long time canon user - K-5 IQ question.

v_lestat · 12-21-2011, 06:02 AM

i am a long time canon user who is looking for something new and exciting.
so i see the k-5 and just blown away by the high iso performance.

anyways i am looking through the forums and am noticing something disturbing to me.
a good many of the pictures being posted here are just flat out soft and out of focus.
i dont need to point out people or threads and i wont, and decent photographer sees them here all the time, i am not here to troll or point a finger at someones work and say it's poopy, but i am not going to lie when i say i am backing away from Pentax because of these shots.

these are not simply out of focus but downright soft and mooshy. its so obvious that i personally would never, could never post a shot like these anywhere and be proud.
i infact have only posted shots like that to prove a cameras focusing is broken (or lens)

they appear out of focus but there is no visible front or back focusing. so i am left with little choice but to say the pentax k-5 produces horribly soft images,,,,
OR
far far too many people here are using old lenses that to not belong on the K-5 because they do not have the resolving power to produce sharp images. (i would believe that before the latter)

i am in love with the K-5's high iso performance compared to canon, and even nikon but so many images (easily seen in the weekly photo contest threads) are so soooo blurry to me i have to wonder what people are doing during the shoot and during post to feel that their images are in focus when they are not.

i take sharp pictures, day in and day out, be it faces, flowers or the moon with my canon USM, L and non USM lenses. and i am seeing only the occasional image out of the K-5 posted here that can even remotely match the sharpness i am getting from canon jpeg and raw files (processed in CS4 and 5)

i have to know, is this just user? error old glass? what ?

please provide your experienced insight as i have no issue switching platforms if it means an upgrade to iso performance, ergonomics, fps, etc.

also i have not researched much yet but what is the lens adaptability of the K series bodies ? ie; M42 no problem i see is no problem, K-Mount lenses require an adapter?? is nikon usable ? etc....

Last edited by v_lestat; 12-21-2011 at 06:07 AM.

jolepp · 12-21-2011, 06:14 AM

Well, I suppose that less than perfect snaps being posted is first and foremost an indication of posters that are not uptight about techincal perfection, which, while a worthy aim is not all there is to photography, the concepts of 'fun' and 'art' at least are as if not more important IMO.

Docrwm · 12-21-2011, 06:28 AM

Welcome aboard ......I think. Let's assume, just for the sake of argument, that you are not a troll. In that case, the K5 will accept any K mount lens without an adapter. You need a $30 adapter for the M42 lenses to mount on the K5. As for old glass, ah.....many people are of the opinion that some of the Pentax old glass and other old M42 lenses are among the sharpest you could ever buy.

Now, back to that assumption.....I think I was wrong.

v_lestat · 12-21-2011, 06:32 AM

Jolepp that is about the most accurate and honest statement about photography i have heard for a long time.
i 100% whole heartedly agree!
and my style of photography is one that i consider to be more artsy than anything because my end result is very much not how the camera took it.
i apply photo styles with alienskin plug ins in photoshop so... i like my retro looking images. but i like them sharp when the style warrants.

that being said i will point out a thread or two, and i think the images i am referring to will point themselves out, and again i am not nitpicking or pointing fingers i am only sighting examples.

p.s. - crap running late for work, will post links when i am in the office.

v_lestat · 12-21-2011, 06:41 AM

Originally posted by Docrwm

Welcome aboard ......I think. Let's assume, just for the sake of argument, that you are not a troll. In that case, the K5 will accept any K mount lens without an adapter. You need a $30 adapter for the M42 lenses to mount on the K5. As for old glass, ah.....many people are of the opinion that some of the Pentax old glass and other old M42 lenses are among the sharpest you could ever buy.

