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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
04-04-2013, 08:42 PM
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Thanks Everyone for the great suggestions.
Turning on the AF Assist and using the quick shift, I was able to achieve a much better success. vertical / horizontal lines helped as well, especially when I tried to pick something that was very solid and same color.
Quick question : I changed the AF-S priority to shutter (instead of focus) as at times, even when viewfinder showed good focus, the focus lock wouldn't happen. Is there any problem in using shutter priority?
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
04-04-2013, 04:47 PM
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Just like the camera, the wine in my hand is the "best" :). At present, I can mess up more with my poor skills than what "FF" can help exploit in a photo.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
04-04-2013, 04:44 PM
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I got the 50-300mm for the telephoto. I am looking at 28-75 F2.8 tamron as the general purpose / low light option. I am not much of a prime lens person, so looking at only zoom lenses.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
04-04-2013, 01:37 PM
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But, that's the fallacy of any comparison, right? Just because they are the same cost, you are using it to prove your point. I can, for example, compare the K-5 ii to D800 or K-30 to D600 to prove that FF is far more expensive and APS-C is more attractive :).
This discussion is relevant to me as I started with $2K budget. I paid about $1K for K-5 with 18-135. I am spending the rest of my 1K budget to get additional lenses that cover low light and tele zoom. I would spend $2.4 K either D600 or 6D for FF features and a single kit lens. All my lens needs would put me closer to $3.5K.
Even if Pentax comes up with a FF, APS-C is good enough for a lot of folks (including me) as I don't have any needs to take advantage of the FF advantage.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
04-04-2013, 01:07 PM
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Wouldn't the upcoming SIGMA 35 1.4 help bridge the gap? Granted it isn't Pentax and DA*, but will at least move the needle a wee bit.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
04-04-2013, 12:59 PM
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Definitely not the end of the world. You can achieve more isolation at the same f stop (due to the 1 stop advantage).
For my casual photography, APS-C is good enough. Actually, K-30 itself is a good match for my skills. I got the K-5, just because I can get it for the same price :).
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
04-04-2013, 12:36 PM
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If you compare the cameras, they are not at the same level, right? A plasticky one against a magnesium body, full weather sealed? A non weather sealed lens against a weather sealed lens. Plus, you can't get the D600 kit for $2k anymore. As with the SDM failures, D600 isn't free of issues either with the dust spots etc.
To be clear, I never called D600 as cheap. It's a great camera which I looked at closely before giving up due to the various QC issues with Nikon. I just pointed out the practice of many folks that I know who buy expensive cameras and pair it nothing more than just a cheap lens. To me, it doesn't make sense.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
04-04-2013, 12:15 PM
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IMHO (I am just a beginner), FF is truly needed for subject isolation and such. It can truly be used to the fullest extent by an advanced amateur. For majority of the general public (who happens to be the volume buyers), they just get it because of the Canikon marketing or what they read in the review sites. In US at least, most of the consumers are spoled and spend more on camera than on lenses. I mean, buying a FF with kit lens and maybe a cheap telezoom lens.
I don't think Pentax can play the same field as Canikon and try to come out winners. If they make a stellar APS-C that's truly different and appeals to the masses, I am sure they will sell a crop load of them. Plus, getting some presence in the key retail stores (just the major ones like sams club, costco, bestbuy etc.) will help a lot. People go to these stores for buying cameras (not target or walmart, usually). I don't think FF alone will the game changer for Pentax.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
04-04-2013, 12:07 PM
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The more I see, the more I like what's happening with Pentax. A very quality oriented store like Costco beginning to carry Pentax on the stateside (which is a store that I love and respect) is another indication that Pentax is on the right trajectory.
Plus, I can't stand how Canikon keeps crippling models to made it look like numerous options available for buyers. In the end, the low end products really do suck big time and forces people to keep buying new cameras as they mature their photography :(.
Sony seems to be going in the other direction too, with new cameras replacing old ones every 6 to 12 months. That's just a shame.
