You have 1100 to spend...what do you do?

**rzarector** · 02-05-2014, 02:42 PM

You are given 1,100 US dollars to buy new gear. You currently have a K-01. You are capped at $1200 MAX!

You can use it all on a body or body and lens, up to you.

Uses: Concerts in low light, landscapes, your life

Lenses you own: 17-50 Sigma 2.8, 55 1.4 SDM, MF 135mm 2.8, 40 mm XS.

How would YOU spend it?

K-5iis with a grip and a lens?
K-3 and spend more?

My current scenario and I'm torn....

I'd love to hear your thoughts...

JinDesu · 02-05-2014, 02:45 PM

Eh, I'd go with the k-3. Better focusing system, a little worse at high ISO but you got some cracker lenses in the Sigma and the DA*, so might as well go with the latest and the greatest.

gazonk · 02-05-2014, 02:46 PM

I would first run to the next shop and buy a DA15 if I didn't have it and knew how much I would be using it when I finally bought it :-)

Kameko · 02-05-2014, 02:49 PM - **1 Like**

I'd buy the 31mm, sell the 40, 17-50 & 55. Take the $ from that to buy the 15mm (to compensate for giving up the 17-50) or a 10-17. I think I'm a minimalist when it comes to gear though. Probably the only one here yet to experience LBA

Parallax · 02-05-2014, 02:50 PM

I would go for the K-5iis, grip, and extra batteries, etc. Or the K-5iis and a DA 15mm Ltd. You've got the low-light issue covered with the 55, landscape covered pretty well with the Sigma, and the 40 is a great people on the street lens.

**Eric Auer** · 02-05-2014, 02:58 PM

Considering how good the IQ of of your K-01 is, I'd wait for K-3 prices to come down.

But...If you really need a new body right now the K-5 IIs is a super camera at a killer price.

I own one, And like it so much that I'm skipping the K-3.

mikemike · 02-05-2014, 03:01 PM

Buy the K-3, sell the k-01 and and use the proceeds to buy a DA 15 ltd for landscapes.

noelpolar · 02-05-2014, 03:11 PM

Fa77......

**rzarector** · 02-05-2014, 03:15 PM

Love all these answers, keep um coming!

**rzarector** · 02-05-2014, 03:17 PM

Interesting on the Pentax SMC 15mm f/4.0. I never had thought a f4 would be fast enough for a low light concert.

j2photos · 02-05-2014, 03:19 PM

I would go K-3, it can be had for around $1150 on amazon right now, and last week it was @ $1020. Your lens setup really isnt that bad at all, you have nice glass it might not hurt to have one wider prime. With the extra resolution you get with the K-3 it makes the fact that it doesnt do as well at high ISO a moot point.

mikemike · 02-05-2014, 03:21 PM

You said landscapes, for concerts, you could sell the 135 (if it is a valuable one) and get the 50-135 so you will have more variety and AF.

gazonk · 02-05-2014, 03:21 PM

Originally posted by rzarector

Interesting on the Pentax SMC 15mm f/4.0. I never had thought a f4 would be fast enough for a low light concert.

Huh - you mentioned landscapes too? But I've used the DA15 on low light concerts! Here - had to use ISO 5000:

**zzaletel** · 02-05-2014, 03:25 PM

What about the Sigma 18-35/1.8 for ~$800?

Sell the Sigma +$350. (new sigma + 40xs + 55* cover you there)

Remaining budget: $650-750.

Pick up the 15 or the 21 ltd for landscape work and/or one of the 10-20/10-24/12-24 lenses.

Budget spent depending on whether you go new or used.

**rzarector** · 02-05-2014, 03:39 PM

Originally posted by JinDesu

you got some cracker lenses

What is a cracker lens?

