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**landofcourtness** · 07-01-2019, 06:56 AM

Originally posted by jamin-b

Fuji X system (I really value tiny cameras and lenses)

Any consideration for the KP?? (I realize it probably doesn't make sense, since its so close to K70)... but in terms of size, it's about the same size or smaller than other mirrorless (like G85). As my brother's wife mentioned when getting her KP, her first real photography camera (though she did have a a6000 previously), how heavy the camera is.

Jonathan Mac · 07-01-2019, 07:50 AM

I would say just the K30 and K50 models due to the solenoid problem which wasn't recognised or fixed by Pentax.

Other than that, the K-m/K-2000 comes to mind but is quite a few years older. It replaced the K200D with the same sensor but quite a few features removed to make it cheaper. I had to rush to get my K200D before remaining stocks disappeared when I first got into good digital cameras - I didn't want to get stuck with a K-m as my only option.

**monochrome** · 07-01-2019, 10:24 AM

IMO there is no ‘bad’ Pentax camera. They all produce excellent image files.

There are a few cameras released with combinations of deleted features or design decisions that render the camera a little less good in usability (K-01; K500; K-S1) but none is really bad.

MegaPower · 07-01-2019, 08:17 PM

Vote for KS1
Disappointing camera

Fenwoodian · 07-01-2019, 08:27 PM

.
Any Pentax digital camera with an AA filter is "bad" in my book. I would never waste my time with a camera that purposefully blurs an image.

So, any Pentax camera prior to the K5iis probably has a sharpness robbing AA filter over it's sensor.

**pres589** · 07-01-2019, 08:36 PM

I've never once felt a pang of regret for buying a moire reducing K-5 II vs. the K-5 IIs. it has been a fantastic camera.

The K-5 was kind of a rush job. The K-5 II and IIs were noticably improved.

The cameras mentioned that have problematic solenoids are probably good for this question. There were autofocusing film Pentax with plastic gears that seem ripe for failure as they've aged. And around that same time it seems like a lot of Pentax cameras have ergonomics that just don't really make sense today.

Fenwoodian · 07-01-2019, 08:55 PM

Originally posted by pres589

I've never once felt a pang of regret for buying a moire reducing K-5 II vs. the K-5 IIs. it has been a fantastic camera.

The K-5 was kind of a rush job. The K-5 II and IIs were noticably improved.

The cameras mentioned that have problematic solenoids are probably good for this question. There were autofocusing film Pentax with plastic gears that seem ripe for failure as they've aged. And around that same time it seems like a lot of Pentax cameras have ergonomics that just don't really make sense today.

Did you ever shot them side by side and compare the images?

**pres589** · 07-01-2019, 09:04 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Fenwoodian

Did you ever shot them side by side and compare the images?

No. Why would I? I'm happy with my camera.

**RobA_Oz** · 07-01-2019, 09:28 PM

Originally posted by pres589

I've never once felt a pang of regret for buying a moire reducing K-5 II vs. the K-5 IIs. it has been a fantastic camera.

The K-5 was kind of a rush job. The K-5 II and IIs were noticably improved.

I have no idea why you think the K-5 was a “rush job”, other than the fact that it replaced the K-7 after one year. The K-7, though, was a K20D with video, basically, and a test bed for the K-5, structurally and ergonomically. The K-5ii/s were interim developments between the K-5 and K-3, but I agree their improved low-light AF and the removal of the anti-alias filter on the ‘s’ were beneficial, and carried on to the K-3.

I can’t think of a “bad” Pentax camera, unless you go back to the film SLR era, when some of the plastic-bodied models were developed – those looked and felt cheap – but they still performed well in their market segments.

**Rondec** · 07-02-2019, 02:54 AM - **2 Likes**

The only "bad" Pentax camera I've used was the K7. And it wasn't bad in terms of usability, but just the sensor was pretty poor, with not great dynamic range and so so high iso performance. I was so pleased when Pentax left their partnership with Samsung to go back to using Sony sensors in the Kx and K5.

**Serkevan** · 07-02-2019, 04:13 AM

Originally posted by Rondec

The only "bad" Pentax camera I've used was the K7. And it wasn't bad in terms of usability, but just the sensor was pretty poor, with not great dynamic range and so so high iso performance. I was so pleased when Pentax left their partnership with Samsung to go back to using Sony sensors in the Kx and K5.

