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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
04-27-2015, 05:24 PM
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Hello Sandy,
I am not leaving for France until 06/23. Do you think the price will drop on the KS-2 by then?
The Q7 you linked to is interesting.
Marc
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
04-26-2015, 11:42 PM
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Hello All,
Thank you all for the great replies. I did a bit of research on the Ks-2 and it may be just the ticket for me but the price is outside my budget. I like the K3 and with the eventual price drop when the K3 II comes out it will be in my price range, but the weight is an issue. Not so much for me, but my wife complains about the K7 already and she uses my camera as well when we are on vacation. So I guess my question is what am I giving up by choosing the Ks-2 over the K5 IIs? What am I gaining? I am not a hard core photographer, but still enjoy bringing a good camera with me on hikes, climbing trips, vacations and such. I dont bring the camera on the rock with me, but its more for the hike in and around the base of the crag. I seem to get along well with the tamron 18-250 but curious if I go the Ks-2 route if I should buy the body only or consider the kit lens since its weather sealed.
Any links to the best price on a KS-2?
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
04-24-2015, 02:16 PM
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Hello All,
I currently have a K7 that I have been using with mixed results. I wanted to buy a K5 at the time, but opted for a near new K7 body instead as cost was a factor and at that time the K5 was only available new. In most respects the K7 was great, but the low light issue was my only main complaint. Also my pics tended to be more on the dark side at times and in the LCD for preview they always looked really dark, even if in reality they weren't. One of my reasons to go K7 at the time was I was an avid backpacker and rockclimber and wanted a sealed body. For that it was great as I was caught in rain more then a few times.
My upgrade budget is in the $500 or less range. I immediately went online looking for a K5 and found while I have been away the K5ii and K5iis has been released and its old enough that the bodies are in my price range. However I have not been following this site in a while and I see there are other models worth considering. K30 and such. I sold most of my lesser used lenses and only have an old 50mm prime and a Tamron 18-250 that I tend to use the most. I tend not to shoot video on my DSLR as I have far to many gopros for that.
I'd like some advice on Pentax bodies worth considering in my price range of $500 or less. I am willing to give up the sealed body of the K5 option if there is a good reason to do so. I will likely buy a used body on this site or ebay.
On another note, is there a firmware upgrade on the K7? if so any help with the low light issue and what is the rev number? How do I find out what firmware I have now?
Bets regards,
Marc
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
07-20-2012, 04:26 PM
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Hello All,
SO I went through my functions and see that I did not have any exposure comps. Also in Auto mode I dont think that is possible either. I have set the cop higher about +1/2 to +1 and manage to fix most of my issues. I recently looked over my photos and most if not all the ones that were too dark I deleted. Also by shooting bracketed photos I tend to get at least one of the three being good. However I do notice I struggle in bright light as well as dificult lighting such as on overcast days. I hav enot been using it in a while but will do so this week to get the swing of things again. One question I do have is in regards to the 3 settings for metering and focus... I dont hav emy manual with me so I will try and explain by visal since the camera is here. I am curious when I should switch based on conditions and why? I will read up on these tonight, but figured I would get others imput as well.
Rear of camera near AF button.. Center, SEL and AUTO Current selection: Auto
Top of camera: Center, Unsure?, Unsure Green.. Current Selection: Auto
Around Lens Mount left side: Green AF.S, C, MF Current Selection: C
Best regards,
Marc
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
07-17-2012, 11:32 AM
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Helo Adam,
Thanks for the reply. I will see what I can find this evening. How do I post a photo with the EXIF data? Will the Pentax Software export a photo with the Data?
Marc
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
07-17-2012, 10:57 AM
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Hello All,
Last year, I bought a second hand K7 that was barely used. I also bought a Tamron 18-250 and a Tamron 10-24 lens. I mainly used the camera for a trip to France. Before I used an Old Pentax Program Plus film camera and various point and shoot digitals without any problems. What I have found is with the K7, is that most if not all of my pictures are too dark. I have tried just about every mode with the same results. Fully Auto or Manual. I am curious if the meter is reading incorectly. The pictures come out dark in all lighting situations. I find myself using fill in flash to help quite a bit or use bracketing where at least one pic will have correct exposure. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I can do to fix this? Maybe I have a setting incorrect in the Menu. Anyone have a recomendation of a place I can take it to be looked at in the Los Angeles area? I live in Burbank CA.
I have taken pics with the K7 then immediately take the same pic with a freinds Cannon Rebel DSLR and recieved better results with the Cannon. This leads me to believe something is not set up correctly in the K7.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated as I am going on vacation in 2 weeks and would like to sort this out before if possible.
