Used the TAv mode today - cool!

PALADIN85020 · 01-11-2011, 11:20 AM

I wasn't really sure if I would ever use this particular mode on the K-5, but I did find it useful today. I wanted to take a quick, sharp shot of an object about the size of one's hand, but didn't want to go to the trouble of setting up a tripod.

The TAv mode allows you choose both the aperture and the shutter speed. The camera chooses the ISO necessary to make the shot.

I chose 1/250 shutter speed to minimize camera shake when hand held, and f/8 for decent depth of field. The camera chose ISO 300, and the shot came out quite well, sharp and with great DOF as I intended. I see this mode as being an asset on the K-5 since it performs so beautifully with great IQ at higher ISOs.

It's a useful mode in circumstances like this, and I'm glad Pentax chose to include it in the K-5's "bag of tricks."

**blackcloudbrew** · 01-11-2011, 11:24 AM

This mode is a little hard to figure out but agreed, it's right in there as part of the bag of tricks.

Sv mode is even more interesting. I use this in nighttime settings.

Staffan · 01-11-2011, 11:58 AM

Originally posted by PALADIN85020

It's a useful mode in circumstances like this, and I'm glad Pentax chose to include it in the K-5's "bag of tricks."

I almost use nothing else than TAv since I got the K20D and on. It is like having a manual camera but with all the modern electronic tools to make it as easy as possible but also to add a number of special features. And it is the best way to optimally control f, t and ISO at the same time. Then, with all the new five User modes, the K-5 is a marvellous camera, I must say! I have one user mode where there is no noise reduction in the camera and ISO is limited (!) to 6400. Next user mode is with max. ISO 640 for flash photos. Two others have ISO 12800 and highest possible ISO with increasing internal noise reduction, respectively. The fifth one is as the first but without the shadow reduction. The RAW/Fx is for multiexposure situations. This setup meets my needs perfectly.

aleonx3 · 01-11-2011, 12:20 PM

This mode has been on the K10D years ago - it is a feature that only high-end DSLR has in the past. It is also equivalent to Nikon's auto-iso feature, same thing but implemented differently.

creampuff · 01-11-2011, 04:57 PM

One instance where TAv is useful is birding and wildlife shooting with a long tele. You can set the optimal shutter speed to minimize handshake or freeze subject movement and set the aperture to determine the DOF needed and let the camera work out the ISO. Great with the K-5's high ISO capability.

**G_Money** · 01-11-2011, 07:06 PM

Originally posted by creampuff

One instance where TAv is useful is birding and wildlife shooting with a long tele. You can set the optimal shutter speed to minimize handshake or freeze subject movement and set the aperture to determine the DOF needed and let the camera work out the ISO. Great with the K-5's high ISO capability.

I have one of my USER settings is for TAv, shake reduction off, ISO to 12,800. I've renamed this "Birding" so that I no longer need to remember to turn off SR when the tripod is in use. I try to stop down a couple of stops for some help with DOF, and set the shutter speed high enough to freeze the birds and I'm happy.

foxhead · 01-11-2011, 08:19 PM

Before I bought the K-5 I almost always used P or Av. Now with the K-5's high ISO capability I've found that I'm using the TAv more and more and that I'm getting sharper photos because I'm thinking about both the shutter speed and aperture. I almost don't have to worry about the ISO at all. I really like it. I haven't used the User Settings yet but I plan on maybe having presets for street photography, birds in flight, night cityscapes, etc.

amycramer · 01-11-2011, 09:15 PM

How about some photo samples?

WerTicus · 01-12-2011, 01:55 AM

I used to shoot TAv exclusively but since the K-x which has only one dial and no TAv mode I've not really gone back to TAv with the K-5 for some reason.

TAv would be much more useful on a K-5 too which the greater useful ISO range.

I guess Av is just easier ;-)

thomascdk · 01-12-2011, 02:08 AM

Originally posted by foxhead

Before I bought the K-5 I almost always used P or Av. Now with the K-5's high ISO capability I've found that I'm using the TAv more and more and that I'm getting sharper photos because I'm thinking about both the shutter speed and aperture. I almost don't have to worry about the ISO at all. I really like it.

