2017 PF T-shirts are Now on Sale!

pingflood · 12-26-2015, 10:30 AM - **1 Like**

Hello all,

Been gone for a while (and didn't really post much of value before heading out as I'd gone to the dark side), but decided to perhaps dip a toe into Lake Pentax once again. Left for Canon years back mainly due to the at the time significant differences in tracking autofocus performance (I like birds/wildlife and it was hard to beat Canon/Nikon). It looks like Pentax has improved quite a bit since in that area.

The past few years have seen me mostly using a 7d+500L for birding, 5d2 + various lenses for almost everything else. But about a year ago I picked up a Leica M8 on a whim, and now I have a decent M9 setup that is my favorite tool in the world. The 5d2 left along with most lenses, though the 7d and 500 remain since they make an outstanding wildlife/birding setup. However I wanted a suitable "jack of most trades" camera, and spent some time shopping around for one. Settled on a Sony RX10 since it seemed to push all the right buttons, but once I had and used it I realized I still don't quite get along with electronic viewfinders no matter how good they are.

So, decided to see what Pentax was up to these days, and spotted the K-5 and K-3 as being seriously nice deals today. Strongly considering getting one with an 18-135 for a solid, weather resistant travel buddy, where I can get autofocus, solid high ISO performance and overall flexibility, something my M9 (lovely as it is) is lacking.

Anyway, wanted to say hello (again) and I'll post once I acquire a K-5 or K-3.

**jatrax** · 12-26-2015, 10:36 AM

Originally posted by pingflood

Strongly considering getting one with an 18-135 for a solid, weather resistant travel buddy, where I can get autofocus, solid high ISO performance and overall flexibility, something my M9 (lovely as it is) is lacking.

K-3 or K-3II would be your ticket. I would not recommend the K-5 at this point unless budget is the overriding concern. K-3 has on board flash and the K-3II has on board GPS plus a few other updates but nothing earthshattering,

My wife carries the K-3 plus 18-135 all the time and it delivers nice images in almost all conditions. Add a 50mm prime for low light and you are good to go.

normhead · 12-26-2015, 11:07 AM

Pentax has improved quite a bit, but for tracking it's still behind FF Canon and Nikons.The hot camera right now for the wldlife guys seems to be the Nikon D750.

I do all my work with a K-3. But I rarely have an opportunity for BiFs. Tracking is still Pentax's weak link.

<Slideshow here>

**Rupert** · 12-26-2015, 01:17 PM

Originally posted by normhead

Pentax has improved quite a bit, but for tracking it's still behind FF Canon and Nikons.The hot camera right now for the wldlife guys seems to be the Nikon D750.

I do all my work with a K-3. But I rarely have an opportunity for BiFs. Tracking is still Pentax's weak link.

<Slideshow here>

Lookin' at your slideshow...Otis says "He doesn't need any damn "tracking"!"

Regards!

**Kerrowdown** · 12-26-2015, 01:44 PM - **1 Like**

Welcome to the forum and welcome back to Pentax too.

Yos · 12-26-2015, 02:08 PM

Welcome back!/Välkommen tillbaka!

Om jag inte minns fel har Cyberphoto.se en bra deal på K-3II hus just nu.

pingflood · 12-26-2015, 02:23 PM

Originally posted by Yos

Welcome back!/Välkommen tillbaka!

Om jag inte minns fel har Cyberphoto.se en bra deal på K-3II hus just nu.

Hej! Ser att även Fotokungen har dem, t.o.m. lite billigare (6790). Lutar mot en beg K-3 dock, de ligger bra till prismässigt...

bertwert · 12-26-2015, 06:13 PM

Welcome to the forum!

debakarma · 12-26-2015, 07:09 PM

Welcome to the forum. Happy holidays.

pingflood · 12-27-2015, 03:37 AM

Originally posted by normhead

Pentax has improved quite a bit, but for tracking it's still behind FF Canon and Nikons.The hot camera right now for the wldlife guys seems to be the Nikon D750.

I do all my work with a K-3. But I rarely have an opportunity for BiFs. Tracking is still Pentax's weak link.

