Which camera now.

Pjy123
Posted 12/05/2015 - 07:32 Link
Hi all. I have a k500 which I think is very good but I do feel not having visible af points is not helping at all. I want to stay with Pentax so which camera should I get next?
johnriley
Posted 12/05/2015 - 08:00 Link
Of the new cameras, I think your obvious upgrade is to the splendid K-S2.

If you are buying an older camera, then the K-50 is the next step up and that includes all the features that were missing from the entry level K-500.
Best regards, John
richandfleur
Posted 12/05/2015 - 08:12 Link
Yes the k-50 is basically your camera again, but with the bits you actually want/need.
Focus point indication was a very weird omission frankly in the k-500.

Now though there is the k-s2 which is a similar camera to the k-50, but with quite a few extra bells and whistles.
jules
Posted 12/05/2015 - 09:16 Link
K50 if you've big hands, if not K-S2 all the way!
Cheers Jules...

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sterretje
Posted 12/05/2015 - 09:35 Link
Lack of focus point indication is not always a limitation. I exclusively use center point focus so I would not miss the indication except when shooting in pitch black where it actually indicates the center of the viewfinder.

Having said that, the next step up for me would be the K-S2.
Pentax K10D + Vivitar 55/2.8 macro + Super Takumar 55/1.8 + SuperMultiCoated Takumar 85/1.8 + SuperMultiCoated Takumar 135/3.5 + SuperMultiCoated Takumar 200/4 + Super Takumar 300/4
Pentax K100D + DA18-55ALII + DA55-300
Pentax K5 + FA31Ltd + M50/1.7 + DFA100WR + M120/2.8 (+ DA18-55WR at occasion)
senn
Posted 12/05/2015 - 10:10 Link
I owe K-x for five years. No AF points on it neither but that doesn't bother me, whichever AF mode I chose. It was even my only DSLR body until january 2013. But I still use it quite often. This camera gives me great satisfaction. When I shot, I do never think there era no red AF points on it. I don't think that's a sinequanone factor of IQ level. IMHO, that's just a question of habit.
senn
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Edited by senn: 12/05/2015 - 10:21
McGregNi
Posted 12/05/2015 - 12:44 Link
The green hexagon will tell you that SOMETHING is in focus ..... but isn't it important to know more about what exactly is in focus and where in your frame that it ?
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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
Pjy123
Posted 12/05/2015 - 13:03 Link
Mcgregni that's what I think to be honest, I've been on a lot of courses recently and other people can move the a f point around I can't so it limits learning new things. No one yet has mentioned upgrading upto a k3. Thanks for your comments so far.
AndrewA
Posted 12/05/2015 - 13:29 Link
I was going to say K3!
Andrew

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McGregNi
Posted 12/05/2015 - 13:57 Link
A K3 would certainly be a big jump in autofocus points and things to configure with the AF points! I believe it has the ability to select an 'array' of points to cover a certain area of the frame more finely than a single point could do. That said, I rarely see any users write that they actually use all of this stuff on the K3 .....
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
sterretje
Posted 12/05/2015 - 15:27 Link
Pjy123 wrote:
Mcgregni that's what I think to be honest, I've been on a lot of courses recently and other people can move the a f point around I can't so it limits learning new things. No one yet has mentioned upgrading upto a k3. Thanks for your comments so far.
I'm quite sure you can move it around. But it will in that case indeed be inconvenient as you don't have feedback while composing.
Pentax K10D + Vivitar 55/2.8 macro + Super Takumar 55/1.8 + SuperMultiCoated Takumar 85/1.8 + SuperMultiCoated Takumar 135/3.5 + SuperMultiCoated Takumar 200/4 + Super Takumar 300/4
Pentax K100D + DA18-55ALII + DA55-300
Pentax K5 + FA31Ltd + M50/1.7 + DFA100WR + M120/2.8 (+ DA18-55WR at occasion)
Pjy123
Posted 12/05/2015 - 17:40 Link
hi very tempted to get a k3 after reading some reviews it looks like i would get years of use out of it
bwlchmawr
Posted 12/05/2015 - 18:50 Link
There are still some very tempting K5II deals around. How much do you need 24mp? It's also rumoured to produce cleaner images at high ISOs.

You might save enough cash to buy another lens.
Best wishes,

Andrew

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wvbarnes
Posted 12/05/2015 - 18:52 Link
The K3 is superb BUT like the K5 before it takes a while to get the best out of in all situations. The AFs to AFC change method is the only odd thing personally. I preferred the simple lever. Resolution, metering, better AF in low light, superb auto colour balance for jpeg,faster processor despite large file izes etc... oh and built like a tank

Pjy123 wrote:
hi very tempted to get a k3 after reading some reviews it looks like i would get years of use out of it
senn
Posted 12/05/2015 - 19:08 Link
As for the upgrade I'd opt for K-5 IIs ..
senn
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