A Leap Forward... "New" K-5IIs for Christmas

**OrangeKx** · 12-06-2015, 07:02 PM

All last year/early this year I was looking for a used K-5IIs, but just wasn't finding the right one, so I gave up before summer. Out of the blue today I closed a deal on a local camera in like new condition and low shutter count that was posted here for sale. Going from a K-x to this camera is a massive jump. I played around with it a bit this afternoon (but it's back in the box) and have the battery on the charger. Will wait for Dec. 25th to break it out and call it my own. I had given up on finding a nice 5IIs but happy it all worked out. Will spend 2016 getting some better glass.

I've been busy with work and haven't been out shooting for months... I'm sure that slump is over after the 25th.

**interested_observer** · 12-06-2015, 07:07 PM

Congratulations!!! and it's a really nice camera. A big step up from a Kx. So, the question now is - are you going to change your name from OrangeKx to BlackK5IIs?

**OrangeKx** · 12-06-2015, 07:08 PM

Originally posted by interested_observer

Congratulations!!! and it's a really nice camera. A big step up from a Kx. So, the question now is - are you going to change your name from OrangeKx to BlackK5IIs?

LOL... not a bad idea.

**ramseybuckeye** · 12-06-2015, 07:38 PM - **1 Like**

Congratulations, but the next 19 days will be hard since you know it's there.

C_Jones · 12-06-2015, 07:46 PM - **1 Like**

I have a K5IIS and the detail and color in the images is superior. It performs on an excellent level. The lack of the AA filter allows images to be accurate/precise. I also have a K3II and I feel that it may be more advanced due to its being a later model development, but the K5IIS which I used on my Sigma 150-500 for birding/wildlife for thousands of shots is dependable and a stellar performer. I have it on my Pentax 16-85 now and just purchased a Pentax OGPS-1 GPS unit for it to do some celestial (astro) photography of the stars and other. I hope you enjoy your K5IIS and have a Merry Christmas!!

pathdoc · 12-07-2015, 05:01 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by ramseybuckeye

Congratulations, but the next 19 days will be hard since you know it's there.

He's not the only one checking his newly arrived Christmas presents for function before having to stuff them back in the box. Christmas can't come fast enough this year, LOL.

timb64 · 12-07-2015, 05:15 AM - **1 Like**

Very disciplined!

dansamy · 12-07-2015, 06:46 AM

Originally posted by pathdoc

He's not the only one checking his newly arrived Christmas presents for function before having to stuff them back in the box. Christmas can't come fast enough this year, LOL.

What'd you get?

**BigMackCam** · 12-07-2015, 06:48 AM

Originally posted by OrangeKx

All last year/early this year I was looking for a used K-5IIs, but just wasn't finding the right one, so I gave up before summer. Out of the blue today I closed a deal on a local camera in like new condition and low shutter count that was posted here for sale. Going from a K-x to this camera is a massive jump. I played around with it a bit this afternoon (but it's back in the box) and have the battery on the charger. Will wait for Dec. 25th to break it out and call it my own. I had given up on finding a nice 5IIs but happy it all worked out. Will spend 2016 getting some better glass.

I've been busy with work and haven't been out shooting for months... I'm sure that slump is over after the 25th.

Congrats on the new-to-you K5IIs - a fine camera indeed!

pathdoc · 12-07-2015, 09:01 AM

Originally posted by dansamy

What'd you get?

It has something to do with the numbers 15, 21 and 70. Some of it has already arrived, been tested, and put back in its box for wrapping. My recently-bought 2nd-hand 17mm/3.5 RMC Tokina is now going to be relegated semi-permanently to film, which to be fair is the main reason I bought it (I always knew I'd be getting the 15 someday). Also going over to film is my AF200Sa thyristor flash - there's a high-end Pentax coming in to take its place on the digital body, and the 200Sa will do its best work on the film bodies because of its ability to self-regulate on film bodies that don't have TTL. I have yet to try it out on the Spotmatics, but it seemed to do alright on my ME, which doesn't have any auto-programming as such, and I'm waiting for the first roll back from the MX to see how well it worked on that.

dansamy · 12-07-2015, 09:31 AM

Originally posted by pathdoc

It has something to do with the numbers 15, 21 and 70.

I'm allowed to hate you now, right? I wasn't all that enamored by the 21 when I rented it, but I could see liking the 15 and the 70.

bertwert · 12-07-2015, 10:03 AM - **1 Like**

Congrats on the new camera!

pathdoc · 12-07-2015, 12:13 PM

Originally posted by dansamy

I'm allowed to hate you now, right?

You are, yes.

