New K-5 IIs or used K-5 II?

Flugelbinder · 12-01-2014, 07:43 AM

Hello again,
For the past weeks I've been eating and drinking Pentax wherever I can find something about these gems. Some of you have read my intro, so I won't go into great details, but I can say I've been tempted by Pentax about one year ago - when I got rid of the Nikons. I went a different path (somehow I've always liked to go against the stream...) and played with the Fuji X system for a while, but now I'm back; for good I believe.
My question is very simple, and it comes down to money... Should I get the B&H fantastic deal, in which I'm left with just enough to get the 35 f/2.4 - I've used the Fuji with the 35 also, and despite being very limiting shooting with only one lens, I have learnt a lot by doing so - or get a used K-5 II, with a Sigma 18-50mm 2.8 EX Macro (btw, anyone using this lens who can give me a better understanding of what to expect from it?)... That's where I am right now...
I've shot a wedding and even a corporate gig with only a 35, and even with the limitation of having to zoom with my feet

it didn't come out that bad - https://www.flickr.com/photos/124554776@N07/ - but the advantages of having a (fast) zoom is indeed very tempting, and I don't know when I will have the financial freedom to buy more glass. Also, 18-50 would not be my first choice in focal range. Would rather have a 24-70 (or something like that, I've had a Tamron 28-75 on the Nikon and it was great) and a 70-200 (had a 20 year old 70-210 f/4 and it was one of the best lenses I've shot with).
Ok, very long thread, I'm sorry... For those of you still with me, what do you think?
Thank you in advance.

Kind regards.

Paul

**hjoseph7** · 12-01-2014, 07:49 AM

If your question is New K-5IIs or used K-5 II you can't go wrong with either of them, but it depends on what you shoot. If you are going to be shooting a lot of architecture and commercial products such as clothing, I would stick with the K-5 II, otherwise the K-5 IIs gives you that little extra bump in resolution.

**csa** · 12-01-2014, 08:21 AM

Also, it would depend how important the warranty is to you. For $20, you can also get an additional 2 years warranty on the new camera.

Flugelbinder · 12-01-2014, 08:37 AM

Well, I am in Toronto, so I'm not sure if even the "normal" warranty serves us up here...

**csa** · 12-01-2014, 08:58 AM

Sorry about that, I did not know your location. It might be wise to look into this; I believe there is an "international warranty"; but not sure. Anyway, I think you'd be very happy with either choice.

Flugelbinder · 12-01-2014, 09:09 AM

I know I will... I'm mostly wondering about the lens choice...

Vantage-Point · 12-01-2014, 09:56 AM

Hello Flugelbinder, if you go to the Pentax Price watch section found in the Forum tab section, there are some threads that have some sales in Canada. One of them is "Canadian lens deals? found a few... And don't forget to check items for sale here at Pentax Forums.

Flugelbinder · 12-01-2014, 10:04 AM

Originally posted by V'cuz

Hello Flugelbinder, if you go to the Pentax Price watch section found in the Forum tab section, there are some threads that have some sales in Canada. One of them is "Canadian lens deals? found a few... And don't forget to check items for sale here at Pentax Forums.

Thank you.
For the price it's sold (body only) in Canada, I can get the B&H deal and still get the 35...
Been checking the buy-and-sell threads, but there's only a couple of K-5s (at a very interesting price) and a K-3 (way over-priced IMO)... Have also been looking at Kijiji and Craigslist, but there's not one available! What only tells me how definitely good this camera really is...

BrianR · 12-01-2014, 02:05 PM

Assuming you still get a 1-year international warranty, I'd probably go with the B&H deal on the new k5iis, the 35mm, and save up for a zoom in the range you're after. You can also sell the grip if you don't want it. This package has come down so much, I'd be surprised to see a used k5ii/k5iis that I'd consider worth it.

Flugelbinder · 12-02-2014, 06:13 AM

My thoughts point in that direction. Something long, in the one-hundreds figure, but now the B&H deal is over. That leaves me with a little more cash, but no battery grip...

**gaweidert** · 12-02-2014, 06:51 AM

The K5-IIs is no longer listed on the B&H website. Yesterday it was listed as discontinued.

Flugelbinder · 12-02-2014, 08:41 AM

Originally posted by gaweidert

The K5-IIs is no longer listed on the B&H website. Yesterday it was listed as discontinued.

Already aware...

Oldbayrunner · 12-02-2014, 01:30 PM

Originally posted by Flugelbinder

Already aware...

it's still available at Adorama http://www.adorama.com/l/Cameras/Pentax~Digital-SLR-Cameras?sel=Model_Pentax-K-hyphen-5-IIs and shows available on backorder 10 days del. on the US Ricoh site. So I don't think it is discontinued as yet.

Flugelbinder · 12-02-2014, 01:41 PM

Also aware

am dealing a couple of used copies tonight - actually as we speak. Trying to save some for an extra lens...