Best regards,
Marc Webster
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
06-23-2011, 11:54 PM
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Roger,
For what you want to do you can use one single camera and a linear slide so long as your subject is static (ie nature, mountains) for anything else chances are you will need two cameras. It does not take much misalignment or dissimilarity in the images for your brain to pick it up and then that's how you get the eye strain. However in movies its more of an issue and your just going to have one pic to look at so the eye strain wont build up like it would in a movie. I think for your first tries you should just go with 2 cameras side by side (parallel ie no convergence) with your IO as close as you can get the 2 cameras together. My guess it will be around 3 to 4" or so. start with something that wont move like a car. If your dead set on using one camera then there are many off the shelve linear motion items you can buy, but for testing, maybe see if you can mount a ball bearing droor slide to your tripod (home depot or mcmaster carr has them) and then mount your camera to it. then just take your shot and then move it over a bit and shoot again. Don't bother with motorizing it. Or go on Ebay and buy a manual linear slide something from thomson or deltron should do the trick. I actually have a bunch in storage but would need to do some searching. if you cant find something let me know and I might have what you need.
Marc
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
06-17-2011, 03:14 PM
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Hello All,
So I finally had a chance to test out the K7 & Tamron 18-250 and so far so good. I received such good advice on here I figured I'd ask a few more questions.
I plan to buy a cleaning kit and in my research found rocket blowers and Lens pens, but last time I used my Film SLR all I ever used was lens wipes. Never heard of a pen. So knowing that things have changed, is there an all inclusive kit I can buy, or do I need to locate the pieces individually? If so what is recommended? Should I get a lens Pen?
I need a Bag, and i have a small one I used for my film Program Plus that I can use for now, but at Best Buy ran across some Camera Backpacks. I want a bag I can use when on a trip in Europe but also don't want to look like a full Tourist either. The backpacks seem like a good idea since I imagine I can also have other non camera items in there. Any recommendations? I'll only have the camera, 2 extra lenses and whatever I use for cleaning.
I only have the software that comes with the camera plus whatever is bundled in windows 7. I also downloaded Photo Me to get info on shutter counts to see how many when the camera arrived, but unsure what else I can do with it. I know Photoshop is the gold standard, but also know its a huge program that is quite involved to learn. Is there a watered down version geared toward photography? Also I hear PS has lens profiles to aid in correction. Are there other photo programs out there that have this that may be easier to learn?
Should I bother with Filters? The lens hood seems to be pretty good at protection. I only have a clear filter on my 50mm that I took off my program plus.
Any help or suggestions would be great.
Marc |
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-15-2011, 11:43 AM
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Hello all,
I have read reviews for both of these lenses as well as comparisons between the two but was unable to find an answer to what I was curious about.
Anyhow, I am torn between the two and both get good ratings, but the Tamron has F3.5 and the sigma I can afford is F4 and I already know that the K7 has low light issues which makes me lean toward the Tamron for F3.5. The extra 4mm is nice but I have another lens that covers that range. So for me its weather there would be much difference in F4 vs F3.5 on a K7 were I to use it indoors. I imagine both would work just fine on a sunny day outside. I have seen images from both and must say that the ones from the sigma are quite impressive, however, there were less to find in the Tamron so the sigma may look better since there is more to see. The $50 rebate on the Tamron is another selling point... Also I saw a mention of the pop up flash being obscured by the size of the 77mm body and notice the sigma uses the same size filter. If I get one of these will I also need to buy a hot shoe flash... Unsure if my budget can afford that right now..
Marc
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-14-2011, 11:38 PM
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Hello All,
My K7 arrived and I just bought the used tamron 18-250 and played around a bit. So far WOW... Oh and I downloaded the program to check the shutter count and it was 532. not only does it look new without a scratch on it, but it was hardly used... I scored at $500 I think...
Now I just need to find a used Sigma 10-20 or Tamron 10-24
Oh and one other thing, I finaly found my old camera to test the 50mm I have and its an F1.7. It works fine enough, but I noticed that I don't have the prizm in the center to help with the manual focus. I use to rely on that quite a bit. Any tricks to focus without it? Or just by eye and get a feel for it with experience...
Marc
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
06-14-2011, 11:31 PM
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Hello All,
My K7 arrived and I jt bought the tamron 18-250 and played around a bit. So far WOW... Oh and I downloaded the program to check the shutter count and it was 532. not only does it look new without a scratch on it, but it was hardly used... I scored at $500 I think...