02-05-2014, 02:42 PM	#1
rzarector Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: San Francisco Posts: 161	You have 1100 to spend...what do you do? You are given 1,100 US dollars to buy new gear. You currently have a K-01. You are capped at $1200 MAX! You can use it all on a body or body and lens, up to you. Uses: Concerts in low light, landscapes, your life Lenses you own: 17-50 Sigma 2.8, 55 1.4 SDM, MF 135mm 2.8, 40 mm XS. How would YOU spend it? K-5iis with a grip and a lens? K-3 and spend more? My current scenario and I'm torn.... I'd love to hear your thoughts...

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02-05-2014, 02:45 PM	#2
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	Eh, I'd go with the k-3. Better focusing system, a little worse at high ISO but you got some cracker lenses in the Sigma and the DA*, so might as well go with the latest and the greatest.

02-05-2014, 02:46 PM	#3
gazonk Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Oslo area, Norway Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,746	I would first run to the next shop and buy a DA15 if I didn't have it and knew how much I would be using it when I finally bought it :-)

02-05-2014, 02:49 PM - 1 Like	#4
Kameko Veteran Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: White Rock Photos: Albums Posts: 450	I'd buy the 31mm, sell the 40, 17-50 & 55. Take the $ from that to buy the 15mm (to compensate for giving up the 17-50) or a 10-17. I think I'm a minimalist when it comes to gear though. Probably the only one here yet to experience LBA

02-05-2014, 02:50 PM	#5
Parallax Senior Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Dakota Photos: Gallery Posts: 19,332	I would go for the K-5iis, grip, and extra batteries, etc. Or the K-5iis and a DA 15mm Ltd. You've got the low-light issue covered with the 55, landscape covered pretty well with the Sigma, and the 40 is a great people on the street lens.

02-05-2014, 02:58 PM	#6
Eric Auer Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,211	Considering how good the IQ of of your K-01 is, I'd wait for K-3 prices to come down. But...If you really need a new body right now the K-5 IIs is a super camera at a killer price. I own one, And like it so much that I'm skipping the K-3.

02-05-2014, 03:01 PM	#7
mikemike Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: New Orleans Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,053	Buy the K-3, sell the k-01 and and use the proceeds to buy a DA 15 ltd for landscapes.

02-05-2014, 03:11 PM	#8
noelpolar Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Goolwa, SA Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,310	Fa77......

02-05-2014, 03:15 PM	#9
rzarector Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: San Francisco Posts: 161 Original Poster	Love all these answers, keep um coming!

02-05-2014, 03:17 PM	#10
rzarector Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: San Francisco Posts: 161 Original Poster	Interesting on the Pentax SMC 15mm f/4.0. I never had thought a f4 would be fast enough for a low light concert.

02-05-2014, 03:19 PM	#11
j2photos Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Manteca, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,653	I would go K-3, it can be had for around $1150 on amazon right now, and last week it was @ $1020. Your lens setup really isnt that bad at all, you have nice glass it might not hurt to have one wider prime. With the extra resolution you get with the K-3 it makes the fact that it doesnt do as well at high ISO a moot point.

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02-05-2014, 03:21 PM	#12
mikemike Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: New Orleans Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,053	You said landscapes, for concerts, you could sell the 135 (if it is a valuable one) and get the 50-135 so you will have more variety and AF.

02-05-2014, 03:21 PM	#13
gazonk Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Oslo area, Norway Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,746	Originally posted by rzarector Interesting on the Pentax SMC 15mm f/4.0. I never had thought a f4 would be fast enough for a low light concert. Huh - you mentioned landscapes too? But I've used the DA15 on low light concerts! Here - had to use ISO 5000:

02-05-2014, 03:25 PM	#14
zzaletel Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Alaska Posts: 525	What about the Sigma 18-35/1.8 for ~$800? Sell the Sigma +$350. (new sigma + 40xs + 55* cover you there) Remaining budget: $650-750. Pick up the 15 or the 21 ltd for landscape work and/or one of the 10-20/10-24/12-24 lenses. Budget spent depending on whether you go new or used.

02-05-2014, 03:39 PM	#15
rzarector Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: San Francisco Posts: 161 Original Poster	Originally posted by JinDesu you got some cracker lenses What is a cracker lens?