Will I Love the K-5

You mean at DeB? Let me know what they say Stefan. As I said elsewhere Chris at SRS was going to ask Pentax UK about it too, but I've not heard any more.

The answer to that question has to be, I don't know. K3, K1, who knows?

I could live with one QC issue and buy when I was sure it was dealt with, but the K5 seems to suffer from so many seemingly unrelated problems in numerous users hands that I have no confidence in it.

I buy only from 'that well known company in Watford', but I live in Spain.

Whilst Chris has never failed to provide me with exceptional after sales service when I needed it, and I have needed it, my visits to UK are becoming less frequent. This means that I could be stuck with a piece of dead kit until I can get it back to him which could be 6 months or more. I'm not a naturally lucky person and if anything can go wrong for me, it will. That's not pessimism, it's reality.

I'm not prepared to risk it.

I've been more than happy with all of the Pentax DSLR bodies I have owned, which include approx. 5 x *istD, 2 x *istDS, a K10D, and 2 x K20D bodies. I think the K5 was probably both designed and manufactured on a Friday afternoon when everybody concerned was in too much of a hurry to get home. It's work in progress as far as I'm concerned. IMHO it's not a finished, trustworthy product.

Yep i mean them, i already sent them an email so we will see.
I never had much luck with them responding back

I'll call them the end of the week if they didn't reply.

The grip doesn't look bigger so i would want to try it out first if it's better...
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/5433597230_322bebed5c_b.jpg

I've tried it and it is better. Just that extra finger grip makes a big difference. I don't have a problem with the standard grip but the limited edition one is definitely superior.
I'm not sure the camera is worth the extra money though .

My finger tips are actually touching the camera body because i've long fingers and that isn't very comfy but well it's not such a big deal but if the other grip takes care of that I would be very happy.

I asked the price for the grip for the K10D, it was €50 i believe and that includes of course the time for them to remove the old grip and fit the new one. So it's indeed very expensive. ^^

It wouldn't take 6 months via a Courier from Spain - I don't understand?


Well I would agree on the pre- January 2011 batches of K-5s. I had loads of arguments with Sycophants on the 'Other forum' who were either K-5 Fault deniers or Minimisers. Both polls showed around 50% of EARLY K-5s from those who answered the poll, had sensor stains yet for some that was uncomfortable reading. I even had arguments over the AF Low light focussing with deniers and minimisers, so I'm certainly with you on trying to go for the reality of the situation.

So what do you think is wrong with it now? or has the Sensor stains and AF problems left you a psychological barrier against the K-5?

The cost of sending such a weighty item from Spain to UK via courier is high, and not one I'd be prepared to pay. I don't think the Pentax warranty includes reimbursement of postal expenses.

Re: "What's wrong with it now?", maybe nothing.

I've probably just developed a mistrust of it given the various faults that others have had. From what I have read, the K5 has suffered more from issues requiring it to be returned to its supplier or Pentax for remedial action than any other previous Pentax DSLR body. Now that might be an inaccurate impression, but it's my impression.

There have been many times when I've gone through the shall I, shan't I, quandry when thinking of upgrading to the K5. At the moment, my decision is no, I won't. That could change.

In the past, I've been an early adopter of new Pentax DSLR models and lived with the various minor issues that were eventually fixed with a firmware upgrade.

The K10D, I think it was, had no wireless flash support at it's launch, but it was enabled soon after in a firmware upgrade. That alone should demonstrate that, at times, Pentax are too quick to bring out a new body before it's ready. I think the K5 is the latest example.

The one thing that might make me decide to buy a K5 is my son's wedding in a couple of years. If there is not a newer model Pentax body that I might prefer at that time, I might go for a used K5 for the improved IQ that so many users have attested to.

It's interesting how quickly though the mood swings from "Pentax are too slow and lag behind the market" to "Pentax are too quick to bring out new models" - it's hard to see what speed would suit everyone!

Like every other organisation they go when they're ready, and no doubt at the last minute everyone is running around like crazy to get things together on time. Dealsines do get put back when needed, but there comes a time when the button has to be pressed.

That applies to buyers as well. We can wait and wait and wait....but while we are waiting someone else has been enjoying a very fine piece of kit.

If you are buying a second body as backup for an important event, with no second chances, there is only one way to go and that is to buy a second K20D. Then make sure all the settings are identical on both bodies.

Flog them both after the wedding and buy a K5.

G

Well said John!!

Having spent years on a team beta testing Audio software, and then having to listen to all the complaints about bugs after the next update has been released, it's certainly true that at some point the button has to be pressed.

Thanks everyone for the advice. I'm sorry I haven't joined in with the conversation but I have been away from my laptop but reading all your comments on my mobile.

Well I don't want to flog anything after the wedding as I will need them for the next one

George is making a very valid point that if you have a backup camera mistakes will be avoided if it's the same model. With all the stress of a wedding anything that could cause errors should be avoided if possible.

Well i got a reply but they thought i meant the batterygrip
If i say "replacing the grip on the camera" then i mean replacing the grip on the camera not the battery grip... *sighs*

Done a couple of weddings - I would NOT go into a such an event with unfamiliar kit - I am sure the dials are similar but the results will not be - as will the results with your different lenses...
The results maybe subtly different, but I would want full confidence in what I feel and select, not too mention good 'muscle memory' of camera controls!

Depends how much time you have, as well as money I guess...

Hayhay first post!