I waited and analyzed for a while and my k-5 so far is proving that I made the right choice.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
04-04-2013, 12:02 PM
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Thanks for the info. I wasn't aware of how quick shift works. Let me try it out. I need manual focus only for extreme cases and this seems like the best way to quickly get some fine tuning done.
It was a nice feeling to carry the camera around without having to worry about water, dust and the elements :). You never know when the magical moment will appear.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
04-04-2013, 10:06 AM
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Thank you. I wasn't aware of that. Does this impact the AWB or even the focus itself? I was under the impression that the small red rectangle is what controls the focus but it might be a wider area based on your description.
I also keep hearing great things about Katzeye and other focusing screens. They are a bit expensive (making my K-5 get almost close to the K-5 ii price in the states). Do they make a substantial difference in focus performance / assistance?
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
04-04-2013, 10:02 AM
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I feel so stupid now. I do remember the AF-S, AF-C & MF switch. Sometimes, we miss the obvious.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
04-04-2013, 09:12 AM
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Thanks everyone for the responses. AF assist seems to help somewhat, when I tried it.
Is there an easy way to put the camera to MF when using 18-135mm? I don't see a switch on the lens and I have assigned the "AF" button to cancel AF. While this works, it's a bit tedious to continue holding the AF button to fine tune the focus, when hand held. Any other way to cancel the AF and put the camera in MF quickly?
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
04-03-2013, 08:48 PM
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@Clicker : You are right. I am thinking about that as well, at least for low light situations. Despite the great Pentax Limited series of lenses, I am more of a zoom lens oriented person. So, I am thinking of the tamron 28-75, which gives nice range covering street photography to portrait in f2.8. I can use it indoors at least and it isn't very expensive.
@Ash : Yes, I kind of had it off, just by habit. I don't usually turn it on as I think it might be irritating to people being photographed (despite the cool green pentax color). I may have to assign a custom button (if possible) to turn it on or off quickly.
K-5 is definitely in a different league compared to the canikon systems. Even though canon / nikon market their APS-C cameras, their APS-C lens system selection is very poor, often forcing one to go with the expensive and heavy FF lenses. I like the weight to performance ratio of the APS-C DSLR and will be thoroughly enjoying the K-5. Maybe in a year or two, upgrade to the next K-x series offering from Pentax.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
04-03-2013, 07:23 PM
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Thanks Everyone. Once again, after watching the forum, you are all proving me that I made the right choice. A vibrant and active user community is a great support tool and was part of my decision.
I do use center point (thanks to the not so great auto focus system in 60D). I was just curious as I could take some photos in low light but not for some.
Looking for the contrasty colors or vertical / horizontal lines in the image are great tips that I will try out. I am simply in love with the camera and the ergonomics. I knew the AF in low light was little weak but couldn't pass up the great price for the camera + lens combo (little under $1000 new). That nice cold metal feel on the hand when holding the camera is simply too good.
I was in one of the water rides and proudly carried my camera through splashing water. I smiled at the other person in the ride who was quickly shoving his Nikon in to the bag, when the ride started. :lol:
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
04-03-2013, 05:46 PM
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I was sick and tired of my Canon 60D and sold it months ago. Tried my hands on Nex 5N (still have it) and while it was decent, picture quality was so so, especially at ISO 3200. Not to mention that neck strap which irritated me to no extend during a recent trip on a hot day outdoors.
After weeks of contemplation between Pentax & Olympus and K-5 vs K-5 ii, finally got the K-5 18-135 kit this past week. Initial impressions are "Wow". this is in a different league compared to the 60D & the sony. I gave it to a professional photographer to take my family picture at disneyland and she complemented that "this is a great camera, you have" when handing it back to me :).
My only irritation at this point is the low light focus, even with the new firmware. There were couple times when my kids posed for the camera just before the rides at disneyland but the camera wouldn't lock in on focus. Don't know if there are any tips & tricks to improve low light focus. Would be nice to hear any comments and insights from this passionate group (been following the forum for few weeks now).
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