Originally posted by Class A There is no such thing as the "shadow end of the K-5s dynamic range".
All sensors are linear in their response. Different JPEG engines use different tone curves and the latter have an impact on shadow detail, highlight roll off, etc. But cameras like the K-5 and the K-3 should not be compared with respect to their JPEG engines.
According to the Photozone test, the K-5's sensor easily outresolves the 18-135 at the long end.
What support do you have for your claim?
Let me reply to this: I tryed the DA18-135 of my Dad why my K3 and looking at a few landscape shoot it is insanely sharp looking to crops. And yes, this is sharper than the best lens you can find on a K5.
I do not say at every focal lens and apperture, but this is not the point. An FA31 will have difficulties on a K10D on the corners wide open...
Most lenses cap a K5 on the center on their best appertures. This is even more true on high end lenses and this is what the poster has. If the poster is into huge prints, ultimate sharpness or crops, the K3 will bring him more sharpness than the best lense he could find...
The funny thing is if one plan to use the FA31 near f/1.8 maybe sometime in low light, the K3 will really bring some benefits!