Should I upgrade my K20D to a K3?

audiobomber · 11-16-2015, 07:46 PM

Originally posted by zekewhipper

You could have adjusted for the back-focus.

And re-adjusted for every colour of light? No thanks. There was no back-focus in natural light. The K-5 AF was defective, which was the only justification for a K-5 II.

Last edited by audiobomber; 11-16-2015 at 09:41 PM.

normhead · 11-16-2015, 08:37 PM

It was a known issue, the K-30 was the first camera to integrate an additional lens element to correct this problem. It has been used on every Pentax since 2012.

**csa** · 11-16-2015, 09:18 PM

Originally posted by Canada_Rockies

Having jumped from the K10 to the K3 recently I can give a whole-hearted YES!

Same here; so glad I made the jump!

**csa** · 11-16-2015, 09:23 PM

Originally posted by RKKS08

The OP should keep in mind that for the K-3 he may also need a new (very fast) computer for post. And probably additional hard disks.

Really? I'm still using my older desktop running Vista, with absolutely no problems with my K-3 images. I only have one disk!

**Rondec** · 11-17-2015, 04:33 AM

I guess I don't see the reason to stew about new gear so much. I find that new gear helps my photos just because I'm more energized to go out and take photos when I have a new camera or new lens. The biggest question is one of money. It doesn't grow on trees (at least not around here) and so you have to decide what you are willing to pay for a new/used camera. For what it is worth, the K5 II and K5 IIs cameras are also very nice, although their operation is a little slower and auto focus points remain too big (one of my biggest problems with older Pentax cameras -- hard to focus on the eyes when your focus point takes up half of the subject's face).

If I had a K20, I would certainly be ready for a camera body upgrade. To me, if I was the OP, I would decide on my budget and then look at the best camera that fits it. As I said before, it won't turn snap shots into fine art, but it will give more capability with regard to focusing, dynamic range and high iso situations as compared to a K20.

BrianR · 11-17-2015, 06:17 AM

Originally posted by csa

Really? I'm still using my older desktop running Vista, with absolutely no problems with my K-3 images. I only have one disk!

It depends on many factors, but certainly going from 14mp to 24mp could push an aging computers performance to painful levels - especially if you shoot raw or do any kind of heavy processing (focus stacking, hdr panoramas, etc.). It really depends on your hardware, what you do with it, how tolerant you are of potential slowdowns, but it's definitely something to consider with a good sized leap in mp.

**Canada_Rockies** · 11-17-2015, 09:22 AM

Originally posted by Rondec

I guess I don't see the reason to stew about new gear so much. I find that new gear helps my photos just because I'm more energized to go out and take photos when I have a new camera or new lens. The biggest question is one of money. It doesn't grow on trees (at least not around here) and so you have to decide what you are willing to pay for a new/used camera. For what it is worth, the K5 II and K5 IIs cameras are also very nice, although their operation is a little slower and auto focus points remain too big (one of my biggest problems with older Pentax cameras -- hard to focus on the eyes when your focus point takes up half of the subject's face).

If I had a K20, I would certainly be ready for a camera body upgrade. To me, if I was the OP, I would decide on my budget and then look at the best camera that fits it. As I said before, it won't turn snap shots into fine art, but it will give more capability with regard to focusing, dynamic range and high iso situations as compared to a K20.

I kept checking McBain Camera (a reliable Alberta company) until a used K3 came up at C$525 (about US$400 at that time), and bought it. Then I sent in my K10 with grip for assessment as a trade in on the D-BG5 grip. They offered and I accepted and got the grip for a little under C$100 and the K10 with grip. As a retiree whose last major employer when bankrupt in 1992, money is a bit scarce here as well. There was no way I could afford a new K3 on our income.

I ran the camera through the shutter cycle checker on this site and came up with about 17,000 clicks. The camera looked new. The clue is the "waiting until one showed up on their used gear page" at a price I could afford. I was sorely tempted to buy a gunmetal prestige at C$1250, but no way I could convince myself to pay that much for what is essentially a toy.

