Maybe check out a super-multi-coated Takumar 85mm/1.8 (or of the other variants)? I wouldn’t be without mine and they’re such marvellous pieces of engineering that have really stood the test of time.

Ah sorry, hadn’t picked on your 50mm. An AF Version might be handy sometimes but not exactly essential.

I’ve seen plenty of beautiful landscape shots taken in that range of focal lengths, that being said I haven’t been too successful with that technique myself so I know where you’re coming from.

The most obvious item I can see would be a fast 50mm prime. Something with f/1.4 can still be found for pretty cheap, especially in MF.

I have a soft spot for the pentax (and similar) 35mm f/2 lenses for street photography on an APS-C DSLR. One of the various Limited primes could also be very nice option.

Maybe consider a used KP if you may be interested in street photography and a bit of quirkyness. It’ll likely be a noticeable upgrade from your K5 (resolution, no physical AA filter, improved high ISO performance, improved AF, pixel shift, tilting screen plus WiFi onboard) and can be set up with the small grip and a compact prime lens so that it barely looks like a DSLR. With a larger grip or battery grip it’s more like a K5/K3 size. Some people don’t love the ergonomics, others do, if you buy used without trying it’s best if you have the right to return it. The used prices I saw from reputable dealers are around £500-600 so whilst not cheap it’s a far cry from a K3iii and seems like quite a lot of camera for the cash. I might be biased as I just bought one btw. (though I plan to keep my trusty K5iis for now as well, it’s also a great camera for the price they go for used).

This may be particularly interesting for anyone in Germany and some surrounding countries:

link

Works out about £306 for a brand new 55-300 with PLM focussing motor.

This ended up in a slightly different direction.

I had a couple of tempting used options and also was tracking the warehouse and new prices on Amazon. As of this morning there was a new silver K3 iii on Amazon for only £1275, now it’s gone back up to £1599, it certainly pays to keep track of the intraday and interday variations!

I’ve just ordered a used Pentax KP instead, figuring that I value the compactness and tilting screen and significant (> 50%) price saving more than the potential advantages of the K3iii for my typical usage of travel and annoying the dog.

I think my trusty old K5iis will continue to serve me well for landscape and outdoor etc., making the best use of its excellent dynamic range. The KP is small enough to stick a prime or my Pentax-F 35-70 on and keep with me at all times. Let’s see how it goes.

I’ll probably upgrade the K5iis to a K3iii or K1ii in another year or two, with the optimistic assumption that prices remain stable or even reduce slightly.

Thanks to all who contributed.

Thanks for all the replies, some good options there.

Thanks, pm replied

This is a bit of a long shot but is anyone looking to offload a K3 Mark III?

I‘m travelling over to the UK in a couple of weeks so would be looking for postage within the UK (to family), pick up in the NW England or pick up in N Wales.

A week staying in the Llyn peninsular seems like a good reason to invest in a 2nd body to complement my trusty K5IIs.

You certainly made the best of those conditions. Nr. 11 is my favourite.

How did you do the metering?