Now, back to that assumption.....I think I was wrong.

oh i am no troll you can bank on that. i am excited about the k-5 but just want clarification on the images i am seeing posted here quite often.
my manual lenses i intend on using, and this is not related to my core question. is an Atan P-MC 28-70 2.8~4.2 (k-mount)
M42 - Yashinon-DS 50mm 1.4 - 'Sears' 135mm F/2.8 and another Asahi 58mm

anyways dont start off looking at my thread as trolling. thats just childish and silly. ALL... A L L potential buyers have questions ad concerns, especially when coming from another platform such as canon or nikon.

in the most basic sense here are two shots of "my style" of photography

http://broveakphotography.zapto.org/photo/convert.php?dir=73747566662f466c6f...067&type=5&v=0

and

http://broveakphotography.zapto.org/photo/convert.php?dir=73747566662f466c6f...047&type=5&v=0

and

http://broveakphotography.zapto.org/photo/convert.php?dir=73747566662f466c6f...067&type=5&v=0

and

http://broveakphotography.zapto.org/photo/convert.php?dir=73747566662f466c6f...067&type=5&v=0

anyways guys i am off to work will be happy to converse more when i get there.

DaveHolmes · 12-21-2011, 07:07 AM

I like the 1st and 4th, the compositions are nice... Nothing

Originally posted by v_lestat

new and exciting

but nice

I look forward to the links of soft K5 images...
I shoot K-x and being that the K5 is a superior model and being that I 'occasionally' obtain sharp images, I find it difficult that you are:

Originally posted by v_lestat

left with little choice but to say the pentax k-5 produces horribly soft images,,,,

Without seeing the images in question I could offer the 'kit lens defence' and the 'new shooter defence' but I won't...

If you want to see some of the best the K5 (and other Pentax cameras) can produce may I suggest you check out: PENTAX : Welcome to the PENTAX Photo Gallery even if you decide to stay with Canon, or indeed cross over to any other brand, I would hope you find the work at PPG at the very least inspirational...

Adam · 12-21-2011, 07:27 AM

This should answer all your questions: Canon 7D vs. Pentax K-5 - Introduction- PentaxForums.com

As far as lens compatibility goes, the native lens mount for the K-5 is the K-mount (duh!) and with an adapter you'll be able to use M42, 645, 67, and other weird lenses. Don't think you can use modern canon or nikon lenses without some crazy modifications, though.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-lens-articles/110657-how-use-meter...k-x-k-7-a.html

Adam
PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide | Site Help | My Photography)

PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

eddie1960 · 12-21-2011, 07:28 AM

Originally posted by DaveHolmes

I like the 1st and 4th, the compositions are nice... Nothing but nice

I look forward to the links of soft K5 images...
I shoot K-x and being that the K5 is a superior model and being that I 'occasionally' obtain sharp images, I find it difficult that you are:

Without seeing the images in question I could offer the 'kit lens defence' and the 'new shooter defence' but I won't...

If you want to see some of the best the K5 (and other Pentax cameras) can produce may I suggest you check out: PENTAX : Welcome to the PENTAX Photo Gallery even if you decide to stay with Canon, or indeed cross over to any other brand, I would hope you find the work at PPG at the very least inspirational...

Beat me to it, PPG is a better place to judge because then you are looking at images that have been juried and show what a camera/lens combo is capable in the right hands.
As for old lenses being soft, no i think that is more missed focus by the user. many of the old lenses are very sharp.
that being said anything less than an uncompressed picture is a crap way to compare cameras. compression itself can cause the issue,
And technical perfection doesn't always produce the most compelling images

2 quotes to live by

Ansel Adams "There is nothing more useless than a sharp photograph of a fuzzy concept."
"Sharpness is a bourgeois concept" - H. Cartier Bresson.

DaveHolmes · 12-21-2011, 08:14 AM

Originally posted by eddie1960

2 quotes to live by
Ansel Adams "There is nothing more useless than a sharp photograph of a fuzzy concept."
"Sharpness is a bourgeois concept" - H. Cartier Bresson.

Word Homie...

ironlionzion · 12-21-2011, 08:21 AM

PPG has great images (one of mine just got accepted today!) but it won't show the sharpness of the images. Overall, images at PPG look pretty soft due to the downsizing of images, so don't use that as a reference of sharpness. There are a lot of beginners on this forum (hey we were all beginners at one time) and a lot of times they post blurry, soft, out of focus, pics. After a while here you tend to recognize the excellent photographers. many of whom have distinct styles. Check out MikeSF's photos....I don't think I could get sharper (or better) pics than his!

GDRoth · 12-21-2011, 08:24 AM - **1 Like**

Up until today I thought there were hundreds of sharp images on the forum.............maybe when you pass 60, you eyes start going bad........

elho_cid · 12-21-2011, 08:57 AM

If you use the K-5 properly, the IQ can be marvelous. But many do not.
Me myself I often leave tripod at home and abuse the built-in shake reduction to it's limits, drive ISO above 1600 carelessly and often I'm leaving the AF point selection to automatic, which may be unpredictable at times.
But when I use the K-5 the way I used to use the K10D, then I'm very happy with sharpness, color, and details.

eddie1960 · 12-21-2011, 08:57 AM

Originally posted by GDRoth

Up until today I thought there were hundreds of sharp images on the forum.............maybe when you pass 60, you eyes start going bad........

hell when you pass 50 they aren't so sharp (at least mine aren't

)

nick52 · 12-21-2011, 09:11 AM

Any camera is capable of a bad photo, but it would only be by user error (or technical difficulty)
A good lens can produce a bad photo. When I am looking for a new lens, I usually look at flickr photos to see if I like it, and the photos for the Tamron 28-75 were SO BAD that I decided that it was the worst lens ever! I was wrong!

eddie1960 · 12-21-2011, 09:22 AM

Originally posted by nick52

Any camera is capable of a bad photo, but it would only be by user error (or technical difficulty)
A good lens can produce a bad photo. When I am looking for a new lens, I usually look at flickr photos to see if I like it, and the photos for the Tamron 28-75 were SO BAD that I decided that it was the worst lens ever! I was wrong!

While Flickr has many excellent images it also has more dross than anywhere else

. not an easy spot to judge a lens/camera.

12-21-2011, 06:02 AM	#1
v_lestat New Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Cedar Rapids, IA Posts: 8	long time canon user - K-5 IQ question. i am a long time canon user who is looking for something new and exciting. so i see the k-5 and just blown away by the high iso performance. anyways i am looking through the forums and am noticing something disturbing to me. a good many of the pictures being posted here are just flat out soft and out of focus. i dont need to point out people or threads and i wont, and decent photographer sees them here all the time, i am not here to troll or point a finger at someones work and say it's poopy, but i am not going to lie when i say i am backing away from Pentax because of these shots. these are not simply out of focus but downright soft and mooshy. its so obvious that i personally would never, could never post a shot like these anywhere and be proud. i infact have only posted shots like that to prove a cameras focusing is broken (or lens) they appear out of focus but there is no visible front or back focusing. so i am left with little choice but to say the pentax k-5 produces horribly soft images,,,, OR far far too many people here are using old lenses that to not belong on the K-5 because they do not have the resolving power to produce sharp images. (i would believe that before the latter) i am in love with the K-5's high iso performance compared to canon, and even nikon but so many images (easily seen in the weekly photo contest threads) are so soooo blurry to me i have to wonder what people are doing during the shoot and during post to feel that their images are in focus when they are not. i take sharp pictures, day in and day out, be it faces, flowers or the moon with my canon USM, L and non USM lenses. and i am seeing only the occasional image out of the K-5 posted here that can even remotely match the sharpness i am getting from canon jpeg and raw files (processed in CS4 and 5) i have to know, is this just user? error old glass? what ? please provide your experienced insight as i have no issue switching platforms if it means an upgrade to iso performance, ergonomics, fps, etc. also i have not researched much yet but what is the lens adaptability of the K series bodies ? ie; M42 no problem i see is no problem, K-Mount lenses require an adapter?? is nikon usable ? etc.... Last edited by v_lestat; 12-21-2011 at 06:07 AM.

12-21-2011, 08:24 AM - 1 Like	#11
GDRoth Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: S.E. Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 830	Lying Eyes Up until today I thought there were hundreds of sharp images on the forum.............maybe when you pass 60, you eyes start going bad........

