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09-08-2017, 03:34 AM   #1
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Heading for a used K5II with 6500 shots after K30

I m heading to K5II after 4 years and almost 12000 shots with K30 I have DA 35 f2.4 DA 50 1.8-DA 18-135 DA 18-55 AL II and WR and SMC A 1.7/1.4 SMC M 35-70 2.8-3.5 lenses is The K5II a good Upgrade? I need more quality after 1600 ISO but I'm worried about focus peaking.. may I use my old A and M Smc lenses without problem?


Last edited by FabioPirovano; 09-08-2017 at 03:40 AM.
09-08-2017, 03:53 AM   #2
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Should a K-5iiS be in your budget I think it might be a better upgrade. The omission of the AA filter is apparently good for gains in image sharpness. Some believe that and then some say that there is no discernible difference in the images unless pixel peeping. Is moire likely to be a problem?
I have a K-5 and focus my manual lenses by eye (with a little help from the focus indicator, though I sometimes believe it can be inaccurate) with no trouble. Not used a K30 but reading the specs, a bog standard K-5 might not be an upgrade of any great degree.
Nothing detrimental implied of the K-5, I love mine!
09-08-2017, 04:11 AM   #3
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The K5II/K5IIs has the same iso performance. I switched to the KP from the K-30, but the K-70 would be a more budget friendly upgrade.
09-08-2017, 05:09 AM   #4
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the budget permit a almost new K5II KP or K70 are far from my pocket
I always thought that K01( I got one for nocturnal ambush) had the same sensor of K5II and at ISO 3200/6400/12800 K01 is far superior than my K30

09-08-2017, 05:16 AM   #5
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I bought cheap K5 this summer after about 4 years with K30 to have 2 camera bodies to use. Based on images I can't tell which one I have used. As a flagship model K5 has a better build quality. K30 being a newer design has some advantage in menus and it has a slightly better AF ( I use my M*300/4 only in k30 as on K5 the catch in focus doesn't lock properly with that lens). I was looking for a second body on the same level, so got what I wanted.

If I wanted to upgrade from K30, especially for ISO performance, I would go for K70 at least. K1, K3 and KP would be other possible options.
09-08-2017, 05:32 AM   #6
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K5II have a far superior K5 performance
09-08-2017, 05:54 AM   #7
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The K-30, K-50, K-500, K-5, K-5II, K-5IIs and K-01 are using the same sensor. So the iso performance is very near to each other. Don't upgrade if you need only better high iso. Upgrade to K5ii if you need the extra performance, build quality and high end features like top lcd.

09-08-2017, 07:03 AM   #8
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I shoot K-5IIs and K-30 regularly(even after getting a K-1), in terms of sensor performance there is a difference but not a huge one, K-5IIs has no AA filter which is good for a little bit more sharpness but the AA filter in K-30 is pretty weak as well. The real difference is K-30 does 12bit RAW when K-5IIs does 14bit, so I can push my K-5IIs file a bit further in Lightroom. The other real difference is low light AF performance, K-5II/IIs is sooooooo much better in this regard, I replaced my original K-5 with it and never look back, my K-30 work very well with my manual lenses because of focus peaking and IMO a more convenient placed green button. Ergonomic wise, it's personal preference, I actually like the K-30 grip more, but with grip K-5IIs is very good for longer shoots and/or larger lenses.

In your situation, K-5II would be an upgrade for your AF lenses in low light, a downgrade for your manual lenses(no focus peaking). High ISO performance will not be much difference I am afraid.
09-08-2017, 08:48 AM   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by FabioPirovano Quote
I m heading to K5II after 4 years and almost 12000 shots with K30 I have DA 35 f2.4 DA 50 1.8-DA 18-135 DA 18-55 AL II and WR and SMC A 1.7/1.4 SMC M 35-70 2.8-3.5 lenses is The K5II a good Upgrade? I need more quality after 1600 ISO but I'm worried about focus peaking.. may I use my old A and M Smc lenses without problem?
I owned the K5IIs and sold it. I just picked up another one. It is used and I paid fraction of what I paid for the new one. It is a fantastic camera and the images are pro class.
09-08-2017, 11:51 AM   #10
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The K-5 II is a great camera, but of course you'll see a bigger bump in image quality with the newer models (K-3, K-70) because the K-5 II has the same sensor as the K-30 (albeit with 14-bit raw). However, the difference in terms of build quality and ergonomics as well as durability would probably be worth it

Another option would be to upgrade the 18-55mm to a better zoom, such as the 16-85mm or Sigma 17-70 or 17-50.

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09-08-2017, 11:57 AM   #11
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In real world shooting you're not going to see much difference in image quality, marginal difference at best.
You'll get better low light AF on the K-5ii(s), but lose focus peaking.
K-30 has better grip and faster processor/engine and is lighter.
K-5ii(s) has better pro build and control layout and has grip option.

For significant improvements in High ISO you'll have to go K-70 as everyone has said.

Might be worth exploring post-processing software options for better noise reduction. I think you'd get more bang for buck going down this road until you can get into a K-70 or KP.
09-08-2017, 02:36 PM   #12
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Ok so I will not able to use my SMC A lenses without focus peaking?? The other though is I'm quite pissed off of K30's D-LI109 battery ... I got The K 01 and I 'm dealing with D LI90 a better battery better performance
09-08-2017, 03:19 PM   #13
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I'd say head for the K-5IIs. Ditch the AA filter. There is a difference in fine detail without the filter, more noticeable on higher-performing lenses, and be sure to dial in "fine" for your sharpening in the custom image menu. Should be +1 or +2 with "F" (Fine) added. I have the K-5, K-5IIs, K-S2, and KP. The K-5 and K-5 II 16mp sensor with AA filter is similar in performance to your K-30.

Going from a K-30, if you mainly shoot JPEGs, don't do a lot of post processing of RAW files, don't need the extra-speedy on-body pro-style controls of the K-5 series, and since you are on limited budget, maybe you might consider a new K-S2. It is now offered at quite a discount as an outgoing discontinued model. No AA filter (switchable), 20mp sensor and very good metering, articulating rear screen, wifi and selfie shutter release button. RAW, however, is the usual 12 bit- not 14 bit. A delightful compact body with very fine imaging quality, JPEGs being especially good.

Last edited by mikesbike; 09-08-2017 at 03:29 PM.
09-08-2017, 04:03 PM   #14
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I shot always RAW+JPG ,using Silkipix when is necessary or In camera developments....and NOW I don t know what do.. I will test K5II with some Manual SMC A lenses.. than I will decide.. I need a camera with D LI90 batteries
09-08-2017, 05:19 PM   #15
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I just picked up a used K5IIs with a 9700 shutter count for $371.
Took it out today for the first time.
I can say for certain that image quality is better than my K7.
To step up higher is not an option as according to my wallet.
From what I can see, I will be very happy with both the K7 and the K5IIs using the lenses in my stable.

Clarence
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