Pentax K-5 and Canon 5D, please read

dale44 · Jul 10, 2011

No this is not another Pentax vs Canon question. Ok guys, I’m not wanting to start a brand war. I would just like to get feedback from dual users, or anyone with constructive thoughts on this. First, I will be posting this question on both the Pentax and the Canon forums; since it initially involves both brands (some may have suggestions about another brand).

I use a Pentax K-20D that I bought new when they first came out; I started out with the Samsung GX-10. I love the IQ, the size and build of the K-20D but the auto focus drives me crazy on this thing. A lot of hunting and full lens cycling and still sometimes no focus lock. So I’ve been looking at getting a new camera with better focus ability.

Here is a list of my lens: Pentax FA 50mm 1.4, Pentax DA 70mm 2.4 the DA 18-55mm kit lens, the DA 50-200mm lens and a few other MF Pentax lens. So I’m not deeply invested in Pentax lens yet, although it’s a nice start.
Now for what type of photos I like to take:

1 Portrait, my main interest is taking portraits, from full body to headshots. I also like to use natural light when I can. But use ring light and AB strobe units too. I guess you can say studio type photos.

Also abstract and some street photograph, I plan on trying to do more of this in the future.

I’m looking at the Pentax K-5 now and have even rented it to try it out. And I must say it’s a great camera. It’s like night and day against the K-20 as far as the focus speed and accuracy is concerned. Huge advancement in my opinion, and the way the K-5 handles high ISO’s is truly amazing! Using the K-5 in TAv mode is a true pleasure. The video capabilities are of no interest to me. So that’s a moot point to me.

Now the lens I’d like to get for the Pentax K-5 that I don’t already have is: the Pentax SMC DA* Series 50-135mm f/2.8 ED IF SDM the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM and the lovely Pentax 31mm F/1.8 FA Limited. There is no open pathway to FF with the DA* Pentax lens. (And it may not matter)

So what’s the problem you say, you like the K-5 so get it. Well I do like the K-5 but here’s my dilemma. Currently the K-5 body is selling around $ 1350.00 new + = a few bucks. But I have also been looking into the Canon 5D not the 5D mark ll (too expensive) the first generation 5D. You can pick up a used one for around $1000 dollars, plus there is a guy I know that is selling one in excellent condition for $850 dollars.

What I like about the Canon 5D is that it is a full frame camera and it gets great reviews. Also Canon has three lens that I love the rendering of, and they are the Canon EF 135mm f/2.0 L USM, also the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM and the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L IS USM. Plus all three lens are open to FF cameras.

So as you can see the lens costs between the two are not that different. It’s just a tough decision right now, do I stay with Pentax especially now with the uncertainty of what plans Ricoh has with the company. Are should I jump ship into the FF camera. I’d love to hear from 5D users as to how good the focus speed and accuracy of the 5D is and if anyone has used both the Pentax K-5 and the Canon 5D 1st Gen. it would be great to hear what your thoughts are between the cameras. Thank you all in advance for your time and feedback.

me_tarzan · Jul 10, 2011

I own a K5 and have had thew 5D and Mk2. I don't have the Canon cameras any more- I guess that says it all....

dale44 · Jul 10, 2011

Yes I guess that does... but I still would really like to hear about the focusing system of the first 5D as compared to the K-5 if you don't mind and have the time. I'm very interested in this. Also what type of photos do you mainly shoot? Thanks for the reply

Zvonimir Tosic · Jul 10, 2011

There are many threads about this subject matter in this forum. Jim Radcliffe has recently 'switched' from 5D to K5 and Pentax lenses.

The answer you ask for does not fit anywhere in technical specifications of both cameras. It's not that. Not even in your own current photography needs. Perhaps best answer would be that we people are naturally attracted with things we don't have, and want to taste variety of them.

With Ricoh steering Pentax we may see Pentax FF body. It would make sense, especially for all that legacy glass and the fact the Ricoh wants strong camera systems. An FF body would make K mount glass sales much stronger. FA limiteds will fly off the shelves. See Leica and their FF frenzy — they can't make enough Noctiluxes and 35mm Summiluxes — and those are just two lenses. Every company, apart from Sony, has made a tremendous success with production of an FF camera. Nikon has practically changed its position, Leica too. Now Leica thinks about opening a new manufacturing plant because the demand for the M9 and its lenses is crazy and off the scale.

Your position seems to wonder about having both K5 and 5D, but you cannot at the moment? If your budget is limited, think about this too: what you'll be able to get in 2 years time? You can get an extended warranty for K5 now, and for a used 5D you get nothing of the sort. Potentially your investment in 5D may be a flop, and your K5 may be better one because you have a peace of mind — and peace of mind is a great added value in photography for people on budget (plenty of us).

I'm stating this because you obviously don't go for both to try them. You want to invest wisely — otherwise you wouldn't ask all those questions. Hence it's not just important what you get with both right now, but also in a year, or two.

I had a similar dilemma with M8 and have concluded that each upgrade of the Leica camera will cost me more and more. So I abandoned it. M9 was significantly more expensive than M8, M9-P is more expensive than M9, and M10 (considering the trends) will be even more expensive. Because market obviously can afford it, and Leica will go for it. And we live in times when many people get richer too. During the last financial crisis the number of millionaires and billionaires in India alone has doubled. Luxury markets flourish.

For you, the ultimate question remains: what constitutes the photography you like? Is that your FF gear? Is that variety of subjects? Is it something else? Do you wish to have same fun with it in three years? So the right answer must have more psychological and artistic components than purely technical.

dale44 · Jul 10, 2011

Great points Tosic, and thank you for the reply. Also thanks for the Jim Radcliffe reference. I looked him up and read what he had to say. Very good info. I see that he mentioned that the only area he could see for an improvement on the K-5 is the auto-focus system, mainly the speed.

And yes we as humans are design to wonder. And that is exactly what I'm doing here. I've never had a chance to use a 5D so this is the best I can do. Again thanks for your input and your time.

Skip py · Jul 10, 2011

Good evening Dale44

First of all, I'm not a professional : my advices are to be taken "with care", especially as I mostly shoot wildlfe

and I don't like flash (probably because I don't knwo how to use it)

Regarding AF, I "guess" that the old Canon 5D is still faster than K-5 ... I didn't make mesures, but Canon almost lock instantly most of the time, while Pentax hunts from time to time (with old F or FA lenses, but I don't have problem with the newer 18-135 DC)

5D + 135L or 400L are very fast to focus, and a pleasure for colors, bokeh and sharpnes

But Canon usability is not as nice as Pentax (K20 and K-5) : a bit clumsy for me

Since I got my K-5, I mostly keep the 5D for tilt shift : I try to learn how to use my Pentax shift lens with it (with adapter), until I can find a Canon TS for a reasonable price ...

Here is what can make the difference : specialised lenses => wide angle, tilt shift, super macro (65mm MPE) and very long tele with matching TCs ; still some way to go for Ricoh/Pentax

Otherwise, I prefer Pentax, even with it's "remaining problem" (so to speak)

Apart from that, 5D+135L is great but K-5+FA*85 is greater than that for portrait ... to my taste ! You'll have to find a second hand one to realise ... but I guess that with the 77mm Limited it would be as good ?

For long distance shots however, the 135L is really great too; here are a few shoots, to get the idea :
http://fredg.zenfolio.com/p725717535

I didn't use K-5+50mm nor 5D+85mm ... so I can't compare

Regarding macro works, I prefer long lenses (A 200) so I can't compare either with the 100L ...

Anyway, if you can cope with Canon design, with these 3 lenses, you'll be happy with it, but don't forget that the old 5D is "just" a 12 Mpixels while the K-5 is 16 Mpixels and can stabilize any lens !!!

But for me, the most important point is more on Dynamic Range !!! With ISO 160 and extended DR, you'll get incomparable results I guess... Try for yourself to see the point

Regards, fred

PS: regarding street photography, the 5D is bigger but you may find some people doing great with it and the 135L; not an usual way to do so anyway

K-5 and 31 Limited would be another way, especially if you want to get closer to your subject ... and with a discreet old F/FA 28mm your subject may not notice you're shooting at him !

jamesm007 · Jul 10, 2011

dale44 said:
No this is not another Pentax vs Canon question. Ok guys, I’m not wanting to start a brand war. I would just like to get feedback from dual users, or anyone with constructive thoughts on this. First, I will be posting this question on both the Pentax and the Canon forums; since it initially involves both brands (some may have suggestions about another brand).

I use a Pentax K-20D that I bought new when they first came out; I started out with the Samsung GX-10. I love the IQ, the size and build of the K-20D but the auto focus drives me crazy on this thing. A lot of hunting and full lens cycling and still sometimes no focus lock. So I’ve been looking at getting a new camera with better focus ability.

