Sensor resolution, lens resolution and image quality

I have just been reading Frogfish's excellent thread as I am thinking of making the same change. Whilst I was pondering this I wondered about other factors than the lens in getting the best image quality. Everything comes with a price, usually for a reason. Then there are rate limiting steps and diminishing returns. As I "only" have a K-x will these more expensive lenses give me much improvement in IQ over my DAL 55-300 which has been pretty damn good as a starting point? In sheer sensor resolution 12mp is pretty good but there must be more to say a K5 than just the extra 2mp. So in order of improvement in overall image quality should I go - lens first body second or the other way, which net, is actually cheaper.

K-x, BB bar Tamron 500mm mirror, TeleTakumar f5.6 200mm, DAL 55-300, Chinon 50mm f1.4, Tamron SP 60-300mm, Raynox 150, AF360 GFZ

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Looking at your lens list there are not many new DA lenses there. I think new lenses are generally better for digital cameras. Your K-x should not limit your photography, it's capable of very fine results. I would concentrate on the lenses.

Invest in quality glass, it makes all the difference...

I second the lenses argument. The K-x pretty much stands it's ground. You'll have more room to work with when you opt for the lens.

I would invest in quality scenery ....


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I'm somewhat of a hypocrite because I've spent thousands on lenses, but it's taught me on thing .... you can still take a world class picture on a £40 lens.



...

Ok ..... Frankly I would have been happy if the K-5 was only 10MP


What gives the K-5 the great IQ is not the MP, but the dynamic range and great high ISO performance.

As I said in the previous post I admit my hypocrisy as I love the IQ of a great lens, but I realise that it means nothing when it comes to the artistic side of a great shot.

The K-5's dynamic range and ISO performance has allowedme to grab shots I could not have done on my K20S/K10D

So ..... given the 'gun to the head' choice between ...

1] K20D and great glass

and

2] K-5 and £40 glass

I would take option 2]


of course K-5 and great glass is preferable to both

Thanks, pretty much what I thought. I agree about the final image being with the photographer but artistic quality can't be done by the camera and lens (well not really) so that bit is a constant. I'm sure the top end modern lenses will be the best bet but I have to say I was amazed at the quality I got from the old M42 200mm Tele Takumar. I'm sure it was better than the DAL 55-300mm at the same focal length. Like Frogfish, I will probably go for the DA* 300mm but maybe rent it for a few days from SRS first. Is there a teleconverter with this lens that would maintain the SDM?
Dave

Glass keeps its value much better than the majority of bodies. Buy the glass and await K5 price reductions

My advice? Dump the 3rd party older glass.

While modern lenses may be better the gap is a lot wider when compared to generic wearer-of-many-badges lenses than it is when compared to, say, SMC Pentax or Pentax-M lenses.

Definitely keep the Takumar and Pentax lenses, the Takumar may be old but it's now a classic. If you've ever felt the urge to try film then a Spotmatic won't cost you much and the Tak will be perfect for it.

Mind you, I had the same thoughts a month or so ago then decided that rather than buying a K-r I should finally buy that medium format film camera I'd wanted for years, and ended up with a Bronica ETRSi! It cost about the same and has provided a lot more entertainment than an upgrade over my perfectly functional K-m would have done.

I'm not sure I'd dump them! I've just done some pretty controlled comparisons at F8 and 200mm and the Adaptall 60-300mm matched the Pentax 55-300 DAL and the Tamron Adaptall 80-210 was pretty much the same at that focal length. The Takumar was best but then it is a 200mm prime.
Having said that I want quality at 300mm plus and with that overlap I may as well lose a few and save and get a 300mm DA*.
Thanks for the comments,
Dave

Well if you want to dump the Chinon 50mm, please dump it in my direction!

the 55-300 is an excellent lens capable of fine images

Go for that bargin sigma 150-500mm you must be looking at

Yes but that would spoil the fun Neil - too easy