Suggestions for getting a used PENTAX DSLR

Bustedup · 03-07-2015, 07:29 PM

I'm wanting to get a used Pentax DSLR. I gave my oldest daughter my Lumix FZ-20. I have a small collection of Pentax film SLR's and a 645, but I'm tiring of the ordering of film, mailing it off, waiting its return. I was severely injured when I got ran over on my motorcycle. My injuries have healed but I quickly learned that lugging around my 35mm or 645 kit is quite tiring and a literal pain. My idea is an APS-C DSLR with a wide angle to zoom lens or maybe a two lens setup. I'M NOT INTERESTED IN A MIRRORLESS CAMERA due to my right hand injury. Weight isn't as important as a large easily grip able handhold. I have a variety of K and KA lenses but quite frankly my eyes aren't what they used to be and I will probably wind up using autofocus lenses.
I would like an articulating view screen to better help me take photographs due to my leg injuries limiting my ability to crouch, kneel and bend over but it isn't a deal breaker.
Any suggestions? Used or discontinued bodies are fine.

VoiceOfReason · 03-07-2015, 07:35 PM

What you are looking for is a KS-2 due to the articulating screen thing. It is a new one. Not sure on the grip though. If it weren't for that I'd say the K3 since it has a nice an comfortable feel to it.

Bustedup · 03-07-2015, 07:46 PM

I'm wanting to get into a DSLR for less money than new. How about a K100D?
Alan

K57XR · 03-07-2015, 07:46 PM

If you can go without the articulating screen I'd grab the now discontinued K5IIs. At how much B&H is selling them for is a screaming deal for such a great body. It will be just a matter of time when they run out of stock. What is your budget range, if you don't mind me asking?

Last edited by K57XR; 03-07-2015 at 07:49 PM. Reason: Clarification.

**jatrax** · 03-07-2015, 07:50 PM

KS-2 is the only Pentax DSLR with articulating screen.

Other than that a used k-5IIs is about as good as you can get.

If price is the biggest factor look for used k-x or k-r

Adam · 03-07-2015, 08:00 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Bustedup

I'm wanting to get into a DSLR for less money than new. How about a K100D?
Alan

You can also get a K-30 or K-50 for cheap. I wouldn't bother with the K100D, it's a really dated body.

VoiceOfReason · 03-07-2015, 08:09 PM

Originally posted by Bustedup

I'm wanting to get into a DSLR for less money than new. How about a K100D?
Alan

K30, K50, or K5. The K5 can take a battery grip. I wouldn't bother with anything older. Keep an eye on the Marketplace here. You canfind good deals on occasion.

SpecialK · 03-07-2015, 08:22 PM

Quote:

You can also get a K-30 or K-50 for cheap. I wouldn't bother with the K100D, it's a really dated body.

Yeah, kinda old - and a very loud mirror/shutter! You can find newer used bodies like a K20 pehaps for $200 or less that are a step or two up from the 6 MP K100D - though it was nice at the time :-)

GlennG · 03-07-2015, 08:45 PM

Originally posted by SpecialK

the 6 MP K100D - though it was nice at the time :-)

And it still is, though we don't think of it as such. My K100d Super is just as nice and capable now as when it the model was introduced in 2007. Though I have to agree with Adam - at some point, the 100 series looks really old, and some newer bodies are really great for not much money. I have the K5 now, but as pointed out above, the K5IIS is an absolute screaming deal now.

**UncleVanya** · 03-07-2015, 09:04 PM

What is your budget?

The K50, and KS1 are available in the $360-400 range, used prices vary but the marketplace is a good place to start. I have a used K100D Super that I can sum up.

K100D (Super or not):
ISO 100-800 is about it. Above 200 is noticeable.
Slow autofocus, sometimes misses in low light.
Auto White balance is so so.
6.1 mp is adequate, if you don't try to crop much.
JPG or RAW in PEF format - not both.
Not weather sealed.
AA batteries.

**luftfluss** · 03-07-2015, 09:47 PM

Another advantage of the newer Pentaxes is the viewfinder is much larger and brighter than on the K100D.

