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K-3 or K-3 II?

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McGregNi
Posted 07/07/2015 - 16:19 Link
This is a about a new kind of choice really ... Not just about how much we can afford and whether we go for a top model or something more mid range. These are both top models, but with actual functioning that is different.

It makes us rethink our priorities in more than just financial terms. We can all put ourselves into the buyers shoes and make our choice, even if the reality is we're not in the market for now.

I still see the K3ii as something that adds value to the original K3, which I would still need because of the flash. It just becomes an even greater bargain.
My Guides to the Pentax Digital Camera Flash Lighting System : Download here from the PentaxForums Homepage Article .... link
Pentax K7 with BG-4 Grip / Samyang 14mm f2.8 ED AS IF UMC / DA18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL WR / SMC A28mm f2.8 / D FA 28-105mm / SMC F35-70 f3.5-4.5 / SMC A50mm f1.7 / Tamron AF70-300mm f4-5.6 Di LD macro / SMC M75-150mm f4.0 / Tamron Adaptall (CT-135) 135mm f2.8 / Asahi Takumar-A 2X tele-converter / Pentax AF-540FGZ (I & II) Flashes / Cactus RF60/X Flashes & V6/V6II Transceiver
johnriley
Posted 07/07/2015 - 16:41 Link
I think you're over-thinking this. The question is simply which one would you choose, if you were choosing.

That's not replying to Nigel by the way!
Best regards, John
Edited by johnriley: 07/07/2015 - 16:42
McGregNi
Posted 07/07/2015 - 16:57 Link
Financial circumstances and photographic needs plus skill levels all come into the mix ... normally. Before, if I was rich I would just automatically buy the top models of everything, and then try to get the most out of it all.

But with this new kind of choice we have to analyse the photographic needs and skills levels more closely. What might seem at first to be a simple preference actually needs longer term planning ... For example, the issue of the built-in flash is likely to continue with the FF model. So anyone thinking about that has to make a choice to abandon the more simple single off -camera flash with easy pop -up triggering, or move to a dual flashgun setup (assuming they choose to stay with the P-TTL dedicated system) .... Oh, and there's yet another choice!
My Guides to the Pentax Digital Camera Flash Lighting System : Download here from the PentaxForums Homepage Article .... link
Pentax K7 with BG-4 Grip / Samyang 14mm f2.8 ED AS IF UMC / DA18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL WR / SMC A28mm f2.8 / D FA 28-105mm / SMC F35-70 f3.5-4.5 / SMC A50mm f1.7 / Tamron AF70-300mm f4-5.6 Di LD macro / SMC M75-150mm f4.0 / Tamron Adaptall (CT-135) 135mm f2.8 / Asahi Takumar-A 2X tele-converter / Pentax AF-540FGZ (I & II) Flashes / Cactus RF60/X Flashes & V6/V6II Transceiver
Edited by McGregNi: 07/07/2015 - 16:58
Blythman
Posted 07/07/2015 - 17:02 Link
K3II. May as well have one of each. Never use the pop up flash anyway. Makes my GPS a bit redundant though.
wvbarnes
Posted 07/07/2015 - 17:43 Link
I voted K3 having bought one late on for only £374 after trade in deals
VividArt
Posted 07/07/2015 - 18:52 Link
Hello folks,
My two cents. I have the K5II, it's a great camera, the sharpest body I have tried to date.
I picked the K5ii because I was having issues with two different k5's, the new version seemed to have addressed the issues that plagued the first version. It hasn't let me down once, 80k shots - no issues.
I did buy a K3 last year but after reading about the "crazy mirror sickness" I got freaked out and returned it. I kept waiting for a definitive fix through firmware...
I am currently saving up for the K3ii in the hopes that the second gen has had it's bugs worked out.
I don't use the flash very often, the astrotracer is something I have wanted to buy for a while, I imagine their implementation of it in a camera body along with improved SR might make the astro photography experience better, the people that used the first version of the 0-gps1 had mixed reviews of its design and effectiveness. In theory the astrotracer "in camera" might get more attention from the engineers and we may end up with a much improved version as it would be possible to update it through firmware. The improved SR might have been implemented as a method of improving the functionality of the astrotracer. I hope.
The pixel shift feature is quite interesting. I wouldn't mind fiddling with that.

My main reason for considering this camera is the belief that version 2.0 of anything is usually better than version 1.0, it is my hope that the mirror issues are resolved.
Edited by VividArt: 07/07/2015 - 18:56
Gwyn
Posted 07/07/2015 - 18:59 Link
johnriley wrote:
Fair enough Gwyn, but if you feel inclined to vote that would be a vote presumably for the K-3?

Yes, I have voted for the K-3, for the reasons I said in my earlier post. Perhaps if I didn't already have the GPS unit I would have voted for the K-3 II, since I use the GPS/astrotracer more than the flash, and I think it is probably the better camera overall.
As it is I am happy to be able to use both with my K-5 II.
Conqueror
Posted 07/07/2015 - 20:39 Link
McGregNi wrote:
For example, the issue of the built-in flash is likely to continue with the FF model. So anyone thinking about that has to make a choice to abandon the more simple single off -camera flash with easy pop -up triggering, or move to a dual flashgun setup (assuming they choose to stay with the P-TTL dedicated system) .... Oh, and there's yet another choice!

