Anybody try the K5?

[o hey tyler]

Such is the nature of consumer electronics. Regardless the QC (quality controls), it is cost prohibitive to completely test every new camera that is produced on the assembly line.

Consequently, some % of new consumer electronics, from every brand, will get shipped with defects in materials or workmanship.

I completely agree. My brother used to work for Pentax and he says that the K5s are QC'd per unit not per batch but still perfection is not an expectation.

I just thought of a possible weakness for the K5 - I think the next model up costs $10k so if I decide to upgrade someday, I'd be in a world of hurt. Upgrading from the Nikon D7000 won't be as painful. However, pro gear upgrades may be very unlikely for me as this is a hobby that at this time ranks next to guitar and recording. Hmm. Random thoughts.

The "next model up" you're referring to is the Pentax 645D. It's a digital medium format, whereas the Pentax K5 is an APS-C DSLR (smaller than 35mm format). The 645D will not mount lenses from the K5 because the lenses wouldn't produce a large enough image circle.

 

[Sage97]

Excellent point. Thank you.

 

[GnipGnop]

I was in your position a couple of months ago. I was looking at the Canon 60d, 7d. Never really been a fan of Nikon, but not for any logical reasons. Just didn't associate myself with the brand (even though they take good pictures). I had been extensively researching for a couple months prior, but the Pentax never came up in my searches.

Something to consider when researching is that each camera has it's issues, and they always seem worse than they are on the Internet. More people seek out forums to post problems they have with their merchandise then the people who have no problems at all.

The D7000 and the Pentax K5 both utilize the same sensor, which is manufactured by Sony. Each camera's software, design and lenses dictate how the sensor performs in each body. However DXO rates the Pentax K5 as the best performing APS-C crop sensor camera on the market. It even out performs the Canon 5d MKII in some areas (dynamic range). 14 full stops of dynamic range at ISO 80.

As for lenses...Pentax also makes some of the highest quality prime lenses available. I should correct the previous member on here that stated every single lens will work that Pentax has made. That is not true. Every single Pentax K-mount lens ever made can be used. The other and older M42 screw mount can be used, but with an adapter. K mount lenses mount like any other lens made for the Pentax dSLR line. Most can be had cheap as well. Their new lenses (especially the Limited lenses) are very very good. There are some little details in Pentax lenses that make them particularly nice to use. The cheapest kit lens (18-55 non weather resistant) doesn't rotate when you focus (unlike the cheapest lenses from Canon, for example) making them more friendly to use with some types of polarizers and other filters. Pentax also makes Weather Resistant 18-135s and I believe some zooms and wide angles and primes. Most get great reviews. Paired the weather sealed body with a WR lens, and you don't have to run inside when it rains like most crop sensor bodies. Their macro lenses seem to be good as well.

The autofocus in my experience (and others) is that it is quick, snappy and accurate. If anything has been out of focus for me, it's been my fault. It does like light to be able to auto-focus though. But then, most do.

I honestly thought I was going to be a 7d owner earlier in the year. I was hesitant to pull the trigger because of the price for just the body, plus lenses. I randomly came across the Pentax K5 reviews, and literally could not find a bad review on it, or one where it wasn't recommended. Combine that with a sale price of under $1000 for the body and kit lens and I was sold. I realize this sounds an awful lot like paid review, but I'm just extremely happy with it. Solidly built, weather sealed, super quiet shutter, great lenses and controls. One dial at the front for shutter, one at the back for ISO, and hit one button and the rear dial turns to aperture. So easy and natural feeling to me.

Those are some of the reasons why I put my hard earned money into Pentax. I think at this price point you'd be happy with the d7000, 7d, 60d, or K5. Go out and handle them in the store to see which one feels comfortable in your hands. That's the best way to find out.

The entire first page of my flickr (with the exception of "blessed are those with a voice") are shot with my K5. Have a peek if you want some examples, and good luck with your purchase, what ever you end up getting!

Flickr: Gn!pGnop's Photostream

 

[Sage97]

Gnip,

I really appreciate you taking the time to type all your thoughts to help me.

I was sold on the D7000 when I stumbled upon the K5 reviews. The reviewers seemed to be forced to nitpick just to write an "improvement need." Continuous video AF seems to be a weakness along with a few others I am not too worried about. Then I stumbled on a Pentax forum as well as this one and I put the D7000 on hold to do more research on the K5. Pentax and third party lenses for the K5 don't seem to be too hard to find for someone like me who prefers to shop online. They may not be readily available at my local Best Buy or the mom and pop stores where I live but most online folks offer free shipping and return policies so its not all that bad.

