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Who has a K1, and how do you like it?

paolo11
Posted 03/01/2017 - 02:31 Link
I bought a K1 along with the f DA 28 - 105mm lens. We all know your 1st impression is usually the best, and after taking a few shots I loaded them onto my desktop.
WOW!
Now I have a K5, and I get great shots especially when using a Tamron macro 90mm lens shooting manual, but the K5 tends to over saturate the reds.

I was really impressed with the IQ and resolution with the K1, colors were just so natural and sharp. Granted, the 28 -105 mm isn't the top lenses that Pentax produces, but it's auto focus is fast and quiet. I feel it's all I need at this point as I have legacy primes along with crop lenses.

I haven't used all of it's attributes like pixel shift for example, but none the less, a really impressive camera. If you have a K3 or K5, menus are very similar.

cons: heavy and large especially if you've been using crop cameras. I did buy a double sling for carrying the camera, and it really helps on the shoulders.
RobL
Posted 03/01/2017 - 08:09 Link
I echo that Paolo, and especially the low light performance. If you compare the weight and handling with equivalent FF bodies from other manufacturers I think you will find the K-1 feels better, and you have the other body if you need a lightweight for casual walk-around opportunities. I have attached the Peak system so I can unclip and change the standard strap to a Peak strap when I have a heavy lens like the 150-450mm attached, with the strap clipped to both the camera body and the lens. I also use a messenger style bag for the camera rather than have it around my neck all the time, and it is less vulnerable to accidental knocks as well.
pschlute
Posted 03/01/2017 - 09:06 - Helpful Comment Link
I have had a K1 for around a month now. Before buying I was debating with myself whether I needed to upgrade from my K10D. Probably not, but I decided to get the new toy anyway.

Very glad I did. The dynamic range the K1 produces is much improved, and combined with the latest Silkypix offering (Studio Pro 7) much more can be brought out of the raw file. So far I have not ventured above 3200 ISO but I have not found the need to do any additional noise reduction above what the camera and Silkypix applies.

Full frame of course means that cropping can be done to a greater extent, as long as you have nailed the focus. Many features I have not seen before, and so far I am impressed with the lens distortion and CA aberation features, both of which are tagged in the raw file and I am able to turn them off in PP if I wish.

The function and setting dials on the right of the camera are very useful for direct control of ISO ; exposure compensation etc.

Finally, I have an extensive collection of K and M series lenses plus some of the classic FA lenses. The fact that these can now be used as they were intended is a big plus for me, and will I hope re-invigorate my photography which has been a bit quiet in the last two years.
stub
Posted 03/01/2017 - 14:38 Link
Im too considering the K1.. Can the owners and users in their comments. Please tell us the type of photography they are using it for ? I.E. Landscapes (Which I believe its the bes around) Portraits, Sports.
Has anyone experienced the so called pitfalls of focus tracking and slow to focus ?
K-1Gripped K-1 ungripped K-5ii K7 Various lenses

Stuart..
Chrism8
Posted 03/01/2017 - 14:49 - Helpful Comment Link
Hi Stuart

I've used mine for portraits, wildlife and fast action ( RAF Jets in the Mach Loop, BIF etc ) not had any real issues with focus tracking or slow focus, use the centre point 90% of the time.
Chris

www.chrismillsphotography.co.uk

" A Hangover is something that occupies the Head you neglected to use the night before".

-------------------------------------------------------------
K1 - Sigma 85mm F1.4, Pentax DFA 150 -450 F4.5 / 5.6, Pentax DFA* 24 - 70 F2.8

Samyang 14mm F2.8, Pentax DFA* 70-200 F2.8, Pentax A 50mm F1.2

K3iii + K3ii + K5iis converted to IR, Sigma 17 - 70 F2.8, Pentax 55 - 300 F4.5 / F5.6 PLM
johnriley
Posted 03/01/2017 - 15:34 - Helpful Comment Link
When it comes down to it, all marques have their strengths and their foibles.

The K-1 is a lovely all round camera for photographers. Obviously all cameras are for photographers, but what I mean is that it gives an experience that encourages good photography, it handles so beautifully and intuitively. Non-photographers who use iPhones or compact cameras to record their lives may find it too big, heavy and complicated.

I would suggest handling one if you are in doubt, but if you are already a Pentax User then you know what to expect, just a little larger and definitely a bit faster all round.
Best regards, John
stub
Posted 03/01/2017 - 16:19 Link
Chrism8 wrote:
Hi Stuart

I've used mine for portraits, wildlife and fast action ( RAF Jets in the Mach Loop, BIF etc ) not had any real issues with focus tracking or slow focus, use the centre point 90% of the time.

