New DSLR - Pentax K5

[Mr Bump]

They were definitely worth suffering frozen fingers for, Sue. Thanks for posting.

I had read several times in the past that the Pentax system is rather let down by a comparatively limited lens choice but I had not really taken a lot of notice. It has been a very long time since I owned a Pentax, having been locked into Nikon for many years and spoiled for lens choice. Now that a Pentax DSLR appeals to me enough to want to buy it the lens choice question becomes a reality.

Your deliberations, as an experienced Pentax user, as to what lens(es) to get make me realise that I am in uncharted teritory and definitely out of my Nikon comfort zone. Hmmm. Decisions indeed. For the moment I'll continue to read all relevant forum posts with great interest.

Now, if the D400 turned out to be K-5 sized I would probably look no farther - but that's not likely to happen and, like you, I don't really want another bulky/heavy DSLR.

[GeoffWessex]

On the one hand, Pentax cameras can use (with various constraints) every Pentax-fit lens made since the early 1970s..... quite a range. In terms of modern AF lenses, designed for digital cameras, the field is definitely more limited..... and the lenses themselves can be very expensive compared with Nikon and Canon's range.

For example, I'd love a Pentax DA 55mm f/1.4 Macro - but it's around 600 pounds or more - while Nikon's f/1.4 50mm (admittedly not Macro) is under 100 pounds (though they are straight currency conversions, not necessarily the prices in UK shops).

[Sue Allen]

If in that long ago time when the SLR was developed, the manufacturers had settled on a universal lens mount I think the market might be a bit different today! The lack of an affordable 50mm f1.8 is annoying as it's a cheap way to get a fast prime. Other than that I suppose Pentax have a comparable range in the sort of thing you might initially want to buy - to cover the 18mm to 300mm range at reasonable prices. Don't forget not all Canikon lenses give stellar performances - Canon have had some decidedly iffy low end lenses. I shall certainly investigate some older lenses and keep an eye on ebay. I'm happy to go the Sigma route - or Tamron at a push - if there's nothing in the Pentax range.
D7000 review is finally up at dpreview - the K-5 gets an honourable mention for its handling. 80% overall - wonder if the K-5 will beat it??

[Mr Bump]

Originally Posted by GeoffWessex

On the one hand, Pentax cameras can use (with various constraints) every Pentax-fit lens made since the early 1970s..... quite a range. In terms of modern AF lenses, designed for digital cameras, the field is definitely more limited..... and the lenses themselves can be very expensive compared with Nikon and Canon's range.

For example, I'd love a Pentax DA 55mm f/1.4 Macro - but it's around 600 pounds or more - while Nikon's f/1.4 50mm (admittedly not Macro) is under 100 pounds (though they are straight currency conversions, not necessarily the prices in UK shops).

@Geoff. If I tell you that my Pentax lenses were all Super Takumar it will give you some idea as to how long it is since I owned a Pentax. That's my difficulty: Pentax may have a K5-usable back catalogue of lenses but I don't have much idea as to what is good and what to avoid. This is where forums are invaluable.

As regards prices, I suspect you might have meant the Nikon f1.8 for under £100. Just out of interest, indicative prices for 50mm primes in UK are £100 for Nikon & Canon f1.8, £300 for Nikon & Canon f1.4, £380 for Sigma f1.4, £600 for Pentax 55mm f1.4 DA (although the 50mm f1.4FA is still available for around £320). As lamented by Sue Allen, Pentax does not offer a 50mm f1.8 - nor does Sigma for that matter.

I'm reading and learning

[GeoffWessex]

Sorry, yes, the Nikon 50mm f/1.8..... still a very fast camera and, presumably, up to the generally high standard of Nikon lenses. It's $160 here in Canada - which is (today) 100 pounds.

A better 'equivalent' Pentax lens is the FA 50mm f/1.4, at about $430 (GBP270). But I really wanted to get up to the ideal portrait size - so 55mm (giving around 83mm as the 35mm film equivalent) would be my choice - with the Macro as a bonus - and that's $900.

I use an old Pentax 50mm f/2.8 - manual focus - which cost me $25! Good lens but my old eyes can't handle the focusing too well (and I don't have a proper 'old-style' focusing screen in the V/F).

So yes, the Pentax range is limited - lots of focal lengths covered, but not in different speeds or, consequently, budgets.

[Mr Bump]

Originally Posted by GeoffWessex

... my old eyes can't handle the focusing too well (and I don't have a proper 'old-style' focusing screen in the V/F).

There's an interesting point Geoff. In view of Pentax DSLRs having backwards compatibility (with full SR) with many years of Pentax manual focus lenses has anyone here used or considered the KatzEye screens.

[HinFrance]

I've had some split screen clones in both my K20D and K10D. Ebay items. Problem is that the split screen doesn't always give an accurate indication of focus - this is because, apparently, there are some very thin shims factory fitted to the focusing screen carrier that adjust for the manufacturing variations of camera and screens. So when you fit another screen it might not be in exactly the right place. I got this information from KatzEye themselves, but thankfully had only spent £17 on a Chinese copy That said, they are eminently usable and easy to swap when required.

As for focusing older lenses, if your eyes let you down a bit, what about the in focus 'beep'? I get that on both my existing bodies with manual focus lenses, and the focus point flashes momentarily too - with my much loved Chinon 50mm f1.7 for example. I admit I only use spot focus.

I got my 'cheap' F series 50mm f1.4 also from eBay, just under £200.

It'll be interesting to see what the 35mm 2.4 performs like when it (eventually) arrives from the UK.

[GeoffWessex]

Focus Beep! Yes! I'd forgotten about that! Going to try that.

Yes, I've heard of the Katzeye screens..... now that you've reminded me about them perhaps I'll check them out again. Not worth me investing too much in one, for the sake of a $25 lens, but if they're a reasonable price I could think about other old lenses.

[Sue Allen]

One problem if the K-5 does get the market share it deserves, will be the dearth of good modern s/hand AF lenses. If I wanted a used Sigma 70-200 in Canikon there's usually a couple ob ebay - and I got a really good value one from W/E bargain basement some time ago. Daily searches of s/hand sites and ebay are bringing up lots of slow 28-80 etc. and kit lenses at the moment. It pains me to buy new! One reason to be pleased though - last week it cost me £219 to buy my 55-300 [with a further £20 cashback to take off that]- this week their price seems to have gone up to £279 - will soften the loss when I sell my D3100!

More testing - in a wind chill factor of minus goodness knows what,not the slightest effect on performance. Some low light [very low light] high iso shots look promising. Should have the chance to do some real world indoor dog stuff soon - if it will do clean results up to iso1600/2000 [that seems to be enough in most venues and my Nikons - from D90 on - have been pretty good at those] I'll be happy - any extra will be a bonus.

[Mr Bump]

Originally Posted by Sue Allen

One problem if the K-5 does get the market share it deserves, will be the dearth of good modern s/hand AF lenses.

That's exactly what I have found Sue in looking around to see what my s/hand lens choice might be if I go for the K5. Lens choice is the only thing that is holding me back from a K5 purchase instead of the more logical (for me) D7000.

I am also finding difficulty in establishing whether any TTL metering is available on the K5 when older K/KA mount lenses are used. One of the several improvements in the D7000 over the D90 is that it will allow TTL metering of up to 9 of my old (but excellent) Nikkor AIs lenses. The use of 35 years or more of Pentax lenses with full SR capability is loudly trumpeted by Pentax in their K5 promotion but the lack of mention of TTL metering suggests there is none