About to splash £450 on a Pentax k-x ? Should I...

justa1972

justa1972

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be considering anything else ?

Its with two lenses 18-55 & 50-200.

I know I will also have to pay extra for batteries and a charger...

Is there anything else at this price (£450 is really my absolute max) and size is very important - I am coming from a bridge camera background so want something small/light and beginner friendly..

thanks for any advice !
 
should come with battery and charger if new - in fact - should come with it if s/h!
 
thanks - it comes with 4 x triple a's though so not sure if a charger will be included ?

scott - arrgghh thats another £70 and I have already blown my budget.
 
good point - forgot K-x and K-m are AA batteries - which at times can be very useful (ever had a battery go flat on you?)
 
Can't see that going for more than £10.
 
steve - how does that charge aa's ?

any other comments on the camera ?
 
justa1972 said:
any other comments on the camera ?
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K-x is very good, probably one of the best entry level bodies out there.
The only problem I can think of is the lack of specialist lenses (especially long fast glass) so if you can imagine yourself in the future wanting something like that (in the £2/3k + price bracket) then personally I would look at Canon/Nikon.
 
Mike.P said:
K-x is very good, probably one of the best entry level bodies out there.
The only problem I can think of is the lack of specialist lenses (especially long fast glass) so if you can imagine yourself in the future wanting something like that (in the £2/3k + price bracket) then personally I would look at Canon/Nikon.
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lol dont start that war again :lol:

yes i agree that the pentax bodies are excellent value for money and it all depends on what you want it for (what do you shoot?) the pentax system usp is its nice line up of prime lenses;)
 
thanks folks - i mainly shoot on holidays/weekends away etc

so landscapes and buildings etc - occasionally person but only when my mrs nags me enough !
 
K-x is a revamped k-m which is in itself reasonably new. K-x has a 12meg sensor instead of 10 and has HD video, so if you're not worried about HD video, K-m 's maybe worth looking at..... in the 2/h marketplace?????????
 
Mike.P said:
The only problem I can think of is the lack of specialist lenses (especially long fast glass) so if you can imagine yourself in the future wanting something like that (in the £2/3k + price bracket) then personally I would look at Canon/Nikon.
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Sigma and Tamron both make fast glass and specialist glass ie ultra wides, macro etc for the pentax AF mount.

Its worth remembering who the market leader was before Nikon and Canon came on the scene, they might not be fashionable now but no other maker I can think off apart from maybe leica can boast that their current model camera's can use ANY lens they have previously produced without issue and only needing an adaptor when you want to use M42 lenses.
Neither Canon or Nikon can make that claim
 
iancandler said:
Sigma and Tamron both make fast glass and specialist glass ie ultra wides, macro etc for the pentax AF mount.

Its worth remembering who the market leader was before Nikon and Canon came on the scene, they might not be fashionable now but no other maker I can think off apart from maybe leica can boast that their current model camera's can use ANY lens they have previously produced without issue and only needing an adaptor when you want to use M42 lenses.
Neither Canon or Nikon can make that claim
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As a K10D/K-7 user I know exactly what lenses have been / are made for Pentax .. infact I have or have had a lot of them in my time.
 
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Justin,

Unless you MUST have a camera within the next month or so, wait and see what Pentax are (rumoured to be) releasing at Photokina (a yearly photographic event in late September that most manufacturers use to launch their new products).

The K-x is a great camera, but you might see the price drop a little once new/replacment models are announced this month.

Re batteries, the type most people recommend for the K-x are Eneloops; you'll get them for around £10.
 
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iancandler said:
Sigma and Tamron both make fast glass and specialist glass ie ultra wides, macro etc for the pentax AF mount.

Its worth remembering who the market leader was before Nikon and Canon came on the scene, they might not be fashionable now but no other maker I can think off apart from maybe leica can boast that their current model camera's can use ANY lens they have previously produced without issue and only needing an adaptor when you want to use M42 lenses.
Neither Canon or Nikon can make that claim
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can you tell me the long fast glass they make for pentax mount.
pentaxs longest fastest lass is there da*300mm f4. and sigma make a 300mm f2.8, and i dont think there is anyone that does longer faster lenses than that, new lenses that is,
 
Mike.P said:
As a K10D/K-7 user I know exactly what lenses have been / are made for Pentax .. infact I have or have had a lot of them in my time.
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doh - just been and bought one...

£450 for the twin lens kit and also a further 5% discont so £427.50

I don't think thats a bad deal..
 
justa1972 said:
doh - just been and bought one...

£450 for the twin lens kit and also a further 5% discont so £427.50

I don't think thats a bad deal..
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Im not saying the K-x is rubbish .. quite the opposite.
For 99% of people the Pentax system is more than adequate and the K-x is up there with the (if not the) best entry level cameras.

I think you will be more than happy with it :thumbs:


scottthehat said:
can you tell me the long fast glass they make for pentax mount.
pentaxs longest fastest lass is there da*300mm f4. and sigma make a 300mm f2.8, and i dont think there is anyone that does longer faster lenses than that, new lenses that is,
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Sigma do actually make the 500mm f/4.5 EX DG HSM in Pentax mount. :)

Tamron have more or less stopped making lenses for the system now.
 
