OT: A plug for the trailing technological edge

[Benjamin Marks]

I recently purchased a Pentax K-5 for $250 off ebay and a full suite of Pentax M lenses (28, 35, 50, 100, 135) for a pittance. I just want to plug the trailing edge of technology here. The depreciation on digital SLR gear -- particularly anything that is not a top-of-the-line Nikon or Canon -- is so steep. It is difficult to restrain myself sometimes. In my case, I spent my first 10 years in photography with a Pentax K1000 and a list of lenses that looked very much like the bought-it-for-cents-on-the-dollar collection of lenses that I just repurchased. I just love the look of those Pentax lenses. . .kind of like returning to an old friend.

The K-5 is such a well thought out camera. RAW files are DNG so it doesn't require me to upgrade any software. It has in-body image stabilization, so those f:2.8 wides are given an indoor lease on life. It has a battery booster/adapter that takes. . . wait for it . . . AA batteries, so the thing is pretty much obsolescence-proof compared to cameras with expensive proprietary batteries. Just too much fun. And it works with all my (new to me, pristine super multicoatedy goodness) Pentax-M lenses AND with all my (what was I thinking) Pentax screw mount lenses with an adapter. Stop down metering only. . . but hey.

Here's a snapshot taken with the camera and a 100/2.8 lens.

I think for $250 for the camera, $69 for the battery booster, and about $150 for five lenses . . . I'm good.

What spurred me to this madness? I saw the press release for the new Nikon D850, and while the specs are drool-worthy, I just don't have the incentive to spend on new, new gear (as opposed to new-to-me used gear). So I sublimate my impulse to purchase with this older, although by no means old, equipment. Leica fans should recognize this phenomenon. 😉 I am a Leicaphile too and most of my Leica lenses are about the same age as these Pentax offerings. Solid. Mechanical. Dependable. And real performers if you don't need focus tracking (which, in general, I don't).

 

[charjohncarter]

Good for you, I still have two old digital cameras that are working fine. I use old AF lens on them and have no trouble. I keep thinking about a FF digital but the more I wait the more the crop factor doesn't bother me.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

Old tech worked perfectly well, but better is the enemy of good.
Something is often lost with each technological advance as well.

Chris

 

[charjohncarter]

I own a Pentax ZX-5n which is an AF (film) camera. BUT it still had a shutter speed dial, aperture ring and ISO choice: the three things you need on a camera. I does have a very small screen which only tells you the film count and the ISO.

It isn't a quality camera but luckily mine hasn't failed yet. Later, companies kept adding so many features that half the time or maybe more you didn't know what was set. That is the way with digitals now. And the confusing features just keep growing.

 

[ChrisLivsey]

I've never read the M2 manual other than trying to "master" the depth of field notches but seem to manage on the other hand the D500 I probably need this and the exclamation mark is from the author:
Thom Hogan's Complete Guide to the Nikon D500 helps you understand and master the use of the Nikon D500 DSLR. With almost 1000 (!) pages of detailed, complete, and useful information, you'll find all your questions about the camera and how to use it answered.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I've been contemplating a return to the digital Pentaxes and have considered a K-5. I've owned one before and it is indeed a terrific camera. I think I'm going to hold out for the new KP, though, which really appeals to me aesthetically.

I agree that "old" digital has reached the point where no hobbyist photographer needs to worry about IQ or ease of use. You can take very good pictures very cheaply now.

 

[willie_901]

Good Call !!

Good Call !!

Thanks for this post.

Based on the K5's data stream performance you aren't missing much.

It's effective dynamic range is about 1/2 stop below the D850.

The K5 is ISO invariant (within 1/3 stop) between the native ISO and ISO 1600.

By the way, above ISO 1600 Pentak applies a noise filter to the DNG files. You may or may not see a difference in detail. It depends on their filtering algorithm.

Then there's those wonderful lenses.

On a performance-per-dollar basis, your kit would be hard to beat.