[Merv-O]

That leftover K-3II is pricey at $900. Just a few months ago one was able to get a limited edition for $729 & a black one with the grip for about $830. I understand that they are now going up in price, due to the lack of availability of old new stock, but I wouldn't pay no more than $729 for a new one.

I'd wait until CP+. Something will be announced around that time. It's about 100 days away.

Yes, all great responses....unfortunately, the closest available camera store that carries Pentax is 90 miles away (BH/Adorama) and I can't demo the K-P. I like its looks but I read that the build quality isn't the same as the K-3 or K-1 series....I had inquired as to the exterior materials (is it the composite carbon plastic of the K-S2 or the old Pentax standard magnesium?). EIther way, they are both weather sealed so exterior make-up that isn't critical to the decision).

I do remember the K-3ii $729 blow-out prices from stores rotating out the stock, but they've gone up in price point. A few Japanese market examples can be had with low shutter counts for about $700....I may wait until CP+ as it is the 100th anniversary of Asahi and perhaps RICOH will capitalize on Pentax's affinity with that company in some fashion.


I think the moderators on this Forum were correct in shutting down the large threads dealing with replacement APS-c cameras. I believe we have to deal with what we have, but I can certainly wait 3 more months for any possible new APS-c camera body from Pentax. I'll either travel with the K-S2 or with my Leica CL digital (smallest APS-c I've ever used and has great IQ--though I prefer the more intuitive menus of the Pentax).

We'll just wait and see, though I will continue to scour the internet to see if there are any deals out there.

[wibbly]

why not buy a used k3 and save some money. the features of the k3ii are to make it more k1-ish. since you already have the k1 what would you need gps and pixelshift for? if you're doing astro or high res you'll be using the k1. the benefits of the k3ii vs the k1 for high frame rate etc can be found in the k3 for much less money.

[robiles]

Yes, all great responses....unfortunately, the closest available camera store that carries Pentax is 90 miles away (BH/Adorama) and I can't demo the K-P. I like its looks but I read that the build quality isn't the same as the K-3 or K-1 series....I had inquired as to the exterior materials (is it the composite carbon plastic of the K-S2 or the old Pentax standard magnesium?). EIther way, they are both weather sealed so exterior make-up that isn't critical to the decision).

I do remember the K-3ii $729 blow-out prices from stores rotating out the stock, but they've gone up in price point. A few Japanese market examples can be had with low shutter counts for about $700....I may wait until CP+ as it is the 100th anniversary of Asahi and perhaps RICOH will capitalize on Pentax's affinity with that company in some fashion.


I think the moderators on this Forum were correct in shutting down the large threads dealing with replacement APS-c cameras. I believe we have to deal with what we have, but I can certainly wait 3 more months for any possible new APS-c camera body from Pentax. I'll either travel with the K-S2 or with my Leica CL digital (smallest APS-c I've ever used and has great IQ--though I prefer the more intuitive menus of the Pentax).

We'll just wait and see, though I will continue to scour the internet to see if there are any deals out there.

The body is mostly Magnesium alloy, only the top plate is plastic. I wouls say its about on par with the K3.

[MiguelATF]

This is an interesting, thoughtful response, but why do you hyphenate KP as K-P? I even checked to see whether there might be another camera I had missed. Just curious.

Ooops. (embarrassed grin follows) It was merely a momentary mental short circuit. I know it's the KP but for some reason my fingers (or was it my brain?) typed out "K-P". I suspect the only person who really might understand why I hyphenated it would be...my therapist? Or, possibly...my parole officer?

My (recently ordered) KP is making its way towards me, cross country, via a UPS truck...I'm optimistic that it will live up to (and exceed) the hype. (Although, interestingly enough, it seems to get more hype in many other places than it does here, on Pentax Forums, where many long-term Pentaxians seem to prefer the K-3 form factor and features. Go figure.)

[Merv-O]

Ooops. (embarrassed grin follows) It was merely a momentary mental short circuit. I know it's the KP but for some reason my fingers (or was it my brain?) typed out "K-P". I suspect the only person who really might understand why I hyphenated it would be...my therapist? Or, possibly...my parole officer?

My (recently ordered) KP is making its way towards me, cross country, via a UPS truck...I'm optimistic that it will live up to (and exceed) the hype. (Although, interestingly enough, it seems to get more hype in many other places than it does here, on Pentax Forums, where many long-term Pentaxians seem to prefer the K-3 form factor and features. Go figure.)

Miguel: Once the KP arrives, please come back to this thread and tell us your thoughts....maybe the KP is a worthy enough successor to the K-3 line and perhaps a KP Mark ii is in the offing. The k-3 series was a powerful, quality line of cameras for Pentax and some people here are resistant to slightly different recipes. I'm keeping an open mind....please post some KP pics once you get acclimated to it

---------- Post added 11-21-18 at 12:22 PM ----------

I read an old article recently by an engineer stating that 24-25mp has the depth to equate the deep images of 35mm film and that 24mp pixel density, even on APS-c would produce that result....Curiously, are there any studies regarding the correlation between film output and digital imagery?

---------- Post added 11-21-18 at 12:25 PM ----------

The body is mostly Magnesium alloy, only the top plate is plastic. I wouls say its about on par with the K3.

….and that's due to the built-in flash vs. no flash on the K-3ii

[Merv-O]

Reading your initial question, there are really only two answers---

Answer #1: if you really liked the K-3ii, and miss it - then by all means you should spring for another one! Figuring out what you like, in the first place, is the hardest part...but it sounds like you already know (that you liked your K-3ii and miss it).

Answer #2: if, on the other hand, you've always really wanted a K-P, then it's the one for you!

Incidentally, I own neither...but several days ago, I purchased my very own K-P, which will be an upgrade for me over my ancient but quite wonderful K200D (which by the way I plan on keeping, since I like it too much to say farewell). But (and it's a big but) the other cameras that seriously tempted me, over the years, before finally springing for a K-P this week, were (in no special order) ... the Nikon Df ... various Fujifilms ... and the Olympus Pen F. I like retro designs with lots of buttons, but in my case, it's not just for a fashion statement: I grew up with analog and spent not years but decades, shooting with Spotmatics and MX's, and cameras with lots of buttons and dials feel 'right' to me. That said, I quite enjoy the tank-like solidity of my K200d and (I know I'm in the minority here) have never been too bothered by its unreliable AF and laughably limited ISO range. The thing I love about that camera is the sensor, and the colors, and how it renders---

Which of course suggests that there may be a 3rd answer to your original question---but it's an answer in the form of another Question:

Answer #3: Which of the two cameras, the K-3ii or the K-P....can create the kind of images you truly love?

It's not a trick question by the way. The lazy answer to the Question in Answer #3 would be: these days, all fine modern DSLR's have excellent sensors and when one is shooting RAW, the differences between RAW files are usually minimal, and you can usually achieve the look and the visual signature or effects you want if you know what you're doing in your 'Digital Darkroom'. And to a certain extent that answer is a good one. But---

But I still believe that different cameras have different looks to their files - differences which can't merely be ironed out or equalized in PP.
So---which one will give you better files - and thus, better images?

For me, personally, I came to the K-P for design and customizability factors and size - but also, at the end of the day, because I've seen some extraordinary pictures made by K-P photographers. But that's just my perception, really.

And, obviously, the reverse holds true: no matter how good your camera is, a bad or lazy (or both!) photographer can actually take terrible pictures with a great camera or lens. Go figure...

Good-luck with the decision. Obviously they are both fine cameras.

Miguel:
I just checked the KP features list and it is compatible with the Pentax GPS-01 unit which will enhance its popularity to me. I think Pentax, by making it upgradeable saved some costs (I don't need GPS as it's built into the K-1 ii. The adapatability and the new IQ of the KP is swinging me in that direction. Also, it has the upgraded (27/25 crossover points) focus module.

[ramseybuckeye]

This may help

Black Friday 2018 - $200 off the Pentax KP - just $696!!

[Mikesul]

This is a tempting offer.

[Merv-O]

Just pulled the trigger....why wait until CP+ when I just bought an ADORAMA KP bundle for 696.95...Includes deluxe strap, sling bag and the 18-55mm kit lens. Unreal deal....Love Adorama and Pentax...giddy up....the K-3 is history.
Adorama must be expecting a new announcement, but at that price, it's a no-brainer....I'm going to sell my Leica M9 and go all in on Pentax now...anyone else going to pull the trigger at that price point?

[mikesbike]

Congrats on a fantastic deal!!

The KP is exceptionally good at producing fine images right out of the camera. Its jpeg engine is exceptional. Just be sure to implement "Fine Sharpening" in the Custom Image menu. Avoid the green auto mode on the mode dial. It will even disallow or screw up any settings or adjustments you are trying to make. The "P" mode is far better for fully automatic exposure setting. Likewise with your K-S2, which is exceptionally small and lightweight, especially with the unique little 18-50mm kit zoom lens. This lens is definitely better than the older 18-55mm kit lens. I have both cameras also.

BTW, as to the grip, the KP's battery grip added makes it about the same weight as a K-3 II, and adds considerable gripping surface, especially in the vertical portrait position, and even more battery life than a K-3 II without a battery grip.

[monochrome]

KP has a better sensor than K-3ll, the Accelerator chip and is on Black Friday deal at the online sellers right now - $697 I think.

[SSGGeezer]

The bag is better than the one that came in the 900.00 KP bundle I bought this past spring so have a good time with the KP!

[ramseybuckeye]

Just pulled the trigger....why wait until CP+ when I just bought an ADORAMA KP bundle for 696.95...Includes deluxe strap, sling bag and the 18-55mm kit lens. Unreal deal....Love Adorama and Pentax...giddy up....the K-3 is history.
Adorama must be expecting a new announcement, but at that price, it's a no-brainer....I'm going to sell my Leica M9 and go all in on Pentax now...anyone else going to pull the trigger at that price point?

This is pretty cool, you started this thread, and this deal comes along to make it an easy decision. I thought I got a good deal in July and I did, but this one is even better. Enjoy the KP!

[Merv-O]

Congrats on a fantastic deal!!

The KP is exceptionally good at producing fine images right out of the camera. Its jpeg engine is exceptional. Just be sure to implement "Fine Sharpening" in the Custom Image menu. Avoid the green auto mode on the mode dial. It will even disallow or screw up any settings or adjustments you are trying to make. The "P" mode is far better for fully automatic exposure setting. Likewise with your K-S2, which is exceptionally small and lightweight, especially with the unique little 18-50mm kit zoom lens. This lens is definitely better than the older 18-55mm kit lens. I have both cameras also.

BTW, as to the grip, the KP's battery grip added makes it about the same weight as a K-3 II, and adds considerable gripping surface, especially in the vertical portrait position, and even more battery life than a K-3 II without a battery grip.

Thanks for the "fine sharpening" tip. I'll probably get the KP delivered by Monday and report back here on how symbiotic I am with it. Pentax DSLR's are generally good with me anyway.

[Merv-O]

This is pretty cool, you started this thread, and this deal comes along to make it an easy decision. I thought I got a good deal in July and I did, but this one is even better. Enjoy the KP!

Thanks for the "fine sharpening" tip. I'll probably get the KP delivered by Monday and report back here on how symbiotic I am with it. Pentax DSLR's are generally good with me anyway.

---------- Post added 11-23-18 at 05:14 AM ----------

This is pretty cool, you started this thread, and this deal comes along to make it an easy decision. I thought I got a good deal in July and I did, but this one is even better. Enjoy the KP!

Thanks for the "fine sharpening" tip. I'll probably get the KP delivered by Monday and report back here on how symbiotic I am with it. Pentax DSLR's are generally good with me anyway.

---------- Post added 11-23-18 at 05:31 AM ----------

This is pretty cool, you started this thread, and this deal comes along to make it an easy decision. I thought I got a good deal in July and I did, but this one is even better. Enjoy the KP!

Ramsey: Coincidentally, when I started this thread, I had no idea that this Adorama deal would come along...I checked in with Adorama's website this morning and the "free lens deal and bundle" for $697 is gone, it's back to $897....the present deal is for the now discontinued K-1 (great deal at 1897 to get the kit lens, plus the sling bag and the deluxe strap). I have the K-1ii so this KP as a K-3 replacement slots right in.