Share your "User mode" settings

Bertminator · 03-17-2014, 10:19 AM

Thanks for your examples, but I'm still looking for a step by step on how to set the user mode.

MadMathMind · 03-18-2014, 08:28 PM

It's pretty simple.

1) Switch the dial to user.
2) Hit Menu and enter the customizations as you normally would. The menu is exactly the same with two additions: there's a "user mode" selection (1,2,3,4,5) and a Program mode option on Page 1 of the Menu once you pick which User # you want.

Then you adjust all the settings as though you first got the camera. Everything will be set to the factory defaults: JPEG at 3 star quality, etc.

After you finish changing everything as you wish, scroll over to the last page of the first menu tab (can't remember its name)--it's the one with format and stuff, I think. You'll find a "Save User Mode" option. You will need to save all your changes to one of the numbers. In this page there is an option to rename the modes, as well.

Bertminator · 03-18-2014, 10:03 PM

I don't think we have the same camera, because I don't have section (1,2,3,4,5) for user mode selection, and my save user mode is on another page other than the one you describe. I have the Pentax K-50, is this the same as yours?

Thanks for the info anyway, but I don't think it helps me with my camera.

MadMathMind · 03-19-2014, 08:10 AM

Originally posted by Bertminator

I don't think we have the same camera, because I don't have section (1,2,3,4,5) for user mode selection, and my save user mode is on another page other than the one you describe. I have the Pentax K-50, is this the same as yours?

Thanks for the info anyway, but I don't think it helps me with my camera.

No, oops. I read K-50 as K-5. On the K-50, you have two user modes on the dial: U1 and U2. You'll still need to save on whatever page it is for you. The rest should all be the same.

**TER-OR** · 03-20-2014, 05:59 AM

I set up a "fast shot" mode - all in-camera processing turned off, SR off, high continuous mode, TAv with around 1/500 starting point, IIRC. Works great on a sunny day along the river or with the dogs. Scares the crap out of people if I lend them the camera and they mash down the trigger.

Bertminator · 04-01-2014, 10:21 PM

What would some set their settings to for moon shots?

**TER-OR** · 04-02-2014, 05:21 AM

Originally posted by Bertminator

What would some set their settings to for moon shots?

On tripod.
Delayed shooting.
Manual mode
ISO 200
Center metering.
Probably start around 1/200 sec, but that's going to depend on your lens.

Last edited by TER-OR; 04-02-2014 at 06:19 AM. Reason: realized I messed up shutter speed

**ivanvernon** · 04-02-2014, 05:40 AM

Thanks for sharing these settings. This is one of the most useful threads I have read in three years on the Forum.

**felixkh** · 04-02-2014, 06:33 AM

Thanks for sharing. It's a wonderful camera and with these different settings, I can actually shoot differently without having to change settings all the time

Bertminator · 04-02-2014, 08:56 AM

thanks for that moon setting. Right now I have the 18-55 kit lens, but I plan to buy the 50-200 WR lens soon. On that subject, does anyone know what the difference is between Pentax' DA vs. DA L lenses? I read last night that the only difference is that the DA lenses have a metal mount & lens hood, other than that they're identical. Anyone know for sure? Is the metal mount & lens hood worth the additional $70.00? What are your opinions on this?

bar_foo · 04-02-2014, 09:59 AM

Originally posted by Bertminator

thanks for that moon setting. Right now I have the 18-55 kit lens, but I plan to buy the 50-200 WR lens soon. On that subject, does anyone know what the difference is between Pentax' DA vs. DA L lenses? I read last night that the only difference is that the DA lenses have a metal mount & lens hood, other than that they're identical. Anyone know for sure? Is the metal mount & lens hood worth the additional $70.00? What are your opinions on this?

Don't know about the mount, but you can find generic versions of the hood for a lot less (the DA L lens has the bayonet mount for the hood, it just isn't included).

**mattb123** · 04-02-2014, 10:46 AM

I added one recently on my K-3 called Ski:

Av
ISO 400
+1 ev
AF-C 11 point
f/10 (good on my most-used ski lens the 18-135 wr)
Fastest burst mode

The other one I use is Landscape:
Av
2s timer
f/8
ISO 100

I always shoot raw.

