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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
04-03-2013, 05:42 AM
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The Big Freeze!
Not just a UK weather problem. I seems that many people are having "freeze" or "lock-up" issues with Pentax Cameras, from K-30 to K-5, II & IIs, even with a 645D. Why? Common sense tells me that there must be a common thread; e.g. processing engine or the likes?
Either way, many people report that they either get no answers (or aplogies) from Pentax, repairs take a long time and they are put to inconvenience and added expense after already forking out for what I'd call "overpriced consumer garbage" anyway. Why do I say that? Because we get the proverbial arse-end of technology that is old hat, compared to space science or military useage, and then we have to pay excorbitant prices for the "privelage"... and then we are expected, it seems, by the camera companies, to help them out, sit back and do nothing (can't do much when your camera's in repair for weeks/months anyway) and smile when they send us a potentially dodgy replacement? No!
The K-5 IIs has got potential. However, for the price and the aggrevation, the lack of decent long lenses and the minor differences in image quaility between that and my Canon 60D I am going to have to resign myself to keeping what I have got; originally I thought I'd gain sharper images with lighter camera body, but the IQ is "negligable" and erradicated by the hassle of constant camera freeze - resulting in missed shots. It's goingback for a full refund and I shall not be trusting Pentax again - or the biased reviews!
:fedup:
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
03-29-2013, 03:08 PM
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Jatrax's Reply: "Considering that one of the MOST liked aspects of the k-5 is the wonderful ergonomics I have to object to that statement. If it does not fit your hands, well too bad, that's why they make other brands. Send it back and get something you like."
If you read my posts properly you'd see that I thought I would like this camera after several reviews, but they neglected to mention points like "grip".
"But posting here or anywhere else that they 'got it wrong' just because you don't like it is just plain silly." and "ROFLMAO. So you want Pentax to redesign the body so it fits YOUR hands in total disregard to anyone who actually likes it that way? And then send you a free replacement after they redesign it to fit you? Doesn't that seem a bit egotistical? "
Where does one start? "Egotistical" It appears that the ego here is not with me for I am not telling other forum users that they are wrong, as you appear to be doing, just stating the facts about a camera as I find them. To call me egotistical is like the pot calling the kettle black. "ROFLMAO" = Rolls Over Floor Laughing... ???" How childish and churlish, as well as trying to debase other people's posts and opinions. Tell me, are you a very young teenager?
Let me make a point to you, again: I have tried many different cameras and been able to use them "reasonably comfortably", my hands are "quite normal" in shape and size, the camera's grip is not one that the hand fits to without having to hold it in what I'd call an "abnormal" position.
Furthermore, if any camera manufacturer got it right first time then all we'd ever see is an upgrade of Sensor, maybe slight changes in electronic functions and of course lenses; as quality and production methods improved. The body would remain the same. Take further examples of reviews of the new Pentax Q-01, the square block camera. This had some pretty mixed reviews and most reviewers have commented on the chunky grip and feel. This only scores "7.6" on the Pentax Forums for "Ergonomics". The K-5 scores an amzing 10 out of 10 whilst the K-5 IIs only gets barely scrapes past a " 9 " because one reviewer only gave it 8 and the others all steamed in with full 10's; much the same way as most people review on shopping sites, hastily and with either a big plus or a big minus and not much inbetween. It maybe the case that many people do not fully understand what the word ergonomics means and that it does actually apply to "comfort" as well as other useage terms.
Regardless of your disdain that anyone should have an opinion, let alone one that is different to yours, I shall reitterate that in my opinion this camera body needs a redesign; not to mention the "freeze" problems that other people apart from are having: and I wonder if any of them hastily awarded a 10 fro ergonomics before they discovered the "freeze" problems or the "mirror jam" problems?
If all I get on this Forum are negative and abusive replies like yours, and no offer of help from Pentax, then I may well return it and go back to Nikon; as they make a similar model.... oh that reminds me.... on my old Nikon "full frame" it used to have a Depth of field" button in just the right place, so where's the DoF button on the Pentax?
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
03-29-2013, 12:18 PM
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@Jatrax: Ergonomics is very important. I have used many, many different cameras since I started off in photography properly, which was 1970 at Art College. The best "fit" I ever had was a 35mm Contax - a beautiful camera in every respect. In D-SLR I have used - as I said - full frame and aps-c; my preference is for APS-C as with many lenses it gives better reach; a well considered choice for wildlife photography, on foot, with changing and often very fleeting chances of shots. It works for me.
