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08-16-2012, 08:01 AM   #1
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Switching to TAv mode

After nearly 10 years using Av mode almost exclusively, I've now switched to TAv mode with my new K5. Here's why:

I used Av mode in the past because it was the most sensible for film. My ISO was set with film, and shutter speed was the setting that I was most happy being set for me. I wanted control over aperture. Once I moved to digital, I still set the ISO because it was pretty limited on my *ist DS (what a terrible name...). Going forward to the K10D, and then K7, my ISO was more flexible, but still pretty limited. I'd suffer with a slow shutter speed and use the SR to it's fullest because the high ISO was poor.

Now, going up to 3200 ISO is pretty damn good in decent lighting. I can now lock my camera at f/4 and 1/125 and let the ISO float. It's fantastic. It's allowed me to get shots like this, because I didn't have to worry about a slow shutter speed, nor terrible high ISO!



For the record, this was in TAv, f/6.7, 1/1500 and ISO 2200.

08-16-2012, 08:26 AM   #2
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Yeah, I pretty much live in TAv mode. It seems like the quickest way to adjust for conditions.

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08-16-2012, 08:31 AM   #3
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im a manual shooter because i am a control freak. that said, i really like TAV when shooting moving subjects like wave crashes or soccer games, where i dont want the shutter to change and can vary aperture at will.
08-16-2012, 08:34 AM   #4
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Yeah, I go between TAv now and (hyper)Program with Auto-ISO.

I also use TAV when shooting with my M85 wide open.

08-16-2012, 08:42 AM   #5
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i only shoot in tav and don't know what i would do if i couldn't
08-16-2012, 09:36 AM   #6
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TAv is an excellent shooting mode. I probably don't use it often enough. From what I know, it was at one point unique to Pentax. Still, not a lot of other cameras have it.

I'm hoping that the K-5 replacement will allow for setting a lower limit for the shutter speed, like you can currently with auto ISO. I forget what camera it was that I was reading about that had that option. Being able to set the shutter speed limit could make using Av a little more appropriate at times. Combine that feature with the ability to use the green button to reset back to P (MTF program for me usually), the choice between a fixed ISO or auto ISO (with all its options), and you would have one powerful and highly customizable shooting mode in Av, not to mention the benefits for P as well!
08-16-2012, 10:07 AM   #7
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TAv was the entire reason I upgraded from the K-x.

08-16-2012, 10:10 AM   #8
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It's a brilliant mode and I should use it more than I do.
08-16-2012, 10:20 AM   #9
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I love TAv mode and use it more than any other.

However looking at your butterfly for me there is an issue straight away - why 1/1500 !? You never need that SS for a butterfly, 1/160 - 1/250 at rest and 1/500 or up to 1/800 for BIF. By setting your SS at 1/1500 your ISO has gone up to 3200 - which wasn't necessary IMHO.
08-16-2012, 11:10 AM   #10
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Tav has all of the above advantages plus it's the only mode that you can use AE-L with consistently, so for me, it's a godsend!
08-16-2012, 11:15 AM   #11
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with th k7 i used P and AV mode, with the K5 most of the times its Tav mode, Ideal for birding!!
08-16-2012, 12:35 PM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by WightWalker Quote
Tav has all of the above advantages plus it's the only mode that you can use AE-L with consistently, so for me, it's a godsend!
I don't understand why TAv mode would give greater consistency with AE-L than the other shooting modes. Can you elaborate?
08-16-2012, 01:56 PM   #13
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And also, what are the real differences between TAv and Program (using the hyper controls) with Auto-ISO.
08-16-2012, 01:59 PM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by snake Quote
And also, what are the real differences between TAv and Program (using the hyper controls) with Auto-ISO.
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-beginners-corner-q/165305-differen...v-mode-k7.html
08-16-2012, 02:36 PM   #15
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I've been shooting with TAv for sports where I find it very useful...except when I tried to shoot a local Pow Wow@80 ISO and maintain the SS fast enough to freeze motion and use an aperture of 2.8 with harsh sunlight.

Last edited by tabl10s; 08-16-2012 at 02:41 PM.
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