K-5 for sports-photography

RonHendriks1966 · 06-07-2013, 04:16 AM

Originally posted by dosdan

As promised, here's the AF-C centre-point focus tests with a K-5 and the Sigma 70-200/F2.8 II. 1/800s, f/4, ISO800, EV -0.7 (but +0.5 EV boost applied in PP), 135mm FL.

The shots were taken relatively late in the day, so there's visible noise. Therefore I only used the "Natural" (mild sharpening) setting in SilkyPix Pro 4.My recollection is that AF-C was not hesitant, prbably due to the bigger aperture when focusing.

I've included an aborted jump as he continued to move forward, albeit more slowly.

Dan.

The red shirt is not helping the AF-system. Look at my post above, that shirt off the soccerplayer is an AF-trackingdevice helping getting the job done.

The AF-module in Pentax does not take the color red for preference. I once had a game with fieldhockey where the girls had a red shirt, dark blue skirt and a light blue thing under the skirt. The AF kept pointing to the light blue when possible.

dosdan · 06-07-2013, 04:23 AM

Originally posted by RonHendriks1966

The red shirt is not helping the AF-system. Look at my post above, that shirt off the soccerplayer is an AF-trackingdevice helping getting the job done.

Unfortunately we have no control over what sports subject wear. However, In the next tests I run I'll ensure he wears a more varied shirt.

I'm aware that Pentax, unlike Nikon, is not using colour to assist track a target. This is a pity.

Dan

PS. Ron, are you colour blind? (Not trying to be nasty.) The top is orange.

jani80 · 06-07-2013, 07:22 AM - **1 Like**

I run a small facebook photo group and our weekly assignment was speed! Not that sporty but I really love the image.

FrancisK7 · 06-07-2013, 08:36 AM

Great shot Jan!

GvilleRick · 06-07-2013, 07:32 PM

Took the K5IIs and the DA 55-300 to a minor league baseball game tonight.

Pretty easy double play ball...

...but a high throw.

jani80 · 06-07-2013, 10:14 PM

Originally posted by FrancisK7

Great shot Jan!

Thanks

RonHendriks1966 · 06-10-2013, 01:56 AM

Originally posted by dosdan

Unfortunately we have no control over what sports subject wear. However, In the next tests I run I'll ensure he wears a more varied shirt.

I'm aware that Pentax, unlike Nikon, is not using colour to assist track a target. This is a pity.

Dan

PS. Ron, are you colour blind? (Not trying to be nasty.) The top is orange.

Yea I know but this is in the same league as it comes to colors for the AF functioning.

Samyo · 06-14-2013, 10:56 AM

Originally posted by dosdan

Unfortunately we have no control over what sports subject wear. However, In the next tests I run I'll ensure he wears a more varied shirt.

I'm aware that Pentax, unlike Nikon, is not using colour to assist track a target. This is a pity.

Dan

PS. Ron, are you colour blind? (Not trying to be nasty.) The top is orange.

dosdan, thank you very much for all your efforts and pictures you posted here. That's exactly what I was looking for. "Slightly off Forum" but I'd be interested in a comparison (same scenario) with a Sigma 70-200 f2.8 on a Canon or Nikon body. I was playing with a Nikon D300 with 18-300mm from a friend of mine and although the initial focus was a bit slower than on my K5, it never lost it's target (BIF and planes on approach, I work at an airport) whereas my K5 struggled a few times and was hunting and micro adjusting a lot (screw drive lens). None of the pics of the BIF were in focus ( nearly all the Nikon's were).
I'm not trying to convince myself to jump ship, I am just trying to find out whether it's worth investing big money in good glass for mediocre AF performance and make taking pictures just that little bit harder than it sould be?????

schj · 06-14-2013, 11:56 AM

Two from last week in Hengelo, both taken with Sigma 70-200 and the pentax 1.7 TC. I had given up on being able to use a TC with my sigma until I tried this one. Just pre-focus with the sigma and the TC autofocus does the rest. Works like charm...

Mens 5000m

Women's 5000m

RonHendriks1966 · 06-15-2013, 10:00 AM - **2 Likes**

First beachvolleybal game yesterday. Played around a little with my FA*85mm and this image came out off it.

Some more to come off the game.

**fs999** · 06-15-2013, 12:44 PM

Nice !

FrancisK7 · 06-15-2013, 12:52 PM

Originally posted by RonHendriks1966

First beachvolleybal game yesterday. Played around a little with my FA*85mm and this image came out off it.

Some more to come off the game.

I'm puzzled. At 85mm and f/1.4, I would have thought the DoF would be much smaller than this.

RonHendriks1966 · 06-15-2013, 01:28 PM

Originally posted by FrancisK7

I'm puzzled. At 85mm and f/1.4, I would have thought the DoF would be much smaller than this.

I´m dazzeled that you are looking at the technics

http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html

Flat Black · 06-15-2013, 04:44 PM

Her face isn't in focus ?

**jva59** · 06-15-2013, 08:21 PM

Originally posted by RonHendriks1966

First beachvolleybal game yesterday. Played around a little with my FA*85mm and this image came out off it.

Some more to come off the game.

Terrific photo! It certainly does nothing to undermine the stellar reputation of this lens (wish I had a copy).

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06-07-2013, 04:16 AM	#1366
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675 Original Poster	Originally posted by dosdan As promised, here's the AF-C centre-point focus tests with a K-5 and the Sigma 70-200/F2.8 II. 1/800s, f/4, ISO800, EV -0.7 (but +0.5 EV boost applied in PP), 135mm FL. The shots were taken relatively late in the day, so there's visible noise. Therefore I only used the "Natural" (mild sharpening) setting in SilkyPix Pro 4.My recollection is that AF-C was not hesitant, prbably due to the bigger aperture when focusing. I've included an aborted jump as he continued to move forward, albeit more slowly. Dan. The red shirt is not helping the AF-system. Look at my post above, that shirt off the soccerplayer is an AF-trackingdevice helping getting the job done. The AF-module in Pentax does not take the color red for preference. I once had a game with fieldhockey where the girls had a red shirt, dark blue skirt and a light blue thing under the skirt. The AF kept pointing to the light blue when possible.

06-07-2013, 04:23 AM	#1367
dosdan Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,741	Originally posted by RonHendriks1966 The red shirt is not helping the AF-system. Look at my post above, that shirt off the soccerplayer is an AF-trackingdevice helping getting the job done. Unfortunately we have no control over what sports subject wear. However, In the next tests I run I'll ensure he wears a more varied shirt. I'm aware that Pentax, unlike Nikon, is not using colour to assist track a target. This is a pity. Dan PS. Ron, are you colour blind? (Not trying to be nasty.) The top is orange.

06-07-2013, 07:22 AM - 1 Like	#1368
jani80 Inactive Account Join Date: May 2011 Location: Helsinki Photos: Gallery Posts: 64	I run a small facebook photo group and our weekly assignment was speed! Not that sporty but I really love the image.

06-07-2013, 08:36 AM	#1369
FrancisK7 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Montreal Photos: Gallery Posts: 474	Great shot Jan!

06-07-2013, 07:32 PM	#1370
GvilleRick Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,689	Took the K5IIs and the DA 55-300 to a minor league baseball game tonight. Pretty easy double play ball... ...but a high throw.

06-07-2013, 10:14 PM	#1371
jani80 Inactive Account Join Date: May 2011 Location: Helsinki Photos: Gallery Posts: 64	Originally posted by FrancisK7 Great shot Jan! Thanks

06-10-2013, 01:56 AM	#1372
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675 Original Poster	Originally posted by dosdan Unfortunately we have no control over what sports subject wear. However, In the next tests I run I'll ensure he wears a more varied shirt. I'm aware that Pentax, unlike Nikon, is not using colour to assist track a target. This is a pity. Dan PS. Ron, are you colour blind? (Not trying to be nasty.) The top is orange. Yea I know but this is in the same league as it comes to colors for the AF functioning.

06-14-2013, 10:56 AM	#1373
Samyo New Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Cornwall Posts: 22	Originally posted by dosdan Unfortunately we have no control over what sports subject wear. However, In the next tests I run I'll ensure he wears a more varied shirt. I'm aware that Pentax, unlike Nikon, is not using colour to assist track a target. This is a pity. Dan PS. Ron, are you colour blind? (Not trying to be nasty.) The top is orange. dosdan, thank you very much for all your efforts and pictures you posted here. That's exactly what I was looking for. "Slightly off Forum" but I'd be interested in a comparison (same scenario) with a Sigma 70-200 f2.8 on a Canon or Nikon body. I was playing with a Nikon D300 with 18-300mm from a friend of mine and although the initial focus was a bit slower than on my K5, it never lost it's target (BIF and planes on approach, I work at an airport) whereas my K5 struggled a few times and was hunting and micro adjusting a lot (screw drive lens). None of the pics of the BIF were in focus ( nearly all the Nikon's were). I'm not trying to convince myself to jump ship, I am just trying to find out whether it's worth investing big money in good glass for mediocre AF performance and make taking pictures just that little bit harder than it sould be?????

06-14-2013, 11:56 AM	#1374
schj Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Amsterdam Photos: Gallery Posts: 43	Two from last week in Hengelo, both taken with Sigma 70-200 and the pentax 1.7 TC. I had given up on being able to use a TC with my sigma until I tried this one. Just pre-focus with the sigma and the TC autofocus does the rest. Works like charm... Mens 5000m Women's 5000m

06-15-2013, 10:00 AM - 2 Likes	#1375
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675 Original Poster	First beachvolleybal game yesterday. Played around a little with my FA*85mm and this image came out off it. Some more to come off the game.

06-15-2013, 12:44 PM	#1376
fs999 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Luxembourg Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,639	Nice !

06-15-2013, 12:52 PM	#1377
FrancisK7 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Montreal Photos: Gallery Posts: 474	Originally posted by RonHendriks1966 First beachvolleybal game yesterday. Played around a little with my FA*85mm and this image came out off it. Some more to come off the game. I'm puzzled. At 85mm and f/1.4, I would have thought the DoF would be much smaller than this.

06-15-2013, 01:28 PM	#1378
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675 Original Poster	Originally posted by FrancisK7 I'm puzzled. At 85mm and f/1.4, I would have thought the DoF would be much smaller than this. I´m dazzeled that you are looking at the technics http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html

06-15-2013, 04:44 PM	#1379
Flat Black Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Pilbara Posts: 36	Her face isn't in focus ?

06-15-2013, 08:21 PM	#1380
jva59 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Posts: 2,409	Originally posted by RonHendriks1966 First beachvolleybal game yesterday. Played around a little with my FA*85mm and this image came out off it. Some more to come off the game. Terrific photo! It certainly does nothing to undermine the stellar reputation of this lens (wish I had a copy).