Are you now convinced? Look at these if not:




Same lens, focussed in exactly the same place, images have been magnified at their sharpest point and have had only a levels adjustment.

Regards
David

OK, I think I can add something further to this discussion and prove beyond reasonable doubt the extra clarity and sharpness the IIs has over the original Mk1 K-5. I've taken a different approach this time. I shot one image with each camera, mounted on a tripod, with my Sigma 105mm F2.8 DG EX Macro lens, set on autofocus. This was planned to be a focussing test, but serves the other purpose really well. I've then adjusted the levels on each image (nothing else, just the levels) and loaded them into Photoshop in horizontal tiled view so you can see them side by side. I've blown both up to the sam magnification in areas within each image where they are in sharpest focus.

These are the screen shots from my laptop (1280 x 720 laptop screen). On my full HD monitor the difference is much more apparent, but if anyone says they cannot tell the difference here they either (a) need their eyes testing, (b) need a new monitor or (c) they are not being completely impartial and open about what they are seeing.







I don't think for a minute that this will settle the argument and convince everyone, but I can tell you 100% that these differences are clear and unambiguous on my monitors and this is borne out by printed output of the same images.

Regards
David

See link below Jon, I've bought several from this seller and found them to be very good. I always remove the spring clips so I can attach them permanently to the lens and they work just as a K-mount lens, except of course there's no auto aperture control.

link

These are flush fitting, so no loss of infinity focus.

Regards
David

Good luck from me too Brian. As you have two camera bodies I'd be tempted to stick a longer (50-200) on the second body so you can use it to capture some candids at more of a distance or to focus in on a specific area with shots of the couple for example. The K-r is perfectly competent enough for wedding shots and if you have it you might as well use it. I would recommend one of the 'quickstrap' or 'sling' type of straps so you can easily carry the second body and shoot with it without having to remove it.

Regards
David

Hello Philip, thanks for the post. The original intention was to show the comparative noise levels, but I think it turned into more of a debate on the focussing / sharpness (probably my fault). I did try to focus them exactly the same, but I think the two bodies were behaving slightly differently with the same lens attached - not unusual.

I will only know after extended use with the IIs across a range of shooting situations what extent of the difference is, but there is a difference that I can discern, don't forget I have the benefit of seeing full resolution shots both on screen and on prints I've made.

Best wishes
David

Battery sold to AndrewA

I can't answer this Mike until I've used the IIs for a considerable period of time. I suspect the differences will be apparent in some images more than others, for example I think macros will benefit.

I do see quite a marked difference in the noise levels and shadow detail between the images I've posted - look at the red writing on the boxes for example and there's a lot more noise in the Mk1 images. I would expect landscapes to benefit from the greater shadow detail, but time will tell and I'll know more in a few weeks. Also, what you can't see are some prints I've done and these show differences more clearly than can be seen in the images in this forum post.

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and comments - this clearly still splits opinion! Whatever the truth is, both the IIs and the standard K-5 are great cameras.

Regards
David

I've just acquired a 'nearly new' K-5IIs which in fact was only bought from SRS on 3rd February 2013 and has never been used. With it came 2 additional items that have also never been used, although I have tested them and can confirm they operate 100% correctly. I have no need for these items so I'm offering them for sale here:

Pentax AF-200FG P-TTL Flashgun and case - works with all Pentax DSLR's



Pentax D-Li90 Battery 1860mah - for K-7 or K-5 (any variant)



The flashgun cost £85 from Amazon and the battery was £39.99 from SRS. I am looking for the following prices:

Flashgun: £70 + postage at cost to the buyer's preference

Battery: £30 + postage at cost to the buyer's preference

I will leave them on the Forum for 1 week, then they will go on ebay. The original receipt will be supplied with the flashgun, a copy receipt for the battery as this was on the same invoice as the camera.

Regards
David

Hi Gary, I'm glad you are delighted with the K-5II, but I managed to buy the IIs for the same as a standard MkII would have cost, so nothing to lose.

Your images don't need any help from what I've seen!

Best wishes
David

Excellent lens that I can endorse.

Regards
David