K5 in Italy

Tony3d · 09-14-2011, 03:29 AM

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Hi all, I'm going to Italy for two weeks with my K5, and really don't want to drag around my Manfrotto Tripod. Do you think a mono pod would steady my shots enough at no more than 1600 iso? I really don't have fast lenses, just the kit 18-55, and the 55-300. Now I do gave an old 50mm Super Takumar f1.4, just don't know if I want to mess with the light meter, and focus, plus it's a screw mount so I'd need the adapter, and would have to mess with that as well.

**Rondec** · 09-14-2011, 04:23 AM

Originally posted by Tony3d

Hi all, I'm going to Italy for two weeks with my K5, and really don't want to drag around my Manfrotto Tripod. Do you think a mono pod would steady my shots enough at no more than 1600 iso? I really don't have fast lenses, just the kit 18-55, and the 55-300. Now I do gave an old 50mm Super Takumar f1.4, just don't know if I want to mess with the light meter, and focus, plus it's a screw mount so I'd need the adapter, and would have to mess with that as well.

A monopod will be decent as long as you don't want shots that are over a second long. I think for most things short of astro photography you would be fine.

**jerm1386** · 09-14-2011, 04:46 AM

I'm not experienced enough to speak to tripod/monopod technique but maybe i can convince you to brig the takumar.

if you get one of the non-flanged adapters on ebay (link to where i got mine from, it's in the US so it'll ship quickly to you) it's actually an adapter with a little tab screwed on to keep it latched inside the camera, and a tool to release that tab when you want the adapter to ocme out of the camera. what I've done with mine is to use a jeweler's screwdriver to unscrew the tiny screw holding that tab on so you don't need a special tool to remove the adapter from the camera. then just thread the adapter onto your M42 lens and leave it there permenantly (you may want to get a K-mount lens end cap). your lens will not stay latched onto the camera, but the K mount provides enough resistance to the lenses coming off that it won't be a problem.

I shoot manual lenses almost exclusively and they aren't a problem on this camera. since it's a F/1.4 lens it should be bright and quite easy to focus in your viewfinder, then once you have proper focus just stop down on the lens till you get the desired exposure. you must first set the focus switch to MF and menu function C/4/27 "using aperture ring" to 2 ""Permitted". If you use AE lock, just remember not to use it until after you've stopped down.

elho_cid · 09-14-2011, 05:36 AM

In Italy, where you would find tripod useful, you are forbidden to use it. I had my tripod in Italy this year and I almost haven't used it. Just for foew shots out of thousand.

an3ony · 09-14-2011, 06:27 AM

You know, worst case scenario you could pick up an el-cheapo tripod while you're out there. Ciao!

djc737 · 09-14-2011, 07:45 AM

Been to Italy a few times. It is a bright country in the summer and before the rainy season starts in winter so most times you are stopping down and using slow ISOs during the day. I never used a support but when needed I just used whatever was around, a wall to lean against, a post to put the camera on and such. Night shots, I just used a bench or wall. Save yourself the grief of dragging around extra gear. The only trips that get the supporting devices added are when I am shootin from my car and the hikes are not too long. Otherwise, work on your hand holding skills before the trip. Check out my website for my recent trips to Italy and Germany, all hand held. Enjoy, Dave

Tony3d · 09-14-2011, 08:26 AM

Originally posted by djc737

Been to Italy a few times. It is a bright country in the summer and before the rainy season starts in winter so most times you are stopping down and using slow ISOs during the day. I never used a support but when needed I just used whatever was around, a wall to lean against, a post to put the camera on and such. Night shots, I just used a bench or wall. Save yourself the grief of dragging around extra gear. The only trips that get the supporting devices added are when I am shootin from my car and the hikes are not too long. Otherwise, work on your hand holding skills before the trip. Check out my website for my recent trips to Italy and Germany, all hand held. Enjoy, Dave

Yes, Thats what I did when I went with my very Olympus ten years ago. I even got great shots in St. Pete's with no flash.

JeffJS · 09-14-2011, 08:29 AM

Originally posted by Tony3d

Hi all, I'm going to Italy for two weeks with my K5, and really don't want to drag around my Manfrotto Tripod. Do you think a mono pod would steady my shots enough at no more than 1600 iso? I really don't have fast lenses, just the kit 18-55, and the 55-300. Now I do gave an old 50mm Super Takumar f1.4, just don't know if I want to mess with the light meter, and focus, plus it's a screw mount so I'd need the adapter, and would have to mess with that as well.