To reiterate, I still find that the thumb-grip on the K-5 IIs is not at all comfortable and the lower part of the ridge digs into the thumb-heel; it's just at the wrong angle. How Pentax could possibly get this wrong elludes me, as was not there when someone designed it. All other cameras, all makes, big or small, D-SLR I have found reasonably ergonomic, and even little "Bridge" and smaller "pocket snappers" I have found to be relatively easy to grip. This has nothing to do with my hands, which are not deformed, are average size and used to operating all sorts. I understand your fervent resolution to defend your beloved Pentax, but I can only speak as I find. This camera needs a redesign and I am somewhat disapointed with the way it operates/feels; especially after reading reviews which seem to omit any practical factors in favour of "results" only!
Pentax, please contact me to let me know if something can be done. I really want to use a K-5 IIs but mine will go back and leave a sour taste in my mouth if this issue is ignored! The uncomfortable feel of the thumb-grip and the random "freeze" issue is just too much; I can grin and bear the former if Pentax promises me that they'll give me a replacement when a redesigned body comes out*, but the latter is a flaming pain and defeats the object of having a lightweight, fast AF camera for capturing those fleeting moments. :-(
*otherwise refund may be the only sensible option and carry on with the "other" barand, which is not what I'd hoped for as the APS-C IIs with no anti-aliasing filter idea is what I wanted.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
03-29-2013, 11:50 AM
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Update: Had the camera a week or more now. The 'Firmware' is updated to 1.4, as mentioned elsewhere, and I have used both the 18-55 lens and the 55-300 lenses; both good value, light and easy with very quick (if noisy) AF.
The "FREEZE" issue is the biggest problem here and I am really hoping that Pentax will pull out their fingers and get an updated 1.4 to fix this issue a.s.a.p.; otherwise I'll get a refund and buy another Canon! Inserted a freshly charged battery yesterday and went to use it today and the blasted thing froze on me again, this time for no aparent reason; only went to focus! By the time I faffed around taking the battery out and reinserting it, then switching on again the subject had flown away!
The Thumb-grip is definitely uncomfortable and the angle of the "ridge" is all wrong! My hands are not huge and I find most other cameras "normal" to hold in thei respect, including "Bridge" cameras and the likes.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-22-2013, 04:20 PM
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I have some old lenses from M42 days. Can anyone tell me please if I can get a decent Adaptor to mount themn on my K-5 IIs and be able to adjust focus, confirm focus, etc.?
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Forum: Travel, Events, and Groups
03-22-2013, 03:36 PM
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Old_Taoist has created a new social group called "Wildlife & Nature", with the following description:
To join this group visit the social groups homepage where this new group will be listed.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
03-22-2013, 03:33 PM
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@Jbinpg & VD: Sorry guys, but it does not "fit like a glove" in my hand (my 35mm Contax used to though ;-). I have normal hands, slightly small but cannot say that the thumb-grip is at all comfortable for me. The LV button is too close to the 4-way buttons and it is too easy to press the LV and sometimes others when you are, for instance, adjusting grip or moving position.
OK, I was going to avoid names, but the issue has been forced! My EOS has a shutter release button in the right place and where my index digit should be. I find the Shutter Release on the K5 something I had to search for on occasion; this may be of course the fact that I am used to having one under my finger, rather than a few mm back and there is a difference in body sizes!
The concept I love. Pentax has always been a favourite since I used 35mm (except that the Contax was superior!) and I have been involved in photography virtually all my life; just "framing" when I was a kid, but from Art College in 1960 onwards in both keen Amateur and pro modes. I know when a camera suits, or not and am not biased.
Just to set the record straight, before someone else jumps in with remarks that are not thought through;
Having looked at my first results the images are better at 100% than my EOS + "Bigma"; using K-5 IIs with Pentax 55-300 - which is reviewed by me.
But, like I said, there could be improvements to this camera and I can think of a few.
In recent years I have used and owned Nikon (full frame), Canon (aps-c) and various Compacts, and now this... in my quest to find a Digital that actually provides good results with compact zooms, but is lighter, "snappier" and almost ideal for walk-about wildlife and landscape, close-ups and general whilst using non-primes: Come on, how many people really want to change lenses outdoors when its damp, frosty, dusty or with pollen blowing into the camera?
As one review concludes "We find that the risk of moiré is low to non-existing in most situations, especially when shooting anything that's non man-made." and I bought this because I am seeking better pictures of animals - to get more detail in fur and feather - and so far, am not disapointed with my first results in comparison to the more expensive EOS and "Bigma" kit I normally use for this (hand held morte often than "propped").
