My new K5 so far

wildman · 01-10-2013, 04:18 PM

Had about a month to mess about with it.
I upgraded from the K20 because of the better ISO performance.
I have not been disappointed.

Took this with my slow cheap Sigma 70-300 zoom under very poor light. Just a quick handheld shot. Such a shot would have been impossible with the K20. No special PP. No NR. ETTR. I think the SR feature may work better than the old K20 also.

So far so good.

Last edited by wildman; 01-20-2013 at 04:30 AM.

Saxplayer1004 · 01-10-2013, 05:09 PM

Great shot with that lens!

I just upgraded to the K-5 from a K10d and I'm quite impressed. I was initially concerned with the smaller size, but I much prefer the ergonomics on the K-5. Need a grip to make it feel right though. keep reaching for the playback button on the side instead of on top...

**kiwi_jono** · 01-10-2013, 05:41 PM

Great shot!
Quality is pretty impressive for ISO 12800 (even if it is a smaller size).

I'm loving my K-5. I am coming form a K-x and even though the K-x had pretty good high ISO, the K-5 is a big step up in so many other regards. Particularly like the brighter viewfinder and metering seems a significantly better.

Laurentiu Cristofor · 01-10-2013, 06:00 PM

Originally posted by wildman

Such a shot would have been impossible with the K20.

Yes, it is a big change, because it is the difference between a sensor that was average for its time (K20D) and one that is still state of the art (K-5). Just look at how much better the D90 (state of the art for 2008) was compared to the K20D. Sony sensors are just so much better than Samsung's - if Pentax got any benefit from their association with Samsung, I would like to know what that was.

wildman · 01-10-2013, 09:14 PM

Originally posted by Saxplayer1004

I was initially concerned with the smaller size,

Yes. When I handle the K20 now it feels kind of fat and bloated. Reminds me of the FF Nikons I handled.

Originally posted by kiwi_jono

Particularly like the brighter viewfinder and metering seems a significantly better.

I think the AWB might be a bit more accurate also.

Originally posted by Laurentiu Cristofor

Yes, it is a big change,

Can't help but wonder, given improvements in sensors, if FF will really be all the future rage we think they will be right now.
So far they are just too damn big for me. Compare my Nikon F2 to the FF digital Nikons and you would think they were MF cameras.
So far whatever advantages digital has given us it hasn't made cameras any more lighter or smaller.

**todd** · 01-10-2013, 09:29 PM

Originally posted by wildman

No NR.

Wow did you have the in-camera NR set high? I've taken some 12800 iso shots with my k5 but haven't seen them come out this clean that I can recall... (Haven't tried boosting the in-camera NR either)

wildman · 01-10-2013, 10:12 PM

Originally posted by todd

did you have the in-camera NR set high?

No all that sort of stuff is shut off on my cameras. But I shoot in RAW anyway so I don't think it really matters.
Shooting to the right might be what is making the difference.

Here's one at ISO of 6400 with a bit more PP but the same glass.
Also a very low natural light shot from a north facing window like the first one but cropped a bit....

Last edited by wildman; 01-20-2013 at 04:30 AM.

Laurentiu Cristofor · 01-10-2013, 10:30 PM

Originally posted by wildman

Can't help but wonder, given improvements in sensors, if FF will really be all the future rage we think they will be right now.

I already feel that the differences between formats are insignificant except perhaps for some very special scenarios or requirements. There will be improvements in sensors, but I expect I will only notice them in dxomark scores and forum discussions from now on. However, FF will always attract people that already have a collection of 35mm lenses that they want to use as they did in the film days. I want to try a FF camera body just for that.

wildman · 01-10-2013, 11:47 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Laurentiu Cristofor

There will be improvements in sensors, but I expect I will only notice them in dxomark scores and forum discussions from now on.

Yep.
It wouldn't surprise me that in a short time a APS-C sensor will be giving performance comparable to what the Nikon D600 now gives. But it won't matter on the forums because
people are so hung up on relative rather than absolute differences in performance between the formats or lens' for that matter. For instance the optical performance of my modest FA 35 is so good that I don't care if I ever have another lens that is any "better". At some point enough is also good enough. Get on with the task of improving your pictures not your gear.

reeftool · 01-11-2013, 12:06 AM

Some fine results from from your K5 and the Sigma. I also have the 70-300 and have no complaints about the results I have got from that lens through the years. The high ISO capability of the K5 is amazing.

asp1880 · 01-11-2013, 04:03 AM

Originally posted by wildman

Took this with my slow cheap Sigma 70-300 zoom under very poor light. Just a quick handheld shot.

Fascinating eyes!

Regards,
--Anders.

wildman · 01-11-2013, 04:52 AM

Originally posted by reeftool

I also have the 70-300 and have no complaints about the results I have got from that lens through the years.

The K5 has breathed new life into it. It's slow and now it's practical to use indoors under available light at apertures where the glass is at least decent.
I have noticed that the zoom ring has been getting stiffer and less smooth as time goes on but so far I can live with it.

**todd** · 01-11-2013, 09:18 AM

You have me thinking I need to start using my tam70-300 more with my K-5. The primes have been hogging the camera since I got it in the summer.

userage · 01-11-2013, 05:19 PM

Damn, I bought a K5 today can't wait for it too arrive

**Ex Finn.** · 01-11-2013, 05:40 PM

Originally posted by userage

Damn, I bought a K5 today can't wait for it too arrive

Someone has said it here before..."The K5 is what the K7 should have been".
Enjoy your new toy.

