K5 - Help with big decision

Hi

Apologies for not posting in a long time fellow Pentaxians but I have been too busy taking photos...and lots of them!
Having checked my shutter actuation count on my K-x its about to hit the 10,000 mark and is still going strong despite having a shutter release button with a little bit of give. (please check flickr link if interested)

I shoot birds (not literally) with my K-x and Sigma 150 500 combination. I am more than pleased with the results after one year and have been told to keep the setup the same.

I know this question has been asked a dozen tims but is the K-5 a good move up from the k-x>?
I have toyed with hiring one out but to be honest the money would be better put away for saving for one brand new.

I keep telling myself that its a good move for the reasons below:

The K-x is enough to wake the neighbours! Some birds have evaded my capture because of the big mirror slap - the K-5 is mouse quiet apparently.
The K-5 is damn quick too and supposedly better than the K-x in the low light stakes.

Would dearly love to hear of anyones experiences in having the same dilema and would LOVE to hear from anyone that uses the Sigma 150 500 with the K-5 and how it differs from the K-x

Ta very much

QC

Hi QC FWIW its a brilliant camera and I am changing my K7 for one I have seen here and other places superb images taken with this camera with the 120-400 Sigma it is fantastic with the 150-500 I am sure would be a great choice in fact almost a no brainer from what I have seen !

Go for it you wont regret it I assure you

Well I bought my First K5 from SRS in March 2011 and though it was fantastic at £1000+ Bought a second one from SRS (to leave permenently on my Sigma 50-500) in November 2011 at a bargain price of £729 (less £90 cash back)so I have to say Get one now you won't regret it.

That should have included the K5 of which I own and awaiting the 150-500 and cant wait to see the results sorry about any confusion (had a grey moment ) ]

Thanks guys.

Bill you bought two of them!

It must be a good body then.

Going to check out your shots - I love the 150 500 myself.

No worries David we have all been there.

Check out my 150 500 on the k-x below. A great lens dissed too quickly!

Awesome shots now I cant wait gor that lens thanks Alistair

Cheers Mate

I know it is not the 150-500 but these taken last weekend on the K5 with the Sigma 120-400.....just to wet your appetite







Carl

Great photo's with the Sigma 120-400.

Hi Alistair

You should know via the bird forum that I use the K5 and Sigma 50-500 for snapping birds, the shutter is a lot quieter than on my previous Pentax DSLRs and I am no longer the noisiest snapper in the Hide

The K5 also has two control wheels as opposed to the one on the Kx, this allows the easy use of TAv mode which I find excelent for birding, the ability to control both aperture and shutter together allows you to keep up to the optimum combination especially in changing light, and as the ISO is also displayed in the viewfinder its a doddle to keep track of all three.

As for K5 performance take a look at the Reed Bunting in my portfolio, it was shot at ISO3200

Hi Alistair, just had to post a comment on your Flickr bird photos - they are absolutely superb. I'm sure you will get even better quality with the K-5, but the lowly K-x seems to have performed brilliantly for you!

Regards
David

QC: You have certainly mastered bird photography.
Fantastic!
cheers
bb2

Thank you so much everyone for the wonderful comments!

I am still in two minds about updating so maybe I should just fire away on the K-x until it goes the way of the pear.

Cheers

A

I upgraded from k-x to k-5 a couple of weeks ago...last night i started to compare images from both cameras and i must say upgrading was a GREAT decision.
I dont shoot birds (literally) myself but ive taken a few action shots and managed sharp images which i never would have got wih my kx.
Also, comparing same lens on both bodys, definately felt the kx sensor suffered much more from chromatic aberration.

I know what your going through because on paper i couldnt see enough difference to fork out another bundle of cash, but after taking the plunge have no regrets at all!

Thanks for the post Mark, I'm 100% certain I will be tempted to get the K-5 at some point this year so it's good to know that the image quality is worth the upgrade from the K-x. For the time being I'll just have to make do!

Regards
David