How's AF like in the dark?

SteveB · 08-12-2012, 03:45 AM

Last night I took a couple of night time flash shots of a hedgehog in my garden using a P&S WB650 and it got me thinking. A K-30 will be able to do this easy, yes/no? I know my K100D would struggle even with an external flash with its assist light, but the point is I want to be able to quickly rush out and take shots like this just using the popup flash - speed and no messing around being of prime concern - if I had to fiddle around with a hot shoe flash I probably wouldn't have bothered for a one time shot for fear the shot opportunity may be gone by the time I'm ready. So, anyone tried AF in the dark where you can hardly see to walk at say 3ft + popup flash and got sharp results with high keeper rate?

Timd · 08-12-2012, 03:57 AM

Not sure of K30, but K5 has focus assist light so it will manage. Of course you will need some flash as welll.

**interested_observer** · 08-12-2012, 04:30 AM

Here is a question about the same topic with a good response...

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-k-5/195537-black-cat-coal-mine.html

SteveB · 08-12-2012, 05:21 AM

Originally posted by Timd

Not sure of K30, but K5 has focus assist light so it will manage. Of course you will need some flash as welll.

I think you meant 'it SHOULD manage'. I know it ought to be able to do it with the assist light, but does it actually. Only real-life experience counts here.

Anvh · 08-12-2012, 06:00 AM

I had good success with the K10D and flash assit light, dont see why the K5 would be different?
I've the K5 but never tried it.

Deni · 08-12-2012, 10:00 AM

The reason P&S work so well in these situations is because of the sensor size and DOF. P&S have very small sensors with deeps/large depth of field. They also come with focus assist lights. Their af system doesn't have to work very hard as most of the time they are hyper focal (everything is in focus) at the ranges you generally shoot.

A DSLR will take more work to get a proper picture but it does give you the possibility to get a lot better picture than the P&S can.

I gives you the possibility to use a proper large aperture lens, higher cleaner iso and better subject isolation through the use of shallow depth of field.

So, with proper tools the DSLR will focus just as fine but you need to know what you're doing. If you want to use it as a P&S a P&S will be better at it

.

FruitLooPs · 08-13-2012, 02:22 AM

The K-30 does feature the focus assist lamp like the K-5, but as stated the P&S smaller sensor results in a much larger DOF so nailing the shot is far easier.

Zafar Iqbal · 08-13-2012, 02:33 PM

I've spend some hours in night club type of lighting over 2 different occasions and have so been been positively surprised by the K-30.

I ended up using flash in both occasions because I panicked (used flash so I could use smaller aperture) but in both occasion it turned out, the pre-panic photos very as they should be.

My problem is, I need to put more trust into my K-30 :P

SteveB · 08-14-2012, 09:19 AM

Originally posted by Zafar Iqbal

I've spend some hours in night club type of lighting over 2 different occasions and have so been been positively surprised by the K-30.

I ended up using flash in both occasions because I panicked (used flash so I could use smaller aperture) but in both occasion it turned out, the pre-panic photos very as they should be.

My problem is, I need to put more trust into my K-30 :P

Thank you. That gives me confidence.

08-12-2012, 03:45 AM	#1
SteveB Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: U.K. Posts: 685	How's AF like in the dark? Last night I took a couple of night time flash shots of a hedgehog in my garden using a P&S WB650 and it got me thinking. A K-30 will be able to do this easy, yes/no? I know my K100D would struggle even with an external flash with its assist light, but the point is I want to be able to quickly rush out and take shots like this just using the popup flash - speed and no messing around being of prime concern - if I had to fiddle around with a hot shoe flash I probably wouldn't have bothered for a one time shot for fear the shot opportunity may be gone by the time I'm ready. So, anyone tried AF in the dark where you can hardly see to walk at say 3ft + popup flash and got sharp results with high keeper rate?

08-12-2012, 04:30 AM	#3
interested_observer Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tumbleweed, Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,707	Here is a question about the same topic with a good response... https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-k-5/195537-black-cat-coal-mine.html

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08-12-2012, 03:57 AM	#2
Timd Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Cape Town, SA Posts: 262	Not sure of K30, but K5 has focus assist light so it will manage. Of course you will need some flash as welll.

08-12-2012, 05:21 AM	#4
SteveB Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: U.K. Posts: 685 Original Poster	Originally posted by Timd Not sure of K30, but K5 has focus assist light so it will manage. Of course you will need some flash as welll. I think you meant 'it SHOULD manage'. I know it ought to be able to do it with the assist light, but does it actually. Only real-life experience counts here.

08-12-2012, 06:00 AM	#5
Anvh Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 4,616	I had good success with the K10D and flash assit light, dont see why the K5 would be different? I've the K5 but never tried it.

08-12-2012, 10:00 AM	#6
Deni Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Tirana, Albania, South Europe, Planet Earth Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 621	The reason P&S work so well in these situations is because of the sensor size and DOF. P&S have very small sensors with deeps/large depth of field. They also come with focus assist lights. Their af system doesn't have to work very hard as most of the time they are hyper focal (everything is in focus) at the ranges you generally shoot. A DSLR will take more work to get a proper picture but it does give you the possibility to get a lot better picture than the P&S can. I gives you the possibility to use a proper large aperture lens, higher cleaner iso and better subject isolation through the use of shallow depth of field. So, with proper tools the DSLR will focus just as fine but you need to know what you're doing. If you want to use it as a P&S a P&S will be better at it .

08-13-2012, 02:22 AM	#7
FruitLooPs Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 440	The K-30 does feature the focus assist lamp like the K-5, but as stated the P&S smaller sensor results in a much larger DOF so nailing the shot is far easier.

08-13-2012, 02:33 PM	#8
Zafar Iqbal Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,229	I've spend some hours in night club type of lighting over 2 different occasions and have so been been positively surprised by the K-30. I ended up using flash in both occasions because I panicked (used flash so I could use smaller aperture) but in both occasion it turned out, the pre-panic photos very as they should be. My problem is, I need to put more trust into my K-30 :P

08-14-2012, 09:19 AM	#9
SteveB Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: U.K. Posts: 685 Original Poster	Originally posted by Zafar Iqbal I've spend some hours in night club type of lighting over 2 different occasions and have so been been positively surprised by the K-30. I ended up using flash in both occasions because I panicked (used flash so I could use smaller aperture) but in both occasion it turned out, the pre-panic photos very as they should be. My problem is, I need to put more trust into my K-30 :P Thank you. That gives me confidence.