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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
12-15-2018, 02:53 PM
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I don't think you can go wrong with any of your choices - assuming that you are shooting for pleasure, as I am. The slight image quality advantage of APS-C over m4/3 really is insignificant for most of us. The issue I have with Olympus is they seem to be putting all their effort into very expensive pro lenses and bodies, but then there are already plenty of inexpensive lenses available.
The lack of Pentax dealers is a problem - there's no way to handle the cameras unless you live in a major city. Of course this is somewhat true of Oly and Fuji as well. Most shops only seem to carry Canon, Nikon, and Sony.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
12-15-2018, 01:29 PM
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It probably just proves that any modern camera can perform adequately for my needs, but when I review my Lightroom catalog, I like many of the images that I took several years ago with the K-30 and K-5ii better than those taken more recently with my Fuji cams, up to and including the X-T2. I found the Pentax 18-135 zoom to be really sharp, whereas the Fuji 18-135 is merely good. The Fuji primes are really good, but so are Pentax. Last year I chose Fuji over the Pentax KP, but honesty I think I'd be happy with either.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
08-29-2017, 10:25 AM
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Good advice, but the only way for me to handle the KP is to buy one. The local dealer used to have a stock of Pentax cameras and lenses, now they have only a K1 and a couple older kits (K-5iis, K-S2) and no lenses. I may rent one for a weekend.
I have owned the K-5ii and the X-T10. The X-T10 (and 20) are a bit on the small side, but I would probably add a grip. The K-5ii was a nice size - it felt great with the battery grip. OVF vs EVF - I'm OK with either, but I find myself using the OVF more often on the X100F that I currently own. Like you, I rarely used the XF zoom on my X-T10 after buying a couple of primes. I always felt that the XF 18-55 was heavy for that body.
Both systems would aggravate my LBA.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
08-27-2017, 08:38 AM
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To be honest, I'm still on the fence between the KP and the Fuji X-T20. Looking for comparisons of the 20-40 Ltd to the Fuji XF 18-55 f/2.8-4.0, or the Pentax 16-85 to Fuji XF 18-135....
Wish I could see a KP in person somewhere, but Pentax dealers are a rare breed. There is one here in Milwaukee, but they don't have much stock.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
08-17-2017, 05:32 AM
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One more vote for the 20-40 Limited. But who's keeping score? I am, of course!
That's 6 people who love the 20-40, compared with 4 for the 16-85 and 3 for the 18-135.
I could buy a used 20-40 for less than $500. I'm pretty sure I'd love it, but there are those times when more reach is needed - which is why I'm looking at this in the first place. KP with 20-40 is probably similar in quality to my X100F.
I'll throw one more into the mix - Sigma 18-300. Inexpensive superzoom with good reviews from forum users. That would leave room in the budget for 2-3 primes, or the 20-40...
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
08-16-2017, 01:25 PM
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Lots of good advice... there are really no bad options.
To put this in context, I have also been looking at a D7500 with their 16-80 lens (if it becomes available as a kit) or an 18-300. I have not ruled that out, and the one Pentax dealer in town does not have a KP to handle. I must say, one of the attractions to Pentax is this forum. Also the value per $ seems higher with Pentax. The downside is that Pentax has so many more lenses to choose from .
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
08-16-2017, 11:08 AM
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I'm currently using an X100F, so any zoom range is more than I now have 😊
On vacation last week I could have used a long tele for a couple of shots (bald eagle, deer swimming) but otherwise the fixed FL was OK. I bought this camera to avoid lens buying and lens changing. And yet, here I am.
We're going to Yosemite in October, so thinking about what I would like to have on that trip, then what I'd like to have on hand at home. Buy the 20-40, rent the 10-17 for the trip. I have rented the 12-24, nice but heavy.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
08-16-2017, 09:37 AM
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I am considering moving back to a DSLR after several years in the mirrorless world. I owned a K5ii a few years back and I was very happy with the image quality from the 18-135 lens, though I also owned or rented several other lenses.
Assume that I will eventually get a telephoto zoom. For walk around and wide angle, I'm looking at the following:
1) 16-85 plus 35/2.4... sensible choice?
2) 15 plus 18-55... great wide angle and OK mid Range?
3) 15 plus 20-40... highest cost, but this one is calling my name.
Appreciate any opinions from people that have used these lenses, particularly the 16-85 and 20-40. I'll also go back and re-read the reviews. Thanks!
Rich
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
10-15-2015, 10:17 AM
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I'm thinking along the same lines - but the FZ1000 price is more comparable to K-50 with 18-135. I'll try it and compare to my K-5ii shots, as the K-50 should deliver the same results.
---------- Post added 10-15-15 at 12:20 PM ----------
If I'm going to get a superzoom, I'll stick with the 1 inch sensor bridge cameras - by most accounts and reviews, the quality is as good or better, particularly since the RX10 and FZ1000 both have excellent lenses with wide aperture at longer focal lengths. And the price will be lower.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
10-15-2015, 10:10 AM
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that's the path I'm on - have an FZ1000 on order that is arriving this afternoon. I think it is likely to be as large as the K-3 plus 18-135, but lighter. There are no stores in my area that carry this camera, so I have no choice but to try and return. I can compare to shots taken with the K-30 and K-5ii.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
10-15-2015, 06:59 AM
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I looked at the K-S2 in a shop, but did not like the grip compared to the K-50. I suppose I could get used to it, but with the 18-135 it's the same price as K-3
---------- Post added 10-15-15 at 09:10 AM ----------
True. I use what is available. No portraits. I would take wide over Tele. Somewhere I have a chart of focal lengths that I used with the 18-135. Most likely there were clustered at the low end with another group at the long end. I rarely used the 55-210 on the Sony, but would have liked the 16-70 (too expensive). Rented the 18-105 for a vacation and it was pretty nice but bigger than the DA18-135.
