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**Eric Seavey** · 02-10-2011, 07:31 AM - **1 Like**

There are basically 3 main issues with the K5 so far.
1 FF issue
2 Stains on the sensor
3 PTTL flash overexposure

# 2 Looks like the stains on the sensors are addressed.
# 3 The flash overexposure is easily compensated by lowering the exposure compensation of the flash.

# 1 Is a real problem when taking photo indoors like restaurants, dances, and other dim lit situations with fast lenses. Once this problem is fixed, I'd say we will have an unmatched camera for the price. Just the sensor capabilities, the improved focus (minus the bug), the enhanced metering, and so many other useful functions make this a great camera.

Who is with me?

JayBee · 02-10-2011, 07:56 AM

Definitely!! I'm waiting for my K-5 to come back from Pentax, but if the sensor is clean, then as fas as I'm concerned, there's just the FF issue - and it's not huge.
I'm used to fiddling with the flash exposure settings (K10D, K20D, K-5). And initially I didn't realize I had the FF issue (a batch of indoor shots were out of focus, and, although concerned, I had just assumed operator error).
But all other results from this camera have been amazing. Outdoor night shots have been especially impressive. It is definitely a great camera. The high-ISO capability and DR are what count for me.

Jeff Charles · 02-10-2011, 08:09 AM

Originally posted by Eric Seavey

There are basically 3 main issues with the K5 so far.
1 FF issue
2 Stains on the sensor
3 PTTL flash overexposure

# 2 Looks like the stains on the sensors are addressed.
# 3 The flash overexposure is easily compensated by lowering the exposure compensation of the flash.

# 1 Is a real problem when taking photo indoors like restaurants, dances, and other dim lit situations with fast lenses. Once this problem is fixed, I'd say we will have an unmatched camera for the price. Just the sensor capabilities, the improved focus (minus the bug), the enhanced metering, and so many other useful functions make this a great camera.

Who is with me?

I will be surprised if Pentax does not fix all three problems.

The only other issues that I am aware of are the continuing SDM saga and some reports of unreliable K-5 AF, even in good light. (Those reports were posted in the getdpi forum.)

I have been reading about the K-5 and the D7000 (and to a lesser extent, the E-5) over the last several months. Looking at each system as a whole, the K-5 does come out on top for me. The D7000, however, does have more sophisticated AF. The D7000 also has more lens options, but for my needs, I think I can put together a better zoom lens kit at a lower price for Pentax than for Nikon. And that's in addition to the Pentax primes.

So, in answer to your question, the K-5 is a great camera, but "unmatched" depends on a person's needs. It has had some problems coming out of the gate, but I expect those to be resolved in the coming months.

Jeff

donallison13 · 02-10-2011, 08:20 AM

Unmatched???? Unmatched at this time in terms of poor Quality Control.

stanic · 02-10-2011, 08:30 AM

Originally posted by Eric Seavey

Who is with me?

I`m with you! nevermind the whiners

mokey · 02-10-2011, 08:53 AM

Originally posted by donallison13

Unmatched???? Unmatched at this time in terms of poor Quality Control.

pffft! All the other companies have problems too. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my K5! My first one had stains, and the second has FF issues, but with all that, IMO, this is the best camera out there for the money.

alexeyga · 02-10-2011, 08:58 AM - **1 Like**

Another "my di@k is STILL bigger" club? Grow up people... lift-up the blindfolds... take a look around...

all that fanboy-izm isn't funny anymore...

B.t.w. #3 seems to be solvable by enabling the Highlights Correction and taking a few shots with the flash... you can disable it afterwards.... worked for me...

dgaies · 02-10-2011, 08:59 AM

Originally posted by donallison13

Unmatched???? Unmatched at this time in terms of poor Quality Control.

Originally posted by mokey

pffft! All the other companies have problems too. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my K5! My first one had stains, and the second has FF issues, but with all that, IMO, this is the best camera out there for the money.

No doubt Pentax had some QC issues with the K-5. I just returned my second K-5 a couple weeks ago and hopefully within the next month or two I'll buy another one (hopefully for the last time). That said, the K-5 is an outstanding camera and I actaully somewhat regret returning mine and waiting for the "issues" to be fixed. I might have been better off I didn't spend a couple months with the K-5 because now I know what I'm missing while I wait

**Eric Seavey** · 02-10-2011, 09:34 AM

Originally posted by alexeyga

Another "my di@k is STILL bigger" club? Grow up people... lift-up the blindfolds... take a look around...

all that fanboy-izm isn't funny anymore...

