nette 70

As a recently retired 60 something young lady who loves to take photos of her grandkids, I have upgraded to a Pentax K-3ii from my phone.

I have read posts from other users asking the best camera and what camera should I buy?, so taking advice from the UHH forum, I went to our local camera shop to look at and play with the camera brands. To say I was disappointed with the sales person is an understatement, all he wanted to sell me was his personal choice (insert name brand here), so I left. Some days and much time on the computer looking at camera brands, reviews, photos and pricing I went back to the shop to speak to the manager and show me the cameras I had finally decided on.

This time I had a very good experience and SHE was very good at explaining the different cameras to me. Only problem was the cost!!!!

Now that I knew what camera I wanted it was time to check out the prices, and guess what? B&H Photo to the rescue. I was able to buy the camera, battery grip and memory card, have it delivered to Australia in 5 days, cheaper than the best price I could get the camera only for over the counter here. My next purchase will be a better lens but for now the 18-135WR lens is great.

Now it is time to sit down explore this camera and start enjoying life in the great outdoors.

ken hubert Loc: Missouri

Well I hope you at least give the shop your business when buying lenses,etc. After all you can't test them on line,right?

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Welcome to the forum and congrats to your nice, new camera. I hope you get to enjoy it a lot!!! Photography is such a wonderful hobby!

Leicaflex Loc: Cymru

Welcome to the HOG.

You will not be disappointed with your camera.
The Pentax K3 Mark II is one of the best cameras
they have produced and the company has a fine
lens line-up.
You also have the advantage of
shopping for used Pentax lenses, the manufacturer
has retained the same lens mount for decades.

I am sorry your first visit to your local camera
shop was disappointing for you, but as previously
mentioned above, I do hope you will give the
local camera shop a second chance when you
come to choose your next lens.

We need local camera retailers.
Enjoy.

LEGALDR Loc: Southern California

Welcome to the wonderful world of Pentax camera photography. Enjoy, enjoy.

nette 70

Thankyou all
Maybe I should explain a little bit better.
Our local camera shop carries the top 4 brands, (Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Sony) the only Pentax they had was a kit K-3 package. If I wanted the K-3ii it would be a 3 week wait. Buying the camera from B&H I got the lens, battery grip and remote for free. Australian mainstream shops do not sell Pentax, they would have to order as required. Even lenses are hard to come buy, I have checked online to find only a couple of outlets suppling the lenses for pentax in Australia. If I had bought the popular brands then they could be sold anywhere.

Maybe you might have guessed but I do prefer to be different. I think B&H has become my new favourite shopping experience.

Mojoni Loc: Eastern Tennessee

Congrats on getting a wonderful camera! I switched to Pentax about eight years ago from being a Nikon/Canon user for over a couple decades. You might want to check out Pentaxforum.com for all things Pentax.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

You made a good choice with the Pentax K 3-ll camera. Most camera stores don't carry Pentax equipment so most always you will have to go online as you found out. Pentax has many wonderful lenses- some quite expensive. And many lenses as well as the camera are weather resistant which is a plus at the coast or in dusty conditions. I had (digital) Pentax equipment some years ago but felt the need to "upgrade" to Canon and then Nikon. I came back to Pentax. Can't beat it for affordability, toughness, quality, capability, innovative features, size and weight and image stabilization. The 200 mm f 2.8 and 300 mm f 4 lenses produce sharp almost 3 dimensional images and are the lightest lenses of that focal range across the brands. (except the Nikon 300 mm - which is a 2000.00 lens). The 31 mm f1.8 prime is a spectacular lens although a bit pricey (find it on sale or used). The 12-24mm f4 is a super nice wide angle lens and the list goes on. You can join Pentaxforums to get the latest information on Pentax equipment as well as third party lenses for Pentax. Enjoy your camera!

lsaguy Loc: Udall, KS, USA

Nette, Because you were smart enough to pick Pentax, now you can start another new hobby, searching thrift and pawn shops for legacy Takumar and SMC lenses. Over the course of the last year or two I've picked up half a dozen truly fine lenses for $10 to $20 USD each. Even if you have to order an adapter for an M42 threaded lens, it's still cheap and works perfectly. You can expand your hobby for a song and have some fun doing it. Cheers!

brucebc Loc: Tooele, Utah

Welcome to the Pentax family. Pentax has made great gear for many years.

royden Loc: Decatur, GA

Definitely check out Pentax forum.com and the various LensClubs there. You'll be amazed at the pics produced by older and inexpensive glass from Pentax and others.

usn ret Loc: SoCal High Desert

Welcome to the Pentax world from a longtime Pentax shooter, 1969 Spotmatic to 2010 K7.
You might enjoy this link to the 16 - 85 WR lens.
http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/301618-da-16-85-wr-show-us-what-can-do.html
And this for the 18 - 135 WR lens
http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/179869-da-18-135-wr-show-us-what-can-do.html