[liquid0]

@liquid0. K-5 II/s are fine, OK. But they have to be replaced, sometime, sooner or later. If this possible, with no big changes, with technologies already available, why not.

But it has, and it called the K3.

They're more than fine; but the K-3 appears to be even better

Better cameras are always going to be released, but when you really think about it, what is a better camera?
I have seen pictures taken by photographers with Pentax cameras that were released years ago, and the images are allot better than what some people take with the latest and greatest image processing technologies. New cameras are always getting released with conveniently tweaked up models to make photography allot more comfortable, and easier, especially for the armature who is looking to get into the hobby.

Personally I don't think the perfect camera will ever be released, because what ever the K3 now has been stocked with, someone is going to want features or enhancements that were already released by another brand.

So, it now gets me thinking, imagine a FF version of the K3.

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Last edited by liquid0; 12-21-2013 at 09:45 PM.

[JPT]

k-r came out almost 2 years after the k-x
k-50 came out a year later after the k-30 (still scratching my head around that)

This is an updated version of something I posted earlier in the year. The point is to show that the K-30, Q10 and K-5II were delayed by a few months because of the 2011 earthquake and Thai floods, but their successors were not. That’s why the K-50, Q7 and K-3 seemed to come ahead of schedule.

A hyphen is one month, a K or Q is a month where a camera was released and E is March 2011.

K-50 - June 12, 2013
K-30 - May 21, 2012
K-R - Sep 9, 2010
K-X - Sep 17, 2009
K-M - Sep 22, 2008

K-----------K-----------K-----E-------------K------------K------

Q7 - Jun 12, 2013
Q10 - Sep 10, 2012
Q - Jun 23, 2011

Q-----E--------Q--------Q------

K10D - Sep 13, 2006
K20D - Jan 23, 2008
K-7 - May 20, 2009
K-5 - Sep 20, 2010
K-5 II - Sep 10, 2012
K-3 - Oct 7, 2013

K---------------K---------------K---------------K-----E-----------------K------------K--

[JimmyDranox]

There are people who would like a camera with a 16Mp sensor, but with some of the features, if not all, of K-3. If you ask an astronomer, he will tell you that he prefers a 12 Mp sensor, instead of 24, with very low noise, but a new sensor, with high gain, not the old K-r sensor. There are a lot of people, with different preferences. Of course, not all can be done, but K-3 is a very good and modern platform, which can be developed in many ways.

[goubejp]

They need to discontinue the K-5. At the price it now is it will surely be affecting sales of both the K-50 and K-3.

It is discontinued for a while.

[jbinpg]

I would disagree with Jimmy here. I much prefer the K-3 sensor for astro work since the increase in resolution is so apparent. Stacking takes care of any increase in noise compared to the 16Mp sensors.

Jack

[JimmyDranox]

Depends of your style, of your telescope speed and aperture, of the amount of time you have for making one photo, of many other variables. And I don't think that stacking alone can solve the noise problem completely. I know a lot of astrophotographers, including a winner of one of the richest contest, ASA Astrophotographer of The Year 2013, and they all have preferences.

[BLACKDRAGON]

"They need to discontinue the K-5. At the price it now is it will surely be affecting sales of both the K-50 and K-3"

It's still a damned good camera and the more choice there is the better!!

[PJay]

The K5-II is an awesome camera to use.

[PJay]

...And I need to make one more post before I can send someone a PM. Done! (Still love the K5-II though)

[liquid0]

The K5-II is an awesome camera to use.

Amen...

[krebsy75]

My experience as well. It has a special rendering quality for sure.

...the K5IIs produces a clalrity of image that I have never seen before.

Dale

[PJay]

The prices that the K5-ii are now selling at, makes it very tempting to skimp on the K3 for a while..and purchase a back-up camera in the form of a......K5-II.

[liquid0]

The prices that the K5-ii are now selling at, makes it very tempting to skimp on the K3 for a while..and purchase a back-up camera in the form of a......K5-II.

Yeah!! man you should, I may just to that my self,...

[jimr-pdx]

Depends of your style, of your telescope speed and aperture, of the amount of time you have for making one photo, of many other variables. And I don't think that stacking alone can solve the noise problem completely. I know a lot of astrophotographers, including a winner of one of the richest contest, ASA Astrophotographer of The Year 2013, and they all have preferences.

Silly me, I'm hoping the Q will be sufficient; at least it will be among my lighter 'eyepieces'!

I've taken several photos with the II that were absurd AF shots-in-the-dark. And it worked - even in live view when the zoomed image showed me nothing to justify the green AF lock. That's why I bought a bargain II while my K-5 classic awaits a free shop visit. Three cheers for SAFOX X (and XI)!

[malenisjaj]

Before few hours I contacted the importer and they told me that they got the informations from Pentax (Europe) that K-5 II is "available for order". So, in a few weeks I'll be the owner of that lovely DSLR!
But, now I'm wondering, are they still producing that particular model or they have send the last supplies for EU?