Exactly the same for me.

**andre-mz5** · 01-12-2011, 04:10 AM

As mentioned the TAv mode was already available on the K10.
The only problem is you have to figure out the high ISO limit so you don't end up with noisy pictures. On the K10 I never went higher than 1200, but with the K7 I may use 3200.
The TAv mode is wonderfull for sports/action shooting since I have full control over shutterspeed (freeze action) and aperture (DOF) and leave ISO setting for the camera to get the correctly exposed pictures.

Ken T · 01-12-2011, 10:33 AM

With TAv you use shutter speed and aperture needed for the shot, then the camera selects the ISO (in the preset Auto ISO range) to give proper exposure . I use TAv most of the time except when using flash .
In TAv with 2 e-dial wheels, you can quickly change shutter speed and aperture to get the image you want, like in this image I wanted to catch the bird's wings .

Rupert · 01-12-2011, 11:33 AM

For changing light situations, like my Squirrel shooting, I love SV, and use it most often. I'm not as worried about noise as I am getting the shot, but this setting gives me the best of choices.
Regards!

Frogfish · 01-12-2011, 03:19 PM

I wouldn't use TAv with the K7 because of it's poor high ISO handling so used manual exposure for 90% of my shots ... however now that the K5 has excellent high ISO I am using this mode at least 50% of the time now. It definitely helps me get more shots as I don't have to keep adjusting the ISO if I got it wrong first time round.

petti · 01-12-2011, 06:07 PM

I picked up the K-5 just before Christmas and discovered TAv shortly there after. I've been playing with it alot since I discovered it. But before I got a K-5 i really did not understand what it was.

01-11-2011, 11:20 AM	#1
PALADIN85020 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 442	Used the TAv mode today - cool! I wasn't really sure if I would ever use this particular mode on the K-5, but I did find it useful today. I wanted to take a quick, sharp shot of an object about the size of one's hand, but didn't want to go to the trouble of setting up a tripod. The TAv mode allows you choose both the aperture and the shutter speed. The camera chooses the ISO necessary to make the shot. I chose 1/250 shutter speed to minimize camera shake when hand held, and f/8 for decent depth of field. The camera chose ISO 300, and the shot came out quite well, sharp and with great DOF as I intended. I see this mode as being an asset on the K-5 since it performs so beautifully with great IQ at higher ISOs. It's a useful mode in circumstances like this, and I'm glad Pentax chose to include it in the K-5's "bag of tricks."

01-11-2011, 11:58 AM	#3
Staffan Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 36	TAv is the best! Originally posted by PALADIN85020 It's a useful mode in circumstances like this, and I'm glad Pentax chose to include it in the K-5's "bag of tricks." I almost use nothing else than TAv since I got the K20D and on. It is like having a manual camera but with all the modern electronic tools to make it as easy as possible but also to add a number of special features. And it is the best way to optimally control f, t and ISO at the same time. Then, with all the new five User modes, the K-5 is a marvellous camera, I must say! I have one user mode where there is no noise reduction in the camera and ISO is limited (!) to 6400. Next user mode is with max. ISO 640 for flash photos. Two others have ISO 12800 and highest possible ISO with increasing internal noise reduction, respectively. The fifth one is as the first but without the shadow reduction. The RAW/Fx is for multiexposure situations. This setup meets my needs perfectly. Last edited by Staffan; 01-11-2011 at 12:51 PM.

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01-11-2011, 11:24 AM	#2
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,461	This mode is a little hard to figure out but agreed, it's right in there as part of the bag of tricks. Sv mode is even more interesting. I use this in nighttime settings.

01-11-2011, 12:20 PM	#4
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	This mode has been on the K10D years ago - it is a feature that only high-end DSLR has in the past. It is also equivalent to Nikon's auto-iso feature, same thing but implemented differently.