Here is a list of my lens: Pentax FA 50mm 1.4, Pentax DA 70mm 2.4 the DA 18-55mm kit lens, the DA 50-200mm lens and a few other MF Pentax lens. So I’m not deeply invested in Pentax lens yet, although it’s a nice start.
Now for what type of photos I like to take:

1 Portrait, my main interest is taking portraits, from full body to headshots. I also like to use natural light when I can. But use ring light and AB strobe units too. I guess you can say studio type photos.

Also abstract and some street photograph, I plan on trying to do more of this in the future.

I’m looking at the Pentax K-5 now and have even rented it to try it out. And I must say it’s a great camera. It’s like night and day against the K-20 as far as the focus speed and accuracy is concerned. Huge advancement in my opinion, and the way the K-5 handles high ISO’s is truly amazing! Using the K-5 in TAv mode is a true pleasure. The video capabilities are of no interest to me. So that’s a moot point to me.

Now the lens I’d like to get for the Pentax K-5 that I don’t already have is: the Pentax SMC DA* Series 50-135mm f/2.8 ED IF SDM the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM and the lovely Pentax 31mm F/1.8 FA Limited. There is no open pathway to FF with the DA* Pentax lens. (And it may not matter)

So what’s the problem you say, you like the K-5 so get it. Well I do like the K-5 but here’s my dilemma. Currently the K-5 body is selling around $ 1350.00 new + = a few bucks. But I have also been looking into the Canon 5D not the 5D mark ll (too expensive) the first generation 5D. You can pick up a used one for around $1000 dollars, plus there is a guy I know that is selling one in excellent condition for $850 dollars.

What I like about the Canon 5D is that it is a full frame camera and it gets great reviews. Also Canon has three lens that I love the rendering of, and they are the Canon EF 135mm f/2.0 L USM, also the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM and the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L IS USM. Plus all three lens are open to FF cameras.

So as you can see the lens costs between the two are not that different. It’s just a tough decision right now, do I stay with Pentax especially now with the uncertainty of what plans Ricoh has with the company. Are should I jump ship into the FF camera. I’d love to hear from 5D users as to how good the focus speed and accuracy of the 5D is and if anyone has used both the Pentax K-5 and the Canon 5D 1st Gen. it would be great to hear what your thoughts are between the cameras. Thank you all in advance for your time and feedback.

Canon or Pentax or any brand that makes you happy. But please know that the K20D for your type of shooting does not have AF problems. Your body is out of calibration or some of your lens. I assume you did AF fine tuning and now your sure its the K20D especially since you compared it to the K-5. All I can say is I don't miss shots of static object unless its really dim out. Speed... well in low light it likes to make sure its in focus (takes its time) but you do know the K20D can do BIF with no problem?

Read some of my posts and think about it. This is only to help you with any brand system you get.

It shows how I accidentally discovered the K20D could do BIF after years of believing and even writing that you need something like a Nikon D300 to do so. Well the hit rate may not be as high as the D300 with BIF but it can be done. And again non-moving object are never missed with any lens (very rare; 98% hit rate), air show nothing missed. Yea at first I missed a lot of shots and yes sometimes it is the gear. But any dSLR working proper should be able to nail the type of shooting you list. No fanboy talk, Canon, Nikon, Sony, heck a Sony A100. I think your K20D is in need of tuning. But if you have the money to go to the K-5, go

I don't think at this stage you should repair your K20D just know it or the lens were not working proper and carefully check any new dSLR you buy with your lens.

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1036&message=36661838

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1036&thread=36726224&page=1

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/message.asp?forum=1036&parent=38868656&thread=38868656&quote=1

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1036&message=38860797

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1036&thread=36872705&page=1

--
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesm007/
http://s195.photobucket.com/albums/z77/jamesm700/

dale44 · Jul 10, 2011

Wow is all I can say James007, I couldn't get photos that sharp with my K-20 even if the birds were stuffed and mounted to a pole ;-)

How much did it cost to have your camera tuned up? I may have to look into this, even if I plan to sell it later at least it will be in great focus shape for the buyer.

Those are some unbelievably sharp BIF pics my friend. Thanks for sharing.

dale44 · Jul 10, 2011

Thank you very much for the reply Skip. The info is very helpful to me. Again Thanks

Gerry Winterbourne · Jul 11, 2011

I can't answer your question directly because I've hardly used a 5D1 and certainly didn't notice anything good or bad about its AF speed. There's no doubt it's a very capable camera; but these days they all are, with just a few pluses and minuses between them. My son has been using one for years to produce this kind of shot http://www.pbase.com/calis/models but he could do pretty well the same with any camera.

