Hi all, feel like I kinda know some of you already, as for several months I've be researching a replacement for my expired (January 2016) Canon SX40is. Your forums (and those at DPReview) have been invaluable. So, please pardon the length, but the following is both profile & background to several questions.
I grew up learning photography and darkroom technique from Dad, who shot mostly twin-lens reflex cameras, developed his own B&W film, and always had prints drying in darkrooms at home and the office (RCA in NYC). I took some Basic Photography in college and, since '79, have worked mostly as a diving, natural areas biologist in the Florida Keys.
I add to my photography skills by trial and error and the occasional continuing education class. I've relied on employers cameras for most of the past 40 years and, from '79 to '93, those were mostly the Nikonos II, III, IV and V. The mid-90s got terrestrial, so I gradually traded fins for shoes, and switched to using Nikon and Canon SLRs at work and, occasionally, an Olympus or Panny "tough" camera. When I finally bought my own camera, I went for the convenience of superzooms, a Canon SX10, SX20 and SX40 (but never learned to not treat them like a Nikonos, so salt or moisture got to each after a coastal life of about three years).
Now, I find something's missing (besides brain cells); it may be IQ (the other one, thank you). My superzooms' images just don't stand up to my collection of slides. Seeking better results, and given my propensity for getting wet, salty, muddy, and dinged, my camera research seems to be steering me directly toward a Pentax DSLR. Even my thin wallet says it makes sense. I'd love a K-70, and waited for the release date, but the wallet strongly suggests a K-S2 and the 18-135mm.
I shoot mostly for documentation and PowerPoints, especially plants and wildlife: birds (including owls after dark), reptiles, insects. Floral details and insects call for macro ability. And, by Christmas, I'd like to ready to get back to B&W for portraits. As I understand it,,, I might be disappointed with the 18-50 mm and 50-200 mm "kit" lenses. Okay... will the Pentax DA 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED AL DC WR Lens or SMC DA 18-135mm F/3.5-5.6 ED AL (IF) DC WR Lens serve me better? I can look for more reach (Pentax HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED WR) later. Likewise, as far as a macro (Pentax smc Pentax-D FA 100mm f/2.8 WR).
I will need a CPL sooner, rather than later, and welcome recommendations. Remember I am around salt air and salty mist or spray often. And dissimilar metals will lock up if not separated and cleaned. So, I would appreciate any safe recommendation for filters, and a "best" way to remove salt residue deposited on camera after a day on a boat or at the shore.
My employers usually provided Pelican cases to protect & tote SLRs and Nikonos cameras from office to field sites; the bigger ones (turned on-end) even doubled nicely as makeshift seats in swampy places. In wet environments, would most of you prefer a "hard" case over a soft for DSLR w/ 2 or 3 lenses, filters and batteries? If so, the K-70 just moved even farther out of reach.
One thing the Canon superzooms had that I'd rather not lose was their articulating view screens. But the K-5 and K-3 prices were prohibitive anyway.
And, thanks again for all the help I've already gotten as an unregistered visitor.
