[mikesbike]

The K-5IIs and the K-3 both have WR construction and are fine cameras. Although having 2 bodies much after the K-5 IIs- the K-S2 (amateur-oriented predecessor of the K-70) and now the KP, I still sometimes use the K-5 IIs and still think very highly of it. It has no AA filter for better fine detail in images. This is what the "s" means, and is the last ne of the K-5 series. As with all subsequent models, the K-3 also has no AA filter but also as a switchable filter simulator in case there is a problem with moire, which is almost never. When it does occur, it is usually in subject matter having a repeating pattern. An AA filter OTOH simply smooths out the scene to reduce the visibility of this effect and is always there.

The advantages of the KP are numerous, but first and foremost is its lower light/higher ISO performance, which is close to that of a top-notch FF body, as is its image quality. To give you an idea, go to the Imaging Resource comparometer (Google that to find it), where you can select 2 cameras for comparing the same image taken with each. To get a discontinued model, you have to select "all cameras" at the top of the column. But the K-3 I believe is still in the current listings. The K-3II is more current, but is essentially the same for this test. So just scroll down to select the Pentax K-3 or K-3II in one side and the Pentax KP in the other. Now in each column, scroll down to the still life scene with cloth pieces, bottles, etc, down further to ISO 6400. Click on that to open, and then click on it again to get the maximum blowup in each. Now you can move around to different parts of the scene. Check the figures and the lettering on the bottles for clarity, including the "fiddler", the Greek figure, and the lettering on the Samuel Smith bottle, then look at the shadowed areas on the rear wall between that bottle and the first dark paint brush and cup next to the circular numerical scale. This area best reveals the degree of noise in shadows. This noise also will impact overall image quality, but more so in most other models compared to the KP.

These are simply JPEG images right out of the camera at default settings, with the cameras' own processor. But it gives an idea of comparative potential results.

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Last edited by mikesbike; 12-06-2019 at 12:07 AM.

[lea828]

Here's a compiled list of all the great suggestions mentioned in the thread for you to easily copy and paste for your search.

Combinations with a ~$1,200 budget
Even cheaper if paired with a K5IIs/K3

• 2 camera set-up with flash (see K70 below); one camera w/ Tamron 28-75, other with Sigma 17-50

Pentax K70

• 16-85mm + DA 35/2.4 + DA 50/1.8
• Sigma 17-50 + DA 70/2.4 ltd
• Pentax DA 20-40 ltd + DA 70/2.4 ltd
• 2 camera set-up with flash: pair K70 with K50/K-5 and 50mm + DA* 50-135mm + af360fgz + cactus rf60x w/ cactus trigger v6ii

Pentax KP

• DA 21 ltd + DA 70/2.4 ltd
• DA* 55/1.4
• DA 70/2.4 ltd
• Tamron 17-60 + Pentax DA 70/2.4 ltd
• Sigma 17-50 + DA 70/2.4 ltd
• Pentax DA 20-40 ltd + DA 70/2.4 ltd
• Tamron 28-75/2.8
• DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 WR

Pentax K-1

• FA 35/2
• FA 77/1.8 ltd
• FA* 85/1.4
• FA* 28-105mm

Other Brands to Consider

• Nikon D610 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.8
• Canon 6D with 2 primes: 85mm f/1.8, 28mm f/2.8
• Fuji X___ + XF 56/1.2R

Pentax Lenses & Flash Recs (general recommendations for portraits)

• FA 77mm f/1.8 (FF)
• Sigma? 35/1.4
• Pentax 50/1.4, 85/1.4, 70-200/2.8
• Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM
• Pentax 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 WR
• Tamron 17-50/2.8
• Tamron 90mm f/2.5 AF Macro
• Flash: "Godox TT350P - Pentax TTL, HSS, bounce and swivel head, radio trigger and triggered"

I may have missed something, but hope this helps!

[k5astro]

Since you declared an interest in either the K-5 or the K-3, I would suggest the K-3II. I have both the K-5II and the K-3II and although I really love the K-5II, it had a problem with flash control, which I think is a documented bug that you should be able to google - think it was a controller bug that could not be fixed in firmware. I converted my K-5II to astrophotography because it has such an excellent sensor. So I bought a K-3II - also a very good sensor - and although it uses quite a bit of battery power, it worked very well including light metering and flash control, which you will want with portrait photography. Good luck!

