pentax K-R start off

[edutilos-]

so maybe u want to answer some interesting questions for yourself first - what are u doing and what kind of equipment do u need to achieve it?

i were u, i might prefer to get an LX7 with a radio trigger and a few cheap slave flash.

Think it depends on what you shoot as well.

Anyways, I started off with a Canon A540 and then the Sony H2. The key takeaways I had from the use of both cameras was that having some manual control is very useful in understanding the technicalities of photography. There's no use reading about DOF and aperture, shutter speed and motion when you can't try it out in practice. I don't think I've ever used any flashes (other than a short dabble with a $20 manual flash for macro) or radio triggers... :bsmilie:

 

[sunnycamera]

i were u, i might prefer to get an LX7 with a radio trigger and a few cheap slave flash.

nowadays, Lx7 still more expensive than 2nd hand pentax DSLR :bsmilie: 400 sgd+ in BnS.

image quality wise, DSLR is still miles ahead of Lx7.

 

[oceanpriest]

the gear is fine. but once he take out his gear in front of other pple with newer, flashier, more expensive gear, it fugs up his head and he gets very insecure.

human mind very hard to predict one... i rather play devils advocate up front.

must buy black tape to cover the logo and camera model :bsmilie:

 

[ranchy]

Saw your under thread replies that your budget is lower than 350 and going to shoot mostly your toys.

Just curious, what type of toys shots would you like to achieve? Close up shots? Or shallow depth of field types of shots?

You could also look at the K01 if you really on a budget which has a similar sensor to the K30 or the K5.

Or you could safe up abit more before making a decision first.

 

[detritus]

At least recommend him a Q or MX1 lah!

MX1 got no hot-shoe Q + adaptor + lens may exceed his budget so i didnt want to be spoiler ;p.

Also, the 5x crop factor makes it rather hard to compose in some cases.

imo, when shooting toys, lighting and composition plays a bigger part than gear - a DSLR adds value when u want to play with the shallow DOF so its impt to know what u want.

This set illustrates the concept quite well. the photographer however, is rather hard-core when it comes to gear :bsmilie:

 

[detritus]

nowadays, Lx7 still more expensive than 2nd hand pentax DSLR 400 sgd+ in BnS.

image quality wise, DSLR is still miles ahead of Lx7.

is it all that wise to make a decision based solely on price, without considering value? is there any harm in researching and saving more to get the gear that best suits one's needs? rather than to rush in just because its "cheap" on BNS?

how many of us had made such mistakes before? one impulse buy and money is tied up on gear that is not suitable and which is not easy to offload without losing too much money.

hence, is it still cheaper if one has to pay twice because of an initial poor buying decision?

as for IQ being "miles ahead", i think results speaks for themselves - i've seen poor DSLR shots, i've seen good PNS shots and vice versa.

u like DSLR because it suits your needs. some pple want to buy 645D because it suits their needs. what is it that TS needs? i think he has to decide that for himself and consider what is the solution that makes the most sense for him.

 

[PhilipKr35]

Zackdeth,

Invite you to Join the next Pentax Outing November, bring your toy and we can all test our cameras, and see which camera give you the effect you want.
some of us could bring flash if required. From there you can decide, much easier .

is it all that wise to make a decision based solely on price, without considering value? is there any harm in researching and saving more to get the gear that best suits one's needs? rather than to rush in just because its "cheap" on BNS?

how many of us had made such mistakes before? one impulse buy and money is tied up on gear that is not suitable and which is not easy to offload without losing too much money.

hence, is it still cheaper if one has to pay twice because of an initial poor buying decision?

as for IQ being "miles ahead", i think results speaks for themselves - i've seen poor DSLR shots, i've seen good PNS shots and vice versa.

u like DSLR because it suits your needs. some pple want to buy 645D because it suits their needs. what is it that TS needs? i think he has to decide that for himself and consider what is the solution that makes the most sense for him.

 

[pinholecam]

MX1 got no hot-shoe Q + adaptor + lens may exceed his budget so i didnt want to be spoiler ;p.

Also, the 5x crop factor makes it rather hard to compose in some cases.

imo, when shooting toys, lighting and composition plays a bigger part than gear - a DSLR adds value when u want to play with the shallow DOF so its impt to know what u want.

This set illustrates the concept quite well. the photographer however, is rather hard-core when it comes to gear :bsmilie:

Q with 02 zoom lens will do, adapter+lens is overdoing and not the right setup for the job.
But I won't recommend going the pns or Q route though.

Most such cameras, at best you find for about $250 in bns.
Thats also about the price of an aps-c or m4/3 camera. (eg. Kx,Kr, G3, GX1)
Better IQ, better DOF control

I actually tried a few shots between my Q+02 zoom and K30(or whatever aps-c for that matter)+el-cheap 50mm f2 on my wargaming minis.
Even though I had to shoot further for the K30+50mm combo, it gave less DOF (ie. more DOF options).
I just need to crop off for composition.


Yes, lighting will be the key in most cases for 1:1 'toy' rubber girl shots.... er ... I mean vinyl scale model toy shots.

