K-5 for sports-photography

RonHendriks1966 · 09-21-2010, 02:01 PM

Well it seems that the AF is getting faster and even AF-c will be faster so sports will be more possible. But then the little problem. Shooting in RAW (14-bit) in Hi-continius mode you can only make a burst of 8 frames before the buffer fills up.

The solution to that would be:
Make it possible to choose between shooting RAW in either 14-bit or 12-bit

Make the RAM buffer inside the K-5 bigger so that you can make at least 14 frames, but I prefer 21 wich is 3 seconds.

Thank tou Pentax!

Adam · 09-21-2010, 02:07 PM

The specs on the buffer are still up in the air. The buffer may well be bigger, so stay tuned to our specs page! https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-digital-slr-camera-reviews/114233-pentax-k-5-a.html

Perhaps the firmware update for the SDXC cards (SDXC - SD Association) will also increase the buffer and/or flash sync speed.

Adam · 09-21-2010, 02:07 PM

Moving to DSLR discussion since the K-5 is no longer a rumor.

jogiba · 09-21-2010, 02:14 PM

I wonder how much better it would be than the Sony A55 that has the same sensor.
Sony SLT-A55 Review - Translucent Mirror DSLR with 10fps & 1080p HD Movies

[YT]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_EdU4tB8Gk[/YT]

[YT]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suqFcXaU5W8[/YT]

Arpe · 09-21-2010, 03:10 PM

Originally posted by jogiba

I wonder how much better it would be than the Sony A55 that has the same sensor.

The K-5 would be much better in the rain!

I've never kept my finger on the button for 3 seconds and I shoot a lot of sport.

Urkeldaedalus · 09-21-2010, 04:22 PM

I hope they do somehow increase the buffer for say wildlife shooters who need the maximum IQ of RAW while still doing a lot of rapid fire shooting. For sports, I will be happy that K-5 will finally be clean enough ISO that I can shoot JPGs instead of the RAW I currently use on the K-7 to keep the image noise down. For that matter, most professional newspaper shooters I know shoot JPGs as well because they have to file those photos fast.

Quote:

I've never kept my finger on the button for 3 seconds and I shoot a lot of sport.

I don't do a lot of machine gunning on my sports either, maybe 5 shot bursts at maximum. The combo of better focus and better ISO performance will be a much bigger deal to me.

Arpe · 09-21-2010, 05:12 PM

Originally posted by Urkeldaedalus

maybe 5 shot bursts at maximum

That sounds like about me too, though with a higher frame rate that number may go up a bit.

It'll be interesting to see whether focus priority or fps priority would be the way to go for sports with the K-5. Some tests of people running straight at the camera are required!

laissezfaire · 09-21-2010, 08:52 PM

I was told by a professional sports shooter (using Canon) that they always shoot JPEG, not RAW.

RonHendriks1966 · 09-21-2010, 09:08 PM

Originally posted by laissezfaire

I was told by a professional sports shooter (using Canon) that they always shoot JPEG, not RAW.

Well for outdoors sports that is fine ofcourse. But for indoors sports where lights and dus whitebalance differs you can get more out of a picture shooting RAW. 8 frames is just over a second, so that is even for the only 5 frames with the K-7 at the maximum with no room left over for an extra frame (or 10).

Reportage · 09-21-2010, 09:18 PM

for sports, my biggest concern is the shutter lag. with the k20d, its pretty much instantaneous.

also are there any "conditions" to use the 8fps?

Arpe · 09-21-2010, 10:12 PM

Originally posted by laissezfaire

I was told by a professional sports shooter (using Canon) that they always shoot JPEG, not RAW.

Lucky I'm not a pro then!

I switched to raw because the players' uniforms are so contrasty, so the metering is tricky and not always right, but I have to leave it on auto as the conditions can change from second to second (clouds, players running in and out of shadows, into or away from the sun etc.) So by changing to raw I can correct better and reduce highlights and lift shadows easier than jpg. I also have no deadline!

str8talk83 · 09-21-2010, 11:04 PM

Originally posted by Arpe

Lucky I'm not a pro then!