Marc
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
06-14-2011, 10:44 PM
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Hello Roger,
I have been thinking about how I mentioned primes will not be the same and while I do know that is the case, it may be OK for what you want. In the film industry everything is scrutinized to the pixel and the lenses we use are matched sets for this reason, but for your needs not being video and since you will have the ability to spend the time to adjust each image as needed it may not be an issue. Your just doing PP on two frames, whereas in a movie its 30 frames a second. I think you might be more willing to deal with some PP on one nice image then thousands of frames. so in a sense prime lenses that are close enough should work.
Just did not want to scare you away from trying due to what I mentioned.
Marc
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
06-14-2011, 02:41 PM
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Hello Roger,
The interocular distance (distance eyes apart) will be based on what your shooting. For up close stuff in the less than 50' or so, anything in the 1" to 3" is fine. For things way out (think sports filming distances) you need to over exaggerate the IO to get a 3d effect and IO in the range of 5" to 12" is not uncommon. You will have a minimum IO you can get since to make it easy you will build a parallel system (cameras side by side) and you will be limited by how close you can get two D20's together. If you build a beamsplitter system you can have an IO from 0" to whatever. See link below for beamsplitter systems.
You will have 2 other issues but they are not too bad so long as you do still photography and not video. Your alignment will be an issue, but that can be fixed in PP. Most notably will be a vertical offset since there are not any controls between sensor placement and manufacturer and one camera will have a different height from the sensor center to the base of the camera over another. Just align the photo in PP.
If you film or try and get a single shot of some fast action lets say a drummer. Even if the shutters fire at the same time they will never be exact and in one eye, the hand will be in a different position as the other eye and it will make PP hard to line up and worse yet that's what causes eye strain in 3D.. Ie Bad 3D. To get around this in the film world, the shutters are gen locked to each other to start and stop at the same time to keep the video in synch. If you plan to do video, you can use a laser pen or a flash as a cut and synch point.
Ok so here is the biggest issue. Lenses aren't matched to each other; even primes. so you could have a magnification issue between shots. Using a zoom can help by dialing it in, but it can also make things worse since it can be a pain in the butt, but if you take your time it may work out OK.
I would be interested to hear how your progress goes with this as it could be a fun project. Also I work for a 3D company and at the link below it will explain some of the theory as well as show what a beamsplitter rig is. I designed about 80% of the 3D products on the website and 100% of the Quasar rig.
www.technica3d.com
Also for fun 3D you can buy a gopro 3D setup to get video. The shutters are genlocked to each other so the files are synched. Here is a Youtube video of my first test. If you don't have anaglyph glasses you can turn off the 3D and watch it in 2D.
You Tube
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src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4nPJK_5dV34?controls=1" allowfullscreen>
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You Tube
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src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4nPJK_5dV34?controls=1" allowfullscreen>
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PS: youl need to watch these on Youtube's site to get the 3D option. If you click on it here it will display 2 side by side images... Just click the link above the video.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
06-14-2011, 09:32 AM
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Hello Mitch,
I was also considering the Kr since Costco had them on special with 2 lenses. I just assumed the Kr had weather seals since when I was looking for cameras years back what I liked about the K10 was that it was sealed. After research on here and with others help I found that to get the seals I needed to buy a K5 if I wanted new or consider on older model like a K7 or K20. With the expense of an upcoming trip to France, I chose to look for a good used K7 and then put money into a nice lens. I figured I might be able to get a used K7 setup for darn close the the price of the Kr. I found a near new K7 body for $500 that does not have a scratch on it and I will be looking at a used Tamron 18-250 lens today that is for sale at $350. So for $850 I ended up with a K7 setup. I ended up with a sealed camera, but not a WR lens, but figure I can always buy a second hand 18-55 WR and have it on hand for days when the weather is iffy. I also have a A50 manual focus prime from a previous camera that I plan to use as well. Now with all that said, I started off with a hopefull budget of 1K and I am at $850 but after more research I also now want a wide angle zoom for panaramas and that will be an aditional $450 or so dollars which will put me at $1300, but all total I think I got a pretty good setup for even less than what a K5 would have cost with the kit lens. This is much more camera then I need at the moment, but one in which I will use for a long time that I can grow into as I learn more. This forum is very helpful and they will steer you in the right direction if you aske enough questions.
good luck...
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-08-2011, 10:42 PM
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Hello All,
Thank you so much for all the great replies. I feel like I have learned so much in the last few days and look forward to learning more once my K7 arrives and I get a lens or 2 on it...
I could not have imagined getting this much good advice and also considering things I never would have like considering a wide angle lens since Paris streets are narrow. Or advice on lenses used by actual climbers...
So with all the help I got I have a good idea of what I want now.
