I agree with Bob and Father Ted. I think the combination of filters has produced an unfortunate effect on the pebbles in the foreground, but the composition and choice of shutter speed are excellent.

I would be tempted to try and re-shoot it without the filters, or with just the ND Grad.

Regards
David

I think Gary is right to a large extent and Smeggy too. The new K-5II bodies are so much more accurate and consistent in their focussing, but I have to say that since calibrating my lenses on the original K-5 I now turn to it with much more confidence than I used to have, especially with lenses that have a shallow DOF.

It also seems more consistent with manual focussing since I adjusted the global AF in the Debug menu, perhaps the green hexagon is more reliably indicating 'in focus' that it used to?

Regards
David

I think Pentax did a bloody fine job with the K-5II and IIs. They took a camera that was highly regarded by those who own one and lifted it subtly but significantly, especially with the IIs. I have both the K-5 and the IIS and it is the IIs I always turn to when I want that extra little bit of quality.

I am very, very happy with my K-5IIs. No doubt I will want the new model when Pentax finally bring it out, but I'm not desperate for it and I love using what I currently have. From time to time I also bring out my K-x and when I do I am always amazed by the images this little beauty produces. Very sharp, very detailed and 'only' 12.3MP.

Technology always marches on and some will say that Pentax have been left behind somewhat, but to me they have continued to focus on some of the things that the enthusiasts among us cherish - pride of ownership, build, ergonomics, value for money and fine picture quality. That will do for me, regardless of whether it's full frame or not.

Cheers
David

Take a look at this thread Tim.

link

Cheers
David

Hi Ian, thanks for looking at my images.

The 16-45 used to be my 'go to' landscape lens and I loved it. However, I bought a 17-70 a few months ago and can confirm that it is better than the 16-45 (sharper, better range, less chromatic aberration, better bokeh, better build).

I do treasure my 28mm F3.5 though and use it regularly (although less than the zoom). I find that it instils some discipline as it is not an 'all rounder' like the DA 17-70 or 16-45, but it rewards when used for the right sort of shots. It is contrasty and renders colours very nicely (although it can tend towards a magenta tinge, especially on bare tree branches). It has a very '3D' quality that suits certain types of shots and seems to give 'depth' to images.

Regards
David

I don't think the calibration would cause this Dave, although I can't dispute your findings so far. I've calibrated all my lenses on the K-5 and K-5IIs with no strange symptoms. It sounds more like an electrical issue to me; if it's behaving correctly now I would be tempted to re-do the calibration and try it again. You can always revert back if it causes a problem.

Regards
David

In that case I will wholeheartedly agree with you! It is a really good lens.

Regards
David

Non-Genuine ones have been perfectly fine for me, no issues at all. They fit tight (if correctly fitted) and only cost £7 each.

I have to say John that I think £64.95 is a ridiculous price to pay for a simple metal ring when you can get one that does exactly the same job for £7. I have purchased and regularly use 6 or 7 of these and they have been perfect.

Regards
David

Many congratulations Tim.

Regards
David

If you are looking at a manual focus prime which will give you 'bang for your buck' I would look no further than a Pentax-M 28mm F3.5, or even better a K 28mm F3.5 if you can find one, although the K will cost more. I have the M version; a mint one cost me £30. It's a great little landscape lens and has a 49mm filter ring, so filters are cheap and easy to use; I often go for a polariser or 85mm Hitech ND Grads, sometimes both together and the grads are fitted in a Cokin P type holder. Very portable, very easy to use. Another advantage of the Pentax-M is its virtually non-existant distortion - ideal for stitched landscapes.

I have recently acquired a Sigma 28mm F2.8 Mini Wide, but I have to say it comes nowhere near to the Pentax-M for its landscape rendering capabilities; colour, contrast and sharpness are all lagging a bit behind, although it's by no means a bad lens.

I'm not so sure if you would consider a zoom, but if you could stretch to a Pentax DA 17-70 I think you would find that the IQ of this lens will equal or beat many of the older primes. There is distortion at some focal lengths, but it's not too big an issue. Downside is that it's more expensive; a good second hand one will cost upwards of £250, but IMO it's well worth it. This is my preferred landscape lens and I never feel short changed by the images it produces. It has a 67mm filter ring, again this is ideal for use with the Cokin P type holders.

I hope this is useful for you and that you get your ideal lens and filters soon!

Cheers
David