Hardly a fan boy actually..... When I came across the FF issue after selling the K7 due to a different issue (blurred images when using PTTL flash at 1/125 to 1/160second), I was so tired of these Pentax bugs, I was ready to simply jump ship and do a full switch to the Canon 7D, which I still may do. But I also have gotten spoiled with the sensor performance, that with the highlights/shadow correction gives an incredible DR...

Originally posted by donallison13

Unmatched???? Unmatched at this time in terms of poor Quality Control.

Originally posted by Jeff Charles

"unmatched" depends on a person's needs

Yes, I know I perhaps should have not chosen the word "unmatched".....although for the price, sensor performance, and features I haven't seen cameras that are a whole lot better. So if you know of any please let me know, I am all ear.

Couscousdelight · 02-10-2011, 10:02 AM

About the FF,

My K5 had no FF issue, i've shot a lot of photos with low tungten light, the focus is good.
And, if some K5 are affected, and others aren't, that could be a hardware problem, no ?
I'm worried a little, cause i send my K5 for stain issue, and i don't want to get back a camera with a FF instead of stain !

BTW, it looks like a lot of D7000 got a FF issue too, maybe this is the price to pay for high iso performances ?
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1034&thread=37687658

Jeff Charles · 02-10-2011, 10:06 AM

Originally posted by Eric Seavey

...
Yes, I know I perhaps should have not chosen the word "unmatched".....although for the price, sensor performance, and features I haven't seen cameras that are a whole lot better. So if you know of any please let me know, I am all ear.

"Better" is somewhat subjective. Depends on your needs and priorities. The K-5 is at the top of my list, but here are a few reasons why the D7000 and the E-5 are also in contention:

D7000

Very sophisticated AF. Will track objects across the frame, handing off between AF points. Also, will use surrounding AF points to support primary - good for sports. Someone can correct me, but I don't believe that the K-5's AF does any of this.
Very good flash system
Secondary consideration: dual card slots
Downsides: Need expensive FF lenses if you want top quality; weather sealed and IS lenses very costly; build quality and weather sealing not at good as K-5; no in-body IS

E-5

Optically very good, reliable, quick focusing mid-range lenses
Articulating LCD. (You don't know how useful this can be until you have it.)
Secondary consideration: Probably the best dust removal system
Downsides: The sensor; very big camera; the top quality FT lenses are very big, heavy, and expensive.

Jeff

**Eric Seavey** · 02-10-2011, 11:57 AM

Thanks Jeff,
The E-5 with it's smaller and noisier sensor is not an option. I have considered the D7K, but I am reading about it's focus issues too. So now I am down to the Canon 7D and Nikon D300. I like the 16mp resolution for cropping purposes, so the D300 is out. Now I am left with the larger 7D that has slightly inferior sensor than K5. In the end, I would definitely prefer to keep my K5 that focuses properly at low light levels and then the camera will be really great for me.

raphtze · 02-10-2011, 12:04 PM

hecks yea!!!!!! i think only the stain issue is most definitively resolved. dialing back exposure compensation for P-TTL flash is.....not my def of a fix--it should just work damn it.

but yes, IT WILL BE A CAMERA FOR THE AGES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-raph

Smeggypants · 02-10-2011, 07:11 PM

Originally posted by Couscousdelight

About the FF,

My K5 had no FF issue, i've shot a lot of photos with low tungten light, the focus is good.
And, if some K5 are affected, and others aren't, that could be a hardware problem, no ?
I'm worried a little, cause i send my K5 for stain issue, and i don't want to get back a camera with a FF instead of stain !

BTW, it looks like a lot of D7000 got a FF issue too, maybe this is the price to pay for high iso performances ?
Focus-test: D70 and D7k with 3 different lens under tungsten- and daylight: Nikon D90 - D40 / D7000 - D3000 Forum: Digital Photography Review

The FF AF issue has NOTHING to do with high ISO performances. The AF doesn't even involve the sensor, it's located in the base of the camera and fed from a secondary mirror behind the main mirror

here's a K-5 cut in half

snofox · 02-10-2011, 07:41 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Smeggypants

. . . here's a K-5 cut in half

No wonder you are having problems with your K5. Trying to make a half-frame out of an APS-C, were you?

