Broke Canon 350D and my lenses

[twcull]

Hello everyone!

I was asking a few months ago in the Canon forum about upgrading my 350D to the 60 or 7D and it seemed like I really wanted the features of the 7D. APS-C Sensor, Weather Sealing, Mag-Alloy Body, Fast FPS, and Friendly to use. I was set to save up and when I got my tax return I'd grab one.

Last week, I dropped my camera bag off a cliff edge into the Atlantic ocean, lenses and camera went tumbling onto the rocks and they no longer want to work. I have the nifty fifty and sadly my sigma works, but grinds at 80-100mm my 350D is no longer with us (funeral was beautiful). I was looking around at camera bodies again and my roommate suggests Pentax, to which I look at him rather confused so I started looking at the K-5. It has all I want, with all I can ask for, build quality, IQ, it's all there.

I like to do landscape photography, stuff I see when I go hiking or snowshoeing. So I don't need the 300+mm lenses which is what most people have against Pentax lenses. I really do need the weather sealing and the WR lenses are awesome! Along the east coast of canada it's wet, foggy, or snowing 90% of the time.

Pentax seems like a great buy! I'm systemless and need a new home. So my question is to you, why SHOULDN'T I buy the K-5? Is there an update coming in 1Q 2012? Is there a glaring issue I can't find? I'm just trying to find the negatives with this camera and the only ones I can find are video related, something I'm not interested in. How do the lenses compare the Canon or Nikons? I like the relative cheapness of the lenses, being a university student looking at his masters, money is certainly not abundant in my wallet.

Please all the nitty gritty!

Thanks,
Thomas

- I know it seems strange to ask for the cons, if you have great stories or suggestions for me please do tell!

[twcull]

Meant to post in General area, please excuse this double post! Sorry

[inkista]

Sounds like you've found your match. The only caution I'd have is ask yourself: do you ever plan to move to a full frame body? As of yet, Pentax has no full-frame body in their lineup, and the majority of their digital lenses are designed for a crop sensor (i.e., will vignette on a full-frame, if Pentax ever makes one). OTOH, Pentax has digital 645 medium format bodies.

Otherwise, I say the K-5 is probably a terrific choice. As long as you know the lens lineup is a good fit, go for it. You'll even have the ability to use old manual focus Takumars, and with in-body stabilization, they'll be stabilized to boot.

Be aware, however, that only the DA* lenses are weather-sealed (I think. I'm not that good with Pentax nomenclature, so double-check). And you need both the lens and the body to be weather-sealed.

[Niresangwa]

Originally Posted by inkista

Be aware, however, that only the DA* lenses are weather-sealed (I think. I'm not that good with Pentax nomenclature, so double-check). And you need both the lens and the body to be weather-sealed.

No, DA-non-* lenses are available in WR versions, at the 18-55, 18-135, 50-200 as well as the 100 macro.

With Ricoh acquiring Pentax earlier this year, it's widely believed that the drive and money is now there that wasn't with Hoya, and rumors are becoming more aggressive and numerous for 2012 regarding a FF body - I'm still doubtful however.

Believe me, the k5 is an incredible camera.

[i speak in math]

The K-5 is easily the best camera I've handled. That list includes the Pentax k200d, K20d, Canon XSi, 40d, 5dMii, and 1DsMii (which i use daily at work). The K-5 is small enough that there is no hesitation bringing it places where I would want to lug around a larger camera. IQ is amazing. Lenses are amazing. The tiny limiteds are another reason to go with pentax. So small, you can bring 3 of them with you instead of one giant zoom lens.

Downsides? Mine does front focus pretty bad in the almost non-existent light of the late wedding reception. But in any light above ev1, its fast and accurate. Thats about it.