Welcome from another Tog living in North Wales

Simon

Perhaps you don't stray from the Pentax forum much Other marques have moved on quite a bit since the original K5 was released, Canon released another very interesting model today and full frame has become much more accessable from a cost point of view... I still like the idea of staying with Pentax but I am increasingly tempted by developments elsewhere, hoping the K5 replacement will be announced sooner than later and I'll change my mind completely

Simon

Your first on my PM list if and when

Simon

TBH I don't give a monkeys about the name on the camera, I was happy enough with a Samsung badge with the GX10, it's all about what sort of investment they'll be putting into the products and this needs to kick in pretty soon as things are moving on very quickly now.

I'm certain many Pentax owners, much the same as I am, are keeping a close eye on developments elsewhere, the temptation to leave the brand is ever increasing so the next move needs to be a good one.

Simon

Q1.. yes, I'm talking about resampled images, I view mine at 50% on the PC once sharpened at the larger size..more representative of "real world" viewing.

Q2...I mean the standard print size the camera will produce at 300PPI without any resizing, on the K5 its 15x10 inch so a 36x24 comes out around 120-130 PPI

Simon

I've used them for several years, their lustre prints are excellent and I can't fault the print quality. Only problem I've had was a couple of weeks ago where my photos came back cropped too tightly, TBH it wasn't sorted 100% to my satisfaction although to be fair they did send replacement prints which were a little better.

I can't comment regarding their "auto" processing as I always do my own beforehand and use the "pro" option which basically just means they don't do anything but print the images.

Simon

I think the point Aliengrove makes about viewing distance is key..there's no point viewing a 36x24 inch enlargement at 100% on your PC.

Print media also makes a difference, especially if printing on canvas as the "grain" in canvas is much more forgiving, infact I have 36x24inch canvas prints done at the native image ratio, which normally equate to around 120-130PPI, they look perfect

Simon

HDR is definitely here to stay, whether you need it I think is completely up to you and your preferred way of working. From a landscape photography viewpoint it's an alternative to using NDgrads etc and some use it very successfully, managing to achieve natural looking photos. I find however that most people using don't create natural looking images and most, although not all, don't appeal to me personally.

I have one or two HDR shots but I do find the excellent dynamic range of the K5, combined with an NDgrad, allows me to capture pretty much every scene I photograph without resorting to multi-exposure photographs...the bonus is that I don't need to spend too much time processing my shots on the PC either, much prefer to "get it right" in-camera as much as possible

Simon

Must admit Jules that if FF wasn't in my mind I certainly wouldn't look elsewhere, I don't think there's much out there by anyone that has the allround abilities of the K5. Just read one of your earlier threads comparing the D800/600 and it's definitely food for thought, I'd certainly miss the build quality & ergonomics of the K5

Simon

Hi Jules,

Lightweight backpacking option is easy, the DA21mm

General purpose...I wouldn't class an UWA lens as this so 8-16/12-24 wouldn't be on my list, I'd be looking at the DA17-70 or perhaps the DA18-135

Sorry to contradict David but I find the DA12-24 a little cooler than the Pentax colours, it's a Tokina lens with a pentax coating..to be honest though it's pretty much spliting hairs as the DA12-24 is a no brainer for me (cost aside), terrific lens

Simon