Used k30 vs New k50

Senko · 02-12-2016, 06:21 AM

Found a pretty good deal on a used k30, like new, with low shutter activation's. I've recently been reading about the black screen of death on some of these k30/50 camera's.
How common is the k30 failure, from some of the forums I've read it seems pretty common.

Worth the risk to buy used 30k or am I better off buying a new K50 (twice as much $$$) but its brand new and I get the warranty.

Or skip all together and grad a k2s?

Thoughts?

Nuij · 02-12-2016, 06:58 AM

16+k clicks on my K30 without any problem so far.

Senko · 02-12-2016, 07:06 AM

Yeah, from what I'm seeing some people have no issues whatsoever while others have many - seems to be a coin toss. The K30 I'm looking at also has a slight creak in the handle, not to worried about that though, guessing its just a matter of tightening a few screws.

Kozlok · 02-12-2016, 07:16 AM

I've had my K-30 for a long time, never anything like a black screen of death. I upgraded to a KS-2 last year, and for me, the upgrade was significant. If you can swing the extra cash, the KS-2 may be worth it. The two features I really like on the KS-2 are the -3EV focusing, and the flippy screen. The increased resolution is nice, sometimes, when I really need to crop. The resolution, to me, is significantly less important than the other features.

The only place where the KS-2 is worse is it won't wirelessly control an external flash with the popup flash. I did use that feature some on the K-30, so I'll probably just spring for some radio triggers soon, so there's a workaround for that.

**THoog** · 02-12-2016, 07:17 AM

For every person that complains on PF about the aperture block failure (and complains, and complains, and complains

), there are at least ten who don't. My K-30 still works fine. I'm starting to think that they either fail fairly early, or never, so a used K-30 may actually be more reliable than a new K-50 (which has the same component that sometimes fails).

VoiceOfReason · 02-12-2016, 07:41 AM

If you can afford the KS2 then I'd go for it.

Senko · 02-12-2016, 07:54 AM

Tilt screen would be nice for macro, but not too worried about extra megapixels and or wifi. Any other advantage of the ks2 vs used k30? . It's almost triple the $$.

**THoog** · 02-12-2016, 08:13 AM

This is my standard answer on K-30/50 versus K-S1/S2: The 20MP sensor gives you a little better detail in good light. In poor light, it has a little more noise than the 16MP, but the noise is of the luminance variety and fairly easy to clean up in post-processing, if you don't mind the extra step.

VoiceOfReason · 02-12-2016, 08:59 AM

Higher resolution, no AA filter, better focusing

**RGlasel** · 02-12-2016, 09:38 AM

Originally posted by Senko

Tilt screen would be nice for macro

If that feature isn't worth the extra money, the extra pixels, wifi and upgraded processor won't be worth it. As for K-30 vs K-50, it's even simpler. Is having a new camera compared to a slightly used camera worth the extra money? You can probably live with the pointier front of the prism and built-in flash housing of the K-30 for even a very small difference in cost, otherwise the two models are close to identical as you can get. I've had my K-30 since June 2012 and it has a few scuffs from rough handling but zero operational problems. If you are positive you will need to use the warranty of any new product, don't buy it!

**interested_observer** · 02-12-2016, 10:15 AM

I have never used a K30 or K50, but the problems that you are reading about have not been reported as being that large or wide spread. The oil splattering problems of Nikon's D800 D600 or the K5 were substantially much larger (and problems happen to every brand). The K30/50 is probably down in the single digit percentages. However, I will recognize that if it happens to you, it's an entirely different matter.

It all becomes a matter of statistics and probability. I know that it not a good answer - nor what you wanted to hear.....

**kernos** · 02-12-2016, 10:30 AM

Originally posted by THoog

For every person that complains on PF about the aperture block failure (and complains, and complains, and complains

), there are at least ten who don't. My K-30 still works fine. I'm starting to think that they either fail fairly early, or never, so a used K-30 may actually be more reliable than a new K-50 (which has the same component that sometimes fails).

My K30 failed after two years and my K50 after 7 months. So that's probably nothing to bank on.

**Spodeworld** · 02-12-2016, 11:32 AM

I'd go for the K-S2 for the -3 EV focusing. I've noticed with the K30, it can struggle a little in low light.

mellowyeahlow · 02-14-2016, 08:17 PM

my 2 year old K30 developed some serious aperature issues.
I also hear K50 people having the same issues.

So yeah.... looks like what ever they do...... K-5 or K-3 is the way to go....

**Des** · 02-14-2016, 11:36 PM

I've had two K-30 bodies and no problems (maybe 20,000 actuations between them). But I have no idea what the odds are. One poster in this thread was struck by lightning twice.

The things I notice most when I pick up the K-30 after using my K-3 are the slower and less precise AF, poorer low light focusing, the lighter build, and the noisy shutter. But it still takes very good pictures. The 16mp sensor is a gem. And the camera fits my hand very comfortably.

I'd look at a used K-5 too if it's within budget. You get the 16mp sensor with sturdier (flagship) build, quieter shutter, better low light AF and without the aperture control issue. Ideally the K-5iis because it doesn't have the AA filter, but the original K-5 seems to be quite a bit cheaper.

