If you could only spend $600 dollars for a new camera, which would you choose?

OldNoob · 02-06-2014, 12:48 PM

Humm just noticed the Pentax MX-1 is only $200 at Adorama

OldNoob · 02-06-2014, 12:50 PM

Originally posted by yorik

If the $600 was to start a system, then probably a Fuji XM1 kit (the basic Pentax kits are 700). If the $600 is for stand alone, then I would borrow $100 and get the Olympus stylus 1.

That is a nice looking camera as well

ChristianRock · 02-06-2014, 01:36 PM - **2 Likes**

New, I'd get the K-500 deal with the two lenses at Woot for 499. Later I'd add some manual lenses for cheap, good optics.

Used, K-30 and a Tamron 17-50 f/2.8. That combo should be roughly over 600 and give excellent results.

With that budget I would stick with Pentax, absolutely. Best bang for the buck, IMHO.

Sliver-Surfer · 02-06-2014, 02:54 PM - **1 Like**

Pentax k5
Sony Nex-5T
Sony Nex-6(kinda cheating $645us)This would be my top choice if all my lenses and cameras were lost in a fire

Uluru · 02-07-2014, 03:40 AM - **2 Likes**

The GR can be bought for about $600. It's delicious camera.

pinholecam · 02-07-2014, 03:50 AM

Canon 5d 2nd hand and a handful of takumars.

dansamy · 02-07-2014, 04:06 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by ChristianRock

New, I'd get the K-500 deal with the two lenses at Woot for 499. Later I'd add some manual lenses for cheap, good optics....
With that budget I would stick with Pentax, absolutely. Best bang for the buck, IMHO.

Absolutely. The features it's missing are minor in the overall scheme. Really, the only one that I'd really miss is the little AF point lighting up, but focus & recompose compensates well enough. My K-x wasn't weathersealed, so the K-500 not being WR isn't a big deal either. I'd probably spend that other $100 on a used prime (or two) from eBay.

OldNoob · 02-07-2014, 04:13 AM

Originally posted by Uluru

The GR can be bought for about $600. It's delicious camera.

Yeah that Ricoh GR and Nikon A as well as the Sigma DP-1 Merrill 46 Megapixel are all pretty impressive but all three are over $600 new

Lurch · 02-07-2014, 04:15 AM

Probably a second hand OMD EM-5 or K-5 Classic

OldNoob · 02-07-2014, 04:16 AM

Originally posted by ChristianRock

New, I'd get the K-500 deal with the two lenses at Woot for 499. Later I'd add some manual lenses for cheap, good optics.

Used, K-30 and a Tamron 17-50 f/2.8. That combo should be roughly over 600 and give excellent results.

With that budget I would stick with Pentax, absolutely. Best bang for the buck, IMHO.

I bought my New k-30 with kit lens for $599, from a reputable dealer. i love it.
But before that i bought a used k-30 sold as "new" and had terrible problems with it.

Jasvox · 02-09-2014, 04:02 PM

The new Sony a6000 should come in at or maybe just under 600. This body replaces the NEX-6 and NEX-7.

Jason

magkelly · 02-11-2014, 02:51 PM

Originally posted by OldNoob

I got my k-30 new with kit lens new for $599 last year and have been Very pleased with it so far.
But Just out of Curiosity, If you could spend only $600 dollars for a NEW camera, which would you choose? And why?
It doesn't have to be a Pentax, just any NEW at $600 or under.
Camera lens combo / or fixed lens

Well, actually I am about to do this. Got an upgrade on my credit card limit finally but I have to stick to about $550-600 for now. What I want is a K5II but likely I'll be getting a K-30 instead. I can get a K-30 now for well under $400 and it will do me just fine for what I do so it just makes sense to go that route. If I happened to see a K-5II body used or new for under $550 that I could use my credit card to pay for, like on say Amazon or via the big camera stores, I'd likely go for it, but the K-30's are much cheaper and well, the crystal red one still makes me drool, lol, and I've seen it now for well under $400 new or used in several places so I am seriously considering it. I just love the look of the K-30 and in particular that red one and I can always pick up a K-5II later. I do need a WR body but it could be either one really so it's a question of which I can get, when, and for how little...

