Back to basics

DennisH · 11-01-2013, 10:09 AM

So here's what I'm thinking:

I was looking through my photos, and I realized that nearly all my favorites were taken with my K200 and 40mm Limited. I think I want to return to Pentax for the second time this year.

I'm going to get 15, 40, and 70 Limiteds - that much I know. My question is: knowing I'll probably get a K-3 next year or so, does it make sense to get a K20 or even a K200 body with the lenses to save money and ease back in? I do mostly outdoor landscapes and just general hobby photography, no sports or hardcore wildlife. Some indoor people shots.

I've had a Pentax K200, K-30, Nikon D7000 (twice), and Nikon D5100. I liked them all, but I LOVED my K200/40mm. Are the 20 and 200 still reasonably capable?

**Eric Auer** · 11-01-2013, 10:43 AM

Why not grab a used K-5?

Do those lenses some justice

**jatrax** · 11-01-2013, 10:50 AM

Originally posted by Corto-PA

Why not grab a used K-5?

Agree. At current pricing, used, it is a lot of camera.

DennisH · 11-01-2013, 10:51 AM

Yeah. And I just saw Amazon has a new K-30 for $429. Can't really make it make sense.

So, used K5 or new K30? Seems obvious to me; any other thoughts?

Last edited by DennisH; 11-01-2013 at 11:07 AM.

Jan178 · 11-01-2013, 11:08 AM

Capable? Yes, i think they are, especially landscapes/general shooting. K200D stands out with CCD-sensor. It is really amazing what kind of camera one will get with low prices! Even new ones, and used pieces are sometimes almost free.
From local "fleabay" I´ve seen K20D for about 200$ and less, bought my K200D few months ago for less than 100$ and so on... Sometimes can´t afford NOT to buy!

Tanzer · 11-01-2013, 11:54 AM

Seeing how many bodies you've gone through, and that you owned a D7000 not once but twice, it seems that money is not so much of an issue. I realize this may be presumptuous on my part, but you did specifically mention your history in your OP. So, why not just buy the K-3 now, since you are going to anyhow?

It has been said that the cure for LBA is to buy expensive lenses up front; while I cannot say it completely cures LBA it does seem to help temporarily break the cycle of looking for better and better gear, and gets you to work with what you have!

DennisH · 11-01-2013, 12:18 PM

I wouldn't say money is no object; I'm always in search of a bargain. If I can get a used K-5 or a new K-30 for around $400 instead of $1300, I can use it for a year (or more) and have a more-than-capable backup when the time comes.

I'm probably thinking about this wrong, I admit.

TaoMaas · 11-02-2013, 09:03 AM

Originally posted by DennisH

I was looking through my photos, and I realized that nearly all my favorites were taken with my K200 and 40mm Limited.

You might also check those favorites to see what ISO you used. As someone else mentioned, the K200 uses a CCD sensor and many people think CCD sensors have a better feel to their images when used at their base ISO, whereas CMOS sensors generally start to outperform CCDs as you raise the ISO. If most of your favorites were shot at or near your K200's base ISO, maybe that's part of what you're seeing, in which case you may want to go ahead and get another K200. However, if you're shooting at 400 or above, it must be the legendary Pentax pixie dust at work so you'd be smart to look for a used K5 or K30 so you can get the most out of your 15, 40, and 70 limiteds.

DennisH · 11-04-2013, 02:41 PM

Well, thanks for humoring me. After I posted this I found out about the Hunt's K-500 sale, so I jumped on that. I figure I can't go too wrong at $360.

Anyone want to buy a nice Nikon kit?

Looking forward to spending more time here. Will post some pics once I'm up and running.

**Eric Auer** · 11-04-2013, 02:48 PM

Originally posted by DennisH

Well, thanks for humoring me. After I posted this I found out about the Hunt's K-500 sale, so I jumped on that. I figure I can't go too wrong at $360.

Anyone want to buy a nice Nikon kit?

Looking forward to spending more time here. Will post some pics once I'm up and running.

Nice!

