Just getting to grips with the K5 and for the first time ever of owning a Pentax I have the confidence to use the "Auto Iso" setting - I've never used it previously in the K10D or K20D as I always preferred to keep a good eye on the Iso setting.

Having just done a couple of rough & ready tests, nothing scientific, I'm certainly comfortable with setting it at 12800. Obviously if it's underexposed a bit of noise creeps in but with decent exposure I'd be pretty happy with it straight from the camera. 25600 definitely needs noise reduction but I think would be ok for smaller prints whilst I don't think 51200 is very useable, perhaps for an absolutely must have shot and it would need some heavy noise reduction.

On this basis I'm going to start with a max iso of 12600 until I get chance to do some "real world" testing. I'm interested to hear others thoughts on this?

Simon

Despite reading about this beforehand I can't honestly say that I find that there's such a significant difference in size/weight between K20D & K5 - the main difference for me is the R/H grip which feels more uncomfortable on the K5. Perhaps it's because I've hardly used my new K5 yet and maybe my opinion will change over time.

I'm sure I'm going to be very happy with the K5 and it's immediately obvious that the high iso IQ is much superior to the K20D, the 7FPS, low shutter noise and increased DR are all welcome too, as are the menu/functionality improvements.

Having said this the K20D is a very capable camera and in decent light/"normal" conditions the improvements in the K5 are much less significant - it's a case of deciding if the K5 improvements will make a noticable difference to your own photography, I know they certainly will with mine.

Simon

Definitely, I'll still find it useful especially when out hiking and using it with my monopod - it will at least only be a degree or two from level instead of the 45 degrees I normally seem to manage I especially like it when setup with the RAW/FX button

Simon

I think the K5 is likely to have a few firmware releases, Mike's probably hit the nail on the head - a bit of a rush job!!

Simon

I started with the Cokin P filters but did find quite a bit of colour cast, I now use the Hitech filters which to be honest still have some slight cast but much less than the Cokin.

I've found as Hefty mentions that, rather suprisingly, I don't use them very often - despite the frequent comments in Photo Mags that they're essential for landscape photography I find that if you catch the best lighting there's usually no need, probably even less so with the K5 and it's additional Dynamic range/low noise which should allow more detail to be lifted from shadows without problem noise - can't wait to try it in practice when I get chance!!

A pattern is forming...without doubt the DA55-300, I found it quite a step forward in IQ from the DA50-200

Simon

I own Hoya polarising filters and have always found them excellent so have tended to stick with them - Kenko are made by Hoya and are generally slightly cheaper but of the same quality, can be difficult to source though

Hi,

To be completely honest I wouldn't waste your cash unless you are 100% convinced that you need to "protect" your lens with a UV filter - personally I don't use them and only imagine any benefit from them when in extreme conditions.

Just my thoughts

Simon

I've just finished checking the FF/BF on my new K5 and good news is that none of my lenses need adjustment.

What I did notice though was that the digital level is slightly innacurate, I checked it with a bubble and a hotshoe digital level - it's not a big problem as it's only slight - shame there's no manual adjustment on this though.

Simon

Lens now sold pending payment