02-12-2016, 06:21 AM	#1
Senko Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Posts: 59	Used k30 vs New k50 Found a pretty good deal on a used k30, like new, with low shutter activation's. I've recently been reading about the black screen of death on some of these k30/50 camera's. How common is the k30 failure, from some of the forums I've read it seems pretty common. Worth the risk to buy used 30k or am I better off buying a new K50 (twice as much $$$) but its brand new and I get the warranty. Or skip all together and grad a k2s? Thoughts?

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02-12-2016, 06:58 AM	#2
Nuij Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Ospeldijk Posts: 60	16+k clicks on my K30 without any problem so far.

02-12-2016, 07:06 AM	#3
Senko Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Posts: 59 Original Poster	Yeah, from what I'm seeing some people have no issues whatsoever while others have many - seems to be a coin toss. The K30 I'm looking at also has a slight creak in the handle, not to worried about that though, guessing its just a matter of tightening a few screws.

02-12-2016, 07:16 AM	#4
Kozlok Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Albuquerque Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,148	I've had my K-30 for a long time, never anything like a black screen of death. I upgraded to a KS-2 last year, and for me, the upgrade was significant. If you can swing the extra cash, the KS-2 may be worth it. The two features I really like on the KS-2 are the -3EV focusing, and the flippy screen. The increased resolution is nice, sometimes, when I really need to crop. The resolution, to me, is significantly less important than the other features. The only place where the KS-2 is worse is it won't wirelessly control an external flash with the popup flash. I did use that feature some on the K-30, so I'll probably just spring for some radio triggers soon, so there's a workaround for that.

02-12-2016, 07:17 AM	#5
THoog Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,685	For every person that complains on PF about the aperture block failure (and complains, and complains, and complains ), there are at least ten who don't. My K-30 still works fine. I'm starting to think that they either fail fairly early, or never, so a used K-30 may actually be more reliable than a new K-50 (which has the same component that sometimes fails).

02-12-2016, 07:41 AM	#6
VoiceOfReason Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Mishawaka IN area Photos: Albums Posts: 6,124	If you can afford the KS2 then I'd go for it.

02-12-2016, 07:54 AM	#7
Senko Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Posts: 59 Original Poster	Tilt screen would be nice for macro, but not too worried about extra megapixels and or wifi. Any other advantage of the ks2 vs used k30? . It's almost triple the $$.

02-12-2016, 08:13 AM	#8
THoog Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,685	This is my standard answer on K-30/50 versus K-S1/S2: The 20MP sensor gives you a little better detail in good light. In poor light, it has a little more noise than the 16MP, but the noise is of the luminance variety and fairly easy to clean up in post-processing, if you don't mind the extra step.

02-12-2016, 08:59 AM	#9
VoiceOfReason Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Mishawaka IN area Photos: Albums Posts: 6,124	Higher resolution, no AA filter, better focusing

02-12-2016, 09:38 AM	#10
RGlasel Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Saskatoon Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,228	Originally posted by Senko Tilt screen would be nice for macro If that feature isn't worth the extra money, the extra pixels, wifi and upgraded processor won't be worth it. As for K-30 vs K-50, it's even simpler. Is having a new camera compared to a slightly used camera worth the extra money? You can probably live with the pointier front of the prism and built-in flash housing of the K-30 for even a very small difference in cost, otherwise the two models are close to identical as you can get. I've had my K-30 since June 2012 and it has a few scuffs from rough handling but zero operational problems. If you are positive you will need to use the warranty of any new product, don't buy it!

02-12-2016, 10:15 AM	#11
interested_observer Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tumbleweed, Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,707	I have never used a K30 or K50, but the problems that you are reading about have not been reported as being that large or wide spread. The oil splattering problems of Nikon's D800 D600 or the K5 were substantially much larger (and problems happen to every brand). The K30/50 is probably down in the single digit percentages. However, I will recognize that if it happens to you, it's an entirely different matter. It all becomes a matter of statistics and probability. I know that it not a good answer - nor what you wanted to hear.....

02-12-2016, 10:30 AM	#12
kernos Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 456	Originally posted by THoog For every person that complains on PF about the aperture block failure (and complains, and complains, and complains ), there are at least ten who don't. My K-30 still works fine. I'm starting to think that they either fail fairly early, or never, so a used K-30 may actually be more reliable than a new K-50 (which has the same component that sometimes fails). My K30 failed after two years and my K50 after 7 months. So that's probably nothing to bank on.

02-12-2016, 11:32 AM	#13
Spodeworld Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: New Joisey Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,370	I'd go for the K-S2 for the -3 EV focusing. I've noticed with the K30, it can struggle a little in low light.

02-14-2016, 08:17 PM	#14
mellowyeahlow Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 79	my 2 year old K30 developed some serious aperature issues. I also hear K50 people having the same issues. So yeah.... looks like what ever they do...... K-5 or K-3 is the way to go....

02-14-2016, 11:36 PM	#15
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,423	I've had two K-30 bodies and no problems (maybe 20,000 actuations between them). But I have no idea what the odds are. One poster in this thread was struck by lightning twice. The things I notice most when I pick up the K-30 after using my K-3 are the slower and less precise AF, poorer low light focusing, the lighter build, and the noisy shutter. But it still takes very good pictures. The 16mp sensor is a gem. And the camera fits my hand very comfortably. I'd look at a used K-5 too if it's within budget. You get the 16mp sensor with sturdier (flagship) build, quieter shutter, better low light AF and without the aperture control issue. Ideally the K-5iis because it doesn't have the AA filter, but the original K-5 seems to be quite a bit cheaper.