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Finally adding digital to PK stable

alfamelba
Posted 28/01/2011 - 10:46 Link
Hi,
I have just joined as I am looking at finally investing in a DSLR.

For many years I used Pentax mount film cameras - I have a Cosina CS-1 (with Auto Adapter!), Pentax ME Super, Pentax K1000, and Pentax MG.

When DSLRs came out there was no way with a young family that I could afford one, so I have had a series of 3 Canon PowerShot A-series compacts. Although the resolution on these has increased with each, I am not convinced that the pictures always look better - I think that the 1.2 MP A30 sometimes produces the better looking pictures than the 8MP A720is. I am hoping that moving to a bigger APS-C sensor in an SLR will help put this quality back - have DSLR users found this?

Having been given some money recently, I am looking at finally being able to afford a DSLR. As I have a number of PK mount lenses (one is KR and would need the Ricoh pin removing) it would be nice to be able to use these on the DSLR (especially the Tamron AD2 80-210 which was my favorite lens) and fortunately Pentax seem to have catered for this.

I am looking at either the K-x or K-r cameras. The K-r would be at the limit of my budget, so I would like to know if it has any worthwhile advantages for using the existing lenses over the K-x. It appears that you can get a two-lens kit for the K-x for about the same price as the K-r with the standard zoom, but as I already have longer manual zooms, am I better buying the K-r?

One thing that is not at all clear from information I have seen in reviews of these cameras is regarding the flash. The add-on flashguns currently available are not cheap and there seem to be a lot more contacts on the hotshoe - is it possible to use my old flashguns? Also, I am not sure if there is a flash socket on the K-x or K-r - will I be able to use off-camera flash?

Sorry if that seems a lot of questions.
Pentax K-x, 18-55 DAL, 18-250 DA, 50-300 DA, Tamron 10-24 Di II, Pentax DA 40 XS, DA 15, 21 & 35 Ltds, Sigma 170-500 APO, A 50 F2.0, Vivitar PKA 2x converter, Jessops PKA extension tubes. Samsung GX-10, 18-55.
Pentax Q, Q7 + 01 + 02 + 03 + 06, Pentax 110 50 + 70mm, Soligor 1.7x TC, 110 to Q adapter.
Pentax ME Super, MG, K1000, Cosina CS-1 (+auto attachment).
Various PK lenses.
johnriley
Posted 28/01/2011 - 10:49 Link
It's a personal choice, but if funds are limited I'd rather have two lenses than one. Any improvements (and there are improvements) in the K-r will not be missed as much as the means of shooting the images you want will.

Welcome to Pentax User!
Best regards, John
i-Berg
Posted 28/01/2011 - 11:02 Link
G'day and welcome - I can vouch for the K-x, but the feedback about the Kr seems pretty good as well.

The K-x does not have any flash connectivity other than the hotshoe on top.

From my reading about the Kr, it doesn't either, but there are people here who use it that can confirm that.

I agree with John about the flexibility that a number of good lenses provides.
alfamelba
Posted 28/01/2011 - 13:12 Link
Thanks for the replies.

On the lens question I don't feel that autofocus is essential. I don't know if I really need the additional lens kit (K-x plus 18-55 and 50-200 £479.99 at Currys) as I already have manual zooms that cover the upper range - a 28-80 and the 80-210 as well as a 2x converter.

If there is no real advantage to the K-r (£489 with 18-55 at SRSMicrosystems) over the K-x (£389 with 18-55 at Park Cameras) I will probably save the money for now.

