[stillpoint]

Well, hello all.
I'm new to "PENTAX forums", & I feel like an impostor, because I don't have any Pentax gear. I am, though, on the cusp on buying a K-5 (& buying into the Pentax system), and I thought I might find a welcome amongst you, & learn whether, in fact, I really am making the right move!

[Ash]

Welcome here mate and I hope you enjoy the forum.

[xjjohnno]

Greetings stillpoint, when the K5 turms up I hope you take a few pics of the Otways.

[stillpoint]

Thanks Ash. Just checked your images...very nice. Looking forward to the community.
Wayne

[stillpoint]

Thanks johnno,
I haven't ordered the K5 yet...still trying to decide...a bit nervous after reading a recent post about "mirror flop"...but will post something of the Otways when I get sorted.

[pickles]

Welcome ..... from Melbourne!
Lovely part of the world where you live.....been there a few times....went to look at a MAGNIFICENT mansion there...Barwon Park was it.....built by the Austin family.....simply lovely.
Cheers, Pickles.

[stillpoint]

Thanks for your welcome. Nice to know there are some Pentax users roughly in the area.

Yup, Barwon Park Mansion...grand old place...been renovated recently...quite special.

Cheers,
Wayne

[wizofoz]

G'day from another Melbournian ...and another Wayne!

Get the K-5, it is an awesome beastie.

The reports of problems/failures are a little daunting, but it seems on average the problem rate with the K-5 is roughly the same as camera's from Nikanon. Somewhere about a 5% customer reported problem rate. Pretty typical for modern electronic equipment.

Wayne

[stillpoint]

Thanks Wayne. Maybe my next comments should be in another forum rather than this "Introduction/Welcome" forum, but...

I'm also struggling with the issue of lenses. I know that Pentax is well reputed for fixed lens quality, but I am not used to fixed lenses, and I am having trouble finding consistent great reviews for either the 16-45 or the 16-50...they both seem to have their issues. I am looking for a lift in quality from my present system which is Minolta/Sony.

I am mostly interested in landscape and macro details, and have been wanting to step up one rung in image quality. I have been convinced that the 50-135 is a great lens, but I also want the wide zoom, and need convincing that I will find it in the Pentax range, before I launch out...

[wizofoz]

I have never used either the Da* 16-50 or the Da16-45 but I have read many reviews of both. The 16-45 seems to be a bit of a middle of the road lens, a step up from the kit zoom, and the 16-50 is meant to have stellar IQ, but many are wary of it's reputation for SDM failure. The consensus seems to be that the SDM issues were mainly with the early versions of the lens. Many people recommend the Sigma and Tamron 16-50 F2.8 lenses, again, I have no first hand experience.

I would also point you to the wonderful DA 12 - 24 F4 WA zoom. It is my choice of WA lenses.

Pentax has a few great zoom lenses, the DA 50-135 that you mention is an absolute stunner, for example. The great joy of the Pentax system however is the wonderful tiny jewels that are the DA and FA primes. Next on my 'lust list' is the DFa 100 macro WR. medium tele for portraits and weather resistant macro....very tempting.

As you can see from my sig line, once prime LBA gets ya, abandon all hope of a sustainable bank balance...

[stillpoint]

Thanks for your response and advice Wayne. I am already sold on the 50-135, and have been considering the 12-24 (good to hear it get a great report). Unfortunately I can't afford such an extensive range of great fixed lenses as you have (I am already in serious and testing negotiations with the "finance minister" about my present desire to dump my current Minolta/Sony outfit and buy into a completely new system...tricky business!)

I made the decision to investigate Pentax because of such good reviews of the K5, especially regarding its dynamic range (which is important for me because I am interested in landscape photography) and I am dead keen on only buying the best lenses to give the K5 a chance of living up to its potential...that's why I am being so fussy about all this.

Looking forward to hearing more from anyone on this topic...

Cheers,
Wayne

[wizofoz]

I solved my 'finance minister' problem a decade ago by making the position redundant. I'm not suggesting you throw out 'she who must be obeyed', but it makes life easier when only one person needs to be taken into account when deciding which toys to buy

As you are interested in landscape and WA lenses, I suggest you look at the most excellent 'The 15mm Limited controls my mind' thread hereabouts. WARNING! LBA force is strong in this thread. You WILL be seduced into buying this tiny jewel if you read through this thread.