Need advice - can't decide which camera

**savoche** · 06-19-2014, 01:14 PM - **1 Like**

Rokinon is mostly known as Samyang here in Europe, I think. They're also sold as Bower and a few other brands, but everything is Samyang anyway. They make good lenses, although only manual focus and they tend to be big and heavy (compared to Pentax, that is!).

I'm with you on buying a Camera new, with the buyer's protection we enjoy in Europe. Lenses, on the other hand, don't break easily so I'm not that concerned.

DSims · 06-19-2014, 01:29 PM

Originally posted by Dieterson

Yes, actually I was thinking of getting a wide-angle prime first. I just couldn't find one with a price tag fitting my budget. I haven't heard about the Rokinon 14mm. I think, Rokinon is rather uncommon in Europe, or at least here in Austria.

It's actually made by Samyang and sold under the Samyang brand as well as under a bunch of other labels. The brands in Europe tend to be different than in North America.

Andi Lo · 06-19-2014, 01:37 PM - **1 Like**

You'll regret going 14 mm if what you're looking is wide angle for architecture or landscape. The samyang is a good Lens but 8 or even 10 mm is significantly wider than 14mm.

If you want to try it, but a used one so it doesn't depreciate much when you resell it.

For a first SLR I actually highly recommend buying new, unless you are confident you can check all the functions before leaving a positive feedback for the seller

DSims · 06-19-2014, 01:40 PM

Originally posted by savoche

I'm with you on buying a Camera new, with the buyer's protection we enjoy in Europe.

Spending only half as much money on a used K-r seems like a much better investment; to get the K-30 for that reason you'd have to believe the odds of having a complete failure are greater than 50%, because you can save the money now and in the worst case you could buy a replacement K-r later.

VoiceOfReason · 06-19-2014, 01:46 PM

The Sigma 8-16 is awesome, but expensive. It is wiiiiide.

matjo70 · 06-19-2014, 02:18 PM

the Rokinon is sold under the name Samyang in Europe. I have both the K-5ii and the K-3. If you are not into video the K-5II is a great camera and jupio grips are quite inexpensive.
I also have the sigma 10-20 3.5. In retrospect I should have put my money on a prime.

nort · 06-19-2014, 02:52 PM

Originally posted by Dieterson

Hello,

I am a proud owner of a Pentax ME super. However, I have been mainly using my wife's K-x for already quite a while now. I saved up some money and want to buy my own digital SLR soon. But which one?

I have some older lenses which serve me well, but I am missing a decent wide-angle lens. My budget is arount 900 Euros (I am living in Austria), and I am thinking about the following options:

1.) K-30 with DA 18-55 mm DA WR (500 Euro) and Sigma 10-20mm F4.0-5.6 (380 Euro) --> Total 880 Euro
(the K30 body costs only 12 Euro less. I take the WR lens happily for that price.)

2.) K-5 body (550 Euro) and Sigma 10-20mm F4.0-5.6 (380 Euro) --> Total 930 Euro
One advantage I see is the K-5's 14 bit RAW files compared to the 12 bit RAW files of the K-30. However, the K-5 is somewhat older than the K-30, and I don't know if there are some improvements in the K-30 that I don't know of.

3.) K-3 body (970 Euro).
Skip the wide-angle lens, get a great camera, start with my vintage lenses and buy better lenses sometime in the future. (I did tell you that I am planning to win a lottery in the future and thus get really, really rich?) ;-)

I don't see the K-5ii/K-5iis as an option right now. I would prefer the K-5iis, but as of today, the K-5iis body is sold for about 900 Euros in Austria. The K-5iis is definitely a very good camera. But for that price, I would always pay the 70 Euro more and go for the K-3.

I am absolutely undecided between all three options, so I am really looking forward to your comments. Or maybe you have a fourth option which I don't see right now?

Thanks in advance,
Dieterson

Hi. I would crime d the k-50. It's my first and I am new but like the wr in it and I am finding it fairly used friendly considering it's my first good camera let alone a dslr. So far no issues . And I like the k-50 because if the capability to use the new chip that transfer wirelessly ......, otherwise most people tell me th k-30 is about the same for few buck less . I like my k-50.

Sorver · 06-19-2014, 04:12 PM

Originally posted by esrandall

Agreed on the K-50. I use focus peaking a lot, pretty cool feature. Just know that you can't use a battery grip on the K-50, something I wish I had paid closer attention to when I bought it (just for future use). The camera itself is great.

No battery grip but a case to insert your double A's I found the grip on the k-3 made it seem too chunky thus why I went the K-50 but that may be just my super small hands

The option to be able to use any type of double A's has been wonderful.

