Switching to Pentax, but with a couple of questions

Moz · 01-11-2014, 03:30 PM

I am going for K-5 or K-5II.

narual · 01-11-2014, 07:43 PM

Originally posted by Steve.Ledger

Which camera are you switching to?
After market grips probably all come out of the same Chinese factory but with different labels. I bought a BOWER brand for my K-7. Did the job, but I no longer like to use it.
For speedlights, most people buy Yongnuo if they're not buying Pentax.

Yongnuo doesn't do P-TTL does it? I thought most people went with the Metz or Sigma options unless they were interested in off-camera strobist stuff.

zoolander · 01-12-2014, 12:12 PM

Originally posted by Moz

What about battery grips, which of those after-market ones do you recommend?

And last but not least, speedlights to complete the kit.

If you're asking about WR lenses, and the expensive ones, your best option is to get the Pentax original battery grip for the K-5/K-5iis. The original is WR too, while third party knock-offs are not WR, plus some folks complain about shoddy products. The original battery grip has gone down in price so its more affordable.

Again, speed lights, get the new Pentax speed lights which are WR too.

In AU dollars, the K-5iis body is around $1100, plus the 16-50 f2.8 (which you might be looking at getting) is $1100-1300. If you're trying to put together an excellent WR K-5 kit, why scrimp on the battery grip and speed light ?

Pepe Le Pew · 01-13-2014, 04:25 PM

Originally posted by Moz

As I shoot mostly on dim light situations, the K-5 II should be the one. But let me ask you another question: I presume that the K-5 (the original one) focus definitely faster than my current D3100, right?

Yep right on the button..........

zoolander · 01-15-2014, 01:13 PM

Originally posted by Pepe Le Pew

Originally posted by Moz
As I shoot mostly on dim light situations, the K-5 II should be the one. But let me ask you another question: I presume that the K-5 (the original one) focus definitely faster than my current D3100, right?
Yep right on the button..........

Exactly. The D3100 is VERY slow compared to an original K-5. But when you put a better lens on the D3100 its af speed can improve, but the kit lenses were real sluggish.

Here's some af speed tests on Youtube:

You Tube

You Tube

You Tube

The second one was a K-7, but I believe they shared the same af system. Just go in a camera store and try a Nikon D3100, put the lens into infinity, then switch on the af and aim it at something close, and then you'll see how slow or fast it is. Do this for the K-5's too cross check.

**Just1MoreDave** · 01-15-2014, 03:07 PM

Originally posted by zoolander

The second one was a K-7, but I believe they shared the same af system.

The K-7 had SAFOX VIII+, the K-5 had SAFOX X, the K-5II had SAFOX XI+. That's 8+, 10, and 11+ in case Roman numerals are confusing.

I got a third party grip for $54 when I got my K-7, just to see if I liked it, and in case I ever had to worry about batteries. It spent a lot of time in a drawer and the controls don't work any more, but the battery part still supplies power. I think now I would buy the genuine one if I was buying one for the controls. For my shooting, I don't really need the extra battery often. If I was going to a remote location, I'd again get the Pentax version, because it retains weather sealing and is more reliable.

Someday I might make a battery holder for two spare batteries, just a tripod screw and storage for the batteries and some cards. It wouldn't have connectors but swapping batteries is easy.

Moz · 01-15-2014, 07:15 PM

Is it possible to, while shooting RAW+Jpeg, put them in different folders? RAW on one side and Jpegs on the other?

**Just1MoreDave** · 01-16-2014, 12:42 PM

I can't find any mention of that in the manual, so probably not. The K-3 probably does that because it has 2 card slots.

zekewhipper · 01-16-2014, 04:55 PM

Slow or fast focusing speed of lenses is relative.

bob the builder · 01-20-2014, 02:34 PM

hi
i am completely new to this, i have always used a pentax pocket point and shoot fully auto.
i have just brought the k511s da 135 lens and battery grip.
all i can say is go for the 11s i am very impressed.
although i am a novice and have a lot to learn about using this type of camera i am getting very sharp images for my publicity posters etc

Moz · 01-20-2014, 08:48 PM

Best online places to buy my very first (used) Pentax in EU? Any advice?

narual · 01-22-2014, 10:38 AM

Originally posted by Moz

Best online places to buy my very first (used) Pentax in EU? Any advice?

The marketplace here. The Pentax Marketplace | Sell Pentax | Photographic Equipment for Sale - PentaxForums.com

Moz · 01-26-2014, 08:18 PM

Do you think that a Samyang/Rokinon 85mm 1.4 would be good complement to a Tokina AT-X Pro 28-70 2.8 ? If not, which one would you pick?

alwaysjerricky · 02-01-2014, 04:34 AM

Why not the K30? It's an improvement from the d3100 too and has faster AF than the K5.

If you are on a budget, get the 16-45 or Sigma 17-70 (no WR but great IQ for the price). I personally suggest a 18-135 for a walkaround lens and probably the 16-50 in the future for its 2.8 aperture.

As for telephoto lens, I suggest you justify your reason as to why you require a telephoto lens so as not to waste money if you are not going to use it (most people only buy it for wildlife, macro, etc)

Pepe Le Pew · 03-03-2014, 05:10 PM

Originally posted by Moz

I am going for K-5 or K-5II.

Why not a K-30??

---------- Post added 03-03-14 at 07:11 PM ----------

Originally posted by Moz

Is it possible to, while shooting RAW+Jpeg, put them in different folders? RAW on one side and Jpegs on the other?

Not with the K-30

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01-11-2014, 03:30 PM	#16
Moz New Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Almada Posts: 17 Original Poster	I am going for K-5 or K-5II.

01-11-2014, 07:43 PM	#17
narual Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: South Bend (Notre Dame), Indiana Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,988	Originally posted by Steve.Ledger Which camera are you switching to? After market grips probably all come out of the same Chinese factory but with different labels. I bought a BOWER brand for my K-7. Did the job, but I no longer like to use it. For speedlights, most people buy Yongnuo if they're not buying Pentax. Yongnuo doesn't do P-TTL does it? I thought most people went with the Metz or Sigma options unless they were interested in off-camera strobist stuff.

01-12-2014, 12:12 PM	#18
zoolander Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Gold Coast Photos: Albums Posts: 351	Originally posted by Moz What about battery grips, which of those after-market ones do you recommend? And last but not least, speedlights to complete the kit. If you're asking about WR lenses, and the expensive ones, your best option is to get the Pentax original battery grip for the K-5/K-5iis. The original is WR too, while third party knock-offs are not WR, plus some folks complain about shoddy products. The original battery grip has gone down in price so its more affordable. Again, speed lights, get the new Pentax speed lights which are WR too. In AU dollars, the K-5iis body is around $1100, plus the 16-50 f2.8 (which you might be looking at getting) is $1100-1300. If you're trying to put together an excellent WR K-5 kit, why scrimp on the battery grip and speed light ?

01-13-2014, 04:25 PM	#19
Pepe Le Pew Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 591	Originally posted by Moz As I shoot mostly on dim light situations, the K-5 II should be the one. But let me ask you another question: I presume that the K-5 (the original one) focus definitely faster than my current D3100, right? Yep right on the button..........

01-15-2014, 03:07 PM	#21
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	Originally posted by zoolander The second one was a K-7, but I believe they shared the same af system. The K-7 had SAFOX VIII+, the K-5 had SAFOX X, the K-5II had SAFOX XI+. That's 8+, 10, and 11+ in case Roman numerals are confusing. I got a third party grip for $54 when I got my K-7, just to see if I liked it, and in case I ever had to worry about batteries. It spent a lot of time in a drawer and the controls don't work any more, but the battery part still supplies power. I think now I would buy the genuine one if I was buying one for the controls. For my shooting, I don't really need the extra battery often. If I was going to a remote location, I'd again get the Pentax version, because it retains weather sealing and is more reliable. Someday I might make a battery holder for two spare batteries, just a tripod screw and storage for the batteries and some cards. It wouldn't have connectors but swapping batteries is easy.

01-15-2014, 07:15 PM	#22
Moz New Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Almada Posts: 17 Original Poster	Is it possible to, while shooting RAW+Jpeg, put them in different folders? RAW on one side and Jpegs on the other?

01-16-2014, 12:42 PM	#23
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	I can't find any mention of that in the manual, so probably not. The K-3 probably does that because it has 2 card slots.

01-16-2014, 04:55 PM	#24
zekewhipper Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 307	Slow or fast focusing speed of lenses is relative.

01-20-2014, 02:34 PM	#25
bob the builder New Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 16	hi i am completely new to this, i have always used a pentax pocket point and shoot fully auto. i have just brought the k511s da 135 lens and battery grip. all i can say is go for the 11s i am very impressed. although i am a novice and have a lot to learn about using this type of camera i am getting very sharp images for my publicity posters etc

01-20-2014, 08:48 PM	#26
Moz New Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Almada Posts: 17 Original Poster	Best online places to buy my very first (used) Pentax in EU? Any advice?

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01-22-2014, 10:38 AM	#27
narual Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: South Bend (Notre Dame), Indiana Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,988	Originally posted by Moz Best online places to buy my very first (used) Pentax in EU? Any advice? The marketplace here. The Pentax Marketplace \| Sell Pentax \| Photographic Equipment for Sale - PentaxForums.com

01-26-2014, 08:18 PM	#28
Moz New Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Almada Posts: 17 Original Poster	Do you think that a Samyang/Rokinon 85mm 1.4 would be good complement to a Tokina AT-X Pro 28-70 2.8 ? If not, which one would you pick?

02-01-2014, 04:34 AM	#29
alwaysjerricky Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 109	Why not the K30? It's an improvement from the d3100 too and has faster AF than the K5. If you are on a budget, get the 16-45 or Sigma 17-70 (no WR but great IQ for the price). I personally suggest a 18-135 for a walkaround lens and probably the 16-50 in the future for its 2.8 aperture. As for telephoto lens, I suggest you justify your reason as to why you require a telephoto lens so as not to waste money if you are not going to use it (most people only buy it for wildlife, macro, etc)

03-03-2014, 05:10 PM	#30
Pepe Le Pew Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 591	Originally posted by Moz I am going for K-5 or K-5II. Why not a K-30?? ---------- Post added 03-03-14 at 07:11 PM ---------- Originally posted by Moz Is it possible to, while shooting RAW+Jpeg, put them in different folders? RAW on one side and Jpegs on the other? Not with the K-30