Bison Bud

I finally pulled the trigger on an upgrade from my Canon T1i with the purchase of a used Pentax K3 from B&H Photo. I did a lot of research before making this used purchase and recommendations here on UHH did indeed influence my decision to buy from B&H Photo. This camera body was rated 8+ and I was a bit concerned about that when I placed the order. However, upon receipt the only wear I can find on the whole camera is that the print on the "Menu" button is beginning to wear off, but is still readable. Otherwise, this camera looks brand new, appears to work perfectly, and apparently has only 1850 shutter actuations!

Anyway, I am very pleased with the overall condition and think I paid a very fair price as well. This camera came in it's original box, also came with a brand new strap, and all the accessories that normally come with a new camera, along with what appeared to be a brand new, printed manual (which is already looking somewhat worn now). The only thing I didn't get in the original box was the Pentax software disk and since my current raw editor would not load the Pentax raw files, I called B&H about this and received missing disk just 3 days later. Thankfully, the camera will also save raw files as .dnf files, as I was not impressed with their editing software, but that's another story and at least I got to see their software for myself. Anyway, I gotta say that I think this was impressive customer service, a good value for my hard earned money, and that the folks here that recommended B&H have my thanks and respect for their recommendations. I will be a returning customer to B&H as my budget permits and would recommend a used purchase from B&H to anyone interested, due to my personal experience and all the previous UHH comments. Now it's time to get back to my new toy, good luck and good shooting to all.

digit-up Loc: Flushing, Michigan

There are lenses for that camera virtually "everywhere." I'm a pentaxian myself, since 1968(Vietnam) That is really a great camera, congratulations!! RJM

hangman45 Loc: Hueytown Alabama

In the settings you can set the K-3 to save as .DNG then it can be opened by any software I have been using Pentax Digital since my Km and haved owned K-X,K-5,K-3 and now use the K-1 never saved RAW files as .PEF no need to does not add anything.

bedouin Loc: Big Bend area, Texas

Am a loyal Pentaxian myself owning the LE K-3, K-1, and 645Z. I carry the K-3 on extended hikes when weight is a factor. You have chosen a fine camera!

krmitchell55 Loc: Springdale, Arkansas

I love my k-3. You can use any k mount lens ever made on that camera! Welcome to the "other" category.

Norm.P Loc: Northeast, UK

"me too"

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

As an endorsement for B&H I've purchased a number of different types of items both new and used. A new Sony Blu-Ray Player, various new and used B+W (Schneider) Glass Filters, darkroom supplies, etc. Thus far no lenses or cameras yet, but I certainly would.

As to the camera you chose. I too bought a used Pentax K-3 (24MP). But I purchased it from a fellow UUH member. I've bought both cameras and lenses via the UUH happily. This adds to my current collection of 4 digital and 3 film Pentax cameras. I've been a lifelong user of (Asahi now Ricoh) Pentax products. I have not had the K-3 long or used it much yet (mainly because I have not been feeling well to go out shooting for the last few months), but the few "test" shots I've taken indicates that I will really like this camera once I get to using it. My main camera has been a K-5 (16MP) for several years now.

I've toggled between using PEF and DNG Raw with my various Pentax cameras, and I don't really see a visual difference. The two types of files are handled slightly differently by my Windows 10 Home 64-bit and my Photoshop CS6 with ACR 9.1.1. File specs and data revealed seems different between PEF & DNG files. But I see no discernible difference in the final TIF or JPG files. But it does seem like I am on my last newer camera body for Ps CS6, had I bought a K3ii instead I would have to open the newer PEF files with Pentax's Digital Camera Utility (5 or 6) software or use the Adobe DNG Converter. Thus I'd be stuck with DNG in that case.

And finally for any Pentax K-mount camera you can use any Pentax/Takumar lens ever made in some fashion. Obviously depending on body and lens various features or functions may or may not be available. I have many types of vintage Pentax lenses from M-42 Screw Mount to DA*. I don't have any of the newer DFA or HD Series lenses. I find I prefer for digital use the -A, -FA, -DA, and -DA* lenses I own. The Takumar M-42, -K, -M lenses are less convenient to use.

Nosaj Loc: Sarasota, Florida

My K3 is my go-to camera for most of my important photo work. I'd put base one all over again,

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Congratulations, your Pentax camera should serve you well.
You have just experienced the joy and confidence of buying from a reputable dealer. Customer service as you have already noticed is top notch.
Enjoy your new camera and post some images for us to see.

Bison Bud

My purpose in starting this thread was primarily to appreciate and credit B&H photo for the quality "used rating" of 8+ being far better than I expected and for the quality customer service given to me with this purchase. I also wanted to thank those here that recommended using B&H for a used purchase and add that I am now a big fan as well.

As for the camera, I did a lot of research before making my purchase of the K3, primarily because I am on a fixed income and simply had to get the best bang for the bucks as well as keep the overall expenditure to a minimum. I think in that aspect, I did really well with the K3, as it's quite a camera for the $459.00 I paid for it and I am very pleased! Anyway, I actually chose the K3 over the K3ii, due to the lower, used price and that it has a built in flash. While the built in flash was not a requirement, they can be handy for an unexpected need and for daylight fill flash, etc. I was also impressed by the Pentax build with the fully alloy frame, weather/dust seals, etc. Also as a step up from the T1i, it has a 24 MP sensor without the fixed low pass filter, a real penta-prizm viewfinder, in body stabilization, and time interval shooting abilities that I had often wanted with the T1i. When I found out that I could use the two lenses I already had with my original film camera, the Pentax K-1000, I was pretty much sold on Pentax as my next camera.

Although I loved my Canon T1i, I consider the K3 a big step up. However, I will be keeping the T1i as a backup and maybe still do some macro photography with it since I have a nice Canon 60mm Macro lens. The T1i isn't worth much now anyway, but I will say that it served me well and taught me to be a much better photographer since jumping back into digital photography. If I ever come into some real money or am able to go back to work full time, I'd still consider going full frame with a Canon camera, but even then the Pentax K1 is looking like a lot of value for the money. Good luck and good shooting to all.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Some great features!
Have fun.

A10 Loc: Southern Indiana

Welcome to the wonderful world of Pentax. I have a K-3 and a K-1 with many lenses and routinely am head to-head with my Nikon and Canon friends. My cameras have never failed me and are quick to focus.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

After being a Canon user for twenty years, I purchased a used Pentax K-30, which has served me very well for 34 months now. My original plan had been to use it for 5 years, but I don't think I'll be able to wait more than another year {making the total 4 years} .... the KP looks like a really terrific camera .... but Pentax is expected to release the latest in the K-3 line sometime during that time - pushing the KP advances even further - so who knows what I'll eventually end up with - but I'm fairly certain I will purchase that camera from B&H.

henryp Loc: New York, NY

Thank you. This is very gratifying.

wizbird Loc: Burnt Store Marina, Punta Gorda, Fl

It is a great camera. You can not go wrong. I purchased a K5 new and still usng it with no problems. Enjoy.