K-S2 vs K-50

ScooterMaxi Jim · 02-25-2015, 08:13 PM - **1 Like**

I'm using M ratio - and really love it. I use it to trigger my big Auto flash using a Wein HS optical slave. Both flashes can use a card flash modifier that directs light softly, or even with some ceiling bounce (not so much with the on-board, of course). The modifier for the on-board is a Joe Demb DeLuxe Pop-It - great device. As mentioned the M ratio can go down to 1/128 (contributing practically no light) - yet will trigger the external flash held off camera (with optical slave). A lot of great light shaping is the result - the variety is nearly unlimited (especially so if you have a nice white ceiling available within 10 feet).

Best of all, you get instant trigger. No pTTL delay, no pre-flash problems, no blinkies, no extra radio batteries or channel settings to worry about. A dream for all strobists. Totally KiSS.

JimC1101 · 02-26-2015, 02:09 AM

Originally posted by ScooterMaxi Jim

I wouldn't sweat the lack of a hard AF.C button. How often would you be changing it, anyways? All I know is that I have changed it by mistake on my older cameras, and who knows how long it took for me to notice it. Putting it in menus was a smart move IMHO. Unless you really need swivel, I don't see enough difference between the two models you are considering. A big advantage not mentioned, though, is that the K-S2 has M ratio for the on-board flash (a K-3 feature I really like). If you want to work around pTTL, this a very nice little feature - especially if you plan to use the on-board for a Master/Controller of an external flash.

Of course, you can get the K-3 for a few bucks more than the K-S2 - and if you "move" your older equipment, the K-3 will fetch far more than the K-S2 in the used market down the road.

The only button I wish I do have, which the K-30/50 and S2 don't have, is the separate button for back AF. My K-30 has a combo button to either have an AE lock or back AF, which I love using much better than using the shutter button. Because of this, I would consider the 5IIS since it is also cheaper these days too.

**Suhail** · 04-02-2015, 08:45 PM

Well, I am getting K-S2 very soon, probably ordering in next couple of days. The camera looks great and I need an additional camera to keep my Pentax DA 15 mm on it for all the times haha.

crosas · 04-03-2015, 06:30 AM

K-S2 is a great entry level DSLR, I think K-S2 is better

imno007 · 04-06-2015, 01:43 PM

Can anyone tell me if the Pentax K-S2 has visible AF points in viewfinder? TIA

**THoog** · 04-08-2015, 05:58 AM

Originally posted by imno007

Can anyone tell me if the Pentax K-S2 has visible AF points in viewfinder? TIA

Yes, the only recent Pentax bodies that do not are the K-m, K-x, and K-500.

zeds · 04-08-2015, 06:31 AM

Originally posted by AlexL

I love my K-50, it's such a fun camera, and it's had a fantastic but very rough year (broke the weather seal, shorted out the flash, etc). I was thinking of replacing it with another K-50 since the price has dropped a lot, but now the K-S2 has been announced. It's specs look more like a K-50 replacement than a K-S1 one. There are a few non-improvement differences vs the K-50 that don't bother me, like the slightly slower shooting speed (5.4 vs 6 fps) and no AA battery support. Then there's the removal of AF.C mode from the AF switch (presumably now an menu-only setting), which does bug me a little. Are there other differences that don't seem like an improvement from the K-50?

I'm likely going to get the K-S2 anyway since it's other specs are such an improvement, like SAFOX X for low light AF, the swivel screen could be great for macro work in weird angles, and UHS-1 might speed up the shooting when the buffer fills. Can't wait to see the initial reviews. Thanks.

I love my K-50, my K-50 is The best Cam.

imno007 · 04-08-2015, 07:52 AM

Originally posted by THoog

Yes, the only recent Pentax bodies that do not are the K-m, K-x, and K-500.

Thank you, I just wanted to be double sure. I have a K-X and didn't think it was that big of a deal at first, but over time I came to realize that the visible AF points can come in very handy.

sterretje · 04-08-2015, 11:05 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by imno007

I have a K-X and didn't think it was that big of a deal at first, but over time I came to realize that the visible AF points can come in very handy.

Although I mostly shoot center AF, I have learned to even appreciate it for that. I often shoot in very dim conditions and have no idea what I'm aiming at till I see the focus point indicator light up so I know what the center of the viewfinder is

imno007 · 04-08-2015, 01:10 PM

My apologies to the OP, because I know it's off-topic, but thought I'd share this for anyone interested in seeing a Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-S2 comparison (DigitalRev TV)

You Tube

Steve.Ledger · 04-08-2015, 03:49 PM

Yes, it rather is off-topic.
And was posted already in it's own thread, as it should be..

