Have you looked at these?

http://www.photozone.de/pentax/134-pentax-smc-da-16-45mm-f4-ed-al-review--test-r...

http://www.photozone.de/pentax/147-sigma-af-17-70mm-f28-45-dc-pentax-k-review--t...

I could compare the Pentax 16-45 with the Pentax 17-70 as I have both but not tried the Sigma one.

John

You can but given the K-5's wider than most dynamic range when shooting RAW does that really help? Even with Photomatix you can load a single RAW image. Does reprocessing the RAW file into 3 separate exposures and blending them add anything that processing the RAW file without doing that achieves? I can't see that it can do.

John

That's really down to personal preference. Some try to achieve the final result in camera, others swear by PP (post processing.) There's free software available up to others that cost £££. Truly there's no one right answer - to some extent it depends on what you want to achieve - realism (in camera fine) to abstract or heavily processed images (in camera possible using built in effects, editing software allows more choices and chance to put right a poor image such as reduce highlights or enhance shadow detail like one would in a film darkroom.)

John

Edit: Miserable wet days gives the opportunity of taking quite moody photos.

The inbuilt HDR only allows a variation in the amount of HDR applied - it isn't trying to achieve any special effects. HDR software does that too but also has the option of adding special effects using it. For an example of in camera HDR you can try it yourself (presuming your camera has that option.) Best used on a contrasty scene with bright highlights and dark shadows where the detail is wanted from both. For software HDR examples see Photomatix link which is one of the better regarded (by some) programs that do this.

If you're out with your K-5 and come across a suitable scene, find somewhere to rest the camera (or use a tripod) and compare the results with and without. Note that the K-5 HDR setting doesn't save the multiple exposures, just the combined resultant image.

John

No need to apologise. When I saw the picture somehow it just didn't look like a Pentax photo. Actually at first I thought it was from a cheapie Canikon compact because photos from mine look similar to that until I looked at the EXIF. Once your K-x photos start to come they'll shine though!

John

Seems that you can but as this is a Pentax related forum Sony NEX photos aren't always welcomed unless they have a Pentax connection.

John

I just picked one up this morning too at a boot sale... so snap (nearly!)
Looks to be a pretty sharp lens, better than I expected. I don't normally try and focus with liveview but tried to see if I could so as to see if I could answer your question. However I find that I cannot hold the camera steady in liveview mode - just how do you hold and aim a long telephoto lens using liveview, in this case set to 200mm (300mm equiv) and take a photo? I know I could have set it up on tripod but got perfectly good results using it normally. The liveview shot I took wasn't even what I aimed at and had dreadful camera shake!

A little later....
Now tried again with a tripod. I couldn't detect any off focussing issues with liveview.

John

Super - as usual!

John

Well I presume you have it now and am still curious to know your opinion it?

John

Was wondering how are you getting on with it?

John