digit-up Loc: Flushing, Michigan

I had been using a Canon eos 30D and a few of canons' less expensive lenses. I bought a couple of 3rd party lenses(sigma) and was fairly pleased. I came to conclude that, unless you buy the VERY expensive canon lense ie, "L"-series lenses, you would never get your moneys' worth with Canons' KIT lenses. I gave all that to my son, and went back to the PENTAX system of lenses and accessaries. I contend that PENTAX has awsome lenses at very reasonable prices, compared to the nikon and canon pricing, and you can use almost any lens made by or for Pentax K-mount , since time began.. I have almost every pentax super high quality lense for dslr, and have had some of the older stuff too. My question for the forum is, what do ya"ll think about the new pentax K s2.?? Are there lens issues? I mean, are there certain dslr lenses by Pentax that can't be used with the Ks2? I'm currently using all of my great Glass on my K-5 and my K-01. And I probably won't move to the FF ricoh has planned for later this year... NOT this year anyway. What say ya"ll about my "next purchase"?? Now< I know of the "pentax forum and their evaluation system, but there is a bias (no-kidding) and I would like to read HOGGS take on my PLAN & system. Thanks

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

I think you can't go wrong with Pentax, they offer (IMHO) the most bang for the buck. I do use quite a few Pentax lenses on my Canon's!

digit-up Loc: Flushing, Michigan

Thanks for the reply. What I'm wondering is, does this new Ks2 handle all the new pentax DSLR lenses that I already own. I've got a really(FULL) bag of pentax glass and I love it, but If I'm not mistaken, Pentax has a couple of ways that they use to "auto-focus" will all my lenses work on this new camera? I like the shake reduction, the WI/FI, the articulated viewing screen, the 20 mega-pixels, the wr feature. But I want to be able to use all of my lenses.

Sunrepairer Loc: N.H.

Pentax forum states that the ks 2 will accept any k mount lens in the pentax lineup offered from 1975 on, and will accept any m42 lens with adaptor.

A10 Loc: Southern Indiana

I have been using Pentax DSLR's for seven years and have just added the K-3 to my line-up.. The "old" lenses even the manual focus ones are great. More bang for the buck.

LEGALDR Loc: Southern California

I have a K-R and find that is an amazing camera. I bought a Pentax kit lense and I believe that is better than my Canon kit lenses. I love the time spent learning the camera. I will jump to the K-5 when the need arises or at the next GAS attack!

Nosaj Loc: Sarasota, Florida

As a long time dedicated Pentax user, here's my answer to your question. Your comment about the quality of the Pentax lenses (v. other brands) is right on! The new K-S2 is receiving very high reviews and is far ahead of its competition (for example, the Nikon 3xxx and 5xxx series, or comparable mass market Canons). Last Fall I faced the same decision and went with the K3, which I use for photo trips and serious local shooting. I now use my K5 for travel and supplement and the K01 for last minute take-along. The K3 is being replaced with the K3 II, with a few upgrades but only with slight price change. But the K-S2 has a few features that make it a very worthy complement to either a K3 or K5. You can't go wrong either way.

lsimpkins Loc: SE Pennsylvania

When it comes to which lenses will work, it depends on the mount. The KS-2 uses the KAF2 mount.

According to The Evolution of the Pentax K-mount, the KAF2 was introduced in 1991. It added two inner contacts that were originally designed for the power zoom feature, but are now used to power the SDM or DC focus motors built into the newer lenses. It allows all the familiar exposure modes, transmits full lens data and still has the screw drive for older auto-focus lenses.

Some bodies (but not the KS-2) use the KAF3 mount which does NOT include the screw drive.

See http://www.pentaxforums.com/articles/photo-articles/evolution-of-pentax-k-mount.html?src=hs for additional information.

Don Fischer Loc: Antelope, Ore

If i were starting new in photography today, I'd probably go with Nikon or Canon for no other reason than those are the one's you always hear about. If someone asked me which camera was best to go with I'd suggest that the person try them all in a good photo shop. I don't think any one of them will do a lesser job than we hope for in fact with Pentax I suspect they are a lot better than they seem to be given credit for.

OP sounds to me like a Pentax fan. I could hear a Nikon or Canon fan saying the same thing's about Pentax. OP's plan would be good to go with me!

gmw12 Loc: Indianapolis & Windsor/UK & Montreux/Switzerl

Problem with this type of question is that also hogs' replies are biased towards the brand they use. I am no exception. Shooting with Pentax (ME-super, LX, K10, K-01 and K3) with K-mount manual and KAF auto lenses since 1976 I can confirm that this brand never let me down (except the LX body which is now suffering the "mirror sticking syndrom" after 35 years of service). You'll do nothing wrong with the KS-2. Most reviews (including UK's Amateur Photographer from last week as well as the French Reponses Photo and the German Color Foto, just to name very in-depth reviews of significant pubs in their respective countries) rate the Pentax body above the equivalent models of Canon and Nikon.

digit-up Loc: Flushing, Michigan

My wife is downstairs with many of her dear "GAL-FRIENDS". They are,quite obviously, having a great time, laughing and such. It's always a good idea to have ocassional gatherings, it tends to force you to do a lot of housecleaning and party Prepping. I helped a great deal, indoors and out, just to be ready for outdoor or indoor festivities. I really laid it on thick, cleaning polishing and mowing, pruneing, weed wacking. I waxed counter tops, scrubbed the decks, vacumed, you name it, I did it. Extra chairs & tables incase of inclement weather and the party moved inside. Guess what???? My wife wants me to buy a K S2 I've been so good!! it pays. even though she can't understand why a K-01 & a K5 aren't adequate for my needs .. ?? I don't "understand it either!! RJM

A10 Loc: Southern Indiana

Quickly without hesitation buy the camera. You never know when a woman will have second thoughts about a purchase.

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

IMHO:

Pentax or now Richo imaging, truly are great cameras. As every brand or manufacture out there, they do have some problems. Most photographers look the other way at or just don't care about it.

1. Using the older analog lenses, they are nice and do work great for most needs but they are based on analog film.

Analog film has only one plane and works great at the edges or at other extreme light angles. Digital sensors need a straight-on light source although the newer K3 Mk2 does have phase-shift technology for still shots which is very close and might even improve a soft lens. Other manufactures will need to play catch-up on that!

2 (More a personal complaint) Pentax STILL has the lowest flash sync speeds in the common mass market. Their fastest sync speed presently, is 1/180sec. The problem with that is when you use anything other than "X" setting. Try getting that when using a setting other than "X". (It ain't gonna happen!) You'll only get 1/160. They should go for at least 1/200. (Yes... it matters a lot when you shoot sports!)

Kim LeBlanc Loc: St. charles, Mi.

I have the Pentax K5II-s & the K3. I am trading in my K5 for the new K3II that was just released. You can't go wrong with Pentax! St. Charles, Mi.

digit-up Loc: Flushing, Michigan

[quote=Don Fischer]If i were starting new in photography today, I'd probably go with Nikon or Canon for no other reason than those are the one's you always hear about.
Hi, Don
So...you always hear about canikon, but that is not such a good determinant upon which to make the decision. Most of the population chooses P.C.s, but I'm happy that I went with apple for my computer, fabulous. The nit-wits out there createing viruses are doing it primarily for P.C.s. There's nothing better than APPLE for music & photography. Ya gotta do some independant thinking to get real value, these days= PENTAX.