Why the upgrade

I am interested to know why members at the point in time thought they needed an upgrade to the camera they had been using. This may have been for better A/F, IQ or for what ever reason they may have upgraded. Also after the upgrade did the new camera give the results they expected of it. Or would it have been better to try and increase there knowledge and photographic skills. Can I also ask what your main feild of photography is i/e landscapes,portraits or what ever. May I also ask what you find the best combination of kit to give the results your looking for.

Regards Ian

Wow, that's quite a question!

Sue and I upgrade a camera because we fancy something that's new and want it, or because something better is released and we need it, or because something fails and needs replacing.

Sometimes the first two coincide, so for example when I upgraded the Q to the Q-S1 is was because I wanted a special colour, but also I wanted the slightly larger sensor to equate to the quality level of the MX-1.

The K-5 we still use and will do so until one fails. Then we'll look again, currently it would be the K-3 that would replace it.

I upgraded from the k-100d to the k-30 because I was having major back focussing issues with many shots on the k-100d. So I wanted better auto focus and I wanted a unit that was capable of video.

I got both in the k-30 and so much more. I actually did give lots of consideration to other brands, but at the time Pentax was clearly the best bang for my buck. I expct I'll do the same when the time comes to replace, or to supplement, the k-30

I bought a K3 because it was some years and models from my K7. If I'm honest, the reduction of price and the cash back offer sealed the deal. I've not had the camera long enough to fully evaluate all the changes, but the K3 has a better grip which I immediately appreciated.

As an amateur photographer I always intend every trip out with the camera to teach me more. A new camera does not bring any extra skill sets with it, you have to learn them yourself and that's part of the fun. On a very recent trip out I found I had the K7 with me, rather than the K3 as planned, but it didn't impact in any way on the enjoyment of the day I had - and the good or bad images I took.

My favourite interest in photography is landscape, and I generally have a prime wide angle lens with me, as well as a short telephoto lens. Best piece of equipment to improve your images is a tripod. Taken me years to follow my own advice!

Lastly, if you process your images in software such as Lightroom/Elements etc, the thing to remember is that the best possible time to sort everything out is in those moments before you press the shutter. An expensive camera will not compensate for fundamental errors, as I have had the pleasure of reminding myself on numerous occasions.

Yes looking back at the post it does ask alot. But hopefully members will offer there thoughts and expierences good or bad.
regards ian

I'm very close to upgrading my K-x to probably a K-50 although I haven't totally ruled out a K5II now that the body with kit lens is down to £500. On balance though the K-50 is superior to my K-x in just about every respect and offers everything I need or want at the moment and is very cheap too boot...so i'll probably save myself the difference and take that.

Main improvements for me are:
1. WR...by far the most important benefit given the UK climate.

2. A larger (3") LCD and higher resolution as well...very welcome now that I use reading glasses.

3. 16MP vs 12MP..allowing more scope for cropping and allowing larger images at a higher quality if I decide to do some wall art as i am thinking of.

4. TAV setting...better for aircraft shots

5. Slightly larger and heavier together with better handling...will benefit me when I get larger lenses as they will be better balanced.

6. Better exposure and AF settings and accuracy...has to be a good thing.

7. Newer model ensures greater compatibility with current software / SD cards etc

8. Peace of mind that comes from the 2 year warranty...just have to decide whether to sell K-x and get something for it or decide that I might get more benefit from keeping it as a 'reserve' second body.

That's the gist of my thinking in a nutshell.

regards and Happy New Year to all.

Karlo

I upgraded from the KX to a K30 mainly because of the weather resistance. I was very happy with the KX, but even more happier with the K30.

I'm willing to bet that, however the purchase may be otherwise justified, most people change cameras because:

a) a new one is launched and camera manufacturers rely on the "new is better" mantra to sell more cameras/lenses

and

b) they hold the mistaken belief that a new camera will make them a better photographer (it won't, of course)

I'm no different, by the way, despite regularly proving to myself how wasteful and profligate is the addiction.

I bought a K-3 because I wasn't happy with some aspects of performance on my K-5, namely AF in low light and inconsistent focussing in any light with certain lenses. The K-3 was the latest camera out and I already had a K-5iis, which I was and still am happy with, but it made no sense to me to have two K-5iis's, hence the K-3 purchase. BTW, I like to carry two DSLR bodies with me. The K-3 has lived up to expectations in terms of better AF and excellent IQ, along with all the little handling tweaks and features which make it a pleasure to use.

My main photography genres are landscape and wildlife, but I'll have a go at anything.

Regards
David

Bought the K-3 because of the stronger, faster motor for use with my 100-300 F4.0 Sigma - now focuses faster than the 150-500 HSM on either the K-3 or K-5 (the 150-500 may be up for sale in the Spring after I have done some more comparisons).

See my avatar for the main reason for needing that!

I'm able to use a camera such as the Pentax K3 a good portion of the time, but with limitations - I frequently use it as a type of secondary camera system.

I've upgraded for items such as:
1. Full frame sensor.
2. Higher MP count and/or better resolution
3. Better optics; wider views on full frame, better selection of glass and aperture, etc...
4. Better accessory options

Yet, even though the K3 is not full frame, Pentax still has one of the best Weather Resistant cameras on the market. This should be more strongly emphasized over ANY Nikon system

I upgraded from a K10, of which I still have to a K3. I have been dabbling in astrophotography, and found I was getting some funky red colours on long exposures with the K10's CCD sensor. I picked a newer camera that also has live view as it makes focusing a lot easier. Has it helped me progress, very much so.

I also picked up a used Q to play with. Taking advantage of it's crop factor for reach with an adaptor, and K mount lens. It is not perfect, but I can get shots that I would be unable to get otherwise.

I upgraded from K-r to a K-5iis for two reasons - better low light performance and WR. What I found afterwards were lots of reasons over and above my original ones - better AF, sharper, better screen, greater ability to crop and also much better in the hand.

I thought my K-r was good, but the k-5iis is in a different league.

Phil

Good post and yes guilty as charged which pretty much was the reason for the post. A few years ago I upgraded my K10 for the new Kr. After a few tries with the new camera I thought the photos looked a bit soft. After recieving some help I found the photos needed a bit more post editing sharpening to get the best prints from the camera. Something I did not find with the K10 in most cases I found them good to go. I still did not think the landscape photos prouced by the Kr were as nice as the K10, so as I had already traded the k10 in a deal to purchace the Kr I had some regrets. I eventualy went back and bought another K10 because I missed the camera so much.
Regards Ian

I upgraded rom a K100dS to a K10 because I wanted better handling and a few more pixels. I'm quite happy with the K10, I'm fairly immune to upgrade fever! Nine out of ten times, I shoot unusual things and try to find something attractive in them, that or abstracts. I have 8 lenses but stick mostly to my F4 35-70.