I'm not so sure... this is perhaps a great move by them, consider this lineup:

K-3 mk1 - more traditional crop offering with flash
K-3 mk2 / k-3 ii - specialist landscape and astro camera with no flash

Upcoming FF - Perhaps it will be a more traditional offering (with flash)

Then they have very good crop and FF offerings with a specialist offering in the K-3 II
K-3ii
Conqueror
Posted 07/07/2015 - 20:48 Link
VividArt wrote:
Hello folks,
I don't use the flash very often, the astrotracer is something I have wanted to buy for a while, I imagine their implementation of it in a camera body along with improved SR might make the astro photography experience better, the people that used the first version of the 0-gps1 had mixed reviews of its design and effectiveness. In theory the astrotracer "in camera" might get more attention from the engineers and we may end up with a much improved version as it would be possible to update it through firmware. The improved SR might have been implemented as a method of improving the functionality of the astrotracer. I hope.
The pixel shift feature is quite interesting. I wouldn't mind fiddling with that.

My main reason for considering this camera is the belief that version 2.0 of anything is usually better than version 1.0, it is my hope that the mirror issues are resolved.

Yup. Despite the fact you can do GPS/astro with the O-GPS1 it is not the same. The convenience of being able to just whip the body out of the bag and setup for this kind of work more quickly, without something attached to the top cannot be underestimated IMO... I think that could well be worth it. I'm really considering the K-3II even though I have a very competent K-5IIs.

I see you are in Vancouver, BC I assume. Fantastic place... I would of thought the K-3II would be pretty handy out there.

Yes the mk2 should be more refined one would hope... I think theyv'e done a good job. K-5 great camera then mk2 came along with decent improvements. Same hopefully with the K-3.
K-3ii
50mpCMOS
Posted 07/07/2015 - 21:10 Link
Quote:
the issue of the built-in flash is likely to continue with the FF model

I got to see and even handle one of the prototype Pentax full-frames at a trade show not too many months ago. Based on that initial showing of the not quite full functioning full-frame... As it was observed then (and perhaps unless it is eventually changed once initially released... That the Pentax full-framer I personally observed was not a fill flash model.

Then again, the public will also most likely not see a public release version of the Pentax full-framer this year
smudge
Posted 07/07/2015 - 22:20 Link
I voted for the K3. I do use built in flash occasionally. I have never felt the need for GPS.
Regards, Philip
RobL
Posted 07/07/2015 - 22:34 Link
I think on reflection I would plump for the K-3II; not for the astrotracer or GPS but for the improved SR and the possibilities offered by the pixel-shift. It has come out really well in a comparison review of this feature offering better resolution than other higher megapixel and full frame cameras including the Nikon 810, the only camera to trump it being the Pantax 645Z! Interestingly the other camera with this feature is an Olympus but that just shifts half a pixel at a time so needs eight exposures against the Pentax's four with double the memory and processing time. Of course this feature only applies to static scenes using a tripod whereas the others don't have that limitation, but when you consider you can achieve that sort of resolution at the price offered it is very impressive. The lack of built-in flash is a disappointment - however I would get the little AF201 FG flash as a substitute with a bit more flexibility and as a trigger flash for about £130.00. Or do I wait to see what else is coming?
Conqueror
Posted 07/07/2015 - 22:42 Link
Quote:
Or do I wait to see what else is coming?

Arguably there's always something better coming...
K-3ii
jeallen01
Posted 07/07/2015 - 22:46 Link
Since I rarely use the in-built flash nor would I buy/use the external GPS unit, then I suppose I ought to make the comment that, had I not already had a K-3, then I might have opted for a K-3II on the basis that the AF autofocus algorithm of the latter is supposed to be better - but then again, I've not seen much since to support that it actually much/any better, so I won't be voting either way!
K-3 II, K-3 and a K-70 from SRS (having now relegated the K-30 /"K-50" to a backup body), & some Sigma and Pentax lenses (and a lot of old 35mm gear!)
Edited by jeallen01: 07/07/2015 - 22:48
jeallen01
Posted 07/07/2015 - 23:00 Link
Conqueror wrote:
Quote:
Or do I wait to see what else is coming?

Arguably there's always something better coming...

As has been said many times, "never buy Version One of anything!" - nor for that matter Versions 2, 3, 4, 5 .... - so we would never buy anything. OTOH, like me, many people skip a number of generations of body before we buy the next one: in my case GX10/K10D to K5 to K3, so K3 Version 4 (if it ever exists) might be the next one - or then it might not!. Maybe I'll jump ship to CaNikonSoFuji (I like the idea of everything about the XT10 except the price of the lenses!)
K-3 II, K-3 and a K-70 from SRS (having now relegated the K-30 /"K-50" to a backup body), & some Sigma and Pentax lenses (and a lot of old 35mm gear!)
Edited by jeallen01: 07/07/2015 - 23:01

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