Undecided

**csa** · 12-03-2014, 09:39 AM

Since the K5IIs apparently is discontinued, which would you choose, a used K-5 or a new K50? I've been reading a lot on the "freezing" of the K-5, and this has caused concern. Would the K50 be a good choice, or perhaps look for a K5IIs, if I can find one in a couple of weeks?

Thanks in advance, fellow Pentaxians!

Docrwm · 12-03-2014, 09:44 AM

I moved from the K-5 to the K-5iis and it was a great step up IMHO. With the prices for the 5iis being around $500 its a great bargain IMHO. I like the ergonomics of the 5iis over the 30/50 design and the top screen is a real plus for me as is the grip.

**csa** · 12-03-2014, 09:57 AM

It might be difficult to find a K5IIs in a couple of weeks. B&H shows it discontinued. Adorama still has them, but with the holidays coming up; they could sell out their stock as well; that's why I posted here, as to what my choice should be, between the K-5 used, or new K50.

esrandall · 12-03-2014, 10:07 AM

They come up used in the Marketplace all of the time. The advantages that Docrwm mentions are compelling, though I don't think you would be at all unhappy with a K-50, unless the top LCD and grip are needs for you. My K-50 is serving me quite well, and keep in mind that it also has focus peaking (the K-5/ii/iis don't have that feature), which makes MF really easy and reliable. Another advantage of the K-5ii/iis is the battery life, though I just keep a couple extra batteries in my bag.

Docrwm · 12-03-2014, 10:08 AM

Originally posted by esrandall

They come up used in the Marketplace all of the time. The advantages that Docrwm mentions are compelling, though I don't think you would be at all unhappy with a K-50, unless the top LCD and grip are needs for you. My K-50 is serving me quite well, and keep in mind that it also has focus peaking (the K-5/ii/iis don't have that feature), which makes MF really easy and reliable. Another advantage of the K-5ii/iis is the battery life, though I just keep a couple extra batteries in my bag.

No negative for the 50, I just found that once I got used to a grip being without one is a no-go for me.

stevebrot · 12-03-2014, 10:08 AM

Originally posted by csa

It might be difficult to find a K5IIs in a couple of weeks. B&H shows it discontinued. Adorama still has them, but with the holidays coming up; they could sell out their stock as well; that's why I posted here, as to what my choice should be, between the K-5 used, or new K50.

The K-50 is incredibly affordable right now and would be a good choice assuming that you want or need the features it has that are not found on the K-5 IIs. What the K-5 IIs brings to the table is better AF, lack of AA filtering, top LCD, greater bit-depth for image capture, certain video features, more configurable, and superior build. That last item comes at the price of more weight. Either way, you would have little to lose by purchasing now, assuming you have the cash/credit in hand.

Steve

Parallax · 12-03-2014, 10:09 AM

Originally posted by csa

It might be difficult to find a K5IIs in a couple of weeks. B&H shows it discontinued. Adorama still has them, but with the holidays coming up; they could sell out their stock as well; that's why I posted here, as to what my choice should be, between the K-5 used, or new K50.

Why not a K-5ii or iis used? As Docrwm said, the ergonomics and features are a real plus over the K30/50.

**csa** · 12-03-2014, 10:16 AM

Thanks everyone! I would prefer to buy a K5IIs new, as I could then also get the extended warranty; but that might not be possible in a couple of weeks. I do like the top LCD, the grip is not important, as I wouldn't use it anyway.

micromacro · 12-03-2014, 10:56 AM

Originally posted by csa

Thanks everyone! I would prefer to buy a K5IIs new, as I could then also get the extended warranty; but that might not be possible in a couple of weeks. I do like the top LCD, the grip is not important, as I wouldn't use it anyway.

I would say you always can spot used K5iis eventually on marketplace, but keep an eye at amazon and other sellers for new one. You never know, price may drop for a while from some sellers.

iamwhoiam · 12-03-2014, 11:01 AM

The K-5iis is an excellent camera and great deal on it right now. If I didn't want some of the features of the K-3 I would purchase the K-5iis over the K-50. The K-5iis is $496 at Adorama and comes with a free battery grip.

Docrwm · 12-03-2014, 11:16 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by iamwhoiam

The K-5iis is an excellent camera and great deal on it right now. If I didn't want some of the features of the K-3 I would purchase the K-5iis over the K-50. The K-5iis is $496 at Adorama and comes with a free battery grip.

Which if you don't want can be resold through the Marketplace and further lower the cost of K-5iis ownership

esrandall · 12-03-2014, 11:29 AM

Originally posted by Docrwm

No negative for the 50, I just found that once I got used to a grip being without one is a no-go for me.

Agreed. To a point, I found a thread here that had people using the grip from an old D60 on their K-30. I picked one up cheap, and use it regularly on my K-50, even though you don't get the benefit of using the buttons + extra battery. Just feels better in my hand.

ChristianRock · 12-03-2014, 11:44 AM

The K-3 is now entering the price bracket that the K-5 IIs occupied just a few months ago. Just a thought, if you want to buy new...

Docrwm · 12-03-2014, 12:54 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by esrandall

Agreed. To a point, I found a thread here that had people using the grip from an old D60 on their K-30. I picked one up cheap, and use it regularly on my K-50, even though you don't get the benefit of using the buttons + extra battery. Just feels better in my hand.

Interesting. The size and fell are certainly a part of why I use the grip. The 2nd battery and buttons are a huge part of it for me too. All day at WDW with 4 full 16gb SD cards and no battery change with the grip says a lot to me.

stevebrot · 12-03-2014, 02:23 PM

Originally posted by csa

but that might not be possible in a couple of weeks

Do it today?

