I see the k-3 is $650. Is it worth the upgrade ? I can't get a full frame until in the $600-800 range. Also I want them to add back the pop up flash. GPS does me no good at all.

Recently bought a used K3II from SE Camera in Carrboro for $575 ( not to be confused with SE Camera on Atlantic Ave in Raleigh where I recently traded an AB800 for an Einstein) mostly because both of my K5IIs bodies have 120K + shutter actuation's on each. Took some use to get the muscle memory to a different rear AF location but its a good upgrade.

I keep a speedlite bag - four YN560III's, a YN560TX Controller, pair of YN603IIN's, homemade "Black Foamy Things", some Flashbenders, gels & snoots. Not once have I needed or wanted or been paid to make a photograph with a pop up flash.

You can pick up a YN560III for $65 and make Black Foamie Things for $1. Much more useful than a pop up flash.

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Last edited by Brooke Meyer; 07-15-2016 at 09:00 PM.

[Theov39]

I regret not picking up a K-3 a while back when BHPhoto were offering them for $650! Surprised at how well the K-3 has held its price.

[condor27596]

Thanks for the advice on the flashes. I'm actually hoping the upgrade solves what I think but can't prove - my flash does not fire like I think it should.

I have the Pentax 200 and 360.

I figure I will just take the flash around now at least the 200 it is not that big. It's funny my best daylight fill flash shots are with an $80 Fuji XP 80. My Pentax has never done fill flash right.

[Nicolas06]

Mostly for better focus. Let my daughter use the k-5iis

This is the most important difference (to me) between K5 and K3 era. Having more pixels etc is no use if the photo is not correctly in focus. And having AF is no use if you need to fine tune it with MF and quick shift to compensate for the camera body bad performance.

The AF is much better on K3 series. Basically, in K5 and K5-II, the only reliable AF point is the center AF point and even it is quite slow at times. On lens likees FA50, 50-135 it was a nightmare for me. Even using the center AF point.

The K3, K3-II and K1 share the same AF sensor (albeit K3/K3-II have a few AF points disabled) and same metering sensor. Overall the performance is much better and most lenses focus more accurately. The off center AF points are small enough so you can use them to focus on something precise (like on the eye for portraiture) and have the camera actually doing what you expect of it. You don't need to MF anymore a shallow dof shoot. The AF-C while not perfect and up to Nikon latest greatest, is now quite effective and with some training can do a nice job in actions/event/sport/wildlife situations.

[condor27596]

NICE! OK it came! If you can't tell I'm excited! I bought the e-book and have messed around with it for 20 minutes with the 18-135 WR. It is light years ahead of the K-5iiS. Just basically knowing NOTHING about it in 20 minutes I can say the focusing and the low light focusing and the performance is AMAZING.

[Nicolas06]

Nice you are happy with it

[C_Jones]

Glad you made a good choice. Enjoy.