I plan to look at the used Tamron 18-250 that is for sale for $350 and maybe ask him to borrow it for a day with a deposit to see how I like it. If I don't then the 18-55WR or the 18-135 will be next to look at.
After looking at some of the shots in the Sigma 10-20 club I think it would really be an ideal lens to bring to France to get shots of large panoramic buildings and such. I saw many of the shots on the site and it gave me so many ideas of things I could shoot.
For the fast 50 I will use the one I have from my Program Plus film camera to try out since I have it and see how I like it. I don't have my film Pentax near me but I think I have the A50 1.7 or 2, I cant remember.
So to stay within my budget, I think I will buy the zoom lens ASAP and use my A50. I will also keep tans on Craigslist and other places for the sigma 10-20 and if one pops up before my trip great, if not I have 8 weeks to set aside a bit of money and can maybe buy it just before I go. only thing with the Sigma people say the pop up flash is blocked and I had not planned on buying a flash right away. there goes my budget....;)
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-08-2011, 11:10 AM
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Hello Rio Rico,
I found a few Da-18-250 lenses online for sale.
One is Pentax like new with UV Filter for $450
The other is the Tamron Version for $350 its used but in great condition he says and includes box and paperwork. I emailed him to ask about cosmetic issues and he said this:
"Yes, it's still available. There's some light scuffs on the lens cap and maybe some minimal scuff on the focus ring area. I can give you a better description when I get home. There's also some dust inside the barrel but from what I can tell is doesn't affected image quality. There are no scratches on the glass."
The mention of Dust scares me... Based on what he said, is that a no go for this lens? Also can it be cleaned? If I offer less and get it cleaned it may be worth it. He is local to me so I can see it in person before I buy. The $450 one is not and would essentialy be a blind purchase..
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-07-2011, 03:10 PM
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Also found a second hand near new Pentax DA18-250 for $450. Should I include it in the mix? Or the Tamron version as well since they share internals.
Reviews seem good on this lens for what I need but 250 may be a bit more than I need... I liek the suggestion of whichever zoom I get for outside and then the fast 50 I have for night time.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-07-2011, 10:27 AM
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Hello all,
Thanks for the great replies; they have helped a lot. However in some ways now I'm even more confused as to what to get. I was leaning toward the WR lenses, but I think I can get buy without it or possibly just buy the 18-55 WR for days or situations when I could use it. I was also leaning toward a mid level zoom since when on Vacation in France if I wanted to get a close up of a painted ceiling in a church, I thought that 135 would help. Some of the primes mentioned are out of my price range at the moment due to the upcoming trip expenses, but I could work on acquiring lenses later. What I need now is either one all around versatile lens or perhaps 2 to carry.
For about the same price as the DA18-135WR and also my budget of $500 I have other options I am considering.
Option 1: DA 18-55 WR ($150) and DA 50-200 WR ($209) = $359
This seems like a nice option and I still have my 50mm prime form my old Pentax Program Plus I can use if needed.
Option 2: DA 17-70 ($479)
Reviews say it's a good do everything lens and seems to be higher quality image wise to the 18-135 WR. Nice that it goes a bit farther than the 18-55 so seems like an inbetween compromise to the DA18-135. Con is its near the max of my budget.
Option 3: KEH has many used lenses that may work for me as well. Buy a second hand DA 18-55 for cheap then put the remaining in a new lens or other used lens from KEH.
Option 4: totally disregard WR and am interested in suggestions from others from any lens manufacturer (Sigma 17-70?, Tamron). As I said for this trip I need some zoom versatility and I can worry about buying fancy primes at a later date...
At the moment, despite the high cost the DA 17-70 seems like a good choice..
Sorry for all the questions but for me $500 is a lot to put into a lens or lenses and I just dont have the knowledge to choose by myself. The reviews help, but even they can be confusing. I am sure that whatever I end up with will work great for my ability at the moment and chances are at my skill level I will be less discriminating to the shortcomings of a lens that to others with more background would see right away.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-06-2011, 10:52 AM
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Hello All,
I recently bough a K7 body second hand and am looking to get a WR lens for it. I bought the camera to have a Digital SLR to take with me for a trip to France this summer. I chose a K7 because I could not afford the K5 but still wanted the weather resistance. Anyhow due to that it has led me to the DA 18-135 WR and before I make the purchase wanted to make sure there were not other good options out there I should consider. My budget is $500 or so for the lens and the 18-135 is $429 right now. Are there any Tamron or Sigma WR lenses out there? I am sure to take this camera backpacking and on Climbing trips, so I like the ability to have some zoom as well as WR is importnat to me.
