[Etrsi_645]

Moving from an Olympus E-500 with 2 kit zooms circa 2005. I wish to get the 16-50 f/2.8 and 50-135 f2.8 lenses with it; with a weather resistant body, I felt the need to go weather resistance lenses and also want f/2.8.

I have read most of the sensor stain, LCD inside dust, softness of the 2.8 SDM zooms wide open compared to 3rd party lenses, chromatic aberration, and possible SDM focusing issues ..

My Olympus zooms were the kit 14-45 f/3.5-5.6 and the 40-150 f/3.5-4.5. The Pentax 2.8 lenses should outperform these 2 Olympus lenes for quality, shouldn't they? If they do, I can be satisfied with them

And I see there is a $19.95 two year extended warranty available. Any need for the more expensive $100 to $250+ more comprehensive warranty offered at check out?

To the point I have K-5 anxiety, reassure me please!

Rick W.

[Adam]

The $989 price tag on the K-5 is going to be gone for good in 2 days, so that should be reassuring in itself Also, the only extra thing that the more expensive warranties will cover is wear-and-tear and accidental damage, so as long as you handle your camera properly, you shouldn't need the added coverage. $19.95 is definitly worth spending on two extra years of covered repairs

While weather resistance is nice, you've got to ask yourself how often you will really need it The reason I bring this up is that the Sigma 17-50mm is actually better than the Pentax DA* 16-50mm, and the AF won't fail on it (with the Pentax lens, it's likely that it will fail if you use it extensively - it'd say the odds are in the 10-20% range).
Here's the comparative review: DA* 16-50mm vs. Sigma and Tamron 17-50mm F2.8 Comparison - Introduction - PentaxForums.com

If you decide on the Sigma (which is also cheaper, while we're at it), as there's a $75 rebate that expires on 3/31 on it also: Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM Zoom Lens for Pentax 58C109 B&H

Then you can still get the 50-135mm, or if you want to go with Sigma again, a good alternative would be the 70-200mm F2.8 (or Tamron 70-200mm F2.8):
Fast Sports Zoom Lenses for Pentax - 70-200mm Sigma & Tamron - PentaxForums.com

Finally, for a rainy day I'd get the 18-135mm all-purpose lens. The AF on this thing is lightning-fast (for a change), so I'm sure you'll enjoy it! No reported cases of it's breaking, either
SMC Pentax-DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 ED AL [IF] DC WR Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

You might want to take a moment to think about your lens choice, but yes, these premium lenses will generally outperform your variable-aperture Olympus glass. If you do go for the K-5 + Sigma lens now, though, you can save as much as $200 compared to next week

[kaiserz]

just want to be sure, the 500 rebate is still good untill saturday, but will be gone on sunday?

[Adam]

Yes, it will. The new price for the K-5 will be $1099- see this post for more info:
New Pentax Pricing Scheme - Pentax Camera News & Rumors - PentaxForums.com

But note that B&H won't take your order between 4:30PM Friday and 8:30PM on Saturday, so if you want to lock in the $989 price ideally you'll want to complete checkout before then. I think Adorama will go ahead and take your order during those hours, but they won't process it until Monday.

Adam
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[kaiserz]

Ohh okay. so it's going ti be 1099 fixed. That's awesome.

[Clones123]

I wish to get the 16-50 f/2.8 and 50-135 f2.8 lenses with it; with a weather resistant body, I felt the need to go weather resistance lenses and also want f/2.8.

Look at the current retail prices on the Pentax web store:

DA*16-50mm.....MSRP $1,500.....(street price is $799)
DA*50-135mm...MSRP $1,600.....(street price is $849)

The big question is by how much retail prices will be cut next week. Even if retail prices drop quite a bit, then we'll still be left with significantly higher prices, no?

[Wheatfield]

To the point I have K-5 anxiety, reassure me please!

If the purchase is making you anxious, then you bought the wrong product.

[NZ_Ross]

I have a K-5 and DA* 16-50 f2.8. I am very happy with the K-5 and 16-50. The lens is relatively heavy, but works ok as a walk around lens. It also performs ok in lower light. The WR feature is really useful if you are traveling and there is rain/drizzle the one day you are at a place. I was in Samoa earlier in the week with exactly this problem - due to the WR of the K-5 and the 16-50 I was happy to be out and about still capturing the images I wanted to.

There is no 'right' answer to either camera or lens selection - all you can do is read reviews, listen to advice and make decisions based on your own requirements. Adams advice above is good.

If you want a K-5 right now is the time to purchase one.

I am very happy with my K-5.

Regards,

Ross

[Etrsi_645]

I just ordered from B&H...a body, and those 2 above mentioned lenses...

[twitch]

Congratulations, that's a fantastic kit you've ordered there. I have the K-5 & the DA*50-135 and it is a very very capable combination, the IQ is pretty stunning. I never had much luck with the couple of 16-50's I ordered, but just test it all out within the 14-day return period return to B&H if there's any problem (which is what I did and how I ended up with a 12-24 instead of the 16-50).

[NZ_Ross]

Have fun with the new gear. I know you are going to enjoy using the K-5 and lenses.

[JimDickinson]

I was in your same predicament 6 months ago and I went ahead and bought my K-5 and DA* 16-50 based largely on the encouragement I got on this forum. That was great advice and I have never regretted my K-5 purchase for a second. Lovely camera to handle and operate and it produces stunning images. The 16-50 is a very nice lens, and in a few weeks I will be adding a DA* 50-135 to complete my basic zoom arsenal.

So based on my experience I think you made the right decision, especially at the current price. You will be really glad that you did.

[kwar]

No comment on the lenses but I just ordered a K-5 as well. At this point I'm going to keep my K-r as I wish I had kept my K-x.

[agkchang]

I have the K-5 and those two lenses from when I bought them with my K20D. Very happy with them. Also, just purchased a second K-5 and plan to sell my K20D, grip, and 18-55mm WR lens (purchased with K-5 last year).

[felixkh]

I too have the K5 which I upgraded from the K7. I also have the DA*16-50/2.8 which was with me since my K20D time (3yrs). Great combination. I also have the DA18-135 as my vacation lens.