Well, I spent a lot of time analysing which camera (sensibly priced - I can't justify £4k plus! for a 1DX for D4) before deciding on a K-3 (ordered today from SRS) for general photography but specifically for shooting football matches. I looked at lots of resources comparing the K-3 to the Canon 7D, 70D and Nikon 7100 etc. and I reckon the K-3 is the best choice overall at my price point. Hopefully I'll get a chance to try it out soon (should get it next week) at a football match and I'll post some pictures and some initial thoughts on how it compares to my K-5.

BTW on the pics number 5 is my favourite because the panning blurs the background and gives a sense of speed. For football I try to use F2.8 with my Sigma 70-200mm to blur distractions out of the background so I'm hoping the AF improvements get me a higher keeper rate. Also the challenge in football is keeping track of the players running in seemingly random directions whereas at least Karts (mostly) stay on a track so are easier to predict for the photographer if not the camera.

Roy

You need to enter the codes that the OP provided when in the checkout page.

When I was on the site last week the 10% discount was working against the K-3. The store seemed to go offline over the weekend and now the 10% camera discount code doesn't work against the K-3 but when I select a K-5iis it does.

I wonder if the 10% discount against the K-3 was also a mistake. If it was then I guess it raises the question of whether they will honour those that placed an order with the discount?

I have a canvas Billingham bag. Most versions have flat bottoms with small round brass feet. They come in various sizes although you should check what size you would need for your Bigma plus body. They are expensive but are durable, hold their value (if you decide to sell at some future point) and can be used for things other than photography since they don't look like most camera bags and the padded dividers can be removed.

Yes, that would save me a great deal of time.

Seriously, I realise it was a generalisation (and a negative one at that) and that is not really helpful. Facts like the price of the 55-200 WR and the price on Amazon.de are very useful, so thank you for that.

DA* 50-135mm is £889.19 with the discount and it is currently £999 at both Amazon and SRS. Fact not opinion.

Having used my K5 for a number of football matches now (and having them printed in a local paper and Harrogate Town's website) I'd really like to know if the K-3 is a match for similar priced Nikon or Canon offerings for ball sports. In particular the AF speed and accuracy and how well the AF tracking performs.

Roy

Thanks for that. I agree.

I was behind the goal at one end so number 2 was a shot of the opposite end of the pitch. I would have ideally liked to have my 300mm on for this one but I only have one body so it is a crop of an image at 200mm. and I daren't go in any tighter. Number 3 was players running in on goal but I wasn't quick enough to zoom out on my 70-200mm so it is uncropped, at least in the post-processing sense. However I thought it added some intensity to the blue player's concentration on the ball. Number 1 is my favourite.

With regard to number 2 - what do you think of this version?

Roy

Okay, so I know I'm in the tiny minority of football shooters who favour Pentax but I'm determined to improve without the fancy 3D AF tracking of the much more expensive Canikons. Instead I am focusing on the positives of WR, high ISO performance and IQ in the more cost-effective bundle of my K-5.

Here are a couple of images from my first football match of the new season. Any critique to help me improve would be gratefully received.

I take around 500-600 during a 90 minute football match. I try to time the first shot then keep the shutter release depressed for a couple more frames. Generally the first frame in the sequence is the best but you never know with sport. About 5% good enough especially as it is more difficult to get focus on the right player etc.

Seriously thinking of upgrading my K5 to a ii or iis for the improved AF. Anyone found an appreciable improvement when shooting ball sports? I have so far resisted the temptation of switching to a more expensive cropped sensor Canon or Nikon with their reported better AF tracking, instead I have better IQ, better high ISO performance and weather sealing. Or maybe I should wait for the next top of the range Pentax that rumour has it is just around the corner and hope the AF performance is further improved?