[BigMackCam]

I think a new K-3iii (or whatever it's going to be called) would struggle to sell for $1,800. Maybe a $1,200 to $1,300? Certainly $1,400 max.

Agreed, Mark. I wouldn't expect a launch price above $1,500, and even that would be a bold move. I reckon your $1,200 - $1,300 estimate is about right.

[surfar]

Maybe a $1,200 to $1,300? Certainly $1,400 max.

Yes......

---------- Post added 09-20-18 at 10:41 PM ----------

I reckon your $1,200 - $1,300 estimate is about right.

Makes 3 of us!

You guys hear the one about the Pommy,Kiwi and OZZIE?

[JML69]

I am fortunate enough to own both systems the OP is asking about. While the K-3ii and 150-450 are a very nice combination (and no I am not bashing Pentax) as I still have 4 Pentax Bodies and many, many lenses.......

The D500 and 200-500 are in many ways far superior for what He is wanting to do. Yes, the Menu on the D500 is confusing and cumbersome at first, but after spending some time using it you learn how to adapt. As far as the picture quality between the two combinations I do not really notice one being better than the other.

But what I do notice is the D500 locks focus much faster and stays on focus for moving subjects and this is something He is interested in.

[UserAccessDenied]

With the K-1ii at $1,896.95, and the KP at $869.94, I think a new K-3iii (or whatever it's going to be called) would struggle to sell for $1,800. Maybe a $1,200 to $1,300? Certainly $1,400 max.

But, to me, it sounds like you've made your decision.

I guess it depends what it's packing...
The KP isn't an APS-C flagship and is dated now. The K-1 is dated also and the mark ii version had marginal improvements so no real cause for a jump in price.

If they released a K-3iii, or whatever it's going to be called, that rivaled the D500 in AF performance, fps and buffer speed... Along with other improvements... I would have no reservations paying upwards of $2200 for it brand new. Today.

If you guessed my decision was made to wait, than you were correct! There's too much happening next week to pull the trigger on something right now.

I've put an offer on a 150-450 on the marketplace, waiting to hear back from the seller.
If I can pick that up for less than a D500 body I'll give it a shot. If not, I'm going to wait to see what happens at Photokina.

The Sony "mini a9" is also intriguing, if it's not just a rumor.

These are exciting times for photographers; regardless of brand loyalty!

[UserAccessDenied]

Agreed, Mark. I wouldn't expect a launch price above $1,500, and even that would be a bold move. I reckon your $1,200 - $1,300 estimate is about right.

$1200-$1300 would be nice!
I still don't mind paying more as long as the camera justifies the cost...

[UserAccessDenied]

I am fortunate enough to own both systems the OP is asking about. While the K-3ii and 150-450 are a very nice combination (and no I am not bashing Pentax) as I still have 4 Pentax Bodies and many, many lenses.......

The D500 and 200-500 are in many ways far superior for what He is wanting to do. Yes, the Menu on the D500 is confusing and cumbersome at first, but after spending some time using it you learn how to adapt. As far as the picture quality between the two combinations I do not really notice one being better than the other.

But what I do notice is the D500 locks focus much faster and stays on focus for moving subjects and this is something He is interested in.

I really appreciate this post. (NOT for confirmation of anything, sad to even have to make that disclaimer as some people commenting here think I have this 'down with Pentax, HOORAY Nikon' motive?)
Simply because you have both systems I'm trying to get a comparison of and actually have some grounds to make a comment on how both systems match up.

I wonder if the Sigma 150-600 Sport would give an edge on IQ over your current setup.

I've got a book full of notes from these past few days and will be reading them over next week once some announcements are made.
I don't expect much from the Ricoh booth, but fingers are crossed!!

[BigMackCam]

$1200-$1300 would be nice!
I still don't mind paying more as long as the camera justifies the cost...

I think the K-3II replacement will be just that - a replacement, an evolution of what the K-3II offered, aimed at general APS-C shooters wanting a high end all-rounder - the same people who, in Nikon circles, might choose a D7500. I very much doubt it'll be a specialist camera, as the D500 might be (and was originally) perceived. That's one reason why I think the release price ought to be around the $1,300 mark, settling down to a slightly lower street price a few months after launch...

[surfar]

The Sony "mini a9" is also intriguing, if it's not just a rumor.

Its coming, not sure when.$$$ony are playing the patient game with their new stuff.They are waiting till the other companies reveal all their newbys.

Its likely going to be in an A7 body,so the video is going to be top end.Consequently it'll have the Z battery and the A7 grip will fit.

Fuji may be an option as well?A fair selection of native glass and the Canon L glass adapts on really well(it does for $$$ony too)

I think its worth waiting for RI,their newby could set the standard?

[Rondec]

Honestly, I do not think Pentax will catch-up to the auto focus the OP requires for his wildlife shooting, at least not by the release of their new flagship K3ii replacement. The D500 auto focus seems to be leaps ahead of what Pentax has in the works. I'm just being brutally honest. I hate pushing another brand here, but I think the Nikon is the right move. It was designed with wildlife photography in mind. If the OP wants to plop down the 1800 for the body, that's his call.

The OP could be patient and wait, but I truly feel it will be for naught. Pentax really has to step up to the plate with their auto-focus system. This is just my opinion of course, obviously, opinions will vary and opinions are not facts. So, who knows?

There are tons of rumors going around right now, among them a Samsung sensor capable of 15 fps and a new processing engine from Samsung as well. This sort of thing certainly could boost the K3 III up as far as specs considerably.