<Slideshow here>

I've gathered as much and besides the lens itself is why I am keeping my 7D+500L for birding. The 7D is getting old now but still performs admirably and I can rarely blame a missed shot on it.

Put in an offer on a K-3 for sale locally so we shall see if something materializes. The 18-135 looks like a killer "general purpose" lens since it's got a good range and weather resistance, so will probably go with that for starters. Maybe a 35mm or 50mm equiv down the road, but since I have a full lens setup for my M9 (21/35/50/90) there's no urgency. Just looking for something capable and enjoyable for travel, kid photos etc where the M9 doesn't shine.

**Rondec** · 12-27-2015, 04:10 AM

Welcome back! It has been quite awhile, but we've still kept a spot warm at the table for you...

I remember your shots well and I think you'll like the K3 -- not as good tracking as your 7D, but nice in a lot of other ways.

volley · 12-27-2015, 09:24 AM

Good to see you back!

pingflood · 01-03-2016, 09:34 AM

Well, a silver K-5 is on the way now. Found one here in Sweden for 3500 SEK (around 400 USD) including the 35/2.4 and a couple older lenses, with 2200 exposures. Seemed like a nice enough deal!

pingflood · 04-18-2016, 09:31 AM

Well, the K-5 worked fine for a bit, then crapped its pants right before I was heading out on a two week Italy trip (which is the main reason I bought it). Ended up bringing the (ever reliable) M9 + a bag of lenses instead, and living with the limitations (though I got a lot of nice shots!). The K-5 appears to suffer the floppy mirror issue so will see if it's even worth repairing considering repair costs here in Sweden. Not very pleased, but such is life.

**pres589** · 04-18-2016, 10:32 AM

No fun having a camera act up like that, especially before a trip where you planned on using it. Curious what the outcome will be.

12-26-2015, 10:30 AM - 1 Like	#1
pingflood Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Borås, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,165	Might be picking up a Pentax again Hello all, Been gone for a while (and didn't really post much of value before heading out as I'd gone to the dark side), but decided to perhaps dip a toe into Lake Pentax once again. Left for Canon years back mainly due to the at the time significant differences in tracking autofocus performance (I like birds/wildlife and it was hard to beat Canon/Nikon). It looks like Pentax has improved quite a bit since in that area. The past few years have seen me mostly using a 7d+500L for birding, 5d2 + various lenses for almost everything else. But about a year ago I picked up a Leica M8 on a whim, and now I have a decent M9 setup that is my favorite tool in the world. The 5d2 left along with most lenses, though the 7d and 500 remain since they make an outstanding wildlife/birding setup. However I wanted a suitable "jack of most trades" camera, and spent some time shopping around for one. Settled on a Sony RX10 since it seemed to push all the right buttons, but once I had and used it I realized I still don't quite get along with electronic viewfinders no matter how good they are. So, decided to see what Pentax was up to these days, and spotted the K-5 and K-3 as being seriously nice deals today. Strongly considering getting one with an 18-135 for a solid, weather resistant travel buddy, where I can get autofocus, solid high ISO performance and overall flexibility, something my M9 (lovely as it is) is lacking. Anyway, wanted to say hello (again) and I'll post once I acquire a K-5 or K-3.

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12-26-2015, 10:36 AM	#2
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,770	Originally posted by pingflood Strongly considering getting one with an 18-135 for a solid, weather resistant travel buddy, where I can get autofocus, solid high ISO performance and overall flexibility, something my M9 (lovely as it is) is lacking. K-3 or K-3II would be your ticket. I would not recommend the K-5 at this point unless budget is the overriding concern. K-3 has on board flash and the K-3II has on board GPS plus a few other updates but nothing earthshattering, My wife carries the K-3 plus 18-135 all the time and it delivers nice images in almost all conditions. Add a 50mm prime for low light and you are good to go.