RyanW · 02-12-2014, 10:08 PM

I'd have to say one of the entry level pentax's with a kit lens or the 35 or 50 cheap prime used from Keh or similar to stay on budget. One could do a lot of damage with that and I could save up and add to it over time.

If I was only allowed on camera and lens then the Fz200 might be a great solution. Not as squeaky clean as images from larger sensors, but I've seen a lot of very presentable photos taken with that camera. It's a great travel cam.

Actually, this might be a fun toy for $329 @Keh
BF KIT PENTAX K10D WITH SIGMA 18-200 DC, BLUE TENBA VECTOR SHOULDER BAG 1, 4GB TRANSCEND SDHC, HOYA UV AND POLARIZER FILTER

jogiba · 02-13-2014, 02:08 PM

How about a waterproof camera with 6.4" 1920x1080 viewfinder

Xperia Z Ultra LTE Unlocked Smartphone - XZUC6806 Review - Sony US

_quicksilver_ · 02-13-2014, 11:20 PM

Originally posted by pinholecam

Canon 5d 2nd hand and a handful of takumars.

+1

I have just acquired an old Canon 5D + 50 1.8 mk I for less than 400€. It has been a real eye-opener. Finally a viewfinder that is big and bright and the AF seems to be very good as well, at least much better in Servo mode than my K-5. But the best thing is the IQ of the photos: the colours and the skin tones are just perfect! Even though the camera is "old" it is very fast to operate, feels good in hand and I seem to reach out for it instead of my K-5 just because it´s more fun to shoot with.

02-07-2014, 04:13 AM	#23
OldNoob Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 402 Original Poster	Originally posted by Uluru The GR can be bought for about $600. It's delicious camera. Yeah that Ricoh GR and Nikon A as well as the Sigma DP-1 Merrill 46 Megapixel are all pretty impressive but all three are over $600 new Last edited by OldNoob; 02-07-2014 at 04:33 AM.

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02-06-2014, 12:48 PM	#16
OldNoob Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 402 Original Poster	Humm just noticed the Pentax MX-1 is only $200 at Adorama

02-06-2014, 12:50 PM	#17
OldNoob Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 402 Original Poster	Originally posted by yorik If the $600 was to start a system, then probably a Fuji XM1 kit (the basic Pentax kits are 700). If the $600 is for stand alone, then I would borrow $100 and get the Olympus stylus 1. That is a nice looking camera as well

02-06-2014, 01:36 PM - 2 Likes	#18
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910	New, I'd get the K-500 deal with the two lenses at Woot for 499. Later I'd add some manual lenses for cheap, good optics. Used, K-30 and a Tamron 17-50 f/2.8. That combo should be roughly over 600 and give excellent results. With that budget I would stick with Pentax, absolutely. Best bang for the buck, IMHO.

02-06-2014, 02:54 PM - 1 Like	#19
Sliver-Surfer Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 1,558	Pentax k5 Sony Nex-5T Sony Nex-6(kinda cheating $645us)This would be my top choice if all my lenses and cameras were lost in a fire

02-07-2014, 03:40 AM - 2 Likes	#20
Uluru Banned Join Date: May 2010 Location: Back to my Walkabout Creek Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,535	The GR can be bought for about $600. It's delicious camera.

02-07-2014, 03:50 AM	#21
pinholecam Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: North Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,706	Canon 5d 2nd hand and a handful of takumars.

