Camera for Dad: K-50 & 18-135 or K-S2 &18-50?

Newtophotos · 05-08-2015, 03:45 PM

My father is getting back in to photography (with my help :-) He has one of the last film era Canons and about 5 film lens. Because those lens won't work on any current digital camera we have to get him something new. With a $600 budget I've narrowed it down to two choices for him for his birthday:

1.) K-50 with 18-135mm
2.) K-S2 with 18-50mm

Which would be a better choice for someone getting back into it?

Adam · 05-08-2015, 04:02 PM - **1 Like**

If he plans to shoot with more lenses later on, I'd go for the K-S2. Otherwise, as an all-in-one package, the K-50 would also be a great choice.

condor27596 · 05-08-2015, 04:53 PM

If the budget is hard at 600 if go k-50 and you could add in a plastic fantastic still be below 600.

Sandy Hancock · 05-08-2015, 05:10 PM

Both excellent packages. I haven't used the new 18-50 much yet, but the K-S2 is certainly the more "future proof" body.

FantasticMrFox · 05-08-2015, 05:36 PM

If he has used several film era lenses there is a good chance he's used to primes. Maybe you could opt for the DA 35 f/2.4 + DA 50 f/1.8 instead of a zoom? Faster and much better image quality, only drawback would be that it's a bit less flexible, there's no real wide angle and it's not weather resistant.

Alternatively the K50 + 18-55 WR kit are currently on offer at Amazon for $390, add to that either one of the primes listed above and you've got wide angle and WR covered + better image quality with the prime.

ragde · 05-08-2015, 07:16 PM

Where can you get K-S2 with 18-50mm within the $600 budget ?

ClickMe! · 05-08-2015, 07:36 PM

Hmmm . . . . . . . I would appreciate the KS-2 kit.

Dlanor Sekao · 05-08-2015, 08:03 PM

Being a bit older now myself , and having had a hard time going from film to digital....I would suggest K50 and the 18-135 for starters.

6BQ5 · 05-08-2015, 10:04 PM - **2 Likes**

Follow the glass. Go for the K-50 with the 18-135mm. He'll keep that lens forever - even after upgrading the body.

sterretje · 05-08-2015, 10:16 PM

Maybe consider a MILC with an adapter

Else I think I will go for the newer body.

fredralphfred · 05-09-2015, 01:09 AM

Originally posted by 6BQ5

Follow the glass. Go for the K-50 with the 18-135mm. He'll keep that lens forever - even after upgrading the body.

Absolutely!

Incidentally, "follow[ing] the glass" is why I purchased a Pentax for my first-ever DSLR in 2008, a k200d.

Bodies will change, but the glass stays the same.

Volker76 · 05-09-2015, 04:21 AM

yeah, but the 18-135 isn't THAT great. I would go with the KS2. The K50 is basically a K30 which is a pretty old design. Wifi&the articulated screen are much more important than a lens that is going to be replaced anyway....

**UncleVanya** · 05-09-2015, 07:23 AM

When I reignited my photo habit it was with a k50 and an 18-135. It worked for me, but my dad didn't love his. He returned the 18-135 and got a DA 70 Limited, and that worked for him. The zoom he likes best is my old 50-135, followed by an older FA 28-200.

What lenses does he have now and which are his favourites?

Mistlefoot · 05-09-2015, 11:48 AM

I would go with the KS2. As I get older and am less inclined to lay on the grass for the proper shot, it is the one thing I'd wish my K-30 had. It is possible that your father will never use the screen for shots as he's possibly never used a screen before.

Adam is correct though, with the 2 choices you offer. If you think he will never buy another lens the 18-135 certainly allows him to not have to worry about that in the future. If you think he'll get all enthusiastic again and will add lenses, they his "first" lens isn't as important as something that will offer the easiest transition back into the hobby.

Dlanor Sekao · 05-09-2015, 11:53 AM

Originally posted by Volker76

yeah, but the 18-135 isn't THAT great. I would go with the KS2. The K50 is basically a K30 which is a pretty old design. Wifi&the articulated screen are much more important than a lens that is going to be replaced anyway....

LOL....Pretty old ? What....all of maybe 2 years and still new ones everywhere ?