Just about any support will do.

Taken with the camera sitting on the porch railing...

K5JS0687_mVoig58f14_SiS_Sept9_2011 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Hand Held

K5JS0666_mVoig58f14_SiS_Sept9_2011 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

They were taken around 2:30 AM. Not the best examples of good photos but testament to the ability of the K5. At ISO 1600, you're not even scratching the surface with this camera. I have both monopods and tripods and barely use them. For that matter I barely use a flash anymore (and I have a couple expensive ones collecting dust). You don't have to live at f1.4 to take low light photos with the K5 (but it does sometimes help).

Tony3d · 09-14-2011, 08:40 AM

I shot these hand held in 2001 with that old Olympus range finder camera. No Anit-Shake, but I was ten years younger.

JeffJS · 09-14-2011, 08:46 AM

.... and you're wondering if the K5 is up to the task?

nanhi · 09-14-2011, 09:31 AM

Just returned from Italy a week back. Very hot and sunny. Used a K20D hand held even in the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Museum, St. Peters Church, and in Venice, and in Florence and in Pisa and in ...... I have attached a photo from the Sistine Chapel - you bet no flash - not allowed. Isin't it beautiful - some hand shake is visible - could not help it - getting old. I could have cried inside the chapel, or did I? So awesome. Sized from 10 MB.
No you don't need a monopod. Besides you may frighten some people. And I found the AL II kit lens as the most used from my other collection. I do wish I had something wider than an 18 mm in some situations like the Trevi Fountain.
And don't forget to buy the curios to take back home, they are the cheapest in Italy than the rest of Europe. Take lots of SDHC cards. Good luck.

RioRico · 09-14-2011, 03:15 PM

My last trip to Italy (general Naples area) was with film and camcorder, no digicams. But since then I've wandered through equivalent cities and villages (and museums) in Mexico and Central America, with my K20D. I hate swapping zooms around 55mm but your kit should serve you. It's probably too late for you to look for a used DA18-250, which really is an ideal tourist lens.

Yes, do take the Tak50! Metering is no problem -- it will work in Av mode, just don't stop down further than f/8-11.

I wouldn't bother with a 'pod, other than maybe a little tabletop job -- besides legs, mine also has a clamp so it can be secured to not-to-thick objects. For monopod-type steadying, there's the string-pod: a length of cord with a screw at one end (for the camera's tripod socket) and a big flat washer on the other end (for you to stand on). Just drop the line, stomp the washer, pull taut, and shoot.

While you're there, look for a theme. Mine is fountains with squirty-titted nymphs. Your proclivities may vary.

creampuff · 09-14-2011, 05:23 PM

Why limit yourself to ISO 1600 with the K-5 when the camera will readily deliver at even much higher ISOs.
Shoot in RAW to extract the maximum exposure latitude and dynamic range. Handheld available light shooting is dead easy with the K-5.

garyk · 09-14-2011, 07:57 PM

If I were lucky enough to go to Italy. And owned the k-5. The first thing I would is buy a decent lens. Why own a K-5 with cheap glass? The difference would be astonishing and worth every penny. You would be better off selling the K-5 and getting a K-x and good glass. The Kx is one of the best dslr's around. 1500 dollars for a body that can really produce and then use cheap glass is very hard for me to comprehend.

Tony3d · 09-14-2011, 08:02 PM

Originally posted by garyk

If I were lucky enough to go to Italy. And owned the k-5. The first thing I would is buy a decent lens. Why own a K-5 with cheap glass? The difference would be astonishing and worth every penny. You would be better off selling the K-5 and getting a K-x and good glass. The Kx is one of the best dslr's around. 1500 dollars for a body that can really produce and then use cheap glass is very hard for me to comprehend.

I would think my Super Takumar 1.4 50mm would be decent glass.

09-14-2011, 03:29 AM	#1
Tony3d Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Orlando Florida Posts: 487	K5 in Italy Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. Hi all, I'm going to Italy for two weeks with my K5, and really don't want to drag around my Manfrotto Tripod. Do you think a mono pod would steady my shots enough at no more than 1600 iso? I really don't have fast lenses, just the kit 18-55, and the 55-300. Now I do gave an old 50mm Super Takumar f1.4, just don't know if I want to mess with the light meter, and focus, plus it's a screw mount so I'd need the adapter, and would have to mess with that as well.

