Pentax K series

[Strawb]

After some good advice from a member here I'm looking very seriously at a Pentax K-r on the basis of it being
1.12 MP ,
2. not requiring modification for IR thus the camera remains stock standard and therefore totally usable as designed ( good on the home front too)
3. having live view which I'm thinking to be a real plus and also
4. cost at around $700 fitted to the scope.

I am mindful however that most use modified Canon or Nikon but being a total newbie with a DSLR I wonder if there are any other Pentax users who could comment to help me make up my mind. Is it only recently that Pentax have produced cameras as capable as this seems ( to me ) to be
Thoughts appreciated

[cybereye]

Dave,

I have a Pentax Km but have recently upgraded to a proper astronomical ccd (QHY8L). I did have some issues with the Km in that it didn't have a very useful bulb setting - you needed to hold the remote button down for the length of the exposure - nor did it have live-view.

I believe that these issues were remedied from the Kx onwards but you may just want to check. You will also need to buy an IR remote control to fire the camera in bulb setting as I'm sure it won't take a cable - however check on this. Another thing you might want to check is ISO noise. I note that you are in Townsville and the temperature will be high for most of your imaging nights. I got frustrated during summer here in Brisbane with the amount of noise present in my high ISO images (800+) and hence my decision to move away from the DSLR. However, I don't think this is a purely Pentax issue, more an issue for DSLR's in general.

As a camera for everyday use, I found the Pentax Km to be quite good.

Cheers,
Mario

[space oddity]

Why not spend the bit extra and go for a K5? It goes to much higher iso and will tolerate down to -10 degrees. You can get one on the net for just over $1150 shipped.Being a higher end camera, it will hold its value better .

[Strawb]

Thanks Mario,
I think you've confirmed for me what I need to know and I've done plenty of research. My budget doesnt stretch to 1K no way and in Townsville +10 is a severe frost - we dont do negative numbers ;) Thanks Guys

[Satchmo]

HI Dave

I've bought a Pentax K-x with some astro imaging in mind. There was no significant differences with the Kr and I got an 18 -125 Sigma zoom which will do me for terrestrial all for $599 . It has the lowest noise CCD in this price range- much lower than the cheaper Canon cameras . I think it will be fantastic for imaging. I am about to buy an intervalometer and IR cable release from Ebay ( about $100 ) to do some wide field time lapse and later to control subs for imaging when hooked up to a telescope.

[Strawb]

Thanks Mark - good to know you are getting good results also - sounds like the K-r is camera for me. I see that there are remotes and other accessories available online also so I'm pretty happy that this is the way for me

[zardos123]

this was taken with a k-5 iso 3200 27sec single shot no noise reduction, the k-r will be just as capable. pentax have just announced a gps unit the uses the sensor shift function for wide field astrophotography up to 300 second exposure on a standard tripod :eyepop:
regards brad97148

[Liz]

Beautiful image Brad!! :thumbsup:

Pentax sounds good Dave. I have a Canon 450D, as you know, so will be interested to see how the Pentax goes. :)

[peterl]

I just got hold of a K5 body.Great so far with clean images up to 1600 iso. Lots of extras built in.
I think this camera is going to surprise a few people.Great images.
Will show some soon.

Peter