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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
06-27-2011, 12:38 AM
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For various reasons right now I don't own any camera or lenses. I shoot landscape photographs and don't intend to print over 16x20". For the time being 8x10" will be the normal print size that I will do.
I've already owned a Canon 5D MKII with L glass and Sony A850 with Zeiss glass. My first DSLR however was a Pentax IstDs.
I will be buying two cameras, one for the landscape work and the other to film and photograph our trips for marketing reasons. It will also serve as a backup if the need arises. I don't really shoot wider than 35mm (on full frame) normally.
With all that said I'm looking at the following systems:
1.
2x Pentax K5
Pentax 16-50mm ƒ/2.8
Pentax 35mm ƒ/2.8
2.
Sony A850
Sony A33
Zeiss 24-70mm ƒ/2.8
Sony 30mm ƒ/2.8
3.
Canon 5D MKII
Canon 550D
Canon 24-105mm ƒ/4
Sigma 30mm ƒ/1.4
Each system costs much the same with the Canon being the most expensive. My fiancee likes to shoot macro flower photographs which is why I have put macro lenses in there.
At the print sizes I've mentioned I really have to wonder if the full frame, high resolution cameras will really look any better than the Pentax K5.
Advantages to the Pentax are that we'd have two well built, light, small, weather resistant, video capable bodies which can share batteries, lenses and cards.
The Sony would have the best image quality of the bunch and is the cheapest of all three.
The Canon has video with full manual controls in both cameras and the widest array of lenses.
I'm sorry this is so long winded, but, it is what I've narrowed my choices down to and I feel somewhat stuck. I'd love to hear any ideas or thinking from other people which might help me make a decision.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
11-28-2010, 02:10 AM
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Well that is quite amazing. I kind of wish we could just do that. But I do love our big clear brilliant skies too.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
11-27-2010, 05:25 AM
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Ah well, one can only dream. However the idea of a cheaper medium format option is extremely appealing too.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
11-27-2010, 01:25 AM
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Surely the sky would get bright enough to exceed the DR of the camera and warrant the use of filters?
However, I wouldn't know because I'm from Australia. I guess I forget that just because it's summer here doesn't mean it is elsewhere. We still need filters in the winter though too.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
11-27-2010, 01:20 AM
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Hmm, a scaled up K5 with a Sony sensor. That sounds an awful lot like a Pentax full frame DSLR. If they really bring something like that out I'll be purchasing it with the 43mm ƒ/1.9 and 77mm ƒ/1.8. If Pentax brings out a 24mm Limited lens I'd be set for life. Well until I can afford the 645D...
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
11-27-2010, 01:16 AM
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What lens are you using? If it's an older film lens it could be some sort of internal reflections? Sometimes the older lenses reflect light back on the the rear element of the lens which can make things hazy.
Also, don't set the aperture too high, limit yourself to around ƒ/8-ƒ/11, otherwise the whole picture will start to get soft from diffraction.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
11-27-2010, 01:09 AM
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Oh yeah, I forgot to mention. If you take any filters along I'd recommend a graduated neutral density filter for any bright skies. You'd probably want a tripod too, that's the first thing to buy if you don't have one.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
11-27-2010, 01:07 AM
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I'd take exactly what you have now. It won't be until you've been shooting for longer that you will develop your own style and really know what equipment you need.
It's not a bad idea to start out with a general purpose zoom like you have right now. Stick with it, learn what you like about it and don't like about it, then upgrade later. I started with a Nikon D200 and 18-70mm, now I only like to shoot primes (it took me a while to learn this, I've had lenses from 17mm to 400mm in that time).
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
11-17-2010, 11:27 PM
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What do you call really big ozlizard? I'm printing up to 16x24" and would imagine to see a difference at this size.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
11-17-2010, 07:44 PM
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That's good to hear someone who has both. That's pretty much what I would have expected from it too. I'd imagine the A850 will show more details in larger prints and smoother tonal gradations. I've fallen in love with those little Limited lenses though.
My thinking at this stage is that I need to work out if I want smaller camera size or higher quality files. The Pentax K5 being the small camera and the Sony being the higher quality files.
