Would I be crazy to go from a K5 to a Canon 5D?

crossover37 · 05-30-2011, 07:57 PM

I shoot portraits and use off camera flash and I had the Kx, K7, and now the K5. I have a Pentax Tamron 28 - 75mm f2.8, Sigma 50-150mm f2.8, and a 50mm f1.4. I love the K5 but I can't seem to get over the fact that when I see images my brother in law takes with his 5D and 50mm 1.8 (a $125 lens brand new), I see a specific look to his images, almost like a film movie look. I saw a picture he took of me yesterday and straight out of camera on his screen the image had that look I like. I also like that he can get closer to get shallower depth of field by scooting up since there's no crop factor. The K5 is awesome and I love it but it seems the images don't have the look I'm referring to...maybe I'm crazy but I see it with his 5D and it's not the editing since I saw an image he took straight out of camera on his camera screen.

I would sell the K5 and lenses and would get a 5D (not Mark II) a Canon 50mm f1.4, a Tamron 17-50mm, and maybe a Tamron 70-200mm.

Let me know what you all think. Thanks.

Last edited by crossover37; 05-30-2011 at 08:18 PM.

dgaies · 05-30-2011, 08:04 PM

Originally posted by crossover37

I shoot portraits and use off camera flash and I had the Kx, K7, and now the K5. I have a Pentax Tamron 28 - 75mm f2.8, Sigma 50-150mm f2.8, and a 50mm f1.4. I love the K5 but I can't seem to get over the fact that when I see images my brother in law takes with his 5D, I see a specific look to his images, almost like a film movie look. I saw a picture he took of me yesterday and straight out of camera on his screen the image had that look I like. I also like that he can get closer to get shallower depth of field by scooting up since there's no crop factor. The K5 is awesome and I love it but it seems the images don't have the look I'm referring to...maybe I'm crazy but I see it with his 5D and it's not the editing since I saw an image he took straight out of camera on his camera screen.

I would sell the K5 and lenses and would get a 5D (not Mark II) a Canon 50mm f1.4, a Tamron 17-50mm, and maybe a Tamron 70-200mm.

Let me know what you all think. Thanks.

Personally, I wouldn't do it. I bought a 5D a few months back to try out a 70-200/4L and while it's certainly a very capable camera, the K-5 outperforms it in just about every way.

**Ash** · 05-30-2011, 08:13 PM

K-5 to 5D Mk II - perhaps OK.
K-5 to 5D original - not so OK.

But hey, if you like what you see in the 5D, go for it.
I have seen 5D results that I can replicate reasonably well with the K-5 paired with FA limiteds.

dgaies · 05-30-2011, 08:22 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Ash

K-5 to 5D Mk II - perhaps OK.
K-5 to 5D original - not so OK.

But hey, if you like what you see in the 5D, go for it.
I have seen 5D results that I can replicate reasonably well with the K-5 paired with FA limiteds.

Certainly comparing the K-5 to the 5DMkII is a more fair comparison and would give me more pause for thought before jumping in with an answer of "no"

But like Ash says, if you like the results you see from the 5D and want to give it a shot, I say go for it as well. If it works out for you and you're happy, great. If not, no harm done and you can move on and try something different and/or continue on with Pentax. No harm in trying different gear (says the man who's spent the last 18 months trying every Pentax lens/body under the sun).

crossover37 · 05-30-2011, 09:01 PM

Can you give some reasons why not the 5D and why the Mark II is so much better in your view? Has anyone else noticed this look of the 5D or Mark II? Also, I found a 5D for $875 so not a bad price. Cheapest on eBay is $1250

yusuf · 05-30-2011, 09:04 PM

You will certainly see shallower DOF with 5D since it's a full frame body. It allows your brother in law to move closer, may be that's a reason you are seeing the difference.

May be you want to take your brother in laws camera and shoot yourself to see if there is a difference in shooting style.

metalmania · 05-30-2011, 09:07 PM

I found my K20D has a film-like IQ too. Anyway if you go 5D, I agree with Canon 50/1.4, but it would be better if you get a Canon 200mm f/2.8 (black color indeed) instead of Tammy 70-200. Just remembered Tammy 17-50 won't work.

simico · 05-31-2011, 02:17 AM

Originally posted by crossover37

I love the K5 but I can't seem to get over the fact that when I see images my brother in law takes with his 5D and 50mm 1.8 (a $125 lens brand new)

Give your gear to your brother in law for a week or two and see what he comes up with. Maybe borrow his gear at the same time to see what you can come up with.

No offence, but the problem might be behind the viewfinder... and different gear won't change that.

Kim C · 05-31-2011, 02:26 AM

I remember someone once telling me it was the photographer not the equipment that took a picture.

I would agree with some of the other in this thread about trying your brothers Canon before making the decision. That will be far more productive than asking for advice. Ask any Canon user and he will say it is the only thing to do. Ask a Pentax fan and they will say the K5 is better.

Kim

rawr · 05-31-2011, 02:29 AM

K-x K-7 K-5, and now wanting the 5D. Sigh. Folks who bounce around from camera to camera...

After a month with the 5D you'll probably want a D700 next because a friend had one and it took great photos with the Nikon 50mm 1.8. Then you'll want a Sony A900 because a friend had one and... etc. It's a vicious circle to always be chasing hardware as if simply getting better hardware will make your photos look better.

Having shot alongside guys with a 5D2 and a Nikon D700 recently, I can safely say that you could have probably have stuck with your K-x and gotten images equally as rich as any Canon 5D v1 or v2. The 5D2 guy's photos in particular were just horrible. (I had to do the post processing on about 100 of them. Ugh.)

Be more confident in yourself and your gear.

**Rondec** · 05-31-2011, 03:10 AM

Originally posted by rawr

K-x K-7 K-5, and now wanting the 5D. Sigh. Folks who bounce around from camera to camera...

After a month with the 5D you'll probably want a D700 next because a friend had one and it took great photos with the Nikon 50mm 1.8. Then you'll want a Sony A900 because a friend had one and... etc. It's a vicious circle to always be chasing hardware as if simply getting better hardware will make your photos look better.

Having shot alongside guys with a 5D2 and a Nikon D700 recently, I can safely say that you could have probably have stuck with your K-x and gotten images equally as rich as any Canon 5D v1 or v2. The 5D2 guy's photos in particular were just horrible. (I had to do the post processing on about 100 of them. Ugh.)

Be more confident in yourself and your gear.

I agree. Work with the K5 for 6 months. Right now, it is not your gear that is restricting you, it is your desire for more gear. It is true that there is shallower depth of field with full frame, however, from what I have seen the original 5D would take a step back from the K5 with regard to auto focus, dynamic range and be roughly the same in high iso (banding pops up quicker with 5D).

You may well end up with a full frame camera, but it seems like you have been jumping from camera to camera too quickly. Just start shooting. Learn composition techniques. Don't buy anything at all for six months. Then sit down and carefully think about what you *need* in order to get better.

Frogfish · 05-31-2011, 03:10 AM

Originally posted by yusuf

You will certainly see shallower DOF with 5D since it's a full frame body. It allows your brother in law to move closer, may be that's a reason you are seeing the difference.

May be you want to take your brother in laws camera and shoot yourself to see if there is a difference in shooting style.

That sounds like an idea

**Rondec** · 05-31-2011, 06:17 AM

This somewhat humorous letter on the online photographer site would be interesting to read: The Online Photographer: Letter to George.

reeftool · 05-31-2011, 06:53 AM

Originally posted by simico

Give your gear to your brother in law for a week or two and see what he comes up with. Maybe borrow his gear at the same time to see what you can come up with.

No offence, but the problem might be behind the viewfinder... and different gear won't change that.

A very good idea and you seem to have that opportunity. I spent an afternoon last winter with a couple of friends who were shooting FF Nikon and Canon cameras. We were taking mostly the same shots at the same time and place and our results were very similar. Rather than pixel peeping, we were sharing information and getting some pretty good stuff. The biggest difference we all noticed was the exposure differences between the metering of the different cameras, something easily corrected by changing a setting or two.

Emacs · 05-31-2011, 07:31 AM

Try it first. Personally I hate the feel of Canon bodies. But the IQ would be significantly better in general with 5D, of course.

