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Stevetopia · 12-26-2014, 03:18 PM

Hi Everyone I'm new to the forum, I just inherited my fathers old camera kit which includes pentax k-m42 adaptor, a 1;4/50 and 1;2/55 prime lenses a 1;3.5/28 and 1;3.5/135. I would love to put these to use. I grew up with my Father hauling this kit around where ever we went. I'm looking for recommendations on used camera body's in the $200-$300 range. SOmething to get back into as a hobbyist. Thanks!

soycory · 12-26-2014, 03:19 PM - **1 Like**

k50 - k5

Suleeto · 12-26-2014, 03:34 PM - **1 Like**

Yeah K-50 seems to be the best buy. I paid $460 for a complete kit, NEW. So I'm sure you can get a NEW body for around $300, which means warranty and no wear and tear.

Read and watch video reviews on the K-50 like I did and I think you'll be sold on one.

Adam · 12-26-2014, 03:40 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Stevetopia

Hi Everyone I'm new to the forum, I just inherited my fathers old camera kit which includes pentax k-m42 adaptor, a 1;4/50 and 1;2/55 prime lenses a 1;3.5/28 and 1;3.5/135. I would love to put these to use. I grew up with my Father hauling this kit around where ever we went. I'm looking for recommendations on used camera body's in the $200-$300 range. SOmething to get back into as a hobbyist. Thanks!

I'd also recommend the K-50:
Pentax K-50 Digital SLR Camera Body Black - B&H Photo Video

Adam
PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide | Site Help | My Photography)

PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

Stevetopia · 12-26-2014, 03:46 PM

Okay I guess i'll be going to check out my local store for a k50 I'm in Canada so I imagine it'll be a bit more expensive then what you guys got but we shall see.

redrockcoulee · 12-26-2014, 03:52 PM - **1 Like**

For the Black Friday sales Thecamerastore had three K50 for $3 more than the big New York mail-order ones. They are in Calgary.

dosdan · 12-26-2014, 03:54 PM

If you want a mirrorless camera, which is in permanent LV, and for your MF stuff you have focus-peaking & 1-button press (OK button) to get straight to 6x magnification (remembers the last zoom state, so once you zoom in to 6x, next time you press OK, you're back there again), I suggest also checking out a used K-01. This should be much cheaper than a new K-50.

Dan.

Docrwm · 12-26-2014, 04:01 PM

K-50 is a terrific camera. Its lighter than the K-5 series and less complicated, although its sensor is super. You can look at several cameras to compare on the PFs Camera Comparison page:
Pentax Cameras | Pentax K-3 vs. Pentax K-50 vs. Pentax K-S1 - Pentax DSLR Comparison - PentaxForums.com

The KS1 is selling for less these days too and its got some amazing features. Its shape and externals are not to everyone's taste but it is a competent camera too. Good luck.

Na Horuk · 12-26-2014, 04:50 PM

Pentax cameras are great for m42 lenses. Easy, glassless adapter (doesn't damage optical quality) and focus trapping (aka catch in focus, which gives you something almost like AF with many manual lenses!)
K-30, K-50, even the more budget K-500 would work just fine! Or a K-01, which is mirrorless (no a DSLR), where you look at the screen instead of through an optical viewfinder. I quite like mine for manual lenses! Focus peaking is a great feature, helps a lot with manual focus lenses.

tl;dr: Pentax K-500.

Stevetopia · 12-26-2014, 04:55 PM

So if i found a K-5 in my price range what would you guys do?

Na Horuk · 12-26-2014, 04:56 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Stevetopia

So if i found a K-5 in my price range what would you guys do?

If its used, make sure it is still functional, that it hasn't been abused. Then buy it! Its a great camera, even though its learning curve is a little steeper than the K-30, K-50. It is a higher tier, after all (but practically same imaging sensor. Just different features, options, buttons)

Only problem with K-5 is that it is a relatively old camera, so there is a chance someone is selling a heavily used item. Checking for visible damage and shutter count are the first things.

---------- Post added 27th Dec 2014 at 00:59 ----------

One thing to help with figuring out whether its a good deal is to check prices of recent completed listings on places like ebay. That way you can see what an average price for this camera has been in the past.. month or two.

lguckert79 · 12-26-2014, 05:23 PM

i got to say the k10 d is a good overall camera for that type of lens

Nick Siebers · 12-26-2014, 05:58 PM

I second the K10 idea. Even a K100d or *ist DS would be good. Amazing bargains, used.

**luftfluss** · 12-26-2014, 06:16 PM

The K-S1 is the best Pentax for MF lenses.

Docrwm · 12-26-2014, 06:36 PM

Originally posted by luftfluss

The K-S1 is the best Pentax for MF lenses.

What brings you to that conclusion?