The 18-135 has mixed reviews but I also see some posts that say with the K7 or K5 that the lens correction feature in the body makes up for some of its short comings. I am an amateaur and I am sure anything will seem much clearer and better than what I am use to. I also have an older Ka mount 50mm lens that came on my Program Plus that I plan to use occasionaly as well...
Any help or suggestions would be great,
Marc
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
05-27-2011, 12:19 PM
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Hello All,
Thanks for the great replies and all the help. This may end up a repost as my computer logged me off before I sent a message and unsure if it will be posted here. If so dissregard.
Anyhow, I try and ask the question again. In my research over the week I have managed ot find a near new used K7 body for $500. The person is upgrading to a K7 so is selling the body only. It has very few shots on it and has never been outsid; so im told..;). I am a bit leary buying used since i am usure f the waranty is transferable at all. Also he never turned in the waranty card and am curious if I would be able to and be able to have a waranted camera. However he no longer has the receipt. Anyone have any background on if I could waranty this with the card he has and I say I cnat find my receipt.
Also since I plan to use this on hikes and on vacation I am onsidering pourchasing the DA 18-135WR lens for this. I read reviews on this lens that say its great on a K5 with some lens correction that teh K5 offers. Currious if the K7 has this correction menu. Also if not, will an ameteaur like me even notice the shortcoming of this lens?
So with all this said, it seems liek a K7 and this lens woudl be a nice compromise at roughly $800 then say a K5 with a simpler lens at $1600. Also this seems like a much nicer setup than a K-r at $700. Is this a fair assumption?
My only wory is buying used somewhat sight unseen. He is in AZ and I am in CA. Any questions I shoudl ask other than shutter clicks to get an idea as to condition. But then again as I said he bought it nad then realized he wanted a K5 so its pretty muc dorn close to new.
Take care,
Marc
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
05-26-2011, 11:25 AM
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Hello All,
Thanks for all the great replies; they help a lot. I see that some people mentioned the K7 and went to keh.com sinc eit was mentioned in a reply and found that they have quite a few K7's available. Also K20's available as well. I really would like a camera with some degree of weather proofing which is what brought me to Pentax in the first place. So am I safe to assume that the K-r does not have the internal seals as on the K20, K7 and K5?
I looked at some of the reviews for the K7 and it was well liekd, but many people complained about shooting in High ISO as well as the akward movie resolution. I will probbaly use th emovie function here and there so thats no big deal, but curious about the high ISO issues. Unsure if it will be an issue for me as I will probably never use this camera to its fullest potential but then again I am sure ot be caught in low light at times. Is it really a bad mark on the K7? Also the K20 bodies and outfits are affordable as well and that gets me the weatherproofing but its a much older model..
On Keh, a K7 body sells in the range of $600 to $700, a K7 outfit with an 18-55 lens is $849. Is this a fair price for a K7? Its just $150 over the price of the K-r outfit
The K20 Body sells for $600 and an outfit is $616.00 with an 18-55 lens. This is less then the K-r and I am sure its a more capable camera, but curious if choosing an older K20 woudl be better in the long run than a new K-r setup.
Is it possible to Bargain with KEH or are the prices fixed... Anyone here have experience dealing with them. unsure about buying used sight unseen and curious how honest there grading is on condition...
Another option is I work in the 3D film industry and my company is a suplier to B&H and I should see if I can get some sort of discount.
so many options...
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
05-25-2011, 05:05 PM
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Hello All,
I use to be big into black and white photography in highschool and college (80s & 90s). I still have my Program Plus and use it routinely but my everyday camera has been a point and shoot digital but now I am considering a DSLR. Having owned a pentax without a single problem I started looking at pentax over the Nikon and Canon models. I like that the Pentax Cameras are somewhat weather resistant since I plan to take the camera on backpacking and climbing trips and such as well as on a upcoming vacation to France. Anyhow I started off looking at the K-r but after reading reviews of it and the K-5 I am also considering the K5. I think the K5 is much more then I need right now, but perhaps one I can grow into. The K-r looks great and its on sale at Costco with 2 lenses right now which is also very apealing. I am sure that whatever I chose I will like very much but unsure if I should bight the bullet and go all out sort to speak... Also my manual SLR skills have lapsed a bit but I will eventualy get into using them more as I spend more time with a SLR again.
The k5 would stretch my budget to the max which is what is holding me back and each time I think I could buy 2ea K-r setups for the same price as a k5. However I like the idea of the K5 and the 18-135 lens combo and I see that people who have issues with this lens use some correction that the K5 offers... Would this lens work OK on a K-r if I bought a body only and a more versital single lens then the two offered at costco..
As for my program plus, I only have a few lenses but it would be interesting to use them as well..
Well I look forward to all the advice,
Marc
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