[DurDur]

Hi there (Already posted this in the lens thread but then I realized that it belongs here and I don't know how to move the post so I just repost..... I'm new )

I want to upgrade my gear.

I'm currently using Pentax K10D and a Sigma 18-200 and the Pentax 50mm F1.4 (which I love).

I have the budget either to buy K20D and the Pentax DA 50-135 together or just the K-7 and then continue using my current lenses.

What are your thoughts.... what should I do?

[octavmandru]

k20+50-135
or 50-135+ other lens.

[Billgscott]

I have the budget either to buy K20D and the Pentax DA 50-135 together or just the K-7 and then continue using my current lenses.

What are your thoughts.... what should I do?

If you are keeping the K10, get the K20 and more glass as this makes an ideal primary / backup body combo as they are basically the same.

Bill

[sinus007]

Hi Durdur,
I'd say keep k10 and get 50-135 + whatever LTds you can afford in whatever focal length you shoot most. In a few months the price on k7 will drop (I hope) so you'll be able to swing k7 - k10 + some good glass.
Option #2: k20+50-135
Good luck with whatever you decide,

[toddaton]

Good glass trumps good body unless there is something you absolutely need in the body. The general consensus in the forum is that the DA*50-135 is a no brainer. If you want to upgrade the body, the K20D is an absolute bargain at today's prices.

K20+DA*50-135 over K7 only.

[pcarfan]

I got the K-7 yesterday and still getting used to it. I had a K10D before, and the K-7 is absolutely light years ahead of the k10D in terms of AF, Exposure and the LCD. But, even then I will tell you that lenses absolutely trumps the body. If I didn't have the lenses I have, I wouldn't have bought it. You really need to get some more quality Pentax lenses to know what it is all about being a Pentaxian.

Get the 50-135 (I don't have it, but it is a great lens..bulky, so I passed it), then for the K20D money, get the FA43/1.9 LIimted or the DA35/2.8 macro and enjoy.

[Lowell Goudge]

what are your ultimate lens plans?

if you are only , or principally shoot new lenses, the K20 plus lens may be a better bargain.

I shoot a lot of old MF K mount lenses and metering is better on the K7 for these lenses, that was the route I took. K10 to K7, but I already have all the lenses (mostly any way) that I want so budget did not impose a limit.

If you are in the expansion mode for your lenses, I would agree with the others, lenses first. there will always be a newer better pentax body,

[pb_red]

what Lowell Goudge said... also, why do you think that you have to upgrade? is it just to have the latest greatest? if so then get the k-7. i don't think there's anything wrong with this since some people like having the latest greatest gadgets and are willing to spend money on them.

what do you think is holding you back?
the body? if so then get a k-7.
lens(es)? if so then keep the body you have a get more/better lenses.
your own skills? if so then buying new stuff, whatever that is, won't help

[wolfier]

Hi there (Already posted this in the lens thread but then I realized that it belongs here and I don't know how to move the post so I just repost..... I'm new )

I want to upgrade my gear.

I'm currently using Pentax K10D and a Sigma 18-200 and the Pentax 50mm F1.4 (which I love).

I have the budget either to buy K20D and the Pentax DA 50-135 together or just the K-7 and then continue using my current lenses.

What are your thoughts.... what should I do?

From the K10D to the K-7 is a large jump. You'll be missing a lot less shots even with the Sigma 18-200. (If used right, it's a great lens, plus, you cannot find a much more versatile HD video lens!)

This said, If I were in your situation, I'd get the 50-135 and one other lens (suggestion: DA40 - use it as the "kit" lens!) while keeping the K10D. Its value has hit the bottom and cannot go much further. Wait for the K-7 to drop price - and in a year or two, you can sell the K10D for pretty much what you can sell it for today, and get the K-7 - and if you don't need whatever K-7 has over the K20D, upgrading to the K20D instead means no battery upgrade and you get to use all existing accessories. Which will save further! My only gripe with going with the K20D is, its value is going to drop quickly - so if you don't need what the K20D provides over the K10D, keep the K10D.

