first 36 hours with the K-30

**luftfluss** · 07-13-2012, 06:33 PM

Originally posted by madbrain

I believe Olympus does, yes.

Yup, the OM E-M5 (or whatever its called) has a tilting screen and is weather-sealed. I don't think the screen is fully articulated, but even a longitudinally tilting screen is useful.

CyberManiaK · 07-13-2012, 07:13 PM

Originally posted by madbrain

The aperture change would be probably be done only if you move around to a different location where the lighting conditions change, and continue recording.

Right, there is no continuous AF on the K-30. I think Sony has implemented it in their DSLRs.
Supposedly Canon put something in the T4i too.

that's exactly why Vari-ND filters exist If the lighting condition change, you just rotate the filter and it will darken or lighten the scene keeping the same DoF... this is a must if you are recording in bright day at 24fps (1/50) at F2.8.

Well maybe you should read the manual because the K-30 does AF while you are recording if you press the shutter
Pentax K-30 Focusing Test in Movie mode - YouTube

Welfl · 07-13-2012, 07:19 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by madbrain

It is too bad that the K-30 pairs the best video I have seen with the worst audio.

What you wrote is what I've been thinking since I first heard there is no external-mic port on the K-30. I was just waiting for someone to confirm it. It amazes me that the decision makers at Pentax would "cheapen" the otherwise outstanding K-30 in such a shortsighted and contradictory way. Someone at Pentax had to know how stupid that decision was, yet it happened anyway -- all to save a few pennies per camera and/or to make sure "budget buyers" didn't get "more than their money's worth."

I don't know if the bad quality of the audio in the K-30 would ever matter to me or not, but it's annoying that there is no way to bypass it if the need ever arose.

madbrain · 07-13-2012, 07:28 PM

Originally posted by CyberManiaK

that's exactly why Vari-ND filters exist If the lighting condition change, you just rotate the filter and it will darken or lighten the scene keeping the same DoF... this is a must if you are recording in bright day at 24fps (1/50) at F2.8.

Surely the vari-ND filter cannot brighten the picture beyond what the aperture allows

If you say, move from a dark room to an even darker room, you would have to know ahead of time that's where you are going.
Then you would have to darken the picture artificially with the Vari-ND filter in the first location. That will force you to change your shutter speed to something slower, or increase your ISO.

Then, when you go to the second location, you would "brighten" the picture by turning the filter ?
That just doesn't seem optimal to me. The quality of the image would be compromised in the first room.
Seems easier just to always shoot wide open, and then adjust ISO depending on location, if you can't change the aperture.

Quote:

Well maybe you should read the manual because the K-30 does AF while you are recording if you press the shutter
Pentax K-30 Focusing Test in Movie mode - YouTube

Pressing the shutter halfway definitely didn't work for me during video. Pressing it all the way stopped the video.

The video you linked to says to press the AF button to AF during recording. That's what I need to try.

madbrain · 07-13-2012, 07:31 PM

Originally posted by Welfl

What you wrote is what I've been thinking since I first heard there is no external-mic port on the K-30. I was just waiting for someone to confirm it. It amazes me that the decision makers at Pentax would "cheapen" the otherwise outstanding K-30 in such a shortsighted and contradictory way. Someone at Pentax had to know how stupid that decision was, yet it happened anyway -- all to save a few pennies per camera and/or to make sure "budget buyers" didn't get "more than their money's worth."

I don't know if the bad quality of the audio in the K-30 would ever matter to me or not, but it's annoying that there is no way to bypass it if the need ever arose.

I think just for the hell of it, I am going to add a 4th camera to my video shoot - my android cell phone . It's only 720p video, but I have a feeling it's going to get better sound quality than the K-30 .... Now how to put that cell phone on a tripod is another question. The only table in the room would be behind my seat playing. Maybe I can actually just set it on top of the piano, but it will probably shake and fall.

