K7 or K20D and Better Lens

mhodge · 07-08-2009, 10:05 AM

Hi, I know many have asked similar questions but I am making myself nuts with this decision. I really need help from more experienced pentax owners. I currently have a K10D and have been saving to upgrade. Now I can't decide whether I would be better off with K7 and just use current lenses - which are 18-55 kit lens, FA 135 2.8 MF, and Tamron 70-300 (AF zoom broken) or should I go with K20D and one good lens. (Maybe DA* 50-135). I like landscapes and nature photography. I still have so much to learn and don't know which is the better choice for me right now. All help is so much appreciated.

designinme_1976 · 07-08-2009, 10:31 AM

I would KEEP your K10D, and spend the $1300 on lenses! If you primarily shoot landscape and nature, why don't you get a great wide angle like the Sigma 10-20 ( ~ $400 ), Pentax 16-50 F4 ( ~$300 ) and the DA* 50-135.. or sigma 70-200, or Tamron 70-200 etc. ( all fine lenses )

I picked up the Refurb K20D from best buy, it's a great Camera, at only $499.. that would leave you with $800 to play with lenses... I think you would be better served to build up your lenses first...

That is my PLAN!

RawheaD · 07-08-2009, 10:38 AM

If you can't buy both (K-7 AND a good lens), then buy lenses. Like someone once said to me, your $2000 DSLR body will be an expensive doorstop in 5 years from now. Your $2000 lens will still be worth $2000 5 years from now (unless you're a Canon shooter and they change their mount system again :lolz

.

mhodge · 07-08-2009, 12:09 PM

That is pretty much what I was thinking. I just kept reading about the K7 but I knew the lenses were the way to go. I just wanted more confirmation. Thanks so much for your replies.

Nowhere Matt · 07-08-2009, 12:36 PM

Originally posted by RawheaD

Like someone once said to me, your $2000 DSLR body will be an expensive doorstop in 5 years from now.

You know as it happens, I collect expensive doorstops but have yet to procure the $2000 dslr body. I have the Yugo doorstop, the 8 gb pc harddrive and an assortment of home gyms that replaced every other piece of exercise equipment and is now being replaced by another home gym; but no K20 doorstop. So if anyone would care to make a donation to my exhibit...
I of course will put up a very nice marker giving you recognition of your generous support.

**GaryM** · 07-08-2009, 03:41 PM

Anyone upgrading from a K20D to a K-7 is on an 18-month (or less) upgrade cycle. That's at least 6 bodies to purchase over a decade. A good lens will last at least that long - I would hope to get a few decades out of an FA31, for example. The math swings heavily in favor of spending money on lenses first, at least in terms of bang-for-the-buck.

07-08-2009, 10:05 AM	#1
mhodge Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: NC Posts: 12	K7 or K20D and Better Lens Hi, I know many have asked similar questions but I am making myself nuts with this decision. I really need help from more experienced pentax owners. I currently have a K10D and have been saving to upgrade. Now I can't decide whether I would be better off with K7 and just use current lenses - which are 18-55 kit lens, FA 135 2.8 MF, and Tamron 70-300 (AF zoom broken) or should I go with K20D and one good lens. (Maybe DA* 50-135). I like landscapes and nature photography. I still have so much to learn and don't know which is the better choice for me right now. All help is so much appreciated.

07-08-2009, 10:38 AM	#3
RawheaD Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: MA, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 831	If you can't buy both (K-7 AND a good lens), then buy lenses. Like someone once said to me, your $2000 DSLR body will be an expensive doorstop in 5 years from now. Your $2000 lens will still be worth $2000 5 years from now (unless you're a Canon shooter and they change their mount system again :lolz.

07-08-2009, 12:09 PM	#4
mhodge Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: NC Posts: 12 Original Poster	Thanks for help That is pretty much what I was thinking. I just kept reading about the K7 but I knew the lenses were the way to go. I just wanted more confirmation. Thanks so much for your replies.

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07-08-2009, 10:31 AM	#2
designinme_1976 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Dayton Ohio Posts: 132	I would KEEP your K10D, and spend the $1300 on lenses! If you primarily shoot landscape and nature, why don't you get a great wide angle like the Sigma 10-20 ( ~ $400 ), Pentax 16-50 F4 ( ~$300 ) and the DA* 50-135.. or sigma 70-200, or Tamron 70-200 etc. ( all fine lenses ) I picked up the Refurb K20D from best buy, it's a great Camera, at only $499.. that would leave you with $800 to play with lenses... I think you would be better served to build up your lenses first... That is my PLAN!

07-08-2009, 12:36 PM	#5
Nowhere Matt Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Nowhere Land Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,362	Originally posted by RawheaD Like someone once said to me, your $2000 DSLR body will be an expensive doorstop in 5 years from now. You know as it happens, I collect expensive doorstops but have yet to procure the $2000 dslr body. I have the Yugo doorstop, the 8 gb pc harddrive and an assortment of home gyms that replaced every other piece of exercise equipment and is now being replaced by another home gym; but no K20 doorstop. So if anyone would care to make a donation to my exhibit... I of course will put up a very nice marker giving you recognition of your generous support.

07-08-2009, 03:41 PM	#6
GaryM Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Montclair, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 426	Anyone upgrading from a K20D to a K-7 is on an 18-month (or less) upgrade cycle. That's at least 6 bodies to purchase over a decade. A good lens will last at least that long - I would hope to get a few decades out of an FA31, for example. The math swings heavily in favor of spending money on lenses first, at least in terms of bang-for-the-buck.

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