01-11-2011, 04:57 PM	#5
creampuff Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,953	One instance where TAv is useful is birding and wildlife shooting with a long tele. You can set the optimal shutter speed to minimize handshake or freeze subject movement and set the aperture to determine the DOF needed and let the camera work out the ISO. Great with the K-5's high ISO capability.

01-11-2011, 07:06 PM	#6
G_Money Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: London, Ontario, Canada Posts: 598	Originally posted by creampuff One instance where TAv is useful is birding and wildlife shooting with a long tele. You can set the optimal shutter speed to minimize handshake or freeze subject movement and set the aperture to determine the DOF needed and let the camera work out the ISO. Great with the K-5's high ISO capability. I have one of my USER settings is for TAv, shake reduction off, ISO to 12,800. I've renamed this "Birding" so that I no longer need to remember to turn off SR when the tripod is in use. I try to stop down a couple of stops for some help with DOF, and set the shutter speed high enough to freeze the birds and I'm happy.

01-11-2011, 08:19 PM	#7
foxhead Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 55	Before I bought the K-5 I almost always used P or Av. Now with the K-5's high ISO capability I've found that I'm using the TAv more and more and that I'm getting sharper photos because I'm thinking about both the shutter speed and aperture. I almost don't have to worry about the ISO at all. I really like it. I haven't used the User Settings yet but I plan on maybe having presets for street photography, birds in flight, night cityscapes, etc.

01-11-2011, 09:15 PM	#8
amycramer New Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Parker, AZ - Sekiu, WA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20	How about some photo samples?

01-12-2011, 01:55 AM	#9
WerTicus Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Perth Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,514	I used to shoot TAv exclusively but since the K-x which has only one dial and no TAv mode I've not really gone back to TAv with the K-5 for some reason. TAv would be much more useful on a K-5 too which the greater useful ISO range. I guess Av is just easier ;-)

01-12-2011, 02:08 AM	#10
thomascdk Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Copenhagen Posts: 258	Originally posted by foxhead Before I bought the K-5 I almost always used P or Av. Now with the K-5's high ISO capability I've found that I'm using the TAv more and more and that I'm getting sharper photos because I'm thinking about both the shutter speed and aperture. I almost don't have to worry about the ISO at all. I really like it. Exactly the same for me.

01-12-2011, 04:10 AM	#11
andre-mz5 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Eindhoven Photos: Gallery Posts: 268	As mentioned the TAv mode was already available on the K10. The only problem is you have to figure out the high ISO limit so you don't end up with noisy pictures. On the K10 I never went higher than 1200, but with the K7 I may use 3200. The TAv mode is wonderfull for sports/action shooting since I have full control over shutterspeed (freeze action) and aperture (DOF) and leave ISO setting for the camera to get the correctly exposed pictures.

01-12-2011, 10:33 AM	#12
Ken T Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: California, USA Posts: 536	With TAv you use shutter speed and aperture needed for the shot, then the camera selects the ISO (in the preset Auto ISO range) to give proper exposure . I use TAv most of the time except when using flash . In TAv with 2 e-dial wheels, you can quickly change shutter speed and aperture to get the image you want, like in this image I wanted to catch the bird's wings .

01-12-2011, 11:33 AM	#13
Rupert Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 25,123	For changing light situations, like my Squirrel shooting, I love SV, and use it most often. I'm not as worried about noise as I am getting the shot, but this setting gives me the best of choices. Regards!

01-12-2011, 03:19 PM	#14
Frogfish Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shanghai Posts: 4,490	I wouldn't use TAv with the K7 because of it's poor high ISO handling so used manual exposure for 90% of my shots ... however now that the K5 has excellent high ISO I am using this mode at least 50% of the time now. It definitely helps me get more shots as I don't have to keep adjusting the ISO if I got it wrong first time round.

01-12-2011, 06:07 PM	#15
petti New Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Calgary Posts: 5	I picked up the K-5 just before Christmas and discovered TAv shortly there after. I've been playing with it alot since I discovered it. But before I got a K-5 i really did not understand what it was.