CyberManiaK · 07-13-2012, 07:39 PM

Originally posted by madbrain

Surely the vari-ND filter cannot brighten the picture beyond what the aperture allows

If you say, move from a dark room to an even darker room, you would have to know ahead of time that's where you are going.
Then you would have to darken the picture artificially with the Vari-ND filter in the first location. That will force you to change your shutter speed to something slower, or increase your ISO.

Then, when you go to the second location, you would "brighten" the picture by turning the filter ?
That just doesn't seem optimal to me. The quality of the image would be compromised in the first room.
Seems easier just to always shoot wide open, and then adjust ISO depending on location, if you can't change the aperture.

Pressing the shutter halfway definitely didn't work for me during video. Pressing it all the way stopped the video.

The video you linked to says to press the AF button to AF during recording. That's what I need to try.

Ohh I see, then you want to use the video like a handycam... Shooting video in a DSLR is towards to controlled/planed enviroments, with that professional look. I don't know how familiar are you with this site cinema5D • The forum for dslr filmmakers but take a look, there are some awesome short films.. And with out a doubt the K-30 is going to be able to produce something like those or better, just on the right hands..

Yeah my bad I was thinking on the shutter lol.. but you got the point :P
a couple of post down, is where that video is https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-k-30/191552-pentax-k-30-liveview-a...cus-video.html

FruitLooPs · 07-13-2012, 09:22 PM

Good review, I've not had a chance to test my K-30 audio quality but I can do so if you want to compare?

You can indeed AF as you've discovered, not with the shutter button. It's pretty horrible though, i'd never do it with a screwdrive lens (really loud sound of focus) maybe DC/SDM is better. It's also quite slow sometimes hunting past focus unlike in LV. Manual focus I think is just better for this cam.

deadwolfbones · 07-13-2012, 10:00 PM

Originally posted by madbrain

- I couldn't get any AF to work after starting video recording. I thought it was possible to get it to refocus on some other object by half press. But it won't do it.

You just have to press the AF/AE-L button.

deadwolfbones · 07-13-2012, 10:00 PM

Oops, forgot to read the second page. :P

bobell69 · 07-13-2012, 10:28 PM

I think if you make sure that your shake reduction is turned off when you record video you will notice the clicking sound your are hearing is gone.

EdwardConde · 07-13-2012, 11:37 PM

Originally posted by madbrain

I think just for the hell of it, I am going to add a 4th camera to my video shoot - my android cell phone . It's only 720p video, but I have a feeling it's going to get better sound quality than the K-30 .... Now how to put that cell phone on a tripod is another question. The only table in the room would be behind my seat playing. Maybe I can actually just set it on top of the piano, but it will probably shake and fall.

Fry's may have something similar to this...

http://www.amazon.com/iStabilizer-Mount-Smartphone-Tripod/dp/B0056C4VRK/ref=...e+tripod+mount

**jbinpg** · 07-14-2012, 12:08 AM

The K-5 grip takes an AA battery adapter but the body cavity does not.

Jack

Unsinkable II · 07-14-2012, 03:01 AM

Originally posted by madbrain

Now how to put that cell phone on a tripod is another question. The only table in the room would be behind my seat playing. Maybe I can actually just set it on top of the piano, but it will probably shake and fall.

http://www.amazon.com/Breffo-Spiderpodium-Stand-iPhone-Cellphone/dp/B003O1V5CY

**Rondec** · 07-14-2012, 03:13 AM

Originally posted by bobell69

I think if you make sure that your shake reduction is turned off when you record video you will notice the clicking sound your are hearing is gone.

It think this will make a difference -- particularly if the camera is mounted on a tripod, you shouldn't need shake reduction.

I would imagine your best way to record sound in the type setting your talking about is to have a separate external recorder/microphones and then sync the sound with video after the fact.

Fl_Gulfer · 07-14-2012, 11:25 AM

Why do people by DSLR's to record Video???? I wish Pentax would have never did this to there camera's. I never use the video since it will only record 5 min. before it overheats. I bought a great Camcorder (Canon) for my video and I think eveyone should that wants video.