I sort of envy the OP his new acquisition. I'm not that far behind him - I have the original K-5 - but the -II and -IIs were either not yet out or so new that too little was known about their foibles when I acquired it, so I went for the (at that stage) tried and true original. (I had no option but to buy when I did; I needed it for work). The more I hear about the -IIs, the more I wish my *ist-DL had lived just a little longer, but "that which is, is what must be". And I didn't have all you guys back then to help me make my decision.

(Well, actually that isn't entirely true - my decision came down to the K-5 versus the K-30, and it was Ed of Photouniverse fame whose enthusiasm for the K-5 shoved me over the edge. And in the long run it seems he's subliminally talked me into all the DA limiteds too. Good call, Ed.

)

**BigMackCam** · 12-07-2015, 02:56 PM

Originally posted by pathdoc

You are, yes.

I sort of envy the OP his new acquisition. I'm not that far behind him - I have the original K-5 - but the -II and -IIs were either not yet out or so new that too little was known about their foibles when I acquired it, so I went for the (at that stage) tried and true original. (I had no option but to buy when I did; I needed it for work). The more I hear about the -IIs, the more I wish my *ist-DL had lived just a little longer, but "that which is, is what must be".

Ah, you did just fine buying the K5, in my opinion. The K3 is my main camera and my older K5 is technically my backup body, but I find myself using it just as much as the K3 (in fact, I only ever shoot my M42 lenses on the K5). Unless you're pixel peeping at 1:1 reproduction, I defy anyone to tell the difference except in the most technical testing scenarios. The K5IIs is a step up, no doubt, but - and you know this anyway - there's nothing you can't do with the K5 that you could do with the K5IIs; not in normal shooting situations

pathdoc · 12-07-2015, 03:47 PM

I'm sure I did. There's no way I would trade it in for any APS-C that wasn't as least as good as a K3-II, but one is allowed to play what-if games.

12-06-2015, 07:02 PM	#1
OrangeKx Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Vancouver, WA Photos: Gallery Posts: 817	A Leap Forward... "New" K-5IIs for Christmas All last year/early this year I was looking for a used K-5IIs, but just wasn't finding the right one, so I gave up before summer. Out of the blue today I closed a deal on a local camera in like new condition and low shutter count that was posted here for sale. Going from a K-x to this camera is a massive jump. I played around with it a bit this afternoon (but it's back in the box) and have the battery on the charger. Will wait for Dec. 25th to break it out and call it my own. I had given up on finding a nice 5IIs but happy it all worked out. Will spend 2016 getting some better glass. I've been busy with work and haven't been out shooting for months... I'm sure that slump is over after the 25th.

12-07-2015, 12:13 PM	#13
pathdoc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,381	Originally posted by dansamy I'm allowed to hate you now, right? You are, yes. I sort of envy the OP his new acquisition. I'm not that far behind him - I have the original K-5 - but the -II and -IIs were either not yet out or so new that too little was known about their foibles when I acquired it, so I went for the (at that stage) tried and true original. (I had no option but to buy when I did; I needed it for work). The more I hear about the -IIs, the more I wish my ist-DL had lived just a little longer, but "that which is, is what must be". And I didn't have all you guys back then to help me make my decision. (Well, actually that isn't entirely true - my decision came down to the K-5 versus the K-30, and it was Ed of Photouniverse fame whose enthusiasm for the K-5 shoved me over the edge. And in the long run it seems he's subliminally talked me into all the DA limiteds too. Good call, Ed. ) Last edited by pathdoc; 12-07-2015 at 03:42 PM. Reason: Para break*

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Exposure accuracy of "A" lenses on older film bodies ("K" series)	Lititz	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	20	05-26-2015 01:59 AM
"Click" in between "C" and "MF" mode on focus selector? K-50	maxwolfie	Pentax K-30 & K-50	3	01-29-2015 04:19 AM
Travel Waiting for the great Leap forward...	zeitlos	Pentax K-3 Photo Contest	23	06-03-2014 12:00 PM
Optical differences between Pentax "K", "M", and "A" lenses	6BQ5	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	31	01-10-2014 01:02 PM
Nostalgic Pentax "Filmer" Takes The Leap	DLX NYC	Welcomes and Introductions	5	01-01-2014 12:45 PM

12-06-2015, 07:07 PM	#2
interested_observer Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tumbleweed, Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,707	Congratulations!!! and it's a really nice camera. A big step up from a Kx. So, the question now is - are you going to change your name from OrangeKx to BlackK5IIs?

12-06-2015, 07:08 PM	#3
OrangeKx Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Vancouver, WA Photos: Gallery Posts: 817 Original Poster	Originally posted by interested_observer Congratulations!!! and it's a really nice camera. A big step up from a Kx. So, the question now is - are you going to change your name from OrangeKx to BlackK5IIs? LOL... not a bad idea.