02-10-2011, 07:31 AM - 1 Like	#1
Eric Seavey Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Irvine, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 307	When the FF is fixed, we will have the unmatched "SUPER CAMERA" There are basically 3 main issues with the K5 so far. 1 FF issue 2 Stains on the sensor 3 PTTL flash overexposure # 2 Looks like the stains on the sensors are addressed. # 3 The flash overexposure is easily compensated by lowering the exposure compensation of the flash. # 1 Is a real problem when taking photo indoors like restaurants, dances, and other dim lit situations with fast lenses. Once this problem is fixed, I'd say we will have an unmatched camera for the price. Just the sensor capabilities, the improved focus (minus the bug), the enhanced metering, and so many other useful functions make this a great camera. Who is with me?

02-10-2011, 10:06 AM	#11
Jeff Charles Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Oaxaca, Mexico; Shohola PA, USA Posts: 219	Originally posted by Eric Seavey ... Yes, I know I perhaps should have not chosen the word "unmatched".....although for the price, sensor performance, and features I haven't seen cameras that are a whole lot better. So if you know of any please let me know, I am all ear. "Better" is somewhat subjective. Depends on your needs and priorities. The K-5 is at the top of my list, but here are a few reasons why the D7000 and the E-5 are also in contention: D7000 Very sophisticated AF. Will track objects across the frame, handing off between AF points. Also, will use surrounding AF points to support primary - good for sports. Someone can correct me, but I don't believe that the K-5's AF does any of this. Very good flash system Secondary consideration: dual card slots Downsides: Need expensive FF lenses if you want top quality; weather sealed and IS lenses very costly; build quality and weather sealing not at good as K-5; no in-body IS E-5 Optically very good, reliable, quick focusing mid-range lenses Articulating LCD. (You don't know how useful this can be until you have it.) Secondary consideration: Probably the best dust removal system Downsides: The sensor; very big camera; the top quality FT lenses are very big, heavy, and expensive. Jeff

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02-10-2011, 07:56 AM	#2
JayBee Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Manitoba Photos: Gallery Posts: 119	Definitely!! I'm waiting for my K-5 to come back from Pentax, but if the sensor is clean, then as fas as I'm concerned, there's just the FF issue - and it's not huge. I'm used to fiddling with the flash exposure settings (K10D, K20D, K-5). And initially I didn't realize I had the FF issue (a batch of indoor shots were out of focus, and, although concerned, I had just assumed operator error). But all other results from this camera have been amazing. Outdoor night shots have been especially impressive. It is definitely a great camera. The high-ISO capability and DR are what count for me.

02-10-2011, 08:09 AM	#3
Jeff Charles Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Oaxaca, Mexico; Shohola PA, USA Posts: 219	Originally posted by Eric Seavey There are basically 3 main issues with the K5 so far. 1 FF issue 2 Stains on the sensor 3 PTTL flash overexposure # 2 Looks like the stains on the sensors are addressed. # 3 The flash overexposure is easily compensated by lowering the exposure compensation of the flash. # 1 Is a real problem when taking photo indoors like restaurants, dances, and other dim lit situations with fast lenses. Once this problem is fixed, I'd say we will have an unmatched camera for the price. Just the sensor capabilities, the improved focus (minus the bug), the enhanced metering, and so many other useful functions make this a great camera. Who is with me? I will be surprised if Pentax does not fix all three problems. The only other issues that I am aware of are the continuing SDM saga and some reports of unreliable K-5 AF, even in good light. (Those reports were posted in the getdpi forum.) I have been reading about the K-5 and the D7000 (and to a lesser extent, the E-5) over the last several months. Looking at each system as a whole, the K-5 does come out on top for me. The D7000, however, does have more sophisticated AF. The D7000 also has more lens options, but for my needs, I think I can put together a better zoom lens kit at a lower price for Pentax than for Nikon. And that's in addition to the Pentax primes. So, in answer to your question, the K-5 is a great camera, but "unmatched" depends on a person's needs. It has had some problems coming out of the gate, but I expect those to be resolved in the coming months. Jeff

02-10-2011, 08:20 AM	#4
donallison13 Banned Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 102	Unmatched???? Unmatched at this time in terms of poor Quality Control.

02-10-2011, 08:30 AM	#5
stanic Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Zakopane Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 389	Originally posted by Eric Seavey Who is with me? I`m with you! nevermind the whiners

02-10-2011, 08:53 AM	#6
mokey Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: BC Posts: 219	Originally posted by donallison13 Unmatched???? Unmatched at this time in terms of poor Quality Control. pffft! All the other companies have problems too. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my K5! My first one had stains, and the second has FF issues, but with all that, IMO, this is the best camera out there for the money.

