[wizofoz]

First impressions, positive:

1- Nice feel, like all my prior Pentax cameras (*ist DL, K100D, K20D). Only this one is a notch above all those.

2- Size, slapped on the DA40 and boy do those two go together. Nice and compact, yet still comfortable.

3- AF.... holy cow boys, it rules. It really, really kicks ass and that's no bulldust. AF illuminator is nice too and freaked me out the first time it turned on

4- Shutter sound.... smooth. But I always liked a solid mechanical sounding shutter/mirror. Still..... smooooooth... niiiiiice.

5- Battery charger Green LED. I like green. Much more than red, or obnoxious blue and bright orange. Also acceptable: yellowish amber.


Negatives:

1- Mode switch lock button - very annoying. Wow, I hate it. I suppose you get used to it but there's no anatomically correct way to press and turn. (any tips?)

2- SD card door - I liked the metal turn switch, but this works fine. It's not really a bad thing but I just preferred the feel of the other one.

3- Size - Just like my *ist and K100d, my pinky has nowhere to go. Grumble. Another 250 bucks for the grip dammit.



WIll have more when the battery is charged. So far... I like!

I have the k-7 so an identical body. I have had absolutely no issues with the mode dial lock, in fact it is a + not a negative. The battery grip completes the balance of the camera, and obviously gives a 100% increase in battery power. I never (well rarely, sometimes with the DA40 mounted and carried in my pocket) use the camera any other way, it just feels right with the battery grip. Well worth the $ for the genuine weather sealed item.

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Last edited by Unregistered User 8; 10-31-2017 at 10:31 PM. Reason: remove quoted swearing

[filmamigo]

Good points. I like my K-5 without the grip. It has "classic SLR" proportions, and I find my pink finger sits nicely against the bottom of the camera. Makes it feel stable in my hand (or maybe I just have really strong pinky fingers!)

The only reason the grip interests me is to have AA usage. I wish the K-5 could take AAs in the main battery compartment, like the K-r! That's a brilliant system.

[dgaies]

Good points. I like my K-5 without the grip. It has "classic SLR" proportions, and I find my pink finger sits nicely against the bottom of the camera. Makes it feel stable in my hand (or maybe I just have really strong pinky fingers!)

I'm with you on this one. I bought a grip for the K7 (tried it twice actually) and just didn't care for it as much as the K5/7 alone. I also keep my pinky under the camera body too and it seems to work well for me. But I know a lot people like the gripped K5/7, so it's nice to have the option for those who prefer it.

[jogiba]

Glad you are enjoying it! Me, I am happy for that mode dial lock -- my K-x positively sucks for changing settings off its own bat. K20D has a more solid detent, however.

As for size, the smaller the better. These cameras are still monsters compared to film days.

Add motor drive to a film camera and they are even larger.

[filmamigo]

LOL, yes I was surprised how small the K-5 was when I put it next to my MX.

I posted this to another forum...

[Ex Finn.]

I'm with you on this one. I bought a grip for the K7 (tried it twice actually) and just didn't care for it as much as the K5/7 alone. I also keep my pinky under the camera body too and it seems to work well for me. But I know a lot people like the gripped K5/7, so it's nice to have the option for those who prefer it.

If you are not using it, will gladly take it off your hands for a reasonable amount..

[dgaies]

If you are not using it, will gladly take it off your hands for a reasonable amount..

I actually bought, tried and sold the grip two separate times

The second time was after I bought the DA*60-250 and I was curious if the grip would be of more interest to me this time around for use with a larger lens. Turns out I still preferred the grip-less K7 so I sold it yet again.

[Ex Finn.]

I actually bought, tried and sold the grip two separate times

The second time was after I bought the DA*60-250 and I was curious if the grip would be of more interest to me this time around for use with a larger lens. Turns out I still preferred the grip-less K7 so I sold it yet again.

The 7 is nice w/o grip with the A50 1.7.
I like the way the 60-250 feels/balances with the grip.
I am considering the K5, reason why asking.

[WerTicus]

I am happy for that mode dial lock -- my K-x positively sucks for changing settings off its own bat. K20D has a more solid detent, however.

Exactly, the K20d was fine without a mode dial lock, the K-x was too loose. No need for the lock just needs the solid indent.

[rparmar]

But better yet than a solid indent is a lock.

[quarc]

But better yet than a solid indent is a lock.

Fully agree. My main complain on the K10 and K20 was the lack of a lock. I am still missing a way to lock the aperture or time, but maybe in the K-3 ?

[benisona]

Mode switch lock button - very annoying. Wow, I hate it. I suppose you get used to it but there's no anatomically correct way to press and turn. (any tips?)

best thing ever for a pro, when I'm running around with multiple cameras on my neck and there is only one shot that I have to get, and I only have a split second to get it. I look down at the screen and the shot is totally messed up because the mode is switched by accident = worst ever...

[JHD]

Too bad they didn't put a mode lock switch on the Kx, I lost a few pictures on account of not having that.

[Horst-Helmut]

This is the best upgrade from K200D I could think. So much more responsive, af _locks_ abt. 2/3 more quicker than K200D.

Worth every f'n cent I put into this! Going to a club tonight to shoot a few bands. I'll get back to you.

[oliver939]

The only reason the grip interests me is to have AA usage. I wish the K-5 could take AAs in the main battery compartment, like the K-r! That's a brilliant system.

So there are no way to put AA batteries in the K5 using a similar Kr system?
(well I'm pretty sure we can not, but I still ask, maybe an adapter could show up... )