Advice on a new camera

rwfarnell · 03-07-2011, 05:09 PM

I am looking to upgrade my present camera system and I’m looking for advice.
Here is the situation that I’m in now:
I have a Pentax K10D with 2 lenses (18-55mm F3.5 and a 55-300mm F4) and a battery grip. I love this camera but it not doing well in the dark, and the price of a new F2.8 lens is about the same as upgrading my camera.
The enjoy taking all kinds of pictures. However my son is now in high school sports (soccer, Lacrosse and swimming) and most of the activities’ take place at night and with difficult lighting. So my main goal is to get newer camera that does well with fast action and low light.
I am willing to move completely out of Pentax to a Cannon or Nikon if it would be best for what I’m trying to accomplish and within my budget.
My budget is this:
About $800 ($500 and around $350 for the trade in of my current kit at B&H and Adaroma)
The main cameras that I’m looking at now are:
Pentak K-r, Cannon T2i, and the Nikon 3100d
Does anyone have any suggestions for me?
Speed and low light are most important.
One last note: a friend of mine has a 70-300 mm lens for Cannon that he would let me use till I was able to get a second lens or another lens that would go with the 18-55mm lens that comes with most camera kits.
Thanks Rob

Adam · 03-07-2011, 05:19 PM

That trade offer is probably a bit low.

I would suggest you sell your k10 and pick up a k-5, but keep the current lenses. The K-5 has best-in-class low-light performance, and is available for $1389 at B&H, meaning that you can get it for less used. Thus, if you bump your budget up by about $200 or wait a little bit longer, you should be able to afford it!

The K-5 is the first Pentax with which I regularly shoot at high-iso with no reservation. You don't have to worry about noise at all until 3200, and image quality remains fine through 12800. I recommend you read my K-5 review for more info!

When not shooting with my beloved 85mm F1.4, I use the 18-135mm with my K-5, and the relatively slow speed (same as your two lenses) isn't much of a problem!

twitch · 03-07-2011, 05:20 PM

Short answer: buy a new K-r and use the 55-300. Then save your pennies for a Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 second hand.

Actually a K-x second hand, and a Tamron 70-200 f2.8 secondhand would come to about $1000. The K-r autofocus is superior to the K-x though. ISO performance is the same.

rwfarnell · 03-07-2011, 07:15 PM

Adam and twitch,
Thanks for the advice. I sent my kit off to Adorama today it looks like they will give me a much better deal on a trade in than B&H. I should know by Friday.

I still feel that the Pentax is my best bet.

Hopefully I will get some more positive feed back.

Thanks again,
Rob

Ubuntu_user · 03-07-2011, 07:15 PM

I agree with Twitch... right on!

Adam · 03-07-2011, 07:20 PM

Hi Rob,

That's a shame- but I hope Adorama gives you a good deal! In the future, be aware that we feature one of the biggest, if not THE biggest Pentax marketplace on the internet. In this section, you can sell your camera gear free of charge: all it takes is a one time-donation, with no fees beyond that. Usually you'll hear from other interested forum members within days in not hours! The Pentax Marketplace | Sell Pentax | Photographic Equipment for Sale - PentaxForums.com

rwfarnell · 03-07-2011, 07:58 PM

Thanks Adam,
Today is my first day here so I'm learning as I go. I will look into the donation part of it. I didn't sell my K10d kit yet , I only sent it to get appraised.
I think right now I'm looking at the K-5, I feel like the k-r is a step sideways and not a step up. The k-r being a better camera, but the k-5 being a much better camera and being more like the K10d in size, shape, and the LCD on top.

Adam · 03-07-2011, 08:01 PM

Originally posted by rwfarnell

better camera

I think you meant value

You're right, though- the K-r is more of a sidegrade. Sure, you get the new software gimmicks as well as improved responsiveness over the K10, but you'd lose the LCD on top, the pentaprism viewfinder, the weather sealing, and, most importantly, that second e-dial. The K-5 is well worth it

rwfarnell · 03-07-2011, 08:21 PM

I would like to know where to find a second hand K-5 like twitch was talking about!

gp1806 · 03-07-2011, 08:31 PM

Originally posted by rwfarnell

I would like to know where to find a second hand K-5 like twitch was talking about!

Twitch mentioned a K-X not a K-5.

rwfarnell · 03-07-2011, 08:37 PM

Oh, sorry about that, it’s still a good thought, don’t you think?

