If that's the case Alan, I dread to think what your shots would be like if you did calibrate your lenses! Either you have been very lucky with your cameras and lenses, or you are an outright photographic genius!

Cheers
David

When I bought my first K-5, I did not see a massive leap in IQ from the K-x, which was, and remains a great camera. However, there were loads of other big benefits which made it easier for me to get good images with the K-5.

The step up to K-5iis though and now the K-3 is more noticeable in terms of IQ. These two cameras easily surpass the K-x and the K-5, especially in terms of image detail, where the K-3 in particular excels due to its higher resolution. I can't wait to try the K-3 for insect macros this Summer, I'm expecting it to be superb for this type of photography, based on what I've experienced so far.

Regards
David

Regardless of whether you can accurately calibrate a lens at all focal lengths (which you can't), calibrating your lenses to each individual camera body is a must if you are interested in ensuring you get the best results from your lenses.

I've owned 9 Pentax DSLR's and a K-01 and the only one that hasn't required any lens calibration is the K-01, purely due to the AF method it employs. There has been massive variation between K-5's and to a lesser extent with K-5iis and K-3, but all have required individual calibration of each lens. I almost sold my DA L 55-300 when I first got it as I couldn't get a sharp image from it. Two things changed that: I calibrated it and I ditched the protective UV filter - hey presto it's sharp!

I simply don't believe anyone who says they have never had to calibrate any lenses. To qualify that statement, if they do say this I firmly believe they are not getting the best from their equipment.

Regards
David

I think the answer to the OP's questions depends very much on 'how much to spend'? For me, there is nothing to compare to the Pentax 55-300 in IQ terms for the money, a DA L will only set you back about £200 or even less if you shop around. It is in a different league to the Sigma 70-300. The Sigma 150-500 is excellent too, but in my experience it is not quite as sharp as the Pentax 55-300 and not quite as contrasty either. Also, the Siggy is considerably more expensive and heavier. The problem with the Pentax is its reach - only 300mm max and it is so poor with a TC that it's not worth bothering to try this.

I think sharpness is really important with a long lens, it can't be simulated successfully in PP, the detail has to be there in the original shot, especially when photographing wildlife, birds in particular. I agree with the other posters about the DA*300 being the best of the bunch, but it is cost prohibitive for many.

Here are a couple of examples of images shot with the Pentax 55-300 and the Siggy 150-500:

Pentax DA L 55-300





Pentax DA L 55-300





Sigma 150-500





Sigma 150-500




Hope this is helpful.

Regards
David

It is important to me. I have been out often in very wet weather and continued to use the camera, but not always with weather-sealed lenses!

One of my K-x's got water damaged after being out in the wet, but the K-5's and K-3 have never suffered. I think it's more important for the camera to be weather-sealed than the lenses; with some simple precautions it is possible to keep the lenses acceptably dry, but I've found that a bit of water on the lenses usually does no harm as long as they are properly dried out afterwards.

Regards
David

That's a beauty Alistair - no need for HDR with a K-5! Exposure is spot-on here, no blown areas and plenty of scope as you have found to reveal details in the darker areas.

It suits the BW well and the conversion is great.

Regards
David

Camera is now sold!

It is possible that the flash issue may be nothing to do with water ingress, it is a common fault on some Pentax DSLR's which I understand to be a fuse in the flash charging circuit. If this is all that is wrong, it shouldn't be a great issue - a lot of people never use the pop-up flash on a DSLR as it is usually best to go with an external hot shoe flash. The power to the hot shoe is on a different circuit to the charging for the internal one, which is why this will be fine.

Regards
David

PM Replied!

Camera is back up for sale. This body is immaculate but just will not get used by me unless in emergencies, as I also have a K-3, K-5iis and K-01. As mentioned previously, there are no focussing issues with this K-5, but the pop-up flash does not charge. No issues with flashes attached via the hotshoe and no other faults as far as I know.

Price is a bargain £250 plus postage due to the flash issue. Please PM me if interested, the holster case is included in the sale, but camera is 'body only'. This will make a great back-up camera for someone or a fantastic upgrade to a K-r or similar for relatively little outlay.

Regards
David