Should I Trade? Canon 60D for Pentax k5ii

I was offered a Pentax k5ii for my 60D by a friend (body for body). Not sure if this is a worthy trade since I never shot Pentax before.

What are you going to use for lenses?

MakisM1 wrote in post #16490687
What are you going to use for lenses?

I can get lenses for the Pentax, I'm more concerned if its a good trade. I saw on online that the Pentax has better image quality than the 60D. Now I don't want to base my choice on a online rating.

I used to be a Pentax film SLR guy. Had an ME Super from 1980 to 2001 when it died then got a ZX-M. Still have the ZX-M and 1980 model 28, 50 and 135 Pentax SMC lenses in the case on the shelf in my closet so I am not biased against Pentax.

The thing that bothers me about Pentax is the limited array of lenses and accessories for them compared to Canon or Nikon. Adorama lists 60 lenses for Pentax vs over 200 each for Canon and Nikon. B & H is similar. Why limit your choices?

Also why does the guy want to trade off the K5ii?

The issue is, what do you shoot? (Sports, stills, etc.) Pentax does not make full-frame cameras, nor do they produce a line of long telephoto lenses. Furthermore, finding deals on lenses might not be as easy as Canon.

The trade has more to do with the investment into a system. If it were me, I would say no only because it wouldn't work for my needs.

NJKEV wrote in post #16490663
I was offered a Pentax k5ii for my 60D by a friend (body for body). Not sure if this is a worthy trade since I never shot Pentax before.

What are you hoping to gain from the switch. If the Pentax is superior, why does you friend want to switch? If you don't have a plan and are not absolutely sure why you want to do it, don't do it!

mwsilver wrote in post #16490898
What are you hoping to gain from the switch. If the Pentax is superior, why does you friend want to switch? If you don't have a plan and are not absolutely sure why you want to do it, don't do it!

What I'm hoping to gain is better image quality. Is Pentax superior over the 60D is my question. For what I shoot, portraits, products and a concert form time to time the Pentax is tempting. As for my friend, he does video and likes the 60D.

What's wrong with the 60D IQ for portraits, products and concerts?

From my limited knowledge of the Pentax, it uses a sensor made by Sony, probably the same one used by Nikon, and you will have a little better dynamic range. The Pentax does well in those DxOMark tests. Supposed to be a very good camera, so if lenses aren't an issue, it is probably a step up in image quality.

http://www.dxomark.com …s-Canon-EOS-60D___829_663

NJKEV wrote in post #16491237
What I'm hoping to gain is better image quality. Is Pentax superior over the 60D is my question. For what I shoot, portraits, products and a concert form time to time the Pentax is tempting. As for my friend, he does video and likes the 60D.

The practical differences in most aps-c modern dslr are almost meaningless in real life for practical shooting. I believe that if you are looking for better image quality, then you need a Full Frame (maybe the 6D). But most people believe there are not differences between FF and crop sensors. I have long and practical experience with both and personally I wouldn't go back to a crop sensor for my main system.

A body camera is nothing without the right lenses and flash systems.

I left Pentax and bought full frames from Canon plus plenty of L/EF glass. Never been so happy in my life.

Unexpressive wrote in post #16491386
The practical differences in most aps-c modern dslr are almost meaningless in real life for practical shooting. I believe that if you are looking for better image quality, then you need a Full Frame (maybe the 6D). But most people believe there are not differences between FF and crop sensors. I have long and practical experience with both and personally I wouldn't go back to a crop sensor for my main system.

A body camera is nothing without the right lenses and flash systems.

I left Pentax and bought full frames from Canon plus plenty of L/EF glass. Never been so happy in my life.

Thank you. What I was looking for, someone with experience with both Canon and Pentax also crop and full frame. I am going to stick with my canon and maybe switch up to full frame down the road.

NJKEV wrote in post #16491452
Thank you. What I was looking for, someone with experience with both Canon and Pentax also crop and full frame. I am going to stick with my canon and maybe switch up to full frame down the road.

If the Pentax is superior why would your friend want to trade it for a lesser camera? What's he getting out of the swap?

Unexpressive wrote in post #16491386
The practical differences in most aps-c modern dslr are almost meaningless in real life for practical shooting. I believe that if you are looking for better image quality, then you need a Full Frame (maybe the 6D). But most people believe there are not differences between FF and crop sensors. I have long and practical experience with both and personally I wouldn't go back to a crop sensor for my main system.

A body camera is nothing without the right lenses and flash systems.

I left Pentax and bought full frames from Canon plus plenty of L/EF glass. Never been so happy in my life.

I would posit that any half way decent portrait photographer can shoot better portraits with a crop than I can do with a full frame.

Seriously now, there are minute differences in perspective, DOF (unless by portraits you mean sharp eyelashes with all other facial features vanishing into a creamy haze...).

For the controlled conditions of the studio, or the open air portraiture, ISO capability or DR is not an issue, unless you are really stuck up. I don't see IQ being an issue for the photography sectors the OP mentioned.

If you can't stand the heat of the gearhead in the forum, get out of the kitchen...

MakisM1 wrote in post #16491610
I would posit that any half way decent portrait photographer can shoot better portraits with a crop than I can do with a full frame.

Seriously now, there are minute differences in perspective, DOF (unless by portraits you mean sharp eyelashes with all other facial features vanishing into a creamy haze...).

For the controlled conditions of the studio, or the open air portraiture, ISO capability or DR is not an issue, unless you are really stuck up. I don't see IQ being an issue for the photography sectors the OP mentioned.

If you can't stand the heat of the gearhead in the forum, get out of the kitchen...

Let's see how much heat we can tolerate.....

You are right, and good for you that you can get amazing results using crop sensors.

Life is about choices and that's why we live in democracies ..... it gives each person the right to choose whatever suits his needs. For me, I just love sharp eyelashes and creamy hazes... That the main reason I do really enjoy using my full frame system.... it is my personal choice, my money and my photography.....

Unexpressive wrote in post #16491639
Let's see how much heat we can tolerate.....

You are right, and good for you that you can get amazing results using crop sensors.

Life is about choices and that's why we live in democracies ..... it gives each person the right to choose whatever suits his needs. For me, I just love sharp eyelashes and creamy hazes... That the main reason I do really enjoy using my full frame system.... it is my personal choice, my money and my photography.....

I was addressing the OP and his(as far as I am concerned, IMHO...) reaction to peer pressure... (gearhead peer pressure).

Of course we live in a democracy, it is natural to spent your hard earned dollars any way you see fit and we are just debating the decision the OP asked us advice about.

I don't see anything from what the OP wrote that would justify the thirst for increased DR to be quenched with the Sony sensor... It's not even a FF if I understand it right.

My honest opinion is that the OP is reacting to the (overwhelming at times) peer pressure that dictates that the crop sensor is not adequate to their high standards. And he wants to have high standards too...

So he is considering taking off in an ill conceived swap, for a camera system that he doesn't know anything about, and I may add, in our democratic-market driven society it has not been rewarded any sales commensurate to the expectations...

My advice is to get out of the kitchen for a while, for a breath of fresh air...My 2 cents anyway...