All Forum Comments
Comment by vrapan posted on Lens for hillwalking DA* 16-50 at 28/12/2011 - 18:11
1stEverPentax wrote:
With regard to the 'urgency' factor due to the time limited price that you imply is 'rushing' you into a decision, I would ignore this totally.
The K5 is undoubtedly a fine camera but has been steadily dropping in price due to its age and market position relative to the competition.The short to mid term price level is likely to stabilise at around its current discounted level until well into the new year by which time its replacement will likely have been announced.
Don't forget the UK economy is getting worse all the time. Unemployment is continuing to rise, hundreds of thousands of public sector workers will be paying more into their pensions and thus have less disposable income, rents are increasing faster than wage growth as is the cost of transport, utility bills are continuing to rise relentlessly...all this means that disposable income is shrinking for most of the population. Camera gear is a 'luxury' for most and will therefore face strong downward price pressure. All manufacturers will have to accept lower 'profit'
or exit the industry.
So, in a nutshell make your decision on perceived increased capability, ergonomics,
usefulness etc...but don't allow yourself to be stampeded by corporate marketeers.
You forgot though that fewer sales does not necessarily mean lower prices as it could mean fewer resellers and thus less competition and also companies adjusting by positioning themselves as low volume high margin brands. Both increasing prices as a result...With regard to the 'urgency' factor due to the time limited price that you imply is 'rushing' you into a decision, I would ignore this totally.
The K5 is undoubtedly a fine camera but has been steadily dropping in price due to its age and market position relative to the competition.The short to mid term price level is likely to stabilise at around its current discounted level until well into the new year by which time its replacement will likely have been announced.
Don't forget the UK economy is getting worse all the time. Unemployment is continuing to rise, hundreds of thousands of public sector workers will be paying more into their pensions and thus have less disposable income, rents are increasing faster than wage growth as is the cost of transport, utility bills are continuing to rise relentlessly...all this means that disposable income is shrinking for most of the population. Camera gear is a 'luxury' for most and will therefore face strong downward price pressure. All manufacturers will have to accept lower 'profit'
or exit the industry.
So, in a nutshell make your decision on perceived increased capability, ergonomics,
usefulness etc...but don't allow yourself to be stampeded by corporate marketeers.
Comment by vrapan posted on K-X to K-5 upgrade worthwhile? at 27/12/2011 - 12:55
The K-5 is an amazing camera, I'd jump for one now, if you don't have any use for the K-x after you get the K-5 sell it. Put the money in the S/H 17-50 Tamron to replace the rather weak 18-55. If you have the DA 35mm 2.4 it is a great lens, I have one. The 55-300 sounds terrific too but I don't own one.
I paid 820£ for the kit and I am not looking back. It is quite a special little camera!
I paid 820£ for the kit and I am not looking back. It is quite a special little camera!
Comment by vrapan posted on K-X to K-5 upgrade worthwhile? at 27/12/2011 - 00:05
Was wondering the exact same thing when I bought mine. Took it to SRS to make sure it was just that and not a damaged camera
Comment by vrapan posted on K5 - Something Loose or Normal Behaviour? at 25/12/2011 - 16:07
What's your budget and do you need to go as far as 300mm? If not consider the excellent Pentax 50-135
The 55-300 sounds like a good lens - never tried one - however you might want to consider a few other lenses too.
The excellent 50-135 2.8 from Pentax is one option and the 50-150 2.8 from Sigma another (own the first owned the second in Nikon mount). On my unscientific experience the first has the lead on image quality the other on focus speed and price but it might be a bit rare as it has been discontinued.
The Tamron 70-200 2.8 is also a great lens and s/h very reasonably priced if you want something a bit longer than the other two options.
You also have the option of the rather expensive but well reviewed 60-250 f4 from Pentax too.
The 55-300 sounds like a good lens - never tried one - however you might want to consider a few other lenses too.
The excellent 50-135 2.8 from Pentax is one option and the 50-150 2.8 from Sigma another (own the first owned the second in Nikon mount). On my unscientific experience the first has the lead on image quality the other on focus speed and price but it might be a bit rare as it has been discontinued.
The Tamron 70-200 2.8 is also a great lens and s/h very reasonably priced if you want something a bit longer than the other two options.
You also have the option of the rather expensive but well reviewed 60-250 f4 from Pentax too.
Comment by vrapan posted on Which Telephoto Lense to choose at 23/12/2011 - 08:53
Hi there,
Thanks for the reply, in the meantime I have changed my mind and I will spend the money on a GX-1 with the 14-42 X whenever it comes in the UK as my everyday standard zoom+camera combination.
Best luck with the sale
Thanks for the reply, in the meantime I have changed my mind and I will spend the money on a GX-1 with the 14-42 X whenever it comes in the UK as my everyday standard zoom+camera combination.
Best luck with the sale
Comment by vrapan posted on FS: K7+Grip, DA*16-50, DA*50-135, Off camera flash cord at 22/12/2011 - 10:39
cabstar wrote:
I think people are surprised they have pulled a good product so early in its lifespan....
To me it looks like about right for Pentax... It seems that the majority of Pentax cameras don't make it past the year - year and a half till the next model comes out. It also looks like the lifecycle of the products has been getting shorter.I think people are surprised they have pulled a good product so early in its lifespan....
Maybe because Pentax cannot - due to volume - keep 3-4 different models in the marketplace it tries to produce the illusion of more than 2 product lines by shortening the lifespans of the models so current models are for sale along older models that still have stock to sell?
Not as good for marketing purposes as having 3-4 distinct lines but definitely a lot more efficient.
Comment by vrapan posted on Official K-r gone. What will replace it? at 15/12/2011 - 13:26
Mike what kind of lenses you'd like that you can't find or don't see yourself being able to find in the near future?
I was a bit worried about that right after taking the jump and hastily thinking no cheap/fast lenses but in all honesty now I don't think there is a single lens that I'd like to own and I can't find for the K-5.
There is a distinct lack of very long teles but I have neither cared for those and if I did I'd have to be rich enough to hire someone to carry them for me. Other than that from wides to primes to normal zooms I think there is decent choice.
Frankly all I want from Pentax is a mirrorless K-5
I was a bit worried about that right after taking the jump and hastily thinking no cheap/fast lenses but in all honesty now I don't think there is a single lens that I'd like to own and I can't find for the K-5.
There is a distinct lack of very long teles but I have neither cared for those and if I did I'd have to be rich enough to hire someone to carry them for me. Other than that from wides to primes to normal zooms I think there is decent choice.
Frankly all I want from Pentax is a mirrorless K-5
Comment by vrapan posted on Is Ricoh Pentax's last chance? at 09/12/2011 - 20:41
What's the IQ like on the 16-50? Focusing problems like back/front focusing? SDM working ok? How long have you had it?
Very interested! Thanks
Also probably none of my business but why are you selling?
Very interested! Thanks
Also probably none of my business but why are you selling?
Comment by vrapan posted on FS: K7+Grip, DA*16-50, DA*50-135, Off camera flash cord at 09/12/2011 - 19:04
A bot OT but glad you enjoy your 70-200
Comment by vrapan posted on Which standard zoom for the K-5 at 07/12/2011 - 15:27
For whatever is worth for my mountain biking/hiking I am going for a mirrorless camera. Unless Pentax comes out with one in the next few months I am getting a gx1+ the 14-42 X lens. The bulk of a dslr even a relatively compact one is starting to get to me. The price of the combo is almost the same as a new 16-50.
Btw there was a second hand one on sale in the classifieds here.