Pentax K5 is only $1500 now!!!

[elavan]

A quick search reveals that it is just simple miscalibration, actually... Hrm.

yeah miscalibration is the issue, a repair shop discouraged me from servicing it because it's an inherent problem that may recur some time after..

 

[symmetrix]

Some people asked for a quick comparison of the K-r versus K-5, here's a few key points (which some of you probably already know on paper), along with some other random musings:

1) Battery life is tons better than the K-r. I was worried about needing more than 1 spare battery for my K-r, having to charge one battery after one sunset shoot, the battery would indicate that it was drained. I ended up getting 5 spares for the K-r, it's a long story. I just charged the Pentax battery for the first time since I got it, that's about 3-4 times the number of shoots I squeezed out of it... Maybe even 5. And I'm told the Divipower one lasts even longer.

2) Focusing is a lot snappier than the K-r. Don't get me wrong, the K-r is great, but the K-5 is better, and I find it more trustworthy than the K-r's focusing at least for cats.

3) 100% and larger, brighter viewfinder - it's a small point but it does make a difference.

4) Better gradations, i.e. no banding; also greater resistance to banding in post. This was a rather large issue for me - if I tweaked the contrast just a bit harsher you'd get happy bands in the sky. Naturally this is a smaller issue than it sounds, but it makes a difference to me - saves me the trouble of smoothening out the banding when it happens.

5) Marginally better detail - useful for landscapes.

6) One-stop better ISO, thereabouts. I would shoot confidently with ISO1600 with the K-r (we've come a long way since the days of the K100D, I must say), but I do so confidently at ISO3200 for the K-5.

7) Better layouts, etc, blah blah blah, we already know that.

8) I haven't had a chance to test out the electronic level very extensively, but suffice to say I think it's not quite accurate in vertical format... I'm not sure if it works, but I'm quite sure it's off, so I'm doing it by eye for now despite having an electronic level in camera. Wonder if sending it in for fixing would take a long time - anyone knows?

The brighter viewfighter is the most tempting part. ;p Focusing, too eh?

Methinks I'll still stick with my k-r for a while. Until I master myself. Let me have a bit of a sentimental value for the cam. My first DSLR, after all. :heart: lol

Let me try out k-5 during outing? Might just push me over the edge. LOL

 

[hellfire88]

Some people asked for a quick comparison of the K-r versus K-5, here's a few key points (which some of you probably already know on paper), along with some other random musings:

hi edutilos thanks for the comparison, based on what you shared. I think i will probably stick with the k-r until my skills improve and until probably when the k-3 is out or when the k-5 drops to like 1.3k range.

#1 is a good point especially when you are overseas. the battery life is indeed not very long(probably coupled with the fact that the battery indicator is not very accurate at times) but for shooting in singapore, i find it sufficient for a day of shooting as long as i bring out a spare. i forsee a problem with battery thou especially during travel(quite concern as i'm planning to do trekking in nepal in dec so if all my batteries die on me and i cant charge them up in the mountains. it will be quite sad)

#2 is a good point, for landscapes shot i think its ok, but for events kind, focusing for the k-r can sometimes be a pain in the ass.

#4 i dont experience this so i not sure.

#6 that is impressive.

i think another point is the use of battery grip. so much easier to shoot in portrait orientation on the streets with a battery grip. and since the battery life is so much better. having 2 batteries to power the k-5 will probably means that you can last a week shooting before recharging. (i think this is quite a tempting factor for me)

 

[kof88]

I own a K-x and now also the K-5 (I've also tested my friend's K-r )

Actually the K-r is really good. Very quick AF, it solves most problem occur with the K-x. If you own a K-r and not keen with the current price of K-5, honestly there is no point to change. The K-r is pretty sufficient on its own.

For me owning the K-x, I've really got tired with the AF and the small vf. The thing I miss is the size and weight of k-x.

 

[one952]

Finally after months of considering......
I'm now a proud k-5 owner!!

Charging the batt now, eagerly waiting to explore the camera.

 

[fengwei]

Congrats to all new K5 owners, I'm sure you'd have a lot fun w/ it

 

[Anthony Lee]

When you can get it right, the K5 shines.

My cat Tami shot with A 50f1.4 at f2 on K5.

 

[one952]

Actually i'm a KX upgrade to K5, just realise the manual is 2 X bigger.
think with the added function and huge upgrade, gotta takes some time to get use to it. .

 

[stuck]

Some people asked for a quick comparison of the K-r versus K-5, here's a few key points (which some of you probably already know on paper), along with some other random musings:

1) Battery life is tons better than the K-r. I was worried about needing more than 1 spare battery for my K-r, having to charge one battery after one sunset shoot, the battery would indicate that it was drained. I ended up getting 5 spares for the K-r, it's a long story. I just charged the Pentax battery for the first time since I got it, that's about 3-4 times the number of shoots I squeezed out of it... Maybe even 5. And I'm told the Divipower one lasts even longer.

2) Focusing is a lot snappier than the K-r. Don't get me wrong, the K-r is great, but the K-5 is better, and I find it more trustworthy than the K-r's focusing at least for cats.

3) 100% and larger, brighter viewfinder - it's a small point but it does make a difference.

4) Better gradations, i.e. no banding; also greater resistance to banding in post. This was a rather large issue for me - if I tweaked the contrast just a bit harsher you'd get happy bands in the sky. Naturally this is a smaller issue than it sounds, but it makes a difference to me - saves me the trouble of smoothening out the banding when it happens.

5) Marginally better detail - useful for landscapes.

6) One-stop better ISO, thereabouts. I would shoot confidently with ISO1600 with the K-r (we've come a long way since the days of the K100D, I must say), but I do so confidently at ISO3200 for the K-5.

