What to upgrade for my situation? (from K10D to...)

VampyreGTX · 10-13-2015, 01:43 PM

I currently have the K10D along with the following:

Pentax AF-540FGZ Flash
Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens
Pentax DA 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED
Pentax A 50mm/f2.0

I mainly do personal shooting (no professional photography) along with photos for the fire department I'm on when I'm off duty. I occasionally struggle with low-light at nighttime incidents. (I also will be getting back into flying so will look for a good camera for taking pictures of the ground and such from Cessna's, etc.

What would be your recommendations on upgrades? Body first (which one, I've been looking at the K3 or K3II, and why?) Lenses? I know the base DA aren't the best for low-light, but they've worked 'ok' for now.

Funds are a limiting factor, so I can't buy a K3 and a $1k+ lens for example.

If you need any more details, ask away, I'll do my best to answer so you guys can help with a decision as best as possible.

Thanks!

TinaS · 10-13-2015, 02:03 PM - **1 Like**

How about k-3 and da 50 1.8 or da 35 2.4.

**jrpower10** · 10-13-2015, 02:44 PM

A new body will give you more low light bang than a lens upgrade. I traded my K-10 for a K-5 and was amazed by the difference. K-3 or K-3II? Guess it depends on you. You have an external flash so losing the pop up flash probably doesn't matter. In that case I'd go for the K-3II if it's within your budget. Gives you built-in GPS and I hear better autofocus, although that might be marginal.

KDD · 10-13-2015, 02:54 PM

How about 645z? Just kidding!!

mee · 10-13-2015, 04:08 PM

K-3II since it has the built in GPS. That could be handy (at least in theory) for taking photos of stuff in the air and getting a general placement? At least as long as you don't use a telephoto and take photos of stuff wayyyy out near the horizon hehe

That said you might be able to swing a K-3 and a new lens for around 1k due to the pricing deals on the original K-3 right now. Esp if you don't really need the GPS in the II.

---------- Post added 10-13-15 at 06:21 PM ----------

Pentax K-3 vs K10D - Our Analysis

Not an end all be all comparison.. but specs wise.. look at the 'Differences' section. It is a phenomenal difference.. as if you are going from Cessna to Learjet.

**pepperberry farm** · 10-13-2015, 05:39 PM

Adorama's deal for the K-3 that includes the DA 50mm f1.8 sounds like just the fix.....

pinholecam · 10-13-2015, 06:32 PM - **1 Like**

KS2 and a DA35/2.4

With the lenses you have now, you can't utilize any new camera body to its full potential as you only have a manual 50mm and slow zooms.

The DA35/2.4 provides a good fast aperture as well as reportage like focal length of 50mm equivalent to cover the night incidents that you want to cover.

The KS2 is cheap and has the latest AF, sensor on offer for the Pentax mid range cameras.
Most AF complaints solved (or at least I've seen few complaints) which may not be the case for K5 based DSLR.

DayBob · 10-13-2015, 07:11 PM

I currently have the K10D also. The Adorama K-3 deal looks pretty sweet for right now. I've decided to wait until Black Friday and see if I can get a good deal on the K-3 II body. Good luck in your upgrade!

Venom3300 · 10-13-2015, 07:18 PM

K-5IIs + DA 35 2.4 + DA 50 1.8 OR tamron 17-50 2.8

**UncleVanya** · 10-13-2015, 07:54 PM

Unless gps is a serious priority, k3 deal with 50 f1.8 is hard to beat.

Since the current kit from Adorama already includes the 50, buying the cheap 35 f2.4 is a good cheap solution to low light unless you need those wide shots. If you do then spend a bit more on a zoom in the f2.8 range.(Sigma and Pentax make some that used will maybe fit the budget. )

VampyreGTX · 10-13-2015, 09:43 PM

Dang, Thanks for all the feedback! Lot's of suggestions. The GPS isn't a top priority, and I'm a little leery of losing the built in flash as not sure I'd want to drag out the flash for personal family photos....

I was browsing the K3 photo thread, and the crop quality is pretty impressive, so makes getting that package from Adorama all the more appealing.

Other than the GPS (and loss of built-in flash), is there any performance difference between the K3 and K3II?

mtux · 10-14-2015, 02:22 AM

But if low light is a high priority, I'd choose K-5IIs. It's known to have better ISO performance than K-3 due to lower mega pixels. and lower mega pixels help[1] in slower shutter speeds too. so 2 plus.

[1] Higher mega pixels make camera shake issues more visible in the photo. forcing you to use 1 to 1.5 stop faster shutter speeds. at least that's my findings after upgrading from K-30 to K-3.

**realitarian** · 10-14-2015, 06:03 AM

If you are going to take pictures from a plane, I imagine a very wide angle lens allows for some stellar images. Consider one of Sigma 8-16mm, Pentax 12-24mm, Sigma 10-20mm. If you buy one of these lenses used + K-3 + 50mm f1.8 (or 35mm f2.4) - these three should all fit within your $1K budget.

NB: Not sure how well a GPS would function in a fast moving plane. It might, I personally just don't know. Would the GPS not be able to lock on a location at high speeds? Something to research for you if you are considering K-3 IIs for the GPS.

**csa** · 10-14-2015, 06:15 AM

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

Adorama's deal for the K-3 that includes the DA 50mm f1.8 sounds like just the fix.....

I agree, I just ordered this package. It also includes a flash, and a 4% bonus, that comes to around $27 to spend at a later date (40 days). Also included is expedited shipping, which saves even more; all this for $649!! Check this out at Adorama.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/94-pentax-price-watch/304034-k-3-649-w-fr...0mm-flash.html

BTW, I'm also coming from a K10D.

mcgregni · 10-14-2015, 06:16 AM

Originally posted by jrpower10

A new body will give you more low light bang than a lens upgrade. I traded my K-10 for a K-5 and was amazed by the difference. K-3 or K-3II? Guess it depends on you. You have an external flash so losing the pop up flash probably doesn't matter. In that case I'd go for the K-3II if it's within your budget. Gives you built-in GPS and I hear better autofocus, although that might be marginal.

However, the pop-up flash combined with 1 accessory flashgun turns your camera into a wireless triggering device for the off-camera 'slave' flash. This simple set-up can transform flash images incredibly, plus you have the option of allowing light from the pop-up to help with fill -in illumination, or not.

10-13-2015, 01:43 PM	#1
VampyreGTX Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Chicago, IL, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 84	What to upgrade for my situation? (from K10D to...) I currently have the K10D along with the following: Pentax AF-540FGZ Flash Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens Pentax DA 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED Pentax A 50mm/f2.0 I mainly do personal shooting (no professional photography) along with photos for the fire department I'm on when I'm off duty. I occasionally struggle with low-light at nighttime incidents. (I also will be getting back into flying so will look for a good camera for taking pictures of the ground and such from Cessna's, etc. What would be your recommendations on upgrades? Body first (which one, I've been looking at the K3 or K3II, and why?) Lenses? I know the base DA aren't the best for low-light, but they've worked 'ok' for now. Funds are a limiting factor, so I can't buy a K3 and a $1k+ lens for example. If you need any more details, ask away, I'll do my best to answer so you guys can help with a decision as best as possible. Thanks!

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10-13-2015, 02:03 PM - 1 Like	#2
TinaS Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,164	How about k-3 and da 50 1.8 or da 35 2.4.

10-13-2015, 02:44 PM	#3
jrpower10 Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Richland, Washington, USA Posts: 935	A new body will give you more low light bang than a lens upgrade. I traded my K-10 for a K-5 and was amazed by the difference. K-3 or K-3II? Guess it depends on you. You have an external flash so losing the pop up flash probably doesn't matter. In that case I'd go for the K-3II if it's within your budget. Gives you built-in GPS and I hear better autofocus, although that might be marginal.

10-13-2015, 02:54 PM	#4
KDD Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 403	How about 645z? Just kidding!!

10-13-2015, 04:08 PM	#5
mee Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 7,403	K-3II since it has the built in GPS. That could be handy (at least in theory) for taking photos of stuff in the air and getting a general placement? At least as long as you don't use a telephoto and take photos of stuff wayyyy out near the horizon hehe That said you might be able to swing a K-3 and a new lens for around 1k due to the pricing deals on the original K-3 right now. Esp if you don't really need the GPS in the II. ---------- Post added 10-13-15 at 06:21 PM ---------- Pentax K-3 vs K10D - Our Analysis Not an end all be all comparison.. but specs wise.. look at the 'Differences' section. It is a phenomenal difference.. as if you are going from Cessna to Learjet.

10-13-2015, 05:39 PM	#6
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,656	Adorama's deal for the K-3 that includes the DA 50mm f1.8 sounds like just the fix.....

10-13-2015, 06:32 PM - 1 Like	#7
pinholecam Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: North Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,706	KS2 and a DA35/2.4 With the lenses you have now, you can't utilize any new camera body to its full potential as you only have a manual 50mm and slow zooms. The DA35/2.4 provides a good fast aperture as well as reportage like focal length of 50mm equivalent to cover the night incidents that you want to cover. The KS2 is cheap and has the latest AF, sensor on offer for the Pentax mid range cameras. Most AF complaints solved (or at least I've seen few complaints) which may not be the case for K5 based DSLR.

10-13-2015, 07:11 PM	#8
DayBob New Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 15	I currently have the K10D also. The Adorama K-3 deal looks pretty sweet for right now. I've decided to wait until Black Friday and see if I can get a good deal on the K-3 II body. Good luck in your upgrade!

10-13-2015, 07:18 PM	#9
Venom3300 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 714	K-5IIs + DA 35 2.4 + DA 50 1.8 OR tamron 17-50 2.8

10-13-2015, 07:54 PM	#10
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,398	Unless gps is a serious priority, k3 deal with 50 f1.8 is hard to beat. Since the current kit from Adorama already includes the 50, buying the cheap 35 f2.4 is a good cheap solution to low light unless you need those wide shots. If you do then spend a bit more on a zoom in the f2.8 range.(Sigma and Pentax make some that used will maybe fit the budget. )

10-13-2015, 09:43 PM	#11
VampyreGTX Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Chicago, IL, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 84 Original Poster	Dang, Thanks for all the feedback! Lot's of suggestions. The GPS isn't a top priority, and I'm a little leery of losing the built in flash as not sure I'd want to drag out the flash for personal family photos.... I was browsing the K3 photo thread, and the crop quality is pretty impressive, so makes getting that package from Adorama all the more appealing. Other than the GPS (and loss of built-in flash), is there any performance difference between the K3 and K3II?

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10-14-2015, 02:22 AM	#12
mtux Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: the Netherlands Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,444	But if low light is a high priority, I'd choose K-5IIs. It's known to have better ISO performance than K-3 due to lower mega pixels. and lower mega pixels help[1] in slower shutter speeds too. so 2 plus. [1] Higher mega pixels make camera shake issues more visible in the photo. forcing you to use 1 to 1.5 stop faster shutter speeds. at least that's my findings after upgrading from K-30 to K-3.

10-14-2015, 06:03 AM	#13
realitarian Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 221	If you are going to take pictures from a plane, I imagine a very wide angle lens allows for some stellar images. Consider one of Sigma 8-16mm, Pentax 12-24mm, Sigma 10-20mm. If you buy one of these lenses used + K-3 + 50mm f1.8 (or 35mm f2.4) - these three should all fit within your $1K budget. NB: Not sure how well a GPS would function in a fast moving plane. It might, I personally just don't know. Would the GPS not be able to lock on a location at high speeds? Something to research for you if you are considering K-3 IIs for the GPS.

10-14-2015, 06:15 AM	#14
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133	Originally posted by pepperberry farm Adorama's deal for the K-3 that includes the DA 50mm f1.8 sounds like just the fix..... I agree, I just ordered this package. It also includes a flash, and a 4% bonus, that comes to around $27 to spend at a later date (40 days). Also included is expedited shipping, which saves even more; all this for $649!! Check this out at Adorama. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/94-pentax-price-watch/304034-k-3-649-w-fr...0mm-flash.html BTW, I'm also coming from a K10D.

10-14-2015, 06:16 AM	#15
mcgregni Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Surrey, England Posts: 2,603	Originally posted by jrpower10 A new body will give you more low light bang than a lens upgrade. I traded my K-10 for a K-5 and was amazed by the difference. K-3 or K-3II? Guess it depends on you. You have an external flash so losing the pop up flash probably doesn't matter. In that case I'd go for the K-3II if it's within your budget. Gives you built-in GPS and I hear better autofocus, although that might be marginal. However, the pop-up flash combined with 1 accessory flashgun turns your camera into a wireless triggering device for the off-camera 'slave' flash. This simple set-up can transform flash images incredibly, plus you have the option of allowing light from the pop-up to help with fill -in illumination, or not.