One thing that might be relevant: he also owns a GX10 and says his perfect camera would be 5D capability with GZ10 ergonomics. Youi'll find some people here who differ but I think the K-5 ergonomics are a big improvement on the GX/K10/20.
--
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Gerry

First camera 1953, first Pentax 1983, first DSLR 2006
http://www.pbase.com/gerrywinterbourne

Yamin Tedja · Jul 11, 2011

I am a dual user, I use pentax KX and Canon 5d mark I so I can probably give you an insight on both system and share my experience. I guess your situation is the same as mine before I decided to buy Canon 5d. If mainly what you shoot is portrait then I guess 5d is better option for you. The only bad thing about 5d is the size, it is not the camera I want to bring with me all the time, that is why I still keep my pentax system. The reason I bought 5d is that I like the portrait and out of focus look and also wide angle capabilities on full frame camera.

In my opinion, full frame is better than aps-c for wide angle and portrait, while aps-c is better for sports and wildlife because of the crop factor. It does not mean that aps-c is not good , it just that somehow to get out of focus in portrait and wide angle capabilities is somewhat limiting.

So now the question is do you want to have both pentax and canon or just use 1 system? If you just like to shoot portrait then I really recommend that you buy 5d, you'd like the portrait look on 5d. And based on what I see, you certainly have the financial ability to buy some nice canon portrait lenses. These are the canon lenses that I recommended if you decided to buy 5d, canon 50mm f/1.4, canon 85mm f/1.8, sigma 70mm f/2.8, canon 135mm f/2 L and canon 70-200mm f/2.8 L II IS USM or 70-200mm f/4 L USM (cheaper option).

If you need wideangle lens you can get something like Tokina or Tamron or Quantaray 19-35 for around $100 and maybe Tamron or Sigma 17-35 for around $300 used, which is cheaper than APS-c wide angle lenses for those focal length equivalent. And you might also buy the canon 28-135mm IS USM for all around lenses.

Like I mention above, 5d is not a camera that I like to carry around all the time, I only use it for serious portrait and modeling photography. I will still use aps c for wildlife, sports and event photography, that is why I still keep my pentax KX and you might want to buy pentax kx or kr for lightweight travel dslr if you still want to keep your pentax system or buy something like canon t21 or t31 if you want to switch to canon completely. I will wait and see what Ricoh will do after they acquire pentax, if there is no improvement I might switch to canon completely, I'd like pentax to make something like canon 60d with swivel and tilt screen for low and high angle shooting as well as video.

And also, Canon have high sync rate which will help for daylight flash photography and you can use pocket wizard with ttl metering if you need it. By the way, you'll love the bigger viewfinder on 5d. Hope this helps.

Yamin Tedja · Jul 11, 2011

Gerry Winterbourne said:
I can't answer your question directly because I've hardly used a 5D1 and certainly didn't notice anything good or bad about its AF speed. There's no doubt it's a very capable camera; but these days they all are, with just a few pluses and minuses between them. My son has been using one for years to produce this kind of shot http://www.pbase.com/calis/models but he could do pretty well the same with any camera.

One thing that might be relevant: he also owns a GX10 and says his perfect camera would be 5D capability with GZ10 ergonomics. Youi'll find some people here who differ but I think the K-5 ergonomics are a big improvement on the GX/K10/20.

Your son is a really good portrait and model photographer, I really enjoy seeing his work. I agree with you that he can do well with any camera, but full frame helps a little bit with out of focus look on portrait and seeing how well he perform with full frame camera, I am wondering how much better his work be with medium format camera like 645d.

I see that he also wishes that 5d has smaller body, and in my opinion it would be nice if pentax make a full frame camera with the K5 body, and I am sure your son will like a camera like that.

Gerry Winterbourne said:
--
---

Gerry

First camera 1953, first Pentax 1983, first DSLR 2006
http://www.pbase.com/gerrywinterbourne

Yamin Tedja · Jul 11, 2011

Skip py said:
PS: regarding street photography, the 5D is bigger but you may find some people doing great with it and the 135L; not an usual way to do so anyway K-5 and 31 Limited would be another way, especially if you want to get closer to your subject ... and with a discreet old F/FA 28mm your subject may not notice you're shooting at him !

For discreet street photography, I think a tilt and swivel screen helps more than small lenses

Yamin Tedja · Jul 11, 2011

dale44 said:
Great points Tosic, and thank you for the reply. Also thanks for the Jim Radcliffe reference. I looked him up and read what he had to say. Very good info. I see that he mentioned that the only area he could see for an improvement on the K-5 is the auto-focus system, mainly the speed.