The K-7 is the camera I got a year ago when I got into photography (and that I still have). Honestly, the ergonomics (the body has been used in all other APS-C flagships, right?) and ruggedness are 11/10, the viewfinder is very nice, everything except for the sensor is good to great. The problem is that the shadow detail is very, very poor (very grainy shadows are all too common), and ISO 800 is already noisier than a heavy metal concert.

I also tried a Pentax ME that I got last week, but it turned out, after putting the roll in, that the light meter was stuck in "OVER" so I only shot one roll at the mechanical setting, using the phone as meter... let's see how the negatives come back. Can't comment on how good it was, but I had so much fun rediscovering film after my childhood days with disposable cameras and my parents' Zenit. The viewfinder is enormous and the camera itself is adorably compact and comfortable to use.

timb64 · 07-02-2019, 06:33 AM

Originally posted by Fenwoodian

.
Any Pentax digital camera with an AA filter is "bad" in my book. I would never waste my time with a camera that purposefully blurs an image.

So, any Pentax camera prior to the K5iis probably has a sharpness robbing AA filter over it's sensor.

Don’t know if this was meant to be a deliberately provocative post

Never noticed any lack of sharpness with my K5ii ,in fact in several pictures any more sharpness would’ve been painful to the eye

guinnessman · 07-02-2019, 06:50 AM

The K-01.

Nice sensor, not sure about the rest of it. It screamed for an EVF, but alas.

**pres589** · 07-02-2019, 06:58 AM

Originally posted by RobA_Oz

I have no idea why you think the K-5 was a “rush job”, other than the fact that it replaced the K-7 after one year.

Probably due to the number of issues the K-5 had with regard to light/white balance and low-light AF that were fixed in the K-5 II. The II was more than just feature additions, there were performance issues that it addressed. How long was the straight K-5 produced?

Fenwoodian · 07-02-2019, 07:16 AM

.
"BAD" compared to what? If your experience is only with a limited number of other Pentax digital cameras, that's all you have to base your decision on.

I think it's preferable to make your determination based on comparison's to other camera camera manufacturers systems.

07-01-2019, 09:28 PM	#24
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,209	Originally posted by pres589 I've never once felt a pang of regret for buying a moire reducing K-5 II vs. the K-5 IIs. it has been a fantastic camera. The K-5 was kind of a rush job. The K-5 II and IIs were noticably improved. I have no idea why you think the K-5 was a “rush job”, other than the fact that it replaced the K-7 after one year. The K-7, though, was a K20D with video, basically, and a test bed for the K-5, structurally and ergonomically. The K-5ii/s were interim developments between the K-5 and K-3, but I agree their improved low-light AF and the removal of the anti-alias filter on the ‘s’ were beneficial, and carried on to the K-3. I can’t think of a “bad” Pentax camera, unless you go back to the film SLR era, when some of the plastic-bodied models were developed – those looked and felt cheap – but they still performed well in their market segments. Last edited by RobA_Oz; 07-02-2019 at 03:08 AM.

07-02-2019, 07:16 AM	#30
Fenwoodian Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,875	. "BAD" compared to what? If your experience is only with a limited number of other Pentax digital cameras, that's all you have to base your decision on. I think it's preferable to make your determination based on comparison's to other camera camera manufacturers systems. Last edited by Fenwoodian; 07-12-2019 at 09:28 PM.

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07-01-2019, 06:56 AM	#16
landofcourtness Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 151	Originally posted by jamin-b Fuji X system (I really value tiny cameras and lenses) Any consideration for the KP?? (I realize it probably doesn't make sense, since its so close to K70)... but in terms of size, it's about the same size or smaller than other mirrorless (like G85). As my brother's wife mentioned when getting her KP, her first real photography camera (though she did have a a6000 previously), how heavy the camera is.

07-01-2019, 07:50 AM	#17
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,911	I would say just the K30 and K50 models due to the solenoid problem which wasn't recognised or fixed by Pentax. Other than that, the K-m/K-2000 comes to mind but is quite a few years older. It replaced the K200D with the same sensor but quite a few features removed to make it cheaper. I had to rush to get my K200D before remaining stocks disappeared when I first got into good digital cameras - I didn't want to get stuck with a K-m as my only option.

07-01-2019, 10:24 AM	#18
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	IMO there is no ‘bad’ Pentax camera. They all produce excellent image files. There are a few cameras released with combinations of deleted features or design decisions that render the camera a little less good in usability (K-01; K500; K-S1) but none is really *bad*.