12-01-2014, 07:43 AM	#1
Flugelbinder Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Toronto - missing the ocean Posts: 466	New K-5 IIs or used K-5 II? Hello again, For the past weeks I've been eating and drinking Pentax wherever I can find something about these gems. Some of you have read my intro, so I won't go into great details, but I can say I've been tempted by Pentax about one year ago - when I got rid of the Nikons. I went a different path (somehow I've always liked to go against the stream...) and played with the Fuji X system for a while, but now I'm back; for good I believe. My question is very simple, and it comes down to money... Should I get the B&H fantastic deal, in which I'm left with just enough to get the 35 f/2.4 - I've used the Fuji with the 35 also, and despite being very limiting shooting with only one lens, I have learnt a lot by doing so - or get a used K-5 II, with a Sigma 18-50mm 2.8 EX Macro (btw, anyone using this lens who can give me a better understanding of what to expect from it?)... That's where I am right now... I've shot a wedding and even a corporate gig with only a 35, and even with the limitation of having to zoom with my feet it didn't come out that bad - https://www.flickr.com/photos/124554776@N07/ - but the advantages of having a (fast) zoom is indeed very tempting, and I don't know when I will have the financial freedom to buy more glass. Also, 18-50 would not be my first choice in focal range. Would rather have a 24-70 (or something like that, I've had a Tamron 28-75 on the Nikon and it was great) and a 70-200 (had a 20 year old 70-210 f/4 and it was one of the best lenses I've shot with). Ok, very long thread, I'm sorry... For those of you still with me, what do you think? Thank you in advance. Kind regards. Paul

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12-01-2014, 07:49 AM	#2
hjoseph7 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2014 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,047	If your question is New K-5IIs or used K-5 II you can't go wrong with either of them, but it depends on what you shoot. If you are going to be shooting a lot of architecture and commercial products such as clothing, I would stick with the K-5 II, otherwise the K-5 IIs gives you that little extra bump in resolution.

12-01-2014, 08:21 AM	#3
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133	Also, it would depend how important the warranty is to you. For $20, you can also get an additional 2 years warranty on the new camera.

12-01-2014, 08:37 AM	#4
Flugelbinder Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Toronto - missing the ocean Posts: 466 Original Poster	Well, I am in Toronto, so I'm not sure if even the "normal" warranty serves us up here...

12-01-2014, 08:58 AM	#5
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133	Sorry about that, I did not know your location. It might be wise to look into this; I believe there is an "international warranty"; but not sure. Anyway, I think you'd be very happy with either choice.

12-01-2014, 09:09 AM	#6
Flugelbinder Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Toronto - missing the ocean Posts: 466 Original Poster	I know I will... I'm mostly wondering about the lens choice...

12-01-2014, 09:56 AM	#7
Vantage-Point Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New York Posts: 516	Hello Flugelbinder, if you go to the Pentax Price watch section found in the Forum tab section, there are some threads that have some sales in Canada. One of them is "Canadian lens deals? found a few... And don't forget to check items for sale here at Pentax Forums.

12-01-2014, 10:04 AM	#8
Flugelbinder Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Toronto - missing the ocean Posts: 466 Original Poster	Originally posted by V'cuz Hello Flugelbinder, if you go to the Pentax Price watch section found in the Forum tab section, there are some threads that have some sales in Canada. One of them is "Canadian lens deals? found a few... And don't forget to check items for sale here at Pentax Forums. Thank you. For the price it's sold (body only) in Canada, I can get the B&H deal and still get the 35... Been checking the buy-and-sell threads, but there's only a couple of K-5s (at a very interesting price) and a K-3 (way over-priced IMO)... Have also been looking at Kijiji and Craigslist, but there's not one available! What only tells me how definitely good this camera really is...

12-01-2014, 02:05 PM	#9
BrianR Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,332	Assuming you still get a 1-year international warranty, I'd probably go with the B&H deal on the new k5iis, the 35mm, and save up for a zoom in the range you're after. You can also sell the grip if you don't want it. This package has come down so much, I'd be surprised to see a used k5ii/k5iis that I'd consider worth it.

12-02-2014, 06:13 AM	#10
Flugelbinder Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Toronto - missing the ocean Posts: 466 Original Poster	My thoughts point in that direction. Something long, in the one-hundreds figure, but now the B&H deal is over. That leaves me with a little more cash, but no battery grip...

12-02-2014, 06:51 AM	#11
gaweidert Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Rochester, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,325	The K5-IIs is no longer listed on the B&H website. Yesterday it was listed as discontinued.

12-02-2014, 08:41 AM	#12
Flugelbinder Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Toronto - missing the ocean Posts: 466 Original Poster	Originally posted by gaweidert The K5-IIs is no longer listed on the B&H website. Yesterday it was listed as discontinued. Already aware...

12-02-2014, 01:30 PM	#13
Oldbayrunner Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 1,665	Originally posted by Flugelbinder Already aware... it's still available at Adorama http://www.adorama.com/l/Cameras/Pentax~Digital-SLR-Cameras?sel=Model_Pentax-K-hyphen-5-IIs and shows available on backorder 10 days del. on the US Ricoh site. So I don't think it is discontinued as yet.

12-02-2014, 01:41 PM	#14
Flugelbinder Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Toronto - missing the ocean Posts: 466 Original Poster	Also aware am dealing a couple of used copies tonight - actually as we speak. Trying to save some for an extra lens...