I already have the D7000 at home and I like it. I ordered the K5 today so I should be able to play around with both but keep only one because just like Connor McLeod from the clan Mcleod, there can be only one. I am interested to see which one gets voted out based on my thoughts and findings as a complete beginner. The good news is, I am convinced that either camera will exceed my expectations so I can't go wrong either way.

I've seen your Photostream link and I am quite excited and hopeful that may be someday I can produce similar results. I've also seen links from D7000 owning forumites that gave me the same level of excitement. I will make a decision soon and post some pics ......... well, much, much later.

Thanks again.

 

[GnipGnop]

Interested to hear what your thoughts are on both the 7000 and the K5...

 

[Sage97]

Interested to hear what your thoughts are on both the 7000 and the K5...

The D7000 seems to work really great. Took it to another indoor volleyball game (my gf's daughter is really good) and took a few landscape shots. I'd post pics here but they'll just surely produce laughter, obviously the photographer's fault not the camera's.

The K5 arrives this week and I'm taking that to my son's track meet. I also plan on taking landscape shots too for comparison. Will keep ya posted.

 

[Sage97]

Interested to hear what your thoughts are on both the 7000 and the K5...

K5 actually arrived today! While it is charging, I looked for tutorials and other instructions on Youtube. Did not find a single useful one......unlike the D7000. Well, I'll open the manual and learn about it's features the old fashioned way.

 

[o hey tyler]

Interested to hear what your thoughts are on both the 7000 and the K5...

K5 actually arrived today! While it is charging, I looked for tutorials and other instructions on Youtube. Did not find a single useful one......unlike the D7000. Well, I'll open the manual and learn about it's features the old fashioned way.

DSLR's are DSLR's. There's no hidden settings to make your photos outstanding, there's no difference in exposure between cameras or brands, there's no special mode that will improve your shooting ability or anything of the sort.

Reading the manual is a great place to start. Just realize that any tips you find on exposure, setting your camera appropriately for the situation, and composition can be learned on any camera body by any manufacturer. Exposure is a standard.

 

[Sage97]

o hey tyler,

I understand what you are saying. When I said tutorials, I meant quick review of the menu system, special buttons, quick access to certain features and other possible options that could be unique to this brand or camera.

So far my initial thoughts compared to the D7000 include the K5's smaller size, different shutter feel, the rear wheel controlling the aperture instead of the shutter speed in the Nikon, the funky auto focus when shooting with the live view (I am not a fan of this), the different language/terminologies (Tv, Av, Sv, etc.) as opposed to Nikon's S, A, M which makes more sense to me, the delete function being slightly more cumbersome compared to the D7000.

There are a few others but I may be a bit biased towards the Nikon D7000 most probably because I have become more familiar with the Nikon functionalities and user interface.

 

[Sage97]

Man......the D7000 and the K5 are both outstanding. There is so much to like about both. To deal with my indecision and confusion, I'll start making a list of "things I do not like" and go from there.

 

[GnipGnop]

Interesting! Lookong forward to your opinions.

 

[Sage97]

Interesting! Lookong forward to your opinions.

Doesn't seem to matter. In my hands, eyes and non-existing experience, I get the same results. Definitely not the same quality as the ones posted on here but still, they are the best pics I have ever taken and I don't even understand anything yet. At this point, might as well flip a coin.

I'm definitely a newbie so I am not embarrassed with these pics. I'm sure everyone has to start somewhere.


D7000

 

[Sage97]

K5

 

[NedZ]

I love Pentax, been using it since film era. The only problem I find with it is not as much support from third party manufacturers (lenses and such) as Nikon has. That might be a problem for you. I think Pentax has very good lenses, including kit ones.

 

[aboudd]

I've had my K5 for a few weeks now, it has become my street camera. I used to carry my Nikon D3s but the K5 is half the weight and at least 30% smaller. The two lenses I have so far are the 31MM and 77MM MIV lenses. They are well built, like Leica M lenses and are great glass. As I am trying to keep the kit small I am not gathering zoom lenses. My search now is for a 15MM used at a decent price. Then my kit will be complete.

This image was taken in ambient light with the 77MM at minimum distance. There is a yellow arrow to identify the focal point at the center of the image.
I'm extremely happy with the sharpness.