[totsmuyco]

Here's a compiled list of all the great suggestions mentioned in the thread for you to easily copy and paste for your search.

Combinations with a ~$1,200 budget
Even cheaper if paired with a K5IIs/K3

• 2 camera set-up with flash (see K70 below); one camera w/ Tamron 28-75, other with Sigma 17-50

Pentax K70

• 16-85mm + DA 35/2.4 + DA 50/1.8
• Sigma 17-50 + DA 70/2.4 ltd
• Pentax DA 20-40 ltd + DA 70/2.4 ltd
• 2 camera set-up with flash: pair K70 with K50/K-5 and 50mm + DA* 50-135mm + af360fgz + cactus rf60x w/ cactus trigger v6ii

Pentax KP

• DA 21 ltd + DA 70/2.4 ltd
• DA* 55/1.4
• DA 70/2.4 ltd
• Tamron 17-60 + Pentax DA 70/2.4 ltd
• Sigma 17-50 + DA 70/2.4 ltd
• Pentax DA 20-40 ltd + DA 70/2.4 ltd
• Tamron 28-75/2.8
• DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 WR

Pentax K-1

• FA 35/2
• FA 77/1.8 ltd
• FA* 85/1.4
• FA* 28-105mm

Other Brands to Consider

• Nikon D610 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.8
• Canon 6D with 2 primes: 85mm f/1.8, 28mm f/2.8
• Fuji X___ + XF 56/1.2R

Pentax Lenses & Flash Recs (general recommendations for portraits)

• FA 77mm f/1.8 (FF)
• Sigma? 35/1.4
• Pentax 50/1.4, 85/1.4, 70-200/2.8
• Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM
• Pentax 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 WR
• Tamron 17-50/2.8
• Tamron 90mm f/2.5 AF Macro
• Flash: "Godox TT350P - Pentax TTL, HSS, bounce and swivel head, radio trigger and triggered"

I may have missed something, but hope this helps!

Nope. You didn't miss but gave quite a Christmas list. Quite good options.

[UncleVanya]

With respect to k3 vs K3ii... The major differences:

K3 has an internal flash.
K3ii has gps
K3ii has pixel shift

I personally opted for the internal flash. It has full optical mastering allowing it to fully control my af540fgz or af360fgz. (I also use cactus v6 triggers when needed)

[bobmaxja]

Again people ho never got a KP dont appeciate the value of that camera. Except for battery , KP is better at almost everything else; low. Light, autofocus, etc. I way better than the K5 I have before and for me better than K3 for low light.If you pair with the DA55-300 PLM, you have a great system.

[timb64]

Again people ho never got a KP dont appeciate the value of that camera. Except for battery , KP is better at almost everything else; low. Light, autofocus, etc. I way better than the K5 I have before and for me better than K3 for low light.If you pair with the DA55-300 PLM, you have a great system.

It's not too shoddy with the older nonPLM 55-300

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Last edited by timb64; 12-06-2019 at 12:46 PM.

[Fenwoodian]

.
Yesterday I received an "Alert" from "Lens Authority" (in my opinion the best seller of used photo gear in the USA) that they have 3 used K-1 cameras with "exceptional performance" for sale for under $1200. These were all on sale last week, so I would not be surprised if a serious buyer might just be able to talk them down to their "Black Friday" price for an immediate sale.

In case you've never heard of Lens Authority, they are the same organization as these guys.

[ChristianRock]

A lot of portrait photographers work with 50mm lenses on full frame cameras. Some even work with 35mm (like Annie Leibovitz, perhaps the more famous portrait photographer alive, has done most of her work on a 35mm lens on full frame). The reason is that giving the context of the scenario is a good thing in most cases. And if you want to isolate the subject in the studio, well that is what backgrounds are for.

Your FA 50 1.4 is a great lens. Mike Johnston (who basically introduced the term "bokeh" into photography) sang its praises back in the day. Sure you won't use it much at f1.4 but at f2 and up it would be a wonderful lens. Even f1.4 would be ok in some scenarios - just make sure you get a good hood for it. But for most cases you actually want more context and a smaller aperture.

I'd go for the K-1 with that budget. But that's just me

Later you could buy the FA 77 (superb portrait lens...) and the FA 135 2.8 (for longer distances, also a superb lens), or even the DFA 70-200 2.8 (THE current professional portrait lens by Pentax - also quite big and heavy). But I bet you'll get a lot of use out of that 50 and even the 35-70!