12-06-2015, 07:38 PM - 1 Like	#4
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,292	Congratulations, but the next 19 days will be hard since you know it's there.

12-06-2015, 07:46 PM - 1 Like	#5
C_Jones Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,084	I have a K5IIS and the detail and color in the images is superior. It performs on an excellent level. The lack of the AA filter allows images to be accurate/precise. I also have a K3II and I feel that it may be more advanced due to its being a later model development, but the K5IIS which I used on my Sigma 150-500 for birding/wildlife for thousands of shots is dependable and a stellar performer. I have it on my Pentax 16-85 now and just purchased a Pentax OGPS-1 GPS unit for it to do some celestial (astro) photography of the stars and other. I hope you enjoy your K5IIS and have a Merry Christmas!!

12-07-2015, 05:01 AM - 1 Like	#6
pathdoc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,381	Originally posted by ramseybuckeye Congratulations, but the next 19 days will be hard since you know it's there. He's not the only one checking his newly arrived Christmas presents for function before having to stuff them back in the box. Christmas can't come fast enough this year, LOL.

12-07-2015, 05:15 AM - 1 Like	#7
timb64 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: /Situation : Doing my best to avoid idiots! Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,510	Very disciplined!

12-07-2015, 06:46 AM	#8
dansamy Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,450	Originally posted by pathdoc He's not the only one checking his newly arrived Christmas presents for function before having to stuff them back in the box. Christmas can't come fast enough this year, LOL. What'd you get?

12-07-2015, 06:48 AM	#9
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,673	Originally posted by OrangeKx All last year/early this year I was looking for a used K-5IIs, but just wasn't finding the right one, so I gave up before summer. Out of the blue today I closed a deal on a local camera in like new condition and low shutter count that was posted here for sale. Going from a K-x to this camera is a massive jump. I played around with it a bit this afternoon (but it's back in the box) and have the battery on the charger. Will wait for Dec. 25th to break it out and call it my own. I had given up on finding a nice 5IIs but happy it all worked out. Will spend 2016 getting some better glass. I've been busy with work and haven't been out shooting for months... I'm sure that slump is over after the 25th. Congrats on the new-to-you K5IIs - a fine camera indeed!

12-07-2015, 09:01 AM	#10
pathdoc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,381	Originally posted by dansamy What'd you get? It has something to do with the numbers 15, 21 and 70. Some of it has already arrived, been tested, and put back in its box for wrapping. My recently-bought 2nd-hand 17mm/3.5 RMC Tokina is now going to be relegated semi-permanently to film, which to be fair is the main reason I bought it (I always knew I'd be getting the 15 someday). Also going over to film is my AF200Sa thyristor flash - there's a high-end Pentax coming in to take its place on the digital body, and the 200Sa will do its best work on the film bodies because of its ability to self-regulate on film bodies that don't have TTL. I have yet to try it out on the Spotmatics, but it seemed to do alright on my ME, which doesn't have any auto-programming as such, and I'm waiting for the first roll back from the MX to see how well it worked on that.

12-07-2015, 09:31 AM	#11
dansamy Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,450	Originally posted by pathdoc It has something to do with the numbers 15, 21 and 70. I'm allowed to hate you now, right? I wasn't all that enamored by the 21 when I rented it, but I could see liking the 15 and the 70.

12-07-2015, 10:03 AM - 1 Like	#12
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,173	Congrats on the new camera!

12-07-2015, 02:56 PM	#14
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,673	Originally posted by pathdoc You are, yes. I sort of envy the OP his new acquisition. I'm not that far behind him - I have the original K-5 - but the -II and -IIs were either not yet out or so new that too little was known about their foibles when I acquired it, so I went for the (at that stage) tried and true original. (I had no option but to buy when I did; I needed it for work). The more I hear about the -IIs, the more I wish my *ist-DL had lived just a little longer, but "that which is, is what must be". Ah, you did just fine buying the K5, in my opinion. The K3 is my main camera and my older K5 is technically my backup body, but I find myself using it just as much as the K3 (in fact, I only ever shoot my M42 lenses on the K5). Unless you're pixel peeping at 1:1 reproduction, I defy anyone to tell the difference except in the most technical testing scenarios. The K5IIs is a step up, no doubt, but - and you know this anyway - there's nothing you can't do with the K5 that you could do with the K5IIs; not in normal shooting situations

12-07-2015, 03:47 PM	#15
pathdoc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,381	I'm sure I did. There's no way I would trade it in for any APS-C that wasn't as least as good as a K3-II, but one is allowed to play what-if games.