Hands-on with Pentax K-5 :)

[armadillo]

Baracus, thanks for your info

 

[armadillo]

Maybe will consider to start with 18-55 + 50-200 first, since my first dSlr

 

[diver5007]

Maybe will consider to start with 18-55 + 50-200 first, since my first dSlr

for myself , i would get the 18-135 mm now...,
18-50mm can get anytime in Bns cheaply...
if possible get 50-300mm , longer reach...

cheers

 

[Calahan]

Maybe will consider to start with 18-55 + 50-200 first, since my first dSlr

Hi, I think that is a safe start for 1st DSLR.

The kit lenses are reasonablly priced. Most pics taken with these two lenses are, at least, above average, if not good. Also, the WR design matches the WR body of the K-5. For outdoor use, both are good, IMO.

 

[armadillo]

for myself , i would get the 18-135 mm now...,
18-50mm can get anytime in Bns cheaply...
if possible get 50-300mm , longer reach...
cheers

yeah, that is my problem, I don't hv any lens now :bsmilie:
and 18-135mm hv to wait till november.
So, just get the 18-55mm + 50-200mm WR.

At first plan to get tamron 18-200mm, but some mention quality not par with K5.
and also no WR, since K5 is WR, shd get WR lens, isn't it?

 

[nik34]

Seem no one really use kit lens :think:
I assume the lens 18-55mm WR and 50-200mm WR shd be a lousy lens :sweat:

No is not,this 2 is a perfect combo for any Pentax DSLR u can name it.

BUT..some of us always got a feeling like more expensive is always better..:nono:
or going for 2.8 low light issue & many many others reason..:bsmilie:

Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[night86mare]

i still use my kit lens now and then.

kit lens II, anyways. it's a great lens, just that i don't work well with the focal length range...

of course, not the best wide open, but same goes for any other lens. at f/8-f/11, it really shines.

some kit lens photos paired with k20d for your reference:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/night86mare/4203303095/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/night86mare/4530601311/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/night86mare/4237785856/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/night86mare/5078633544/

 

[CorneliusK]

You can clearly see from night86mare's pictures that the photographer makes a bigger difference to the final picture than the gear. Good gear alone cannot provide inspiration for great shots, it all has to come from the photographer.

That being said, while the quality of the DA WR kit lens is decent, it cannot match the performance of the more expensive lens technically speaking. If you keep your expectations realistic, and learn how to use the lens at its sweet spot of f8-11 then you will be very happy with it. Its a very good combi for its price to hone your skills and to learn what your shooting preferences are.

 

[armadillo]

Dear All,
Really appreciated for your great input :thumbsup:
At least hv a peace in mind for now

 

[armadillo]

i still use my kit lens now and then.

kit lens II, anyways. it's a great lens, just that i don't work well with the focal length range...

of course, not the best wide open, but same goes for any other lens. at f/8-f/11, it really shines.

some kit lens photos paired with k20d for your reference:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/night86mare/4203303095/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/night86mare/4530601311/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/night86mare/4237785856/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/night86mare/5078633544/

night86mare, your photos are fantastic :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[Castor Troy]

Does the K5 autofocus during video?

 

[CorneliusK]

No. The best you can do is focus in other modes before switching to video mode.

 

[Ahren]

I pre-ordered today abt 5pm, got it at 6pm.

Ken...thought u were jumping to some other side.

Glad to see u got poisoned and upgraded..

 

[armadillo]

Collected mine
but no lens yet
Only can collect tomorrow :sweat:

 

[nightpiper]

K-5 seems like it has a LOT of DR. The RAW files are a joy to process.

Jpeg direct from RAW via LR3.2 (iso 100 f/8.0 1/160s)


Processed Jpeg (some recovery, fill light and blacks)

Some comments by GordonBGood

"For the technical analysis, I found that this ISO 80 image is even better than the ISO 80 that I got from a beta K-5 in that this one shows a full about 14 stops of Dynamic Range according to the DxOMark standard (standard deviation of noise level at absolute black as compared to full scale output) and this follows the usual fairly linear trend right up to ISO sensitivity range so that ISO 800 still has a DR of 11.5 stops. This is over1.5 stops better than even the K-x/K-r right across the ISO sensitivity range on an individual photosite basis in spite of having about 35% more photosites."

Dun know who this GordonBGood is, no doubt the K5 has improved DR but to claim 14 stops of is BS. Sorry if that sounded harsh. DxO Mark is not accurate in measuring such things. I read somewhere but can't rem, DxO favours certain criteria in cams, a 6MP old cam can beat a modern D3s (something to that nature).

The pic u posted doesn't mean much. 1st, the dark leaves r not that dark to retrieve additional info. 2nd, the sky is already burnt to begin with. If its really 14 stops, i expect a slight tint of blue sky. If its cloudy that day, perhaps u shud re-test the same thing when there's blue sky at the same time of the day.

I took the liberty to further illustrate my point with the 1st dark image. (i'll del after 2 weeks, this is juz for discussion sake)

See how much i can pull out of the dark leaves by juz using ur jpg w/o RAW file? The dark areas in my eyes r juz not dark enuf to draw conclusion that K5 has 14 stops DR, but its ability to capture dark areas has improve from K7, but by how much? That needs further testing by other users with both DSLR. Fengwei perhaps?

 

[alantkh]

actually I read a lot about how good the high ISO is and there are threads in other forums comparing it to the D700.

Is it really that good? I also heard that pentax applies NR to its raw files which cannot be turned off. Is that true>

 

[pinholecam]

actually I read a lot about how good the high ISO is and there are threads in other forums comparing it to the D700.

Is it really that good? I also heard that pentax applies NR to its raw files which cannot be turned off. Is that true>

Would anyone really know if NR is applied to RAW?
Don't think anyone other that the tech people in all the brands will know, and they would not tell, right?
Anyway, from most of the samples shown, the NR cleanup using noise reduction software from the RAW (NR'ed or not) is very good.



Note to self.
Ok. I got to learn how to use RAW and get myself a proper NR program... :think:

 

[Gengh]

actually I read a lot about how good the high ISO is and there are threads in other forums comparing it to the D700.

Is it really that good? I also heard that pentax applies NR to its raw files which cannot be turned off. Is that true>

Are you referring to the long exposure "dark frame subtraction" NR, where you have to wait a long time after taking a long exposure shot before you can use the cam again? That was the complain for K20D and earlier. This feature can now be switched off in the K-r and K-5. Otherwise there shouldn't be any other form of NR applied to raw files.

 

[night86mare]

actually I read a lot about how good the high ISO is and there are threads in other forums comparing it to the D700.

Is it really that good? I also heard that pentax applies NR to its raw files which cannot be turned off. Is that true>

it can be turned off.

 

[night86mare]

Note to self.
Ok. I got to learn how to use RAW and get myself a proper NR program... :think:[/I]

get noise ninja! :thumbsup: