upgrade from Fuji S5 Pro to K5 - does it make sense?

natus · 06-01-2013, 07:56 AM

Hi, my first post here, so hello everyone.

I would like to upgrade my Fuji S5 Pro (bought in 2008, 35k photos) into sth newer (and better). After quick market overview I think, that K5 seems to be the winner (performance to price). I do have some nikon lenses (35, 18-70, 70-300 vr) but they are popular and selling them without lose should not be the problem.

I am thinking about buying K5 with 18-135 kit (best netto offer for body, while 18-135 would be sold instantly) and than tamron 17-50 or 18-55 + 35/2.4.

Does this change of body make sense to you?

I will lose bigger lenses market (I was in pentax system with K10d in the past), DR on ISO 400-800 and better (???) AF - for sure quieter AF-S.
I will gain way higher ISO, SR with all lenses, possibility to fine tune AF for each lens.

looking forward to any hints
thanks in advance

panoguy · 06-01-2013, 09:07 AM

Originally posted by natus

I will lose... DR on ISO 400-800 and better (???)

Actually, you will gain DR in almost all ISOs with a K-5 (or II or IIs). The S5 had amazing DR for 2008, but is edged out by the K-5, particularly in terms of shadow detail (while the Fuji sensor excelled at highlight detail). This might mean adjusting your metering style, but a new camera means adjusting to a lot of differences...

You will also be losing a lot of size and "gear weight" going from the S5 to the K-5!
Of course, there are also lots of excellent, modern AF prime lenses for Pentax APS-C. Not as many for Nikon... go figure!

Oh yeah, and welcome to the Forums!

Docrwm · 06-01-2013, 09:10 AM

This is a great time to buy the original K-5 and 18-135 combination. The WR of that combo never ceases to amaze the non-Pentax shooters when I am out and its pouring. The 18-135 is VERY quiet as it has an electric motor in it (thank goodness not SDM). Not sure why you would sell the 18-135. There are some great deals on buying a body with a 35/2.4 or 50/1.8 for a big discount at Adorama and B&H. Personally I have had all 3 models of 18-55 and the 18-135 and the 18-135 is better in almost every way I can think of - better IQ, better range, WR, and silent. The only advantage to the 18-55 is that its smaller. I think your Fuji S5 Pro took a Nikon battery grip but not sure - there are several nice choices for grips for the K-5.

**jatrax** · 06-01-2013, 09:51 PM

Originally posted by natus

I am thinking about buying K5 with 18-135 kit (best netto offer for body, while 18-135 would be sold instantly)

Curious why you would sell off the 18-135? It is a quite good lens, nearly silent, quick AF and it is WR. Certainly better than the 18-55. It is all my wife uses for product photography.

top-quark · 06-02-2013, 01:32 AM

K-5 is still a fab camera, no doubt about it. But if I had Nikon kit already, I'd be looking at a D7000.

06-01-2013, 07:56 AM	#1
natus New Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 4	upgrade from Fuji S5 Pro to K5 - does it make sense? Hi, my first post here, so hello everyone. I would like to upgrade my Fuji S5 Pro (bought in 2008, 35k photos) into sth newer (and better). After quick market overview I think, that K5 seems to be the winner (performance to price). I do have some nikon lenses (35, 18-70, 70-300 vr) but they are popular and selling them without lose should not be the problem. I am thinking about buying K5 with 18-135 kit (best netto offer for body, while 18-135 would be sold instantly) and than tamron 17-50 or 18-55 + 35/2.4. Does this change of body make sense to you? I will lose bigger lenses market (I was in pentax system with K10d in the past), DR on ISO 400-800 and better (???) AF - for sure quieter AF-S. I will gain way higher ISO, SR with all lenses, possibility to fine tune AF for each lens. looking forward to any hints thanks in advance

06-01-2013, 09:07 AM	#2
panoguy Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Washington, D.C. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,327	Originally posted by natus I will lose... DR on ISO 400-800 and better (???) Actually, you will gain DR in almost all ISOs with a K-5 (or II or IIs). The S5 had amazing DR for 2008, but is edged out by the K-5, particularly in terms of shadow detail (while the Fuji sensor excelled at highlight detail). This might mean adjusting your metering style, but a new camera means adjusting to a lot of differences... You will also be losing a lot of size and "gear weight" going from the S5 to the K-5! Of course, there are also lots of excellent, modern AF prime lenses for Pentax APS-C. Not as many for Nikon... go figure! Oh yeah, and welcome to the Forums! Last edited by panoguy; 06-01-2013 at 09:15 AM.

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06-01-2013, 09:10 AM	#3
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	This is a great time to buy the original K-5 and 18-135 combination. The WR of that combo never ceases to amaze the non-Pentax shooters when I am out and its pouring. The 18-135 is VERY quiet as it has an electric motor in it (thank goodness not SDM). Not sure why you would sell the 18-135. There are some great deals on buying a body with a 35/2.4 or 50/1.8 for a big discount at Adorama and B&H. Personally I have had all 3 models of 18-55 and the 18-135 and the 18-135 is better in almost every way I can think of - better IQ, better range, WR, and silent. The only advantage to the 18-55 is that its smaller. I think your Fuji S5 Pro took a Nikon battery grip but not sure - there are several nice choices for grips for the K-5.

06-01-2013, 09:51 PM	#4
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by natus I am thinking about buying K5 with 18-135 kit (best netto offer for body, while 18-135 would be sold instantly) Curious why you would sell off the 18-135? It is a quite good lens, nearly silent, quick AF and it is WR. Certainly better than the 18-55. It is all my wife uses for product photography.

06-02-2013, 01:32 AM	#5
top-quark Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Aylesbury, Bucks Photos: Albums Posts: 492	K-5 is still a fab camera, no doubt about it. But if I had Nikon kit already, I'd be looking at a D7000.