To be clear as well, I think the goal with Pentax is to get better, not be perfect. As was mentioned earlier in this thread, even the D500 isn't perfect. It is better than the K3 and has faster frame rate so it generates more in focus photos. Pentax still doesn't need to add 300 focus points to get a decent boost in performance and if the K3 III has similar frame rate to the D500 and is 80 percent as good as far as tracking auto focus (with a DC motored lens) then I think that is a win for Pentax.

As far as pricing goes, I think Mark and Big Mack are right. 1200 to 1300 is probably the max we are looking at. With the Pentax K-1 selling for 1700 and K-P just a hair under 900, whatever flagship APS-C looks like will have to fit into the slot between those.

Anyway, to the OP, good luck! It sounds like you have an itch to scratch and probably for your style of photography, a D500 is better.

[surfar]

I wonder if the Sigma 150-600 Sport would give an edge on IQ over your current setup.

The Tamron equivalent is significantly lighter,theres a few YouTubes comparing Sigma/Tamron 150-600.

The Angry guy on YT,compares the Tamron to the Nikon 200-500.He rates the Nikon much higher but he comes with Nikon bias.Northrups do a comparison too.

[UserAccessDenied]

I think the K-3II replacement will be just that - a replacement, an evolution of what the K-3II offered, aimed at general APS-C shooters wanting a high end all-rounder - the same people who, in Nikon circles, might choose a D7500. I very much doubt it'll be a specialist camera, as the D500 might be (and was originally) perceived. That's one reason why I think the release price ought to be around the $1,300 mark, settling down to a slightly lower street price a few months after launch...

True.
Though, the amount of time between the K-3 and the K-3ii and the next to be K-3 series... I just hope there's something there to really wow me.

I think too many people think you have to shoot FF to be "Pro". Why can't we have a "Pro"-level APS-C?

There was no KP when the K-3ii was released. But now the KP gives the K-3 series room to move UP in my opinion. Greater division between the cameras.
KP is a great "general APS-C all-arounder" in my opinion. Let's see the K-3ii successor be something special.


At least I can dream until reality slaps me in the face...

[surfar]

There are tons of rumors going around right now, among them a Samsung sensor capable of 15 fps and a new processing engine from Samsung as well.

Kind of,

The sensor in the XT3 is supposed to be a Samsung BSI that was designed for the NX2.It shoots 20fps or cropped 30fps with Fujis processor.

RI were rumoured to get that sensor and a Samsung processor.The 15 fps is a reference to what the NX1 was capable of.Its a BSI as well and if Ricoh ends up with that one then it'll be cheaper than Fujis.

As i said above,it would be nice if some details were available in Germany.

---------- Post added 09-20-18 at 11:45 PM ----------

I just hope there's something there to really wow me.

Let's see the K-3ii successor be something special.

At least I can dream until reality slaps me in the face...

Theres lots who are wishing and hoping,i think it has to happen.All indicators point to it.

[Rondec]

Kind of,

The sensor in the XT3 is supposed to be a Samsung BSI that was designed for the NX2.It shoots 20fps or cropped 30fps with Fujis processor.

RI were rumoured to get that sensor and a Samsung processor.The 15 fps is a reference to what the NX1 was capable of.Its a BSI as well and if Ricoh ends up with that one then it'll be cheaper than Fujis.

As i said above,it would be nice if some details were available in Germany.

---------- Post added 09-20-18 at 11:45 PM ----------







Theres lots who are wishing and hoping,i think it has to happen.All indicators point to it.

Regardless, assuming Pentax keeps an SLR design (which they will), there is no way that faster than 10 or 12 fps frame rate will be available except in live view, where tracking will be abysmal. I'm sure at the least frame rates in AF-C will be somewhat limited, even if the sensor they are using is capable of 50 fps.

[UserAccessDenied]

The Tamron equivalent is significantly lighter,theres a few YouTubes comparing Sigma/Tamron 150-600.

The Angry guy on YT,compares the Tamron to the Nikon 200-500.He rates the Nikon much higher but he comes with Nikon bias.Northrups do a comparison too.

Right, but I think they only reviewed/compared the contemporary Sigma version... The sport version is touted as superior.
This lens is even compared, to some degree, to the more expensive 500mm primes...

here's a phenomenal blogger that Bob shared with me last night... SO MUCH CONTENT!

It's heavily Nikon content, but it's a phenomenal read for gear comparisons...

Natural Art Images: Voice: Brad Hill Blog

He does a 500mm shoot-out and talks a lot about the Sigma 150-600 Sport version.

[BigMackCam]

Though, the amount of time between the K-3 and the K-3ii and the next to be K-3 series... I just hope there's something there to really wow me.

I think too many people think you have to shoot FF to be "Pro". Why can't we have a "Pro"-level APS-C?

I guess it depends on your definition of "pro level". I've always considered the K-3 and K-3II to be "pro level" in terms of build quality, feature set and image quality, whilst accepting that they were never market leading for AF.C and video.

If the K-3II replacement offers equal to, or better than, KP performance at high ISO (with any raw NR switchable on/off), noticeably improved AF.C, an articulating screen and dual cards, whilst retaining or improving on the flagship build quality, weather resistance and functional feature set, that would - IMHO - be a worthy successor to the K-3II.

I don't think there will be anything to "wow" you if you're expecting or hoping for significantly more than this. But maybe there'll be a few pleasant surprises