K5. How do you rate yourself???

Not sure these days that buying expensive equipment means anything other than satisfying wants. Unless, of course, you are a proffessional photographer making money at the game.

I have spend nearly as much for a 300mm auto focus pentax prime lens. the motivation being that I have seen others produce stunning pictures beyond my efforts with lesser lens.

Maybe, just maybe the K5 will help me use this lens to better effect. The cunundrum being that I will never know until I try. Maybe the failings are down to me and not the equipment. I shall never know until I bite the bullet.

You cannot achieve anything with your money just lying in the bank, apart from making money for the bank.

So!! If only I really believed all of this I would have my order in tommorrow. I still dither!!

Sadly SRS don't have a K-5 to rent yet or I'd suggest you tried that for a couple of days and see if it convinces you.

All I can say is I am so much happier with the K-5 than I ever was with the K20D. The expenditure was a shock to the system, but definitely worth it.

If I understand you correctly, others can take impressive pictures with the same gear and you can't. In which case an upgrade to a K5 will not help you as the problem is the photographer. Maybe it's exposure related, maybe the composition or maybe post processing tricks.

Don't worry, I have the same problem (using a FA31Ltd) and slowly but surely I'm getting the hang of using it.

So I suggest you practice and post some shots for comments; maybe you already did but I'm quite new here so I don't know

PS
I rate myself as a happy snapper who at occasion spends time trying to get real photos.

If you can't take good photographs with the equipment you have then you can be assured that you most certainly will NOT take better photogaphs with a K5

And why not, Ken??? Surely the whole purpose of better specified cameras is to enable you to take better pictures, otherwise what is the point. Oh! I do take very good pictures, but not yet with the 300mm. Yet!! Check out the Gallery today.

Not that I have had the opportunity to use the 300mm yet. Wildlife seems to not come out to play so much in the autumn and winter. Just in case they did, would not the higher ISO and the better rated specs be an advantage?

Maybe, or maybe not that the K5 will let me use this lens to better effect. I will never know until... I still dither.

regards Thoramay.

You asked me earlier what I thought of the K5 and whether or not I had or would be buying one.

The answer is here:

http://www.ephotozine.com/article/Pentax-K5-15123

and yes, I will be buying one as soon as I can find a good excuse and the cash...

I have some money coming to me next year (sold my ninja)and was thinking of buying some primes 77 and 34 to complement my k20 but just might buy a K5

and sell one of my k20's

but the price is a big factor and I do love the kit I have, we work v well together unlike the K10

James

Loosely speaking professional has implied "good quality". Pedantically professional means that it is being done for money. Do you take photographs predominately to sell or for your own use? That is more the indication of professional / amateur.

Agreed, spending GBP1000 on a hobby indicates that you are serious about it. Either that or your disposable income is such that GBP1000 is not a lot of money, in which case you are possibly not serious (I know some people who throw money at the latest 6 week hobby..grr).

Targeting the camera to the professional / serious amateur does not make the purchaser either of these!

I know of people who can take fantastic shots with basic cameras. I know many more who will take forgettable photos with a Hasselblad. However, if you can take good photos with a camera, will you take better ones with a better camera? Possibly. The great conundrum. Technically they are more likely to be in focus (of what?) and have correct exposure, but will the better camera improve the composition of the photo. Arguably the composition has much more to make a photo unforgettable. Lack of technical perfection is more likely to detract from a well composed photo than technical quality can improve a badly composed photo.

In our materialistic society, one is always striving to get the latest. While I "need" the K5 to improve my shots, my humble K200D is meeting my aspirations. I just need to get my LBA under control...

Tim

I take better pictures with the K-5 than I did with the K20D. I never got on with the K20D and was frequently very disappointed in the photos it produced. It got to the point of me just not taking photos.

With the K-5 I am back to mostly acceptable, occasionally good, photos, and no need for ages spent on PP to try and save them.

I can quite understand that Thoramay has a problem with the K20D. Exactly what is very hard to explain though.

You need to find out where your nearest RSPB or Wildlife reserve is, preferably where they have feeding stations specifically aimed at attracting birds within easy observation distance, start by catching the birds on feeders, then progress to catching them on nearby branches where they will perch for a quick look round before flying to the feeders, branches that have lots of bird dropping below them is a good sign they are regulary frequented, you will also have more chance during late autumn and winter when natural food sources become scarce, the added bonus of course is the lack of foilage on the trees to make getting shots easier.

The ability to shoot at higher ISO on the K5 would definately be an advantage but the K20D should still get you excelent shots when the light is good, I've had competition winners from the K10/20D and the Pentax 80-320, it just takes a lot of practice and knowing your subject.

Whether we are good photographers is for others to say. I have headed our photo club league tables for the past three years so the competition judges must like what I do.

Not that I am satisfied, always striving for better results but must dial into this fading eye sight and unsteady hands.

Some of the comments in the reviews suggest that the K5 is likely to help me overcome to an extent my failings.

john. I have read your review. It is helpful to know the reviewer and someone whose judgement I respect, particularly knowing your long involvement with Pentax.

Gwyn. Your comments are helpful. I am happy with the K10 but the K20 simply does not perform to my expectations. Like you, I cannot put my finger on it. I want to upgrade. The K5 seems to likely outcome.

regards Thoramay.

Fatspider. In spite of living on an island with miles of beached and marshland, there are no RSPB or wildlife reserves with feeding stations. The summer months on one wetland gives limited opportunity.
Some Buzzards, owls, and the fox are my limit. No deer, but there is a farm with Llamas.

My main interest is garden birds plus the woodpecker and jays visiting my feeding station with their young. With the 300mm I can be a discreet distance away. Looking forward to this.

My nearest wildlife sanctuary is near Chichester. Must make a visit soon. Mobility is also one of my limitations.

regards Thoramay

Thoramay said: "And why not, Ken??? "

This is statement alone leads me to believe why not: "I have seen others produce stunning pictures beyond my efforts with lesser lens."

"Oh! I do take very good pictures" in your opinion.

I right now get paid to shoot video. Am I a pro? Are my pictures better as a result? Why's it important?

Bret

Ken It is all in the interpretation.

I do take good pictures 'in the opinion of club judges' I was just quoting them. Did you check out my pic in the Gallery?? I would value your comment, please

Let me also reword that other comment.

I have seen others produce stunning pictures beyond my efforts with MY lesser lens.

Apologies for lacking in clarity.