05-30-2011, 07:57 PM	#1
crossover37 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 214	Would I be crazy to go from a K5 to a Canon 5D? I shoot portraits and use off camera flash and I had the Kx, K7, and now the K5. I have a Pentax Tamron 28 - 75mm f2.8, Sigma 50-150mm f2.8, and a 50mm f1.4. I love the K5 but I can't seem to get over the fact that when I see images my brother in law takes with his 5D and 50mm 1.8 (a $125 lens brand new), I see a specific look to his images, almost like a film movie look. I saw a picture he took of me yesterday and straight out of camera on his screen the image had that look I like. I also like that he can get closer to get shallower depth of field by scooting up since there's no crop factor. The K5 is awesome and I love it but it seems the images don't have the look I'm referring to...maybe I'm crazy but I see it with his 5D and it's not the editing since I saw an image he took straight out of camera on his camera screen. I would sell the K5 and lenses and would get a 5D (not Mark II) a Canon 50mm f1.4, a Tamron 17-50mm, and maybe a Tamron 70-200mm. Let me know what you all think. Thanks. Last edited by crossover37; 05-30-2011 at 08:18 PM.

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05-30-2011, 08:04 PM	#2
dgaies Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland / Washington DC Posts: 3,917	Originally posted by crossover37 I shoot portraits and use off camera flash and I had the Kx, K7, and now the K5. I have a Pentax Tamron 28 - 75mm f2.8, Sigma 50-150mm f2.8, and a 50mm f1.4. I love the K5 but I can't seem to get over the fact that when I see images my brother in law takes with his 5D, I see a specific look to his images, almost like a film movie look. I saw a picture he took of me yesterday and straight out of camera on his screen the image had that look I like. I also like that he can get closer to get shallower depth of field by scooting up since there's no crop factor. The K5 is awesome and I love it but it seems the images don't have the look I'm referring to...maybe I'm crazy but I see it with his 5D and it's not the editing since I saw an image he took straight out of camera on his camera screen. I would sell the K5 and lenses and would get a 5D (not Mark II) a Canon 50mm f1.4, a Tamron 17-50mm, and maybe a Tamron 70-200mm. Let me know what you all think. Thanks. Personally, I wouldn't do it. I bought a 5D a few months back to try out a 70-200/4L and while it's certainly a very capable camera, the K-5 outperforms it in just about every way.

05-30-2011, 08:13 PM	#3
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	K-5 to 5D Mk II - perhaps OK. K-5 to 5D original - not so OK. But hey, if you like what you see in the 5D, go for it. I have seen 5D results that I can replicate reasonably well with the K-5 paired with FA limiteds.

05-30-2011, 08:22 PM - 1 Like	#4
dgaies Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland / Washington DC Posts: 3,917	Originally posted by Ash K-5 to 5D Mk II - perhaps OK. K-5 to 5D original - not so OK. But hey, if you like what you see in the 5D, go for it. I have seen 5D results that I can replicate reasonably well with the K-5 paired with FA limiteds. Certainly comparing the K-5 to the 5DMkII is a more fair comparison and would give me more pause for thought before jumping in with an answer of "no" But like Ash says, if you like the results you see from the 5D and want to give it a shot, I say go for it as well. If it works out for you and you're happy, great. If not, no harm done and you can move on and try something different and/or continue on with Pentax. No harm in trying different gear (says the man who's spent the last 18 months trying every Pentax lens/body under the sun).

05-30-2011, 09:01 PM	#5
crossover37 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 214 Original Poster	Can you give some reasons why not the 5D and why the Mark II is so much better in your view? Has anyone else noticed this look of the 5D or Mark II? Also, I found a 5D for $875 so not a bad price. Cheapest on eBay is $1250

05-30-2011, 09:04 PM	#6
yusuf Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Palo Alto, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,497	You will certainly see shallower DOF with 5D since it's a full frame body. It allows your brother in law to move closer, may be that's a reason you are seeing the difference. May be you want to take your brother in laws camera and shoot yourself to see if there is a difference in shooting style.

05-30-2011, 09:07 PM	#7
metalmania Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 253	I found my K20D has a film-like IQ too. Anyway if you go 5D, I agree with Canon 50/1.4, but it would be better if you get a Canon 200mm f/2.8 (black color indeed) instead of Tammy 70-200. Just remembered Tammy 17-50 won't work.