7) Better layouts, etc, blah blah blah, we already know that.

8) I haven't had a chance to test out the electronic level very extensively, but suffice to say I think it's not quite accurate in vertical format... I'm not sure if it works, but I'm quite sure it's off, so I'm doing it by eye for now despite having an electronic level in camera. Wonder if sending it in for fixing would take a long time - anyone knows?

For me the number one reason to ditch my k-x for the k5 would be the WR.. i step with trepidation everytime I shoot seascapes that i'll kill the camera by bringing it fora swim. It's disappointing that the electronic level doesn't work well... really don't like the hotshoe mounted spirit level very much. Thank goodness Pentax hasn't yet released a WR 10mm prime/10-20mm zoom... otherwise resistance will be futile! ;p

#2 & 6 would be really useful for shooting my dog though. thanks for the review!

 

[symmetrix]

When you can get it right, the K5 shines.

My cat Tami shot with A 50f1.4 at f2 on K5.

Those eyes are just lovely. :heart:

 

[otc]

When you can get it right, the K5 shines.

My cat Tami shot with A 50f1.4 at f2 on K5.

Truly, the eyes really sparkles.

Still, its the man behind the camera, right


marcus

 

[detritus]

When you can get it right, the K5 shines.

My cat Tami shot with A 50f1.4 at f2 on K5.

very nice what beautiful eyes

i love cats. i took one the other day while having dinner at holland v.

can't really see from this angle but the right side of its face looks discoloured like someone gave it a hard time or something :sweat: poor thing. luckily, there's no open wound.

K5, 18-55WR

 

[Anthony Lee]

Truly, the eyes really sparkles.

Still, its the man behind the camera, right

marcus

Not really Marcus. I still have this love / hate affair with the K5, but I am gradually getting it under control. It's a very good camera with my FA 31 but still nervous with manual focusing. My cat Tami can sit for long period staring at me every day when I lay on my arm chair and I love to use her to test my manual focus lenses. In this particular instance, I needed some 10 to 12 shots to just get one right at f2, so I am still far from good. With most of my mf lenses, the K5 tend to front or back focus just a little and sometimes it's frustrating even when my split screen nails it, I tend to get the nose or ears in focus instead. My particular A 50f1.4, I have to focus from infinity to nail focus but not from MFD when I use any aperture larger than f2.8.

 

[sbc]

Nice photos of cats. Is it possible to pose one like the fortune cat? Now that would be something!

 

[detritus]

Nice photos of cats. Is it possible to pose one like the fortune cat? Now that would be something!

:bsmilie: last one from me before we get back to topic i guess.

i know its not exactly like the "zhao cai mao" statue we usually see but i always feel that i could picture this one waving its paw at me :bsmilie:

 

[otc]

:bsmilie: last one from me before we get back to topic i guess.

i know its not exactly like the "zhao cai mao" statue we usually see but i always feel that i could picture this one waving its paw at me :bsmilie:

Donald, this one is cute. Must be from K5 right? Lol...

marcus

 

[otc]

Not really Marcus. I still have this love / hate affair with the K5, but I am gradually getting it under control. It's a very good camera with my FA 31 but still nervous with manual focusing. My cat Tami can sit for long period staring at me every day when I lay on my arm chair and I love to use her to test my manual focus lenses. In this particular instance, I needed some 10 to 12 shots to just get one right at f2, so I am still far from good. With most of my mf lenses, the K5 tend to front or back focus just a little and sometimes it's frustrating even when my split screen nails it, I tend to get the nose or ears in focus instead. My particular A 50f1.4, I have to focus from infinity to nail focus but not from MFD when I use any aperture larger than f2.8.

TS, sorry a little out of topic now.

Anthony, I just took in M-mode smc takumar 50 f1.4 and shot wide open, my son being my model.

Its challenging imho on getting the point of focus wide open at f1.4. Probably at f2. its easier. Anyway, most were shot at f1.4, trying out the takumar lens


my by luctomar, on Flickr

Focusing screen is the original one from K5. Its like turning forward and backward to get the point of focus and its all agar-agaration:bsmilie:

This shot non PP, resize only.

Yes, many are out of focus as well.

marcus

 

[le petit prince]

Cat pixs! Me too! This is Busa, the cat which looks as if it's in a tuxedo, and which isn't doing its job. Them mice had free reign of my room in Dili.. rats!



And this was shot with a K-7 and FA43.. oh wait, not a K5.. lemme scurry back into my lonesome K-7 hole.

On a serious note, I do want very much to go K5, but I swore to wear out the K-7 first. It's really too expensive to upgrade to the latest and greatest every time. Painful on the wallet, at the least.

 

[detritus]

Donald, this one is cute. Must be from K5 right? Lol...

marcus

K5 with DA35 Ltd. yes, its one of the cutest cat pix i managed so far. its really hit or miss with cats sometimes.

Cat pixs! Me too! This is Busa, the cat which looks as if it's in a tuxedo, and which isn't doing its job. Them mice had free reign of my room in Dili.. rats!

handsome fellow

 

[elavan]

Cat pixs! Me too! This is Busa, the cat which looks as if it's in a tuxedo, and which isn't doing its job. Them mice had free reign of my room in Dili.. rats!



And this was shot with a K-7 and FA43.. oh wait, not a K5.. lemme scurry back into my lonesome K-7 hole.

On a serious note, I do want very much to go K5, but I swore to wear out the K-7 first. It's really too expensive to upgrade to the latest and greatest every time. Painful on the wallet, at the least.

u are not alone in the hole :bsmilie: