Camera back-ups

kiteman · 01-05-2014, 12:30 PM

Hi and Happy New Year,

I am not a professional, just photo enthusiast. Presently own k7 and k01. My wife generally uses k01, also better for higher ISO. Am I better off looking for good used k5 or wait on a used k5ii or k5iis? I would keep the k7 since prices dropped and still good camera. I have several lenses to use on both the k7 and k01.
There is definite image quality difference with k01, but not unhappy with k7 quality.
Maybe other option on camera, but now used to using k7. Not going to purchase k3.

Thanks, Kiteman

Adam · 01-05-2014, 12:33 PM

Originally posted by kiteman

Am I better off looking for good used k5 or wait on a used k5ii or k5iis?

If you're happy with your K-7, you probably won't ever notice a difference between the K-5 and K-5 II in practice, so I think looking for the K-5 classic would be fine. The K-5 sensor is noticeably better than the one in the K-7, though, so I think you'll quickly make the K-7 your backup body

**rbefly** · 01-05-2014, 12:46 PM

Hello kiteman,
I agree with Adam.
Put me down for a classic K-5 as the choice for your situation. I also have a K-7 and was very happy with this capable camera, except for image quality and noise above ISO 800 or so. A used K-5 'Classic' and all my problems solved! The K-5's ISO 3200 photos look about as good as the K-7's ISO 800's and I'm not kidding, it's that much better.
The other great thing is...no new-camera 'learning curve'. Everything's in the same place, works the same way. Ergonomics, settings, BG, all the same.
Aside from the K-3, I'd say the K-5 is the best upgrade and makes a perfect two-camera setup with the K-7.
Good luck!
Ron

kadajawi · 01-06-2014, 02:25 AM

To be honest the better AF in the K-5 II may totally be worth the wait for you. It really depends on what you want to do with it... if I could I would have gotten the K-5 II (bought the K-5 just when the II was released, the II was too expensive at that time, and I _needed_ a new camera).

sterretje · 01-06-2014, 02:54 AM

Originally posted by kadajawi

To be honest the better AF in the K-5 II may totally be worth the wait for you.

I agree; my K5 has front focusing issues under tungesten light conditions basically rendering it useles under those conditions.

**savoche** · 01-06-2014, 10:36 AM

Originally posted by sterretje

I agree; my K5 has front focusing issues under tungesten light conditions basically rendering it useles under those conditions.

...if you use it under those conditions, I agree. If not, I wouldn't worry about it.

Another thing, and I ask because I don't know; is the K-5 supposed to have the same problems with other kinds of artificial lights? Such as fluorescent lights or halogen? I haven't noticed any such problems with mine, and with the tungsten bulbs fast disappearing (at least in Europe) I don't really see them as a problem any more.

kiteman · 01-09-2014, 06:26 PM

Hi to all,

Thank you for the input. I purchased a good, used K5. Now will have K01 and K7 as backups.
Thank goodness no more researching--------

. It's tiring!

No more camera bodies or lenses for loooooonnnnnnnggggggg time.

Thanks again,

KIteman

**rbefly** · 01-09-2014, 06:31 PM

Good deal, Kiteman, let us know how it works for you!
Ron

kiteman · 01-14-2014, 10:59 AM

Hi Ron,

Do you use the same settings for both cameras or some difference in K7 vs K5?

Thanks,

Larry
www.colorthewind.org

**rbefly** · 01-14-2014, 01:37 PM

Hi Larry,
I use all the same settings so far, but I've stopped using the K-7 at higher ISO's. Also, I don't know if the K-5 had any A/F upgrades, but it seems to focus slightly faster than the K-7, with all the same lenses. Might be my imagination, but maybe not.
Ron

zekewhipper · 01-14-2014, 05:08 PM

Check to see that you have the latest firmware.

01-05-2014, 12:30 PM	#1
kiteman Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Clear Lake, IA Posts: 64	Camera back-ups Hi and Happy New Year, I am not a professional, just photo enthusiast. Presently own k7 and k01. My wife generally uses k01, also better for higher ISO. Am I better off looking for good used k5 or wait on a used k5ii or k5iis? I would keep the k7 since prices dropped and still good camera. I have several lenses to use on both the k7 and k01. There is definite image quality difference with k01, but not unhappy with k7 quality. Maybe other option on camera, but now used to using k7. Not going to purchase k3. Thanks, Kiteman

01-05-2014, 12:33 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	Originally posted by kiteman Am I better off looking for good used k5 or wait on a used k5ii or k5iis? If you're happy with your K-7, you probably won't ever notice a difference between the K-5 and K-5 II in practice, so I think looking for the K-5 classic would be fine. The K-5 sensor is noticeably better than the one in the K-7, though, so I think you'll quickly make the K-7 your backup body 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:

01-05-2014, 12:46 PM	#3
rbefly Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Denver, Colorado Photos: Albums Posts: 2,030	K-5 For Me! Hello kiteman, I agree with Adam. Put me down for a classic K-5 as the choice for your situation. I also have a K-7 and was very happy with this capable camera, except for image quality and noise above ISO 800 or so. A used K-5 'Classic' and all my problems solved! The K-5's ISO 3200 photos look about as good as the K-7's ISO 800's and I'm not kidding, it's that much better. The other great thing is...no new-camera 'learning curve'. Everything's in the same place, works the same way. Ergonomics, settings, BG, all the same. Aside from the K-3, I'd say the K-5 is the best upgrade and makes a perfect two-camera setup with the K-7. Good luck! Ron

01-09-2014, 06:26 PM	#7
kiteman Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Clear Lake, IA Posts: 64 Original Poster	Chose the K5 Hi to all, Thank you for the input. I purchased a good, used K5. Now will have K01 and K7 as backups. Thank goodness no more researching-------- . It's tiring! No more camera bodies or lenses for loooooonnnnnnnggggggg time. Thanks again, KIteman

01-09-2014, 06:31 PM	#8
rbefly Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Denver, Colorado Photos: Albums Posts: 2,030	Congratulations! Good deal, Kiteman, let us know how it works for you! Ron

01-06-2014, 02:25 AM	#4
kadajawi Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 2,799	To be honest the better AF in the K-5 II may totally be worth the wait for you. It really depends on what you want to do with it... if I could I would have gotten the K-5 II (bought the K-5 just when the II was released, the II was too expensive at that time, and I _needed_ a new camera).

01-06-2014, 02:54 AM	#5
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	Originally posted by kadajawi To be honest the better AF in the K-5 II may totally be worth the wait for you. I agree; my K5 has front focusing issues under tungesten light conditions basically rendering it useles under those conditions.

01-06-2014, 10:36 AM	#6
savoche Master of the obvious Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lowlands of Norway Posts: 18,311	Originally posted by sterretje I agree; my K5 has front focusing issues under tungesten light conditions basically rendering it useles under those conditions. ...if you use it under those conditions, I agree. If not, I wouldn't worry about it. Another thing, and I ask because I don't know; is the K-5 supposed to have the same problems with other kinds of artificial lights? Such as fluorescent lights or halogen? I haven't noticed any such problems with mine, and with the tungsten bulbs fast disappearing (at least in Europe) I don't really see them as a problem any more.

01-14-2014, 10:59 AM	#9
kiteman Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Clear Lake, IA Posts: 64 Original Poster	K5 & k7 Hi Ron, Do you use the same settings for both cameras or some difference in K7 vs K5? Thanks, Larry www.colorthewind.org

01-14-2014, 01:37 PM	#10
rbefly Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Denver, Colorado Photos: Albums Posts: 2,030	The Same Hi Larry, I use all the same settings so far, but I've stopped using the K-7 at higher ISO's. Also, I don't know if the K-5 had any A/F upgrades, but it seems to focus slightly faster than the K-7, with all the same lenses. Might be my imagination, but maybe not. Ron

01-14-2014, 05:08 PM	#11
zekewhipper Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 307	Check to see that you have the latest firmware.

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