Sorry to read about your injuries.

narual · 03-07-2015, 10:23 PM

Something like this might be useful in lieu of the articulating screen:
Amazon.com : Opteka Professional 1X-2.5X Right Angle Viewfinder for Canon EOS, Nikon, Olympus, Sony, & Pentax Digital SLR Cameras : Camera And Camcorder Viewfinders : Camera & Photo

Bustedup · 03-07-2015, 10:41 PM

Narual, thanks for that link. That is such a neat gizmo. Now that is exactly what I need for a DSLR. Now I can stay with Pentax and get a device that will save me some pain.

---------- Post added 03-07-15 at 11:47 PM ----------

I was wanting to stay around $200 for a body and $300 for a body and lens. Not wanting to sink a lot of money into it right now. Am thinking of selling off my 645 kit.

K57XR · 03-07-2015, 11:25 PM

Originally posted by Bustedup

I was wanting to stay around $200 for a body and $300 for a body and lens. Not wanting to sink a lot of money into it right now. Am thinking of selling off my 645 kit.

If you could possibly stretch it to $350, KEH currently has K-30 with 18-55 WR for $349.
https://www.keh.com/363521/pentax-k-30-black-with-18-55mm-f-3-5-5-6-da-al-wr...amera-16-3-m-p

sterretje · 03-08-2015, 12:21 AM

For me, the main advantage of newer bodies is the high ISO performance. For the rest, I love the K100D as much as the K5. Dual controls, pentaprism and 100% coverage, AF finetuning and other goodies that the newer models offer are nice to have.

Be aware that the K100D does not support SDM; the K100D super and newer does; so e.g. a Pentax 18-135 or Pentax 17-70 will be manual focus.

For the lens, you mention 'wide to zoom'. It's a bit difficult to judge what you mean by that. Maybe a Pentax 16-45 (giving the same FOV as a 24-70 on your film SLRs). If budget is limited, just get the camera with the kit lens (you can always upgrade later).

03-07-2015, 07:29 PM	#1
Bustedup Junior Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 25	Suggestions for getting a used PENTAX DSLR I'm wanting to get a used Pentax DSLR. I gave my oldest daughter my Lumix FZ-20. I have a small collection of Pentax film SLR's and a 645, but I'm tiring of the ordering of film, mailing it off, waiting its return. I was severely injured when I got ran over on my motorcycle. My injuries have healed but I quickly learned that lugging around my 35mm or 645 kit is quite tiring and a literal pain. My idea is an APS-C DSLR with a wide angle to zoom lens or maybe a two lens setup. I'M NOT INTERESTED IN A MIRRORLESS CAMERA due to my right hand injury. Weight isn't as important as a large easily grip able handhold. I have a variety of K and KA lenses but quite frankly my eyes aren't what they used to be and I will probably wind up using autofocus lenses. I would like an articulating view screen to better help me take photographs due to my leg injuries limiting my ability to crouch, kneel and bend over but it isn't a deal breaker. Any suggestions? Used or discontinued bodies are fine.

03-07-2015, 08:00 PM - 1 Like	#6
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Originally posted by Bustedup I'm wanting to get into a DSLR for less money than new. How about a K100D? Alan You can also get a K-30 or K-50 for cheap. I wouldn't bother with the K100D, it's a really dated body. 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:

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03-07-2015, 07:35 PM	#2
VoiceOfReason Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Mishawaka IN area Photos: Albums Posts: 6,124	What you are looking for is a KS-2 due to the articulating screen thing. It is a new one. Not sure on the grip though. If it weren't for that I'd say the K3 since it has a nice an comfortable feel to it.

03-07-2015, 07:46 PM	#3
Bustedup Junior Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 25 Original Poster	I'm wanting to get into a DSLR for less money than new. How about a K100D? Alan

03-07-2015, 07:46 PM	#4
K57XR Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 830	If you can go without the articulating screen I'd grab the now discontinued K5IIs. At how much B&H is selling them for is a screaming deal for such a great body. It will be just a matter of time when they run out of stock. What is your budget range, if you don't mind me asking? Last edited by K57XR; 03-07-2015 at 07:49 PM. Reason: Clarification.