So I need to answer for myself - how wide, how much Tele? I do have several old k-mount lenses, but not good ones. I also have an OM 50 f/1.8 but I never used it much on the K-5. With the DA 50 being so cheap, why bother?
---------- Post added 10-15-15 at 09:15 AM ----------
I don't need it to be that good, just better than an RX10 or FZ1000. Great with limited range would probably be more attractive to me than good with wide range.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
10-15-2015, 06:26 AM
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I am in the market for a camera or system in the range of $1000 or less. A couple of years ago I owned K-5ii with the 18-135 lens, along with the DA35 2.4. I preferred the K-5 to the K-30 ergonomics and AF performance. I was actually quite happy with the 18-135, but soon moved on to a Sony A6000 to save weight. Nothing wrong with the Sony's performance, but it was less satisfying to use and additional lenses are very expensive. I thought that was so with Pentax, but even more so with Sony.
So, I am considering the following:
Keep total costs in check by going with a fixed lens camera FZ1000 ($750) or RX10 ($650 used), and I would not have to buy any more lenses :) This is the way I am leaning, but I am also considering a Pentax DSLR system at the current low prices:
1) K-50 with 18-135 or Sigma 17-70, roughly $650.
2) K-50 with DA20-40 Ltd. $950. Am I crazy or would this be a nice kit?
3) K-3 with 50mm 1.8 for $650. Add the 18-135 or Sigma 17-70 for $400.
Question
- In comparison to the 1 inch sensor cameras, would either of these Pentax cameras with the 18-135 zoom provide better sharpness, dynamic range, focus speed, or low light performance? I have a suspicion that it would require prime lenses to dramatically exceed the RX10 or FZ1000 image quality, and the it becomes a challenge to minimize total cost and size of the system.
In my mind it comes down to which system will provide the most fun and satisfaction - and not require any additional investment for 2 - 3 years.
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Forum: Sold Items
06-08-2014, 02:47 PM
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Forum: Site Suggestions and Help
06-07-2014, 08:08 PM
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Forum: Site Suggestions and Help
06-07-2014, 09:01 AM
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I tried to add some photos to my For Sale post, but only the attachment links are displayed, not the actual photos. How do I get a photo to display in the post itself?
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Forum: Sold Items
06-06-2014, 02:35 PM
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K-5II body $525 used less than 6 months, ~1000 shutter clicks. Like new condition - purchased from Amazon warehouse deals in January 2014 with shutter count of 5. No marks or scratches, includes all accessories, software, and manuals.
SOLD - Pentax D-BG4 grip $135 mint condition in box.
18-135 WR lens (SOLD) purchased new in August 2013 in K30 kit. Includes Hoya Pro1Digital UV filter which has been on the lens since I bought it. Like new condition.
DA35 f/2.4 lens (SOLD) purchased new in October 2013. Like new condition.
Prices include shipping to Continental US via USPS priority mail. Paypal payments accepted. Send PM if you are interested.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
05-19-2014, 05:50 AM
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Thanks for the help. I may try to just copy the unedited .DNG files to the subfolder - not sure why the camera will not display edited JPEGs... so much for standards.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
05-18-2014, 04:55 PM
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I tried that - it did not work.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
05-18-2014, 10:08 AM
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I thought this would be simple, but it's not. I am trying to copy photos from Lightroom back to an SD card to view on the K-5II through the HDMI cable to my TV. The files were imported from the K-5II to LR, then exported to an SD card which I formatted in the camera, converting to JPEG during export. None of the files are readable on the camera.
What export settings should I be using, or is there a specific subfolder the files should be in?
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
02-17-2014, 12:00 PM
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Nice to see another Pentax user here in New Berlin. I'm glad the K3 is working out for you - enjoy the snow today!
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
01-31-2014, 04:17 PM
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The shutter released and mirror returned when I turned the shutter speed dial to the B position. I have purchased batteries and film and will give it a try, unless I can find a shop that can clean and adjust the camera for a reasonable price.
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
01-30-2014, 03:10 PM
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Thanks - I found the manual and it will be invaluable! I'm really looking forward to using both the lenses and the camera.
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
01-30-2014, 02:52 PM
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I'm not sure which forum to post this, but will start here. I just found the following when cleaning out a relative's apartment:
- Ricoh XR-2s SLR
- Ricoh XR Winder-1
- XR Rikenon 1:2 50mm L lens
- Tamron CF Tele Macro 80-210 3.8-4.0 lens with Tamron adaptall 2 mount "for Pentax K.M."
- Tokina-Special Auto 135mm 1:2.8 lens
- Ricoh XR Speedlight 220
Questions:
1. Can these lenses be mounted and used on my K-5 II?
2. What should it cost to have the camera cleaned and lubed?
3. When I tried the shutter release, the mirror flipped up and is now stuck open. Does it just need a battery or is this indicative of a problem? Either way, I'll try to find a local shop (in Milwaukee area) to look at it.
Thanks in advance, and if there is a specific sub forum for this, I'll repost there.
Rich
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
01-18-2014, 01:40 PM
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I had not realized that the mirror flipped up at the start of the 2 sec timer. Nice touch - I don't think my old Nikon D40 did that, and I have only had mirrorless cameras since then. I still have a lot to learn, which is half the fun.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
01-18-2014, 10:20 AM
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It's not quite the same, though for most of us it may be sufficient. MLU eliminates the mirror flipping from potentially inducing vibration and reducing sharpness. This is my first DSLR with this feature, so next time I am taking landscape photos on a tripod, I will try it out.
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