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From Canon to Pentax?
Aug 9, 2012 07:18:39 #
I currently have a Canon 20d and 40d but I have the opportunity to get a great deal on a new Pentax K5. Does anyone have an opinion on if this is a good idea? Will there be a big learning curve going from one brand to another? I just don't hear much about Pentax. I've only ever owned Canon. Also, do Pentax cameras only use Pentax lenses? Any input you have is greatly appreciated.
Aug 9, 2012 08:12:41 #
Dr Rae wrote:
I currently have a Canon 20d and 40d but I have the opportunity to get a great deal on a new Pentax K5. Does anyone have an opinion on if this is a good idea? Will there be a big learning curve going from one brand to another? I just don't hear much about Pentax. I've only ever owned Canon. Also, do Pentax cameras only use Pentax lenses? Any input you have is greatly appreciated.
I use the K-5 and before that 2 other Pentax DSLR's I have never used Canon but can answer any questions about the Pentax cameras. The learning curve should not be to bad and there are adapters to use just about any lens on any camera. I use a bunch of different older Pentax primes and also have the Tamron 70-200mm F/2.8 which I use most of the time. One thing is for sure the K-5 is a great camera and once you get used to it you will love it it can do fantastic things.
Aug 9, 2012 09:27:42 #
I started out with a Pentax k-X and loved it. The ONLY reason I don't have it still is my husband dropped it and it was going to cost me more to get it fixed than I had in it. He bought me a Nikon D3100 as a replacement and I'm still trying to figure all of the different features out on it and I got it in February. You will love all the in camera editing feature Pentax has, that's what I miss more than anything. Well that and the fact I had inherited a bunch of lenses, flashes, and assorted goodies from my dad that didn't convert over but I use then in a display along with his camera in my house.
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Aug 9, 2012 09:37:00 #
I have the K5 and think it is a very solid camera and superior to many out there on the market.
Here is a link to the Pentax forums..........you can learn much there:
http://www.pentaxforums.com
Here is a link to the Pentax forums..........you can learn much there:
http://www.pentaxforums.com
Aug 9, 2012 10:44:53 #
GDRoth wrote:
I have the K5 and think it is a very solid camera and superior to many out there on the market.
Here is a link to the Pentax forums..........you can learn much there:
http://www.pentaxforums.com
Here is a link to the Pentax forums..........you can learn much there:
http://www.pentaxforums.com
Thanks, I just joined!
Aug 10, 2012 06:45:59 #
I've always been a Pentax man...and I consider them to be the "Hurricane" of the camera world... ie The Spitfire got all the glory whereas the Hurricane got as many, if not more kills...In the camera world the more popular brands get all the plaudits whereas the Pentax appears to be a forgotten brand.
Aug 10, 2012 06:51:25 #
Rumaweigh
Loc: Richmond VA USA
After shooting with the Pentax K10D for a couple of years, I bought the K-5 a year ago. Fantastic camera. It's low light and/or high ISO abilities are amazing. All older Pentax lenses will work with the K-5, but not all functions (like auto focus). In addition to the 18-55mm "kit" lens, I use the Pentax DA 15 mm and 35mm macro. The 35mm is the sharpest lens I have ever used and is small and light too. For tele lenses I have some older film era lenses. Since the K-5's smaller APS-C sensor only uses the middle of the older film era lenses, most of the older and less expensive lenses produce great images.
Best wishes.
Best wishes.
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Aug 10, 2012 07:59:22 #
GDRoth wrote:
I have the K5 and think it is a very solid camera and superior to many out there on the market.
Here is a link to the Pentax forums..........you can learn much there:
http://www.pentaxforums.com
Here is a link to the Pentax forums..........you can learn much there:
http://www.pentaxforums.com
That's a great forum. (Am currently having trouble with "cookies, but that's anotehr matter.) The few times I have needed to post, I've had quick, respectful and well explained answers about my K5. The only issue I have had with the K5 in the 13 months I have had it is that occasionally the AF gets fooled by large expanses of glass or water and won't let me shoot. If you ask, or search the forum there, you will find about problems that may crop up, typically in ealrier production. If yoru K-5 to be is used, check the serial number at the site for potential (not guaranteed) problems.
Another bonus for me was that, with an adapter ring for <$35 in the US, I can use my old Pentax lenses , manual mode only. I have also found myself shooting manually more, since I learned that way. I have modern lenses with Super this and accurate that but old ones should be cheap, and mine, at least, are a bit faster than the modern lenses I bought.
