Going digital....maybe

[subman60]

Been thinking of getting a dslr for a while now. Local camera shop has a used pentax KR that shows to only had about 800 shots taken on it for about$250.
The same shop is also running a sale on a new k50 two lens kit (18-55 and choice between 50mm f1.8 or zoom) with other items included for $600. They have a layaway plan for the new one. Any thoughts on why I should buy one over the other?

Thanks,
Mark

 

[Pioneer]

Personally I would buy the K50 with either lens (though I am very partial to primes). It is a newer camera and has had very good reviews. You will receive a lens with it which is a nice plus. The new camera and lens will be under warranty in case something does go wrong (not likely but never hurts to be safe.) Focusing is faster with the newer camera. Both cameras will accept and use all K-Mount Pentax lenses, as well as M42 screwmount lenses by using a simple adaptor.

www.Pentaxforums.com has a wonderful lens and camera review site to help you make comparisons and read user reviews of both cameras.

 

[Swift1]

I've used previous versions of both those cameras (K-30 and K-m), and I highly recommend the K-50 over the K-r. Both will produce great photos, but the K-50 has much better build quality, it's weather sealed, has a much better viewfinder, has dual control dials, and also has one of the best APS-C sensors ever made.
Both my bestselling images were made with that sensor.

 

[subman60]

I do prefer the k50. But I know the KR got good reviews when it came out. I will not give up on film completely. It's just gotten expensive to use with processing and cost of film. I have PK and screw mount lenses most of them prime. The KR has two lenses, a 18-35 and 28-90, both of the are film lenses so I wouldn't have a good wide because of cropping.

 

[Swift1]

I do prefer the k50. But I know the KR got good reviews when it came out. I will not give up on film completely. It's just gotten expensive to use with processing and cost of film. I have PK and screw mount lenses most of them prime. The KR has two lenses, a 18-35 and 28-90, both of the are film lenses so I wouldn't have a good wide because of cropping.

The 18-35 will be wide on the K-r.
18mm is 18mm, regardless of weather the lens was made for film or digital.
18mm on APS-C is equivalent to 28mm on 135 (35mm film) format.

 

[kai.zorki]

Unless you absolutley want a Pentax camera, i would buy a used Canon 5d classic. 12.7 mp are equivalent to most 35mm film, yes low iso/grain 35mm film and a high quality scan can yield more resolution, but in practical terms you will most often get around 12mp. Other advantages are better build quality, better viewfinder and of course full frame. As for the age of the camera: i think it is not much of a problem, it has pro build and a camera with low shutter count will not have the sensor destroyed in the near future. Pair it with the 50 1.8 and one of the early eos wideangle primes like the 24 2.8 and you will get a lot of image quality for your money. You could also buy a Tamron 28-75 2.8 if you desire a zoom. Of course it is perfectly possible to use the camera with your mf primes via an adapter.

 

[Pioneer]

Unless you absolutley want a Pentax camera, i would buy a used Canon 5d classic. 12.7 mp are equivalent to most 35mm film, yes low iso/grain 35mm film and a high quality scan can yield more resolution, but in practical terms you will most often get around 12mp. Other advantages are better build quality, better viewfinder and of course full frame. As for the age of the camera: i think it is not much of a problem, it has pro build and a camera with low shutter count will not have the sensor destroyed in the near future. Pair it with the 50 1.8 and one of the early eos wideangle primes like the 24 2.8 and you will get a lot of image quality for your money. You could also buy a Tamron 28-75 2.8 if you desire a zoom. Of course it is perfectly possible to use the camera with your mf primes via an adapter.

I own a Canon 5d, and I agree that the old classic is a terrific camera; I still use mine quite a bit. But it is old. If I were moving to digital right now I would buy APS-C. Besides, I haven't tested it but I bet the sensor on the K50 is likely just as competent, producing great images, as the 9 year old 5d sensor design. Though it is full frame, stepping up to the next level will cost a lot more money.

I do believe that Pentax provides more value than most in today's market but deciding which brand to go with really is a personal decision. If the OP has handled the Pentax, and likes the ergonomics, that is more than half the battle. Go with the one that feels best that you can afford. There will always be people who will tell you to buy Canon or Nikon or Sony or some other brand. Go with your own feelings.

 

[subman60]

I've handled all the major brands, to me the ergonomics aren't going to be that big of a deal from one brand to another. The reason for looking mainly at Pentax is because I have several Pentax & third party lenses that can be used. I have other lenses for other brands but non that will work easily on there dslr other than a 50mm 1.8 canon lens.
The KR will probably do what I need which is shooting for my own enjoyment and to archive family events. The K50 just seems like it is a little better camera at a good price for what is offered with the kit. I will probably carry a pentax film body or my M3 when I go out.

 

[kshapero]

I do prefer the k50. But I know the KR got good reviews when it came out. I will not give up on film completely. It's just gotten expensive to use with processing and cost of film. I have PK and screw mount lenses most of them prime. The KR has two lenses, a 18-35 and 28-90, both of the are film lenses so I wouldn't have a good wide because of cropping.

Ya but with the K-50 you take it into the shower with you. Something to that, eh?

 

[Scrambler]

To those suggesting Canon - the OP has a collection of Pentax glass - surely that is a factor in the decision?

To the OP: the Pentax lenses are completely interchangable BOTH WAYS with film bodies. You will get some vignetting on the film bodies if you use a cropped lens, but depending on focal length and aperture you can get very close to full coverage. If the 18-35 is a film lens I would take the K-r. Honestly, it's "good enough" and the lens alone would make that worth the money.

