Because it's £130 extra for the K5IIs

And because people notice the difference when I print large format
It's also relevant when aggressively cropping.

I'm also interested in hearing from real-world examples of using the K5IIs - but it's a tricky one since the K5II looks a tad sharper than the K5, and much more so if you also consider the improved AF! How much more resolution you actually get from RAW with the K5IIs vs the K5II is really my interest


Matt

Both work for me, but the second is lovely
ePhotozine have a Junior mode and Junior Gallery and it's a very helpful place!
My son's been a member there for some time!

Matt

I've downloaded the three sets of RAW files from DPreview. Obviously not a real scenario - but it makes interesting comparison.
Ran the three through LR4.1 - first of all without sharpening, then with sensible sharpening.
Brought the results into PS into a single document with multiple layers and aligned them as best as possible.

The moire is definitely there. Moire occurs when the frequency of the subject approaches the pixel spacing of the sensor - the studio shot has several images that are offset litho printed (and therefore have a fine screen). Places it occurs: the coin above Mickey Mouse, the Roman figurehead, the print of the VW Beetle by the feathers, and just to the right of Tanzania on the globe.

Now in all those places it's obvious there's moire when you compare with the K5II and K5. But would you notice without comparing? The worst area IMO is the colour moire by the VW Beetle.

I suppose if you're doing any copy-work then the K5IIs may give you more work in PP to handle moire

The K5IIs does have a touch more 'bite', but the K5II can be brought to similar sharpness levels with USM or Smart Sharpen. Yet applying the same sharpening to the K5IIs gives a slight edge. The K5II is sharper than the K5 shot, with the K5IIs being a fraction more - but surprisingly not by a huge margin (as far as I can tell on these images).

So now I'm in a quandary...

... you'll be wanting the DA*16-50 to match it soon!!
Matt

A while ago I borrowed the 31mm and 77mm on a ePhotozine meet
(Either with the K10D or K20D - I'd have to check)

I compared the 31mm to my FA24-90 for landscape images (at f/8 IIRC) and general shots. There wasn't really anything in it! Both were superb optically (contrast, colour, sharpness). But, of course, at wider apertures the 31mm comes into its own. It was a helpful exercise because for me (and my needs) there wasn't anything in the image to justify the expense.

Build quality was astonishing though

The 77mm was definitely gorgeous for portraiture and had a lovely rendering.

Whether that test would produce the same answer today I don't know...

...It's probably like comparing and appreciating single malts
(But that's another topic entirely!)

Matt

It's worth playing about with the following Depth Of Field Calcultor
http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html

It gives near, far, and hyperfocal distance for various sensors and settings!
Matt

I'd also double check the SR settings too...
Probably try with 2s timer or mirror lockup on a tripod (which disables SR).

You could also try using the Live View on the K5 to see whether you can achieve a better focus - since the LCD is a view off the sensor it represents the image captured (which will eliminate viewfinder issues).

Matt

Don't worry

If you're not sure you need it - forget it

It's only when you find that AF locks on and yet the focus point is either behind or in front of the subject you focused on. Errors typically only show when using very fast lenses (e.g. f/1.4, f/2.8 etc)

HTH!
Matt

When using a Rocket Blower (or similar) I always give several hard blasts first into the air to dislodge any internal dust

When I'm sure it's clean, then I use it on the camera.
(And have often used fairly gentle blows onto the focus screen to dislodge annoying dust particles)

Matt

Such a shame!!
Sorry I didn't read this first

It's true
Best time is to visit in the cold - the big cats are prowling around and come within easy distance.
In any kind of heat they are just sunning themselves on their cat walks far away!

Matt