[dj_saunter]

I've been thinking about my next purchase.

In 2012 i'll most likely only make one big purchase.

My wife and I are planning on starting a family, so it's time to be a bit more frugal.

Anyways, the big choice to make is saving up for a K5 or getting a 43mm ltd lens. Each good and bad.

K5
+Shooting video is actually something I want. I'd love to make little snapshot video compilation of trips. I see many creative possibilities with this
+I like shooting at night, and the K5s high iso ability would destroy that of my k10D
+I already have a fast and near 43mm lens

43mm
+It'd be my first ltd lens and i've wanted this for a while
+Prices don't change much, but with the K5, prices will continue to drop, especially if I wait until the next K? comes out and the K5 takes a nice bump in price
+I would sell my 50mm and the 43mm would be on my cameras 50% of time (30% would be the 20mm)
+great for digital and film (I shoot lots of B+W film these days)

I have a K10D and Super Program
Pentax-A 20mm f2.8, 50mm f1.7, 35-105mm f3.5 and 200mm f4 and a Sigma 30mm f1.4

What would be your priority?

[philbaum]

Dj,
I would buy the K5, especially at present prices, i paid 1399 for mine, then BH knocked off $100 in a price matching thing, thank you BH. That was in Feb of 2011 and i figured i got almost 9 months of shooting ahead of folks buying it now.

I still feel an extra thrill taking it out for some shooting. It'll make all your lenses look a little bit sharper. When photozone.de did some subsequent tests between lenses with 10 mega and 16 mega, the DA 21 improved by about 16% resolution. I like shooting darker scenes, and find that the type of noise produced by the K5 is much easier to clean up. And the huge dynamic range makes pp a delight.

It isn't even close in my mind - buy the K5. i plan on keeping mine for some time, so buy the 2 year extra warranty on it for $19, i think its worth it. YMMV

[Adam]

I would also go for the K-5. As timeless as lenses are, shooting with an aging body is definitely more annoying for me than shooting with a mid-range lens like one of your A primes.

[selar]

K5 for sure - its the most amazing camera Pentax has produced in the digital era. I don't find 43mm a very useful focal length on crop sensor. I'd rather get a FA31 than a 43.

[twitch]

K-5 for sure. Then save for a DA70.

[Sol Invictus]

Let me echo what everyone else is saying. Normally I would recommend a lens over a new body but I think you'll notice a big difference between the K5 and K10D. Especially with kids on the way. The K5 might come down in price but not to such a drastic extent.

[RioRico]

I'll echo all the above -- same conclusion, same reasons. Get the K5 now. Then start saving up for the 43.

[dj_saunter]

Wow, thanks for the clear conclusion! much easier to decide now with those good arguments.

I'm glad I didn't get the K7 last year and waited for the K5.

I'm sure when the next generation comes out I'll want that too, but I'm fairly confident that the 3 generation jump will make things much better for me.

I'm going to start saving my pennies now

[Sol Invictus]

Savor the moment. It's rare when the forum reaches a unanimous consensus!

[Nick Siebers]

And in the lens forum, too! :-) Of course, I was most of the way to a K5 and then I spent it on still more lenses... so do as I say, not as I do.... :-)

[pentup]

Definitely the K-5 -- but beware: it could stimulate further LBA. Did with me anyway. It suddenly made lenses that had previously seemed impractical for shooting without a tripod in anything but bright daylight very desirable to me.

[Eagle_Friends]

lens first always, 43mm

[twitch]

lens first always, 43mm

doh! There had to be one

If you go "lens first always" when should you stop? Eventually you have to stop buying lenses and buy a body, there's always another lens you could buy.

[dgaies]

doh! There had to be one

If you go "lens first always" when should you stop? Eventually you have to stop buying lenses and buy a body, there's always another lens you could buy.

Agreed.

I understand the general sentiment to buy glass over bodies as the bodies will inevitably lose their value (much) more quickly and the lenses last (almost) forever. But the upgrade from the K10D to the K-5 is substantial (IMO) and worth the investment.

[Mike Cash]

I bought a 43 (used) a couple of weeks ago, with using it for one specific event in mind. I would have rented one, but that seems to be impossible here. I had it in mind that I would sell it after the event.

After seeing the results I got from it, I am not so inclined to part with it. I have no idea what it does on a K10D, but on a K-5 the sharpness is nothing short of breathtaking.

You might try borrowing, renting, or simply trying one on your camera in a store to see how you like it on your current camera. If they have a K-5 on display, slap a 43 on that and take some test pictures. Go home and compare; see which would give you the most bang for your bucks.

Don't forget to consider purchasing used, as you can sometimes save a fair bit of money that way.