Pentax camera choice

Hi,
I've just joined (it may be obvious) and since christmas have been given a little money to spend on a camera. I've worked out already that a Pentax is the best option, but I was wondering, for a £450 odd budget, whether I should go for a k-r or k-x. I mainly want to photograph architecture and nature.

I'd also like to add, I think I will get a sigma lens to go with the camera. I already have a prime 35mm lens, and I was thinking if I should get a 18-125mm lens, to take architectural and nature shots. Is this a good idea?

Many thanks,

Welcome to the forum Guillem.

I really need to wear my glasses more often, at first I thought your £450 said 645D

Check out SRS (the forums favourite retailer) I'm sure you will get a good deal with your chosen lens.

EDIT, SRS have the K-r with 18-55 & 50-200 lenses for £445

I would go for the Kr - Jessops are doing for £339 with the 18-55 kit lens link.
I have a Kr and have been really pleased with it.

KR, much better camera than the earlier KX it replaced

so, should I go for the kit lens that comes with the k-r, or hunt down the body and lens on my own?

I bought the KR last spring from SRS in black with the very nice MkII 18 - 55mm, same optics but metal bayonet and quick focus. I like it better than the plastic kit offering I had with my earlier KX to handle.

I also have the 55- 300mm DA. Again the kit DAL is said o be optically the same but plastic bayonet and no quick focus ring to fine tune AF.

The kit lenses are very good value and on many reports optically superior to most makes kit offerings.

I would go for the kit 18-55 and wait for a second hand 55-300 to turn up in the classifieds. I wouldn't go for the cheaper 50-200, or any sort of do it all superzoom.

Firstly great choice with Pentax!
This isn't so straight forward, i originially had a kx before upgrading to a K5, but have also used the kr.
The kx is an awesome camera, even though the kr has a higher ISO setting, the kx has less noise at an equivalent ISO.

However, i will make your choice easy (maybe)...the kx does not show which point is in focus, whereas the kr flashes a red point within the viewfinder on the point in focus, this really helps!

Kit lenses are great too, depending on the current bundles available, it generally only costs a couple of quid more to get the kit lenses included, and as said before these can be sold on ebay to cover some of the costs when you are ready to upgrade.

I take a lot of architectural snaps, wide angle is ideal, but i would suggest a telephoto if you want to snap detail too.

Let us know whay camera you choose!

M.

k-r definetly then. Just found a half decent tamron lens for 230 quid but I've got my parents paying halves. hmmm.

Welcome to the forums! I support your decision in getting the K-r. In regards to the lens, stick with the kit, since that will let you know where you want to go from there, if it's wider or more zoom.

Something else i've just learned

I think you should check out the classifieds and see if you can find a Kr and kit lens for £280

In my opinion, if you are serious about photography, you should always aim to get the best equipment that your budget will allow. This could be secondhand (i.e. used), because Pentax stuff is well-made, robust and reliable, but nevertheless buy only from a reputable trader who will give you a good warranty. e.g. If you are in the UK, SRS always have a good Used range.

With your suggested budget the K-r is a good option, but you could also consider a used K-7 with Pentax SMC 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL WR Lens. With both body and lens being weatherproof (a great feature to have in the UK!), this would give you a superb base for you to begin to pursue your outdoor nature and architecture photography.

One of the members on here (jacqui2) is selling a near-new K-r + 55-300 (no more than a few weeks old I think) for just over your budget.

Details in the 'Classified' section.

That would make sense!