Dilemna: What to buy my Pentax-envious fiancee?

Lex Madera · 08-06-2011, 03:23 PM

My fiancee came to visit me in Vienna while I was there for work last month. After a few days of seeing and photographing the city, she tells me she wants a "camera like mine." We agreed whatever we get, it would be a Pentax, so we can share lenses (that's my story, and I'm sticking to it >;-)))) ).

So what should I buy? I'd really like to upgrade from my K-r to a K-5, but I think the prices will still drop. I could then give her my K-r.

B&H has a nice price on the K-7 body, but I'm not sure that's the right route.

B&H also has a super deal on a K-r with a 35mm f/2.4 lens with it.

Or maybe I should buy her the sexy red K-r body with a Tamron 17-70mm, f-2.8.

Any suggestions? I will be criticized and suffer, regardless of the choice. Anybody want to help a brother out to lessen the pain?

Thanks for any suggestions.

TOUGEFC · 08-06-2011, 03:30 PM

Hi, I would buy her a K-r or upgrade yourself to a K-5 and give her your K-r

**interested_observer** · 08-06-2011, 03:47 PM

Originally posted by TOUGEFC

.... or upgrade yourself to a K-5 and give her your K-r

If you did that, you would never hear the end of it - regardless of how sensible and practical it would be....

Lex Madera · 08-06-2011, 04:05 PM

yeah, I.O., I'm tracking with you. Thus, my dilemna. I don't want to say my beloved is a B****, but, she's the boss. She probably wouldn't clue in initially, but eventually, I'm going to pay for that decision. I really like the B&H combo with the 35mm - seems like a sweet deal. Really tempted, as soon as my per diem shows up.

**maxfield_photo** · 08-06-2011, 04:38 PM

If she likes red cameras, why not get her the Grand Prix 645D? That will cure her Pentax envy for sure, but you may develop an acute case.

beales1986 · 08-06-2011, 04:45 PM

Don't consider Buying a K-5 unless you plan on giving it to her. It is an amazing camera to use. But it would not be a good relationship starter for you to save the best one for yourself. If you are having money issues. I would buy her a K-r because then you would both have equal cameras that you could compete for the best picture from. Another option would be to buy her a K-7 and see how that works for her because it has a smaller body wich is better for ladies hands because they tend to be slightly smaller, and later when the price drops get a K-5 that you and her would both share if you wish.

RioRico · 08-06-2011, 04:45 PM

If she buys herself a Canon, you'll know the relationship is over.

Lex Madera · 08-06-2011, 04:56 PM

Rio Rico, thanks for the kind words. She'd never cheat on me. She's a lady of substance and has discriminating tastes. She's a Pentax Lady in the making. Eat your heart out.

hawk1500 · 08-06-2011, 06:04 PM

"honey, you wanted something just like mine, so I am giving you MY camera. Oh, this new one? Eh, it's a heavier, bulkier version of yours."

I don't see a problem with that. Haha, or maybe a K-x? Depends on your $ situation I guess. She may not even like the K-7/K-5 layout and size.

richard balonglong · 08-06-2011, 06:39 PM

It's better for you to upgrade to K-5 then give her your K-r. Upgrading to K-5 is a one-time-big-time upgrade. But I prefer to upgrading to K-7 because you save up some cash and put the extra cash for the budget of getting a better lens. You can't go wrong with the K-7, and even better if you have a good glass mounted on it. =)

**jatrax** · 08-06-2011, 07:13 PM

Been married 30 years, in that time I think I have upgraded cameras 5 times. Each time I have passed the old one to my wife and got the new one for me. She has been happy because I had used it enough to be able to teach her all the tricks and she never cared about getting a new camera. But she is a one in a million or maybe 10 million.....

If it were me I would get the k-5 and pass the k-r on. But I'm not sure I would try that until after you are married.

May not work for everyone but what I have ALWAYS done is ask: Honey, I am going to get a new camera, would you like my old one or do you want me to get you a new one as well. At least that way you know and she shared in the decision. And trust me, that is really important if you want it to last. (The marriage I mean. The camera is on you

RioRico · 08-06-2011, 07:15 PM

How about his-n-hers K5's? Engraved, of course.

BTW my other uses Bronica but I don't hold a grudge.

sebberry · 08-06-2011, 08:35 PM

I'm sure you can find a Pentax branded keychain somewhere

Eagle_Friends · 08-07-2011, 09:08 AM

Man guys, you all make it seem like women are materialistic and care only about having the shinniest toy. I just bought myself a k5 and am handing my k-x to my girlfriend. She's not too knowledgeable in photographer (she knows the basics like aperature, iso, etc.) So she feels 100% fine with owning the k-x. Although the beautiful white k-x body may contribute a factor, as it looks much more appealing than the dull black k5 =P. Anyways, best of luck to your decision.

Lex Madera · 08-07-2011, 10:31 AM

I appreciate everyone's advice. I'm leaning towards a K-7 for me with a Sigma 18-55 or a Tamron 17-70. I'll give her the K-r. I don't think she'll be upset. But if she is, it will be simply, "No, I'm taking that camera. this one is yours." She doesn't sugarcoat it. Ever.

