Need help deciding

Navmaxlp · 02-11-2016, 05:24 PM

So recently, I found my wonderful, trusty K-30 had fallen prey to the phantom aperture defect. I know its rather unrecoverable based on the threads I've read, so I'm going to pick up a new camera. I'm trying to figure out which to get. I can get a K-3 on Amazon for $600 but, I've also seen a K-5iis on KEH for just over $400. I'm having a hard time deciding which is better for me. I don't do a lot of video which leads me to the K5iis. However, when I do shoot video, I'd like the ability to shoot in 24p which means the K-3. Also, I really like that I could tether the K-5 with PKTether. I know the K-3 has the flu card but, I prefer wired tethering based on the reviews of said flu card. Again, the times I would tether the camera are very limited. These are such small considerations, its really a wash. What I really want is a tank of a camera that will be problem free. Anyone have any opinions? I have some reservations about the mirror flop issues with the K-3 but it seems like this has been resolved for the most part.

Last edited by Navmaxlp; 02-11-2016 at 05:32 PM.

OTH · 02-11-2016, 05:32 PM

You could use PktriggerCord for tethering instead. This supports the K-3.

**ramseybuckeye** · 02-11-2016, 06:19 PM

What type of warranty is offered for the K-5 and do they give you the shutter count? Price seems pretty high for a used K-5iis unless it has an extrememly low shutter count.

Navmaxlp · 02-11-2016, 07:21 PM

Originally posted by ramseybuckeye

What type of warranty is offered for the K-5 and do they give you the shutter count? Price seems pretty high for a used K-5iis unless it has an extrememly low shutter count.

I can't find anywhere on the KEH page where it lists anything specific to the camera like shutter count. The only thing indicated is a condition rating. They have 1 Like new, 1 EX+ and 1 EX. Price ranges from $418 for the EX to $449 for the Like New. Everything else there is generic info about the K-5iis. all warranties seem to be 180 days. I've never bought from KEH but I've heard nothing but good things about them here on the forum.

VoiceOfReason · 02-11-2016, 07:39 PM

I had a K5 and bought the K3. The K3 is a definite upgrade. Go with it.

abhaskare · 02-12-2016, 06:18 AM

I would sure go for the K-S2 if I have to buy now.
It has too many advantages like flip screen, wifi (even if it might be slow), small size, less weight.
Below are the features of KS-2 that are very attractive to me - taken below straight from the review:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Another novelty introduced with the K-S2 is "Clarity Enhancement" — a RICOH-developed imaging technology designed to capture the subject’s texture and unevenness more truthfully and produce a more true-to-life depiction of the subject. There is also a new mode on the mode dial: A-HDR (Advanced HDR), which combines the Clarity Enhancement with the conventional HDR mode for capturing extra-wide-gradation images.

The K-S2 has no AA filter in front of the sensor, and it has the same AA sensor-share based filter simulator as the K-3. The filter simulator can be turned on if moiré is an issue in a given scene (textiles, feathers, and the like with repeating patterns).

Read more at: Pentax K-S2 - Pentax K-mount DSLRs - Pentax Camera Reviews and Specifications

02-11-2016, 05:24 PM	#1
Navmaxlp Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Pennsylvania Photos: Albums Posts: 167	Need help deciding So recently, I found my wonderful, trusty K-30 had fallen prey to the phantom aperture defect. I know its rather unrecoverable based on the threads I've read, so I'm going to pick up a new camera. I'm trying to figure out which to get. I can get a K-3 on Amazon for $600 but, I've also seen a K-5iis on KEH for just over $400. I'm having a hard time deciding which is better for me. I don't do a lot of video which leads me to the K5iis. However, when I do shoot video, I'd like the ability to shoot in 24p which means the K-3. Also, I really like that I could tether the K-5 with PKTether. I know the K-3 has the flu card but, I prefer wired tethering based on the reviews of said flu card. Again, the times I would tether the camera are very limited. These are such small considerations, its really a wash. What I really want is a tank of a camera that will be problem free. Anyone have any opinions? I have some reservations about the mirror flop issues with the K-3 but it seems like this has been resolved for the most part. Last edited by Navmaxlp; 02-11-2016 at 05:32 PM.

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02-11-2016, 05:32 PM	#2
OTH Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Posts: 42	You could use PktriggerCord for tethering instead. This supports the K-3.

02-11-2016, 06:19 PM	#3
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,295	What type of warranty is offered for the K-5 and do they give you the shutter count? Price seems pretty high for a used K-5iis unless it has an extrememly low shutter count.

02-11-2016, 07:21 PM	#4
Navmaxlp Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Pennsylvania Photos: Albums Posts: 167 Original Poster	Originally posted by ramseybuckeye What type of warranty is offered for the K-5 and do they give you the shutter count? Price seems pretty high for a used K-5iis unless it has an extrememly low shutter count. I can't find anywhere on the KEH page where it lists anything specific to the camera like shutter count. The only thing indicated is a condition rating. They have 1 Like new, 1 EX+ and 1 EX. Price ranges from $418 for the EX to $449 for the Like New. Everything else there is generic info about the K-5iis. all warranties seem to be 180 days. I've never bought from KEH but I've heard nothing but good things about them here on the forum.

02-11-2016, 07:39 PM	#5
VoiceOfReason Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Mishawaka IN area Photos: Albums Posts: 6,124	I had a K5 and bought the K3. The K3 is a definite upgrade. Go with it.

02-12-2016, 06:18 AM	#6
abhaskare Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Phoenixville, PA Posts: 136	I would sure go for the K-S2 if I have to buy now. It has too many advantages like flip screen, wifi (even if it might be slow), small size, less weight. Below are the features of KS-2 that are very attractive to me - taken below straight from the review: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Another novelty introduced with the K-S2 is "Clarity Enhancement" — a RICOH-developed imaging technology designed to capture the subject’s texture and unevenness more truthfully and produce a more true-to-life depiction of the subject. There is also a new mode on the mode dial: A-HDR (Advanced HDR), which combines the Clarity Enhancement with the conventional HDR mode for capturing extra-wide-gradation images. The K-S2 has no AA filter in front of the sensor, and it has the same AA sensor-share based filter simulator as the K-3. The filter simulator can be turned on if moiré is an issue in a given scene (textiles, feathers, and the like with repeating patterns). Read more at: Pentax K-S2 - Pentax K-mount DSLRs - Pentax Camera Reviews and Specifications