Pentax K-30 UK price reduction and cash back.

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Jaxson

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Topic # 112339 5-Dec-2012 15:50

Hi all,

Now I know I'm treading into battle here but still...

If you're interested in Pentax gear, then I thought I'd point out that Pentax UK have significantly reduced the price of their new K-30 camera and are currently offering a further £50 cash back offer too.

(Disclaimer: Please note that this is for camera's purchased in the UK for UK residents only, so you'll need a friendly mate to buy it for you

. You have been warned!)

Pentax K-30 info and review:
http://www.pentax.co.uk/en/Digital%20SLR/k-30.html
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentax-k-30
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/pentax-k30/pentax-k30A.HTM

Pentax Cash Back offer info:
http://www.pentax.co.uk/en/K30-cashback.html

An example retailer offer is here:
http://www.srsmicrosystems.co.uk/c/563/Pentax-K-30-Digital-SLR-Cameras.html

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Reply # 727487 5-Dec-2012 16:05

It reviews as a good camera, but when you buy a DSLR you're buying into a system, I'm not sure Pentax is the best system or eve the best value system around. It may suit some people, just do your research before buying.

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Jaxson

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Reply # 727729 5-Dec-2012 22:42

Thanks Timmay,

I do know where you are coming from and appreciate your input. In my case I'm on a heck of a budget in photography terms so this offers me what I think is quite a bit of bang for my buck. There are some limitations for sure but I'm prepared to live with them. (Things like behind the game video performance compared to the major players etc). It's not a full frame camera either.

Having image stabilisation built into the camera opens up a world of historical lens choices too, which can be useful on a budget. I have a 'nifty fifty' type fixed lens that cost $60 2nd hand etc. It's a manual focus lens but takes nice pictures for the price. On a budget I don't think it's too unreasonable. New however is a different story and Pentax is not Nikon or Canon so it does cost a bit more.

Anyway, just letting people know at this stage.

timmmay

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Reply # 727809 6-Dec-2012 07:34

Pentax lenses costs more than Canon or Nikon lenses? They're the leaders in the field, they have the R&D money to spend, I'd be surprised Pentax is selling lenses that probably aren't as good for more money! I checked and in some cases Pentax is more expensive!

On a budget I'd be tempted to go with a high end P&S rather than a DSLR. I have a Sony RX-100 for casual use, cost me $930, works really well. The only downside is the flash - it's not very powerful, and no hotshoe.

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Jaxson

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Reply # 727860 6-Dec-2012 09:30

timmmay: Pentax lenses costs more than Canon or Nikon lenses? They're the leaders in the field, they have the R&D money to spend,

Hi Timmay, can you clarify that please? Sorry, just reads a bit ambiguous to me this morning. Not sure who the leader is etc from that?

I'm doing a bit of a study quickly at the moment to compare options in the budget I've got. At around $750 (including a kit lens or two) there seems to be the Canon 1100D and the Nikon D3100.

Likely comparisons for the K-30 would be the Canon 600/650D or the Nikon D5100?
These are roughly $650 - $850 for a Canon 600/650D body only or $785 for the Nikon D5100 body only.

I don't currently own any Canon or Nikon lenses so I'd have to be looking at a kit price to upgrade practically. I laugh even at myself here because of comments you've made at other times. Is it sensible to ultimately decide on an expensive body upgrade because of some existing cheap lenses you have available? A bit like the tail wagging the dog as they say.

timmmay

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Reply # 727868 6-Dec-2012 09:41

Canon sells the most cameras (source here), followed by Nikon and Sony. Pentax has a tiny market share, so will have less money to spend on R&D.

I had Canon cameras for years, but I sold them as I found the focus systems never worked as well as they should. I find Nikon much more reliable. I photograph weddings, which are quite demanding, most people would be fine with either brand, and the very newest Canon cameras 5D3 and 1DX are both much improved I hear. Canon are easier to use than Nikon.

I'd think long term with your camera system, not short term. In body image stabilisation is a nice feature, but to let you use old cheap lenses I'm not sure is sensible. If you know you'll never need more than that body and those lenses sure, but otherwise you're pretty locked into that brand. It cost me thousands to switch from Canon to Nikon, but it was totally worth it for me.

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Jaxson

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Reply # 727898 6-Dec-2012 10:14

Thanks Timmay,

Yeah at the amateur DSLR level the 650D is supposed to have a combo/hybrid focusing system, but then again the Pentax has more focussing points in it's calculation. I've heard all of that can be an issue for the likes of portraits anyway, where you're after say the eyes, but the extra points all get a vote even if they're not located on your intended point of interest.

I think the 650D is the main alternative I'd consider, assuming I could price it right. I can source the K-30 body for $620 NZD (issues being this doesn't include postage/or having a mate bring the camera out from the UK as luggage, and whilst the warranty is 2 years, I'd have to return it first...)

