K-5 buy now or wait?

robr7 · 05-26-2011, 08:59 PM

Getting hard not to scratch that itch, want the kick-a ISO but been waiting for a price drop that would bring the K-5 closer to what I paid for the K-7 when it came out. Soon, not soon, or just skip this generation at this point?

**Ash** · 05-26-2011, 09:11 PM

The K-5 is reasonably affordable now, but it all depends on what you're prepared to pay for it. It's definitely a step up from the K-7 and K20D in most ways, and lots of improvement in high ISO performance.

Get it.

**xs400** · 05-26-2011, 10:27 PM

If you are waiting for the price to drop, the price will drop soon after you buy the K-5. At least that's how it usually works for me.

**JimD** · 05-27-2011, 12:28 AM

£120 cheaper now than when I bought mine , only a month ago. Par for the course.

kshapero · 05-27-2011, 06:17 AM

Refurbs at Amazon for $1269

Stringmike · 05-27-2011, 10:35 AM

Street price of the K-5 is now in the low $1,300 range and will probably soon drop to $1,250. I have bought refurbs before (a K10D for $300), but I would want so see more than a $50 savings.

For me, a refurb should be no more than 80% or perhaps 85% of the price of a new item - that should put it between $1,065 to $1,125 right now. Amazon's price is over the top.

Mike

Smeggypants · 05-27-2011, 04:28 PM

Originally posted by robr7

Getting hard not to scratch that itch, want the kick-a ISO but been waiting for a price drop that would bring the K-5 closer to what I paid for the K-7 when it came out. Soon, not soon, or just skip this generation at this point?

If you skip the generation you'll be suffering the same inner turmoil with the K-3

The price will always drop further after you buy it, however long you wait.

The extra you pay is the prive for having the thing earlier and thus having more fun. Just buy the damn thing and enjoy snapping. Life is too short!!!

sjwaldron · 05-27-2011, 05:39 PM

The K-5 is one of those bodies that can change the game. Often I believe that lenses are the best way to improve quality, but the K-5 does make a difference many situations. I've used the K-5 with a 50-200mm WR lens in low-light situations with results I don't think my K-7 could manage nearly as well.

**EsBee** · 05-27-2011, 09:08 PM

Originally posted by robr7

Getting hard not to scratch that itch, want the kick-a ISO but been waiting for a price drop that would bring the K-5 closer to what I paid for the K-7 when it came out. Soon, not soon, or just skip this generation at this point?

I upgraded to a K-7 a few months ago from a K20D which I still have, thinking the K-7 would be my backup for the upcoming K-5...

But I am having serious second thoughts now -- all the rave about ISO is quite dandy but when I analyzed the photos that I've kept, I saw that I rarely shot above ISO 800 for anything meaningful. So I've deferred, not just hoping that K-5 will drop in price which is inevitable, but also because I wanted to be absolutely certain of what I actually "needed", which just may very well be within what the K-7 can do, after all.

**EsBee** · 05-27-2011, 09:10 PM

Originally posted by xs400

If you are waiting for the price to drop, the price will drop soon after you buy the K-5. At least that's how it usually works for me.

Dude, prices never drop for any Pentax camera, and definitely not until I buy one of them

aquila8 · 05-27-2011, 09:33 PM

Originally posted by xs400

If you are waiting for the price to drop, the price will drop soon after you buy the K-5. At least that's how it usually works for me.

Sure!

robr7 · 05-29-2011, 06:54 AM

I'll wait just a bit more and hope for Memorial and Father's Day specials (even the Nikon 7100 is on sale!) but I don't have much faith there, either way I think I'll pull the trigger before my July 4th vacation - maybe get some nice fireworks and night shots and compare to the K-7.

(BTW - a new DSLr from Pentax was a joke right? LOL)

robgo2 · 05-30-2011, 10:55 AM

Originally posted by robr7

I'll wait just a bit more and hope for Memorial and Father's Day specials (even the Nikon 7100 is on sale!) but I don't have much faith there, either way I think I'll pull the trigger before my July 4th vacation - maybe get some nice fireworks and night shots and compare to the K-7.

(BTW - a new DSLr from Pentax was a joke right? LOL)

But of course there will be a new DSLR at some point. There always is. The eternal question for some of us is whether to wait for the "next best thing." Others never ask that question. They upgrade routinely with each new camera and never look back.

Rob

Rupert · 05-30-2011, 11:46 AM - **1 Like**

Just saying......after using my K5 for only a day, I was so thrilled that I forgot all about the price. I can't imagine a day without it. Is it really that good? You bet it is! No other camera on earth carries the Otis Guarantee.......that's just awesome all by itself!

Regards!

eddie1960 · 05-30-2011, 12:01 PM

I've had my K7 since November (thanks Jeff JS) and it is great, but if I could afford to bite the bullet and get the K5 I would in a heartbeat, the current pricing seems pretty good compared to release price (1300 is common, i've seen it as low as 1200 on a short term special instore) I've bought Refurbs before (a K10) and would again but as the above poster mentioned so far the Refurb prices make no sense, if I could get a refurb for a grand i'd likely be seriously tempted to sell of the ds/10/7 to fund it
So Short answer is if you can swing the current 1300 or so may as well grab it and get the extra use out of it now rather than wait

05-26-2011, 08:59 PM	#1
robr7 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 88	K-5 buy now or wait? Getting hard not to scratch that itch, want the kick-a ISO but been waiting for a price drop that would bring the K-5 closer to what I paid for the K-7 when it came out. Soon, not soon, or just skip this generation at this point?