I recently checked ebay prices on the K100D (which I own) - around $250 body only or with Sigma lens. Compared to that the K-r is a steal with two lenses.

EDIT: PS I bought the K100D 5-6 years ago as the nearest ergonomics to the film Canon SLR I was using. The ergonomics of modern SLRs are all very similar.

 

[subman60]

There's nothing in my shower anyone would want to see. Unless you like mildew.

 

[subman60]

The lensee that come with the KR are a Pentax fa(I think j) 18-35mm f4-5.6 and a Pentax
smc fa 28-90mm f3.5-5.6. Any thoughts on these two lenses? Are they going to be comparable to the kit zoom lenses offered with the K50, other than not being weather resistant.

 

[Argenticien]

The other thing to consider, if you're weighing up the question of price, is this: With your old manual focus PK and M42 lenses, you may want a split-image focusing screen (KatzEye or similar), so should leave room in your budget for that, perhaps USD 100. I'm several DSLR generations behind, since I have a five-year-old K20D, but in its case at least, manual focusing was difficult on the native matte screen, which is not surprising since it's built for 24/7 use of autofocus lenses. The KatzEye helps considerably, although the DSLR VF will always be small compared to (for example) that of a ME Super, no matter what screen is in it.
--Dave

 

[nparsons13]

The 18-35 f/4-5.6 is an FA J lens. It is a pretty decent lens with full-frame coverage, but it doesn't have an aperture ring, so you'll be a little limited using it on a film SLR that doesn't have in-camera aperture control. Users report it is a good value, with reasonable sharpness and low distortion for the price.

The FA 28-90 is the best of the mid-90s midrange kit zooms, but that's not saying much. I got one not long ago on a film body that I wanted, and I much prefer the kit DA 18-55 AL WR. Check Pentax lens user reviews at http://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-FA-Zoom-Lenses-c44.html.

I recently bought a K5IIs when prices came down to my budget after release of the K3, but I would have been happy with a K50 and would much prefer it to the Kr. It has greater sensitivity (ISO 51,600 vs 12,800 for the Kr); higher resolution (16.2 MP vs 12.2 MP); greater viewfinder area; and generally faster autofocus.

The weather resistance is valuable for a walkaround camera, but it only works if the lens is WR as well. Check the DA 18-55 that is being offered with the K50 and see if it says WR on the name ring and has a red weather seal set in the face of the lens mounting ring.

If the other zoom with the K50 is a DA 50-200 f/4-5.6 ED, either WR or not, it is okay for a kit lens, but you may not be satisfied with it after using it a while. It's not the sharpest zoom Pentax has in this range, and users (including me) report that its autofocus is slow in low-light situations.

As Pioneer suggests, take a look at the reviews of these two cameras and the lenses at PentaxForums. And Argenticien is right about getting a split-image focusing screen if you're going to be using manual-focus lenses. I had a KatzEye in my previous DSLR, a K200d, and it made it possible for me to focus my old M42 and Pentax K, M, and A lenses.

 

[subman60]

The lenses offered with the KR don't sound to promising. The da 18-55 is a wr lens, the other lens offered is the 50-200 you mentioned or a da 50mm f1.8. The KR has a pentamirror not a pentaprism can a Katzeye be used? Also the K50 comes with a copy of lightroom, would that be another good reason to go with the new camera? The owner of the shop has been steering me towards the k50 says its a much better camera all the way around. My only problem is from late May to mid August I don't work steady. These deals always seem to come up close to summer.

 

[Argenticien]

I wouldn't think pentamirror vs. pentaprosm would matter, and in fact KatzEye have screen for the K-R -- click here.
--Dave

 

[nparsons13]

The lenses offered with the KR don't sound to promising. The da 18-55 is a wr lens, the other lens offered is the 50-200 you mentioned or a da 50mm f1.8. The KR has a pentamirror not a pentaprism can a Katzeye be used? Also the K50 comes with a copy of lightroom, would that be another good reason to go with the new camera? The owner of the shop has been steering me towards the k50 says its a much better camera all the way around. My only problem is from late May to mid August I don't work steady. These deals always seem to come up close to summer.

That being the case, it's a difficult choice. You might consider buying the Kr, learning with it, buying some better lenses as you go along, then later, when you can and if you want to, upgrading the body.

Is the shop owner offering the K50 at the same price whether you choose the DA 50/1.8 prime or the 50-200 zoom? In that case I'd choose the 50/1.8 and then sell it in one of the forum marketplaces to knock your net cost down to about $400. The 50 prime is worth considerably more than the 50-200.

 

[subman60]

Yes it's the same price with both lenses. That's a good idea though sell the 50mm to get my cost down. That way I'd start with a better body and a ok lens and can up date lenses as I can.

 

[subman60]

Well I took the KR. Got a third lens in the deal, a smc f 1:4.7-5.6 80-200mm. All for the total price of $270. The K-R shows less than 750 shoots being taken with it and the price is easier for me to justify. I know the lenses aren't the best bit it will get me through the learning curve of shooting in digital. Then if need be I can upgrade.

 

[Pioneer]

I think you made an excellent deal and it should be perfect for you. None of those are bad lenses. And the camera you have is very competent. If that was the only kit you had for the rest of your life you could still shoot some world class photographs. People have done amazing things with a lot less than you have in your hands right now.

Good luck and good shooting.