Steve

12-03-2014, 09:39 AM	#1
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133	Undecided Since the K5IIs apparently is discontinued, which would you choose, a used K-5 or a new K50? I've been reading a lot on the "freezing" of the K-5, and this has caused concern. Would the K50 be a good choice, or perhaps look for a K5IIs, if I can find one in a couple of weeks? Thanks in advance, fellow Pentaxians!

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12-03-2014, 09:44 AM	#2
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	I moved from the K-5 to the K-5iis and it was a great step up IMHO. With the prices for the 5iis being around $500 its a great bargain IMHO. I like the ergonomics of the 5iis over the 30/50 design and the top screen is a real plus for me as is the grip.

12-03-2014, 09:57 AM	#3
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	It might be difficult to find a K5IIs in a couple of weeks. B&H shows it discontinued. Adorama still has them, but with the holidays coming up; they could sell out their stock as well; that's why I posted here, as to what my choice should be, between the K-5 used, or new K50.

12-03-2014, 10:07 AM	#4
esrandall Closed Account Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Sumner, WA Photos: Albums Posts: 965	They come up used in the Marketplace all of the time. The advantages that Docrwm mentions are compelling, though I don't think you would be at all unhappy with a K-50, unless the top LCD and grip are needs for you. My K-50 is serving me quite well, and keep in mind that it also has focus peaking (the K-5/ii/iis don't have that feature), which makes MF really easy and reliable. Another advantage of the K-5ii/iis is the battery life, though I just keep a couple extra batteries in my bag.

12-03-2014, 10:08 AM	#5
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by esrandall They come up used in the Marketplace all of the time. The advantages that Docrwm mentions are compelling, though I don't think you would be at all unhappy with a K-50, unless the top LCD and grip are needs for you. My K-50 is serving me quite well, and keep in mind that it also has focus peaking (the K-5/ii/iis don't have that feature), which makes MF really easy and reliable. Another advantage of the K-5ii/iis is the battery life, though I just keep a couple extra batteries in my bag. No negative for the 50, I just found that once I got used to a grip being without one is a no-go for me.

12-03-2014, 10:08 AM	#6
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by csa It might be difficult to find a K5IIs in a couple of weeks. B&H shows it discontinued. Adorama still has them, but with the holidays coming up; they could sell out their stock as well; that's why I posted here, as to what my choice should be, between the K-5 used, or new K50. The K-50 is incredibly affordable right now and would be a good choice assuming that you want or need the features it has that are not found on the K-5 IIs. What the K-5 IIs brings to the table is better AF, lack of AA filtering, top LCD, greater bit-depth for image capture, certain video features, more configurable, and superior build. That last item comes at the price of more weight. Either way, you would have little to lose by purchasing now, assuming you have the cash/credit in hand. Steve

12-03-2014, 10:09 AM	#7
Parallax Senior Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Dakota Photos: Gallery Posts: 19,332	Originally posted by csa It might be difficult to find a K5IIs in a couple of weeks. B&H shows it discontinued. Adorama still has them, but with the holidays coming up; they could sell out their stock as well; that's why I posted here, as to what my choice should be, between the K-5 used, or new K50. Why not a K-5ii or iis used? As Docrwm said, the ergonomics and features are a real plus over the K30/50.

12-03-2014, 10:16 AM	#8
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	Thanks everyone! I would prefer to buy a K5IIs new, as I could then also get the extended warranty; but that might not be possible in a couple of weeks. I do like the top LCD, the grip is not important, as I wouldn't use it anyway.

12-03-2014, 10:56 AM	#9
micromacro Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,722	Originally posted by csa Thanks everyone! I would prefer to buy a K5IIs new, as I could then also get the extended warranty; but that might not be possible in a couple of weeks. I do like the top LCD, the grip is not important, as I wouldn't use it anyway. I would say you always can spot used K5iis eventually on marketplace, but keep an eye at amazon and other sellers for new one. You never know, price may drop for a while from some sellers.

12-03-2014, 11:01 AM	#10
iamwhoiam Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: So. California Posts: 153	The K-5iis is an excellent camera and great deal on it right now. If I didn't want some of the features of the K-3 I would purchase the K-5iis over the K-50. The K-5iis is $496 at Adorama and comes with a free battery grip.

12-03-2014, 11:16 AM - 1 Like	#11
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by iamwhoiam The K-5iis is an excellent camera and great deal on it right now. If I didn't want some of the features of the K-3 I would purchase the K-5iis over the K-50. The K-5iis is $496 at Adorama and comes with a free battery grip. Which if you don't want can be resold through the Marketplace and further lower the cost of K-5iis ownership

12-03-2014, 11:29 AM	#12
esrandall Closed Account Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Sumner, WA Photos: Albums Posts: 965	Originally posted by Docrwm No negative for the 50, I just found that once I got used to a grip being without one is a no-go for me. Agreed. To a point, I found a thread here that had people using the grip from an old D60 on their K-30. I picked one up cheap, and use it regularly on my K-50, even though you don't get the benefit of using the buttons + extra battery. Just feels better in my hand.

12-03-2014, 11:44 AM	#13
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910	The K-3 is now entering the price bracket that the K-5 IIs occupied just a few months ago. Just a thought, if you want to buy new...

12-03-2014, 12:54 PM - 1 Like	#14
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by esrandall Agreed. To a point, I found a thread here that had people using the grip from an old D60 on their K-30. I picked one up cheap, and use it regularly on my K-50, even though you don't get the benefit of using the buttons + extra battery. Just feels better in my hand. Interesting. The size and fell are certainly a part of why I use the grip. The 2nd battery and buttons are a huge part of it for me too. All day at WDW with 4 full 16gb SD cards and no battery change with the grip says a lot to me.

12-03-2014, 02:23 PM	#15
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by csa but that might not be possible in a couple of weeks Do it today? Steve