I will keep browsing the forum an mull it over for a few days.
Pentax K-x, 18-55 DAL, 18-250 DA, 50-300 DA, Tamron 10-24 Di II, Pentax DA 40 XS, DA 15, 21 & 35 Ltds, Sigma 170-500 APO, A 50 F2.0, Vivitar PKA 2x converter, Jessops PKA extension tubes. Samsung GX-10, 18-55.
Pentax Q, Q7 + 01 + 02 + 03 + 06, Pentax 110 50 + 70mm, Soligor 1.7x TC, 110 to Q adapter.
Pentax ME Super, MG, K1000, Cosina CS-1 (+auto attachment).
Various PK lenses.
Mike-P
Posted 28/01/2011 - 14:46 Link
Take a look at THIS .. will answer your questions hopefully.
alfamelba
Posted 29/01/2011 - 17:48 Link
Thanks for your help Mike.

I have not managed to find any stockist in Derby with a K-r to try out, but I have tried a K-x.

Further searching on the net gave me a best price of £349 for the K-x with 18-55 plus Sanyo Eneloop batteries and charger from Chiswick Camera Centre.

My concusion from reading the comparison on the link you posted is that the advantages of the K-r are not worth an extra £140 to me, and the batteries and charger cancel out the P&P charges, so I have ordered the K-x from Chiswick Cameras - looking forward to getting it next week .
Pentax K-x, 18-55 DAL, 18-250 DA, 50-300 DA, Tamron 10-24 Di II, Pentax DA 40 XS, DA 15, 21 & 35 Ltds, Sigma 170-500 APO, A 50 F2.0, Vivitar PKA 2x converter, Jessops PKA extension tubes. Samsung GX-10, 18-55.
Pentax Q, Q7 + 01 + 02 + 03 + 06, Pentax 110 50 + 70mm, Soligor 1.7x TC, 110 to Q adapter.
Pentax ME Super, MG, K1000, Cosina CS-1 (+auto attachment).
Various PK lenses.
VonBatCat
Posted 31/01/2011 - 17:25 Link
Welcome on board - from sunny??? Derby. Jus darn't road.

See you around the forums.
John (VonBatCat)

Rule of Thirds - I don't do fractions
link]Other Stuff
VonBatCat.Com
Edited by VonBatCat: 31/01/2011 - 17:25
tomkeet
Posted 31/01/2011 - 18:47 Link
Welcome to the forum.
Regards
Tom

K-1ii,K-3iii's.
SMC PENTAX-DA FISH-EYE 1:3.5-4.5 10-17mm ED [IF], SMC PENTAX-DA* 1:2.8 16-50mm ED AL [IF] SDM,
SMC PENTAX-DA 1:4 15mm ED AL Limited, SMC PENTAX-DA 1:3.2 21mm AL Limited,
SMC PENTAX-F 1:2.8 28mm, SMC PENTAX-FA 1:2 35mm AL,
SMC PENTAX-FA 1:1.4 50mm, SMC PENTAX-DA 1:2.4 70mm Limited,
SMC PENTAX-D FA MACRO 1:2.8 100mm WR, SMC PENTAX-DA* 1:4 300mm ED [IF] SDM,
SMC PENTAX-FA* 1:4 600mm IF & ED,
HD PENTAX -DA 1.4x AW AF REAR CONVERTER,
PENTAX AF160FC Auto Macro Ring Flash.

https://pentaxphotogallery.com/artist-gallery/?artist_id=20168301
alfamelba
Posted 03/02/2011 - 21:36 Link
Thanks for the welcome and advice folks. Got my K-x yesterday - taken a few shots round the house - anything in daylight will have to wait for the weekend.

Cheers.
Pentax K-x, 18-55 DAL, 18-250 DA, 50-300 DA, Tamron 10-24 Di II, Pentax DA 40 XS, DA 15, 21 & 35 Ltds, Sigma 170-500 APO, A 50 F2.0, Vivitar PKA 2x converter, Jessops PKA extension tubes. Samsung GX-10, 18-55.
Pentax Q, Q7 + 01 + 02 + 03 + 06, Pentax 110 50 + 70mm, Soligor 1.7x TC, 110 to Q adapter.
Pentax ME Super, MG, K1000, Cosina CS-1 (+auto attachment).
Various PK lenses.

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