08-06-2011, 03:23 PM	#1
Lex Madera Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Virginia, Austria, Ukraine Photos: Gallery Posts: 188	Dilemna: What to buy my Pentax-envious fiancee? My fiancee came to visit me in Vienna while I was there for work last month. After a few days of seeing and photographing the city, she tells me she wants a "camera like mine." We agreed whatever we get, it would be a Pentax, so we can share lenses (that's my story, and I'm sticking to it >;-)))) ). So what should I buy? I'd really like to upgrade from my K-r to a K-5, but I think the prices will still drop. I could then give her my K-r. B&H has a nice price on the K-7 body, but I'm not sure that's the right route. B&H also has a super deal on a K-r with a 35mm f/2.4 lens with it. Or maybe I should buy her the sexy red K-r body with a Tamron 17-70mm, f-2.8. Any suggestions? I will be criticized and suffer, regardless of the choice. Anybody want to help a brother out to lessen the pain? Thanks for any suggestions.

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08-06-2011, 03:30 PM	#2
TOUGEFC Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,561	Hi, I would buy her a K-r or upgrade yourself to a K-5 and give her your K-r

08-06-2011, 03:47 PM	#3
interested_observer Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tumbleweed, Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,707	Originally posted by TOUGEFC .... or upgrade yourself to a K-5 and give her your K-r If you did that, you would never hear the end of it - regardless of how sensible and practical it would be....

08-06-2011, 04:05 PM	#4
Lex Madera Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Virginia, Austria, Ukraine Photos: Gallery Posts: 188 Original Poster	yeah, I.O., I'm tracking with you. Thus, my dilemna. I don't want to say my beloved is a B****, but, she's the boss. She probably wouldn't clue in initially, but eventually, I'm going to pay for that decision. I really like the B&H combo with the 35mm - seems like a sweet deal. Really tempted, as soon as my per diem shows up.

08-06-2011, 04:38 PM	#5
maxfield_photo Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 1,216	If she likes red cameras, why not get her the Grand Prix 645D? That will cure her Pentax envy for sure, but you may develop an acute case.

08-06-2011, 04:45 PM	#6
beales1986 Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Victoria B.C. Photos: Albums Posts: 59	Don't consider Buying a K-5 unless you plan on giving it to her. It is an amazing camera to use. But it would not be a good relationship starter for you to save the best one for yourself. If you are having money issues. I would buy her a K-r because then you would both have equal cameras that you could compete for the best picture from. Another option would be to buy her a K-7 and see how that works for her because it has a smaller body wich is better for ladies hands because they tend to be slightly smaller, and later when the price drops get a K-5 that you and her would both share if you wish.

08-06-2011, 04:45 PM	#7
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	If she buys herself a Canon, you'll know the relationship is over.

08-06-2011, 04:56 PM	#8
Lex Madera Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Virginia, Austria, Ukraine Photos: Gallery Posts: 188 Original Poster	Rio Rico, thanks for the kind words. She'd never cheat on me. She's a lady of substance and has discriminating tastes. She's a Pentax Lady in the making. Eat your heart out.

08-06-2011, 06:04 PM	#9
hawk1500 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 270	"honey, you wanted something just like mine, so I am giving you MY camera. Oh, this new one? Eh, it's a heavier, bulkier version of yours." I don't see a problem with that. Haha, or maybe a K-x? Depends on your $ situation I guess. She may not even like the K-7/K-5 layout and size.

08-06-2011, 06:39 PM	#10
richard balonglong Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Baguio City, Philippines Photos: Gallery Posts: 350	It's better for you to upgrade to K-5 then give her your K-r. Upgrading to K-5 is a one-time-big-time upgrade. But I prefer to upgrading to K-7 because you save up some cash and put the extra cash for the budget of getting a better lens. You can't go wrong with the K-7, and even better if you have a good glass mounted on it. =)

08-06-2011, 07:13 PM	#11
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Been married 30 years, in that time I think I have upgraded cameras 5 times. Each time I have passed the old one to my wife and got the new one for me. She has been happy because I had used it enough to be able to teach her all the tricks and she never cared about getting a new camera. But she is a one in a million or maybe 10 million..... If it were me I would get the k-5 and pass the k-r on. But I'm not sure I would try that until after you are married. May not work for everyone but what I have ALWAYS done is ask: Honey, I am going to get a new camera, would you like my old one or do you want me to get you a new one as well. At least that way you know and she shared in the decision. And trust me, that is really important if you want it to last. (The marriage I mean. The camera is on you

08-06-2011, 07:15 PM	#12
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	How about his-n-hers K5's? Engraved, of course. BTW my other uses Bronica but I don't hold a grudge.

08-06-2011, 08:35 PM	#13
sebberry Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Frozen white North Photos: Albums Posts: 1,135	I'm sure you can find a Pentax branded keychain somewhere

08-07-2011, 09:08 AM	#14
Eagle_Friends Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 971	Man guys, you all make it seem like women are materialistic and care only about having the shinniest toy. I just bought myself a k5 and am handing my k-x to my girlfriend. She's not too knowledgeable in photographer (she knows the basics like aperature, iso, etc.) So she feels 100% fine with owning the k-x. Although the beautiful white k-x body may contribute a factor, as it looks much more appealing than the dull black k5 =P. Anyways, best of luck to your decision.

08-07-2011, 10:31 AM	#15
Lex Madera Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Virginia, Austria, Ukraine Photos: Gallery Posts: 188 Original Poster	I appreciate everyone's advice. I'm leaning towards a K-7 for me with a Sigma 18-55 or a Tamron 17-70. I'll give her the K-r. I don't think she'll be upset. But if she is, it will be simply, "No, I'm taking that camera. this one is yours." She doesn't sugarcoat it. Ever.