05-27-2011, 10:35 AM	#6
Stringmike Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 283	Expensive refurbs! Street price of the K-5 is now in the low $1,300 range and will probably soon drop to $1,250. I have bought refurbs before (a K10D for $300), but I would want so see more than a $50 savings. For me, a refurb should be no more than 80% or perhaps 85% of the price of a new item - that should put it between $1,065 to $1,125 right now. Amazon's price is over the top. Mike

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05-26-2011, 09:11 PM	#2
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	The K-5 is reasonably affordable now, but it all depends on what you're prepared to pay for it. It's definitely a step up from the K-7 and K20D in most ways, and lots of improvement in high ISO performance. Get it.

05-26-2011, 10:27 PM	#3
xs400 Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,929	If you are waiting for the price to drop, the price will drop soon after you buy the K-5. At least that's how it usually works for me.

05-27-2011, 12:28 AM	#4
JimD Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Newport, South Wales Posts: 187	£120 cheaper now than when I bought mine , only a month ago. Par for the course.

05-27-2011, 06:17 AM	#5
kshapero Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: South Florida, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 437	Refurbs at Amazon for $1269

05-27-2011, 04:28 PM	#7
Smeggypants Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,536	Originally posted by robr7 Getting hard not to scratch that itch, want the kick-a ISO but been waiting for a price drop that would bring the K-5 closer to what I paid for the K-7 when it came out. Soon, not soon, or just skip this generation at this point? If you skip the generation you'll be suffering the same inner turmoil with the K-3 The price will always drop further after you buy it, however long you wait. The extra you pay is the prive for having the thing earlier and thus having more fun. Just buy the damn thing and enjoy snapping. Life is too short!!!

05-27-2011, 05:39 PM	#8
sjwaldron Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,235	The K-5 is one of those bodies that can change the game. Often I believe that lenses are the best way to improve quality, but the K-5 does make a difference many situations. I've used the K-5 with a 50-200mm WR lens in low-light situations with results I don't think my K-7 could manage nearly as well.

05-27-2011, 09:08 PM	#9
EsBee Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: National Capital Region Posts: 739	Originally posted by robr7 Getting hard not to scratch that itch, want the kick-a ISO but been waiting for a price drop that would bring the K-5 closer to what I paid for the K-7 when it came out. Soon, not soon, or just skip this generation at this point? I upgraded to a K-7 a few months ago from a K20D which I still have, thinking the K-7 would be my backup for the upcoming K-5... But I am having serious second thoughts now -- all the rave about ISO is quite dandy but when I analyzed the photos that I've kept, I saw that I rarely shot above ISO 800 for anything meaningful. So I've deferred, not just hoping that K-5 will drop in price which is inevitable, but also because I wanted to be absolutely certain of what I actually "needed", which just may very well be within what the K-7 can do, after all.

05-27-2011, 09:10 PM	#10
EsBee Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: National Capital Region Posts: 739	Originally posted by xs400 If you are waiting for the price to drop, the price will drop soon after you buy the K-5. At least that's how it usually works for me. Dude, prices never drop for any Pentax camera, and definitely not until I buy one of them

05-27-2011, 09:33 PM	#11
aquila8 New Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Rome Posts: 16	Originally posted by xs400 If you are waiting for the price to drop, the price will drop soon after you buy the K-5. At least that's how it usually works for me. Sure!

05-29-2011, 06:54 AM	#12
robr7 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 88 Original Poster	I'll wait just a bit more and hope for Memorial and Father's Day specials (even the Nikon 7100 is on sale!) but I don't have much faith there, either way I think I'll pull the trigger before my July 4th vacation - maybe get some nice fireworks and night shots and compare to the K-7. (BTW - a new DSLr from Pentax was a joke right? LOL)

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05-30-2011, 10:55 AM	#13
robgo2 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Mexico Photos: Albums Posts: 1,125	Originally posted by robr7 I'll wait just a bit more and hope for Memorial and Father's Day specials (even the Nikon 7100 is on sale!) but I don't have much faith there, either way I think I'll pull the trigger before my July 4th vacation - maybe get some nice fireworks and night shots and compare to the K-7. (BTW - a new DSLr from Pentax was a joke right? LOL) But of course there will be a new DSLR at some point. There always is. The eternal question for some of us is whether to wait for the "next best thing." Others never ask that question. They upgrade routinely with each new camera and never look back. Rob

05-30-2011, 11:46 AM - 1 Like	#14
Rupert Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 25,123	Just saying......after using my K5 for only a day, I was so thrilled that I forgot all about the price. I can't imagine a day without it. Is it really that good? You bet it is! No other camera on earth carries the Otis Guarantee.......that's just awesome all by itself! Regards!

05-30-2011, 12:01 PM	#15
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,666	I've had my K7 since November (thanks Jeff JS) and it is great, but if I could afford to bite the bullet and get the K5 I would in a heartbeat, the current pricing seems pretty good compared to release price (1300 is common, i've seen it as low as 1200 on a short term special instore) I've bought Refurbs before (a K10) and would again but as the above poster mentioned so far the Refurb prices make no sense, if I could get a refurb for a grand i'd likely be seriously tempted to sell of the ds/10/7 to fund it So Short answer is if you can swing the current 1300 or so may as well grab it and get the extra use out of it now rather than wait