Timing...
Posted 15/08/2012 - 17:17 - Helpful Comment
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Yes and yes as the K5 is superb and the replacement (when it comes) will be very likey to be twice the current price for some time given the pattern with most quality cameras these days.
Posted 15/08/2012 - 17:42 - Helpful Comment
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Q1 - yes
Q2 - depends.
I'm also looking to upgrade (from a K20D) to the new body, but accept that I won't be an early adopter (a) on price and (b) until any issues are known/resolved.
As ever it's a difficult call with technology. Buy now and you get a great camera at a great price and the utility from owning it, but the risk is tomorrows camera will be even more fantastic and you'll be unhappy!
I take the simple view that if I really, really, wanted the K5 I'd have bought it some while ago, and since I haven't then I don't (yet) need it.
As ever, it's you who make the photograph. Technology just helps!
Q2 - depends.
I'm also looking to upgrade (from a K20D) to the new body, but accept that I won't be an early adopter (a) on price and (b) until any issues are known/resolved.
As ever it's a difficult call with technology. Buy now and you get a great camera at a great price and the utility from owning it, but the risk is tomorrows camera will be even more fantastic and you'll be unhappy!
I take the simple view that if I really, really, wanted the K5 I'd have bought it some while ago, and since I haven't then I don't (yet) need it.
As ever, it's you who make the photograph. Technology just helps!
Posted 15/08/2012 - 18:28 - Helpful Comment
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The answer to Q2 depends on two things as I see it:
- your budget
- whether the new high-end camera has a 'full frame' sensor or not.
If it's a FF camera, which seems unlikely if they're discontinuing the K-5, then unless it has an APS-C crop mode then there are a lot of variables to consider.
Discounting that, then if you can afford the new camera, and it's an APS-C, then it's not mad at all to wait for it.
You could always hire a K-5 for the holiday.
- your budget
- whether the new high-end camera has a 'full frame' sensor or not.
If it's a FF camera, which seems unlikely if they're discontinuing the K-5, then unless it has an APS-C crop mode then there are a lot of variables to consider.
Discounting that, then if you can afford the new camera, and it's an APS-C, then it's not mad at all to wait for it.
You could always hire a K-5 for the holiday.
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Pentax K-3, DA18-135, DA35 F2.4, DA17-70, DA55-300, FA28-200, A50 F1.7, A100 F4 Macro, A400 F5.6, Sigma 10-20 EXDC, 50-500 F4.5-6.3 APO DG OS Samsung flash SEF-54PZF(x2)
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Pentax K-3, DA18-135, DA35 F2.4, DA17-70, DA55-300, FA28-200, A50 F1.7, A100 F4 Macro, A400 F5.6, Sigma 10-20 EXDC, 50-500 F4.5-6.3 APO DG OS Samsung flash SEF-54PZF(x2)
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Posted 15/08/2012 - 23:13 - Helpful Comment
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The easiest thing to do is consider why you are thinking of upgrading, in what areas is your GX20 lacking/preventing you obtaining the photos you want to capture - if the K5 resolves these then I don't see any reason not to buy it, if the K5 doesn't solve these problems then it makes no sense to buy it & you're best waiting for the new model
Only you can really decide
Simon
Only you can really decide
Simon
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Posted 16/08/2012 - 09:52
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Hmmm... Good advice everyone. I realise this is all subjective but it's good to hear people's thoughts.
The price jump to the next model will probably be huge so I have to ask myself whether, in reality, I am unlikely to be an early adopter.
I mentioned the probable benefits in my OP and people seem to be confirming those. It hasn't been an urgent need before now (I am definitiely the limiting factor - not my GX20) but the conditions in Malaysia up the ante a bit.
Maybe I wait for a week or so and see if anything is leaked prior to Photokina to help me make up my mind. I'm probably leaning towards picking up a K5 though...
The price jump to the next model will probably be huge so I have to ask myself whether, in reality, I am unlikely to be an early adopter.
I mentioned the probable benefits in my OP and people seem to be confirming those. It hasn't been an urgent need before now (I am definitiely the limiting factor - not my GX20) but the conditions in Malaysia up the ante a bit.
Maybe I wait for a week or so and see if anything is leaked prior to Photokina to help me make up my mind. I'm probably leaning towards picking up a K5 though...
You will only prise my 43Ltd from my cold, dead hands...
Posted 16/08/2012 - 10:20
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If you are going on an important trip to Malaysia in september, then in my opinion your only option is the K-5.
The price is great, buy while you can, and you need to get the camera, test it thoroughly, practice thoroughly, so it's known to be fine and you are full au fait with it before your trip.
I'm sure you don't want to pay double the price to buy something untested and unfamiliar only days before you go?
The price is great, buy while you can, and you need to get the camera, test it thoroughly, practice thoroughly, so it's known to be fine and you are full au fait with it before your trip.
I'm sure you don't want to pay double the price to buy something untested and unfamiliar only days before you go?
Best regards, John
Posted 16/08/2012 - 13:42
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Good point John - testing before going away is a strong argument in favour of getting the K5 now. If I decided to hold off I am pretty much certain the K3(?) wouldn't be available before I went away so I would be using the GX20.
Pentaxophile - K30 is a nice idea but I would definitely miss the top LCD and a few other features of the K5.
Pentaxophile - K30 is a nice idea but I would definitely miss the top LCD and a few other features of the K5.
You will only prise my 43Ltd from my cold, dead hands...
Posted 16/08/2012 - 14:01
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Get either the K5 pr the K30 and you will not go wrong. Both are great cameras.
K1/K3, DA*16-50mm F2.8, FA 31mm F1.8, FA43mm F1.9 Limited, FA77mm F1.8 Limited, SMC Pentax K 85mm F1.8, DA18-135mm F3.5-5.6, FA*28-70mm F1.8, FA*200mm F1.8
Posted 17/08/2012 - 14:53
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Ok. Dilemma solved. Just paid for a secondhand K5.
Thanks for the advice guys.
WG
Thanks for the advice guys.
WG
You will only prise my 43Ltd from my cold, dead hands...
Posted 17/08/2012 - 15:19
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Pleased to here you have a positive outcome, have fun with the new camera.
Best regards, John
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306 posts
17 years
I'm going to Malaysia in early-mid September and part of the holiday will involve wildlife trips in Borneo. I'm contemplating upgrading my GX20 (K20d) to a K5. As well as the general improvement in a lot of areas, I think it would give me a couple of specific benefits:
- Low light improvement (as it can be quite dark in the jungle)
- Dynamic range improvement (also to do with taking pictures in the jungle)
However, I had been holding out for the successor of the K5. At a guess it will probably include focus-peaking which I would find useful. If I upgraded to the K5 now then I probably wouldn't upgrade again for quite while.
The fact that the K5 now seems to be discontinued in certain locations suggests it's replacement is around the corner. I know that the replacement would not be out in time for my holiday, but I could wait and use my GX20 for Malaysia (as it is still a damn fine camera).
Question 1
Do people think I would see a big boost in performance from the K5?
Question 2
Am I mad to wait for news of the K5 succesor given the good price of the K5 now?
I realise these questions are fairly subjective but just looking for some other viewpoints.
Cheers
WG