Pentax K5 or Nikon D700??? Help!!!

einstrigger · 09-02-2011, 10:42 PM

um...resurrected thread from Nov 2010? I think OP has since made a decision...

smallfooties · 09-03-2011, 01:23 AM

ooops didn't realize.... lol...

Chwisch87 · 09-03-2011, 01:50 AM

Originally posted by einstrigger

um...resurrected thread from Nov 2010? I think OP has since made a decision...

Lmao.

robgo2 · 09-04-2011, 02:15 PM

Originally posted by Craig66

if i was buying again. It would be a Nikon.

Had enough of, can't get the lenses/TC i want for a Pentax.

The importer told me what i wanted to hear. Even though it wasn't true.

If he'd told me the truth about 70-200mmF2.8s and TC not working on a Pentax. I would have got a Nikon. Made my purchase on what i was told. Only to find out once i had bought my Pentax cameras. That nothing is as told...

I'd buy the Nikon. More choice.

Well, you may be dissatisfied with the lens selection available for Pentax dSLRs, but most of us are not. The fact is that if Pentax or third party manufacturers have the lenses that you need, it is irrelevant if they do not have the lenses that you do not need. The buyer is ultimately responsible for figuring this out in advance. Sorry for you that you did not or that you were misled.

To the OP: The D700 is a fine camera that is about to be replaced in the Nikon lineup. It is a large, heavy camera with comparably large, heavy lenses (although Nikon does make even bigger cameras.) Personally, I would have no desire to use a superzoom, with all of its optical compromises, on a camera of that quality. It is self-defeating to use cheap glass on a top-notch camera. In any case, I think that the K-5 outperforms the D700 in many areas, even though it is APS-C.

Rob

TomE · 09-05-2011, 09:30 AM

Since I have both cameras (actually the K5 belongs to my brother) I may as well jump in on this old thread!

The D700 is the king of low light (other than the D3s) which is simply a fact no matter what the people on this forum say. The D700 has faster focus on objects that are moving such as flying birds although once again not as good as the D3s, but far superior to Pentax. Nikon has the best flash system available which is not even in the same class as the lame flash Pentax has available. Nikon has some of the best lenses available on the long end, far better than Pentax has to offer, although they are extremely expensive.

The K5 is smaller, less expensive (retail prices) and has an extremely good sensor (same as Nikon D7000), which comes close to being equal to the D700 and in some ways is better. Where Pentax really shines is in preserving the highlights, that is where Pentax is King, the D700 will blow highlights all day long if the DR is too much for the sensor to cover. I have been a Pentax user since 1968 and still use my K20D as well as my brothers K5 about as much as I use the D700, but they are different cameras for different situations. If I shoot a wedding I leave my Pentax gear at home, if I am on vacation I take my Pentax gear with me instead of the Nikon gear.

Pentax has come a long way, but it is simply not true to say it is a better camera than the D700, which will be replaced by a even better camera, with a better sensor very soon!

Tom

Rupert · 09-05-2011, 09:57 AM

I was moments away from clicking "Buy Now" on a D700 when Pentax came up with the Firmware fix for the focus problems. I have shot with a friends D700, fine camera.......if you own a forklift.

I think it all depends on what you do, and how you do it. What you need and why you need it. There are many fine cameras out there, and the K5 is certainly one of them. We are fortunate, no doubt about it!

No matter what brand you use, there is something that will get 'er done!

Regards!

Emacs · 09-05-2011, 10:37 AM

Originally posted by conradcjc

I will probably shoot indoor events.. weddings, birthdays, etc... then outdoor stuff... parades, zoo, baseball game, vacation photos... That would be about it.

Nikon without a doubt.

Emacs · 09-05-2011, 10:42 AM

Originally posted by ennacac

Where Pentax really shines is in preserving the highlights, that is where Pentax is King, the D700 will blow highlights all day long if the DR is too much for the sensor to cover.

WHAT? You have no idea what are you talking about. K-5 highlights SUCK. It's no more than 1/2 stops and the DR sensitivity tends to be distributed in shadows. FF D700 sensor has more smooth distribution and so it handles highlights better.

StepOne · 09-05-2011, 12:31 PM

My bet, if you want to use it for income, get the Nikon. Better flash, better AF, full frame.

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09-02-2011, 10:42 PM	#76
einstrigger Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Sacramento, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 728	um...resurrected thread from Nov 2010? I think OP has since made a decision...

