[DaveInIA]

So, I cut my teeth as a teen on the K1000. About 8 years ago, I got back into photography and bought a K200D, and way too many lenses (including old manual focus glass). I shoot mainly macros of native flowers, and often handheld, as I do this out in the field rather than just for photographic sake. While my old camera is fine, a couple things have bothered me. First, I now have a tremor due to chemotherapy a few years back, so slightly better anti-shake should be a plus. Second, autofocus is slow and clunky. Third, I often crop, and the increased resolution should be a plus. And, for what it's worth, the bug just bit. So, I just upgraded to a used (@ 2200 actuations) K-3. Now, I have to learn to use it . Plus, there was so much that I hadn't mastered on the more basic entry-level camera. Frankly this is overkill. But, I'm going with it.

I have a range of glass, but most often shoot handheld macros with either the 50, or more often, the 100 mm macro lens (D FA 100). Thinking of adding a cheap used portrait length for taking more shots of the kids, but the fast 50 or 55-300 zoom does most. But, can you ever have too many toys? OK, we know that you can, but denial is not just a river.

Bought the eBook. Wish there'd have been one for the K200.

[Unregistered User 8]

Hi from Australia Dave, and welcome to the Pentax forums. Hope to see some of your images when you are ready. Good to have you here.

[pathdoc]

Welcome.

So, I just upgraded to a used (@ 2200 actuations) K-3. Now, I have to learn to use it

At the end of the day, all cameras are the same - designed to put so much light on the sensor for so much time at such and such a sensitivity. Boil it down to basics.

But, can you ever have too many toys?

This is debatable. My signature line tells its own story. But I think I have reached saturation point - when I look at the marketplace for-sale lists these days, I often think "Meh, do I really need that?" And 99% of the time the answer is no; most of my photographic spending these days goes into feeding my film cameras and developing what comes out.

[jatrax]

Now, I have to learn to use it . Plus, there was so much that I hadn't mastered on the more basic entry-level camera.

Many of us struggled when moving from the k-5 to the k-3, so your leap is even bigger. The k-3 is a bit like a sports car, capable of producing amazing work but it takes a bit to learn how to use it.

Thinking of adding a cheap used portrait length for taking more shots of the kids,

One other thing I learned was that 'cheap' and 'lenses' do not always work out well. There are a lot of very good deals and like many I chased them and collected them. But there is only so much time and so many photos. One really good quality lens is worth 10 'deals'. it's great fun playing with different lenses but I have slowly weeded out the 'good deals' and replaced them great glass. Far more expensive, but had I bought that one good lens at first I would have saved money.

[C_Jones]

Welcome to the forums.

[Kerrowdown]

Welcome to the forum, there is a dedicated macro section here, which you may find of interest... if you've not already found it of course.

Macro Photography - PentaxForums.com

[smf]

Welcome and best wishes from a former Iowan who also shoots many close-ups of flowers, plants and other subjects.

In addition to the macro resources at Pentaxforums, you might enjoy Mike Moats' resources at tinylandscapes.com