That comforting to hear...
K-1Gripped K-1 ungripped K-5ii K7 Various lenses

Stuart..
Chrism8
Posted 03/01/2017 - 16:48 Link
Hi Stuart, Here's 3 images all with the Sigma 100 -300 F4

Full shot, the jets doing 400mph plus

Comment Image


Here's a crop of the cockpit

Comment Image


And a BIF

Comment Image
Chris

www.chrismillsphotography.co.uk

" A Hangover is something that occupies the Head you neglected to use the night before".

-------------------------------------------------------------
K1 - Sigma 85mm F1.4, Pentax DFA 150 -450 F4.5 / 5.6, Pentax DFA* 24 - 70 F2.8

Samyang 14mm F2.8, Pentax DFA* 70-200 F2.8, Pentax A 50mm F1.2

K3iii + K3ii + K5iis converted to IR, Sigma 17 - 70 F2.8, Pentax 55 - 300 F4.5 / F5.6 PLM
Edited by Chrism8: 03/01/2017 - 16:50
paolo11
Posted 03/01/2017 - 17:22 Link
Good advise from everyone. Awesome shots of the fighter, were you on a mtn. or something? Okay if I show it to club members?

To answer one question, reason I bought the camera was due the type of photography I enjoy which is macro shots for insects/flowers, and landscapes.

I read good things on the Sony 36.4 mega pixel sensor (been around for 3-4 years), and Pentax engineered it a bit for astro tracing et. al. which I want to get into as I have a pro friend who is big into it, been published in Popular Photography several times. I'm bringing it to my club meeting as he has read up on the K1 and is impressed (he owns Canon.)

Yes, deep thoughts about buying along with a little guilt, waited for intro price to drop, instead it went up. Saw a deal on Amazon from a NY camera shop for $1810.00 with some usable trinkets, and went for it. Now I realize you folks pay more in the UK and Europe overall for cameras, so I imagine you really give it thought. Now , I have seen some price drop on Ebay, but do you folks get hit with a VAT if you buy over here?

I live in Williamsburg, VA, a lot of history and nature especially on Jamestown Island where I shoot ospreys/blue herons, and bald eagles, there's 5 eagle nests on the island, and they lay their eggs in early Feb.

My advice is that if you can afford it (even if it means giving up some beer) , go for it, you'll love the camera. I almost bought the K3 II for 1K less.

Osprey taken with K5 using 55 - 300mm zoom.

Osprey photo re-loaded to photo gallery Not sure what I did wrong/

Saw the photo in preview, but not after loading?
Edited by paolo11: 03/01/2017 - 17:32
Chrism8
Posted 03/01/2017 - 18:09 Link
Hi Paola11,

Yes, it's called the Mach Loop on the edge of Cadir Idris in Wales, they fly under your feet almost, happy for you to show them to your club members.
Chris

www.chrismillsphotography.co.uk

" A Hangover is something that occupies the Head you neglected to use the night before".

-------------------------------------------------------------
K1 - Sigma 85mm F1.4, Pentax DFA 150 -450 F4.5 / 5.6, Pentax DFA* 24 - 70 F2.8

Samyang 14mm F2.8, Pentax DFA* 70-200 F2.8, Pentax A 50mm F1.2

K3iii + K3ii + K5iis converted to IR, Sigma 17 - 70 F2.8, Pentax 55 - 300 F4.5 / F5.6 PLM
paolo11
Posted 03/01/2017 - 22:36 Link
Chris,

I went to your web site, opening landscape is just beautiful. There are pros in my club also, love looking at their work. The club is a nature photo club, we do try to work in people in nature, but it's nature first. Club is open to all levels. I'm getting into kid photos which I currently do for free.

I mailed out your photos along with the link to your site. What's getting big over here, and I assume over in the UK, is drone photography.

http://www.cnpcva.org/ link to my club

I'm not at the pro level nor do I aspire to be. Cycling is my 1st love, I bought the Pentax 51X bridge camera as it weights just 1 1/4 lbs, and I strap it around my waist when I cycle. I have taken some good shots, and gotten kudos, but that's it. I'm lucky to have my wife involved in both my hobbies, less pain overall.

Photography is art work at your level. We live on a beautiful planet, so hopefully photos like yours will show future generations how Earth looked before it was ruined.

Paolo

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