04-02-2014, 05:40 AM	#23
ivanvernon Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Medina, OH Photos: Albums Posts: 7,224	Thanks for this thread! Thanks for sharing these settings. This is one of the most useful threads I have read in three years on the Forum.

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03-17-2014, 10:19 AM	#16
Bertminator Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 80	Thanks for your examples, but I'm still looking for a step by step on how to set the user mode.

03-18-2014, 08:28 PM	#17
MadMathMind Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Houston, TX Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,717	It's pretty simple. 1) Switch the dial to user. 2) Hit Menu and enter the customizations as you normally would. The menu is exactly the same with two additions: there's a "user mode" selection (1,2,3,4,5) and a Program mode option on Page 1 of the Menu once you pick which User # you want. Then you adjust all the settings as though you first got the camera. Everything will be set to the factory defaults: JPEG at 3 star quality, etc. After you finish changing everything as you wish, scroll over to the last page of the first menu tab (can't remember its name)--it's the one with format and stuff, I think. You'll find a "Save User Mode" option. You will need to save all your changes to one of the numbers. In this page there is an option to rename the modes, as well.

03-18-2014, 10:03 PM	#18
Bertminator Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 80	I don't think we have the same camera, because I don't have section (1,2,3,4,5) for user mode selection, and my save user mode is on another page other than the one you describe. I have the Pentax K-50, is this the same as yours? Thanks for the info anyway, but I don't think it helps me with my camera.

03-19-2014, 08:10 AM	#19
MadMathMind Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Houston, TX Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,717	Originally posted by Bertminator I don't think we have the same camera, because I don't have section (1,2,3,4,5) for user mode selection, and my save user mode is on another page other than the one you describe. I have the Pentax K-50, is this the same as yours? Thanks for the info anyway, but I don't think it helps me with my camera. No, oops. I read K-50 as K-5. On the K-50, you have two user modes on the dial: U1 and U2. You'll still need to save on whatever page it is for you. The rest should all be the same.

03-20-2014, 05:59 AM	#20
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699	I set up a "fast shot" mode - all in-camera processing turned off, SR off, high continuous mode, TAv with around 1/500 starting point, IIRC. Works great on a sunny day along the river or with the dogs. Scares the crap out of people if I lend them the camera and they mash down the trigger.

04-01-2014, 10:21 PM	#21
Bertminator Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 80	What would some set their settings to for moon shots?

04-02-2014, 05:21 AM	#22
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699	Originally posted by Bertminator What would some set their settings to for moon shots? On tripod. Delayed shooting. Manual mode ISO 200 Center metering. Probably start around 1/200 sec, but that's going to depend on your lens. Last edited by TER-OR; 04-02-2014 at 06:19 AM. Reason: realized I messed up shutter speed

04-02-2014, 06:33 AM	#24
felixkh Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,201	Thanks for sharing. It's a wonderful camera and with these different settings, I can actually shoot differently without having to change settings all the time

04-02-2014, 08:56 AM	#25
Bertminator Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 80	thanks for that moon setting. Right now I have the 18-55 kit lens, but I plan to buy the 50-200 WR lens soon. On that subject, does anyone know what the difference is between Pentax' DA vs. DA L lenses? I read last night that the only difference is that the DA lenses have a metal mount & lens hood, other than that they're identical. Anyone know for sure? Is the metal mount & lens hood worth the additional $70.00? What are your opinions on this?

04-02-2014, 09:59 AM	#26
bar_foo Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 108	Originally posted by Bertminator thanks for that moon setting. Right now I have the 18-55 kit lens, but I plan to buy the 50-200 WR lens soon. On that subject, does anyone know what the difference is between Pentax' DA vs. DA L lenses? I read last night that the only difference is that the DA lenses have a metal mount & lens hood, other than that they're identical. Anyone know for sure? Is the metal mount & lens hood worth the additional $70.00? What are your opinions on this? Don't know about the mount, but you can find generic versions of the hood for a lot less (the DA L lens has the bayonet mount for the hood, it just isn't included).

04-02-2014, 10:46 AM	#27
mattb123 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Colorado High Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,873	I added one recently on my K-3 called Ski: Av ISO 400 +1 ev AF-C 11 point f/10 (good on my most-used ski lens the 18-135 wr) Fastest burst mode The other one I use is Landscape: Av 2s timer f/8 ISO 100 I always shoot raw.