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Mike.P said:
Im not saying the K-x is rubbish .. quite the opposite.
For 99% of people the Pentax system is more than adequate and the K-x is up there with the (if not the) best entry level cameras.

I think you will be more than happy with it :thumbs:





Sigma do actually make the 500mm f/4.5 EX DG HSM in Pentax mount. :)

Tamron have more or less stopped making lenses for the system now.
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bloody hell missed that, .also no hsm in sony/pentax
 
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You will not be dissapointex, Kx twin lens kit for that price is a steal. Only other thing I would have suggested would be a used K20D with kit lens for around £400 plus the 50-200 for around £70.
 
scottthehat said:
can you tell me the long fast glass they make for pentax mount.
pentaxs longest fastest lass is there da*300mm f4. and sigma make a 300mm f2.8, and i dont think there is anyone that does longer faster lenses than that, new lenses that is,
Click to expand...


Yep sigma again as said by a previous poster, only the 800mm not available in pentax fit.
 
i've had my KX for about 4 months now and its great-easy to use/well specced/feels comfortable
i guess being a beginner the camera is better than my skill level
as for lenses; there is defo less Pentax lenses out there but you can still get a good choice + ebay for 2nd hand lenses is your friend - i've just got a 50mm smc-a 1.7 lens for £60 and i can't wait to have a play with it
as for researching lenses try pentaxforums.com - they seem to have numerous user reviews of just about any pentax lens or accessory

the kx just comes with a set of AA lithium batteries - should last you 1000+ pictures

buy a decent charger(slower not fast chargers as help protect your batteries) + couple of sets of either Enloops or Uniross Hybrio(these both keep there charge much longer than other rechargeables)
total cost of above about £20 at Amazon

Welcome to Pentax:clap:
 
thanks soggy - being a newbie I find the amount of lenses a bit bewildering !

A 50mm 1.7 - does that mean a fixed lens ?

I would really like a wide angle - any recommendations ?

Oh and what bag do you use ? I would like the smallest one possible !

cheers
 
IMO you would be far better served aiming for a used Canon 20 / 30D. Or one of the canon or Nikon Entry level Cameras.
Pentax although good are old hat now. I dont think it will be long before Sigma withdraw from making lenses for the System.
Their lenses over overpriced, they use the same method as Sony for Lens Pricing. Ie, we have in body IS so we can charge IS Lens Prices.
I think you will just be making a rod for your back going with Pentax.
 
CraigF said:
IMO you would be far better served aiming for a used Canon 20 / 30D. Or one of the canon or Nikon Entry level Cameras.
Pentax although good are old hat now. I dont think it will be long before Sigma withdraw from making lenses for the System.
Their lenses over overpriced, they use the same method as Sony for Lens Pricing. Ie, we have in body IS so we can charge IS Lens Prices.
I think you will just be making a rod for your back going with Pentax.
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heard it all now.
funny that pentax are bringing to more cameras into there line up that, and one is going to be better than the k7.
as for lens pricing the pentax da*300mm is cheaper than the nikon version, and its weather sealed,
 
CraigF said:
IMO you would be far better served aiming for a used Canon 20 / 30D. Or one of the canon or Nikon Entry level Cameras.
Pentax although good are old hat now. I dont think it will be long before Sigma withdraw from making lenses for the System.
Their lenses over overpriced, they use the same method as Sony for Lens Pricing. Ie, we have in body IS so we can charge IS Lens Prices.
I think you will just be making a rod for your back going with Pentax.
Click to expand...

oh dear - might as well bin my shiny new camera...
 
I would think about going with Canon or Nikon, if only for the wide choice of lenses.
 
eos1 said:
I would think about going with Canon or Nikon, if only for the wide choice of lenses.
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look at the line up of canon and nikon glass, and tell me realistically what you can buy.
i think pentaxs dearest lens at the moment is about £1200
it cost me that for my sigma 50-500mm os in nikon mount.
also any lens that has ever been made in pk mount will work on it, also so will m42 lenses with and adaptor, and they all work woth sr/(shake redction)
you dont get that with nikon and canon.
so in terms of lenses pentax have a line of of lenses since 1975 that will work on there dslrs,
list of lenses heres it a few.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentax_K_mount
 
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justa1972 said:
I've already bought a PENTAX !!!!!
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You have to remember you are on a 99% Canon/Nikon forum so you will always get this sort of thing (you get used to it and after a while just tend to ignore it as well).

Bit like going onto a PC forum and asking about a Mac.

Go to a Pentax forum (there are a couple of very good ones, one in the UK and the other in the USA) and you will see what the camera is capable of.


Also, Sigma are redoing all their lenses atm and they are in in Pentax mount as well .. Craig is talking rubbish.
 
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scottthehat said:
heard it all now.
funny that pentax are bringing to more cameras into there line up that, and one is going to be better than the k7.
as for lens pricing the pentax da*300mm is cheaper than the nikon version, and its weather sealed,
Click to expand...