03-07-2011, 05:09 PM	#1
rwfarnell Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Elko, Nevada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 150	Advice on a new camera I am looking to upgrade my present camera system and I’m looking for advice. Here is the situation that I’m in now: I have a Pentax K10D with 2 lenses (18-55mm F3.5 and a 55-300mm F4) and a battery grip. I love this camera but it not doing well in the dark, and the price of a new F2.8 lens is about the same as upgrading my camera. The enjoy taking all kinds of pictures. However my son is now in high school sports (soccer, Lacrosse and swimming) and most of the activities’ take place at night and with difficult lighting. So my main goal is to get newer camera that does well with fast action and low light. I am willing to move completely out of Pentax to a Cannon or Nikon if it would be best for what I’m trying to accomplish and within my budget. My budget is this: About $800 ($500 and around $350 for the trade in of my current kit at B&H and Adaroma) The main cameras that I’m looking at now are: Pentak K-r, Cannon T2i, and the Nikon 3100d Does anyone have any suggestions for me? Speed and low light are most important. One last note: a friend of mine has a 70-300 mm lens for Cannon that he would let me use till I was able to get a second lens or another lens that would go with the 18-55mm lens that comes with most camera kits. Thanks Rob

03-07-2011, 05:19 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,597	That trade offer is probably a bit low. I would suggest you sell your k10 and pick up a k-5, but keep the current lenses. The K-5 has best-in-class low-light performance, and is available for $1389 at B&H, meaning that you can get it for less used. Thus, if you bump your budget up by about $200 or wait a little bit longer, you should be able to afford it! The K-5 is the first Pentax with which I regularly shoot at high-iso with no reservation. You don't have to worry about noise at all until 3200, and image quality remains fine through 12800. I recommend you read my K-5 review for more info! When not shooting with my beloved 85mm F1.4, I use the 18-135mm with my K-5, and the relatively slow speed (same as your two lenses) isn't much of a problem! 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:

03-07-2011, 07:20 PM	#6
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,597	Hi Rob, That's a shame- but I hope Adorama gives you a good deal! In the future, be aware that we feature one of the biggest, if not THE biggest Pentax marketplace on the internet. In this section, you can sell your camera gear free of charge: all it takes is a one time-donation, with no fees beyond that. Usually you'll hear from other interested forum members within days in not hours! The Pentax Marketplace \| Sell Pentax \| Photographic Equipment for Sale - PentaxForums.com 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:

03-07-2011, 08:01 PM	#8
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,597	Originally posted by rwfarnell better camera I think you meant value You're right, though- the K-r is more of a sidegrade. Sure, you get the new software gimmicks as well as improved responsiveness over the K10, but you'd lose the LCD on top, the pentaprism viewfinder, the weather sealing, and, most importantly, that second e-dial. The K-5 is well worth it 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:

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03-07-2011, 05:20 PM	#3
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	Short answer: buy a new K-r and use the 55-300. Then save your pennies for a Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 second hand. Actually a K-x second hand, and a Tamron 70-200 f2.8 secondhand would come to about $1000. The K-r autofocus is superior to the K-x though. ISO performance is the same.

03-07-2011, 07:15 PM	#4
rwfarnell Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Elko, Nevada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 150 Original Poster	Adam and twitch, Thanks for the advice. I sent my kit off to Adorama today it looks like they will give me a much better deal on a trade in than B&H. I should know by Friday. I still feel that the Pentax is my best bet. Hopefully I will get some more positive feed back. Thanks again, Rob

03-07-2011, 07:15 PM	#5
Ubuntu_user Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,545	I agree with Twitch... right on!

03-07-2011, 07:58 PM	#7
rwfarnell Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Elko, Nevada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 150 Original Poster	Thanks Adam, Today is my first day here so I'm learning as I go. I will look into the donation part of it. I didn't sell my K10d kit yet , I only sent it to get appraised. I think right now I'm looking at the K-5, I feel like the k-r is a step sideways and not a step up. The k-r being a better camera, but the k-5 being a much better camera and being more like the K10d in size, shape, and the LCD on top.

03-07-2011, 08:21 PM	#9
rwfarnell Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Elko, Nevada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 150 Original Poster	I would like to know where to find a second hand K-5 like twitch was talking about!

03-07-2011, 08:31 PM	#10
gp1806 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Chicago suburbs Photos: Albums Posts: 848	Originally posted by rwfarnell I would like to know where to find a second hand K-5 like twitch was talking about! Twitch mentioned a K-X not a K-5.

03-07-2011, 08:37 PM	#11
rwfarnell Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Elko, Nevada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 150 Original Poster	Oh, sorry about that, it’s still a good thought, don’t you think?