07-13-2012, 10:28 PM	#25
bobell69 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Courtenay BC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 498	K30 Audio Noise I think if you make sure that your shake reduction is turned off when you record video you will notice the clicking sound your are hearing is gone.

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07-13-2012, 06:33 PM	#16
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,619	Originally posted by madbrain I believe Olympus does, yes. Yup, the OM E-M5 (or whatever its called) has a tilting screen and is weather-sealed. I don't think the screen is fully articulated, but even a longitudinally tilting screen is useful.

07-13-2012, 07:13 PM	#17
CyberManiaK Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 44	Originally posted by madbrain The aperture change would be probably be done only if you move around to a different location where the lighting conditions change, and continue recording. Right, there is no continuous AF on the K-30. I think Sony has implemented it in their DSLRs. Supposedly Canon put something in the T4i too. that's exactly why Vari-ND filters exist If the lighting condition change, you just rotate the filter and it will darken or lighten the scene keeping the same DoF... this is a must if you are recording in bright day at 24fps (1/50) at F2.8. Well maybe you should read the manual because the K-30 does AF while you are recording if you press the shutter Pentax K-30 Focusing Test in Movie mode - YouTube

07-13-2012, 07:19 PM - 1 Like	#18
Welfl Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Nebraska Posts: 281	Originally posted by madbrain It is too bad that the K-30 pairs the best video I have seen with the worst audio. What you wrote is what I've been thinking since I first heard there is no external-mic port on the K-30. I was just waiting for someone to confirm it. It amazes me that the decision makers at Pentax would "cheapen" the otherwise outstanding K-30 in such a shortsighted and contradictory way. Someone at Pentax had to know how stupid that decision was, yet it happened anyway -- all to save a few pennies per camera and/or to make sure "budget buyers" didn't get "more than their money's worth." I don't know if the bad quality of the audio in the K-30 would ever matter to me or not, but it's annoying that there is no way to bypass it if the need ever arose.

07-13-2012, 07:28 PM	#19
madbrain Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,341 Original Poster	Originally posted by CyberManiaK that's exactly why Vari-ND filters exist If the lighting condition change, you just rotate the filter and it will darken or lighten the scene keeping the same DoF... this is a must if you are recording in bright day at 24fps (1/50) at F2.8. Surely the vari-ND filter cannot brighten the picture beyond what the aperture allows If you say, move from a dark room to an even darker room, you would have to know ahead of time that's where you are going. Then you would have to darken the picture artificially with the Vari-ND filter in the first location. That will force you to change your shutter speed to something slower, or increase your ISO. Then, when you go to the second location, you would "brighten" the picture by turning the filter ? That just doesn't seem optimal to me. The quality of the image would be compromised in the first room. Seems easier just to always shoot wide open, and then adjust ISO depending on location, if you can't change the aperture. Quote: Well maybe you should read the manual because the K-30 does AF while you are recording if you press the shutter Pentax K-30 Focusing Test in Movie mode - YouTube Pressing the shutter halfway definitely didn't work for me during video. Pressing it all the way stopped the video. The video you linked to says to press the AF button to AF during recording. That's what I need to try.

07-13-2012, 07:31 PM	#20
madbrain Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,341 Original Poster	Originally posted by Welfl What you wrote is what I've been thinking since I first heard there is no external-mic port on the K-30. I was just waiting for someone to confirm it. It amazes me that the decision makers at Pentax would "cheapen" the otherwise outstanding K-30 in such a shortsighted and contradictory way. Someone at Pentax had to know how stupid that decision was, yet it happened anyway -- all to save a few pennies per camera and/or to make sure "budget buyers" didn't get "more than their money's worth." I don't know if the bad quality of the audio in the K-30 would ever matter to me or not, but it's annoying that there is no way to bypass it if the need ever arose. I think just for the hell of it, I am going to add a 4th camera to my video shoot - my android cell phone . It's only 720p video, but I have a feeling it's going to get better sound quality than the K-30 .... Now how to put that cell phone on a tripod is another question. The only table in the room would be behind my seat playing. Maybe I can actually just set it on top of the piano, but it will probably shake and fall.