05-08-2015, 03:45 PM	#1
Newtophotos Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 439	Camera for Dad: K-50 & 18-135 or K-S2 &18-50? My father is getting back in to photography (with my help :-) He has one of the last film era Canons and about 5 film lens. Because those lens won't work on any current digital camera we have to get him something new. With a $600 budget I've narrowed it down to two choices for him for his birthday: 1.) K-50 with 18-135mm 2.) K-S2 with 18-50mm Which would be a better choice for someone getting back into it?

05-08-2015, 04:02 PM - 1 Like	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,593	If he plans to shoot with more lenses later on, I'd go for the K-S2. Otherwise, as an all-in-one package, the K-50 would also be a great choice. 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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05-08-2015, 04:53 PM	#3
condor27596 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Raleigh, NC, USA Posts: 870	If the budget is hard at 600 if go k-50 and you could add in a plastic fantastic still be below 600.

05-08-2015, 05:10 PM	#4
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,267	Both excellent packages. I haven't used the new 18-50 much yet, but the K-S2 is certainly the more "future proof" body.

05-08-2015, 05:36 PM	#5
FantasticMrFox Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Munich Posts: 2,339	If he has used several film era lenses there is a good chance he's used to primes. Maybe you could opt for the DA 35 f/2.4 + DA 50 f/1.8 instead of a zoom? Faster and much better image quality, only drawback would be that it's a bit less flexible, there's no real wide angle and it's not weather resistant. Alternatively the K50 + 18-55 WR kit are currently on offer at Amazon for $390, add to that either one of the primes listed above and you've got wide angle and WR covered + better image quality with the prime.

05-08-2015, 07:16 PM	#6
ragde Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 45	Where can you get K-S2 with 18-50mm within the $600 budget ?

05-08-2015, 07:36 PM	#7
ClickMe! New Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 16	Hmmm . . . . . . . I would appreciate the KS-2 kit.

05-08-2015, 08:03 PM	#8
Dlanor Sekao Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 1,457	Being a bit older now myself , and having had a hard time going from film to digital....I would suggest K50 and the 18-135 for starters.

05-08-2015, 10:04 PM - 2 Likes	#9
6BQ5 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Nevada, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,348	Follow the glass. Go for the K-50 with the 18-135mm. He'll keep that lens forever - even after upgrading the body.

05-08-2015, 10:16 PM	#10
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	Maybe consider a MILC with an adapter Else I think I will go for the newer body.

05-09-2015, 01:09 AM	#11
fredralphfred Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Orting, WA Posts: 252	Originally posted by 6BQ5 Follow the glass. Go for the K-50 with the 18-135mm. He'll keep that lens forever - even after upgrading the body. Absolutely! Incidentally, "follow[ing] the glass" is why I purchased a Pentax for my first-ever DSLR in 2008, a k200d. Bodies will change, but the glass stays the same.

05-09-2015, 04:21 AM	#12
Volker76 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 211	yeah, but the 18-135 isn't THAT great. I would go with the KS2. The K50 is basically a K30 which is a pretty old design. Wifi&the articulated screen are much more important than a lens that is going to be replaced anyway....

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05-09-2015, 07:23 AM	#13
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,385	When I reignited my photo habit it was with a k50 and an 18-135. It worked for me, but my dad didn't love his. He returned the 18-135 and got a DA 70 Limited, and that worked for him. The zoom he likes best is my old 50-135, followed by an older FA 28-200. What lenses does he have now and which are his favourites?

05-09-2015, 11:48 AM	#14
Mistlefoot Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Nanaimo, British Columbia Photos: Albums Posts: 328	I would go with the KS2. As I get older and am less inclined to lay on the grass for the proper shot, it is the one thing I'd wish my K-30 had. It is possible that your father will never use the screen for shots as he's possibly never used a screen before. Adam is correct though, with the 2 choices you offer. If you think he will never buy another lens the 18-135 certainly allows him to not have to worry about that in the future. If you think he'll get all enthusiastic again and will add lenses, they his "first" lens isn't as important as something that will offer the easiest transition back into the hobby.

05-09-2015, 11:53 AM	#15
Dlanor Sekao Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 1,457	Originally posted by Volker76 yeah, but the 18-135 isn't THAT great. I would go with the KS2. The K50 is basically a K30 which is a pretty old design. Wifi&the articulated screen are much more important than a lens that is going to be replaced anyway.... LOL....Pretty old ? What....all of maybe 2 years and still new ones everywhere ?