Nice shot Stephen, but I think it's a Silver Birch tree rather than a Beech!

Cheers
David

I would disagree to some extent with John. The shot is pretty sharp - there looks to be nothing fundamentally wrong with the lens to me if it is capable of shots like this, although it is shot from a short distance, so it should be very detailed.

The 50-135 is a legendary lens - great for weddings and portraits.

Regards
David

Some really great shots there, I particularly like George's first one - it is an absolute belter.

Regards
David

I've taken some pretty good/sharp shots with the kit lens, see one example below:




It's not on the same level as a DA 17-70 or a DA 16-45, but it is perfectly capable of quality results. I agree that there is some variability between different copies of the lens, although all the ones I've had have been pretty good.

Regards
David

I've PM'd you Charlie with hopefully what will be useful info, particularly on the K-5IIs moire issue (or should I say non-issue as there isn't a problem in real world use) and the DA*50-135 lens. Also, you should not experience any indifferent focussing with the 50-135 at any focal length; if you're having problems there must be something wrong with the lens, or the camera, or both.

Regards
David

Hi Charlie, I use both primes and zooms, mostly zooms unless I'm on a particular shoot where a prime is vital, like for example a wedding where the Sigma 105mm DG EX Macro has proved itself to be something of a superstar, particularly when fixed onto the K-5IIs.

My other main lens is the DA 17-70, again this has been used extensively at a couple of weddings on both the K-5 and the IIs. It is extremely noticeable that the 'keepers' with both lenses are a far higher percentage with the K-5IIs. I do agree to some extent that the focus accuracy with a zoom can vary a little at different focal lengths, but not to the extent you are finding. I wonder whether you have a problem with the lens? Once calibrated my zooms appear to focus accurately at any focal length and distance.

If you lived a bit closer I would be happy to go out on a shoot with you and let you use my K-5IIs - I think you would be impressed by its focussing capabilities and the quality of images it produces.

It is amazing how much better images look when they are in critical focus. Just a tad out and they are flat and ordinary.

Regards
David

I don't think we're saying that old kit is junk or that it doesn't 'cut the mustard', but it is inevitable that people with both the Mk1 and MkII kit will provide comparisons on performance. When the K-5II variants first came out, there was a lot of initial negativity about the 'minor upgrade' offered by the new bodies. Those of us who have both the previous and the latest variants have confirmed almost without exception that they are not a minor upgrade at all - they are in a different class when it comes to producing quality shots in testing conditions. That's not to say that older bodies cannot produce fine shots, but they won't do it with the same consistency.

Regards
David

Hi Charlie

Firstly, as detailed on numerous posts recently, the K-5II and K-5IIs are in a different league to the Mk1 K-5 when it comes to focussing. The biggest issue I have with the K-5 is not so much the focus accuracy once calibrated, but the inconsistency. Sometimes it's off, sometimes it's accurate. The lower the light levels, the more pronounced the inconsistency.

By contrast, my K-5IIs is utterly reliable at focussing, in all light conditions I've used it in, including near darkness. It is truly magnificent at focussing; not lightning fast, but fast enough and unerringly accurate.

Regarding IQ, again the IIs is magnificent. It beats the K-5 (noticeably, although some will not believe this) and is the perfect tool where IQ is of importance, e.g. shooting weddings. I have never noticed any moire effect on any shots taken with it so far and I have taken thousands. In real world use, it produces more keepers and higher quality than anything else I've ever shot with. See a quick test shot tonight, ISO 1600, poor light, K-5IIs, Sigma 105mm DG EX Macro F3.2, no sharpening except whatever the in-camera jpeg applies.




Also, what is not often mentioned is that the rear screen on the K-5II and IIs is something to behold. Whatever Pentax have done to improve it, it has definitely worked. It is so good, there's no need for any other tool to review your shots, unless you have poor close vision.

Cheers
David

Following recent posts and focussing issues I've been having with my K-5, I wonder whether anyone knows the answer to the following question:

Would it be technically / theoretically possible for the Pentax engineers to release a firmware update for the K-5 mk1 that would improve the AF performance to something approaching that obtained with a K-5II or K-5IIs?

I'm referring here to focussing accuracy and consistency, not necessarily to improving low light sensitivity. If the answer to the above question is 'yes', does anyone think that there's any possibility of such a firmware update ever being released?

Regards
David

A fine set Gary and I agree wholeheartedly with your assessment of the focussing on the K-5II and with Fletcher8's assessment of the K-5IIs.

I don't know how long I can resist the urge to buy another K-5IIs - it is so much better than my K-5 Mk1 that I end up feeling really short changed every time I use the Mk1. For weddings and people shots in dark places it is a stunning piece of kit.

Regards
David