Hello from Los Angeles, CA

Unregistered · 06-06-2016, 05:46 PM

Hello everyone!

I am a college student looking to get back into photography. A couple of years back, I started out with a K100D Super, and now I'm trying to make photography more of a persistent hobby instead of just on vacations and stuff. In particular, I am interested in landscape and long-exposure stuff. I'm also learning how to use Lightroom with RAW, instead of just using JPEG right out of the camera.

Currently, I do not have any gear besides the K100D Super and kit 18-55mm lens, both of which I'm planning to give to a sibling. My main complaints with the K100D Super are the slow autofocus and poor low-light performance. Would I be good staring off with a K-3 II and 16-85mm lens? It's kind of pricey, but if it's worth it, then I won't have an issue buying it.

Thanks!

**Nakedgun** · 06-06-2016, 08:44 PM

Welcome!

I do not own the K-3II, but do have the 16-85, which I can recommend. Your projected purchase looks like a great avenue of approach.

Good luck.

**Tonytee** · 06-06-2016, 08:47 PM

Originally posted by tediscool310

Hello everyone!

I am a college student looking to get back into photography. A couple of years back, I started out with a K100D Super, and now I'm trying to make photography more of a persistent hobby instead of just on vacations and stuff. In particular, I am interested in landscape and long-exposure stuff. I'm also learning how to use Lightroom with RAW, instead of just using JPEG right out of the camera.

Currently, I do not have any gear besides the K100D Super and kit 18-55mm lens, both of which I'm planning to give to a sibling. My main complaints with the K100D Super are the slow autofocus and poor low-light performance. Would I be good staring off with a K-3 II and 16-85mm lens? It's kind of pricey, but if it's worth it, then I won't have an issue buying it.

Thanks!

First of all, welcome to the Forum, good to have you on board. I have found my Pentax K100D Super with the 18~55mm lens to be an outstanding performer. I have no problems with slow auto focus. The camera takes the readings and "Presto", we are in business. As far as low light conditions, true it is not a fast lens, but it does have a built-in flash that for me, works very well. I have read many, many glowing reports regarding the K-3 II. I do not know about the 16~85mm lens. Good luck with that.

Adios,

Anthonio

Unregistered · 06-06-2016, 09:45 PM

Thanks for the welcome!

One other thing I was considering: If I purchase the K-3 II and 16-85mm separately, it will be $1350 USD. I can alternatively get the K-3 and 18-135mm bundle for $990 USD. The benefits I can think of in the K-3 II vs. K-3 are Pixel-Shift and GPS. The benefits of the 16-85mm lens vs. 18-135mm lens are less vignetting and wide-angle. Did I miss anything else, and do you you guys think I should spend the extra $360 USD?

**pjv** · 06-06-2016, 09:58 PM

Originally posted by tediscool310

Would I be good staring off with a K-3 II and 16-85mm lens?

Hi tediscool310. Welcome to the Pentax forums. Either the K-3 or the K-3 II are excellent performers. If you go to the " sample photo gallery " you can enter either camera body with many lenses to see what other members have achieved with that combination. It is worth a look if you are wanting to buy a certain body or lens. Good luck with your choices.

**Kerrowdown** · 06-07-2016, 06:46 AM

Welcome to the forum, enjoy your photography even more with all these proposed kit additions.

06-06-2016, 05:46 PM	#1
Unregistered Guest	Hello from Los Angeles, CA Hello everyone! I am a college student looking to get back into photography. A couple of years back, I started out with a K100D Super, and now I'm trying to make photography more of a persistent hobby instead of just on vacations and stuff. In particular, I am interested in landscape and long-exposure stuff. I'm also learning how to use Lightroom with RAW, instead of just using JPEG right out of the camera. Currently, I do not have any gear besides the K100D Super and kit 18-55mm lens, both of which I'm planning to give to a sibling. My main complaints with the K100D Super are the slow autofocus and poor low-light performance. Would I be good staring off with a K-3 II and 16-85mm lens? It's kind of pricey, but if it's worth it, then I won't have an issue buying it. Thanks!

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06-06-2016, 08:44 PM	#2
Nakedgun Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Southwest Posts: 1,217	Welcome! I do not own the K-3II, but do have the 16-85, which I can recommend. Your projected purchase looks like a great avenue of approach. Good luck.

06-06-2016, 08:47 PM	#3
Tonytee Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,394	Originally posted by tediscool310 Hello everyone! I am a college student looking to get back into photography. A couple of years back, I started out with a K100D Super, and now I'm trying to make photography more of a persistent hobby instead of just on vacations and stuff. In particular, I am interested in landscape and long-exposure stuff. I'm also learning how to use Lightroom with RAW, instead of just using JPEG right out of the camera. Currently, I do not have any gear besides the K100D Super and kit 18-55mm lens, both of which I'm planning to give to a sibling. My main complaints with the K100D Super are the slow autofocus and poor low-light performance. Would I be good staring off with a K-3 II and 16-85mm lens? It's kind of pricey, but if it's worth it, then I won't have an issue buying it. Thanks! First of all, welcome to the Forum, good to have you on board. I have found my Pentax K100D Super with the 18~55mm lens to be an outstanding performer. I have no problems with slow auto focus. The camera takes the readings and "Presto", we are in business. As far as low light conditions, true it is not a fast lens, but it does have a built-in flash that for me, works very well. I have read many, many glowing reports regarding the K-3 II. I do not know about the 16~85mm lens. Good luck with that. Adios, Anthonio

06-06-2016, 09:45 PM	#4
Unregistered Guest	Thanks for the welcome! One other thing I was considering: If I purchase the K-3 II and 16-85mm separately, it will be $1350 USD. I can alternatively get the K-3 and 18-135mm bundle for $990 USD. The benefits I can think of in the K-3 II vs. K-3 are Pixel-Shift and GPS. The benefits of the 16-85mm lens vs. 18-135mm lens are less vignetting and wide-angle. Did I miss anything else, and do you you guys think I should spend the extra $360 USD?

06-06-2016, 09:58 PM	#5
pjv Proudly Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,671	Originally posted by tediscool310 Would I be good staring off with a K-3 II and 16-85mm lens? Hi tediscool310. Welcome to the Pentax forums. Either the K-3 or the K-3 II are excellent performers. If you go to the " sample photo gallery " you can enter either camera body with many lenses to see what other members have achieved with that combination. It is worth a look if you are wanting to buy a certain body or lens. Good luck with your choices.

06-07-2016, 06:46 AM	#6
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 56,113	Welcome to the forum, enjoy your photography even more with all these proposed kit additions.

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