01-10-2013, 04:18 PM	#1
wildman Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Flyover America Posts: 4,469	My new K5 so far Had about a month to mess about with it. I upgraded from the K20 because of the better ISO performance. I have not been disappointed. Took this with my slow cheap Sigma 70-300 zoom under very poor light. Just a quick handheld shot. Such a shot would have been impossible with the K20. No special PP. No NR. ETTR. I think the SR feature may work better than the old K20 also. So far so good. Last edited by wildman; 01-20-2013 at 04:30 AM.

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01-10-2013, 05:09 PM	#2
Saxplayer1004 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Greenville SC Posts: 179	Great shot with that lens! I just upgraded to the K-5 from a K10d and I'm quite impressed. I was initially concerned with the smaller size, but I much prefer the ergonomics on the K-5. Need a grip to make it feel right though. keep reaching for the playback button on the side instead of on top...

01-10-2013, 05:41 PM	#3
kiwi_jono Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,437	Great shot! Quality is pretty impressive for ISO 12800 (even if it is a smaller size). I'm loving my K-5. I am coming form a K-x and even though the K-x had pretty good high ISO, the K-5 is a big step up in so many other regards. Particularly like the brighter viewfinder and metering seems a significantly better.

01-10-2013, 06:00 PM	#4
Laurentiu Cristofor Banned Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: WA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,055	Originally posted by wildman Such a shot would have been impossible with the K20. Yes, it is a big change, because it is the difference between a sensor that was average for its time (K20D) and one that is still state of the art (K-5). Just look at how much better the D90 (state of the art for 2008) was compared to the K20D. Sony sensors are just so much better than Samsung's - if Pentax got any benefit from their association with Samsung, I would like to know what that was.

01-10-2013, 09:14 PM	#5
wildman Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Flyover America Posts: 4,469 Original Poster	Originally posted by Saxplayer1004 I was initially concerned with the smaller size, Yes. When I handle the K20 now it feels kind of fat and bloated. Reminds me of the FF Nikons I handled. Originally posted by kiwi_jono Particularly like the brighter viewfinder and metering seems a significantly better. I think the AWB might be a bit more accurate also. Originally posted by Laurentiu Cristofor Yes, it is a big change, Can't help but wonder, given improvements in sensors, if FF will really be all the future rage we think they will be right now. So far they are just too damn big for me. Compare my Nikon F2 to the FF digital Nikons and you would think they were MF cameras. So far whatever advantages digital has given us it hasn't made cameras any more lighter or smaller.

01-10-2013, 09:29 PM	#6
todd Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,800	Originally posted by wildman No NR. Wow did you have the in-camera NR set high? I've taken some 12800 iso shots with my k5 but haven't seen them come out this clean that I can recall... (Haven't tried boosting the in-camera NR either)

01-10-2013, 10:12 PM	#7
wildman Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Flyover America Posts: 4,469 Original Poster	Originally posted by todd did you have the in-camera NR set high? No all that sort of stuff is shut off on my cameras. But I shoot in RAW anyway so I don't think it really matters. Shooting to the right might be what is making the difference. Here's one at ISO of 6400 with a bit more PP but the same glass. Also a very low natural light shot from a north facing window like the first one but cropped a bit.... Last edited by wildman; 01-20-2013 at 04:30 AM.

01-10-2013, 10:30 PM	#8
Laurentiu Cristofor Banned Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: WA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,055	Originally posted by wildman Can't help but wonder, given improvements in sensors, if FF will really be all the future rage we think they will be right now. I already feel that the differences between formats are insignificant except perhaps for some very special scenarios or requirements. There will be improvements in sensors, but I expect I will only notice them in dxomark scores and forum discussions from now on. However, FF will always attract people that already have a collection of 35mm lenses that they want to use as they did in the film days. I want to try a FF camera body just for that.

01-10-2013, 11:47 PM - 1 Like	#9
wildman Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Flyover America Posts: 4,469 Original Poster	Originally posted by Laurentiu Cristofor There will be improvements in sensors, but I expect I will only notice them in dxomark scores and forum discussions from now on. Yep. It wouldn't surprise me that in a short time a APS-C sensor will be giving performance comparable to what the Nikon D600 now gives. But it won't matter on the forums because people are so hung up on relative rather than absolute differences in performance between the formats or lens' for that matter. For instance the optical performance of my modest FA 35 is so good that I don't care if I ever have another lens that is any "better". At some point enough is also good enough. Get on with the task of improving your pictures not your gear.

01-11-2013, 12:06 AM	#10
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,555	Some fine results from from your K5 and the Sigma. I also have the 70-300 and have no complaints about the results I have got from that lens through the years. The high ISO capability of the K5 is amazing.

01-11-2013, 04:03 AM	#11
asp1880 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Lyngby, Copenhagen Photos: Albums Posts: 742	Originally posted by wildman Took this with my slow cheap Sigma 70-300 zoom under very poor light. Just a quick handheld shot. Fascinating eyes! Regards, --Anders.

01-11-2013, 04:52 AM	#12
wildman Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Flyover America Posts: 4,469 Original Poster	Originally posted by reeftool I also have the 70-300 and have no complaints about the results I have got from that lens through the years. The K5 has breathed new life into it. It's slow and now it's practical to use indoors under available light at apertures where the glass is at least decent. I have noticed that the zoom ring has been getting stiffer and less smooth as time goes on but so far I can live with it.

01-11-2013, 09:18 AM	#13
todd Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,800	You have me thinking I need to start using my tam70-300 more with my K-5. The primes have been hogging the camera since I got it in the summer.

01-11-2013, 05:19 PM	#14
userage Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 198	Damn, I bought a K5 today can't wait for it too arrive

01-11-2013, 05:40 PM	#15
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	Originally posted by userage Damn, I bought a K5 today can't wait for it too arrive Someone has said it here before..."The K5 is what the K7 should have been". Enjoy your new toy.