07-01-2019, 08:17 PM	#19
MegaPower Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hong Kong / Irvine, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 636	Vote for KS1 Disappointing camera

07-01-2019, 08:27 PM	#20
Fenwoodian Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,875	. Any Pentax digital camera with an AA filter is "bad" in my book. I would never waste my time with a camera that purposefully blurs an image. So, any Pentax camera prior to the K5iis probably has a sharpness robbing AA filter over it's sensor.

07-01-2019, 08:36 PM	#21
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,533	I've never once felt a pang of regret for buying a moire reducing K-5 II vs. the K-5 IIs. it has been a fantastic camera. The K-5 was kind of a rush job. The K-5 II and IIs were noticably improved. The cameras mentioned that have problematic solenoids are probably good for this question. There were autofocusing film Pentax with plastic gears that seem ripe for failure as they've aged. And around that same time it seems like a lot of Pentax cameras have ergonomics that just don't really make sense today.

07-01-2019, 08:55 PM	#22
Fenwoodian Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,875	Originally posted by pres589 I've never once felt a pang of regret for buying a moire reducing K-5 II vs. the K-5 IIs. it has been a fantastic camera. The K-5 was kind of a rush job. The K-5 II and IIs were noticably improved. The cameras mentioned that have problematic solenoids are probably good for this question. There were autofocusing film Pentax with plastic gears that seem ripe for failure as they've aged. And around that same time it seems like a lot of Pentax cameras have ergonomics that just don't really make sense today. Did you ever shot them side by side and compare the images?

07-01-2019, 09:04 PM - 1 Like	#23
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,533	Originally posted by Fenwoodian Did you ever shot them side by side and compare the images? No. Why would I? I'm happy with my camera.

07-02-2019, 02:54 AM - 2 Likes	#25
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,668	The only "bad" Pentax camera I've used was the K7. And it wasn't bad in terms of usability, but just the sensor was pretty poor, with not great dynamic range and so so high iso performance. I was so pleased when Pentax left their partnership with Samsung to go back to using Sony sensors in the Kx and K5.

07-02-2019, 04:13 AM	#26
Serkevan Site Supporter Join Date: May 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,976	Originally posted by Rondec The only "bad" Pentax camera I've used was the K7. And it wasn't bad in terms of usability, but just the sensor was pretty poor, with not great dynamic range and so so high iso performance. I was so pleased when Pentax left their partnership with Samsung to go back to using Sony sensors in the Kx and K5. The K-7 is the camera I got a year ago when I got into photography (and that I still have). Honestly, the ergonomics (the body has been used in all other APS-C flagships, right?) and ruggedness are 11/10, the viewfinder is very nice, everything except for the sensor is good to great. The problem is that the shadow detail is very, very poor (very grainy shadows are all too common), and ISO 800 is already noisier than a heavy metal concert. I also tried a Pentax ME that I got last week, but it turned out, after putting the roll in, that the light meter was stuck in "OVER" so I only shot one roll at the mechanical setting, using the phone as meter... let's see how the negatives come back. Can't comment on how good it was, but I had so much fun rediscovering film after my childhood days with disposable cameras and my parents' Zenit. The viewfinder is enormous and the camera itself is adorably compact and comfortable to use.

07-02-2019, 06:33 AM	#27
timb64 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: /Situation : Doing my best to avoid idiots! Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,514	Originally posted by Fenwoodian . Any Pentax digital camera with an AA filter is "bad" in my book. I would never waste my time with a camera that purposefully blurs an image. So, any Pentax camera prior to the K5iis probably has a sharpness robbing AA filter over it's sensor. Don’t know if this was meant to be a deliberately provocative post Never noticed any lack of sharpness with my K5ii ,in fact in several pictures any more sharpness would’ve been painful to the eye

07-02-2019, 06:50 AM	#28
guinnessman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Missoula, MT Posts: 175	The K-01. Nice sensor, not sure about the rest of it. It screamed for an EVF, but alas.

07-02-2019, 06:58 AM	#29
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,533	Originally posted by RobA_Oz I have no idea why you think the K-5 was a “rush job”, other than the fact that it replaced the K-7 after one year. Probably due to the number of issues the K-5 had with regard to light/white balance and low-light AF that were fixed in the K-5 II. The II was more than just feature additions, there were performance issues that it addressed. How long was the straight K-5 produced?

Is there a bad Pentax camera?

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