02-10-2011, 08:58 AM - 1 Like	#7
alexeyga Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 838	Another "my di@k is STILL bigger" club? Grow up people... lift-up the blindfolds... take a look around... all that fanboy-izm isn't funny anymore... B.t.w. #3 seems to be solvable by enabling the Highlights Correction and taking a few shots with the flash... you can disable it afterwards.... worked for me...

02-10-2011, 08:59 AM	#8
dgaies Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland / Washington DC Posts: 3,917	Originally posted by donallison13 Unmatched???? Unmatched at this time in terms of poor Quality Control. Originally posted by mokey pffft! All the other companies have problems too. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my K5! My first one had stains, and the second has FF issues, but with all that, IMO, this is the best camera out there for the money. No doubt Pentax had some QC issues with the K-5. I just returned my second K-5 a couple weeks ago and hopefully within the next month or two I'll buy another one (hopefully for the last time). That said, the K-5 is an outstanding camera and I actaully somewhat regret returning mine and waiting for the "issues" to be fixed. I might have been better off I didn't spend a couple months with the K-5 because now I know what I'm missing while I wait

02-10-2011, 09:34 AM	#9
Eric Seavey Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Irvine, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 307 Original Poster	Originally posted by alexeyga Another "my di@k is STILL bigger" club? Grow up people... lift-up the blindfolds... take a look around... all that fanboy-izm isn't funny anymore... Hardly a fan boy actually..... When I came across the FF issue after selling the K7 due to a different issue (blurred images when using PTTL flash at 1/125 to 1/160second), I was so tired of these Pentax bugs, I was ready to simply jump ship and do a full switch to the Canon 7D, which I still may do. But I also have gotten spoiled with the sensor performance, that with the highlights/shadow correction gives an incredible DR... Originally posted by donallison13 Unmatched???? Unmatched at this time in terms of poor Quality Control. Originally posted by Jeff Charles "unmatched" depends on a person's needs Yes, I know I perhaps should have not chosen the word "unmatched".....although for the price, sensor performance, and features I haven't seen cameras that are a whole lot better. So if you know of any please let me know, I am all ear.

02-10-2011, 10:02 AM	#10
Couscousdelight Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Frog-eaters country Photos: Gallery Posts: 357	About the FF, My K5 had no FF issue, i've shot a lot of photos with low tungten light, the focus is good. And, if some K5 are affected, and others aren't, that could be a hardware problem, no ? I'm worried a little, cause i send my K5 for stain issue, and i don't want to get back a camera with a FF instead of stain ! BTW, it looks like a lot of D7000 got a FF issue too, maybe this is the price to pay for high iso performances ? http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1034&thread=37687658

02-10-2011, 11:57 AM	#12
Eric Seavey Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Irvine, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 307 Original Poster	Thanks Jeff, The E-5 with it's smaller and noisier sensor is not an option. I have considered the D7K, but I am reading about it's focus issues too. So now I am down to the Canon 7D and Nikon D300. I like the 16mp resolution for cropping purposes, so the D300 is out. Now I am left with the larger 7D that has slightly inferior sensor than K5. In the end, I would definitely prefer to keep my K5 that focuses properly at low light levels and then the camera will be really great for me.

02-10-2011, 12:04 PM	#13
raphtze Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 136	hecks yea!!!!!! i think only the stain issue is most definitively resolved. dialing back exposure compensation for P-TTL flash is.....not my def of a fix--it should just work damn it. but yes, IT WILL BE A CAMERA FOR THE AGES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! -raph

02-10-2011, 07:11 PM	#14
Smeggypants Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,536	Originally posted by Couscousdelight About the FF, My K5 had no FF issue, i've shot a lot of photos with low tungten light, the focus is good. And, if some K5 are affected, and others aren't, that could be a hardware problem, no ? I'm worried a little, cause i send my K5 for stain issue, and i don't want to get back a camera with a FF instead of stain ! BTW, it looks like a lot of D7000 got a FF issue too, maybe this is the price to pay for high iso performances ? Focus-test: D70 and D7k with 3 different lens under tungsten- and daylight: Nikon D90 - D40 / D7000 - D3000 Forum: Digital Photography Review The FF AF issue has NOTHING to do with high ISO performances. The AF doesn't even involve the sensor, it's located in the base of the camera and fed from a secondary mirror behind the main mirror here's a K-5 cut in half

02-10-2011, 07:41 PM - 1 Like	#15
snofox Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Fredericton New Brunswick Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 334	Originally posted by Smeggypants . . . here's a K-5 cut in half No wonder you are having problems with your K5. Trying to make a half-frame out of an APS-C, were you?

When the FF is fixed, we will have the unmatched "SUPER CAMERA"

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