Choices, Choices...

And your assumption is that old glass is outperformed by F and FA lenses (and DA), which is certainly not always the case. Some of the old K lenses are optically superb, so the generalisation doesn't work.

The key to this is to see which "individual" lenses work on the K-1, and I'm assuming....well, hoping is more the case....that the K lenses, as well as the DFA100, will work very well. But, at the moment, we just don't know.

Old Mercs are too heavy........ Wheelless cars are the way to go

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...Ridiculous ........next someone will say that Mirrorless Cameras are the way to go

Opinions:

Buy a K1 and consider a time share arrangement?

How important is magnification? For macro and wildlife then the K3's crop factor wins over in decent light.

How important is lower light shooting, higher iso shooting and raising shadows in pp? The K1 will steamroller the K3.

I'm sure that older glass will perform admirably on the K. Nonetheless I still think the K1 will require the lenses designed for it to get the absolute best.

The K1 promises best ever DSLR IQ. Difficult to resist.

For me, K1 100%. I'm just imaging K5IIs quality several years on - should be stunning.

John, you've got the new 150-450mm haven't you? That would be plenty of reach on the K1 without too much cropping I'd have thought ...

Regarding macro, am I right in assuming that (with the same lens, say a HD FA 100mm) the focus distances would be smaller to achieve the same frame filling magnification on the K1 than with an aps-c model? Perhaps a consideration if needing flash gear that might not have enough space with the camera so close, or shadows maybe.

We're getting some good thoughts from this thread. I'm still mulling it over. As regards macro, Nigel is right that to get the same magnification with FF as with APS-C we would need to move closer. Of course we can't move closer than 1:1 anyway as the lens won't focus any closer. Fortunately flash will not be an issue, as I just love working with available light.

So long as the available light is also 'good' light then I also enjoy it ... unfortunately it so often isn't any good, ('pants' seems to have become my most used term for it ) and so often needs a helping hand.

The expected high ISO performance in low light from the K1 will be a reason for many to reach into wallets .... Ironically, it is for better dynamic range at high ISOs when using flash that I would consider it. The idea of having clean dark shadows, and the power enhancing/battery saving effects of flash working at ISO 6400 is very appealing.

Do the right thing John, buy a K-1 for Sue.

Trust me on this one.

Mmmn, well a birthday is a birthday -- and there a few better excuses in the year for indulgence. But I'd counsel waiting six months. Not because of any price drop but to give time for any teething troubles to be sorted out. I recall the problems with the K5 when it first came out. Most manufacturers have form. Nikon has made glitches discovered by early adopters so predictable that a bookie would be crazy to lay odds.

Ja...
Exactly....although you'd think that being 5 or 6 years in development would have ironed out all the flawes...aye that'll be right. ..

Had a play with k1 yesterday i now have a pile on table for sale or trade in . Interestingly that book of vouchers they give you for attending can be used with other offers, big lens purchase on a black friday or srs special this year is looking probable.Get the k1 you know you want too

We are just back from the NEC, so a blog a bit later on, but a decision has been made.

I have just ordered a K-3 for Sue. She loved the K-1 and was very impressed by its speed, although she found it a bit heavy. That would have been OK, but the clincher was that she definitely wants a built in flash. So, K-3 it is.

I will order a K-1 plus the 28-105mm when supplies start coming in. I will go full frame and keep a K-5 as backup. I don't need the built in flash. I was really impressed by the feel of the K-1, it fitted perfectly and was amazingly fast. No difficulty making a decision once held in the hands. Hopefully a review copy might find its way to me in due course, but in any event I know I'm buying one.

That means that soon there will be a K20D and a K-5 body up for sale, both of which are in pristine condition. More of that later!

Have you factored in the cost of additional data storage for the files from that big sensor, John?

Good on you, John. I'm sure that Sue will enjoy the K-3 as much as I enjoy its recent sibling.

Data storage won't be a problem, the price per TB is quite low. It wasn't even on the list of things to factor in. I'm much more interested in the ergonomics and efficiency of the camera, plus some other benefits for some things I have in mind.