12-26-2014, 03:18 PM	#1
Stevetopia Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Posts: 27	Low cost DSLR to use with my m42 lenses Hi Everyone I'm new to the forum, I just inherited my fathers old camera kit which includes pentax k-m42 adaptor, a 1;4/50 and 1;2/55 prime lenses a 1;3.5/28 and 1;3.5/135. I would love to put these to use. I grew up with my Father hauling this kit around where ever we went. I'm looking for recommendations on used camera body's in the $200-$300 range. SOmething to get back into as a hobbyist. Thanks!

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12-26-2014, 03:19 PM - 1 Like	#2
soycory Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 93	k50 - k5

12-26-2014, 03:34 PM - 1 Like	#3
Suleeto Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 113	Yeah K-50 seems to be the best buy. I paid $460 for a complete kit, NEW. So I'm sure you can get a NEW body for around $300, which means warranty and no wear and tear. Read and watch video reviews on the K-50 like I did and I think you'll be sold on one.

12-26-2014, 03:40 PM - 1 Like	#4
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	Originally posted by Stevetopia Hi Everyone I'm new to the forum, I just inherited my fathers old camera kit which includes pentax k-m42 adaptor, a 1;4/50 and 1;2/55 prime lenses a 1;3.5/28 and 1;3.5/135. I would love to put these to use. I grew up with my Father hauling this kit around where ever we went. I'm looking for recommendations on used camera body's in the $200-$300 range. SOmething to get back into as a hobbyist. Thanks! I'd also recommend the K-50: Pentax K-50 Digital SLR Camera Body Black - B&H Photo Video Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

12-26-2014, 03:46 PM	#5
Stevetopia Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Posts: 27 Original Poster	Okay I guess i'll be going to check out my local store for a k50 I'm in Canada so I imagine it'll be a bit more expensive then what you guys got but we shall see.

12-26-2014, 03:52 PM - 1 Like	#6
redrockcoulee Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Medicine Hat Posts: 2,306	For the Black Friday sales Thecamerastore had three K50 for $3 more than the big New York mail-order ones. They are in Calgary.

12-26-2014, 03:54 PM	#7
dosdan Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,741	If you want a mirrorless camera, which is in permanent LV, and for your MF stuff you have focus-peaking & 1-button press (OK button) to get straight to 6x magnification (remembers the last zoom state, so once you zoom in to 6x, next time you press OK, you're back there again), I suggest also checking out a used K-01. This should be much cheaper than a new K-50. Dan.

12-26-2014, 04:01 PM	#8
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	K-50 is a terrific camera. Its lighter than the K-5 series and less complicated, although its sensor is super. You can look at several cameras to compare on the PFs Camera Comparison page: Pentax Cameras \| Pentax K-3 vs. Pentax K-50 vs. Pentax K-S1 - Pentax DSLR Comparison - PentaxForums.com The KS1 is selling for less these days too and its got some amazing features. Its shape and externals are not to everyone's taste but it is a competent camera too. Good luck.

12-26-2014, 04:50 PM	#9
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Pentax cameras are great for m42 lenses. Easy, glassless adapter (doesn't damage optical quality) and focus trapping (aka catch in focus, which gives you something almost like AF with many manual lenses!) K-30, K-50, even the more budget K-500 would work just fine! Or a K-01, which is mirrorless (no a DSLR), where you look at the screen instead of through an optical viewfinder. I quite like mine for manual lenses! Focus peaking is a great feature, helps a lot with manual focus lenses. tl;dr: Pentax K-500.

12-26-2014, 04:55 PM	#10
Stevetopia Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Posts: 27 Original Poster	So if i found a K-5 in my price range what would you guys do?

12-26-2014, 04:56 PM - 1 Like	#11
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Originally posted by Stevetopia So if i found a K-5 in my price range what would you guys do? If its used, make sure it is still functional, that it hasn't been abused. Then buy it! Its a great camera, even though its learning curve is a little steeper than the K-30, K-50. It is a higher tier, after all (but practically same imaging sensor. Just different features, options, buttons) Only problem with K-5 is that it is a relatively old camera, so there is a chance someone is selling a heavily used item. Checking for visible damage and shutter count are the first things. ---------- Post added 27th Dec 2014 at 00:59 ---------- One thing to help with figuring out whether its a good deal is to check prices of recent completed listings on places like ebay. That way you can see what an average price for this camera has been in the past.. month or two.

12-26-2014, 05:23 PM	#12
lguckert79 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 601	i got to say the k10 d is a good overall camera for that type of lens

12-26-2014, 05:58 PM	#13
Nick Siebers Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Madison, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,165	I second the K10 idea. Even a K100d or *ist DS would be good. Amazing bargains, used.

12-26-2014, 06:16 PM	#14
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,628	The K-S1 is the best Pentax for MF lenses.

12-26-2014, 06:36 PM	#15
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by luftfluss The K-S1 is the best Pentax for MF lenses. What brings you to that conclusion?

Low cost DSLR to use with my m42 lenses

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