Yes, weddings, fast moving, you (the photographer) shouldn't be the point of interest, you only get one shot at a lot of stuff, changing lighting conditions and locations during the day, low light dinner type situations. I can fully appreciate your requirements being quite specific and demanding.

timmmay

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Reply # 727900 6-Dec-2012 10:16

For photography you tend to use the single centre focus point, or a single off centre point. I use the centre point 98% of the time. Extra focus points have little or no value to me.

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Kiwipixter

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Reply # 727997 6-Dec-2012 12:31

I bought into the Pentax system with the 100D when i first moved to DSLR. Mainly because Pentax lenses are much more affordable. Especially when you can use older K-mount lenses its a great way to get into DSLR photography without paying through the nose.

Thanks OP for the links. Its very tempting to upgrade from my K-R but i think i'll wait for next model with better video. Anyway, if i had the money I would have spent it on the 16-50mm DA* lens on Black Friday sale recently for ~$US750. That was a steal.

Jaxson

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Reply # 728007 6-Dec-2012 12:56

Kiwipixter: I bought into the Pentax system with the 100D when i first moved to DSLR.

Ha, that's exactly where I am now

We had a pentax film body and shared the lenses between that and the k100D. The film body has now gone altogether and 7 or so years later I'm looking at replacing the 100D.

Tell us more about the sale. These appear to be Pentax's Christmas price offerings but I am always cautious of either 1) Amazon or the like offering a one off special, or 2) someone locally offering a Canon or Nikon at a can't resist price in the leadup to and after Christmas/New Years etc.

Kiwipixter

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Reply # 728034 6-Dec-2012 13:52

Jaxson:
Kiwipixter: I bought into the Pentax system with the 100D when i first moved to DSLR.

Ha, that's exactly where I am now
We had a pentax film body and shared the lenses between that and the k100D. The film body has now gone altogether and 7 or so years later I'm looking at replacing the 100D.

Tell us more about the sale. These appear to be Pentax's Christmas price offerings but I am always cautious of either 1) Amazon or the like offering a one off special, or 2) someone locally offering a Canon or Nikon at a can't resist price in the leadup to and after Christmas/New Years etc.

Good time to buy a Pentax body, especially cheap K-5. I follow sales through website, http://www.pentaxforums.com/.

My K-r body was purchased from a local parallel importer but most of my lens came from Amazon and Ebay.

Jaxson

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Reply # 728902 8-Dec-2012 10:52

timmmay: It reviews as a good camera, but when you buy a DSLR you're buying into a system

Totally get where you're coming from Timmmay:

Amazon UK lens section filtering options:

alasta

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Reply # 728910 8-Dec-2012 11:07

Jaxson:
timmmay: It reviews as a good camera, but when you buy a DSLR you're buying into a system

Totally get where you're coming from Timmmay:

Amazon UK lens section filtering options:

But as a casual user are you going to buy 800 lenses? Chances are that even in the long term you won't want anything more than a standard zoom, telephoto zoom, fast prime, macro, and a flash. These should be readily available for any system.

Chainsaw

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Reply # 730461 11-Dec-2012 14:05

Pentax K-30, best bang-for-buck DSLR out there at present.

I used to own Pentax, switched to Nikon, but ONLY because I've ended up taking a lot of sports photos, and the Nikon and Canon AF is faster and better at following a target. If it wasn't for that I'd still be Pentax, great cameras, I had the *istDs, K20D and K-7.

IF you think you may get really serious about it later, as in professional serious, don't get Pentax. Otherwise it's fine. Like you say lots of old lenses out there, cheap and fantastic, and all stabilised (something I miss). Go to Pentaxforums.com and read all about it. Best backwards compatibility of any make for old lenses too.

In very general terms Pentax make great prime lenses and kind of specialise in them (though have good zooms too), things like their 40mm/f2.8 pancake - soooo thin. There's always Sigma, Tokina and Tamron to fill the gaps too, yes they make some excellent lenses too.

Chainsaw

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Reply # 730464 11-Dec-2012 14:07

Oh yeah - plus the K-30 has weather-sealing that only the top models in other line-ups have.

Jaxson

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Reply # 730503 11-Dec-2012 14:49

Thanks Chainsaw.

Yes K-30 has grabbed my attention due to several features that elevate it (primarily from a stills perspective rather than video) above the direct competitors.

Things like:
Weather sealing.
Twin exposure setting dials.
1080 24p recording.
Pentaprism viewfinder with 100% coverage.
Decent quality sensor.

http://www.pentaxforums.com/reviews/pentax-k-30-vs-canon-t4i-vs-nikon-d5100/handling-usability-build.html

And mostly the price is right

At this price you start competing with the d5100 or Canon 600/650D for not as much money.
Definitely pros and cons to them all in this price bracket.

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