Consider this.......regarding cameras (Page 2): JC, I have both the 7D and the 5DMK II. I took the plunge with the 5D because the full frame didn't compromise my EF 24-70mm f2.8 or EF...

Photogdog Loc: New Kensington, PA

jim charron wrote:

Latest Canon 5D rated 82 by DP review.
Latest Nikon D800 rated 82 by DP review.

Pentax K5 rated 83 by DP review and is as of this week on sale for $879.00 !!! :thumbup:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/735971-REG/Pentax_14748_K_5_Digital_SLR_Camera.html

about $2000 lower than above cameras, where as this lower priced camera received a higher gold reward review.

Looks like a no brainer to me?

JC,

I have both the 7D and the 5DMK II. I took the plunge with the 5D because the full frame didn't compromise my EF 24-70mm f2.8 or EF 8-15mm f4.0 lens on the wide angle side. Crop sensors are great for "beefing up" the telephoto side of things but leave you short on the wide angle. If you're going to spend the bucks on the glass, you might as well get the most out of them.

PD

marcomarks Loc: Ft. Myers, FL

jim charron wrote:

RTR wrote:

You are comparing apples and oranges. The Canon and Nikon cameras you mention are full frame and the Pentax is a crop sensor.

DP review does not catagorize the two.

a camera is a tool, which gives the end result.

Ken Rockwell says there is little diff. between the FX and DX except usually get larger view finder with full frame.

Advantage DX crop factor and lighter lenes generally.

just say'n, many will disagree, I suppose?

I sat around in Books-a-Million a couple weeks ago while waiting for my clothes-shopping wife and read a magazine article about full-frame versus crop. It was illustrated with photos taken side by side with a top-of-the-line APS-C and full-frame of the same brand using same-quality lenses set for the same equivalent focal length.

Even on crappy magazine paper the clarity, crispness, distinction of a wider variety of shades of the same color, and even more shadow variations were dramatically better with full-frame. They added extreme zoom-in magnifications to prove the point. My goal of one day leaving APS-C and going full-frame is intact no matter what Ken says, although I usually have respect for his controversial opinions.

Besides, I don't believe DP Reviews ratings are based only on their conclusions but add in the ratings that readers/owners gave the camera. And I'll bet you could find a P&S or bridge that is rated with a 84 but that doesn't mean it's equal to an 84 on any dSLR.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

The problem with a bare score card is that one camera may fit YOUR needs better than one that scored higher (example: high marks for having a swivel LCD but you don't care for that feature)

It's what YOU need that matters.... :)

What features are MOST important to YOU?

Bill1967 Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado now Wilmington NC

Never considered Nikon or Cannon, to big, to heavy, and to expensive. I purchased the K5 because of it's ISO capability. The attached shot was at ISO 3200 1/320 sec,F5.6 using Pentax 55-300mm lens at 210mm.

Owl in a tree

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

You know it a matter of who's review you read as too the percent? Its all subjective just follow the money that is spent on advertizing!

ecobin Loc: Paoli, PA

rpavich wrote:

The problem with a bare score card is that one camera may fit YOUR needs better than one that scored higher (example: high marks for having a swivel LCD but you don't care for that feature)

It's what YOU need that matters.... :)

What features are MOST important to YOU?

Exactly right. It would be really helpful if the scorecards were published so that we the readers could superimpose our own weightings depending on the features that we care about and those that we would not weight at all. Then the relative scores would be different for each of us but much more meaningful to our needs.

jimmya Loc: Phoenix

jim charron wrote:

Latest Canon 5D rated 82 by DP review.
Latest Nikon D800 rated 82 by DP review.

Pentax K5 rated 83 by DP review and is as of this week on sale for $879.00 !!! :thumbup:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/735971-REG/Pentax_14748_K_5_Digital_SLR_Camera.html

about $2000 lower than above cameras, where as this lower priced camera received a higher gold reward review.

Looks like a no brainer to me?

The crop sensor issue is only one thing to consider.

What is the overall quality of the equipment? Will the Pentax last for 20-years under lots of pressure and hard work? Will the Pentax stand up the constant beating that professional cameras always take?

Lots of questions.

Hal81 Loc: Bucks County, Pa.

Regarding cameras. Has anyone seen the Aug National Geograph with the guy that chases lighting.? Get a load of that camera he uses. Wow! He hauls it around in a trailer. I think they said it was 1600 lbs. Its a Beckman&Whitley 192 framing camera that has been retrofitted with modern electronics. 1,440,000 frames per second. the thing spins at 6000 revolutions pre second. Just for taking lightling shots.

fishone0 Loc: Kingman AZ

bigger light gathering pixels on full frame sensor means more resolution and better pictures

fototaker27 Loc: Dumfries & Galloway Scotland

Pentony wrote:

quote=jerryc41 quote=ecobin If we learned anythi... (show quote)

Well said Pentony, I have been a Pro about the same time as yourself. Teach oneself about you camera so as you know it inside out. The camera is a tool your eyes and brain see the picture. to a certain extent this is both a natural gift and a learned skill which you can perfect over time. All a camera does is record what the eye has seen and the brain tends to forget over time.

BuckeyeBilly Loc: St. Petersburg, FL

Jim,
Reviews are always subjective to the reviewer....but if you see a pattern developing after reading 7-10 reviews on a particular camera, then you probably can make a more informed decision about the one you're considering.
Another consideration is to see if there might be some sort of scientific testing done on cameras and, indeed, there is. DxO Labs tests a variety of aspects on cameras and lenses. I'll give you a link to its results of testing the sensors in cameras. When you get to the site, you'll notice a dropdown box that gives the name of the camera tested, a picture of it, and DxO's score for that particular camera's sensor. There are 167 cameras tested as of the date I'm writing this. But to give you a teaser, all I'll say right now is that the first 9 cameras are all full-frame sensor cameras or medium format, but look at who shows up at #10!

http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Cameras/Camera-Sensor-Ratings

jim charron Loc: Ontario Canada

BuckeyeBilly wrote:

Jim, br Reviews are always subjective to the revie... (show quote)

#10, not bad, considering the cost; but there again I believe like you said, this is just one more indicator to consider, and your preference,handling must also be considered.

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

jimberton wrote:

biggest advantage a full frame has besides the extra real estate..is the ability to use really high iso with minimal noise.

my 7d (crop sensor) is ok to iso800 and sometimes iso1600.

when i had the 5dmk2..iso6400 was very usable...

this is BIG when shooting in low light.

i have a friend who already has the 5dmk3 and he has taken great photos using iso28000.

i am saving my bucks for the mk3.

how low a light and how fast a shutter speep to need 6400 iso?

David E Loc: Southwestern Ontario, Canada

Good for you jimberton. You won't be sorry going to the 5D mk III. Like you, I planned for months to purchase the new 5D. Loved my 7D but wanted full frame, and extra mp's. Cropping is outstanding with no loss of quality, and low light photos unreal! It's a lot of camera to learn!!!! Good luck!
Dave

olcoach Loc: Oregon

jerryc41 wrote:

jim charron wrote:

You must agree at this point all results/pictures would be fairly close, and the differences between features would be here or there depending on personal preferences?

Just thought I would bring forward an interesting observation to this forum.

When it comes to quality cameras, none will give you bad pictures. It's like deciding which model Ferrari to buy - you can't go wrong.

Jerry I always value your comments and the next Ferrari I buy I'm going to be a lot more relaxed. LOL Have fun and keep shootin'. Mike