Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here.
Hello folks,
I am placing one of my K20Ds for sale today and purchasing a K5 as my replacement. My wife is allowing me to do this b/c I just sold one of my Nikkor lenses for $2300.00. :-) Happy! Yeah, the rule is that I am only allowed to buy new 'toys' if I make apx. 2x the cost of the new purchase. I expect to get about $450 for the K20D... so that gives me about $1375 to spend. :-)
In regards to the K5, I heard that earlier models have imaging problems, such as image sensor 'staining', back focusing issues, banding (not THAT again! I have that with the K20D!), and shutter lock ups. Unless I can find a good deal in Canada, I plan to purchase through eBay (in the U.S.)... which means I will not have a warranty. Normally, if the camera is good from day-one, I am willing to risk going sans-warranty, partly because my experience with Pentax warranty service is very poor (re: banding that was never fixed and their rudeness during that warranty service period).
Anyhow, I want to ensure that I am purchasing a newer model, which presumably has all the kinks worked out. Which at which serial number level should I look for?
Finally, what do you folks think of these two eBay offers (in order of preference):
$869
Prodigital appears to have one of the best reps for Pentax sales.
Pentax K-5 Digital SLR Camera Body Only 16MP 1080p
NEW Pentax K-5 Digital SLR Camera Body Only 16MP 1080p 27075176546 | eBay
$810
Pentax K-5 DSLR Body Only-NIB-USA Manufactr's Warranty-Bundle w/ Adobe Software
Pentax K-5 DSLR Body Only-NIB-USA Manufactr's Warranty-Bundle w/ Adobe Software 27075176546 | eBay
$1029
NEW PENTAX K-5 K5 DSLR CAMERA + DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 F/3.5-5.6
NEW PENTAX K-5 K5 DSLR CAMERA + DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 F/3.5-5.6 WR LENS KIT | eBay
Thanks for your advice!