Dieterson · 06-25-2014, 08:09 AM

Well, thanks again everyone for helping me to make up my mind!

I finally decided to get the K-3. I think it will serve me very well for many years. Regarding the K-30/50, I feared that I will get the urge to upgrade in one or two years, and buy the K-3 then. So I decided it's better to buy it right now.

Regarding the wide-angle lens - even though I am not buying one right now - it will stay on top of my shopping list. I will keep all your comments in mind, I find them very helpful. Thanks again :-)

Shakey · 06-25-2014, 08:52 AM

Good decision on the K-3.

Sorver · 06-26-2014, 04:21 AM

Go with your gut that is going to be how you will be totally happy think it is a great choice anyhow. Must say I was tempted but the k-50 won out for me and I think whatever you have in your hands is what will make you happy. Can't wait to see your pictures from it.

**TER-OR** · 06-26-2014, 06:14 AM

Originally posted by Dieterson

Regarding the wide-angle lens - even though I am not buying one right now - it will stay on top of my shopping list. I will keep all your comments in mind, I find them very helpful. Thanks again :-)

What you can do is set up a couple keywords in the Marketplace to get a feel for what used copies sell for. Keywords like "12-24" and "8-16" or "15mm" will give you emails when these show up. It's terrible for LBA but great for getting a feel for prices.

**Des** · 06-26-2014, 06:48 AM

No-one has mentioned Pentax DA 12-24. Fine lens, will carry you through any later upgrade to the body.

Andi Lo · 06-26-2014, 09:01 AM

Originally posted by Des

No-one has mentioned Pentax DA 12-24. Fine lens, will carry you through any later upgrade to the body.

Good lens to think about, but it will blow most of his budget

**Des** · 06-26-2014, 04:37 PM

Originally posted by Andi Lo

Good lens to think about, but it will blow most of his budget

Not necessarily. The Pentax 12-24 can be had for around $US550 (about 400 euro) secondhand, sometimes less. (Look at recent sales in the marketplace here.) That would leave 500 euro in the budget for the camera - easily enough for a K-30, if not a K-5. That would be a better distribution of the budget than compromising on the lens, IMO.

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06-19-2014, 01:14 PM - 1 Like	#16
savoche Master of the obvious Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lowlands of Norway Posts: 18,311	Rokinon is mostly known as Samyang here in Europe, I think. They're also sold as Bower and a few other brands, but everything is Samyang anyway. They make good lenses, although only manual focus and they tend to be big and heavy (compared to Pentax, that is!). I'm with you on buying a Camera new, with the buyer's protection we enjoy in Europe. Lenses, on the other hand, don't break easily so I'm not that concerned.

06-19-2014, 01:29 PM	#17
DSims Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,236	Originally posted by Dieterson Yes, actually I was thinking of getting a wide-angle prime first. I just couldn't find one with a price tag fitting my budget. I haven't heard about the Rokinon 14mm. I think, Rokinon is rather uncommon in Europe, or at least here in Austria. It's actually made by Samyang and sold under the Samyang brand as well as under a bunch of other labels. The brands in Europe tend to be different than in North America.

06-19-2014, 01:37 PM - 1 Like	#18
Andi Lo Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Posts: 2,924	You'll regret going 14 mm if what you're looking is wide angle for architecture or landscape. The samyang is a good Lens but 8 or even 10 mm is significantly wider than 14mm. If you want to try it, but a used one so it doesn't depreciate much when you resell it. For a first SLR I actually highly recommend buying new, unless you are confident you can check all the functions before leaving a positive feedback for the seller

06-19-2014, 01:40 PM	#19
DSims Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,236	Originally posted by savoche I'm with you on buying a Camera new, with the buyer's protection we enjoy in Europe. Spending only half as much money on a used K-r seems like a much better investment; to get the K-30 for that reason you'd have to believe the odds of having a complete failure are greater than 50%, because you can save the money now and in the worst case you could buy a replacement K-r later.

06-19-2014, 01:46 PM	#20
VoiceOfReason Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Mishawaka IN area Photos: Albums Posts: 6,124	The Sigma 8-16 is awesome, but expensive. It is wiiiiide.

06-19-2014, 02:18 PM	#21
matjo70 New Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 6	the Rokinon is sold under the name Samyang in Europe. I have both the K-5ii and the K-3. If you are not into video the K-5II is a great camera and jupio grips are quite inexpensive. I also have the sigma 10-20 3.5. In retrospect I should have put my money on a prime.