Once you get it, Come hang with us for some Monthly Photo Challenges - PentaxForums.com

11-01-2013, 10:09 AM	#1
DennisH Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Stratford, CT Photos: Gallery Posts: 730	Back to basics So here's what I'm thinking: I was looking through my photos, and I realized that nearly all my favorites were taken with my K200 and 40mm Limited. I think I want to return to Pentax for the second time this year. I'm going to get 15, 40, and 70 Limiteds - that much I know. My question is: knowing I'll probably get a K-3 next year or so, does it make sense to get a K20 or even a K200 body with the lenses to save money and ease back in? I do mostly outdoor landscapes and just general hobby photography, no sports or hardcore wildlife. Some indoor people shots. I've had a Pentax K200, K-30, Nikon D7000 (twice), and Nikon D5100. I liked them all, but I LOVED my K200/40mm. Are the 20 and 200 still reasonably capable?

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11-01-2013, 10:43 AM	#2
Eric Auer Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,211	Why not grab a used K-5? Do those lenses some justice

11-01-2013, 10:50 AM	#3
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by Corto-PA Why not grab a used K-5? Agree. At current pricing, used, it is a lot of camera.

11-01-2013, 10:51 AM	#4
DennisH Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Stratford, CT Photos: Gallery Posts: 730 Original Poster	Yeah. And I just saw Amazon has a new K-30 for $429. Can't really make it make sense. So, used K5 or new K30? Seems obvious to me; any other thoughts? Last edited by DennisH; 11-01-2013 at 11:07 AM.

11-01-2013, 11:08 AM	#5
Jan178 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Rovaniemi, Finland Photos: Albums Posts: 963	Capable? Yes, i think they are, especially landscapes/general shooting. K200D stands out with CCD-sensor. It is really amazing what kind of camera one will get with low prices! Even new ones, and used pieces are sometimes almost free. From local "fleabay" I´ve seen K20D for about 200$ and less, bought my K200D few months ago for less than 100$ and so on... Sometimes can´t afford NOT to buy!

11-01-2013, 11:54 AM	#6
Tanzer Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Perrineville, NJ Posts: 1,375	Seeing how many bodies you've gone through, and that you owned a D7000 not once but twice, it seems that money is not so much of an issue. I realize this may be presumptuous on my part, but you did specifically mention your history in your OP. So, why not just buy the K-3 now, since you are going to anyhow? It has been said that the cure for LBA is to buy expensive lenses up front; while I cannot say it completely cures LBA it does seem to help temporarily break the cycle of looking for better and better gear, and gets you to work with what you have!

11-01-2013, 12:18 PM	#7
DennisH Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Stratford, CT Photos: Gallery Posts: 730 Original Poster	I wouldn't say money is no object; I'm always in search of a bargain. If I can get a used K-5 or a new K-30 for around $400 instead of $1300, I can use it for a year (or more) and have a more-than-capable backup when the time comes. I'm probably thinking about this wrong, I admit.

11-02-2013, 09:03 AM	#8
TaoMaas Pentaxian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Oklahoma City Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,574	Originally posted by DennisH I was looking through my photos, and I realized that nearly all my favorites were taken with my K200 and 40mm Limited. You might also check those favorites to see what ISO you used. As someone else mentioned, the K200 uses a CCD sensor and many people think CCD sensors have a better feel to their images when used at their base ISO, whereas CMOS sensors generally start to outperform CCDs as you raise the ISO. If most of your favorites were shot at or near your K200's base ISO, maybe that's part of what you're seeing, in which case you may want to go ahead and get another K200. However, if you're shooting at 400 or above, it must be the legendary Pentax pixie dust at work so you'd be smart to look for a used K5 or K30 so you can get the most out of your 15, 40, and 70 limiteds.

11-04-2013, 02:41 PM	#9
DennisH Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Stratford, CT Photos: Gallery Posts: 730 Original Poster	Well, thanks for humoring me. After I posted this I found out about the Hunt's K-500 sale, so I jumped on that. I figure I can't go too wrong at $360. Anyone want to buy a nice Nikon kit? Looking forward to spending more time here. Will post some pics once I'm up and running.

11-04-2013, 02:48 PM	#10
Eric Auer Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,211	Originally posted by DennisH Well, thanks for humoring me. After I posted this I found out about the Hunt's K-500 sale, so I jumped on that. I figure I can't go too wrong at $360. Anyone want to buy a nice Nikon kit? Looking forward to spending more time here. Will post some pics once I'm up and running. Nice! Once you get it, Come hang with us for some Monthly Photo Challenges - PentaxForums.com