Christ people dont get your panties in a twist, the OP is starting out, there are far more people using Canon and Nikon Entry Level DSLR's than Pentax.
Advice would be more forth coming if there was anything that the OP wasn't quite sure of.
And if Pentax were that good then they would already have a camera or 2 better than the K7. Canon, Nikon and Sony all do and for a couple of years now so my comment about Pentax being Old Hat was probably very accurate.

Silly pointing out that "funny that pentax are bringing to more cameras into there line up that, and one is going to be better than the k7." When every major player did that 3 years ago.

As for your Nikon / Pentax price thing.
Pentax 300mm F4 DA* Lens @ £958
Nikon 300mm f4 D AF-S IF ED @ £964

Ok you win m8, a £6 difference but i will bet you anything it will not be as fast or anywhere near as sharp as the Nikon and i certainly wouldn't mind paying £6 extra. As for WS well thats subjective as to whether your body is. Worst case scenario use a tesco bag. :lol:
Both prices from WEX
 
Mike.P said:
You have to remember you are on a 99% Canon/Nikon forum so you will always get this sort of thing (you get used to it and after a while just tend to ignore it as well).

Bit like going onto a PC forum and asking about a Mac.

Go to a Pentax forum (there are a couple of very good ones, one in the UK and the other in the USA) and you will see what the camera is capable of.


Also, Sigma are redoing all their lenses atm and they are in in Pentax mount as well .. Craig is talking rubbish.
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I cant find that anywhere on the Net that Sigma are redoing all their Pentax Lenses.
Where did you get your info?
You make a statement that someone is talking rubbish but provide no proof to back it up and the Old Pentax User Guy at your camera club does not count :cuckoo:

My opinion was based on the fact that Sigma could maintain their Prices and Margins better if they dropped Pentax fits, it wasn't based on their actual company plan but your statement was so back it up.

Why go to a Pentax Forum? - All the OP will get is Biased opinions towards Pentax then. :cuckoo:

This forum has many users of all systems.
 
thanks mikep - i have joined pentax user - any others ?
 
see this is what i hate when people slag off pentax, its an excellent company with loads of lenses and legacy lenses especially as scott says, its just a good system as canon, nikon, sony, olympus etc and because pentax dont have this huge badge loyalty they have to make their money a different way...through making better lenses and bodies ;)

canon and nikon are good but they could release a really crappy lens or body and people will still buy it because of the badge whereas pentax dont have that luxury so they have to go in the hard way and i think they are doing a pretty good job.
 
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CraigF said:
Christ people dont get your panties in a twist, the OP is starting out, there are far more people using Canon and Nikon Entry Level DSLR's than Pentax.
Advice would be more forth coming if there was anything that the OP wasn't quite sure of.
And if Pentax were that good then they would already have a camera or 2 better than the K7. Canon, Nikon and Sony all do and for a couple of years now so my comment about Pentax being Old Hat was probably very accurate.

Silly pointing out that "funny that pentax are bringing to more cameras into there line up that, and one is going to be better than the k7." When every major player did that 3 years ago.

As for your Nikon / Pentax price thing.
Pentax 300mm F4 DA* Lens @ £958
Nikon 300mm f4 D AF-S IF ED @ £964

Ok you win m8, a £6 difference but i will bet you anything it will not be as fast or anywhere near as sharp as the Nikon and i certainly wouldn't mind paying £6 extra. As for WS well thats subjective as to whether your body is. Worst case scenario use a tesco bag. :lol:
Both prices from WEX
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funny that put the 300mm on a nikon d300 no image stablisation put the 300mm on the pentax oh image stablised
and as for sharpness i have tried both no differnce, except i could stand in the rain using the pentax ha ha:thumbs:.

who has more lenses that will fit on there camera.
 
CraigF said:
I cant find that anywhere on the Net that Sigma are redoing all their Pentax Lenses.
Where did you get your info?
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From Sigmas own site .. new lenses in the last 6 months .. all in Pentax mount.

NEW!70-300mm F4-5.6 DG OS
NEW!85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM
NEW!8-16mm F4.5-5.6 DC HSM
NEW!50-500mm F4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM
NEW!17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM
NEW!70-200mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM
NEW!17-70mm F2.8-4 DC Macro OS

Plus a few more not released yet.

Yup, looks like they aren't going to bother with the brand any longer.
 
mastertrinity said:
see this is what i hate when people slag off pentax, its an excellent company with loads of lenses and legacy lenses especially as scott says, its just a good system as canon, nikon, sony, olympus etc and because pentax dont have this huge badge loyalty they have to make their money a different way...through making better lenses and bodies ;)

canon and nikon are good but they could realise a really crappy lens or body and people will still buy it because of the badge whereas pentax dont have that luxury so they have to go in the hard way and i think they are doing a pretty good job.
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well said luke, so true.
 
scottthehat said:
funny that put the 300mm on a nikon d300 no image stablisation put the 300mm on the pentax oh image stablised
and as for sharpness i have tried both no differnce, except i could stand in the rain using the pentax ha ha:thumbs:.

who has more lenses that will fit on there camera.
Click to expand...

So why are you using Nikon? Oh yes, Its because Pentax are soooo much Better.
 
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