I have been following this thread with great interest. I notice though that it has landed up at sheep and donkeys. I will not make an *** of myself by interpreting this. Instead I have a question.
I have been learning about digital photography over the past 3 years; started with a K10 and got a used 5Dll last year. I cannot criticize the Canon since it is far more of a camera than I am a photographer, but as I use it I have been thinking of a smaller, lighter, simpler way to go. I got a GF1 on a whim a few weeks ago. I do not like the lack of built-in VF nor did I like the VF1, but I very much like what it does in good light; I cannot tell the difference on my screen between similar shots from the GF1 and 5Dll at low ISOs; this falls apart when I pushed the GF1 to 800, but that's allowed. I take landscapes, street shots, informal portraits. I am a birder and take some bird photographs but I do not have 1DlV, 800 mm aspirations, yet.
The upshot is that I am looking at the K5 and GH2. If the Pentax, I'll keep the old K10 as a backup. Likewise if I go m4/3 I'll keep the GF1 with a 20mm and optical VF if I can find one, to partner the GH2. Lens choices are fine with either system for my needs now. For bird photography, the few long lenses that are available for either system are enough to keep me going. I am pulled to the K5 because it seems more "serious"; I can't really say that my work truly needs the bigger sensor and increased DR of the K5. One issue I have noticed here though, and on other similar forum sites, is that while people love Pentax lenses, especially the primes, there are often comments about having to go through several copies to get a good lens, or reports of SDM motor failures. So the question: Please help me with some perspective on the Pentax lens QC issue. Is it a reason to avoid Pentax unless I am willing to learn the additional role of field lens tester? I worry about it because I have no such expertise and want to feel confident that if the picture is messed up it really is my fault because my equipment is beyond reproach!
Thanks for the great discussion on this thread.
Geof