[luDoc]

Hi to everyone!

I write from Italy and I hope to be soon part of Pentax world.
I'm new to digital SLR system in particular, until now I have only used the old mechanical reflex YASHICA of my father that some of you will know for sure. ( It was good and very useful for enter deeply in the world of the real photography)
It's a long time that I am following the Pentax system, which has always aroused a great fascination for me. Now I have decided to take the plunge and get into the Pentax family.
This is why I am writing to you asking for your opinions to be able to take decision with more security and tranquility.

First I want to clarify that the genre of photography that I prefer is essentially the landscape, some family portraits and photos of architecture both interior and exterior.

My doubt concerns the choice between the new KP (of which I am reading really enthusiastic reviews ) or greater investment to take the K-1 (which is full of honors).
I don't have a very high budget so I would take along with the K-1 some vintage lens (also manual), while for the KP I will use some nice prime lens like the limited edition.
(Dimensions are not a problem for me because I have big hands to easly manage a more massive body like the k-1)

According to you, starting from zero and then having to invest in a completely new lens park, what would be the best choice?

Thanks to all those who want to dedicate a little of their attention

[aslyfox]

Hi to everyone!

I write from Italy and I hope to be soon part of Pentax world.
I'm new to digital SLR system in particular, until now I have only used the old mechanical reflex YASHICA of my father that some of you will know for sure. ( It was good and very useful for enter deeply in the world of the real photography)
It's a long time that I am following the Pentax system, which has always aroused a great fascination for me. Now I have decided to take the plunge and get into the Pentax family.
This is why I am writing to you asking for your opinions to be able to take decision with more security and tranquility.

First I want to clarify that the genre of photography that I prefer is essentially the landscape, some family portraits and photos of architecture both interior and exterior.

My doubt concerns the choice between the new KP (of which I am reading really enthusiastic reviews ) or greater investment to take the K-1 (which is full of honors).
I don't have a very high budget so I would take along with the K-1 some vintage lens (also manual), while for the KP I will use some nice prime lens like the limited edition.
(Dimensions are not a problem for me because I have big hands to easly manage a more massive body like the k-1)

According to you, starting from zero and then having to invest in a completely new lens park, what would be the best choice?

Thanks to all those who want to dedicate a little of their attention

Welcome

I suggest going to the top left of the page, click on the "Camera" pull down and you will find links to much info about camera choices.

slide one over to "Lenses" and you will find much the same for lenses

and for Accessories under that title

the other posters will be glad to help answer your questions.

[pathdoc]

Starting from zero, with the photographic goals you described (landscape, architecture, portraits) and given the choice between K-1 with vintage lenses versus KP with Limited series, I would choose:

1) KP.
2) DA 15mm f/4.0 Limited - this would be my landscape and architecture lens.
3) DA 35mm f/2.4 (inexpensive, polycarbonate plastic construction but excellent image quality) or DA 40mm f/2.8 Limited (very tiny and compact but outstanding picture quality) - this would be my general-purpose lens.
4) If I still had money left over, the DA 70mm f/2.4 Limited would be my specialised portrait lens. This could possibly wait until your finances were better, as the DA 40 could fill that role in the short term.

A tripod can also be a very valuable addition to your photography kit.

Disclosure: Contrary to the advice I have given you, I have recently bought the K-1 and am awaiting its arrival, BUT I have been shooting non-full-frame Pentax DSLRs for about 12 years and also have a wide range of vintage film lenses (including autofocus zooms) ready to put on the K-1, so my decision was made from a very different starting point than yours.

[VoiceOfReason]

K1 and find a Tamron 24-135 to start with. That gets you off and running and gives you a very usable range, plus the Tamron 24-135 is pretty good on the K1.

[BullsOnParade81]

What vintage lenses do you already have if you purchase a k1?

[dms]

On a limited budget I would purchase a used K-5 or K-3 (or one of the variations on same: II, IIs), and a prime and a zoom lens. Without an optical finder (and even with one) the K-1 is not a versatile instrument, and the KP is expensive--and if not doing fast paced sports (or similar scenario) an earlier dslr is as good.

I would also include the K-10d, K-20d, and K-x/r if you can get a very good price--but the K-x/r are not as robust; and the K-10d/K-20d are slower as regards the menus, and the sensor is more showing it's age as regards dynamic range and noise, and the shake reduction is much less effective (especially as it turns on more slowly and off immediately when the shutter release half push is released).

Sorry--I just saw you are talking about the FF K-1. Again if your first dslr, a $2000 (US) heavy professional camera, is I think too large a commitment. BTW your terminology is fine--I was thinking/reading K-1 as K-01.

[Angel Perez]

This is a tough decision. If used is an option I would say get a used k-3ii and buy all the lenses so you can do all your photography. So I would lean on the KP since it will allow you to buy more lenses. The K-1 is the ultimate landscape camera but you will have to wait till you can buy lenses so why buy something you may not be able to use immediately. I am thinking you will lose out on the quality of new lenses that will make your landscape reveal more detail. You may lose some detail with vintage lenses for landscape.

I wish I had your problem.

[Kerrowdown]

Welcome to the forum, you could get all sorts of possibly conflicting advice, all I'll say is... I'm happy with my K1 and lens choices.

[C_Jones]

The K-1 and the choices for the latest lineup of lenses for it would definitely be a worthy investment. It is the more expensive choice, but the features are more in depth and your image quality is going to have the utmost detail.

[Unregistered User 8]

Welcome to the Pentax forums from Australia.

[pakinjapan]

According to you, starting from zero and then having to invest in a completely new lens park, what would be the best choice?

Thanks to all those who want to dedicate a little of their attention

Start from zero, investing in Pentax gears? and Concerning the type of photo you mentioned,

If I have enough money, My starting point will be K1 for the body and used FA31 for a lens. I would be happy with this combination for years and may be a FA77 or DA70 later on.

If I have limit budget, My starting point will be a use K3 for body and DA20-40 for lens. on Limited budget, I won't touch Pentax's prime, particularly the limited prime because I would be spoiled by the limited primes bigly! :P
KP is an impressive APS-C camera but I think it is still a bit expensive now. A used K-3 or K-3II are a lot cheaper and It is still a very good system. I like K-3 because it has a pop up flash. (but it doesn't have the pixel-shift like in K3II and KP.)