Pentax K-5 Hands-on preview

audiobomber · 10-01-2010, 04:55 AM

Pentax Imaging confirms that DC stands for Direct Current in the Highlights section of the 18-135mm page:

"Direct Current (DC) motor supports quick, quiet autofocus operation."

http://www.pentaximaging.com/product.aspx?id=smc PENTAX-DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6ED AL [IF] DC WR&cat=camera-lenses
Edit: Link didn't work. Go to the Lenses page, find 18-135mm... Highlights.

Someone on Falk's Blog says this is like Sony's SAM system. Is that a bad thing?

falconeye · 10-01-2010, 04:33 PM

After "Focus Numerique" posted a link to my preview article, I had a sneak view in to their discussion about it

Therefore, I couldn't but note that the French identified a source for the K-5 at 1099,- TTC only.

That's K-5 Body: $ 1267,- USD !! (no VAT)

The link is here:
-> Un produit propos par Photo Saint Charles, votre partenaire photo.

So, whatever be the MSRP, the dealer prices are already in line with an MSRP of $1399,.-. Very much like I said in said article.

youky63 · 10-01-2010, 06:24 PM

Originally posted by falconeye

After "Focus Numerique" posted a link to my preview article, I had a sneak view in to their discussion about it

Therefore, I couldn't but note that the French identified a source for the K-5 at 1099,- TTC only.

That's K-5 Body: $ 1267,- USD !! (no VAT)

The link is here:
-> Un produit propos par Photo Saint Charles, votre partenaire photo.

So, whatever be the MSRP, the dealer prices are already in line with an MSRP of $1399,.-. Very much like I said in said article.

Hehe, welcome Falk on "Le Grand Forum" of "Focus Numerique / Les Numeriques".

Post whenever you want.

As you said, we already found some interesting prices for K5. Some people also found good prices for the D7000 earlier.
And finally, it appears that Pentax has no choice than to follow Nikon's prices to remain competitive. Good for pentaxians!

One more time, thanks again for all your work Falk.

falconeye · 10-06-2010, 04:56 PM - **1 Like**

Does anybody have ideas how to seriously test the K-5 new AF system?

I thought of something like this:

D300/1D2 AF test - FM Forums

It looks like a serious test (where the D300 seemed to outperform some Canons). And delivers some stunning photos too.

Any idea how to standardize the setup? Are there any ISO dogs around?

JoepLX3 · 10-06-2010, 07:37 PM

Originally posted by falconeye

Does anybody have ideas how to seriously test the K-5 new AF system?

I thought of something like this:

D300/1D2 AF test - FM Forums

It looks like a serious test (where the D300 seemed to outperform some Canons). And delivers some stunning photos too.

Any idea how to standardize the setup? Are there any ISO dogs around?

You have those machines that can "throw" tennis balls in the exact same way, but als gravity of ball rolling / bouncing down from a referenced height is a possibility. The dog can be a replaced by a dark teddy-bear.

ogl · 10-06-2010, 08:20 PM

Originally posted by falconeye

Does anybody have ideas how to seriously test the K-5 new AF system?

I thought of something like this:

D300/1D2 AF test - FM Forums

It looks like a serious test (where the D300 seemed to outperform some Canons). And delivers some stunning photos too.

Any idea how to standardize the setup? Are there any ISO dogs around?

Do you think if it's real to make such photos with K-5? K-5 has no 3D tracking mode.

Jyrkira · 10-06-2010, 09:33 PM

Originally posted by ogl

Do you think if it's real to make such photos with K-5? K-5 has no 3D tracking mode.

No one has 3D tracking mode in DSLR. The camera does one dimensional tracking and it is the photographer that does the rest of the dimensions.

Asahiflex · 10-06-2010, 11:03 PM

Originally posted by Jyrkira

No one has 3D tracking mode in DSLR. The camera does one dimensional tracking and it is the photographer that does the rest of the dimensions.

That's a good one and very true! "3D Tracking" is only a marketing term.

Eruditass · 10-06-2010, 11:05 PM

Nikon's "3D Tracking" mode is not meant for action photography. It's meant for focus-recomposing.

ogl · 10-06-2010, 11:21 PM

Originally posted by Jyrkira

No one has 3D tracking mode in DSLR. The camera does one dimensional tracking and it is the photographer that does the rest of the dimensions.

I don't understand what you mean - no one has 3D tracking mode in DSLR..