05-31-2011, 02:17 AM	#8
simico Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Budapest Posts: 821	Originally posted by crossover37 I love the K5 but I can't seem to get over the fact that when I see images my brother in law takes with his 5D and 50mm 1.8 (a $125 lens brand new) Give your gear to your brother in law for a week or two and see what he comes up with. Maybe borrow his gear at the same time to see what you can come up with. No offence, but the problem might be behind the viewfinder... and different gear won't change that.

05-31-2011, 02:26 AM	#9
Kim C Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lincoln, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 229	I remember someone once telling me it was the photographer not the equipment that took a picture. I would agree with some of the other in this thread about trying your brothers Canon before making the decision. That will be far more productive than asking for advice. Ask any Canon user and he will say it is the only thing to do. Ask a Pentax fan and they will say the K5 is better. Kim

05-31-2011, 02:29 AM	#10
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	K-x K-7 K-5, and now wanting the 5D. Sigh. Folks who bounce around from camera to camera... After a month with the 5D you'll probably want a D700 next because a friend had one and it took great photos with the Nikon 50mm 1.8. Then you'll want a Sony A900 because a friend had one and... etc. It's a vicious circle to always be chasing hardware as if simply getting better hardware will make your photos look better. Having shot alongside guys with a 5D2 and a Nikon D700 recently, I can safely say that you could have probably have stuck with your K-x and gotten images equally as rich as any Canon 5D v1 or v2. The 5D2 guy's photos in particular were just horrible. (I had to do the post processing on about 100 of them. Ugh.) Be more confident in yourself and your gear.

05-31-2011, 03:10 AM	#11
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,650	Originally posted by rawr K-x K-7 K-5, and now wanting the 5D. Sigh. Folks who bounce around from camera to camera... After a month with the 5D you'll probably want a D700 next because a friend had one and it took great photos with the Nikon 50mm 1.8. Then you'll want a Sony A900 because a friend had one and... etc. It's a vicious circle to always be chasing hardware as if simply getting better hardware will make your photos look better. Having shot alongside guys with a 5D2 and a Nikon D700 recently, I can safely say that you could have probably have stuck with your K-x and gotten images equally as rich as any Canon 5D v1 or v2. The 5D2 guy's photos in particular were just horrible. (I had to do the post processing on about 100 of them. Ugh.) Be more confident in yourself and your gear. I agree. Work with the K5 for 6 months. Right now, it is not your gear that is restricting you, it is your desire for more gear. It is true that there is shallower depth of field with full frame, however, from what I have seen the original 5D would take a step back from the K5 with regard to auto focus, dynamic range and be roughly the same in high iso (banding pops up quicker with 5D). You may well end up with a full frame camera, but it seems like you have been jumping from camera to camera too quickly. Just start shooting. Learn composition techniques. Don't buy anything at all for six months. Then sit down and carefully think about what you need in order to get better.

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05-31-2011, 03:10 AM	#12
Frogfish Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shanghai Posts: 4,490	Originally posted by yusuf You will certainly see shallower DOF with 5D since it's a full frame body. It allows your brother in law to move closer, may be that's a reason you are seeing the difference. *May be you want to take your brother in laws camera and shoot yourself* to see if there is a difference in shooting style. That sounds like an idea

05-31-2011, 06:17 AM	#13
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,650	This somewhat humorous letter on the online photographer site would be interesting to read: The Online Photographer: Letter to George.

05-31-2011, 06:53 AM	#14
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,553	Originally posted by simico Give your gear to your brother in law for a week or two and see what he comes up with. Maybe borrow his gear at the same time to see what you can come up with. No offence, but the problem might be behind the viewfinder... and different gear won't change that. A very good idea and you seem to have that opportunity. I spent an afternoon last winter with a couple of friends who were shooting FF Nikon and Canon cameras. We were taking mostly the same shots at the same time and place and our results were very similar. Rather than pixel peeping, we were sharing information and getting some pretty good stuff. The biggest difference we all noticed was the exposure differences between the metering of the different cameras, something easily corrected by changing a setting or two.

05-31-2011, 07:31 AM	#15
Emacs Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Moscow Posts: 1,223	Try it first. Personally I hate the feel of Canon bodies. But the IQ would be significantly better in general with 5D, of course.