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K5 still on sale

sportyman531
Posted 20/11/2012 - 17:05 Link
Is the K5 likely to disappear quite rapidly now that the K5II is out? I see SRS have the body only at £599.

Regards,

Steve
flickr ID: SteveW46243 or sw46246
DA AL 35mm f2.4, K3,18-135 WR, DA 55-300, Pentax KX, K5 x 2, 18-50 50-200 kit lenses, Tamron 17-50 f2.8, Fuji X10, 2x Mamiya 1000s 2x 80mm f2.8, 150mm f3.5, 210mm f4, Yashica 124G TLR, 2x Yashica FX3 Super 2000, Tamron 28mm f2.8, 90mm SP f2.5, 135mm f2.5, Olympus 35RC, 2x Yashica FX2, Kodak Pocket Instamatic, Kodak Box Brownie
johnriley
Posted 20/11/2012 - 17:52 Link
I think it will. If I wanted one I'd be moving quickly, whilst stocks last.
Best regards, John
sportyman531
Posted 21/11/2012 - 13:34 Link
The main features which attract me to the K5 is image quality up to 3200 ISO, locking focus onto moving objects (I assume that this means "follow focus") and fast autofocus. The K5II can focus in the dark apparently but I'm not sure who can benefit from this. I have occasionally done "night shoots" on preserved railways or at stations but invariably there is some light and the subject then is static anyway.
flickr ID: SteveW46243 or sw46246
DA AL 35mm f2.4, K3,18-135 WR, DA 55-300, Pentax KX, K5 x 2, 18-50 50-200 kit lenses, Tamron 17-50 f2.8, Fuji X10, 2x Mamiya 1000s 2x 80mm f2.8, 150mm f3.5, 210mm f4, Yashica 124G TLR, 2x Yashica FX3 Super 2000, Tamron 28mm f2.8, 90mm SP f2.5, 135mm f2.5, Olympus 35RC, 2x Yashica FX2, Kodak Pocket Instamatic, Kodak Box Brownie
johnriley
Posted 21/11/2012 - 13:39 Link
Quote:
The K5II can focus in the dark apparently but I'm not sure who can benefit from this.

Fair question, the focusing is a feature. The benefit is that focusing in brighter light may well be more accurate and reliable as a consequence. It's a tough thing to quantify because it depends on what we are shooting.

My feel for it was that in very low light (not necessarily pitch black) focus was locking on with no problem. Most cameras would be pushing it at the lowest light levels.
Best regards, John
macabee
Posted 21/11/2012 - 13:45 Link
I have just received my K5 from WEX. My first Pentax since my mx/me days. A few years ago I bought my first dSLR the Olympus E1, an excellent camera weatherproof as well, however the small rear screen was annoying.

I then went to Canon, but I have to say that I did not find them as well built as the Olympus E1, I could not afford nor require the Canon 1d series.

To my surprise and joy the K5 is very well constructed and balanced my first initial images considering the kit lens most acceptable, I shall look at better 'glass' in the future.

Another reason for the K5 purchase is the weatherproofing, I am a walker, so if it rains when on the downs, I won't have to tear my hair out if it gets wet
andyvarney
Posted 22/11/2012 - 08:51 Link
I've just ordered a K5 from SRS, I can't see it getting much cheaper and the advanteages of the KII are not worth £200 to me.

Andy
It's not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog!
johnriley
Posted 22/11/2012 - 08:56 Link
Sue and I both have the K-5 and we won't be upgrading yet. Partly because we always wait for the price to drop a bit and partlky because the K-5 IIs isn't quite here yet and we need to see what that will bring.

I have a feeling that portrait photographers may be better with the K-5 II and that landscape and architecture photographers may benefit from the IIs, but at this point that is pure conjecture and I could be totally wrong.

As things stand right at this moment, the K-5 is an amazing bargain. While it lasts!
Best regards, John
wvbarnes
Posted 22/11/2012 - 10:29 Link
Hi, given the body is the same one on K7, K5 and the new variants I guess the next new camera in a year or two from Pentax will be a fresh redesign as it'll be quite old by then.

I'm most struck by people not realising that the K5 is a serious metal bodied pro spec camera. As such it is an absolute bargain and I've been delighted to move up to one at the right price combined with the initially maligned 18 - 135 WR DC drive lens John clearly likes too.
cabstar
Posted 22/11/2012 - 11:17 Link
I hope they don't redesign the body, I think the k-5 is ergonomically perfect as it is.
PPG Wedding photography Flickr
Concert photography

Currently on a Pentax hiatus until an FF Pentax is released
DaveHolmes
Posted 22/11/2012 - 11:27 Link
I'd like to see the green button and ISO button swap places and see the addition of a permanent and fully integrated vertical grip
........................................................................
Digital:
Pentax K5- Vivitar 19mm 3.8; FA35mm f2; D-Xenon 100mm macro f2.8; DA50-200mm WR...
Flash:
Yongnuo YN-560; Vivitar 285HV; Cactus V4 triggers...
Film:
Pentax-MX & M50mm f1.4; Spottie & 55mm f1.8; MG & M40mm 2.8...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/daveholmesphotos/
LennyBloke
Posted 22/11/2012 - 11:28 Link
I agree that the design of the K5 is excellent. I also think it is a pretty clever move on the part of Pentax to stick with the same design for a number of models (K7-K5-K5II-K5IIs) - there are significant advantages with this approach, for the end user it means compatability of accessories is carried forward and for the manufacturer it keeps costs down
LennyBloke
sportyman531
Posted 29/01/2013 - 22:58 Link
sportyman531 wrote:
Is the K5 likely to disappear quite rapidly now that the K5II is out? I see SRS have the body only at £599.

Regards,

Steve

johnriley wrote:
I think it will. If I wanted one I'd be moving quickly, whilst stocks last.

Well, there are still some K5's around and I didn't move very quickly at all! A K5 is winging it's way to me even as I write this, with a discount for paying by card £485 body only and with an 8GB memory card from Camera Centre Cardiff. Manufacturer refurbished and with a 12 month guarantee.
flickr ID: SteveW46243 or sw46246
DA AL 35mm f2.4, K3,18-135 WR, DA 55-300, Pentax KX, K5 x 2, 18-50 50-200 kit lenses, Tamron 17-50 f2.8, Fuji X10, 2x Mamiya 1000s 2x 80mm f2.8, 150mm f3.5, 210mm f4, Yashica 124G TLR, 2x Yashica FX3 Super 2000, Tamron 28mm f2.8, 90mm SP f2.5, 135mm f2.5, Olympus 35RC, 2x Yashica FX2, Kodak Pocket Instamatic, Kodak Box Brownie
Edited by sportyman531: 29/01/2013 - 23:03

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