► https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/184-pentax-k-s1-k-s2/292662-digitalrev-tv...-vs-d5500.html

imno007 · 04-08-2015, 04:15 PM

Originally posted by Steve.Ledger

Yes, it rather is off-topic.
And was posted already in it's own thread, as it should be..

► https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/184-pentax-k-s1-k-s2/292662-digitalrev-tv...-vs-d5500.html

Check that post time. It was either posted just seconds before or seconds after my own. As for whether or not I should have posted it in its own thread...probably, but too late now.

Steve.Ledger · 04-09-2015, 05:02 AM

Originally posted by imno007

Check that post time. It was either posted just seconds before or seconds after my own. As for whether or not I should have posted it in its own thread...probably, but too late now.

I think you'll find there is an hour difference between your post and the thread I linked to.
I'd read and viewed the earlier post nearly an hour before you posted, hence my comment.
What were you looking at to calculate just 'seconds' ??

imno007 · 04-09-2015, 06:17 AM

Originally posted by Steve.Ledger

I think you'll find there is an hour difference between your post and the thread I linked to.
I'd read and viewed the earlier post nearly an hour before you posted, hence my comment.
What were you looking at to calculate just 'seconds' ??

I was looking at the thread creation time, which when I looked ( I double-checked) said 3 hours ago for both posts. As far as I can tell, it doesn't give you the exact minute and second except for last posts, so I was going off the 3 hour mark - and the fact that I hadn't seen the other thread beforehand. Now it's showing the hour difference, so apparently the system isn't reliable 100% of the time for instantaneous updates - maybe took till the next cron job to make the correct adjustment. In any case, if we keep having this discussion about my off-topic post, we'll really be going off-topic, so let's just leave at it is what it is. No big deal in my book. I already apologized to the OP for it, if it bothered him. And I've run my own forums, and I can tell you it would be a very small matter to me indeed. If a post really bothers me, I delete it or move it, otherwise people can assume I don't much care. And if the OP cares, he can say something.

04-08-2015, 04:15 PM	#27
imno007 Forum Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 53	Originally posted by Steve.Ledger Yes, it rather is off-topic. And was posted already in it's own thread, as it should be.. ► https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/184-pentax-k-s1-k-s2/292662-digitalrev-tv...-vs-d5500.html Check that post time. It was either posted just seconds before or seconds after my own. As for whether or not I should have posted it in its own thread...probably, but too late now. Last edited by imno007; 04-08-2015 at 04:26 PM.

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02-25-2015, 08:13 PM - 1 Like	#16
ScooterMaxi Jim Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,520	I'm using M ratio - and really love it. I use it to trigger my big Auto flash using a Wein HS optical slave. Both flashes can use a card flash modifier that directs light softly, or even with some ceiling bounce (not so much with the on-board, of course). The modifier for the on-board is a Joe Demb DeLuxe Pop-It - great device. As mentioned the M ratio can go down to 1/128 (contributing practically no light) - yet will trigger the external flash held off camera (with optical slave). A lot of great light shaping is the result - the variety is nearly unlimited (especially so if you have a nice white ceiling available within 10 feet). Best of all, you get instant trigger. No pTTL delay, no pre-flash problems, no blinkies, no extra radio batteries or channel settings to worry about. A dream for all strobists. Totally KiSS.

02-26-2015, 02:09 AM	#17
JimC1101 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Fremont, Ca Photos: Albums Posts: 395	Originally posted by ScooterMaxi Jim I wouldn't sweat the lack of a hard AF.C button. How often would you be changing it, anyways? All I know is that I have changed it by mistake on my older cameras, and who knows how long it took for me to notice it. Putting it in menus was a smart move IMHO. Unless you really need swivel, I don't see enough difference between the two models you are considering. A big advantage not mentioned, though, is that the K-S2 has M ratio for the on-board flash (a K-3 feature I really like). If you want to work around pTTL, this a very nice little feature - especially if you plan to use the on-board for a Master/Controller of an external flash. Of course, you can get the K-3 for a few bucks more than the K-S2 - and if you "move" your older equipment, the K-3 will fetch far more than the K-S2 in the used market down the road. The only button I wish I do have, which the K-30/50 and S2 don't have, is the separate button for back AF. My K-30 has a combo button to either have an AE lock or back AF, which I love using much better than using the shutter button. Because of this, I would consider the 5IIS since it is also cheaper these days too.

