Hi,

Been looking into either the K-5ii or the K-50. Both look like good enough cameras (and I think I read that the sensors are of Sony origin! Can't be bad then!!) and are going to take fine photos.

Which one though?

There's a bit of a price difference but seeing as dust is my anxiety it looks like it's almost down to the effectiveness of the inbuilt sensor cleaning system.

Am I correct in saying that the K-50 has a fairly common sensor shaking system (similar to my old A580?) and the K-5ii has something more advanced using ultrasonics and a built in "dust alert" facility?

I can't find anything which compares the effectiveness of these systems, perhaps a knowledgeable Pentaxian can advise me on this?

Presumably the day will come when an evil speck of dust finds it's way onto the sensor and the dust removal system and rocket blower can't shift it....can I get my trusty Lenspen Sensorklear out to sweep it away? Is the sensor outer surface made from glass like stuff (like the A580 one was) so that a tool like a Lenspen can be used without the worry of scratching the sensor surface?

Many thanks for all you advice.

Cheers Ron

Hi,

Well, this all sounds very promising and the thought that I could sit down with a beer in the evening without spiralling into paranoia about how much dust has accumulated on the sensor after taking only a few photos fills me with great cheer

Are Pentax cameras that good or is that Sony concentrate their efforts on other things which sell cameras for them? The question for me is, if I bought a K-5ii, would I be back on this forum praising it or disappointed? (let's hope the former)

The problem I had with the Sony was due to the poor design of the lens air intakes. By carefully taking off the outer ornament ring, all is revealed. 3 slots in the gubbins which allow air in to the barrel of the lens. Every time the lens is zoomed, air (and everything else which is air-borne and will fit down the slots) is drawn into the lens innerds and once the zoom is opened up there's a clear route for all those nasties to make their way to the sensor.

Apologies for having a few doubts but I want to get it right this time...cleaning a sensor is Ok to do a couple of times but there are other things I would rather to do!!

Cheers

Ron

Thanks,

All that makes me think that Sony don't quite have it all right! (Or perhaps Pentaxians are just a bit on the loyal side...err joke, no offence meant).

Good video, I managed to hoover up a bucket of dust with my Sony and that was being ever so careful...not even taking it out of its bag if there was a speck of dust to be seen in the air. Cleaning the sensor was a regular pastime, I used a rocket blower and Lenspen with loupe. Cleaned it up really well but a week or so later back to square 1....you can see why I want to get it right this time.

Now which camera? Obviously don't want to cough up for the top of the range but which out of say the K-30, K-50 or K-5ii is going to keep me from reaching for the lenspen too soon. Do any have obvious advantages?

Thanks again

Ron

Hi,

Thanks for all of your advice; much appreciated.

Since during any zooming of the lens air has to be sucked in and out of the camera, are the weatherseals on the lens/camera good enough to stop all dust being drawn into the camera body (particularly that very sticky pollen which finds its way to the sensor)?

I realise this forum is for those dedicated to Pentax but how do these Pentax camera/lens combos compare (on the ingress of dust front) with cameras of other makes which do not purport to be weatherproof?

Cheers

Ron

Hi,

New here and I've got a question for a Pentaxian.

I had a bad experience with a Sony A580/SAL 18-250 zoom lens. Problem with such a zoom is that it's a hoover, sucks every last bit of dust into the workings; onto the sensor and all over the inside of the lens. Nice camera good photos but had to flog it and went back to a stop gap compact.

Well the time has come to get another DSLR and I was very impressed with the water/dust spec of the K-30 and K-50 (seem to take good photos too). Weak link seems to be the DA 18-135mm WR lens. If it's weatherproof and has all those seals to keep it out then surely it must keep out much of the dust that other lenses (such as the hoovering SAL 18-250) let in. From a practical point of view (that is not having to keep cleaning out the camera guts too often) is it worth me getting a Pentax combo of a K-30 or K-50 with a DA 18-135 WR or should I wait for the Sony RX 10 to drop in price (a lot)?

Any advice much appreciated.

Cheers