And yes we as humans are design to wonder. And that is exactly what I'm doing here. I've never had a chance to use a 5D so this is the best I can do. Again thanks for your input and your time.

I think Jim buy K5 because of the size, if 5d is as small as K5 I don't think he'll switch.

smertz · Jul 11, 2011

If portraits and studio work is what you really need to fulfill, then there is little reason to change brands. An exception may be if you commonly produce 20x30 inch fine art prints for your clients, as a FF sensor may provide better results. A lot of that has as much to do with your shooting and post-processing skills.

I've shot with an older 5D, prefer the MK2, but also use K20D. I own and use a 7D more than anything. The clear advantage of Canon is faster and more accurate AF, but that applies only to sport and wildlife. Canons wide range of long lenses cinched the deal.

But for studio and portrait and mobility Pentax is just as good if not better. More interesting primes, far easier ergonomics, lighter and smaller in every way. The K-5 would match the image quality of the old 5D with little effort That's an old design with pee poor ergonomics. The lack of good live view would deter me for closeups, though you can tether Canon cameras. The K20D is the last easy to tether Pentax.

Be careful buying an old 5D. Many shutters are going kaput due to age.

The Canon lens system is basically oriented towards selling you a FF body. That works really well, but cropped technology is very rapidly catching up. There has been little advances in FF cameras during the past two years. My 7D is much more satisfying with better AF and Liveview and ergonomics. I think the K-5 would feel the same way.

The harder question is what direction Pentax will be headed. No one knows but that's a lot fuzzier than with Canon. Don't think for a second that Ricoh will enter the FF market. Too high lens design and manufacturing rampup costs, plus the market is dominated by Canon and Nikon. Sony has failed here business wise (they did a lot of dumb stuff a few years ago) and their energy is focused on advanced rangefinder type of cameras.

My guess is that Ricoh will too because the market is not as locked down as DSLRs are now.

SmertZ

Yamin Tedja · Jul 11, 2011

smertz said:
But for studio and portrait and mobility Pentax is just as good if not better. More interesting primes, far easier ergonomics, lighter and smaller in every way. The K-5 would match the image quality of the old 5D with little effort That's an old design with pee poor ergonomics. The lack of good live view would deter me for closeups, though you can tether Canon cameras. The K20D is the last easy to tether Pentax.

Well, its not about the image quality alone, I don't know how to explain it but for portrait full frame has better portrait look, but thats only apply for people who mainly shoot portraits. More interesting primes does not make better image, canon also have good primes, even the cheap 50mm is good enough for portrait, 85mm f/1.8 , 100mm f/2 and 135mm f/2 are all good for portrait and not much heavier than pentax lens.

smertz said:
Be careful buying an old 5D. Many shutters are going kaput due to age.

Yes but replacing 5d shutter is much easier because of canon service quality, with pentax, who knows.

smertz said:
The Canon lens system is basically oriented towards selling you a FF body. That works really well, but cropped technology is very rapidly catching up. There has been little advances in FF cameras during the past two years. My 7D is much more satisfying with better AF and Liveview and ergonomics. I think the K-5 would feel the same way.

The harder question is what direction Pentax will be headed. No one knows but that's a lot fuzzier than with Canon. Don't think for a second that Ricoh will enter the FF market. Too high lens design and manufacturing rampup costs, plus the market is dominated by Canon and Nikon. Sony has failed here business wise (they did a lot of dumb stuff a few years ago) and their energy is focused on advanced rangefinder type of cameras.

My guess is that Ricoh will too because the market is not as locked down as DSLRs are now.

Ricoh have to make FF, it cannot depend on aps-c and mf alone and Q? at its current price, I don't think people want to buy it.

smertz said:
SmertZ

jamesm007 · Jul 11, 2011

dale44 said:
Wow is all I can say James007, I couldn't get photos that sharp with my K-20 even if the birds were stuffed and mounted to a pole ;-)

How much did it cost to have your camera tuned up? I may have to look into this, even if I plan to sell it later at least it will be in great focus shape for the buyer.

Those are some unbelievably sharp BIF pics my friend. Thanks for sharing.

Short answer free. But most of those shots were before my K20D going in for repair.

Longer answer...

When I bought my K20D I received the three year extended warranty and I will never buy another body without it. Even if I have to pay the money for it ($99). It gives you a free check up any time during the extended warranty (after one year).