02-07-2014, 04:06 AM - 1 Like	#22
dansamy Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,450	Originally posted by ChristianRock New, I'd get the K-500 deal with the two lenses at Woot for 499. Later I'd add some manual lenses for cheap, good optics.... With that budget I would stick with Pentax, absolutely. Best bang for the buck, IMHO. Absolutely. The features it's missing are minor in the overall scheme. Really, the only one that I'd really miss is the little AF point lighting up, but focus & recompose compensates well enough. My K-x wasn't weathersealed, so the K-500 not being WR isn't a big deal either. I'd probably spend that other $100 on a used prime (or two) from eBay.

02-07-2014, 04:15 AM	#24
Lurch Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Canberra, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 582	Probably a second hand OMD EM-5 or K-5 Classic

02-07-2014, 04:16 AM	#25
OldNoob Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 402 Original Poster	Originally posted by ChristianRock New, I'd get the K-500 deal with the two lenses at Woot for 499. Later I'd add some manual lenses for cheap, good optics. Used, K-30 and a Tamron 17-50 f/2.8. That combo should be roughly over 600 and give excellent results. With that budget I would stick with Pentax, absolutely. Best bang for the buck, IMHO. I bought my New k-30 with kit lens for $599, from a reputable dealer. i love it. But before that i bought a used k-30 sold as "new" and had terrible problems with it.

02-09-2014, 04:02 PM	#26
Jasvox Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 3,107	The new Sony a6000 should come in at or maybe just under 600. This body replaces the NEX-6 and NEX-7. Jason

02-11-2014, 02:51 PM	#27
magkelly Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,901	Originally posted by OldNoob I got my k-30 new with kit lens new for $599 last year and have been Very pleased with it so far. But Just out of Curiosity, If you could spend only $600 dollars for a NEW camera, which would you choose? And why? It doesn't have to be a Pentax, just any NEW at $600 or under. Camera lens combo / or fixed lens Well, actually I am about to do this. Got an upgrade on my credit card limit finally but I have to stick to about $550-600 for now. What I want is a K5II but likely I'll be getting a K-30 instead. I can get a K-30 now for well under $400 and it will do me just fine for what I do so it just makes sense to go that route. If I happened to see a K-5II body used or new for under $550 that I could use my credit card to pay for, like on say Amazon or via the big camera stores, I'd likely go for it, but the K-30's are much cheaper and well, the crystal red one still makes me drool, lol, and I've seen it now for well under $400 new or used in several places so I am seriously considering it. I just love the look of the K-30 and in particular that red one and I can always pick up a K-5II later. I do need a WR body but it could be either one really so it's a question of which I can get, when, and for how little...

02-12-2014, 10:08 PM	#28
RyanW Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 583	I'd have to say one of the entry level pentax's with a kit lens or the 35 or 50 cheap prime used from Keh or similar to stay on budget. One could do a lot of damage with that and I could save up and add to it over time. If I was only allowed on camera and lens then the Fz200 might be a great solution. Not as squeaky clean as images from larger sensors, but I've seen a lot of very presentable photos taken with that camera. It's a great travel cam. Actually, this might be a fun toy for $329 @Keh BF KIT PENTAX K10D WITH SIGMA 18-200 DC, BLUE TENBA VECTOR SHOULDER BAG 1, 4GB TRANSCEND SDHC, HOYA UV AND POLARIZER FILTER

02-13-2014, 02:08 PM	#29
jogiba Banned Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Millstone,NJ Posts: 6,491	How about a waterproof camera with 6.4" 1920x1080 viewfinder Xperia Z Ultra LTE Unlocked Smartphone - XZUC6806 Review - Sony US

02-13-2014, 11:20 PM	#30
_quicksilver_ Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 207	Originally posted by pinholecam Canon 5d 2nd hand and a handful of takumars. +1 I have just acquired an old Canon 5D + 50 1.8 mk I for less than 400€. It has been a real eye-opener. Finally a viewfinder that is big and bright and the AF seems to be very good as well, at least much better in Servo mode than my K-5. But the best thing is the IQ of the photos: the colours and the skin tones are just perfect! Even though the camera is "old" it is very fast to operate, feels good in hand and I seem to reach out for it instead of my K-5 just because it´s more fun to shoot with.