Aug 10, 2012 08:42:23 #
Dr. Rae,
For what it's worth, a company known as DxO Labs scientifically tests and measures all aspects of cameras on the market, including the sensor which has a great deal to do with image quality. Their testing on 167 different cameras can be found on the link I provide. What the test results reveal is how well the sensor handles Color Depth, Dynamic Range, and Low-light ISO.
When you get to the DxO page, you'll notice 2 dropdown boxes that let you either select a camera or lets you scroll down to find the rankings of all 167 cameras (fastest and easiest is to use the scrolldown because it starts at number one and continues on chronologically). As a teaser, the first nine of the best-rated sensors are found on FULL FRAME, very expensive cameras. But......look at who comes in at number 10!
http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Cameras/Camera-Sensor-Ratings/
For what it's worth, a company known as DxO Labs scientifically tests and measures all aspects of cameras on the market, including the sensor which has a great deal to do with image quality. Their testing on 167 different cameras can be found on the link I provide. What the test results reveal is how well the sensor handles Color Depth, Dynamic Range, and Low-light ISO.
When you get to the DxO page, you'll notice 2 dropdown boxes that let you either select a camera or lets you scroll down to find the rankings of all 167 cameras (fastest and easiest is to use the scrolldown because it starts at number one and continues on chronologically). As a teaser, the first nine of the best-rated sensors are found on FULL FRAME, very expensive cameras. But......look at who comes in at number 10!
http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Cameras/Camera-Sensor-Ratings/
Aug 10, 2012 09:49:35 #
oldmalky
Loc: West Midlands,England.
BuckeyeBilly wrote:
Dr. Rae, br For what it's worth, a company known a... (show quote)
Found that very interesting would have been interesting to have seen the price of each camera as well,I think they came 2 and 3 never heard of them
Aug 10, 2012 10:25:57 #
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Aug 10, 2012 17:14:21 #
I got my Pentax K5 last March (2012). After much research, my short list was a Canon 4D, Nikon 7000, and the Pentax K5. The check-off featues are very similar. But, when I put each in my hand, I knew I would be getting the Pentax, not the Canon or Nikon. It has excellent ergonomics, excellent performance, and produces excellent results. The Pentax lenses are probably the best in the field ant their price range, and they will adapt to any Pentax DSLR. The Canon and Nikon DSLRs and lenses have wider name recognition and retail ballyhoo, but they are certainly not better cameras. In fact, independent professional ratings put the K5 above them. Also, Pentax owners will find the online Pentax Forums a valuable resource with access to knowledgeable Pentax owners. In the long run, the K5 will become lengendary.
Aug 10, 2012 17:45:37 #
I have the lucky job of "fixing" amateur photos that have been submitted for publication. Got a batch a few months ago that had exceptional color and image quality. Checked the metadata...they were from a Pentax K5. JPEGs, straight out of the camera. FWIW, I'm a professinal Nikon guy and would be more than happy with the results I saw.
I would be one of the first to tell you that the pans don't make the chef, but from what I saw, the Pentax K5 is a great pan!
I would be one of the first to tell you that the pans don't make the chef, but from what I saw, the Pentax K5 is a great pan!
Aug 10, 2012 22:08:48 #
oldmalky,
I think you are referring to the Phase One cameras on the DxO Labs list. If I'm not mistaken, these cameras are made in Sweden or somewhere near there. Anyway, the cost of the ones listed in the dropdown box runs from $25,000.00 to $50,000.00 dollars! Too rich for my blood, but, apparently, they are VERY good!
I think you are referring to the Phase One cameras on the DxO Labs list. If I'm not mistaken, these cameras are made in Sweden or somewhere near there. Anyway, the cost of the ones listed in the dropdown box runs from $25,000.00 to $50,000.00 dollars! Too rich for my blood, but, apparently, they are VERY good!
Aug 10, 2012 23:27:03 #
I purchased a K5 several months ago. I've owned Pentax cameras for a lot of years and have always liked them. I loved this K5 a great camera. Unfortunately I had to return it. No matter what mode, saturation, contrast or white balance setting I used it was virtually impossible to get a decent skin tone. I also used three different lens. Ifyou want a camera for landscapes or wild life this is a great camera. But if a freind ask you to take a family photo your sunk. Using a flash just makes it worse. Google "K5 skin tones" before you buy.
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