k20d upgrade: k5 or k5iis ?

voxxonline · 02-11-2013, 08:32 AM

Excuse me for bringing this up once again, but what is the better choice for occasional photoshooter with 19000 Shutter actuations in 4 years, to go for classic one or newest k5 ?
I am slowly getting back to habit of taking camera with me, and urge for a better body started to bite. I have got some m42 Lenses now along with 30mm 1.4 sigma and kit 18 55. Will get later 15 mm limited. Shooting random stuff.
so what is the conclusion would be ? Save and get best or get classic and keep on shooting ?
Currently I am in uk..

Tom S. · 02-11-2013, 08:37 AM

Perhaps you should consider waiting until this fall when Pentax is expected to introduce a full frame model. Even if you aren't interested in full frame, it might drive the prices down of whichever K5 you decide upon.

voxxonline · 02-11-2013, 08:42 AM

Good point. Thank you.

voxxonline · 02-11-2013, 08:48 AM

But if not thinking that far, what would be good choice ?

goubejp · 02-11-2013, 08:49 AM

The price point of the remaining K5 in stores is low and will not go down further until the current stock is sold.
As you haven't prime top quality lenses, you should go for a K5 which is at a bargain price now. K5iis (which I own) is certainly slightly better in terms of sharpness but this is usefull only with top level, high quality lenses only (FA limited, DA*lenses and so on)

voxxonline · 02-11-2013, 09:03 AM

And then I ll start buying limited ones

Adam · 02-11-2013, 10:04 AM

If you had a lot of fast primes I'd recommend the K-5 IIs, but for now I'd suggest getting the normal K-5 and waiting for whatever else Pentax may have in store. They owe us a 24 megapixel crop body, after all, now that the D5200 is out!

Adam
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voxxonline · 02-11-2013, 10:16 AM

I am looking at 15 Mm now and 70 or 77 later. But tbh I quite like manual focusing of my 55 takumar and 44 Helios. But 15 mm is surely coming soon.
in a mean time price of k5 range cab reduce...

Fats · 02-13-2013, 12:27 PM

Given the price of the k5 currently, and the fact that the differences are fairly minor between it and the upgraded version, I think you'd be in good shape saving your money for better glass.

PENTAX K-5 D-SLR W/18-135 WR (BLACK) 14776 You can't beat that deal!

CRPhoto · 02-14-2013, 11:23 AM

I have all three of those cameras. When I jumped from the K20D to the K5...I was impressed. Quality of pics, speed, size, video, etc. When I got the K-5IIs...I was impressed again. Specially due to increased sharpness and the low light (which I don't use that much). The leap from a K20D to the K5 is big enough to keep you really happy with your purchase (given the price of the K5s). The K5-IIs has given me some extra detail (and less post processing) compared to the K5 (I do aerial photography) so It really works for me and I can justify any investment I make.
If money is no object get the K5-IIs, if not then get the K5. At the current prices it almost competes with the Canon T4i! Good luck!

voxxonline · 02-14-2013, 12:26 PM

Thank you, guys .
I think if I won't get it (K5) before may- will save for K5iis.

Sorry for off topic- does all lenses used on aps-c have to be multiplied 1.5x to get real focal length ?

ruoyun.huang · 02-17-2013, 10:38 PM

Many ppl report the improvement of K5IIs over k5.

Nevertheless, there are also other ppl saying no big difference.

My guess is the improvements, if there is any, does not worth the 400 bucks after all.

NitroDC · 02-18-2013, 01:52 PM

Originally posted by ruoyun.huang

Many ppl report the improvement of K5IIs over k5.

Nevertheless, there are also other ppl saying no big difference.

My guess is the improvements, if there is any, does not worth the 400 bucks after all.

Not necessarily -- it depends on how you use the camera. If manual focusing isn't an issue and you are ok with sub-par low light AF, then the regular K5 should suit you fine.
However, if AF (especially in low light) and the extra bit of dynamic range are important, then the newer K5ii is definitely worth the $400.

As for K5ii vs K5ii-s, that ultimately depends on if you want consistent moire-free images vs ultimate sharpness for large printing & tight cropping.

Zaphodmonster · 02-20-2013, 10:59 PM

Originally posted by Fats

PENTAX K-5 D-SLR W/18-135 WR (BLACK) 14776 You can't beat that deal!

