K1 or K1ii?
Posted 24/02/2022 - 13:43 - Helpful Comment
Link
I bought a K1. I am just a keen photographer, birds, scenery, landscapes etc. I also own a K3ii and a K70. All the K1 has really done for me is entice me down the road to FF. I now really wish I had not bought it, for what I need a camera for the K3ii covers all my requirements. The K1 will go to one of my grandchildren. Think very carefully my friend before you part with your cash. Good luck with your decision. Regards John.
Just passing thru
Posted 24/02/2022 - 14:28 - Helpful Comment
Link
Depends on the price. I have the K-1 and didn't opt for the upgrade. Thinking that for most purposes the K-1 does what I want it to. For stuff where I need faster AF for birds in flight, etc etc I spent my money elsewhere. The K1ii doesn't offer me anything I would use, such as pixel shift etc - my computer struggles badly enough with 36MP files as it is and if I decide to use a plug in I might as well put on the kettle.
I did have 150-500, 300 and 400 mm lenses but as my other kit is used for birds and planes etc my longest Pentax lens is 200 mm - for what I want it is more than adequate. Once my other brand discovered this thing called 'buffer' I realigned my kit and sold my K-3 and longer lenses.
So, to answer your question. If the cameras are priced similarly and with similar shutter counts go for the K1ii. If the K-1 is good and the K1-ii is several hundred pounds more, save your money. Then go for the 150-450mm
I did have 150-500, 300 and 400 mm lenses but as my other kit is used for birds and planes etc my longest Pentax lens is 200 mm - for what I want it is more than adequate. Once my other brand discovered this thing called 'buffer' I realigned my kit and sold my K-3 and longer lenses.
So, to answer your question. If the cameras are priced similarly and with similar shutter counts go for the K1ii. If the K-1 is good and the K1-ii is several hundred pounds more, save your money. Then go for the 150-450mm
Z-1p, K-1, P50
F50 1.7. SMC-FAs 24, 35, 50 1.4, 85, 135. HD-FA15-30, DFA24-70, D-FA*70-200. The SMC-FA Limited Trinity.
Metz 45 CL-4, AF500FTZ. AF540FGZ.
Some Mamiya and some Nikon
F50 1.7. SMC-FAs 24, 35, 50 1.4, 85, 135. HD-FA15-30, DFA24-70, D-FA*70-200. The SMC-FA Limited Trinity.
Metz 45 CL-4, AF500FTZ. AF540FGZ.
Some Mamiya and some Nikon
Posted 24/02/2022 - 15:13 - Helpful Comment
Link
A K-1 user here since 2016. I mainly do pet portraits and architectural/landscapes. I never thought the K-1 II was different enough to warrant a change.
Given your interest in wildlife/air displays, if I were in your shoes I would be looking at a K3 III instead. Improved AF and functionality with older Pentax (non-A series) lenses. The K3 III sensor at 26MP favourably compares with the K-1/K-1 II sensor in aps-c mode of 16MP.
Given your interest in wildlife/air displays, if I were in your shoes I would be looking at a K3 III instead. Improved AF and functionality with older Pentax (non-A series) lenses. The K3 III sensor at 26MP favourably compares with the K-1/K-1 II sensor in aps-c mode of 16MP.
Peter
My Flickr page
My Flickr page
Posted 24/02/2022 - 15:17
Link
Sdeve wrote:
Much against what I consider to be my better judgement, I'm thinking of buying a K1. I have quite a few assorted full frame lenses that should be fine for use (I hope!). The question now is, if I don't faint when trying to pay for it, which model should I get? From reviews, it seems that each model has it's ups and downs and they seem to be sufficiently different enough to matter. Intended use is either happy snapping (I know, I know) or wildlife and air displays and other mainly longish lens stuff. Informed advice would be much appreciated.
Much against what I consider to be my better judgement, I'm thinking of buying a K1. I have quite a few assorted full frame lenses that should be fine for use (I hope!). The question now is, if I don't faint when trying to pay for it, which model should I get? From reviews, it seems that each model has it's ups and downs and they seem to be sufficiently different enough to matter. Intended use is either happy snapping (I know, I know) or wildlife and air displays and other mainly longish lens stuff. Informed advice would be much appreciated.
pschlute wrote:
A K-1 user here since 2016. I mainly do pet portraits and architectural/landscapes. I never thought the K-1 II was different enough to warrant a change.
Given your interest in wildlife/air displays, if I were in your shoes I would be looking at a K3 III instead. Improved AF and functionality with older Pentax (non-A series) lenses. The K3 III sensor at 26MP favourably compares with the K-1/K-1 II sensor in aps-c mode of 16MP.
A K-1 user here since 2016. I mainly do pet portraits and architectural/landscapes. I never thought the K-1 II was different enough to warrant a change.
Given your interest in wildlife/air displays, if I were in your shoes I would be looking at a K3 III instead. Improved AF and functionality with older Pentax (non-A series) lenses. The K3 III sensor at 26MP favourably compares with the K-1/K-1 II sensor in aps-c mode of 16MP.
Buy my mint K3iii in the classifieds!
Lots of gear - but not a lot of idea!
Posted 24/02/2022 - 15:18
Link
pschlute wrote:
A K-1 user here since 2016. I mainly do pet portraits and architectural/landscapes. I never thought the K-1 II was different enough to warrant a change.
Given your interest in wildlife/air displays, if I were in your shoes I would be looking at a K3 III instead. Improved AF and functionality with older Pentax (non-A series) lenses. The K3 III sensor at 26MP favourably compares with the K-1/K-1 II sensor in aps-c mode of 16MP.
