K5. How do you rate yourself???

Perhaps its lenses you should be looking at rather than replacing a body which IMHO produces good IQ. For less than the cost of a K5 body you could buy a 300mm DA*

Buying a K5 will not improve the quality of your "lesser lens", it will allow you to shoot at a higher ISO and subsequently increase the shutter speed.

Of course this is all hypothosis as I have no idea what your lesser lens is

Actually, a new camera with higher resolution will make your lesser lens look worse.

I'd always look at a getting a new lens before getting a new body.

G

I have invested in two 300mm lens recently. A 300mm 645 lens with an adapter and the 300mm FA. 4.5 IF auto focus. I have a sturdy tripod to suit

Previously I have used the Tamron 70-300mm, The Tamron 500mm mirror and once tried the Pentax 400-600 F8-F12. My results have not been good.
I know that using long lens requires considerable practice.

The issue for me is the K20, which I just cannot comes to terms with. Maybe after its service it will perform better. Several members have found the K20 to perform. Others have mirrored my experience. I am dithering whether to wait and test out the K20 or go now for the K5.

The reviews I have read would point to the K5 rather than the KX, my other alternative.

I am going on a cruise in 6 days time to the Continental Christmas markets. It would be an opportunity to test out the K5.

regards Thoramay.

George. Have just picked up on your input.

Surely you remember me harrassing you to sell me your 300mm F4.5 and then having to go to the Far East for my copy?

Would you agree that the K5 would be a good match for the 300mm?

Any first class camera would be a good match for your 300mm. Is this what you were referring to as a lesser lens? If so, in what way?

G

But I have to say that I got good results with the 300mm on a *istD (as well as later cameras).

The problem with any long lens is getting moving subjects in focus. And here the new focussing system on the K5 might be a considerable step up from whatever body you are using at the moment.

G

There is nothing at all wrong with the K20..I'm with George on this one, better lenses are the way forward!......you can't beat "good glass!"...

Problem is, the F* 300 IS good glass. I'm waiting to hear what the perceived problem is. If it's just a matter of getting focus, then the K5 might help.

But coming to what you said, all the Pentax DSLRs have good image quality. The main improvement over the years has been in resolution.

G

I honestly believe there are some duff K20Ds out there. Not so duff that they don't work, but duff enough that the IQ is not good with them.
I never got on with mine as I have said, as was constantly disappointed with the results.
At first I put it down to a CMOS sensor over the CCD of the Ds, and that I just needed to get used to it.
I never did, and rarely produced something I am proud of, certainly nothing compared to the photos I took with the Ds. I can't believe my photography went backwards to that extent.

Since getting the K5 my photos are so much better. Clearer, sharper even, less muddy, better colours. Just vastly better, and all that with minimal PP.

Gwyn,

I have been happy with my K20Ds, but the first took some getting used to. As did the first K10D.

G

George, most people are happy with them. But some of us aren't. I tried so hard to like it, and get used to it. But it never happened.

But I am happy with the K-5. Best grand he ever spent.

Nothing so tasty as a free lunch!

I find adjusting the tone curve to be crucial to getting good results with the K20D. Straight out of the camera, pictures look very flat.

My favourite camera, in its day, was the *istD. Reminded me very much of my beloved Super A.

G

No such thing as a free lunch George .

I thought it would be indelicate to suggest that!

G

Like Gwyn, I have never came to terms with the K20. If there was no alternative I would persevere.

George. I have tried taking wildlife pics with the Tamron 70-300, mostly with the K10. Having seen the results of yours and others with the 300mm I was sorely disappointed with my efforts and resolved to get the 300mm but it took me ages of searching and as a stop gap went for the 645 300mm with an adapter.
Then came the K20 and the combination never worked for me. My best efforts are on the Gallery today and tommorrow.

The extra ability of the K5 appeals. I am spending money on this hobby like no other and perhaps there is a guilt complex at work making me dithering.

regards Thoramay.