I switched to raw because the players' uniforms are so contrasty, so the metering is tricky and not always right, but I have to leave it on auto as the conditions can change from second to second (clouds, players running in and out of shadows, into or away from the sun etc.) So by changing to raw I can correct better and reduce highlights and lift shadows easier than jpg. I also have no deadline!

I'm with you on this. I'm definitely not a pro sports shooter, but I've shot some sports and I take the extra time to edit my RAW files for more control.

deadwolfbones · 09-21-2010, 11:30 PM

I always shoot RAW for my motorcycle racing shots, especially given how godforsakenly bright it is out here in the desert.

I really hope the K-5's AF is somewhere near as good as the D700's... I'd love to be able to use my Pentax glass in sports shooting.

Arpe · 09-22-2010, 02:14 AM

Originally posted by deadwolfbones

I'd love to be able to use my Pentax glass in sports shooting

What drugs you on boy?

There's Pentax glass for sports? Who would know? Oh, you mean second hand made years ago lenses.

Okay pentax, if you now have a sports camera, how about some new sports glass? (Not slow SDM either!) Hmmm....off to dear Pentax thread...

EricT · 09-22-2010, 04:07 AM

Originally posted by jogiba

[YT]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suqFcXaU5W8[/YT]

This video nicely demonstrates why the "spray and pray" technique is bad for sports photography. Even at 10fps, it fails to capture the crucial moments. It is much better to use single-shot mode and anticipate the shots. In fact, this is what most sports photographers I know do.

Of course, for some situations, a fast burst can be very helpful, but you shouldn't rely on it for everything. A more crucial point is the lack of fast auto-focusing lenses. Let's hope the DA* series is retrofitted with the new "DC" magnetic motors.

09-21-2010, 02:01 PM	#1
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	K-5 for sports-photography Well it seems that the AF is getting faster and even AF-c will be faster so sports will be more possible. But then the little problem. Shooting in RAW (14-bit) in Hi-continius mode you can only make a burst of 8 frames before the buffer fills up. The solution to that would be: Make it possible to choose between shooting RAW in either 14-bit or 12-bit Make the RAM buffer inside the K-5 bigger so that you can make at least 14 frames, but I prefer 21 wich is 3 seconds. Thank tou Pentax!

09-21-2010, 02:07 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,166	The specs on the buffer are still up in the air. The buffer may well be bigger, so stay tuned to our specs page! https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-digital-slr-camera-reviews/114233-pentax-k-5-a.html Perhaps the firmware update for the SDXC cards (SDXC - SD Association) will also increase the buffer and/or flash sync speed. 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, 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:

09-21-2010, 02:07 PM	#3
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,166	Moving to DSLR discussion since the K-5 is no longer a rumor. 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, 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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09-21-2010, 02:14 PM	#4
jogiba Banned Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Millstone,NJ Posts: 6,491	I wonder how much better it would be than the Sony A55 that has the same sensor. Sony SLT-A55 Review - Translucent Mirror DSLR with 10fps & 1080p HD Movies [YT]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_EdU4tB8Gk[/YT] [YT]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suqFcXaU5W8[/YT]

09-21-2010, 03:10 PM	#5
Arpe Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,428	Originally posted by jogiba I wonder how much better it would be than the Sony A55 that has the same sensor. The K-5 would be much better in the rain! I've never kept my finger on the button for 3 seconds and I shoot a lot of sport.