09-14-2011, 04:46 AM	#3
jerm1386 Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Baltimore, MD Photos: Albums Posts: 45	I'm not experienced enough to speak to tripod/monopod technique but maybe i can convince you to brig the takumar. if you get one of the non-flanged adapters on ebay (link to where i got mine from, it's in the US so it'll ship quickly to you) it's actually an adapter with a little tab screwed on to keep it latched inside the camera, and a tool to release that tab when you want the adapter to ocme out of the camera. what I've done with mine is to use a jeweler's screwdriver to unscrew the tiny screw holding that tab on so you don't need a special tool to remove the adapter from the camera. then just thread the adapter onto your M42 lens and leave it there permenantly (you may want to get a K-mount lens end cap). your lens will not stay latched onto the camera, but the K mount provides enough resistance to the lenses coming off that it won't be a problem. I shoot manual lenses almost exclusively and they aren't a problem on this camera. since it's a F/1.4 lens it should be bright and quite easy to focus in your viewfinder, then once you have proper focus just stop down on the lens till you get the desired exposure. you must first set the focus switch to MF and menu function C/4/27 "using aperture ring" to 2 ""Permitted". If you use AE lock, just remember not to use it until after you've stopped down. Last edited by jerm1386; 09-14-2011 at 04:58 AM.

09-14-2011, 08:40 AM	#9
Tony3d Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Orlando Florida Posts: 487 Original Poster	I shot these hand held in 2001 with that old Olympus range finder camera. No Anit-Shake, but I was ten years younger. Last edited by Tony3d; 09-03-2015 at 06:18 PM.

09-14-2011, 09:31 AM	#11
nanhi Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Bangalore, India Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 469	Just returned from Italy a week back. Very hot and sunny. Used a K20D hand held even in the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Museum, St. Peters Church, and in Venice, and in Florence and in Pisa and in ...... I have attached a photo from the Sistine Chapel - you bet no flash - not allowed. Isin't it beautiful - some hand shake is visible - could not help it - getting old. I could have cried inside the chapel, or did I? So awesome. Sized from 10 MB. No you don't need a monopod. Besides you may frighten some people. And I found the AL II kit lens as the most used from my other collection. I do wish I had something wider than an 18 mm in some situations like the Trevi Fountain. And don't forget to buy the curios to take back home, they are the cheapest in Italy than the rest of Europe. Take lots of SDHC cards. Good luck. Last edited by nanhi; 11-19-2012 at 08:31 AM.

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09-14-2011, 04:23 AM	#2
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	Originally posted by Tony3d Hi all, I'm going to Italy for two weeks with my K5, and really don't want to drag around my Manfrotto Tripod. Do you think a mono pod would steady my shots enough at no more than 1600 iso? I really don't have fast lenses, just the kit 18-55, and the 55-300. Now I do gave an old 50mm Super Takumar f1.4, just don't know if I want to mess with the light meter, and focus, plus it's a screw mount so I'd need the adapter, and would have to mess with that as well. A monopod will be decent as long as you don't want shots that are over a second long. I think for most things short of astro photography you would be fine.

09-14-2011, 05:36 AM	#4
elho_cid Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Prague Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,199	In Italy, where you would find tripod useful, you are forbidden to use it. I had my tripod in Italy this year and I almost haven't used it. Just for foew shots out of thousand.

09-14-2011, 06:27 AM	#5
an3ony Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Saugus, MA Posts: 49	You know, worst case scenario you could pick up an el-cheapo tripod while you're out there. Ciao!