12-26-2015, 11:07 AM	#3
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 25,854	Pentax has improved quite a bit, but for tracking it's still behind FF Canon and Nikons.The hot camera right now for the wldlife guys seems to be the Nikon D750. I do all my work with a K-3. But I rarely have an opportunity for BiFs. Tracking is still Pentax's weak link. <Slideshow here>

12-26-2015, 01:17 PM	#4
Rupert Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 25,008	Originally posted by normhead Pentax has improved quite a bit, but for tracking it's still behind FF Canon and Nikons.The hot camera right now for the wldlife guys seems to be the Nikon D750. I do all my work with a K-3. But I rarely have an opportunity for BiFs. Tracking is still Pentax's weak link. <Slideshow here> Lookin' at your slideshow...Otis says "He doesn't need any damn "tracking"!" Regards!

12-26-2015, 01:44 PM - 1 Like	#5
Kerrowdown Moderator PEG Judges Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland. Photos: Gallery Posts: 32,742	Welcome to the forum and welcome back to Pentax too.

12-26-2015, 02:08 PM	#6
Yos Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Stockholm Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 533	Welcome back!/Välkommen tillbaka! Om jag inte minns fel har Cyberphoto.se en bra deal på K-3II hus just nu.

12-26-2015, 02:23 PM	#7
pingflood Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Borås, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,165 Original Poster	Originally posted by Yos Welcome back!/Välkommen tillbaka! Om jag inte minns fel har Cyberphoto.se en bra deal på K-3II hus just nu. Hej! Ser att även Fotokungen har dem, t.o.m. lite billigare (6790). Lutar mot en beg K-3 dock, de ligger bra till prismässigt...

12-26-2015, 06:13 PM	#8
bertwert Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Photos: Albums Posts: 5,481	Welcome to the forum!

12-26-2015, 07:09 PM	#9
debakarma Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,282	Welcome to the forum. Happy holidays.

12-27-2015, 03:37 AM	#10
pingflood Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Borås, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,165 Original Poster	Originally posted by normhead Pentax has improved quite a bit, but for tracking it's still behind FF Canon and Nikons.The hot camera right now for the wldlife guys seems to be the Nikon D750. I do all my work with a K-3. But I rarely have an opportunity for BiFs. Tracking is still Pentax's weak link. <Slideshow here> I've gathered as much and besides the lens itself is why I am keeping my 7D+500L for birding. The 7D is getting old now but still performs admirably and I can rarely blame a missed shot on it. Put in an offer on a K-3 for sale locally so we shall see if something materializes. The 18-135 looks like a killer "general purpose" lens since it's got a good range and weather resistance, so will probably go with that for starters. Maybe a 35mm or 50mm equiv down the road, but since I have a full lens setup for my M9 (21/35/50/90) there's no urgency. Just looking for something capable and enjoyable for travel, kid photos etc where the M9 doesn't shine.

12-27-2015, 04:10 AM	#11
Rondec Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,243	Welcome back! It has been quite awhile, but we've still kept a spot warm at the table for you... I remember your shots well and I think you'll like the K3 -- not as good tracking as your 7D, but nice in a lot of other ways.

12-27-2015, 09:24 AM	#12
volley Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,387	Good to see you back!

01-03-2016, 09:34 AM	#13
pingflood Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Borås, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,165 Original Poster	Well, a silver K-5 is on the way now. Found one here in Sweden for 3500 SEK (around 400 USD) including the 35/2.4 and a couple older lenses, with 2200 exposures. Seemed like a nice enough deal!

04-18-2016, 09:31 AM	#14
pingflood Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Borås, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,165 Original Poster	Well, the K-5 worked fine for a bit, then crapped its pants right before I was heading out on a two week Italy trip (which is the main reason I bought it). Ended up bringing the (ever reliable) M9 + a bag of lenses instead, and living with the limitations (though I got a lot of nice shots!). The K-5 appears to suffer the floppy mirror issue so will see if it's even worth repairing considering repair costs here in Sweden. Not very pleased, but such is life.

04-18-2016, 10:32 AM	#15
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: West Haven, CT USA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,067	No fun having a camera act up like that, especially before a trip where you planned on using it. Curious what the outcome will be.

Might be picking up a Pentax again

2017 PF T-shirts are Now on Sale!