K-50 or K-70 and what lens

Saarepoiss · 07-16-2017, 05:08 AM

Greetings shooters!

So i've been doing some research and i found out that K-50 is best for its price. Some time after that i found K-70 which is a bit better but not that much too, at my opinion. Now im struggling which camera i should buy and i hope that maybe i can get some of photographers advice. Things that im looking really forward doing with camera is nature picturing and less people picturing.

Now going to lens. Lens i found are here Tamron AF 70-300 f/4.0-5.6 Di LD lens(99€) with using Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 (299€). If you can recommend me better lens kit and keeping lens budget under 400€ then please.

thanks in advance!

Adam · 07-16-2017, 06:04 AM - **1 Like**

The K-70 is two generations newer than the K-50, so yes I would totally recommend that you go for it. It's a considerable upgrade.

Those lenses sound fine, I'd also recommend the DA 55-300mm PLM for its fast autofocus, and the DA 16-85mm as a quality everyday lens.

D1N0 · 07-16-2017, 06:20 AM - **1 Like**

Just start out with the K-70 a good standard zoom The Tamron is okay. Sigma's 17-50 also. Want a little more reach consider a 17-70 from Sigma or the DA 18-135. You can get the
HD DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR for more reach once you saved up some more. It performs much better than the Tamron and is more compact.

**pres589** · 07-16-2017, 06:21 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Saarepoiss

Greetings shooters!

So i've been doing some research and i found out that K-50 is best for its price. Some time after that i found K-70 which is a bit better but not that much too, at my opinion. Now im struggling which camera i should buy and i hope that maybe i can get some of photographers advice. Things that im looking really forward doing with camera is nature picturing and less people picturing.

Now going to lens. Lens i found are here Tamron AF 70-300 f/4.0-5.6 Di LD lens(99€) with using Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 (299€). If you can recommend me better lens kit and keeping lens budget under 400€ then please.

thanks in advance!

K-70 due to everything about it vs. the K-50. Tamron 17-50 is excellent. For your quoted budget I guess that Tamronn 70-300 is going to be hard to beat. Read reviews of it before you get it so you know what to expect; the user reviews here on this site is an excellent way to learn before you buy.

You know what I might do instead? Keep that Tamron 17-50 but get a fast 50mm prime instead. DA50 1.8 should come in around 100 pounds I would think. Having a good fast lens that can take portraits nicely is worth a lot. That said, that 17-50 isn't a slouch in that department either.

There's about 100 different ways to answer this question! Good luck and keep coming back for ideas, advice, and showing off.

**ramseybuckeye** · 07-16-2017, 06:22 AM - **1 Like**

Adam's advice is very sound on cameras and lenses. The K-50 is a great camera but it's circa 2013, the K-70 debuted last year, that's a lot of time in the digital world.

ripper2860 · 07-16-2017, 08:09 AM - **1 Like**

The K70 and it's newer tech and features is definitely the way to go -- especially given that the K50 is one of the models prone to the dreaded aperture block failures.

As for the lens, the 70-300 is a good lens and at that price a worthy companion to the excellent 17-50/2.8. Another option might be the Pentax DA 55-300, as it comes closer to providing you no gaps in FL (17-50 then 55-300 vs. 17-50 then 70-300).

juristkostya · 07-16-2017, 08:20 AM - **1 Like**

Really you shoud choose between k-30 and k-70.
The matter is k-30 is technical analog fo k-50, but much cheaper.

ripper2860 · 07-16-2017, 08:28 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by juristkostya

Really you shoud choose between k-30 and k-70.
The matter is k-30 is technical analog fo k-50, but much cheaper.

True, but the K-30 and K50 are the two highest when it comes to aperture block failures according to the PF article and survey ...

Pentax Aperture Block Failure Survey Results - Articles and Tips | PentaxForums.com

**pres589** · 07-16-2017, 08:29 AM - **1 Like**

Looking at a bay of e's from the UK, there's a used DA55-300, the older screwdrive AF type, for around 130 pounds. I think I'd roll with that before the Tamron 70-300.

I really think I'd go the K-70 and just skip the -30 or -50 unless you wanted to put a K-mount to M42 adapter in the thing and have a dedicated M42 body.

**Skodadriver** · 07-16-2017, 08:39 AM - **1 Like**

I'm with the Pentax 55-300mm camp for a long zoom. I see the HD WR version can easily be had for Euro 299 (not the PLM version) and you might find a 35mm of 50mm prime for around Euro 99. The Tamron 70-300mm is versatile but if you are going to take lots of nature images at 300mm, the Pentax is better and of course is WR.

**TER-OR** · 07-17-2017, 11:11 AM - **1 Like**

The DA55-300 beats the Tamron 70-300. Far less susceptibility to purple fringing with the Pentax lens, and in my experience the Pentax has better magnification and performance at 300mm.

Saarepoiss · 07-17-2017, 01:16 PM

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. Im really thankful!