04-02-2015, 08:45 PM	#18
Suhail Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Mississauga Photos: Gallery Posts: 345	Well, I am getting K-S2 very soon, probably ordering in next couple of days. The camera looks great and I need an additional camera to keep my Pentax DA 15 mm on it for all the times haha.

04-03-2015, 06:30 AM	#19
crosas New Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 1	K-S2 is a great entry level DSLR, I think K-S2 is better

04-06-2015, 01:43 PM	#20
imno007 Forum Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 53	Can anyone tell me if the Pentax K-S2 has visible AF points in viewfinder? TIA

04-08-2015, 05:58 AM	#21
THoog Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,685	Originally posted by imno007 Can anyone tell me if the Pentax K-S2 has visible AF points in viewfinder? TIA Yes, the only recent Pentax bodies that do not are the K-m, K-x, and K-500.

04-08-2015, 06:31 AM	#22
zeds New Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 21	Originally posted by AlexL I love my K-50, it's such a fun camera, and it's had a fantastic but very rough year (broke the weather seal, shorted out the flash, etc). I was thinking of replacing it with another K-50 since the price has dropped a lot, but now the K-S2 has been announced. It's specs look more like a K-50 replacement than a K-S1 one. There are a few non-improvement differences vs the K-50 that don't bother me, like the slightly slower shooting speed (5.4 vs 6 fps) and no AA battery support. Then there's the removal of AF.C mode from the AF switch (presumably now an menu-only setting), which does bug me a little. Are there other differences that don't seem like an improvement from the K-50? I'm likely going to get the K-S2 anyway since it's other specs are such an improvement, like SAFOX X for low light AF, the swivel screen could be great for macro work in weird angles, and UHS-1 might speed up the shooting when the buffer fills. Can't wait to see the initial reviews. Thanks. I love my K-50, my K-50 is The best Cam.

04-08-2015, 07:52 AM	#23
imno007 Forum Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 53	Originally posted by THoog Yes, the only recent Pentax bodies that do not are the K-m, K-x, and K-500. Thank you, I just wanted to be double sure. I have a K-X and didn't think it was that big of a deal at first, but over time I came to realize that the visible AF points can come in very handy.

04-08-2015, 11:05 AM - 1 Like	#24
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	Originally posted by imno007 I have a K-X and didn't think it was that big of a deal at first, but over time I came to realize that the visible AF points can come in very handy. Although I mostly shoot center AF, I have learned to even appreciate it for that. I often shoot in very dim conditions and have no idea what I'm aiming at till I see the focus point indicator light up so I know what the center of the viewfinder is

04-08-2015, 03:49 PM	#26
Steve.Ledger Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Far North Qld Posts: 3,301	Yes, it rather is off-topic. And was posted already in it's own thread, as it should be.. ► https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/184-pentax-k-s1-k-s2/292662-digitalrev-tv...-vs-d5500.html

04-09-2015, 05:02 AM	#28
Steve.Ledger Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Far North Qld Posts: 3,301	Originally posted by imno007 Check that post time. It was either posted just seconds before or seconds after my own. As for whether or not I should have posted it in its own thread...probably, but too late now. I think you'll find there is an hour difference between your post and the thread I linked to. I'd read and viewed the earlier post nearly an hour before you posted, hence my comment. What were you looking at to calculate just 'seconds' ??

04-09-2015, 06:17 AM	#29
imno007 Forum Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 53	Originally posted by Steve.Ledger I think you'll find there is an hour difference between your post and the thread I linked to. I'd read and viewed the earlier post nearly an hour before you posted, hence my comment. What were you looking at to calculate just 'seconds' ?? I was looking at the thread creation time, which when I looked ( I double-checked) said 3 hours ago for both posts. As far as I can tell, it doesn't give you the exact minute and second except for last posts, so I was going off the 3 hour mark - and the fact that I hadn't seen the other thread beforehand. Now it's showing the hour difference, so apparently the system isn't reliable 100% of the time for instantaneous updates - maybe took till the next cron job to make the correct adjustment. In any case, if we keep having this discussion about my off-topic post, we'll really be going off-topic, so let's just leave at it is what it is. No big deal in my book. I already apologized to the OP for it, if it bothered him. And I've run my own forums, and I can tell you it would be a very small matter to me indeed. If a post really bothers me, I delete it or move it, otherwise people can assume I don't much care. And if the OP cares, he can say something.