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
03-22-2013, 03:20 PM
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From out of the box and after updating Firmware to 1.3, I found my K-5 IIs fairly easy to set up but it was not quite so logical to find how to set the RAW + Hi speed shot settings, I had to hunt a bit. Having said that, I tried it out in the wilds the other day and taking a few sequenc shots of a bird hovering was easy-peasy. I only fire about 3-5 shots usually, so should not have a problem with the Buffer. In all fairness I have to say that apart from the RAW + Hi setting being apart from the other settings I find it quite good; compared to my EOS which almost dies in the bitterly cold weather!
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Forum: Welcomes and Introductions
03-22-2013, 02:54 PM
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Thanks Kerrowdown. Nice to virtually meet you. My father was a highly regarded motor engineer, so I was brought up with "nuts and bolts" or how things work, why they don't and how come the designers didn't do this... etcetera. It's been my "curse" ever since... or blessing; that is if Pentax wish to avail themselves of my logical grey matter ;-) lol
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
03-22-2013, 02:50 PM
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Yes, at least that's what the camera said!
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
03-21-2013, 06:35 PM
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Audibly I found buffer and take speeds varied according to how bright/dark the image focus point is.
K-5 IIs with Pentax 55-300.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
03-21-2013, 06:29 PM
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Am I on the wrong Thread? I thought this was a K-5 IIs Review Thread!
Well, bought mine and plumped for a Pentax 55-300 lens just to try it out with. Lens pretty good for a "cheapy"; but what I'd expect from a name like Pentax, being an "old hand" from Spotmatic and Takamur days!
Camera has real potential, sharp imaging, light weight and.... well, that's about it really. The body needs a re-design, buttons moving, etcetera, and the damned thing kept freezing up on me on my first day (Firmware updated to 1.3 but a couple of accidental button presses may have done it - too darned easy to hit the buttons, and i only have small hands!) Come on Pentax, I was hoping to "switch" my DSLR brand and the IIs gave me good cause, but first day's experience is not a good start! Just awaiting a good reply to decide whether I keep or return it! :-/
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
03-21-2013, 05:56 PM
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I've just bought a K-5 IIs and installed latest version, 1.3, and found that twice on first day's shoot already the camera has "frozen" electronically. The only way to be able to fix it is remove battery, replace and re-start! It may be something to do with so easily accidentally pressing buttons like LV which are too easy to press by accident?
I love the camera (in theory and for sharpness) BUT thumb-grip not ergonomic, buttons too easy to accidentally press, especially with gloves on and this "freeze" issue is just plain annoying! No "stain" or "bleed" BTW.
The body needs re-design (wider & better thumb-grip angle) and Firmware 1.3 updating to elimintae lock-ups.The shutter/mirror, althogh muffled due to sealing, is quite a camera jogger, even when being held really still. Bummer, considering the price! It's got real potential; pity that Pentax doen't seem to consult real photographers when designing!!!
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Forum: Welcomes and Introductions
03-21-2013, 05:46 PM
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Hi, I'm in UK and have been using Pentax since early Spotmatic, my first 35mm camera and a wonderful tool in those days, so simple and efficient. I used to 120 as well and must say, the best 35mm I ever used was a Contax.
After many years, I went digital and started with a small snapper, then gradually went upstream from there. I must say that due to lack of 35mm processing locally and the development of digital quite rapidly, I was converted through need rather than want.
Had a Nikon "full frame" with a "Bigma" stuck on it, which was great imaging.. but, like carrying a sackload of bricks around and certainly no good for wildlife as too shakey with all that bulk! Went to a smaller. lighter cannon 600D but that was suffering from "forward focus", so sent iit for repair and bought a 5550d and used that for a year. Not enough serious control! Upgraded to a 60D which had all the control and features I need to make me feel more at home. Trouble is, when you are shooting wildlife yo need a big zoom as yo may be close or afar at any moment, which means that a 'Prime', say 600mm, is just going to make you miss good shots.
Saw the Pentax K-5 IIs and was impressed by it's aparent sharpness without the AA filter; seeing pictures posted by reviewers. So, got me one. I have some teething issues with this, which are posted elsewhere, namely camera lock-up or "freeze" by the Operating System (OS); after updating to 1.3 Apart from that, images are great but the body certainly needs some redesigning! If Pentax could do that, swap my not-quite-so-hot K-5 IIs for a newer body that's got all the problems fixed I'd be a happy bunny.
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