View Poll Results: Which camera to buy keeping in mind the budget.
Pentax K-50	2	14.29%
Pentax K-70	12	85.71%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 14. You may not vote on this poll

07-16-2017, 05:08 AM	#1
Saarepoiss New Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Photos: Gallery Posts: 14	K-50 or K-70 and what lens Greetings shooters! So i've been doing some research and i found out that K-50 is best for its price. Some time after that i found K-70 which is a bit better but not that much too, at my opinion. Now im struggling which camera i should buy and i hope that maybe i can get some of photographers advice. Things that im looking really forward doing with camera is nature picturing and less people picturing. Now going to lens. Lens i found are here Tamron AF 70-300 f/4.0-5.6 Di LD lens(99€) with using Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 (299€). If you can recommend me better lens kit and keeping lens budget under 400€ then please. thanks in advance!

07-16-2017, 06:04 AM - 1 Like	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	The K-70 is two generations newer than the K-50, so yes I would totally recommend that you go for it. It's a considerable upgrade. Those lenses sound fine, I'd also recommend the DA 55-300mm PLM for its fast autofocus, and the DA 16-85mm as a quality everyday lens. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

07-16-2017, 08:09 AM - 1 Like	#6
ripper2860 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 890	The K70 and it's newer tech and features is definitely the way to go -- especially given that the K50 is one of the models prone to the dreaded aperture block failures. As for the lens, the 70-300 is a good lens and at that price a worthy companion to the excellent 17-50/2.8. Another option might be the Pentax DA 55-300, as it comes closer to providing you no gaps in FL (17-50 then 55-300 vs. 17-50 then 70-300). Last edited by ripper2860; 07-16-2017 at 08:30 AM.

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07-16-2017, 06:20 AM - 1 Like	#3
D1N0 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Location: --- Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,802	Just start out with the K-70 a good standard zoom The Tamron is okay. Sigma's 17-50 also. Want a little more reach consider a 17-70 from Sigma or the DA 18-135. You can get the HD DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR for more reach once you saved up some more. It performs much better than the Tamron and is more compact.

07-16-2017, 06:21 AM - 1 Like	#4
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,533	Originally posted by Saarepoiss Greetings shooters! So i've been doing some research and i found out that K-50 is best for its price. Some time after that i found K-70 which is a bit better but not that much too, at my opinion. Now im struggling which camera i should buy and i hope that maybe i can get some of photographers advice. Things that im looking really forward doing with camera is nature picturing and less people picturing. Now going to lens. Lens i found are here Tamron AF 70-300 f/4.0-5.6 Di LD lens(99€) with using Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 (299€). If you can recommend me better lens kit and keeping lens budget under 400€ then please. thanks in advance! K-70 due to everything about it vs. the K-50. Tamron 17-50 is excellent. For your quoted budget I guess that Tamronn 70-300 is going to be hard to beat. Read reviews of it before you get it so you know what to expect; the user reviews here on this site is an excellent way to learn before you buy. You know what I might do instead? Keep that Tamron 17-50 but get a fast 50mm prime instead. DA50 1.8 should come in around 100 pounds I would think. Having a good fast lens that can take portraits nicely is worth a lot. That said, that 17-50 isn't a slouch in that department either. There's about 100 different ways to answer this question! Good luck and keep coming back for ideas, advice, and showing off.

07-16-2017, 06:22 AM - 1 Like	#5
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,295	Adam's advice is very sound on cameras and lenses. The K-50 is a great camera but it's circa 2013, the K-70 debuted last year, that's a lot of time in the digital world.

07-16-2017, 08:20 AM - 1 Like	#7
juristkostya Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Ukraine, Kharkov Posts: 1,225	Really you shoud choose between k-30 and k-70. The matter is k-30 is technical analog fo k-50, but much cheaper.

07-16-2017, 08:28 AM - 1 Like	#8
ripper2860 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 890	Originally posted by juristkostya Really you shoud choose between k-30 and k-70. The matter is k-30 is technical analog fo k-50, but much cheaper. True, but the K-30 and K50 are the two highest when it comes to aperture block failures according to the PF article and survey ... Pentax Aperture Block Failure Survey Results - Articles and Tips \| PentaxForums.com

07-16-2017, 08:29 AM - 1 Like	#9
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,533	Looking at a bay of e's from the UK, there's a used DA55-300, the older screwdrive AF type, for around 130 pounds. I think I'd roll with that before the Tamron 70-300. I really think I'd go the K-70 and just skip the -30 or -50 unless you wanted to put a K-mount to M42 adapter in the thing and have a dedicated M42 body.

07-16-2017, 08:39 AM - 1 Like	#10
Skodadriver Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Hampshire Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 892	I'm with the Pentax 55-300mm camp for a long zoom. I see the HD WR version can easily be had for Euro 299 (not the PLM version) and you might find a 35mm of 50mm prime for around Euro 99. The Tamron 70-300mm is versatile but if you are going to take lots of nature images at 300mm, the Pentax is better and of course is WR.

07-17-2017, 11:11 AM - 1 Like	#11
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699	The DA55-300 beats the Tamron 70-300. Far less susceptibility to purple fringing with the Pentax lens, and in my experience the Pentax has better magnification and performance at 300mm.

07-17-2017, 01:16 PM	#12
Saarepoiss New Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Photos: Gallery Posts: 14 Original Poster	Thanks for all the feedback everyone. Im really thankful!