repleo Loc: Boston

I have nearly enough pennies in my GAS jam jar to upgrade my Sony A6000 to a A6500. I was comparing cameras on DxoMark last night when I noticed the Pentax K-1. It has FF, 36.4 Mpix, IBIS, articulating screen, weatherproofing etc for just $400 more than the A6500. The reviews would suggest the K-1's strong points are right up my alley - great dynamic range, great ISO, great image quality. The K-1 appears to be just so-so for focusing speed and frame speed, but I shoot landscapes mostly - rarely shoot anything that moves faster than growing grass.
I really like my A6000 and have a good set of glass for it now. I would keep these for my walk around kit. I know a A6500 would bring some marginal IQ benefits, but I am thinking the Pentax K-1 would be a much more substantial improvement for landscape work.

I haven't seen much mention of the K-1 on UHH. Anybody have experience with it? What would be a good lens choice(s) for landscape work? Also, I read that ACR can't handle the K-1's Pixel Shift technology - has that changed? Pixel shift appears to work by taking four images and shifting the sensor to fill the 'buckets'. Does that mean that the files are 4 times the size of a normal 36.4 Mpix pic? That would be deal breaker.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Phil, Great idea..a GAS Jam Jar

royden Loc: Decatur, GA

Check with Pentax forums.com for all things Pentax. Great forum.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

If their pixel shift is anything like my em1ii high Rez (takes 8 shots and shifts them around) editing the 80mpx RAW files are a bit computer intensive especially since LR doesn't edit those. I have to use the software that came with the camera (which pales in comparison to LR in terms of speed and capabilities) to adjust the exposure, then I export out tiff files to LR to finish my edits.

repleo Loc: Boston

Yeah - according to DPReview it is pretty well the same thing. ACR does a fine job with completely static scenes but it can't deal with anything that moves during the 4 captures like rustling leaves. Silkypix does a better job but tends to crash. The pixel shift files are up around 160 meg !!!!

Toment Loc: FL, IL

Try a used A99v
http://smile.amazon.com/Sony-SLT-A99V-Full-Frame-Digital-Camera/dp/B0096W1P6G/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1484919050&sr=1-2&keywords=A99

Tropichal Loc: Queensland, Australia.

I have recently acquired a K-1, upgrading from Olympus 4/3rd, to fulfill my quest for more resolution.
For your intended purpose for the camera you won't look back. You have similar requirements to myself and I haven't regretted the decision.
My average raw file size is around 50 megs, so there is plenty of file to work with without using pixel-shift.
The focusing is quite adequate, especially when updating to the latest firmware with low light being handled very well.

You will find the body is a great price with the lenses been closer to Canikon. The Pentax gear is very well built and has good weather sealing to match.
I chose the 15-30 mm and the 28-105 mm lenses for my budget. The 15-30 been great for landscapes, and even though a cheaper lens the 28-105 doesn't disappoint.
There are numerous older Pentax lenses that fit the camera as well.

Cheers, Howard.

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

Most here tell people to visit the Pentax owners site, which is good. I'd still like to see more Pentax people using UGLY for questions and answers.

repleo Loc: Boston

Thanks. I took a quick look and it does appear pretty good. I'll delve into it deeper before I commit to buying anything.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

I do not have any personal experience with the K1, but it is an awesome camera, to me it presents the "best bang for the buck". Pentax build great cameras and they make some fine glass! Yes, if you use pixel -shift, the files will be quite substantial!!

repleo Loc: Boston

Thanks for the feedback Howard. On paper (or based on the major reviews) the K-1 does seem to provide a lot of bang for the buck and the lens prices are pretty reasonable. I'm surprised there hasn't been more interest in it here on UHH. It does seem to be lacking a couple of bells and whistles, but it seems to have it where it counts for IQ which is what I'm really interested in. I'll have to see if I can rent one or at least find one in a physical store. All of my previous FF/DSLR Gas attacks have died a sudden death as soon as I pick one up and sprained my thumb trying to hold onto it.

Wanderer2 Loc: Colorado Rocky Mountains

I purchased a K-1 about 7 months ago and use it almost exclusively for landscapes, having used a Canon 60D previously. IMHO, the K-1 is fabulous for this purpose and I doubt if there is any DSLR that is superior to it for landscapes and perhaps not any as good. Don't put a lot of weight on the DPR review as they got some things wrong and I doubt if they ever fully learned the camera - just my opinion. It is a complicated camera and there is much to learn, and I'm still working on that. The dynamic range, sharpness, and overall IQ are fantastic.

By all means spend some time on the pentax forums, especially the specific K-1 forum, which is somewhat buried and difficult to find in their forum list. You (the OP) might consider renting a K-1 and a lens or two.
Make some large landscape prints and I think you will be very impressed.

wj cody Loc: springfield illinois

i've had a chance to use the K1 and found it to be an exceptional digital imaging device. if i were not primarily a nikon user, with my lens system, i would certainly have purchased the K1 - a really excellent enginered device.