12-21-2011, 09:22 AM	#15
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,667	Originally posted by nick52 Any camera is capable of a bad photo, but it would only be by user error (or technical difficulty) A good lens can produce a bad photo. When I am looking for a new lens, I usually look at flickr photos to see if I like it, and the photos for the Tamron 28-75 were SO BAD that I decided that it was the worst lens ever! I was wrong! While Flickr has many excellent images it also has more dross than anywhere else. not an easy spot to judge a lens/camera.

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12-21-2011, 06:14 AM	#2
jolepp Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Finland Photos: Albums Posts: 3,196	Well, I suppose that less than perfect snaps being posted is first and foremost an indication of posters that are not uptight about techincal perfection, which, while a worthy aim is not all there is to photography, the concepts of 'fun' and 'art' at least are as if not more important IMO.

12-21-2011, 06:28 AM	#3
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Welcome aboard ......I think. Let's assume, just for the sake of argument, that you are not a troll. In that case, the K5 will accept any K mount lens without an adapter. You need a $30 adapter for the M42 lenses to mount on the K5. As for old glass, ah.....many people are of the opinion that some of the Pentax old glass and other old M42 lenses are among the sharpest you could ever buy. Now, back to that assumption.....I think I was wrong.

12-21-2011, 06:32 AM	#4
v_lestat New Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Cedar Rapids, IA Posts: 8 Original Poster	Jolepp that is about the most accurate and honest statement about photography i have heard for a long time. i 100% whole heartedly agree! and my style of photography is one that i consider to be more artsy than anything because my end result is very much not how the camera took it. i apply photo styles with alienskin plug ins in photoshop so... i like my retro looking images. but i like them sharp when the style warrants. that being said i will point out a thread or two, and i think the images i am referring to will point themselves out, and again i am not nitpicking or pointing fingers i am only sighting examples. p.s. - crap running late for work, will post links when i am in the office.

12-21-2011, 06:41 AM	#5
v_lestat New Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Cedar Rapids, IA Posts: 8 Original Poster	Originally posted by Docrwm Welcome aboard ......I think. Let's assume, just for the sake of argument, that you are not a troll. In that case, the K5 will accept any K mount lens without an adapter. You need a $30 adapter for the M42 lenses to mount on the K5. As for old glass, ah.....many people are of the opinion that some of the Pentax old glass and other old M42 lenses are among the sharpest you could ever buy. Now, back to that assumption.....I think I was wrong. oh i am no troll you can bank on that. i am excited about the k-5 but just want clarification on the images i am seeing posted here quite often. my manual lenses i intend on using, and this is not related to my core question. is an Atan P-MC 28-70 2.8~4.2 (k-mount) M42 - Yashinon-DS 50mm 1.4 - 'Sears' 135mm F/2.8 and another Asahi 58mm anyways dont start off looking at my thread as trolling. thats just childish and silly. ALL... A L L potential buyers have questions ad concerns, especially when coming from another platform such as canon or nikon. in the most basic sense here are two shots of "my style" of photography http://broveakphotography.zapto.org/photo/convert.php?dir=73747566662f466c6f...067&type=5&v=0 and http://broveakphotography.zapto.org/photo/convert.php?dir=73747566662f466c6f...047&type=5&v=0 and http://broveakphotography.zapto.org/photo/convert.php?dir=73747566662f466c6f...067&type=5&v=0 and http://broveakphotography.zapto.org/photo/convert.php?dir=73747566662f466c6f...067&type=5&v=0 anyways guys i am off to work will be happy to converse more when i get there.

12-21-2011, 07:07 AM	#6
DaveHolmes Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 1,501	I like the 1st and 4th, the compositions are nice... Nothing Originally posted by v_lestat new and exciting but nice I look forward to the links of soft K5 images... I shoot K-x and being that the K5 is a superior model and being that I 'occasionally' obtain sharp images, I find it difficult that you are: Originally posted by v_lestat left with little choice but to say the pentax k-5 produces horribly soft images,,,, Without seeing the images in question I could offer the 'kit lens defence' and the 'new shooter defence' but I won't... If you want to see some of the best the K5 (and other Pentax cameras) can produce may I suggest you check out: PENTAX : Welcome to the PENTAX Photo Gallery even if you decide to stay with Canon, or indeed cross over to any other brand, I would hope you find the work at PPG at the very least inspirational...

