[Closed] Pentax digital SLR camera question

I've had a k50 and now have a k500 for out riding and a k5 mk2 for best. They are superb cameras and beat most canons and nikons for features / price point.
Anything specific you need to know?

beat most canons and nikons for features / price point.

The Claud Butler of the camera world?

Thanks jonk.
Is there much noise at higher iso values?
When shooting continuously does it freeze whilst writing the images to sd card?

I've got a K30 (similar but older version of K50) and highly recommend it and Pentax cameras. At the time when I bought it, it had more features than the equivalent Nikon or Cannon. Its also weather sealed which helps if you want to take it out biking in the British weather.

The noise is pretty good at high ISO but my previous camera was an old Nikon bridge camera so I might not be up to speed with what is acceptable for a modern DSLR camera.

The K30 supports shooting at 6 frames per second and if you take short exposures the camera will pause for a few seconds while it writes out the buffer to the memory card.

The only down side I can see with Pentax cameras is some lenses might not be available in a Pentax fit and special offers are usually for Nikon and Cannon versions. But if you already have a collection of lenses to use thats less of an issue.

beat most canons and nikons for features / price point.

Not that I have done much serious SLR shopping but it seems that most other makes do. Canon and Nikon seem to be relying on the fact that everyone thinks they are better or already has a load of lenses.

I've expanded my search for K30s as well, as they seem to be pretty much the same.
I've had Pentax film cameras for years and they've been bloody good.
Thanks for the input so far everyone.

As far as I can tell the K50 is identical to the K30 but can support a higher max ISO.

The other good thing about Pentax cameras is the image stabilisation is performed in the body rather than the lens. So not only can you use your old lenses but you will also have image stabilisation, which I find really helps with hand held low light photos.

I bought a K-5 about 18 months ago. Reason being is the pentax 'trickle down' seems almost exact for anything other than build.

So the K-5 became a k-30.
the k-5ii became the k-50.
the k-3 will be something else.

The specs are nearly identical but the older/better one has the magnesium body. Heavier but much more rugged and has a top LCD for settings, less 'new' but probably better cameras and lifely to hold their values better (looking on ebay at 2nd hand values, the top models of any age are always worth something, 2nd tier and lower seemt o go for peanuts). New prices when I bought mine were within £20 for the k-5/k-30 as the k-3 was about to be released so it was a no brainer, it was a great camera when it was first released and will still out perform me!

K100d owner here - great that I can use 'old' lenses, of super quality, and is in camera. For less than £100 I have a DSLR that takes great images. I'm sure I could get better - but at a significantly higher cost.

For those who know their Pentax's I still have a P50 and a Super A, both of which work well. The Super A must be nearly 30 years old now, but film is a dead format these days.

I've currently got a Fuji HS30 bridge camera which is very good, but the sensor gives quite noisy results above ISO400 plus its all electronically tweaked, so you have little depth of field control due to the limited aperture values.
Plus I miss having a proper SLR.

Whilst the K5ii is nice, I think the K50 or K30 would be fine for me. The K50 probably edges it because of the higher ISO capability, but I'll see what pops up.

Any suggestions for a good deal or secondhand buy, other than e-bay (got that covered already)?

Super A - I so wanted one of those, I still have a ME Super 🙂
I also have a K20d, but I don't use it that much at the moment.
I've always liked Pentax - now that Hoya have fully taken over they're obviously investing in the camera side again, something that was painfully obvious wasn't happening during the early/ mid 2000s.

Any suggestions for a good deal or secondhand buy, other than e-bay (got that covered already)?

Pentax are owned by Hoya?! Didnt know that. I presume Ricoh are also owned by Hoya then, given the Pentax Website is also part of Ricoh.

The Super A is still good. I got a secondhand one about 16 years ago specifically for the TTL flash capability.

This is my local camera shop, they are big into Pentax and also sell lots of second hand stuff:

http://www.srsmicrosystems.co.uk

Ok, I've pretty much decided im going to go ahead with either a K-50 or a K-5 (or K-5 ii).
I can find a secondhand K5 body only on e-bay for around £250, or I can get a brand new K-50 including the kit lens (18-55mm) from a local camera shop for £360, which seems a cracking deal.
Decisions decisions.
Im watching a K-5 ii brand new body on e-bay as well, which if I can get for under £300 I'll go for, otherwise the new K-50 will be where my money goes.
I think.

Well, taken the plunge and gone for the K50 + lens. Paid deposit yesterday and collecting it as soon as my wages hit my account tomorrow. Cant wait!
My first new SLR ever! Had plenty of SLRs, but never new.

I bought a K50. I had a load of lenses from my Dad's old Super A and K 1000. Ironically, I have not tried the old lenses, but know they work from when using them with 35mm.

I know nothing about SLRs, but am pretty happy with the results so far and think the quality of the camera and results is the mutt's nutts. Also would say I think splash resistant cameras are a good idea - I mean, just look out the window.

On the subject of my photographic incompetence, can anyome recommend a DSLR how to use a camera guide?

I saw this one: [url= http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0857385488/ref=s9_bbs_gw_d17_g14_i4?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-7&pf_rd_r=1SB2B3PS5AS5SZ0V4BDG&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=455346027&pf_rd_i=468294 ]How to use a camera for those who can't tie their own shoelaces[/url]

It might be better going to a local camera club meeting and talking to them first. You'll learn far more actually talking to people who've got an interest in the subject matter.
Also don't be afraid to read the manual for your camera so you understand how to access its many functions, then just go and play!
The truly great thing with digital photography is you can see you results right away, so you can make small changes to see what affect they have and just delete the crap.