Originally posted by Big Tim Big Tim from Maine, long time user of Pentax film cameras, KX, MX, LX as well s assorted med. format cameras. Now with Pentax K-50 and scared to death of it. Hoping granddaughter and Pentax Forums will help. Recently obtained the DA 16-45mm (seems to be well-liked, why did they kill it?) and DA 55-300 ( not WR) That should get me by as I wrestle with this.
Welcome to the forum. When I went digital in 2012 after over 4 decades of using film it was quite a shock to me too. This forum saved my K5 from being set upon my anvil for delicate adjustments to be made with a 4 pound (2kg) hammer. My advice is to mount one of your fully manual 50mm lenses on it and play around with manual mode for a few days. The biggest problems with these cameras is that it is really easy to make a lot of bad images really fast and, in most situations, speed is the enemy of good photography.
My old SMC 55mm f1.8 screw mount lens did the trick for me and saved my K5 from the anvil. . It slowed my down enough to allow me to think my way through the process at a familiar pace. Once I got the manual process under control I started learning the other camera settings. Lots of friendly help here. Enjoy the new camera.