What do you think is the best Pentax ???

C_Jones · 06-10-2016, 08:46 PM

I have the K-3II, which is the latest Pentax K series aps-c camera (most advanced of Pentax aps-c). I use it for birding and wildlife with my Sigma 150-500 DG OS and it does very nicely (cloudy or sunny).

**UncleVanya** · 06-10-2016, 10:07 PM

Originally posted by Gold Coast

Next I need to know what will be the best all around walk around lens for the K-3II. I would like to be in the range of 25mm to 150mm to start. I do not mind spending a little more for a quality lens I know that is where the picture quality comes from as well as the camera. I figure around $700.00 to $1000.00 that's where I am at for this lens. Does not have to be Pentax but like I said good quality. I would prefer
Pentax tho. Thanks again Bill

There are a LOT of choices that cover part of that range. if you need the entire range in one lens that's a tall order. Also how fast do you need it? The lenses that come to my mind are:

DA 18-135 (soft corners after 70mm, APSC only lens, good IQ overall, plastic, weather resistant (WR), DC motor (quiet)
DA* 50-135 (not as wide, APSC only, constant f/2.8, crazy good images, lots of metal, WR, SDM motor (slow but quiet and some failure concerns)
DFA 24-70 (New Full Frame lens, breaks your budget I think, fantastic quality images.
DA 16-85 (not as long as the 18-135 but better corner performance and much wider, still APSC only)
DFA 28-105 (inexpensive for Full Frame but still very high quality. WR, etc.)

Third Party 28-70/28-75 options exist. Superzooms exist 18-270, 18-250, 18-200, 28-200, etc. None of these seem to have major advantages over the one's I have listed.

Billk · 06-11-2016, 01:51 AM

Originally posted by tduell

Ooops...sorry, I was only trying to help.

Cheers,
Terry

Knowing that the K1 delivers on the promise of better low light and high ISO photos is info worth having, even if it makes me want to scratch that consumer itch.

victormeldrew · 06-11-2016, 04:24 AM

If I had the cash to upgrade my K-3II to a K-1, I would spend it on other kit instead. My limiting factor right now is not my camera body, it is my skill and experience.

If money were no object I would probably upgrade and add a few new lenses just for the sake of 'owning the best one' - but still not for another 6 months or so once the initial teething problems have worked themselves out - I've never been one for early adopting.

Kunzite · 06-11-2016, 05:34 AM

Easy question, obvious answer: the best Pentax is the next model. Always.

P.S. People for whom a crop factor camera is better suited might want to wait a bit instead of going for the K-1. I have a feeling that something will happen, someday...
Thought I'd rather have you support Pentax' FF efforts

**UncleVanya** · 06-11-2016, 05:41 AM

Best is always coming. The question is what is best for purpose, and from what I'm hearing it is the K-1 due to focus improvements. The frame rate delta isn't massive, but it is important how many are in focus in this use case.

The next gen crop high end body could be a better choice if it retains the focusing prowess of the k-1. The question is when will that body be available and at what price.

**pepperberry farm** · 06-11-2016, 05:43 AM

the one I have in my hand at any given moment.... it'll deliver if I am capable enough...

FantasticMrFox · 06-11-2016, 06:24 AM

If you can afford a K-1 and don't need a new camera immediately, maybe wait for Photokina? Pentax may announce a K3 II successor which will probably improve upon that one in terms of AF etc. If they don't announce anything, the K3 II is still there.

Parallax · 06-11-2016, 07:03 AM - **1 Like**

What do I think is the best Pentax?
Whichever one I'm going to get next, of course.

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06-10-2016, 08:46 PM	#16
C_Jones Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,079	I have the K-3II, which is the latest Pentax K series aps-c camera (most advanced of Pentax aps-c). I use it for birding and wildlife with my Sigma 150-500 DG OS and it does very nicely (cloudy or sunny).

06-10-2016, 10:07 PM	#17
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,381	Originally posted by Gold Coast Next I need to know what will be the best all around walk around lens for the K-3II. I would like to be in the range of 25mm to 150mm to start. I do not mind spending a little more for a quality lens I know that is where the picture quality comes from as well as the camera. I figure around $700.00 to $1000.00 that's where I am at for this lens. Does not have to be Pentax but like I said good quality. I would prefer Pentax tho. Thanks again Bill There are a LOT of choices that cover part of that range. if you need the entire range in one lens that's a tall order. Also how fast do you need it? The lenses that come to my mind are: DA 18-135 (soft corners after 70mm, APSC only lens, good IQ overall, plastic, weather resistant (WR), DC motor (quiet) DA* 50-135 (not as wide, APSC only, constant f/2.8, crazy good images, lots of metal, WR, SDM motor (slow but quiet and some failure concerns) DFA 24-70 (New Full Frame lens, breaks your budget I think, fantastic quality images. DA 16-85 (not as long as the 18-135 but better corner performance and much wider, still APSC only) DFA 28-105 (inexpensive for Full Frame but still very high quality. WR, etc.) Third Party 28-70/28-75 options exist. Superzooms exist 18-270, 18-250, 18-200, 28-200, etc. None of these seem to have major advantages over the one's I have listed.

06-11-2016, 01:51 AM	#18
Billk Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Posts: 349	Originally posted by tduell Ooops...sorry, I was only trying to help. Cheers, Terry Knowing that the K1 delivers on the promise of better low light and high ISO photos is info worth having, even if it makes me want to scratch that consumer itch.

06-11-2016, 04:24 AM	#19
victormeldrew Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: South West UK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,493	If I had the cash to upgrade my K-3II to a K-1, I would spend it on other kit instead. My limiting factor right now is not my camera body, it is my skill and experience. If money were no object I would probably upgrade and add a few new lenses just for the sake of 'owning the best one' - but still not for another 6 months or so once the initial teething problems have worked themselves out - I've never been one for early adopting.

06-11-2016, 05:34 AM	#20
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	Easy question, obvious answer: the best Pentax is the next model. Always. P.S. People for whom a crop factor camera is better suited might want to wait a bit instead of going for the K-1. I have a feeling that something will happen, someday... Thought I'd rather have you support Pentax' FF efforts

06-11-2016, 05:41 AM	#21
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,381	Best is always coming. The question is what is best for purpose, and from what I'm hearing it is the K-1 due to focus improvements. The frame rate delta isn't massive, but it is important how many are in focus in this use case. The next gen crop high end body could be a better choice if it retains the focusing prowess of the k-1. The question is when will that body be available and at what price.

06-11-2016, 05:43 AM	#22
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,636	the one I have in my hand at any given moment.... it'll deliver if I am capable enough...

06-11-2016, 06:24 AM	#23
FantasticMrFox Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Munich Posts: 2,339	If you can afford a K-1 and don't need a new camera immediately, maybe wait for Photokina? Pentax may announce a K3 II successor which will probably improve upon that one in terms of AF etc. If they don't announce anything, the K3 II is still there.

06-11-2016, 07:03 AM - 1 Like	#24
Parallax Senior Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Dakota Photos: Gallery Posts: 19,332	What do I think is the best Pentax? Whichever one I'm going to get next, of course.

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