06-19-2014, 02:52 PM	#22
nort Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 43	Originally posted by Dieterson Hello, I am a proud owner of a Pentax ME super. However, I have been mainly using my wife's K-x for already quite a while now. I saved up some money and want to buy my own digital SLR soon. But which one? I have some older lenses which serve me well, but I am missing a decent wide-angle lens. My budget is arount 900 Euros (I am living in Austria), and I am thinking about the following options: 1.) K-30 with DA 18-55 mm DA WR (500 Euro) and Sigma 10-20mm F4.0-5.6 (380 Euro) --> Total 880 Euro (the K30 body costs only 12 Euro less. I take the WR lens happily for that price.) 2.) K-5 body (550 Euro) and Sigma 10-20mm F4.0-5.6 (380 Euro) --> Total 930 Euro One advantage I see is the K-5's 14 bit RAW files compared to the 12 bit RAW files of the K-30. However, the K-5 is somewhat older than the K-30, and I don't know if there are some improvements in the K-30 that I don't know of. 3.) K-3 body (970 Euro). Skip the wide-angle lens, get a great camera, start with my vintage lenses and buy better lenses sometime in the future. (I did tell you that I am planning to win a lottery in the future and thus get really, really rich?) ;-) I don't see the K-5ii/K-5iis as an option right now. I would prefer the K-5iis, but as of today, the K-5iis body is sold for about 900 Euros in Austria. The K-5iis is definitely a very good camera. But for that price, I would always pay the 70 Euro more and go for the K-3. I am absolutely undecided between all three options, so I am really looking forward to your comments. Or maybe you have a fourth option which I don't see right now? Thanks in advance, Dieterson Hi. I would crime d the k-50. It's my first and I am new but like the wr in it and I am finding it fairly used friendly considering it's my first good camera let alone a dslr. So far no issues . And I like the k-50 because if the capability to use the new chip that transfer wirelessly ......, otherwise most people tell me th k-30 is about the same for few buck less . I like my k-50.

06-19-2014, 04:12 PM	#23
Sorver Veteran Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 440	Originally posted by esrandall Agreed on the K-50. I use focus peaking a lot, pretty cool feature. Just know that you can't use a battery grip on the K-50, something I wish I had paid closer attention to when I bought it (just for future use). The camera itself is great. No battery grip but a case to insert your double A's I found the grip on the k-3 made it seem too chunky thus why I went the K-50 but that may be just my super small hands The option to be able to use any type of double A's has been wonderful.

06-25-2014, 08:09 AM	#24
Dieterson Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 211 Original Poster	Well, thanks again everyone for helping me to make up my mind! I finally decided to get the K-3. I think it will serve me very well for many years. Regarding the K-30/50, I feared that I will get the urge to upgrade in one or two years, and buy the K-3 then. So I decided it's better to buy it right now. Regarding the wide-angle lens - even though I am not buying one right now - it will stay on top of my shopping list. I will keep all your comments in mind, I find them very helpful. Thanks again :-)

06-25-2014, 08:52 AM	#25
Shakey Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 211	Good decision on the K-3.

06-26-2014, 04:21 AM	#26
Sorver Veteran Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 440	Go with your gut that is going to be how you will be totally happy think it is a great choice anyhow. Must say I was tempted but the k-50 won out for me and I think whatever you have in your hands is what will make you happy. Can't wait to see your pictures from it.

06-26-2014, 06:14 AM	#27
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699	Originally posted by Dieterson Regarding the wide-angle lens - even though I am not buying one right now - it will stay on top of my shopping list. I will keep all your comments in mind, I find them very helpful. Thanks again :-) What you can do is set up a couple keywords in the Marketplace to get a feel for what used copies sell for. Keywords like "12-24" and "8-16" or "15mm" will give you emails when these show up. It's terrible for LBA but great for getting a feel for prices.

06-26-2014, 06:48 AM	#28
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,423	No-one has mentioned Pentax DA 12-24. Fine lens, will carry you through any later upgrade to the body.

06-26-2014, 09:01 AM	#29
Andi Lo Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Posts: 2,924	Originally posted by Des No-one has mentioned Pentax DA 12-24. Fine lens, will carry you through any later upgrade to the body. Good lens to think about, but it will blow most of his budget

06-26-2014, 04:37 PM	#30
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,423	Originally posted by Andi Lo Good lens to think about, but it will blow most of his budget Not necessarily. The Pentax 12-24 can be had for around $US550 (about 400 euro) secondhand, sometimes less. (Look at recent sales in the marketplace here.) That would leave 500 euro in the budget for the camera - easily enough for a K-30, if not a K-5. That would be a better distribution of the budget than compromising on the lens, IMO.