Originally posted by UncleVanya Earlier I asked - but it was lost in the sea of comments. What lenses do you have? Also what is your plan with respect to what you like to photograph? Personally having bought the K-50 after owning the K100D Super I can say that the loss of top LCD isn't the end of the world as someone else put it. It is a nice to have, it doesn't make your photos better. Second, if you have an adequate computer to run Post processing software and you have a good tripod and a good flash and good lenses then the extra $ for the K5iis may be worth it because it likely will give you more longevity due to superior features in many areas. HOWEVER... If you lack good lenses, lack a good tripod, or your computer is sub-par you might want to invest that money into those areas rather than the K-5iis
Also I would find it very hard to give up Focus Peaking. I don't love the implementation, I don't always find great results from it, but I find it is the best tool for manually focusing some scenes and I would hate to give it up. That said, several people say that manual focus on the K5ii is easier using the viewfinder and more accurate than any other Pentax they have tried.
I think the list in my signature is accurate with regards to lenses. I use the 43 ltd and the 16-50 for probably 99% of my shots (no exaggeration), so I have some good glass. I am simultaneously considering shuffling some of those around, too, so I'm really making a bigger decision on how to best use a limited budget to add to my capabilities. Upgrade the body, add to my lens collection, or maybe a little of both?
I honestly wasn't planning to make the body purchase just yet, but seeing the seemly fire sale price on the K-50 made me think I might want to make a quicker decision on what to do. The third option that I didn't mention in the original post is that I might just keep on shooting with my K10D and just make some lens additions. Other than being frustrated at the low ISO performance, I don't have any huge need to upgrade the body today. I might just ultimately take that same money and buy either a DA 21 or DA70 second hand.
My ultimate wish list is to procure the following kit:
- A new(ish) body that gives me at least 2-3 stops better ISO performance than the 400 I am comfortable with now, plus some improved AF performance. Compactness and some form of WIFI compatibility are also highly desired.
- A mostly prime lens kit: (DA21 or FA*24) / FA 43 / DA 70 / DFA 100WR / 50-200WR
I just have to decide when the time is right to spend the money on a body upgrade and when it's better to just add to the lens stable.
Edit: I just realized that I didn't have the M150 listed in my signature. Not sure why I left that one off.