Should I buy a K-1 to replace my K-50?

[alexorange]

Hi guys

I'll make this relatively brief, I currently have a K-50, well I did until i went to use it the other day and discovered that it no longer works, must have been damaged moving house.

Anyway, I'm after a new DSLR, I'm somewhat of a beginner in the photography world, the K-50 is the only decent camera I've ever owned.

I'm off backpacking and have been trying to work out what to buy, I was somewhat tempted by the sony AR7 iii however I've decided against it. As I spend a lot of time in Jungle climates etc, weather sealing is very important to me. I was very happy with my K-50 and so I'm strongly considering the K-1.

From my amateur based research the only thing putting me off is what appears to be a lack of lenses. For example, with my K-50 I had the 16-85mm lens and pretty much just used this alone as my walk around lens, however there doesn't seem to be anything similar for the K-1.

I'm aware that this lens would fit but I get confused when people start talking about cropping etc, can anyone help.

Would people recommend the K-1?

Cheers

Alex

[richandfleur]

Would I recommend a K-1? Yeah, go for it.
All cameras have modes from auto through to full manual, so it's not like the K-1 is dramatically harder to take photos with.

Travel wise the K-1 is big, and the lenses will be big and may cost more. Is that an issue for you?
What's tempting you to the Sony A7iii?

Both the K-1 and the Sony A7 series are full frame sized sensors, so you need lenses that will work on that larger sensor.
The lens mount to the camera is the same on the K-1 as your K-50, so whilst lenses designed for the smaller 'APS-C' K-50 sensor might fit on the K-1, photos with them on the K-1 might be very dark around the edges.

Pentax does a smaller sensor lighter camera range, so you could opt for the KP for example.
It's weather sealed, and as it has the same APS-C sized sensor, you could use your existing 16-85 lens on it with no issues.

The other option as a step up from the K-50 is the K-3ii, which also has an APS-C sized sensor, but that's getting a bit old now.
We're hoping a newer version of that family range comes along soon.

[alexorange]

Hi

Thanks for the response, what made me consider the AR7? I've been watching a guys travel docs on YouTube and that's what he uses, and as I've been considering trying to film my own it seemed like a good idea in terms of the video quality, plus it's obviously smaller etc. However when I stopped and thought about it I doubt I'll actually use it for video that much. Stills are my thing and I really need weather sealing that is second to none, the size of the K1 shouldn't be too much of an issue, my main concern is whether or not Pentax will still be making cameras/lenses etc in a couple of years. I've been somewhatvlead to believe they're a dying brand.

Cheers

Alex

[alexorange]

Hi,

I'm actually now thinking the k70 may be more appropriate for what I need

Cheers

LEX

[Smeggypants]

Hi

Thanks for the response, what made me consider the AR7? I've been watching a guys travel docs on YouTube and that's what he uses, and as I've been considering trying to film my own it seemed like a good idea in terms of the video quality, plus it's obviously smaller etc. However when I stopped and thought about it I doubt I'll actually use it for video that much. Stills are my thing and I really need weather sealing that is second to none, the size of the K1 shouldn't be too much of an issue, my main concern is whether or not Pentax will still be making cameras/lenses etc in a couple of years. I've been somewhatvlead to believe they're a dying brand.

Cheers

Alex

Pentax has been a "dying brand" for decades. - Does it matter if Pentax will still be making cameras lenses in a couple of years? If they stop, the gear you currently own won't suddenly explode I still use a Nokia mobile phone

I can't see Pentax dying, just plodding on serving people who love the brand and what it does.

[felix]

Pentax just released a new DFS*50mm F1.4 and they are also planning to release the DFS*85mm F1.4 in the coming future.
I agree what Smeggy said about Pentax being a "Dying" Brand for years, but as you can see it is still aoround.