Off with the 1100D and [hopefully] back on with the Pentax.

Hooray! I managed to sell my 1100D this morning. Now all I have to do is to decide between the K-r and the K-5. Because of my severe financial situation I have to do 'credit'. I also have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in three fingers, which make handling the camera and changing lenses a bit of a bore.

My thinking is to get one of the 18-200/250mm tele's and use only that lens for all general photography, avoiding the lens changing. Later, I want to get a decent dedicated macro lens.

Just getting the K-5 body and the cheaper 18-200, Tamron will set me back a little over £1000 including the interest over two years. Getting the K-r, it seems to be available with the two lenses where I am, and the Tamron will set me back just under £500 for the K-r over six months free credit and £170 cash for the Tamron.

I would like the K-5 as I think it may well stay with me longer than the K-r but who knows the future. I shall decide on the morrow and hopefully bore you all again tomorrow evening. Kind regards.

buy a new camera and a used lens - saving money for later

If you are not going to be using WR lenses then you will save hundreds of pounds by not buying the K-R which could leave you closer to that macro lens you want. I appreciate that the K-5 offers more than just WR but you have to ask yourself if you are going to use these additional features.

+ 1 on Steve's post.

I'd buy both used not new (from a reputable dealer such as SRS which everyone here seems to have a good opinion of). Kr not K5 and you'll be able to get the macro lens as well as your Tamron from the savings. For macro you don't have to have AF and there are some wonderful older macro lenses out there .... or use extension tubes or buy the really excellent Raynox 150 (ca. £40) or 250 (ca. £50) to put on virtually any lens you own for an instant entry ticket to the macro world.

You've thrown a lot of money away changing systems twice... I'd snag a used Kr / Kx and Pentax 18-250 (there's one of those in the classifieds now - get it, as they don't come up too often!)

Have you considered Nikon? The D5100 looks good...

Ah the road to contentment. Everyone has probably taken that road at least twice in many different forms. At the very least I hope you get to taking photos soon, looking forward to see them.

I agree. A used K10d with a good lens will always give better photos than a K-5 with a cheap lens.

At last I have a K-r back in my possession. I've even managed to update the firmware without having to ask for assistance! Language set, I normally speak fluent rubbish but I couldn't find it listed, so put English, no one will know. All is ready to for me to learn how to take photographs. Everything except the weather!

As always, my thanks go to you all for assistance and encouragement. Opethian, thanks for youe comments. Pentaxophile, I can't see the 18- 250 lens. I'm looking in the classifieds. Kind regards.

link

If that helps!

John

There is this one, too, probably cheaper.

https://www.pentaxuser.com/forum/topic/fs--pentax-18-250-open-to-offers-32859

Thanks guys but my finances are slightly worse than those of Greece at the minute. I shall have to wait another month or so.

You are most welcome sir! This is very good news! Weather dictates that it's going to be traditionally English weather this weekend so I think it's safe to say we'll be putting on our wet gear.

Happy shooting!

I'm so glad to see you have got your Pentax back! I hope it rewards you with great pictures!

Regards
David

Thanks for all your kind remarks and encouragement, gentlemen. Muchly appreciated and muchly thankings.