My Pentax K-5

Most influential piece of photographic gear

By PF Staff in Influential Photo Gear on Nov 19, 2012

Hello! I am a 17 year old photographer, well on my way to improving my work in the field and studio, and hopefully one day a professional. I have been interested in photography since I was a kid (well, a smaller kid than I am now) and I can feel that I have been improving ever since. My first DSLR was (and still is my only DSLR) a Pentax K-5, and it has completely changed my photography and the business that I am trying to create. I spent major time last year over the summer working at a minimum wage job at a snowcone stand in Texas, just south of Austin. My first semi-decent camera was a Pentax X90, but it was not a DSLR and had nowhere near the image quality of a DSLR. It still taught me many things, I first learned to shoot manual mode at the age of 15, and I generally only use Manual mode now. Pentax brought me into the world of photography from the first time I picked up a camera artistically was in seventh grade, with a Pentax Optio M30. I realized then that photography was very interesting to me and that I knew I finally had something to be passionate about.

Behold: My Pentax K-5 and the first lens I ever purchased for it: The Pentax M 50mm f/1.7

When I first was looking at a DSLR to buy, I saw my friend's Nikon D90 and I had my mind set on that. Completely oblivious to how large the world of photographic equipment was, I started researching on the internet. "Hmm... I have had 2 Pentax cameras and I have liked them both." I said as I was on Amazon. I looked into the Pentax K-7, and at $200 less than the D90 with a great build and I even loved the body much more than the Nikon. I then came across a B&H sale price on the Pentax K-5. I instantly fell in love. Even at sale price, with the lens, it was way over budget on what my little 16 year old mind could fathom. But "Oh well!" I said, for I still wanted to get a job anyway, why not now? So in April of 2011 I started work for a snowcone stand at minimum wage, I worked part time. after 3 months of 9 hour shifts in 101+ degree weather, and then 4 hour shifts for 3 moths after, I finally bought the Pentax K-5 body only. This camera has completely changed my life and the business I hope to have for myself in the future. The quality is fantastic, and I do not regret going for a Canon/Nikon FF one bit. This camera was a huge step for me and I am looking forward to the announcement of it's replacement, FF or not.

The biggest impact that this has made on my photography is the whole new world it has opened me up to and how much I am learning because of it. I see everything differently and I can now fully express my art in the world of photography. I have developed my skills at a much faster pace with the K-5, and I am still continuing to learn. The art of lighting is something I am still wanting to master, and with the first lens I bought, the Pentax M 50mm 1.7 it has become a lot easier due to the versatility in low-light situations.

This is a sample from my most recent set of graduation photos.

Pentax (Pentax/Ricoh) has and will always be my favorite brand, and it is more than just a brand to me, it is a legacy that I am glad to be a part of. The fantastic K-5 will never be sold away from my kit, I will keep it with me as a reminder of what kick-started my career as a photographer, which is something I wish to do for the rest of my life. -nick52