09-21-2010, 04:22 PM	#6
Urkeldaedalus Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Iowa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,368	I hope they do somehow increase the buffer for say wildlife shooters who need the maximum IQ of RAW while still doing a lot of rapid fire shooting. For sports, I will be happy that K-5 will finally be clean enough ISO that I can shoot JPGs instead of the RAW I currently use on the K-7 to keep the image noise down. For that matter, most professional newspaper shooters I know shoot JPGs as well because they have to file those photos fast. Quote: I've never kept my finger on the button for 3 seconds and I shoot a lot of sport. I don't do a lot of machine gunning on my sports either, maybe 5 shot bursts at maximum. The combo of better focus and better ISO performance will be a much bigger deal to me.

09-21-2010, 05:12 PM	#7
Arpe Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,428	Originally posted by Urkeldaedalus maybe 5 shot bursts at maximum That sounds like about me too, though with a higher frame rate that number may go up a bit. It'll be interesting to see whether focus priority or fps priority would be the way to go for sports with the K-5. Some tests of people running straight at the camera are required!

09-21-2010, 08:52 PM	#8
laissezfaire Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 188	I was told by a professional sports shooter (using Canon) that they always shoot JPEG, not RAW.

09-21-2010, 09:08 PM	#9
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675 Original Poster	Originally posted by laissezfaire I was told by a professional sports shooter (using Canon) that they always shoot JPEG, not RAW. Well for outdoors sports that is fine ofcourse. But for indoors sports where lights and dus whitebalance differs you can get more out of a picture shooting RAW. 8 frames is just over a second, so that is even for the only 5 frames with the K-7 at the maximum with no room left over for an extra frame (or 10).

09-21-2010, 09:18 PM	#10
Reportage Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 739	for sports, my biggest concern is the shutter lag. with the k20d, its pretty much instantaneous. also are there any "conditions" to use the 8fps?

09-21-2010, 10:12 PM	#11
Arpe Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,428	Originally posted by laissezfaire I was told by a professional sports shooter (using Canon) that they always shoot JPEG, not RAW. Lucky I'm not a pro then! I switched to raw because the players' uniforms are so contrasty, so the metering is tricky and not always right, but I have to leave it on auto as the conditions can change from second to second (clouds, players running in and out of shadows, into or away from the sun etc.) So by changing to raw I can correct better and reduce highlights and lift shadows easier than jpg. I also have no deadline!

09-21-2010, 11:04 PM	#12
str8talk83 Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bluffton, SC Photos: Albums Posts: 671	Originally posted by Arpe Lucky I'm not a pro then! I switched to raw because the players' uniforms are so contrasty, so the metering is tricky and not always right, but I have to leave it on auto as the conditions can change from second to second (clouds, players running in and out of shadows, into or away from the sun etc.) So by changing to raw I can correct better and reduce highlights and lift shadows easier than jpg. I also have no deadline! I'm with you on this. I'm definitely not a pro sports shooter, but I've shot some sports and I take the extra time to edit my RAW files for more control.

09-21-2010, 11:30 PM	#13
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	I always shoot RAW for my motorcycle racing shots, especially given how godforsakenly bright it is out here in the desert. I really hope the K-5's AF is somewhere near as good as the D700's... I'd love to be able to use my Pentax glass in sports shooting.

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09-22-2010, 02:14 AM	#14
Arpe Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,428	Originally posted by deadwolfbones I'd love to be able to use my Pentax glass in sports shooting What drugs you on boy? There's Pentax glass for sports? Who would know? Oh, you mean second hand made years ago lenses. Okay pentax, if you now have a sports camera, how about some new sports glass? (Not slow SDM either!) Hmmm....off to dear Pentax thread...

09-22-2010, 04:07 AM	#15
EricT Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 484	Originally posted by jogiba [YT]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suqFcXaU5W8[/YT] This video nicely demonstrates why the "spray and pray" technique is bad for sports photography. Even at 10fps, it fails to capture the crucial moments. It is much better to use single-shot mode and anticipate the shots. In fact, this is what most sports photographers I know do. Of course, for some situations, a fast burst can be very helpful, but you shouldn't rely on it for everything. A more crucial point is the lack of fast auto-focusing lenses. Let's hope the DA* series is retrofitted with the new "DC" magnetic motors.