03-07-2015, 07:50 PM	#5
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	KS-2 is the only Pentax DSLR with articulating screen. Other than that a used k-5IIs is about as good as you can get. If price is the biggest factor look for used k-x or k-r

03-07-2015, 08:09 PM	#7
VoiceOfReason Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Mishawaka IN area Photos: Albums Posts: 6,124	Originally posted by Bustedup I'm wanting to get into a DSLR for less money than new. How about a K100D? Alan K30, K50, or K5. The K5 can take a battery grip. I wouldn't bother with anything older. Keep an eye on the Marketplace here. You canfind good deals on occasion.

03-07-2015, 08:22 PM	#8
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,481	Quote: You can also get a K-30 or K-50 for cheap. I wouldn't bother with the K100D, it's a really dated body. Yeah, kinda old - and a very loud mirror/shutter! You can find newer used bodies like a K20 pehaps for $200 or less that are a step or two up from the 6 MP K100D - though it was nice at the time :-)

03-07-2015, 08:45 PM	#9
GlennG Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 824	Originally posted by SpecialK the 6 MP K100D - though it was nice at the time :-) And it still is, though we don't think of it as such. My K100d Super is just as nice and capable now as when it the model was introduced in 2007. Though I have to agree with Adam - at some point, the 100 series looks really old, and some newer bodies are really great for not much money. I have the K5 now, but as pointed out above, the K5IIS is an absolute screaming deal now.

03-07-2015, 09:04 PM	#10
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,403	What is your budget? The K50, and KS1 are available in the $360-400 range, used prices vary but the marketplace is a good place to start. I have a used K100D Super that I can sum up. K100D (Super or not): ISO 100-800 is about it. Above 200 is noticeable. Slow autofocus, sometimes misses in low light. Auto White balance is so so. 6.1 mp is adequate, if you don't try to crop much. JPG or RAW in PEF format - not both. Not weather sealed. AA batteries.

03-07-2015, 09:47 PM	#11
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,619	Another advantage of the newer Pentaxes is the viewfinder is much larger and brighter than on the K100D. Sorry to read about your injuries.

03-07-2015, 10:23 PM	#12
narual Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: South Bend (Notre Dame), Indiana Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,988	Something like this might be useful in lieu of the articulating screen: Amazon.com : Opteka Professional 1X-2.5X Right Angle Viewfinder for Canon EOS, Nikon, Olympus, Sony, & Pentax Digital SLR Cameras : Camera And Camcorder Viewfinders : Camera & Photo

03-07-2015, 10:41 PM	#13
Bustedup Junior Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 25 Original Poster	Narual, thanks for that link. That is such a neat gizmo. Now that is exactly what I need for a DSLR. Now I can stay with Pentax and get a device that will save me some pain. ---------- Post added 03-07-15 at 11:47 PM ---------- I was wanting to stay around $200 for a body and $300 for a body and lens. Not wanting to sink a lot of money into it right now. Am thinking of selling off my 645 kit.

03-07-2015, 11:25 PM	#14
K57XR Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 830	Originally posted by Bustedup I was wanting to stay around $200 for a body and $300 for a body and lens. Not wanting to sink a lot of money into it right now. Am thinking of selling off my 645 kit. If you could possibly stretch it to $350, KEH currently has K-30 with 18-55 WR for $349. https://www.keh.com/363521/pentax-k-30-black-with-18-55mm-f-3-5-5-6-da-al-wr...amera-16-3-m-p

03-08-2015, 12:21 AM	#15
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	For me, the main advantage of newer bodies is the high ISO performance. For the rest, I love the K100D as much as the K5. Dual controls, pentaprism and 100% coverage, AF finetuning and other goodies that the newer models offer are nice to have. Be aware that the K100D does not support SDM; the K100D super and newer does; so e.g. a Pentax 18-135 or Pentax 17-70 will be manual focus. For the lens, you mention 'wide to zoom'. It's a bit difficult to judge what you mean by that. Maybe a Pentax 16-45 (giving the same FOV as a 24-70 on your film SLRs). If budget is limited, just get the camera with the kit lens (you can always upgrade later).