A couple of K3 questions

TedW · 10-01-2014, 01:20 PM

I currently have the K-50 and almost all of my shooting is birds/wildlife and scenery.

I notice on the K3 that the AF.C is missing and is changed on the camera by holding down the nearby AF button and changing between AF and AF.C with the front wheel. This leads me to ask if the U1, U2, etc user defined modes can be set to remember either AF or AF.C. When shooting non-flying birds I normally use single point of focus and AF. But my U1 setting is set so I can quickly change to flying birds and switches to AF.C. Focus is turned on by holding down the AE button. and is set for multi-point. This works really well for me with one huge exception. All to often I forget to move the K50's switch to AF.C and have had some potential great pictures come out with bad focus. So if the user defined modes would allow me to set AF.C as a function of that mode that would almost be worth the price of the upgrade to me. Does it work that way?

Secondly, as I understand it auto-focus is better for birding on the K3. Since the sensor packs more pixels into basically the same sized sensor will I get a nice upgrade in detail, all things being equal, when I crop compared to the lower density K-50 sensor? Or is their some quality tradeoffs to having more pixels on the same amount of real estate?

Lastly, if there any major difference to be had on landscape shots? I'm very happy with the pictures I get with the K-50 but of course, you always want more.

dborked · 10-01-2014, 02:07 PM

Yes, you will be able to assign AF modes (except for MF) on an individual basis to each of your User modes. Secondly, the greater MegaPixel count would allow you to retain more detail when cropping since there are more pixels capturing data. The only downside may be a little more noise at higher ISO's but the K-3 has pretty good noise performance IMO.

Adam · 10-01-2014, 02:20 PM

Originally posted by TedW

Secondly, as I understand it auto-focus is better for birding on the K3. Since the sensor packs more pixels into basically the same sized sensor will I get a nice upgrade in detail, all things being equal, when I crop compared to the lower density K-50 sensor? Or is their some quality tradeoffs to having more pixels on the same amount of real estate?

At lower ISOs the K-3 has a huge advantage since it simply captures more details. It's the ideal camera for birding.

10-01-2014, 01:20 PM	#1
TedW Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 241	A couple of K3 questions I currently have the K-50 and almost all of my shooting is birds/wildlife and scenery. I notice on the K3 that the AF.C is missing and is changed on the camera by holding down the nearby AF button and changing between AF and AF.C with the front wheel. This leads me to ask if the U1, U2, etc user defined modes can be set to remember either AF or AF.C. When shooting non-flying birds I normally use single point of focus and AF. But my U1 setting is set so I can quickly change to flying birds and switches to AF.C. Focus is turned on by holding down the AE button. and is set for multi-point. This works really well for me with one huge exception. All to often I forget to move the K50's switch to AF.C and have had some potential great pictures come out with bad focus. So if the user defined modes would allow me to set AF.C as a function of that mode that would almost be worth the price of the upgrade to me. Does it work that way? Secondly, as I understand it auto-focus is better for birding on the K3. Since the sensor packs more pixels into basically the same sized sensor will I get a nice upgrade in detail, all things being equal, when I crop compared to the lower density K-50 sensor? Or is their some quality tradeoffs to having more pixels on the same amount of real estate? Lastly, if there any major difference to be had on landscape shots? I'm very happy with the pictures I get with the K-50 but of course, you always want more.

10-01-2014, 02:20 PM	#3
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	Originally posted by TedW Secondly, as I understand it auto-focus is better for birding on the K3. Since the sensor packs more pixels into basically the same sized sensor will I get a nice upgrade in detail, all things being equal, when I crop compared to the lower density K-50 sensor? Or is their some quality tradeoffs to having more pixels on the same amount of real estate? At lower ISOs the K-3 has a huge advantage since it simply captures more details. It's the ideal camera for birding. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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10-01-2014, 02:07 PM	#2
dborked Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Broomall, Pennsylvania Photos: Albums Posts: 42	Yes, you will be able to assign AF modes (except for MF) on an individual basis to each of your User modes. Secondly, the greater MegaPixel count would allow you to retain more detail when cropping since there are more pixels capturing data. The only downside may be a little more noise at higher ISO's but the K-3 has pretty good noise performance IMO.