Pentax KP
Posted 17/03/2025 - 22:00 - Helpful Comment
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I purchased the K70 from new as it was on sale for £350.
I wanted the KP but it was just beyond my reach price wise at the time.
I researched heavily about both cameras and found the following.
The K70 has an excellent crop sensor that was developed independently, but the KP crop sensor was a development from the Pentax K1 original sensor team. So hence that hint magic for the KP.
I have gone on too acquire a FF K1ii since and the resolution is indeed a step up from the K70 but cannot speak for the KP
Hope this helps, regards Flan
I wanted the KP but it was just beyond my reach price wise at the time.
I researched heavily about both cameras and found the following.
The K70 has an excellent crop sensor that was developed independently, but the KP crop sensor was a development from the Pentax K1 original sensor team. So hence that hint magic for the KP.
I have gone on too acquire a FF K1ii since and the resolution is indeed a step up from the K70 but cannot speak for the KP
Hope this helps, regards Flan
Posted 17/03/2025 - 23:03 - Helpful Comment
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I have both the KP and the K1ii. Both are superb cameras but without doubt the full frame sensor on the K1 wins hands down in terms of image quality. The versatility of a full frame raw image is a joy.
In fairness the apsc offerings from Pentax are all great performers, particularly the later models.
The KP with the 55-300 is a great combo and if size and weight are an issue then it is a sure-fire winner. The KP has the premium feel of the k1 in a smaller form.
In fairness the apsc offerings from Pentax are all great performers, particularly the later models.
The KP with the 55-300 is a great combo and if size and weight are an issue then it is a sure-fire winner. The KP has the premium feel of the k1 in a smaller form.
645Z, K1, K1ii, K3iii + mono, KP,K70, K-3, K5ii, K10D, Ist* DL, Ist* D, QS-1 plus too many film bodies !
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Posted 18/03/2025 - 07:46 - Helpful Comment
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The IQ from both the KP and K1 MkII is superb and although the K1 has a slight edge it really depends on what you photograph and how much cropping you tend to do. I find that the K1 allows me to crop down quite significantly and still retain a high quality image - the KP (and even more so with the K5iis) suffer sooner. Size and weight may be a factor depending on you age and ability, the KP is such a comfortable camera to have with me while the K1 starts to become a bit weighty in comparison.
As you've mentioned in your post, probably the biggest advantage of the K1 is the ability to take full advantage of those superb full frame lenses - from that perspective I value the K1 highly, if I were to offer advice it would be to have both of them - play with them for a while and then if one disappoints sell it (but it won't
Good luck with your choices
As you've mentioned in your post, probably the biggest advantage of the K1 is the ability to take full advantage of those superb full frame lenses - from that perspective I value the K1 highly, if I were to offer advice it would be to have both of them - play with them for a while and then if one disappoints sell it (but it won't
Good luck with your choices
LennyBloke
Posted 18/03/2025 - 09:14 - Helpful Comment
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Well you got an excellent deal on the KP - that's about the normal price for body only, so you got the lenses for free. Virtually all the people who have bought a KP love it, the only real downside being it's not as sturdy as a K-5 or K-3.
The K-1, and all FF cameras really, are a different kettle of fish and would be much more suitable for shooting manual lenses and giving them the field of view that was originally intended. It's a lot bigger and heavier though. If you're happy with the KP then just stick with that. You may find the urge to have a FF returns, or it may not.
The K-1, and all FF cameras really, are a different kettle of fish and would be much more suitable for shooting manual lenses and giving them the field of view that was originally intended. It's a lot bigger and heavier though. If you're happy with the KP then just stick with that. You may find the urge to have a FF returns, or it may not.
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 18/03/2025 - 09:19
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LennyBloke wrote:
As you've mentioned in your post, probably the biggest advantage of the K1 is the ability to take full advantage of those superb full frame lenses - from that perspective I value the K1 highly, if I were to offer advice it would be to have both of them - play with them for a while and then if one disappoints sell it (but it won't
Good luck with your choices
As you've mentioned in your post, probably the biggest advantage of the K1 is the ability to take full advantage of those superb full frame lenses - from that perspective I value the K1 highly, if I were to offer advice it would be to have both of them - play with them for a while and then if one disappoints sell it (but it won't
Good luck with your choices
"Have both of them" - I was hoping that this solution was not suggested - my wallet does not agree
But I guess you are right, I need to check out the K-1ii also eventually. For now I am content with learning how to use the 2017 tech in the KP, it is really a big leap up from the K-5iis which has been my main camera the last ten years.
A last question: What software do I need to process Pixel Shift RAW files from the KP?
Posted 18/03/2025 - 13:24
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Jonathan-Mac wrote:
Well you got an excellent deal on the KP - that's about the normal price for body only, so you got the lenses for free. Virtually all the people who have bought a KP love it, the only real downside being it's not as sturdy as a K-5 or K-3.