My K20D rear edial started to act up a little over a month ago and I sent it in for warranty repair. Anytime a camera is repaired all factory specs are checked and its also tuned up. But I am still sending it in for its free check-up at the end of the warranty (Feb 28 2012). All dSLRs IMO need tuning over time. Even the Pentax owners manual tells you to send in your dSLR every year or two at the most for a tune-up.

Funny thing happened in my original post above I linked to a reply in the works

Here is a long read and there is a link to another paper not written by me in the replies that add weight to what I wrote in the link below. But to save you the time. Any body you buy including a new body is probably not in perfect tune and should be sent in to have its AF calibrated, yes even a brand new K-5.

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1036&message=38865563

To have your K20D just checked and AF tuned is not much money. You will save a whole lot of money. Funny thing is even a knew K-5 or whatever may behave the same with your lens. Your lens me be slightly off as well (good chance; read the links). In any case a K20D in proper tune could AF fine tune the lens to good enough working order.

Its an option if you like your k20D overall, an option that will save you a lot of money. Because now I know somethings wrong if you can't get a tack sharp pic of a toy bird nailed to a pole

--
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesm007/
http://s195.photobucket.com/albums/z77/jamesm700/

jamesm007 · Jul 11, 2011

Yamin Tedja said:
Ricoh have to make FF, it cannot depend on aps-c and mf alone and Q? at its current price, I don't think people want to buy it.

IMO Ricoh will not make a FF. With each step in body over an entry level there is decreasing returns in profit. Pentax does not have a lot of FF lens to make money from. A FF with Pentax SR system can not be made as small as the K-5. FF lens need to be huge to equal the corner sharpness of a APS dSLR (read expensive). If you look and compile Amazons selling charts and charts around the world FF is not sold well compared to APS dSLRs.

Pentax already has 645D and can reduce its cost even more if it wants for its flagship. No major difference between APS and FF IQ (even if based on same technology which now they are not), some but not major like MF versus FF. This is because APS and FF are consumer sensors that trade IQ for speed, video, high ISO... I would like, really like to see a camera that has the same sensor technology (Kodaks I know) as the 645D. My Kodak P880 had amazing color accuracy as measured by Imaging Resource the best they every measured up till that time. Kodak knows how to make a good pic

I do realize for some reason no one has used the new Sony sensor technology in a FF. And when they (who ever they are) do it will make all others look as they did before. The K-5 will have about one stop less DR and high ISO ability, perhaps two stops.

Separate issue. Why has Nikon or Canon not released a new FF model. If it had new sensor technology it would perform higher than K-5? One answer could be that a 25mp FF sensor would be too demanding on current FF lens and show short comings on anything but the best most expensive FF lens. Also the cost to produce lens good enough to be used on such a camera without issues would go up. Long ago Pentax made lens with metal barrels (truly made to last a long time) and great optics they still hold up for use today. Using an older FF lens on APS sensors brings great rewards of no softness in the corners with FF the corners and even boarders would be soft because of the dramatic increase in resolution and viewing on the PC screen.

But again PRO sport shooters are well invested in Canon and Nikon FF. No money in FF only for image of company. But Pentax has the 645D that could be sold for half the price soon. Moreover they need to develop lens for them. There is an open market for studio photographers and landscape and documentary.
--
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesm007/
http://s195.photobucket.com/albums/z77/jamesm700/

dale44 · Jul 11, 2011

Thanks all for the conversation, thoughts and ideas on this matter. Truly helpful and insightful.

viking79 · Jul 11, 2011

I would pick the K-5. I have owned both.

The 5d is nice but suffers from poor focus point layout, no dust reduction on the sensor (the thing is a dust magnet), and terrible ergonomics.

Image quality will be fairly comparable between the two, but the extra 1 1/3 f/stop depth of field from the 5d can be useful. It is a full frame sensor after all.

I felt the K-5 to be one of the first APS-C cameras that really could act as an older full frame replacement. ISO 80 is extremely nice, and even the high ISO settings are good. The 5d will show nasty pattern noise if you push shadows too much, where the K-5 is nice and clean.

If you want the shallower depths of field though, you will find a full frame sensor important. However, I often find that f/1.4 is too shallow on FX and find myself shooting at f/2 or f/2.8 anyway.

Eric
--
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beautiful. - John Constable (quote)

See my Blog at: http://www.erphotoreview.com/ (bi-weekly)
Flickr Photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/28177041@N03/ (updated daily)

Pentax K-5 and Canon 5D, please read

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