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06-06-2013, 05:29 AM   #16
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The K-30 is down to $500.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-price-watch/227119-k-30-down-499-b-h-new-post.html

The rumored K-50 will probably be $700 at launch. You would really buy a 12MP camera released in 2008 just because it is still sold in a store?

Side by Side Comparison: Digital Photography Review

06-06-2013, 05:45 AM   #17
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QuoteOriginally posted by boriscleto Quote
The K-30 is down to $500.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-price-watch/227119-k-30-down-499-b-h-new-post.html

The rumored K-50 will probably be $700 at launch. You would really buy a 12MP camera released in 2008 just because it is still sold in a store?

Side by Side Comparison: Digital Photography Review

Well, I was really talking more about the D7000, which by most accounts has better focus, better colors, and better out of the camera image quality. In the old days, I used to enjoy doing loads of post processing on every photo, but these days, I'd prefer them to look excellent out of the camera.
06-06-2013, 05:59 AM   #18
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The K-30 is a great camera.... and the repair rate on a K-5 is just as good as anything in the industry. Really... for the last year for the most part Pentaxes have been pretty reliable. No sensor stains, no SDM problems. Not to say they are perfect, but nothing like the D800 D600 fiascos Nikon had. The extended warranty in may cases costs a lot more than sending a camera back to Pentax under warranty would. It's nice to have insurance, but those companies make a lot of money on those warranties. Half of it goes to the outlet that sells it and the guy who sold it to you. The other half the companies make a tidy profit on. Those companies know what the repair rates are and they see you coming. I know the guys on here think they are doing a service by harping on these issues, but really they are just playuing into the hnads of the companies. Extended warranty is a gamble they know you are going to lose. Like any casino, it may not do you any good, but I guarantee you, they are laughing all the way to the bank. Take the money you'd spend on extended warrantee for product and put it in a special warrantee account, and I guarantees you in 10 years you'll be taking a vacation to somewhere with surplus money.

I did put an extended warranty on my *ist, because it cost me 2k, and I couldn't have replaced it. It was $200 and it saved me $700 in the long run. Except by the time it broke 3 years later (burned out circuit board), if they'd given me my $200 back I would have been happy with the next camera (The K100D ) which was already in discount mode. They spent $700 to my repair my *ist when $500 would have bought me a new K100D. And that's the biggest issue with extended warranties... you give them your money, but they don't always use it the way you would. Keep your money and start earning interest...

But I digress, RIght now a K-30 is a great idea. It's auto-focus is an advance over what is in a K-5, but a K-5 is still a rock solid choice. A choice I already made. My sister has my K20D, my wife and I both have K-5s. I waited untill I could get a K-5 for $799 then pulled the trigger. The best insurance against a camera worth $1500 with tax, failing is, wait until the end of the production run when all the problems are solved, and buy the clear out for $800. If I pay $1500 for it even I feel the need for insurance. If I pay $800 for the same camera, not so much.

So end of rant... I did what you're talking about doing, and I'm totally happy with my choice, and with K-30 prices what they are, if I dropped my camera off a cliff, I'd just buy one of those as a replacement, without batting an eyelash.. You won't go wrong with either one.

Last edited by normhead; 06-06-2013 at 06:05 AM.
06-06-2013, 06:11 AM   #19
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QuoteOriginally posted by billx2 Quote
Well, I was really talking more about the D7000, which by most accounts has better focus, better colors, and better out of the camera image quality. In the old days, I used to enjoy doing loads of post processing on every photo, but these days, I'd prefer them to look excellent out of the camera.
Interesting......have you shot both cameras side by side to come to this conclusion?

06-06-2013, 06:50 AM   #20
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QuoteOriginally posted by billx2 Quote
Well, I was really talking more about the D7000, which by most accounts has better focus, better colors, and better out of the camera image quality. In the old days, I used to enjoy doing loads of post processing on every photo, but these days, I'd prefer them to look excellent out of the camera.
The D7000 and K-5 were released at the same time and have the exact same sensor. By most accounts that I have seen Pentax did a better job of getting more out of the sensor than Nikon did. The AF in the D7000 may be marginally faster, but the AF in the K-5 is more accurate. The only area where the Nikon will beat the Pentax hands down is predictive AF. So if you are shooting lots of sports or bird in flight pics the Nikon may be a better choice (I have plenty of action & BiF pics w/ the K-5 so YMMV). Nikon has a better flash system as well.

