[Ant]

Dear Forum users, I'm a beginner and enjoying my pre-loved K5. My daughter who is thirteen seems interested in this new found hobby too. I'm looking at a few K7's on eBay for her. Any opinions on the K7 welcomed and would its battery grip fit my K5 ? Thanks

[blackcloudbrew]

The BG-4 fits the K7 and K5 cameras.

[Adam]

Dear Forum users, I'm a beginner and enjoying my pre-loved K5. My daughter who is thirteen seems interested in this new found hobby too. I'm looking at a few K7's on eBay for her. Any opinions on the K7 welcomed and would its battery grip fit my K5 ? Thanks

I'd suggest going with a newer camera, like the K-30, K-50, or K-500 for the improved live view & better sensor.

[dngr]

+1 to what Adam said. If you hunt around, there's no reason you can't pick up a k-500 or even a k-50 for the same money as a used k-7

[Ant]

Thanks - appreciate the advice. She likes the pink colour K50 ! LOL

[dms]

I think you got the answer. A Pink Pentax! Whatever makes here like it/want to use it will be the best motivation to stay with it and learn it.

[tomwil]

She likes the pink colour K50 !

Never get a color that she will be embarrassed with when she is older, and will be hard to sell. Just look at this seller trying to sell a pink K-r. Good luck with that!

[dansamy]

Yeah, but that pink is super cute!

[Ant]

Never get a color that she will be embarrassed with when she is older, and will be hard to sell. Just look at this seller trying to sell a pink K-r. Good luck with that!

Good point there Tom. Thirteen year old girls have other ideas of course !... LOL At this stage I'm prepared to do what it takes to encourage her to get involved with this hobby that we can both share.

[Ant]

She likes this pink K50....hahaha

[Ant]

She likes this pink K50....hahaha

It kinda looks quite cool but I can't see Dad using it much

[Ant]

To get back to my original post - there are a few used K7's on eBay for around the $300 mark. Thinking of getting one for her to play with and to also for me to use as a backup to my K5, but must agree with the comments that it is now very much superseded/out-dated. Of course I could give her my K5 and upgrade to a K3 - now there's a thought !

[PPPPPP42]

I picked up a sub $400 used original K5 to replace my K20D because I use almost all old manual A series lenses to maintain compatibility with my film cameras so I didn't need the better AF of the K5II or newer and I would buy a mirrorless if I cared about focus peaking or live view.
It's not worth going older than a K5 unless cost is your #1 concern. K5's are $425-450 used with under 10k shutter count quite often now thanks to newer bodies and its worth the extra over a K7.

For most people though a newer body like you are looking at is the better choice since they would be using modern AF lenses.
If you are a good dad you will get her an 18-135WR kit lens so as not to cramp her creativity, that one lens will do basically everything she needs.

Any girl that would be embarrassed to carry a pink camera when she is older is boring. A Pentax user never goes with the herds opinion of what is acceptable or we would all be using a Canikon.

EDIT: Giving her the K5 and getting newer yourself is a good idea.

[carrrlangas]

I just bought a K-7 from a member of this forum for U$225 paypald and shipped. I choosed it over K-r (better AF, AA batteries) for the better handling and metal construction. But for a little girl I´d go for a lighter camera such as K-r.

[.a.t.]

To get back to my original post - there are a few used K7's on eBay for around the $300 mark. Thinking of getting one for her to play with and to also for me to use as a backup to my K5, but must agree with the comments that it is now very much superseded/out-dated.....

Perhaps so. But, it's still a very capable camera.
The K-7 would be an excellent choice.

And don't forget to buy your daughter (and yourself) a fast 50 lens. It would be one of the best gifts you could ever give / get.