The K-1, and all FF cameras really, are a different kettle of fish and would be much more suitable for shooting manual lenses and giving them the field of view that was originally intended. It's a lot bigger and heavier though. If you're happy with the KP then just stick with that. You may find the urge to have a FF returns, or it may not.
Well you got an excellent deal on the KP - that's about the normal price for body only, so you got the lenses for free. Virtually all the people who have bought a KP love it, the only real downside being it's not as sturdy as a K-5 or K-3.
The K-1, and all FF cameras really, are a different kettle of fish and would be much more suitable for shooting manual lenses and giving them the field of view that was originally intended. It's a lot bigger and heavier though. If you're happy with the KP then just stick with that. You may find the urge to have a FF returns, or it may not.
Even though I have been saving up funds for a future K-1ii purchase, I could not pass on the KP pluss 18-135/55-300 deal. It’s a lovely little camera, and I guess I will use it a lot.
Up untill now I have found the combination of the big and heavy Pentax 67ii and an aps-c DSLR a perfect kombination. When doing landscape photography the 67ii on a tripod and the DSLR handheld. Due to the very high costs of film and developing i might give up on medium format film and eventually replace the 67ii with some kind of digital fullframe camera. On the other hand, maybe I will be just fine with my KP. Time will tell.
Posted 19/03/2025 - 09:12 - Helpful Comment
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I think a 67 II would be my dream film camera and, although I've never used one, I don't think I'd give it up if I had one.
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 19/03/2025 - 09:43 - Helpful Comment
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Jonathan-Mac wrote:
I think a 67 II would be my dream film camera and, although I've never used one, I don't think I'd give it up if I had one.
I think a 67 II would be my dream film camera and, although I've never used one, I don't think I'd give it up if I had one.
I still have a few slides taken on my Pentax 67 back in the 1980's - the quality is stunning (the images themselves are nothing special) but even back then I struggled to carry it around for any prolonged periods so it made way for a 645 which was a super camera but still couldn't touch the 67.
LennyBloke
Posted 19/03/2025 - 09:44 - Helpful Comment
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bjolester wrote:
.......A last question: What software do I need to process Pixel Shift RAW files from the KP?
.......A last question: What software do I need to process Pixel Shift RAW files from the KP?
I've only played with Pixel Shift - I suspect there are others on here far more qualified to answer
LennyBloke
Posted 19/03/2025 - 09:54
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Jonathan-Mac wrote:
I think a 67 II would be my dream film camera and, although I've never used one, I don't think I'd give it up if I had one.
I think a 67 II would be my dream film camera and, although I've never used one, I don't think I'd give it up if I had one.
It is also my dream camera, but I use it much too seldom. Between work and familylife, there is limited time for film photography (sending film to the lab in Oslo, scanning etc.) My favourite films, Fuji Velvia 50 and Fuji Provia 100F, are almost extinct. Kodak Ektar, Provia and Ektachrome are absurdly expensive, developing prices are very high here in Norway. All in all it is much easier to pursue digital photography. I have been contemplating selling my 67 system many times in recent years, but I love the camera and lenses too much. I probably will never be able to sell the 67ii
Posted 19/03/2025 - 09:59
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LennyBloke wrote:
I've only played with Pixel Shift - I suspect there are others on here far more qualified to answer
bjolester wrote:
.......A last question: What software do I need to process Pixel Shift RAW files from the KP?
.......A last question: What software do I need to process Pixel Shift RAW files from the KP?
I've only played with Pixel Shift - I suspect there are others on here far more qualified to answer
I did some research (Googling) about this matter last evening. It seems like the Pentax Digital Camera Utility 5 is the default software for processing Pixel Shift RAW files, I believe I will start with this software.
Posted 19/03/2025 - 15:20 - Helpful Comment
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Rawtherappe can handle pixel shift files in DNG form, Its open source so it is free to download.
A steep learning curve but excellent for raw file processing.
I haven't personally shot a pixel shift photo yet
A steep learning curve but excellent for raw file processing.
I haven't personally shot a pixel shift photo yet
Posted 19/03/2025 - 15:26
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Flan wrote:
Rawtherappe can handle pixel shift files in DNG form, Its open source so it is free to download.
A steep learning curve but excellent for raw file processing.
I haven't personally shot a pixel shift photo yet
Rawtherappe can handle pixel shift files in DNG form, Its open source so it is free to download.
A steep learning curve but excellent for raw file processing.
I haven't personally shot a pixel shift photo yet
Thank you Flan, I will check out RawTherapee
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975 posts
15 years
Trondheim,
Norway
Last week I stumbled upon a great deal (£ 550) for a Pentax KP, 18-135 and 55-300 PLM. The KP had shutter count of roughly 1000 and the camera and lenses appeared unused. My fullframe ambitions have made a u-turn, and I am very happy with the images I get from the KP. The KP + 55-300 PLM combination, for instanse, is surprisingly good. I am now unsure whether the K-1ii still is worth pursuing?
For those of you that have experience with both the KP and the K-1/K-1ii, what do you think about these cameras? Is the K-1ii miles ahead in terms of image quality?
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