Nikon also has the cheap F1.8 G series lenses, that may appeal to you. I like my Takumars.
06-06-2013, 07:28 AM   #21
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QuoteOriginally posted by stormtech Quote
Interesting......have you shot both cameras side by side to come to this conclusion?
No, but I've read a handful of reviews from people who have used both side by side. They concluded that the Pentax has a better professional type image that leaves more data intact for post processing, but straight out of the camera, the Nikon had truer color and contrast.

Most likely, I will be staying with Pentax because of familiarity and the deal that was offered by Adorama gives me the primes I want for significantly less than I could get the Nikon primes.

That has probably been my biggest issue with Pentax: the high price of lenses on the used market compared to Nikon.
(except for the really old manual lenses, but even many of those are crazy high price compared to NikCanon varieties)


BTW, Normhead, regarding the extended warranty:
Have you seen what Adorama is charging for a Pentax 2-year extended warranty? (3y total, straight from Pentax)
It is only $20. Hardly a gamble at that price and if I saved that money, I doubt I'd be taking a vacation on it. Maybe I could buy lunch while on vacation Like I said, the ext warranty is a no brainer on that deal. Now, for the 3rd party warranties that are $100-$200 (higher prices come with more expensive bodies), that is a gamble that may not pay off. Honestly, I've never had a problem requiring service on any of my SLR/DSLR cameras.
06-06-2013, 03:13 PM - 1 Like   #22
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At that price it's a steal. I paid $179 for the extended warranty on my *ist. My how times have changed.

QuoteQuote:
No, but I've read a handful of reviews from people who have used both side by side. They concluded that the Pentax has a better professional type image that leaves more data intact for post processing, but straight out of the camera, the Nikon had truer color and contrast.
They were talking jpeg level processing. And I can tell you exactly what the issue is. Both Nikon and Canon will blow out highlights to get a more contrasty, snappy image. I actually avoided both when I bought my *ist, because, I was taught to maintain detail at all cost. If i want a highlight blown out, I'll blow it out in PP, I don't want a camera that makes that decision for me.

06-06-2013, 03:53 PM   #23
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QuoteOriginally posted by billx2 Quote
OK, Has anyone really thought about this? I am seeing the Nikon D90 for less and the D7000 approach this price, not quite, but close...

I've had this lingering thought "why am I still shooting Pentax?" I am really not that invested into the lenses. I only have three older (inexpensive) manual focus lenses (the nicest is my PKA 50mm F1.8) and an inexpensive F 100-300mm zoom.

What really brought this to the front of my mind is when I tried to search for a Pentax dealer in my area to actually go hold the K5 (or K5ii), there are NONE! When I got into Pentax, Ritz was around and carried them, but they are gone now. Supposedly Fry's Electronics has Pentax, but they are about 50 miles on the other side of town for me.

I still like the idea of being different, but may Pentax is just too fringe/obscure now.
I started DSLR with Pentax K-10D, now with 2 cameras and more than 20 lenses plus few flashes ........every single one I bought was online, none was bought at B&M store and I am happy with what I have now.
06-06-2013, 05:34 PM   #24
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I understand the problem with no nearby bricks & mortar store closeby. If I was only 50 miles across town from one, I would certainly take the trip and hold the camera before buying it, But both my dSLRs (*ist DS and K5) have been bought, either by phone or online, without even seeing one because I'm 3 hours away from a real Pentax dealer. (The camera stores closer than that either don't stock Pentax at all or had a token Kr or Kx when I was looking for the K5). So, it might have been a bit chancy buying sight unseen, but I haven't regretted either purchase.
06-06-2013, 06:00 PM   #25
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QuoteOriginally posted by rod_grant Quote
I understand the problem with no nearby bricks & mortar store closeby. If I was only 50 miles across town from one, I would certainly take the trip and hold the camera before buying it, But both my dSLRs (*ist DS and K5) have been bought, either by phone or online, without even seeing one because I'm 3 hours away from a real Pentax dealer. (The camera stores closer than that either don't stock Pentax at all or had a token Kr or Kx when I was looking for the K5). So, it might have been a bit chancy buying sight unseen, but I haven't regretted either purchase.
The store that is 50 miles from me is not what I'd call a "real Pentax dealer" either. Its Fry's Electronics. Big Box store. They don't even stock lenses and I am not sure they even have a K5 to see. They do seem to have K-30 though. Other than that, I don't see any dealers in my state.