09-03-2011, 01:23 AM	#77
smallfooties New Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 12	ooops didn't realize.... lol...

09-03-2011, 01:50 AM	#78
Chwisch87 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA Photos: Gallery Posts: 317	Originally posted by einstrigger um...resurrected thread from Nov 2010? I think OP has since made a decision... Lmao.

09-04-2011, 02:15 PM	#79
robgo2 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Mexico Photos: Albums Posts: 1,125	Originally posted by Craig66 if i was buying again. It would be a Nikon. Had enough of, can't get the lenses/TC i want for a Pentax. The importer told me what i wanted to hear. Even though it wasn't true. If he'd told me the truth about 70-200mmF2.8s and TC not working on a Pentax. I would have got a Nikon. Made my purchase on what i was told. Only to find out once i had bought my Pentax cameras. That nothing is as told... I'd buy the Nikon. More choice. Well, you may be dissatisfied with the lens selection available for Pentax dSLRs, but most of us are not. The fact is that if Pentax or third party manufacturers have the lenses that you need, it is irrelevant if they do not have the lenses that you do not need. The buyer is ultimately responsible for figuring this out in advance. Sorry for you that you did not or that you were misled. To the OP: The D700 is a fine camera that is about to be replaced in the Nikon lineup. It is a large, heavy camera with comparably large, heavy lenses (although Nikon does make even bigger cameras.) Personally, I would have no desire to use a superzoom, with all of its optical compromises, on a camera of that quality. It is self-defeating to use cheap glass on a top-notch camera. In any case, I think that the K-5 outperforms the D700 in many areas, even though it is APS-C. Rob

09-05-2011, 09:30 AM	#80
TomE Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 299	Since I have both cameras (actually the K5 belongs to my brother) I may as well jump in on this old thread! The D700 is the king of low light (other than the D3s) which is simply a fact no matter what the people on this forum say. The D700 has faster focus on objects that are moving such as flying birds although once again not as good as the D3s, but far superior to Pentax. Nikon has the best flash system available which is not even in the same class as the lame flash Pentax has available. Nikon has some of the best lenses available on the long end, far better than Pentax has to offer, although they are extremely expensive. The K5 is smaller, less expensive (retail prices) and has an extremely good sensor (same as Nikon D7000), which comes close to being equal to the D700 and in some ways is better. Where Pentax really shines is in preserving the highlights, that is where Pentax is King, the D700 will blow highlights all day long if the DR is too much for the sensor to cover. I have been a Pentax user since 1968 and still use my K20D as well as my brothers K5 about as much as I use the D700, but they are different cameras for different situations. If I shoot a wedding I leave my Pentax gear at home, if I am on vacation I take my Pentax gear with me instead of the Nikon gear. Pentax has come a long way, but it is simply not true to say it is a better camera than the D700, which will be replaced by a even better camera, with a better sensor very soon! Tom

09-05-2011, 09:57 AM	#81
Rupert Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 25,123	I was moments away from clicking "Buy Now" on a D700 when Pentax came up with the Firmware fix for the focus problems. I have shot with a friends D700, fine camera.......if you own a forklift. I think it all depends on what you do, and how you do it. What you need and why you need it. There are many fine cameras out there, and the K5 is certainly one of them. We are fortunate, no doubt about it! No matter what brand you use, there is something that will get 'er done! Regards!

09-05-2011, 10:37 AM	#82
Emacs Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Moscow Posts: 1,223	Originally posted by conradcjc I will probably shoot indoor events.. weddings, birthdays, etc... then outdoor stuff... parades, zoo, baseball game, vacation photos... That would be about it. Nikon without a doubt.

09-05-2011, 10:42 AM	#83
Emacs Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Moscow Posts: 1,223	Originally posted by ennacac Where Pentax really shines is in preserving the highlights, that is where Pentax is King, the D700 will blow highlights all day long if the DR is too much for the sensor to cover. WHAT? You have no idea what are you talking about. K-5 highlights SUCK. It's no more than 1/2 stops and the DR sensitivity tends to be distributed in shadows. FF D700 sensor has more smooth distribution and so it handles highlights better.

09-05-2011, 12:31 PM	#84
StepOne Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Botosani Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 285	My bet, if you want to use it for income, get the Nikon. Better flash, better AF, full frame.