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11-16-2015, 07:46 PM	#46
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by zekewhipper You could have adjusted for the back-focus. And re-adjusted for every colour of light? No thanks. There was no back-focus in natural light. The K-5 AF was defective, which was the only justification for a K-5 II. Last edited by audiobomber; 11-16-2015 at 09:41 PM.

11-16-2015, 08:37 PM	#47
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	It was a known issue, the K-30 was the first camera to integrate an additional lens element to correct this problem. It has been used on every Pentax since 2012.

11-16-2015, 09:18 PM	#48
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133	Originally posted by Canada_Rockies Having jumped from the K10 to the K3 recently I can give a whole-hearted YES! Same here; so glad I made the jump!

11-16-2015, 09:23 PM	#49
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133	Originally posted by RKKS08 The OP should keep in mind that for the K-3 he may also need a new (very fast) computer for post. And probably additional hard disks. Really? I'm still using my older desktop running Vista, with absolutely no problems with my K-3 images. I only have one disk!

11-17-2015, 04:33 AM	#50
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,668	I guess I don't see the reason to stew about new gear so much. I find that new gear helps my photos just because I'm more energized to go out and take photos when I have a new camera or new lens. The biggest question is one of money. It doesn't grow on trees (at least not around here) and so you have to decide what you are willing to pay for a new/used camera. For what it is worth, the K5 II and K5 IIs cameras are also very nice, although their operation is a little slower and auto focus points remain too big (one of my biggest problems with older Pentax cameras -- hard to focus on the eyes when your focus point takes up half of the subject's face). If I had a K20, I would certainly be ready for a camera body upgrade. To me, if I was the OP, I would decide on my budget and then look at the best camera that fits it. As I said before, it won't turn snap shots into fine art, but it will give more capability with regard to focusing, dynamic range and high iso situations as compared to a K20.

11-17-2015, 06:17 AM	#51
BrianR Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,332	Originally posted by csa Really? I'm still using my older desktop running Vista, with absolutely no problems with my K-3 images. I only have one disk! It depends on many factors, but certainly going from 14mp to 24mp could push an aging computers performance to painful levels - especially if you shoot raw or do any kind of heavy processing (focus stacking, hdr panoramas, etc.). It really depends on your hardware, what you do with it, how tolerant you are of potential slowdowns, but it's definitely something to consider with a good sized leap in mp.

11-17-2015, 09:22 AM	#52
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	Originally posted by Rondec I guess I don't see the reason to stew about new gear so much. I find that new gear helps my photos just because I'm more energized to go out and take photos when I have a new camera or new lens. The biggest question is one of money. It doesn't grow on trees (at least not around here) and so you have to decide what you are willing to pay for a new/used camera. For what it is worth, the K5 II and K5 IIs cameras are also very nice, although their operation is a little slower and auto focus points remain too big (one of my biggest problems with older Pentax cameras -- hard to focus on the eyes when your focus point takes up half of the subject's face). If I had a K20, I would certainly be ready for a camera body upgrade. To me, if I was the OP, I would decide on my budget and then look at the best camera that fits it. As I said before, it won't turn snap shots into fine art, but it will give more capability with regard to focusing, dynamic range and high iso situations as compared to a K20. I kept checking McBain Camera (a reliable Alberta company) until a used K3 came up at C$525 (about US$400 at that time), and bought it. Then I sent in my K10 with grip for assessment as a trade in on the D-BG5 grip. They offered and I accepted and got the grip for a little under C$100 and the K10 with grip. As a retiree whose last major employer when bankrupt in 1992, money is a bit scarce here as well. There was no way I could afford a new K3 on our income. I ran the camera through the shutter cycle checker on this site and came up with about 17,000 clicks. The camera looked new. The clue is the "waiting until one showed up on their used gear page" at a price I could afford. I was sorely tempted to buy a gunmetal prestige at C$1250, but no way I could convince myself to pay that much for what is essentially a toy.