I'm going to rule out medium format and the Leica M9 based on price.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
11-17-2010, 12:58 AM
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I'm not so sure about that after seeing some comparison shots. However the shots were JPEG straight from the camera so hard to judge.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
11-16-2010, 10:01 PM
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All I want to do is consider all options. I'm sorry if I offended you Digitalis. I have been still taking photos with my 5D MKII while thinking about it too.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
11-16-2010, 09:22 PM
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I'm actually starting to consider the Sony A850 more now. It's a trade off between image quality and size and weight. The Pentax system is just so beautiful and small, those Limited lenses are so very nice. But the larger sensor, higher resolution and Zeiss lenses on the A850 should provide some pretty awesome quality.
Either way I think I'll be happier than with my 5D MKII. The files just don't look right at all.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
11-16-2010, 03:47 AM
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I've been considering film, but if I do it'll probably be the Mamiya 7 II. I would rather it's digital though, I also know I ask too much. It's amazing you have to pay so much to get 'less' features!
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
11-15-2010, 11:54 PM
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That's part of the problem, the more you pay the more features you keep getting. That's the beauty of a Leica, it's simple, beautiful and well machined. If you think things don't have to look nice, why do you try making photographs look nice?
I'm also a designer and I really appreciate when a company can make something look good. For me too there is no better design than a simple one. All I want is a focus ring, shutter button, aperture dial, shutter dial and ISO dial. Everything else just gets in the way.
You can view these things as just a tool but it's also the product of someone else's creativity.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
11-15-2010, 11:49 PM
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Aw well, there are some test samples up on imaging resource now. Comparing the 5D MKII and K5 together it's quite clear that the 5D MKII has a much sharper more detailed image.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
11-15-2010, 07:33 PM
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Some great photos there too Jonoslack
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
11-15-2010, 07:32 PM
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Not really a no brainer. The Pentax does not have the elegance, simplicity and beauty of the Leica. A Ford will drive you places just like a BMW for much less money but I know which I'd rather have.
The Mamiya 7II was a range finder camera and has been used for landscape photography. It's not really that much of a problem.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
11-15-2010, 01:09 AM
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I have thought about what the 5D MKIII will be like, but ultimately, I hate their cameras. If the K5 can give image quality as good as the 5D MKII, and that's enough for now I'm not really thinking it's necessary to wait for the MKIII.
I've also considered the 645D, but it's just that bit too expensive for right now. In a couple years time maybe not so.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
11-14-2010, 01:22 AM
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It's a good suggestion to go in a store and try it, but for the petrol costs it wouldn't be much cheaper to purchase it over the internet and sell it again on eBay.
I did find one person, thanks to eigelb, that does have both and I sent him a PM. He likes the files from the K5 more. It has been a help getting ideas from people on here and I appreciate that.
I'm curious Farhad, what lenses would you recommend?
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
11-13-2010, 07:43 AM
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It's interesting to compare the 5D MKII and Nikon D7000 at imaging resource. I downloaded the files and up-ressed the Nikon to match the Canon. I'm no expert but it did look very much the same. The Nikon was sharper, so that makes me think these might have been JPEG from the camera.
Of course my theory here is that the Nikon will be very similar to the Pentax...
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
11-13-2010, 06:25 AM
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I don't think Carl Zeiss do a 24mm for Canon??? They do a 25mm for Nikon though.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
11-13-2010, 06:17 AM
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That's an American rental shop??? I could only dream of renting a Pentax here in country South Australia.
I certainly wouldn't blame anyone on a forum for my own decisions either. All I want to get is a feel for how people think this camera stacks up.
I was also expecting a skewed result, just as I'm expecting a skewed result from any forum. Any other forum on the web will say Canon without even giving consideration to the Pentax. Otherwise more people would be using Pentax.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
11-13-2010, 05:35 AM
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Thanks eigelb. I've just sent him a message and looked through those threads. He sounds pretty convinced that it's as good by what I could make out.
On the other forum there are now 11 people choosing the Canon, non for the Pentax. They're all very convinced that the answer is obvious.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
11-13-2010, 04:18 AM
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Just for fun, and interest sake, I posted the same poll on another forum. So far out of 8 it's 100% canon.
Someone has made the point of the 5D MKII having better local contrast because of the large sensor. That's definitely an important aspect.
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