thanks again for your inputs.

07-01-2014, 02:36 AM	#7
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,805	Originally posted by boraclicks I would like to be married to the camera for long Welcome to the forum, that's why I still have a couple of LX's about the place.

07-01-2014, 11:05 AM	#8
boraclicks Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Bangalore Photos: Albums Posts: 96 Original Poster	Thanks. . Cameras are a way of merging creativity with memories. We keep them for long as they become part of those memories.

07-01-2014, 11:09 AM - 1 Like	#9
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,805	Originally posted by boraclicks as they become part of those memories Indeed, I can look at various camera bodies and both place where I was and at what stage in my life I was at.

07-02-2014, 09:07 AM	#10
OlavAgnar New Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Bergen Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11	Hello and welcome to the world of Pentax. I hope you will learn a lot and have even more fun in this group.

07-03-2014, 03:17 AM	#11
boraclicks Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Bangalore Photos: Albums Posts: 96 Original Poster	Thanks Olav. Learning is always so much fun.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

07-03-2014, 05:11 AM	#12
Aksel Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 224	Originally posted by boraclicks ... The only con is that Pentax doesn't have a very good after sales support in India. People have been complaining a lot about the service. ... Welcome to the forums! You said, that Pentax has problems with after sale support in India? Here was one guy, who said that he is part of Ricoh India group. It seems to me that you had the idea to contact him. Here you can find him: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/29-welcomes-introductions/265444-hello-ri...ml#post2847175

07-03-2014, 07:32 AM	#13
boraclicks Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Bangalore Photos: Albums Posts: 96 Original Poster	Thanks a ton. I will PM him.