At that time, you can either sell the Sigma 18-200 to fund the body or more lens, or keep it for HD video.

[DanLoc78]

please don't get rid of your K10D! but if you do...sell it to me!

In all seriousness...I myself would definitely go with better glass over a new body, especially the K-7 since it just came out and the price is still very high. Your K10D with a shiny new 50-135 will produce some spectacular pics!!

[philbaum]

About 2 months ago, i ordered the K20, an upgrade from my K10. K20 is great - i've been very happy with it.

I've been volunteering at the local playhouse, taking advertising shots for them, twice so far. Just been realizing the need for a fast zoom. Doing a lot of research but everywhere i go, 50-135 reviews are amazingly uniform in their praise, one or two nays but the rest positive. The K20 helped me get the pictures i needed indoors at the playhouse iwth the Tamron 18-250, but often i'd end up at F5.6 and ISO 1600-2000. With an F2.8 lens, i could often shoot down at 800 ISO.

I'd order hte 50-135 first because i think its price is going up. My 50-135 is arriving today, bought it from b and h for $795, gone up $50 from when i frist started looking. K7 and K20 will stay in the same price range or drop, hte lenses will go up i'm thinking. There's really not anything on the K7 i need right now.

Best wishes,

[nostatic]

About 2 months ago, i ordered the K20, an upgrade from my K10. K20 is great - i've been very happy with it.

I've been volunteering at the local playhouse, taking advertising shots for them, twice so far. Just been realizing the need for a fast zoom. Doing a lot of research but everywhere i go, 50-135 reviews are amazingly uniform in their praise, one or two nays but the rest positive. The K20 helped me get the pictures i needed indoors at the playhouse iwth the Tamron 18-250, but often i'd end up at F5.6 and ISO 1600-2000. With an F2.8 lens, i could often shoot down at 800 ISO.

I'd order hte 50-135 first because i think its price is going up. My 50-135 is arriving today, bought it from b and h for $795, gone up $50 from when i frist started looking. K7 and K20 will stay in the same price range or drop, hte lenses will go up i'm thinking. There's really not anything on the K7 i need right now.

Best wishes,

What he said.

Bodies will always drop in price until they hit the floor. Good glass will drop but less so for "desirable" lenses, and with some the new price will only go up or at some point they will disappear (FA ltd).

The 16-50* and 50-135* can still be had for under $700/800 and the latter especially is worth the money imho. I don't think that price will go down in the near term.

There is no substitute for fast glass. Not SR, not "good" high ISO. Fast glass gives you a choice. I hate zooms and heavy lenses. But love the 50-135 because it has stellar IQ and gives me flexibility. I held off on the 16-50 but finally got that as I have been running into situations where changing lenses is going to lose me shots, and at the wide end 15/4 isn't fast enough.

[frank]

If you don't feel you are missing anything w/ the K10D, put the money on some lenses. But if you feel K-7 can help you to get better results or more keepers NOW, get the K7 camera. To be honest, after playing K-7 for a while, I just don't like to shoot w/ K10D anymore. I'm not saying that photos from K10D are bad, but I just feel I'm having a lot more fun w/ the new camera, which is the most important thing: having fun w/ photography.

Good luck w/ your decision.

[nickthetasmaniac]

My advice would be keep the K10D, and add the 50-135/f2.8 and DA Ltd 35mm Macro.

I've got both these lenses, and between the two of them, my DA* 16-50 doesn't get much use. The 50-135 is amazing for a zoom, and the 35mm Ltd is simply incredible, both as a macro and 'normal' lens. The build and image quality will blow you away.

[pingflood]

Glass is glass. I would go for the 50-135.

Remember too that in two years, the 50-135 will still fetch a fair price on the market, while the K-7 will be worth a quarter of what it costs now.