 

[zackdeth]

I mean,My main shoots are for toys...But i do plan to take all sorts of photography,learn and experience.hahaha

The guy selling the K-R is not replying..Oh my.lol

 

[detritus]

I mean,My main shoots are for toys...But i do plan to take all sorts of photography,learn and experience.hahaha

The guy selling the K-R is not replying..Oh my.lol

it happens. no hurry. research, know what u want / need, aim for a good deal.

but i do think that a K30 is a better "mid-range" option. its more versatile. the 2 dials makes a difference in the overall handling experience (as opposed to just 1 dial on the K-R)

if the choice is between a K-R now and saving a little bit more money so u can get K-30 later, i would suggest the K30. no point getting a K-R now, regretting it, losing money selling it and then getting a K-30... u'll end up spending more :bheart:

 

[edutilos-]

it happens. no hurry. research, know what u want / need, aim for a good deal.

but i do think that a K30 is a better "mid-range" option. its more versatile. the 2 dials makes a difference in the overall handling experience (as opposed to just 1 dial on the K-R)

if the choice is between a K-R now and saving a little bit more money so u can get K-30 later, i would suggest the K30. no point getting a K-R now, regretting it, losing money selling it and then getting a K-30... u'll end up spending more :bheart:

Actually second hand prices for cameras tend to taper off after a while.. I mean, a DSLR can only go for so cheap. If you get the K-R at $250, I don't think you will be selling it at $50 a few years later (loss of $200). While that is certainly not the case for a K-50 or K-30 which is relatively new... :bsmilie:

 

[pendora]

I mean,My main shoots are for toys...But i do plan to take all sorts of photography,learn and experience.hahaha

The guy selling the K-R is not replying..Oh my.lol

Just get a KR you won't regret it. I am using my trusty KR for past three years. Still serves me well. Although I am changing to a higher end soon, this will suffice for us to begin shooting.

No point pushing for higher end models. If budget not an issue, most people go for canikon already. Let Pentax's selling point be lower entry and slowly appreciate the beauty of it. In fact the way this thread is going, an beginner will be put off easily.

My 2 cents.

 

[detritus]

Just get a KR you won't regret it. I am using my trusty KR for past three years. Still serves me well. Although I am changing to a higher end soon, this will suffice for us to begin shooting.

No point pushing for higher end models. If budget not an issue, most people go for canikon already. Let Pentax's selling point be lower entry and slowly appreciate the beauty of it. In fact the way this thread is going, an beginner will be put off easily.

My 2 cents.

U are upgrading to a higher end model, but u think that TS should not do what you're doing and others should not recommend that TS considers his needs carefully so as to get something that is more bang for the buck?

A bit ironic right?

 

[pinholecam]

Just get a KR you won't regret it. I am using my trusty KR for past three years. Still serves me well. Although I am changing to a higher end soon, this will suffice for us to begin shooting.

No point pushing for higher end models. If budget not an issue, most people go for canikon already. Let Pentax's selling point be lower entry and slowly appreciate the beauty of it. In fact the way this thread is going, an beginner will be put off easily.

My 2 cents.

I think the discussion was insightful and factual to the perspective of each contributor.
Ok, maybe it ends up we seem wishy-washy...

Some guys even put up photos to prove their point.

At least no one said 'buy xxx won't look back'
Or some similar lame one liner answer

Generally, we see each other now and then during the outings, so we sure are not nasty ppl

 

[detritus]

Actually second hand prices for cameras tend to taper off after a while.. I mean, a DSLR can only go for so cheap. If you get the K-R at $250, I don't think you will be selling it at $50 a few years later (loss of $200). While that is certainly not the case for a K-50 or K-30 which is relatively new... :bsmilie:

there are different ways to look at it.

Buy KR very cheap, later, either resell for very cheap or use until dead and buang. Problem with resell in 1 yr is not lose less, but no market! lelong also very few pple want to buy.

Buy K30 for a bit more money, also 2nd hand, I think K30 will still have more demand 1 yr on as its a newer model. The value at risk is no higher than a fully written off KR - I.e. 200+

 

[subatoyo]

k30...no regret.The spec between kr and k30 quite a lot.The focus peaking of k30 can be very handy in shooting macro or portrait.

 

[edutilos-]

there are different ways to look at it.

Buy KR very cheap, later, either resell for very cheap or use until dead and buang. Problem with resell in 1 yr is not lose less, but no market! lelong also very few pple want to buy.

Buy K30 for a bit more money, also 2nd hand, I think K30 will still have more demand 1 yr on as its a newer model. The value at risk is no higher than a fully written off KR - I.e. 200+

Yar, see your luck and budget in the future also la.. If you hold on to K30 too long also become KR. :bsmilie:

 

[sunnycamera]

every year, there will be new model,

imagine, 2 year back from now, everyone will recommend K-r as good entry model, as at that time, there is no K30, and tons of people happy with it,

2 year later from now, everyone will recommend K-70 as good entry model, as at that time, K30 is considered as 3 year old, and tons of people will say "don't buy K30, buy K70 and you wont regret"

so, any DSLR is good enough for its time, and sufficient enough for future.

 

[felixcat8888]

I helped an ex student get a white KR and I donated the DA L 18-55 and she is happy with its output. She wants to learn photography but does not have the budget to attend lessons so I am her mentor and guide her when we both go to a place she wants to take photos of.

So the camerea model is subjective to the user. Some are gearheads but others just want a simple camera to start the hobby. This afternoon, another student asked me to bring him to look at DSLRs as he wants to get into photography. I brought him to T K Foto @ Funan and showed him the K50 as well as the GXR A12 28mm that I currently own. I showed him the different modules and explained its differences to him.

I also told him to Google Pentax and see the specs and I will explain to him again tomorrow. I also helped another student reserve the last K30 at OP and he cannot wait to get his hands on it.

Being the only "Pro" in school that uses the brand, I try my best to promote it to students, be it the Kx, Kr, K30 or whichever model that can help their budget.

 

[SyncGuy]

Haha!

Guys, I think too much debate already.. No need to give him too much options.

Basically all the debate ends up at:
1) What is your budget?
2) Do you see yourself minding to save up a bit more?

Therefore, firstly, answer the first question honestly..

Then answer the second question realistically. If you tell us, "I don't mind saving up a bit more for better camera if its worth it", then even better.. Look at Hasselblad.. It's worth saving up for, to me.