K-5 official discussion thread (not rumors)

[Terryw]

I'm Back after a long absence. Look forward to seeing your pics and getting your initial impressions of K5 Kym.

[knumbnutz]

Kym,
Youre not allowed to post any photos until we all get one.

Cheers Neil
....totally jealous

[Ozzi Paul]

The more I read about the K-5 the more I like it. Good to hear that the buffer has been increased, that was something I was hoping could be fixed. With the improved metering, focus speed & buffer combined with fantastic image quality and great high ISO performance it sounds like a great camera to have. Looks like I will have to start saving.

[Kym]

I've posted a few images, and I hope to get out again this weekend.

Do I like my K-5? YEAH!!! Pentax have come up with a stunning camera.
No wonder the first batch has sold out in Australia and there are back orders.

The high ISO is seriously usable.
The frame rate is much better.
The AF is much more responsive.

Believe the reviews because it matches my initial experience.

My K-7 is a good camera - but this is better.

I expect the Nikon D7000 to have similar reviews, so for the non Pentax shooters that's the way to go.
The Sony A55 appears not to perform as well due to the fixed pelical (transparent) mirror losing too much light.

[birdsrus]

Just had my first test drive with my K5 yesterday at the Melb Botanical gardens. The K5 will probably always have my Sigma 50-500 and I will use the K7 with my smaller primes. Considering the Sigma's zoom challenge, I am impressed with my first results. 800 ISO, a small amount of adjustment (20 seconds worth) in lightroom. the biggest surprise with the k5 is the taller mode dial. The one on the K7 drove me nuts as I need to change settings when I go from birds sitting still to flying birds. 1 k5 coot chick.jpg

[xjjohnno]

I've been using my K5 with manual focus lenses, yet to use a modern lens on the camera and I am liking the results.
MC 3M 5CA mirror lens 500mm f8.

Carl Zeiss Jena Flektagon 35mm f2.4

Carl Zeiss Biotar 58mm f2

Voigtlander Apo Lanther 90mm f6.5

Leica Elmarit 90 f2.8

CBA getting to you Knumbnutz?

[Tommo1965]

Kym
could please give me a link to your posted K5 images?, I cant seem to find them.

I've posted a few images, and I hope to get out again this weekend.

Do I like my K-5? YEAH!!! Pentax have come up with a stunning camera.
No wonder the first batch has sold out in Australia and there are back orders.

The high ISO is seriously usable.
The frame rate is much better.
The AF is much more responsive.

Believe the reviews because it matches my initial experience.

My K-7 is a good camera - but this is better.

I expect the Nikon D7000 to have similar reviews, so for the non Pentax shooters that's the way to go.
The Sony A55 appears not to perform as well due to the fixed pelical (transparent) mirror losing too much light.

[Kym]

Kym
could please give me a link to your posted K5 images?, I cant seem to find them.

Try clicking my name and 'View Forum Threads'

[Kym]

DP review with (fixed) comparision - watch out the K-5 is in ISO 80

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/stud...57203378199089

DP review had used different lenses with different f/stop - this is the correct test (same lens, same Av etc) [I think]

[Tommo1965]

that's an interesting example kym. and after comparing a K7 within that same test..Im not so convinced I need to upgrade the K7...the examples at 100 ISO aren't convincing within that test that the K5 is better than than the k7..also after a bit of playing..it would seem to my eyes that K5 is only one stop better in Low light and noise detail than the K7.....not real world use I know...but from that DP review test and my eyes the K7 held its own..

[Kym]

The jury still out on that test - it maybe that DPR did not use the same lens/settings

[Tommo1965]

do you have both bodies ?..be nice if someone here could do a real world test between both bodies....using same lens, same light, same everything...I know the AF is faster and better DR.....but for me its the low light use the will sell it to me...two-three stops quicker for same noise levels is a deal maker.

I want a new lens...Sigma 70-200 OS to replace my sigma 70-200 HSM 11......do I buy that first... decisions decisions ...

[ploveday]

New firmware is out, downloading now.

http://www.pentax.jp/english/support/digital/k-5_s.html

- Peter

[davidbrewster]

51,200 is usable if you slightly over expose

Kym, I'm interested in this comment. I'm still getting my head around some of the finer points of digital and would be interested in the link between exposure and noise – can you point me to any good info on this? How much overexposure are we talking: a full stop or just a third or so?

Prompted by your comment I'll also do some experimenting tonight. My K-r 'only' goes to 25600 however

[Kym]

ETTR (expose to the right) is a rule of thumb to minimise noise. I.e. a slight over exposure. Noise shows up more in the dark parts so a bit of +EV helps avoid noise.

[K10D]

More tests here.

http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/p...-part-2-a.html

Best regards

[Cage]

A comprehensive write up and some testing

http://www.pentaxforums.com/pentax_k...71=14&k5k72=14

This isn't helping my GAS !

Kevin

[Kym]

I did a private shoot yesterday - indoors no flash and used ISO 1600 and 3200 - photos of a speaker.
A bit of NR in Lightroom and normal sharpening - all good.

[Cage]

Just had my first test drive with my K5 yesterday at the Melb Botanical gardens. The K5 will probably always have my Sigma 50-500 and I will use the K7 with my smaller primes. Considering the Sigma's zoom challenge, I am impressed with my first results. 800 ISO, a small amount of adjustment (20 seconds worth) in lightroom. the biggest surprise with the k5 is the taller mode dial. The one on the K7 drove me nuts as I need to change settings when I go from birds sitting still to flying birds. 1 k5 coot chick.jpg

I'd be seriously chuffed if this was the best I got from my first outing with the K-5.

You people who already have a K-5 are p*ssing me off, big time!

Bah, humbug to you all !

Kevin

[WhoDo]

Buuuurrrrrrrrpppppppppp! Sorry. Another bad case of GAS here, too!