Gosh. I still like my K-7. it performs well in good light and has earned me quite a bit of money. Yes, K-5 is better, but the K-7 isn't rubbish. I'll continue to use it when I need a second camera.
When I have time I'll do side by side outdoor pics at ISO 200. Perhaps later today. Time to work now. Paul On Nov 9, 2010, at 12:34 AM, Boris Liberman wrote: > Thanks a lot, Paul. > > Several observations: > > 1. Both pictures are 8 bit jpgs although the differences in DR of these > cameras are very apparent. I am looking at the top part of both images - the > ceiling. The tonal gradation of K-5 is natural, whereas K-7 really struggles. > This illustrates well the point that dynamic range has very loose connection > if any with number of bits per pixel in the output image. Apparently my > understanding was indeed incorrect. > > 2. Paul, you were quite right saying that such a comparison will be a bit > apples and oranges. Consider that K-7 is a bit beyond its useful range, as I > believe that highest ISO is here because of marketing and not engineering. > K-5 however is very much in the middle of its very useful range. > > 3. Noise performance of K-5 is very impressive. > > 4. On my screen at work the image from K-7 looks visibly warmer than that of > K-5. I don't know if it is of any use here, but this is what I observe. > > To conclude: > > 1. Although a year and few months ago K-7 was top of the line and many on the > list praised its image quality saying that at the time it was the best Pentax > produced, it is actually /rubbish/. > > a. Speaking of tonal gradations, I have to say that with K10D I applied > various kinds of curves to my images, depending on what I wanted. With K-7, > the only curve I apply is the one that opens up the shadows and brightens up > the bright areas, effectively compensating for the lack of dynamic range. > > 2. I would indeed love Paul to make another such comparison shot, at bright > day light outdoors (or through the window) at base ISO of both cameras. I > expect to see similar differences in camera performance. > > 3. I checked availability of K-5 locally. It is not yet offered by any > sellers affiliated with Pentax Israel. The only seller offering it is a 3rd > party importer w.r.t. Pentax Israel. Their asking price is approximately USD > 2250. This is outrageous. I might be able to get K-5 with the help of my > friend from DC who's traveling here mid December. Then it would seem logical > to offer K-7 for sale. > > In one sentence: > > I feel that shelling out for K-7 was a waste. Presently I see no reason to > keep shooting with it unless I really have to. Having bought several rolls of > film I will concentrate on analog full frame, so to say. > > Thanks again, Paul. Pictures speak much better than words. > > Boris > > -- > PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List > PDML@pdml.net > http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net > to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow > the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
