need advice on buying a new camera

hollyh · 04-18-2013, 12:21 PM

I do a lot of live concert photography and often they don't allow me to use a flash. My istD isn't quite up to the task of shooting in dim lights. Can anyone recommend an alternative that won't break my bank account (I'm on a shoestring budget and the shoelaces have been cut off)? This camera works great for candid and scenic photography but not for concert photography and I do a lot of that.
thanks for anyone who can help
Holly

hcc · 04-18-2013, 01:10 PM

The K-01 is possibly the best value for money, and it has the same sensor as the flaship K-5ii. The K-01 works nicely at high-ISO and has a great video capabiity.

Hope that the comment will help.

Kozlok · 04-18-2013, 01:15 PM

A k-x has decent high ISO, and available used quite cheaply.

dboeren · 04-18-2013, 01:24 PM

What focal lengths do you usually shoot at and what speed lens do you currently have? Are you comfortable with manual focus?

Reason I ask is that you may be able to get a significantly faster manual focus lens for pretty cheap and that would help.

**Just1MoreDave** · 04-18-2013, 02:01 PM

The K-01 doesn't have an optical viewfinder, so focusing and shooting are similar to a point and shoot digital. The results are way better but you may not like that shooting style or it may not work for concert photos, too conspicuous or distracting rear screen or whatever. Just something to be aware of.

The *ist D goes up to ISO 3200, K-x up to 12,800, K-01 or K-r 25,600. The numbers are big but in photography it's all about stops. The K-x is two stops better than the *ist D and the K-r or K-01 are three stops better. In general, the maximum ISO is not that great for all cameras. You'd only go that high if you really needed it.

The lens suggestion is good especially if you are currently using the DA 18-55mm kit lens at 55mm. That lens only opens up to f5.6. You can get the same three stops brighter you'd get from a K-01 by buying a Pentax-M 50mm f2 for something like $30. You would lose autofocus and a lot of other automation, and have less depth of field. It is doable and way cheaper. Lens prices mean this doesn't always work out. Say you are shooting at 200mm f5.6 all the time. You can't just buy a 200mm f2.0 lens for $30. Canon has one but it's $5700 for the cheap gray-market version. Nikon only $5400.

Docrwm · 04-18-2013, 02:40 PM

K-01 with 25600 ISO but it has only LCD and AF method, new = $250-300
K-x with 12800 ISO has both methods of AF, Optical Viewfinder, and comes used only = $235 in LN- at KEH
K-r with 25600 ISO has both methods of AF, Optical Viewfinder, and comes used = $349 in LN- at KEH
K-7 with 6400 ISO has both methods of AF, Optical Viewfinder, and comes used only = $399 in LN- at KEH

Best bang for your buck IMHO is a new K-01 if you can live with the lack of an optical viewfinder and only 1 AF method. Next would be the K-x, which is a sweet little camera IMHO.

Try this comparison:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-cameras-compared/?c1=k01&c2=kx&c3=kr

**ramseybuckeye** · 04-18-2013, 02:43 PM

Not knowing your budget the K-30 is cheap for a DSLR and great in low light. But if that's over budget that K-01 should be great in low light too, I would have a hard time hand holding it away from my body.

**Just1MoreDave** · 04-18-2013, 03:41 PM

Originally posted by Docrwm

K-7 with 6400 ISO has both methods of AF, Optical Viewfinder, and comes used only = $399 in LN- at KEH

Maybe for really violent concerts or outdoor events in the rain.

I love this camera but ISO 6400 usually means converting to black and white.

04-18-2013, 12:21 PM	#1
hollyh New Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 7	need advice on buying a new camera I do a lot of live concert photography and often they don't allow me to use a flash. My istD isn't quite up to the task of shooting in dim lights. Can anyone recommend an alternative that won't break my bank account (I'm on a shoestring budget and the shoelaces have been cut off)? This camera works great for candid and scenic photography but not for concert photography and I do a lot of that. thanks for anyone who can help Holly

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04-18-2013, 01:10 PM	#2
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,002	The K-01 is possibly the best value for money, and it has the same sensor as the flaship K-5ii. The K-01 works nicely at high-ISO and has a great video capabiity. Hope that the comment will help.

04-18-2013, 01:15 PM	#3
Kozlok Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Albuquerque Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,148	A k-x has decent high ISO, and available used quite cheaply.

04-18-2013, 01:24 PM	#4
dboeren Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Marietta, GA Photos: Albums Posts: 148	What focal lengths do you usually shoot at and what speed lens do you currently have? Are you comfortable with manual focus? Reason I ask is that you may be able to get a significantly faster manual focus lens for pretty cheap and that would help.

04-18-2013, 02:01 PM	#5
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	The K-01 doesn't have an optical viewfinder, so focusing and shooting are similar to a point and shoot digital. The results are way better but you may not like that shooting style or it may not work for concert photos, too conspicuous or distracting rear screen or whatever. Just something to be aware of. The ist D goes up to ISO 3200, K-x up to 12,800, K-01 or K-r 25,600. The numbers are big but in photography it's all about stops. The K-x is two stops better than the ist D and the K-r or K-01 are three stops better. In general, the maximum ISO is not that great for all cameras. You'd only go that high if you really needed it. The lens suggestion is good especially if you are currently using the DA 18-55mm kit lens at 55mm. That lens only opens up to f5.6. You can get the same three stops brighter you'd get from a K-01 by buying a Pentax-M 50mm f2 for something like $30. You would lose autofocus and a lot of other automation, and have less depth of field. It is doable and way cheaper. Lens prices mean this doesn't always work out. Say you are shooting at 200mm f5.6 all the time. You can't just buy a 200mm f2.0 lens for $30. Canon has one but it's $5700 for the cheap gray-market version. Nikon only $5400.

04-18-2013, 02:40 PM	#6
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	K-01 with 25600 ISO but it has only LCD and AF method, new = $250-300 K-x with 12800 ISO has both methods of AF, Optical Viewfinder, and comes used only = $235 in LN- at KEH K-r with 25600 ISO has both methods of AF, Optical Viewfinder, and comes used = $349 in LN- at KEH K-7 with 6400 ISO has both methods of AF, Optical Viewfinder, and comes used only = $399 in LN- at KEH Best bang for your buck IMHO is a new K-01 if you can live with the lack of an optical viewfinder and only 1 AF method. Next would be the K-x, which is a sweet little camera IMHO. Try this comparison: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-cameras-compared/?c1=k01&c2=kx&c3=kr

04-18-2013, 02:43 PM	#7
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,292	Not knowing your budget the K-30 is cheap for a DSLR and great in low light. But if that's over budget that K-01 should be great in low light too, I would have a hard time hand holding it away from my body.

04-18-2013, 03:41 PM	#8
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	Originally posted by Docrwm K-7 with 6400 ISO has both methods of AF, Optical Viewfinder, and comes used only = $399 in LN- at KEH Maybe for really violent concerts or outdoor events in the rain. I love this camera but ISO 6400 usually means converting to black and white.