Hi Bruce,
I don't know what settings you're using but I use the K5 for extreme low light, fast moving dance photography. I shoot manual - when the action is very fast, try these settings (hardly gospel, based on my own experience and personal preference):
- AF.C focus
- AF.C setting Focus-priority (Menu C3-16)
- Auto AF - either 11 or 5 points depending on how spread out the action is
- Continuous shooting (Hi)
- Lowest ISO possible with shutter a min of 2x focal length when tracking and 2.5-3x when not tracking. So for fast action at 50mm, I like the shutter to be at 1/180 if possible.
- I will typically underexpose in order to get the ISO and shutter speed I want - I don't like or trust Pentax metering - and selectively boost exposure in post (lighten a person but not the background - especially for a dark stage - like Viveza or LR brush or PS dodge)
- I don't like noise reduction, preferring grain over smooth (except for color noise - use LR for that)
While the K5 does not have as capable an AF system as either the d300s or d700, I find it to be good enough. My only gripe would be the buffer, which needs to be bigger.
I can post some samples if there is interest.
Cheers
Originally posted by Bruce Hi Ron, your images are pretty sharp for the light (it looks like pretty low grade lighting). Do you use a noise reduction plug-in or program? If so, which one/s? I tried the TAv setting on the K5 with an ISO range 80-6400 (I think their your suggested settings?) for the first time tonight at a local Basket Ball game (tricky lighting), but very happy with the results although I admit to using Neatimage in post processing. All the shots were 1/250, f2.8 and 6400 ISO (or there abouts). I used a Sigma 70-200 and have used that lens on a KM at the same venue in the past, but was never able to come close to this.