Keep 5IIs vs. K5 with used 50-135 2.8

slip · 11-03-2012, 07:29 PM

My current main lens is a Sigma 17-70 2.8-4.5 along with an F 50 1.4 alongside some manual lenses.
If you had a choice, would you get a new K5IIs or a new/used K5 and a used Pentax 50-135 2.8.

I like doing some sports, occasionally a wedding, and lots of candidate street style shots...and I can't forget the kids

Any and all options accepted, of course!

Thanks

Randy

Venturi · 11-03-2012, 08:17 PM

I have been pondering this for a while now and landed on the decision to buy a K-5 and adjusting my lens stable a bit over the next 6 mos.
I miss the 50~135 very much, and I'm not thrilled with the 28~75's performance on digital. So I'm planning on picking up a Sigma 24~70 and a new 50~135, and probably selling my Tamron 70~200.

I have serious doubts that Pentax is going to forge into the full-frame arena, and my photography interests lie with bigger media - I'd switch to medium format if I could. I am expecting to begin transitioning into Nikon by next fall, but meanwhile my K20 needs some relief and my prints need some dynamic range. The K-5 will do that.

gooseta · 11-05-2012, 01:03 PM

The K5iis will give you better iq, however lens makes a lot of difference, I have made stunning photos with a sony a230 which cost me 99.99 and a tamron 90mm macro. The 50-135 is super sharp and the K-5 is still a very good dslr so I would get the lens.

westmill · 11-05-2012, 01:15 PM

I would go with a K5 2 ( not S ) if you are doing weddings. The low light focussing is important. All that dress n suit material is a breeding ground for moire.

john5100 · 11-05-2012, 01:55 PM

Originally posted by westmill

I would go with a K5 2 ( not S ) if you are doing weddings. The low light focussing is important. All that dress n suit material is a breeding ground for moire.

Does wedding photography bring out Moire? I have the same question about which K5 to go for. I'm looking to take my photography to the next level and will the K5 do that or should I go for the K5IIs. I'm looking for more event and Bar Mitzvah photography.

Thanks

john

westmill · 11-05-2012, 02:08 PM

Originally posted by john5100

Does wedding photography bring out Moire? I have the same question about which K5 to go for. I'm looking to take my photography to the next level and will the K5 do that or should I go for the K5IIs. I'm looking for more event and Bar Mitzvah photography.

Thanks

john

To be honnest the only times I have ever seen it is on the occassional dress while doing weddings. Not the wedding gown itself but guests dresses.
The K5 is let down with its low light focus ability which has been corrected in the K5 2. Having no AA filter is not a good idea for weddings. I personly would not dare risk it. I certainly do not need more than 12 milion pixels for quality either so the 16 is more than enough. So I have zero intrest in so called higher quality. The K5 has superb dynamic range and high ISO. That is far more important for me. If you are serious about weddings I would buy the K5 2

john5100 · 11-05-2012, 03:01 PM

Thank you, great advice

john5100 · 11-05-2012, 03:06 PM

One more question, what do you use got your normal zoom? I have the sigma 24-60mm f2.8? Is the 17-50 range better?

westmill · 11-05-2012, 03:16 PM

Originally posted by john5100

One more question, what do you use got your normal zoom? I have the sigma 24-60mm f2.8? Is the 17-50 range better?

The 17-50 is far more handy. the wide angle is often needed. if you need a little extra reach you can always crop, but you can not crop backwards to wide angle

11-03-2012, 07:29 PM	#1
slip Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: 2 hours north of toronto ontario canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,535	Keep 5IIs vs. K5 with used 50-135 2.8 My current main lens is a Sigma 17-70 2.8-4.5 along with an F 50 1.4 alongside some manual lenses. If you had a choice, would you get a new K5IIs or a new/used K5 and a used Pentax 50-135 2.8. I like doing some sports, occasionally a wedding, and lots of candidate street style shots...and I can't forget the kids Any and all options accepted, of course! Thanks Randy

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11-03-2012, 08:17 PM	#2
Venturi Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Tulsa, OK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,636	I have been pondering this for a while now and landed on the decision to buy a K-5 and adjusting my lens stable a bit over the next 6 mos. I miss the 50~135 very much, and I'm not thrilled with the 28~75's performance on digital. So I'm planning on picking up a Sigma 24~70 and a new 50~135, and probably selling my Tamron 70~200. I have serious doubts that Pentax is going to forge into the full-frame arena, and my photography interests lie with bigger media - I'd switch to medium format if I could. I am expecting to begin transitioning into Nikon by next fall, but meanwhile my K20 needs some relief and my prints need some dynamic range. The K-5 will do that.

11-05-2012, 01:03 PM	#3
gooseta Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: London Posts: 157	The K5iis will give you better iq, however lens makes a lot of difference, I have made stunning photos with a sony a230 which cost me 99.99 and a tamron 90mm macro. The 50-135 is super sharp and the K-5 is still a very good dslr so I would get the lens.

11-05-2012, 01:15 PM	#4
westmill Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Stoke on Trent Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,146	I would go with a K5 2 ( not S ) if you are doing weddings. The low light focussing is important. All that dress n suit material is a breeding ground for moire.

11-05-2012, 01:55 PM	#5
john5100 Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 1,725	Originally posted by westmill I would go with a K5 2 ( not S ) if you are doing weddings. The low light focussing is important. All that dress n suit material is a breeding ground for moire. Does wedding photography bring out Moire? I have the same question about which K5 to go for. I'm looking to take my photography to the next level and will the K5 do that or should I go for the K5IIs. I'm looking for more event and Bar Mitzvah photography. Thanks john

11-05-2012, 02:08 PM	#6
westmill Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Stoke on Trent Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,146	Originally posted by john5100 Does wedding photography bring out Moire? I have the same question about which K5 to go for. I'm looking to take my photography to the next level and will the K5 do that or should I go for the K5IIs. I'm looking for more event and Bar Mitzvah photography. Thanks john To be honnest the only times I have ever seen it is on the occassional dress while doing weddings. Not the wedding gown itself but guests dresses. The K5 is let down with its low light focus ability which has been corrected in the K5 2. Having no AA filter is not a good idea for weddings. I personly would not dare risk it. I certainly do not need more than 12 milion pixels for quality either so the 16 is more than enough. So I have zero intrest in so called higher quality. The K5 has superb dynamic range and high ISO. That is far more important for me. If you are serious about weddings I would buy the K5 2

11-05-2012, 03:01 PM	#7
john5100 Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 1,725	Thank you, great advice

11-05-2012, 03:06 PM	#8
john5100 Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 1,725	One more question, what do you use got your normal zoom? I have the sigma 24-60mm f2.8? Is the 17-50 range better?

11-05-2012, 03:16 PM	#9
westmill Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Stoke on Trent Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,146	Originally posted by john5100 One more question, what do you use got your normal zoom? I have the sigma 24-60mm f2.8? Is the 17-50 range better? The 17-50 is far more handy. the wide angle is often needed. if you need a little extra reach you can always crop, but you can not crop backwards to wide angle