[ts357]

Hi All,

finally after many years without a proper camera, i have decided to buy a DSLR.
after many days & sleepless nights of browsing & researching i thought i have narrowed down my options.
it started with the Nikon D3300 vs D5300, later it evolved into pentax K-500, K-50 & the current favorite K-30.

i am still unsure i have made the right decision,
is it the right camera for me???
i am interested in a capable camera for playing around with macro, wildlife & pets.
i also volunteer at rescue shelter at my area and thought i could also help out with posting pictures of our dogs & cats in need.
i am on a tight budget so, decided to go with older model manual lenses which are quite cheap (M42).

Please HELP....

Thank You

[clackers]

later it evolved into pentax K-500, K-50 & the current favorite K-30.

They're essentially three versions of the same capable camera, TS. I own the K-30.

The forum is full of photos taken with that sensor and a myriad of lenses, including M42.

I imagine your dog rescue place could do with some photography to help find new owners.

Post some pics when you get a chance, if you end up buying. :-)

[loco]

The K-30 will handle all your requirements splendidly. I have 13 cats and take lots of pictures of them. My set of cat photos on Flickr is here...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/locosphotos/sets/72157626570435032/

Many of them were taken with the K-30 and also many were taken with the K-r which is not as full-featured a camera, but still very capable.

I have also had good success with macro and wildlife photos with the K-30, and I can't imagine you will be disappointed. I don't have any M42 lenses, but do have some manual lenses and they are a pleasure to use once you get the hang of it. But don't overlook the DA 35/2.4. It's less than $200 and is a fantastic lens for the money. I always recommend it for people who say they don't want to spend a lot. It's a great lens for photographing pets.

[jatrax]

k-50 and k-30 are essentially the same camera, just a restyle was done with the k-50 so choose whichever is available at the best price.

Lens prices are all over the place and in general you get what you pay for (mostly). So don't think you will be saving a huge amount by buying m-42 instead of k-mount. Unless of course you want to shoot all primes and all manual focus and all manual aperture. In that case there are lots of good m-42 lenses available. But, one good zoom like for example the F 35-70 will cover a lot the range you need for little money and give you auto exposure and auto focus.

For that matter the Pentax DA 18-55 'kit lens' is quite capable of producing good results under normal circumstances and often comes with the camera.

The old glass has both cheap and expensive items and sometimes the cheap ones are cheap for a reason. Sometimes the expensive ones are expensive for a good reason and sometimes it is just collectors driving up the price of an otherwise mediocre lens.

[robthebloke]

I'd scratch the old m42's, and go for a da35mm f2.4 first (buy the lens second hand would be my advice). The kits lens is quite good, but the da35 is a big step up (and much easier to use than the old manual primes).

The k50/k30 are nice all round cameras. The d5300 has got better image quality than the k30/k50, but you'd need some nice glass to get the best out of it, and you're unlikely to notice the difference on web based images. The k series has weather sealing, and a better viewfinder, so it's probably a nicer camera to use in the field. I'd go for the pentax myself, although to be fair, this is a pentax forum, so I doubt you'd expect me to offer a different opinion

[ts357]

WOW that was fast...
i think you got me convinced to go for the K-30,
i just wanted to make sure i am not missing any crucial details.
love the Chow-Chow (if im not mistaken) photo, My dog is a half Chow.
also, loved the black cat with the white mustache.

A big thank you!!!

[ramseybuckeye]

You will do fine with either the K-30 or the K-50, they are nearly identical performance wise, the K-50 can use eye-fi cards and is newer. I agree with other, buy the one you get the best price on unless you have a need to use eye-fi cards. Strangely enough the K-50 is usually cheaper, especially with the crazy deals right now that can get you things like a free flash and more, and bundle deals with lenses. I have both.

[Hegemon]

I personally love the K-30 but the K-50 might be a better choice due to improved low light performance/sensitivity. Believe the bodies are somewhat different...either way, can't go wrong with either. Good luck.

Take a look at my photostream for a few samples of the K-30: https://www.flickr.com/photos/27420179@N02/

[JimC1101]

The K-30 is a great camera. I have had it 2 years now and even though I consider upgrading to the K-5II/S, I am not loosing much by staying with the K-30 and love this camera. Sure, there is supposedly better low light focusing on the K-5X but I have always been impressed with the shots I have taken on my K-30 and it focuses quickly even in low light. There are a couple more buttons on the K-5 than going in menu on the K-30 but if you use it long enough, you can change settings via menu without even moving away from the VF. You cant go wrong with this camera.

[Des]

As everyone has said the K-30, K-50 and K-500 have the same sensor and similar menus and buttons. They are all good and all excellent value for money.

All other things being equal, if the K-30 and K-500 were the same price, I would certainly (and did) choose the K-30 for its extra features (eg. weather-sealing, focus point indicator, level indicator, etc). If the K-30 and K-50 were the same price I would choose the K-50 because it has a few extra features. If the prices are different you would need to decide how much value you would place on the extra features.

All things are not usually equal. For a start, if you are looking at a new or reconditioned camera, you might get the best deal in a package. For example a K-50 with Pentax DA 18-135 package would meet all your needs (with close focus diopter for cheap macro), be ideal for outdoor use in all weather, be much cheaper than buying body and lens separately, and would give great bang for buck. On the other hand, if buying used, a K-30 body only or K-30 body plus kit lens might be a better deal.

You haven't said what your budget is (camera and lenses). Seems to me that is the first question. For a really low budget, your best value might come from by choosing a slightly older camera body (e.g. K-7) and spending a higher proportion on a lens or lenses. There is a saying that a camera is for Christmas, but a lens is forever - an exaggeration, but there is a grain of truth in it.

Take note of what Jatrax has said about all-manual lenses. Not necessarily the best value buy for your needs. For shooting moving subjects (including sports, children, pets or wildlife) most people find auto focus and auto aperture to be big advantages.

[Sorver]

They're essentially three versions of the same capable camera, TS. I own the K-30.

The forum is full of photos taken with that sensor and a myriad of lenses, including M42.

I imagine your dog rescue place could do with some photography to help find new owners.

Post some pics when you get a chance, if you end up buying. :-)

I love chow chows absolutely gorgeous but a shot without the tongue sacrilege lol😜

[loco]

Something I thought I might add. I have had the K-30 for two years now and the K5II and K-3 have come out since. I have not been tempted by either. To me, that indicates I'm satisfied with my purchase. Sure, those might be better cameras, but they aren't better enough for me to feel like I have to upgrade.

[UncleVanya]

M42 will need an adapter, or several depending on the approach you take. The real McCoy (Pentax brand) is expensive (50-60+) but preferred if you plan to use it traditionally. Some people use cheap ($5) adapters but remove the locking spring and fix them on their lenses semi permanently.

[clackers]

I love chow chows absolutely gorgeous but a shot without the tongue sacrilege lol😜

Yeah, it's like Samoyeds. Must take a picture of them smiling - it's the law.

[schnitzer79]

I'd scratch the old m42's, and go for a da35mm f2.4 first

I second this. k-30 (or k-50) and the da 35mm 2.4 is the way to go if on a tight budget. its a great lens for little money. you will not be disappointed