A K-1 user here since 2016. I mainly do pet portraits and architectural/landscapes. I never thought the K-1 II was different enough to warrant a change.
Given your interest in wildlife/air displays, if I were in your shoes I would be looking at a K3 III instead. Improved AF and functionality with older Pentax (non-A series) lenses. The K3 III sensor at 26MP favourably compares with the K-1/K-1 II sensor in aps-c mode of 16MP.
I'm beginning to feel the K1 idea slipping away, but it's a gadget, what can I do?
The K3iii sounds great but is in the same horrifying price range as the K1. “My daughter! O my ducats! O my daughter!”
Posted 24/02/2022 - 17:01 - Helpful Comment
Link
I bought the K-1 over the K-1 (II) purely because it doesn't have the extra processor and so has no baked in noise control ( I prefer to do it myself in post not let a computer do it automatically for me). I believe the K-1 (II) has very very slightly better af speed as well.
If I'm honest af speed is more than capable on the K-1 (1% being the majority of birds in flight) but no matter which camera you choose you will need either a Pentax 150-450mm or Sigma 50/150-500mm lens if you are serious about wildlife and airshows.
K-1 and 150-450mm
Deer rut - Bushy Park by Mike.Pursey, on Flickr
Long Tailed Tit by Mike.Pursey, on Flickr
Airshows
RIAT 2018 by Mike.Pursey, on Flickr
RIAT 2018 - RAF Airbus A400M Atlas C.1 by Mike.Pursey, on Flickr
If I'm honest af speed is more than capable on the K-1 (1% being the majority of birds in flight) but no matter which camera you choose you will need either a Pentax 150-450mm or Sigma 50/150-500mm lens if you are serious about wildlife and airshows.
K-1 and 150-450mm
Deer rut - Bushy Park by Mike.Pursey, on Flickr
Long Tailed Tit by Mike.Pursey, on Flickr
Airshows
RIAT 2018 by Mike.Pursey, on Flickr
RIAT 2018 - RAF Airbus A400M Atlas C.1 by Mike.Pursey, on Flickr
Posted 24/02/2022 - 19:52
Link
Sdeve wrote:
but it's a gadget, what can I do?
The K3iii sounds great but is in the same horrifying price range as the K1.
but it's a gadget, what can I do?
The K3iii sounds great but is in the same horrifying price range as the K1.
it is a camera, no more no less.
if the price is your main factor tell me why you are looking to change your current camera?.....and what do you use now ?
Peter
My Flickr page
My Flickr page
Posted 24/02/2022 - 20:21
Link
Don’t let the negative responses put you off, I have had a K1 since launch and it is a great camera, no question. Just because someone doesn’t use pixel shift, or the multiple exposure options, doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be of value to you; I use pixel shift regularly for static objects with lots of detail and there is a definite upgrade in quality, e.g.
Full frame has advantages over a smaller sensor which are well documented so I need not go into here, As for the K1 or K1.II, I didn’t upgrade because there were reviews which said the high iso performance wasn’t as good, but no doubt there are other benefits. Whichever you go for I am sure you will like the results.
Full frame has advantages over a smaller sensor which are well documented so I need not go into here, As for the K1 or K1.II, I didn’t upgrade because there were reviews which said the high iso performance wasn’t as good, but no doubt there are other benefits. Whichever you go for I am sure you will like the results.
Posted 25/02/2022 - 02:03
Link
I rarely set the ISO below 800 on my K1i except for tripod work on static subjects (when I miss the K5's ISO80 ! I don't see the K1ii as being worth the extra cost personally and if you don't use the flippy screen then why buy a K1 at all when the K3 is such a fine camera? I really like my K1 and the advantages of the FF and you can blow the images up to mammoth sizes! (Or staggering crops). But again, if that's no use to you then why pay for it?
Posted 25/02/2022 - 11:09
Link
Really the only difference is the mark II has baked-in noise reduction in the raw files. Some say that's fine, others say it's OTT and degrades the level of detail in images. I suspect that the truth lies somewhere in the middle and that it doesn't really matter, so whatever you can get for the best price.
Pentax hybrid user - Digital K3, film 645 and 35mm SLR and Pentax (&other) lenses adapted to Fuji X and Panasonic L digital
Fan of DA limited and old manual lenses
Fan of DA limited and old manual lenses
Posted 25/02/2022 - 23:31
Link
Buy a K-1 mk1, you can't go wrong, it's a superb piece of kit.
Kind Regards
David
Kind Regards
David
Posted 26/02/2022 - 08:21 - Helpful Comment
Link
I didn't upgrade to a Mk II. Only because the differences were too small to convince me to spend the money. Either camera will serve you well. Since you have neither, go with the best price and shoot images as you won't see any difference in your output.
Best regards
Best regards
pixels don't make pictures
Posted 02/03/2022 - 01:04
Link
If wildlife and long lenses are your thing, you should go for the K3 III. It has more reach than the K1 with long lenses, and the AF is in a different class compared to the K1. Just don't forget that AF speed is directly linked to the motor used in the lens, so don't expct an improvement with SDM lenses. However, the new 16-50 2.8 is now playing in the major league (with AF and image quality). Hopefully, Pentax will go the same way for other DA* lenses.
Yves (another one of those crazy Canucks)
Add Comment
To leave a comment - Log in to Pentax User or create a new account.
185 posts
16 years