Indeed! I'm am in a waiting/saving period to upgrade my K7. But when I saw that deal on the henrys website I almost pulled the trigger. That could be the best pentax deal out there right now arguably

02-11-2013, 08:32 AM	#1
voxxonline Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 42	k20d upgrade: k5 or k5iis ? Excuse me for bringing this up once again, but what is the better choice for occasional photoshooter with 19000 Shutter actuations in 4 years, to go for classic one or newest k5 ? I am slowly getting back to habit of taking camera with me, and urge for a better body started to bite. I have got some m42 Lenses now along with 30mm 1.4 sigma and kit 18 55. Will get later 15 mm limited. Shooting random stuff. so what is the conclusion would be ? Save and get best or get classic and keep on shooting ? Currently I am in uk..

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02-11-2013, 08:37 AM	#2
Tom S. Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Michigan Photos: Albums Posts: 4,317	Perhaps you should consider waiting until this fall when Pentax is expected to introduce a full frame model. Even if you aren't interested in full frame, it might drive the prices down of whichever K5 you decide upon.

02-11-2013, 08:42 AM	#3
voxxonline Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 42 Original Poster	Good point. Thank you.

02-11-2013, 08:48 AM	#4
voxxonline Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 42 Original Poster	But if not thinking that far, what would be good choice ?

02-11-2013, 08:49 AM	#5
goubejp Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: France Photos: Albums Posts: 804	The price point of the remaining K5 in stores is low and will not go down further until the current stock is sold. As you haven't prime top quality lenses, you should go for a K5 which is at a bargain price now. K5iis (which I own) is certainly slightly better in terms of sharpness but this is usefull only with top level, high quality lenses only (FA limited, DA*lenses and so on)

02-11-2013, 09:03 AM	#6
voxxonline Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 42 Original Poster	And then I ll start buying limited ones

02-11-2013, 10:04 AM	#7
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	If you had a lot of fast primes I'd recommend the K-5 IIs, but for now I'd suggest getting the normal K-5 and waiting for whatever else Pentax may have in store. They owe us a 24 megapixel crop body, after all, now that the D5200 is out! 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:

02-11-2013, 10:16 AM	#8
voxxonline Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 42 Original Poster	I am looking at 15 Mm now and 70 or 77 later. But tbh I quite like manual focusing of my 55 takumar and 44 Helios. But 15 mm is surely coming soon. in a mean time price of k5 range cab reduce...

02-13-2013, 12:27 PM	#9
Fats New Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: London, ON Posts: 4	Given the price of the k5 currently, and the fact that the differences are fairly minor between it and the upgraded version, I think you'd be in good shape saving your money for better glass. PENTAX K-5 D-SLR W/18-135 WR (BLACK) 14776 You can't beat that deal!

02-14-2013, 11:23 AM	#10
CRPhoto Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: San Jose, Costa Rica Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 260	I have all three of those cameras. When I jumped from the K20D to the K5...I was impressed. Quality of pics, speed, size, video, etc. When I got the K-5IIs...I was impressed again. Specially due to increased sharpness and the low light (which I don't use that much). The leap from a K20D to the K5 is big enough to keep you really happy with your purchase (given the price of the K5s). The K5-IIs has given me some extra detail (and less post processing) compared to the K5 (I do aerial photography) so It really works for me and I can justify any investment I make. If money is no object get the K5-IIs, if not then get the K5. At the current prices it almost competes with the Canon T4i! Good luck!

02-14-2013, 12:26 PM	#11
voxxonline Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 42 Original Poster	Thank you, guys . I think if I won't get it (K5) before may- will save for K5iis. Sorry for off topic- does all lenses used on aps-c have to be multiplied 1.5x to get real focal length ?

02-17-2013, 10:38 PM	#12
ruoyun.huang Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 64	Many ppl report the improvement of K5IIs over k5. Nevertheless, there are also other ppl saying no big difference. My guess is the improvements, if there is any, does not worth the 400 bucks after all.

02-18-2013, 01:52 PM	#13
NitroDC Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 342	Originally posted by ruoyun.huang Many ppl report the improvement of K5IIs over k5. Nevertheless, there are also other ppl saying no big difference. My guess is the improvements, if there is any, does not worth the 400 bucks after all. Not necessarily -- it depends on how you use the camera. If manual focusing isn't an issue and you are ok with sub-par low light AF, then the regular K5 should suit you fine. However, if AF (especially in low light) and the extra bit of dynamic range are important, then the newer K5ii is definitely worth the $400. As for K5ii vs K5ii-s, that ultimately depends on if you want consistent moire-free images vs ultimate sharpness for large printing & tight cropping.

02-20-2013, 10:59 PM	#14
Zaphodmonster Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 151	Originally posted by Fats PENTAX K-5 D-SLR W/18-135 WR (BLACK) 14776 You can't beat that deal! Indeed! I'm am in a waiting/saving period to upgrade my K7. But when I saw that deal on the henrys website I almost pulled the trigger. That could be the best pentax deal out there right now arguably