07-13-2012, 07:39 PM	#21
CyberManiaK Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 44	Originally posted by madbrain Surely the vari-ND filter cannot brighten the picture beyond what the aperture allows If you say, move from a dark room to an even darker room, you would have to know ahead of time that's where you are going. Then you would have to darken the picture artificially with the Vari-ND filter in the first location. That will force you to change your shutter speed to something slower, or increase your ISO. Then, when you go to the second location, you would "brighten" the picture by turning the filter ? That just doesn't seem optimal to me. The quality of the image would be compromised in the first room. Seems easier just to always shoot wide open, and then adjust ISO depending on location, if you can't change the aperture. Pressing the shutter halfway definitely didn't work for me during video. Pressing it all the way stopped the video. The video you linked to says to press the AF button to AF during recording. That's what I need to try. Ohh I see, then you want to use the video like a handycam... Shooting video in a DSLR is towards to controlled/planed enviroments, with that professional look. I don't know how familiar are you with this site cinema5D • The forum for dslr filmmakers but take a look, there are some awesome short films.. And with out a doubt the K-30 is going to be able to produce something like those or better, just on the right hands.. Yeah my bad I was thinking on the shutter lol.. but you got the point :P a couple of post down, is where that video is https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-k-30/191552-pentax-k-30-liveview-a...cus-video.html

07-13-2012, 09:22 PM	#22
FruitLooPs Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 440	Good review, I've not had a chance to test my K-30 audio quality but I can do so if you want to compare? You can indeed AF as you've discovered, not with the shutter button. It's pretty horrible though, i'd never do it with a screwdrive lens (really loud sound of focus) maybe DC/SDM is better. It's also quite slow sometimes hunting past focus unlike in LV. Manual focus I think is just better for this cam.

07-13-2012, 10:00 PM	#23
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	Originally posted by madbrain - I couldn't get any AF to work after starting video recording. I thought it was possible to get it to refocus on some other object by half press. But it won't do it. You just have to press the AF/AE-L button.

07-13-2012, 10:00 PM	#24
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	Oops, forgot to read the second page. :P

07-13-2012, 11:37 PM	#26
EdwardConde Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,520	Originally posted by madbrain I think just for the hell of it, I am going to add a 4th camera to my video shoot - my android cell phone . It's only 720p video, but I have a feeling it's going to get better sound quality than the K-30 .... Now how to put that cell phone on a tripod is another question. The only table in the room would be behind my seat playing. Maybe I can actually just set it on top of the piano, but it will probably shake and fall. Fry's may have something similar to this... http://www.amazon.com/iStabilizer-Mount-Smartphone-Tripod/dp/B0056C4VRK/ref=...e+tripod+mount

07-14-2012, 12:08 AM	#27
jbinpg Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Prince George, BC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,546	The K-5 grip takes an AA battery adapter but the body cavity does not. Jack

07-14-2012, 03:01 AM	#28
Unsinkable II Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 1,352	Originally posted by madbrain Now how to put that cell phone on a tripod is another question. The only table in the room would be behind my seat playing. Maybe I can actually just set it on top of the piano, but it will probably shake and fall. http://www.amazon.com/Breffo-Spiderpodium-Stand-iPhone-Cellphone/dp/B003O1V5CY

07-14-2012, 03:13 AM	#29
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,652	Originally posted by bobell69 I think if you make sure that your shake reduction is turned off when you record video you will notice the clicking sound your are hearing is gone. It think this will make a difference -- particularly if the camera is mounted on a tripod, you shouldn't need shake reduction. I would imagine your best way to record sound in the type setting your talking about is to have a separate external recorder/microphones and then sync the sound with video after the fact.

07-14-2012, 11:25 AM	#30
Fl_Gulfer Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Florida Gulfer Photos: Albums Posts: 3,054	Why do people by DSLR's to record Video???? I wish Pentax would have never did this to there camera's. I never use the video since it will only record 5 min. before it overheats. I bought a great Camcorder (Canon) for my video and I think eveyone should that wants video.