12-21-2011, 07:27 AM	#7
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	This should answer all your questions: Canon 7D vs. Pentax K-5 - Introduction- PentaxForums.com As far as lens compatibility goes, the native lens mount for the K-5 is the K-mount (duh!) and with an adapter you'll be able to use M42, 645, 67, and other weird lenses. Don't think you can use modern canon or nikon lenses without some crazy modifications, though. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-lens-articles/110657-how-use-meter...k-x-k-7-a.html Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

12-21-2011, 07:28 AM	#8
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,667	Originally posted by DaveHolmes I like the 1st and 4th, the compositions are nice... Nothing but nice I look forward to the links of soft K5 images... I shoot K-x and being that the K5 is a superior model and being that I 'occasionally' obtain sharp images, I find it difficult that you are: Without seeing the images in question I could offer the 'kit lens defence' and the 'new shooter defence' but I won't... If you want to see some of the best the K5 (and other Pentax cameras) can produce may I suggest you check out: PENTAX : Welcome to the PENTAX Photo Gallery even if you decide to stay with Canon, or indeed cross over to any other brand, I would hope you find the work at PPG at the very least inspirational... Beat me to it, PPG is a better place to judge because then you are looking at images that have been juried and show what a camera/lens combo is capable in the right hands. As for old lenses being soft, no i think that is more missed focus by the user. many of the old lenses are very sharp. that being said anything less than an uncompressed picture is a crap way to compare cameras. compression itself can cause the issue, And technical perfection doesn't always produce the most compelling images 2 quotes to live by Ansel Adams "There is nothing more useless than a sharp photograph of a fuzzy concept." "Sharpness is a bourgeois concept" - H. Cartier Bresson.

12-21-2011, 08:14 AM	#9
DaveHolmes Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 1,501	Originally posted by eddie1960 2 quotes to live by Ansel Adams "There is nothing more useless than a sharp photograph of a fuzzy concept." "Sharpness is a bourgeois concept" - H. Cartier Bresson. Word Homie...

12-21-2011, 08:21 AM	#10
ironlionzion Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 409	PPG has great images (one of mine just got accepted today!) but it won't show the sharpness of the images. Overall, images at PPG look pretty soft due to the downsizing of images, so don't use that as a reference of sharpness. There are a lot of beginners on this forum (hey we were all beginners at one time) and a lot of times they post blurry, soft, out of focus, pics. After a while here you tend to recognize the excellent photographers. many of whom have distinct styles. Check out MikeSF's photos....I don't think I could get sharper (or better) pics than his!

12-21-2011, 08:57 AM	#12
elho_cid Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Prague Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,199	If you use the K-5 properly, the IQ can be marvelous. But many do not. Me myself I often leave tripod at home and abuse the built-in shake reduction to it's limits, drive ISO above 1600 carelessly and often I'm leaving the AF point selection to automatic, which may be unpredictable at times. But when I use the K-5 the way I used to use the K10D, then I'm very happy with sharpness, color, and details.

12-21-2011, 08:57 AM	#13
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,667	Originally posted by GDRoth Up until today I thought there were hundreds of sharp images on the forum.............maybe when you pass 60, you eyes start going bad........ hell when you pass 50 they aren't so sharp (at least mine aren't )

12-21-2011, 09:11 AM	#14
nick52 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Texas Photos: Albums Posts: 243	Any camera is capable of a bad photo, but it would only be by user error (or technical difficulty) A good lens can produce a bad photo. When I am looking for a new lens, I usually look at flickr photos to see if I like it, and the photos for the Tamron 28-75 were SO BAD that I decided that it was the worst lens ever! I was wrong!