09-14-2011, 07:45 AM	#6
djc737 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: South jersey outside of Philly Posts: 281	Been to Italy a few times. It is a bright country in the summer and before the rainy season starts in winter so most times you are stopping down and using slow ISOs during the day. I never used a support but when needed I just used whatever was around, a wall to lean against, a post to put the camera on and such. Night shots, I just used a bench or wall. Save yourself the grief of dragging around extra gear. The only trips that get the supporting devices added are when I am shootin from my car and the hikes are not too long. Otherwise, work on your hand holding skills before the trip. Check out my website for my recent trips to Italy and Germany, all hand held. Enjoy, Dave

09-14-2011, 08:26 AM	#7
Tony3d Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Orlando Florida Posts: 487 Original Poster	Originally posted by djc737 Been to Italy a few times. It is a bright country in the summer and before the rainy season starts in winter so most times you are stopping down and using slow ISOs during the day. I never used a support but when needed I just used whatever was around, a wall to lean against, a post to put the camera on and such. Night shots, I just used a bench or wall. Save yourself the grief of dragging around extra gear. The only trips that get the supporting devices added are when I am shootin from my car and the hikes are not too long. Otherwise, work on your hand holding skills before the trip. Check out my website for my recent trips to Italy and Germany, all hand held. Enjoy, Dave Yes, Thats what I did when I went with my very Olympus ten years ago. I even got great shots in St. Pete's with no flash.

09-14-2011, 08:29 AM	#8
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Originally posted by Tony3d Hi all, I'm going to Italy for two weeks with my K5, and really don't want to drag around my Manfrotto Tripod. Do you think a mono pod would steady my shots enough at no more than 1600 iso? I really don't have fast lenses, just the kit 18-55, and the 55-300. Now I do gave an old 50mm Super Takumar f1.4, just don't know if I want to mess with the light meter, and focus, plus it's a screw mount so I'd need the adapter, and would have to mess with that as well. Just about any support will do. Taken with the camera sitting on the porch railing... K5JS0687_mVoig58f14_SiS_Sept9_2011 \| Flickr - Photo Sharing! Hand Held K5JS0666_mVoig58f14_SiS_Sept9_2011 \| Flickr - Photo Sharing! They were taken around 2:30 AM. Not the best examples of good photos but testament to the ability of the K5. At ISO 1600, you're not even scratching the surface with this camera. I have both monopods and tripods and barely use them. For that matter I barely use a flash anymore (and I have a couple expensive ones collecting dust). You don't have to live at f1.4 to take low light photos with the K5 (but it does sometimes help).

09-14-2011, 08:46 AM	#10
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	.... and you're wondering if the K5 is up to the task?

09-14-2011, 03:15 PM	#12
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	My last trip to Italy (general Naples area) was with film and camcorder, no digicams. But since then I've wandered through equivalent cities and villages (and museums) in Mexico and Central America, with my K20D. I hate swapping zooms around 55mm but your kit should serve you. It's probably too late for you to look for a used DA18-250, which really is an ideal tourist lens. Yes, do take the Tak50! Metering is no problem -- it will work in Av mode, just don't stop down further than f/8-11. I wouldn't bother with a 'pod, other than maybe a little tabletop job -- besides legs, mine also has a clamp so it can be secured to not-to-thick objects. For monopod-type steadying, there's the string-pod: a length of cord with a screw at one end (for the camera's tripod socket) and a big flat washer on the other end (for you to stand on). Just drop the line, stomp the washer, pull taut, and shoot. While you're there, look for a theme. Mine is fountains with squirty-titted nymphs. Your proclivities may vary.

09-14-2011, 05:23 PM	#13
creampuff Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,953	Why limit yourself to ISO 1600 with the K-5 when the camera will readily deliver at even much higher ISOs. Shoot in RAW to extract the maximum exposure latitude and dynamic range. Handheld available light shooting is dead easy with the K-5.

09-14-2011, 07:57 PM	#14
garyk Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 488	If I were lucky enough to go to Italy. And owned the k-5. The first thing I would is buy a decent lens. Why own a K-5 with cheap glass? The difference would be astonishing and worth every penny. You would be better off selling the K-5 and getting a K-x and good glass. The Kx is one of the best dslr's around. 1500 dollars for a body that can really produce and then use cheap glass is very hard for me to comprehend.

09-14-2011, 08:02 PM	#15
Tony3d Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Orlando Florida Posts: 487 Original Poster	Originally posted by garyk If I were lucky enough to go to Italy. And owned the k-5. The first thing I would is buy a decent lens. Why own a K-5 with cheap glass? The difference would be astonishing and worth every penny. You would be better off selling the K-5 and getting a K-x and good glass. The Kx is one of the best dslr's around. 1500 dollars for a body that can really produce and then use cheap glass is very hard for me to comprehend. I would think my Super Takumar 1.4 50mm would be decent glass.