Today started the 29th Edition of the Cully Jazz Festival in Switzerland. It was the first time I was going to this festival and it is very different from the Montreux Jazz Festival. Here in Cully, the festival, at least the free part of it, is taking place in the different wine cellars of the village giving it a pretty magic touch. You can enjoy jazz music with a glass of white wine in the hand in a narrow, crowded place. The location is magic to enjoy the music, but it pretty tough for taking photos.

Here is a series of today:

1
K-5, DA15, f/9, 1/60s, 8000iso


2
K-5, DA15, f/8, 1/15s, 10000iso


3
K-5, DA*200, f/2.8, 1/100s, 10000iso


4
K-5, DA*200, f/2.8, 1/125s, 10000iso


5
K-5, DA*200, f/2.8, 1/100s, 10000iso


6
K-5, DA*200, f/2.8, 1/50s, 10000iso


I will most probably return tomorrow evening, but I will take the D3s instead to see how this camera is managing the situation, the K-5 did pretty well, even at 10000iso.

[Bob Harris]

What a wonderful idea, very cozy and relaxing to jazz with a fine wine. Great shots, the K-5 is very impressive. 10,000 ISO, I think I am finally going to break down and make the purchase. Thanks for the view. Bob

[Scottnorwo]

wonderful shots. amazing for 10000 iso

[tcom]

Thank you both for commenting.

I have been invited to another festival as photographer in a few weeks, so I used this opportunity to not only discover this Cully Jazz Festival I never attended before but also to check both D3s and K-5 in festival conditions as I never used either of these in such conditions yet.

The K-5 performed really well, especially for 10000iso. This evening, I will use the D3s in these conditions.

[Deiberson]

I was just asking myself if its worth the coin to upgrade my KX to the K5 simply for higher iso capabilities. I was somewhat content at 3200 with the kx considering I don't really push my k10 into 4 digits. But after seeing this at 10 grand....you answered my question.

[dcmsox2004]

looked like a most enjoyable evening.. wish i was there.. your shots captured the mood wonderfully, dave m

[tcom]

I was just asking myself if its worth the coin to upgrade my KX to the K5 simply for higher iso capabilities. I was somewhat content at 3200 with the kx considering I don't really push my k10 into 4 digits. But after seeing this at 10 grand....you answered my question.

I do not know how the Kx performs in such situations, but with the K-7 I would not have been able to take these photos. The K-5 is really a big step forward for Pentax in this area.

[tcom]

So, I returned yesterday evening, but with the D3s to check how the heavy, bulky beast is managing the situation:

7
AFS70-200/2.8 VR2, 160mm, f/2.8, 1/60s, 8000iso


8
AFS70-200/2.8 VR2, 165mm, f/2.8, 1/100s, 8000iso


9
AFS70-200/2.8 VR2, 175mm, f/2.8, 1/100s, 8000iso


10
Zeiss 21/2.8, f/8, 1/20s, 8000iso


11
AFS70-200/2.8 VR2, 86mm, f/2.8, 1/320s, 16000iso


12
AFS70-200/2.8 VR2, 112mm, f/2.8, 1/200s, 16000iso


13
Zeiss 21/2.8, f/8, 1/30s, 16000iso


These and more are also under Cully Jazz Festival 2011 Photo Gallery by Dominique Schreckling at pbase.com.


The D3s has clearly the edge on such conditions, but the K-5 did pretty well. For me the use of the D3s at festivals will be mostly based on the light condition the organiser can provide. With professional grade lighting at the Montreux Jazz Festival, it will be a pleasure to use the K-5, but when the conditions are not known, I do better take the D3s, especially when invited as photographer...

[Sailor]

Ah these are so nice, Dominique. And . . . . I like the idea of the festival - puts jazz in its natural habitat - a small, club-like venue.

Jer