But truthfully, I've bought plenty of big ticket items sight unseen over the phone or internet.
06-07-2013, 04:28 AM   #26
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QuoteOriginally posted by billx2 Quote
Well, I was really talking more about the D7000, which by most accounts has better focus, better colors, and better out of the camera image quality. In the old days, I used to enjoy doing loads of post processing on every photo, but these days, I'd prefer them to look excellent out of the camera.
I'd agree with the AF but none of the rest about the D7000 and I seriously considered replacing my K-5 with the D7000 for sports. I ended up staying with a K-5IIs.
06-12-2013, 03:45 PM   #27
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QuoteOriginally posted by billx2 Quote
I went from a K100D to a K20D about 3 years ago. Both were bought on clearance. I've drooled over the K5 specs since it was released, which was not long after I picked up my K20D. The dynamic range and high ISO performance are something that I would really love to have.

Now the prices are really low on the K-5, (especially, the 2-lens WR zoom kit from Adorama).

I actually called them and they are also willing to give me bundle discounts on the DA 35/2.4 and DA 50/1.8 (saving about $200 combined off their normal prices). Its such a sweet deal, I am really having a hard time holding back.

However, I just started reading some of the reports on K-5 reliability and I'm shocked! Both my K100D and K20D were/are bulletproof. Not a single problem with either. Then I read about K5 sensor issues, and buttons falling off. Am I nuts to trade up my sturdy reliable K20D for a K5 on closeout (assumed to be later production?)?

Are the reliability problems with the K5 isolated to early production? Are later production units showing similar issues? The lens release button issue really seems to be a major slap in the face to Pentax owners.

Also, do you think the K-5 is still a competitive camera? I don't care about doing video with my DSLR. For still photography, it seems like things haven't advanced that much, at least in the mid priced market. I mean, is there another sub-$700 camera (discounting for the lenses in the kit) that can out shoot the K-5?

I am just an avid amateur and will never spend the higher prices on the latest or pro-level equipment. I just want something that is reliable and produce good images in a wider variety of lighting conditions.

Thoughts?
I also recently bought a K-5 on clearance to upgrade from my K20D, and I don't regret it for an instant. The improvement in dynamic range, metering accuracy, and WB accuracy are definately worth it!

P.S.: Pentax has greatly improved the appearance of the digital noise too at the higher ISO settings! The nasty "sprinkled with pepper" look of the K20D noise is completely gone, and has been replaced with noise that could fool people into thinking they are looking at mid-speed ISO 35mm film images.

Last edited by zekewhipper; 06-12-2013 at 04:02 PM.
06-12-2013, 05:56 PM   #28
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Yep, I am just waiting for to sell my K20D kit and I'll be getting the K-5 double lens kit and the two inexpensive primes. Can't wait. It seems like the K-5 will do the things that I've always wanted my digital SLR to do (namely good low light images).
06-17-2013, 08:28 PM   #29
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What is wrong with your K20D so that you want to replace it? Personally I would keep the K20D until it breaks. I do own the K-5 and I love it, but the AF system is not a good friend for me. If I want to get sharp focus on the eyes in anything other than day light I have to struggle (use manual or live view). It is probably user error or/and maybe this issue or/and lens issues I did not encounter those issues with my friends Nikon (D80) or Canon (20D, 40D). Nevertheless I intend to stick with the K-5 which I still love and work around the issues rather than upgrade.

If the AF system has really improved as they claim I would go for the new II or IIs instead, though as I said if there is nothing wrong with your K20D I would keep it.
06-18-2013, 12:49 PM   #30
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QuoteOriginally posted by vanyagor Quote
What is wrong with your K20D so that you want to replace it? Personally I would keep the K20D until it breaks. I do own the K-5 and I love it, but the AF system is not a good friend for me. If I want to get sharp focus on the eyes in anything other than day light I have to struggle (use manual or live view). It is probably user error or/and maybe this issue or/and lens issues I did not encounter those issues with my friends Nikon (D80) or Canon (20D, 40D). Nevertheless I intend to stick with the K-5 which I still love and work around the issues rather than upgrade.

If the AF system has really improved as they claim I would go for the new II or IIs instead, though as I said if there is nothing wrong with your K20D I would keep it.

I've just upgraded from the K20d to K5, and I find the AF of the K5 to be faster and quite accurate.
Also the WB of the K20d was something I never liked, especially in artificial light conditions.
With the K5, WB seems spot on in every situation even when set to auto.
The K5 also has a wider DR which is helpful when shooting portraits.
I could never revert back to the K20d although it is a lovely camera.
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