Can Pentax the same?
Truly shocked by my D300's AF... [Page 1]: Nikon D300 - D100 Forum: Digital Photography Review

I know english very bad...Maybe it has another name.

By the author says Yes, 3D tracking, normal lock-on.

And it seems to me Nikon D300 has 3D tracking.

3D Focus Tracking from Nikon

and new D7000 has it
http://www.dpreview.com/previews/nikond7000/page2.asp

Autofocus
• 39 area (9 cross type) TTL phase detection with AF fine tuning
• Nikon Multi-CAM 4800DX focus module
• Detection range: EV -1 to +19 (ISO 100 equivalent, at normal temperature)
• Manual focus [M], Electronic range finding supported

AF Area mode
• Single Point AF
• Dynamic Area AF (9, 21 or 39-point)
• Auto Area AF
• 3D Tracking (39 points)

ogl · 10-06-2010, 11:26 PM

Originally posted by Eruditass

Nikon's "3D Tracking" mode is not meant for action photography. It's meant for focus-recomposing.

Really?

An invaluable feature for sports, action and wildlife photography, 3D focus tracking, available in select Nikon D-SLRs, automatically shifts the focus point to follow the movement of the subject. With the shutter release pressed halfway, you'll see in the viewfinder the lens continuously maintain focus as the subject moves.

KungPOW · 10-06-2010, 11:28 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Eruditass

Nikon's "3D Tracking" mode is not meant for action photography. It's meant for focus-recomposing.

What are you talking about?

3D predictive tracking has everything to do with action photography.

ogl · 10-06-2010, 11:28 PM

Originally posted by Asahiflex

That's a good one and very true! "3D Tracking" is only a marketing term.

Strange...I think Pentaxian has good knowledge and competent in another systems too...Do you really think that photos from D300 with baseball ball are fake?

I also see a very cool action photos of birds and sport from Canon Mark III with technology similiar to 3D tracking from Nikon.

rawr · 10-07-2010, 12:03 AM

If x is height, y is width and z is depth, '3D' tracking would involve the AF assessing all those three xyz variables/dimensions in hunting for something contrasty to focus on in a scene. That indeed sounds like normal AF to me.

The 'tracking' bit is the novel element, particularly the 'predictive' tracking some of these systems claim to implement, which attempts to predict the speed and direction of movement of the focus subject across the image plane.

So they should really call this '4D' AF tracking, where the 4th dimension/ variable is time. So then you are calculating xyzt.

zackspeed · 10-07-2010, 02:36 AM

To make these dogpics,nobody needs Nikons 3D AF.
You need a good eye and a fast and save af.You can make these pictures with one AF point.
K-7 is very hard to use in this case,biggest problem is the lensdrive.
I will try dogactionpics with K-5 and my 2,8 80-200 soon.
Hope the af points are more agressive than K-7.

10-01-2010, 04:33 PM	#47
falconeye Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Munich, Alps, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,871 Original Poster	After "Focus Numerique" posted a link to my preview article, I had a sneak view in to their discussion about it Therefore, I couldn't but note that the French identified a source for the K-5 at 1099,- TTC only. That's K-5 Body: $ 1267,- USD !! (no VAT) The link is here: -> Un produit propos par Photo Saint Charles, votre partenaire photo. So, whatever be the MSRP, the dealer prices are already in line with an MSRP of $1399,.-. Very much like I said in said article. Last edited by falconeye; 10-01-2010 at 04:41 PM.

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10-01-2010, 04:55 AM	#46
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Pentax Imaging confirms that DC stands for Direct Current in the Highlights section of the 18-135mm page: "Direct Current (DC) motor supports quick, quiet autofocus operation." http://www.pentaximaging.com/product.aspx?id=smc PENTAX-DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6ED AL [IF] DC WR&cat=camera-lenses Edit: Link didn't work. Go to the Lenses page, find 18-135mm... Highlights. Someone on Falk's Blog says this is like Sony's SAM system. Is that a bad thing?

10-01-2010, 06:24 PM	#48
youky63 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Osaka Posts: 143	Originally posted by falconeye After "Focus Numerique" posted a link to my preview article, I had a sneak view in to their discussion about it Therefore, I couldn't but note that the French identified a source for the K-5 at 1099,- TTC only. That's K-5 Body: $ 1267,- USD !! (no VAT) The link is here: -> Un produit propos par Photo Saint Charles, votre partenaire photo. So, whatever be the MSRP, the dealer prices are already in line with an MSRP of $1399,.-. Very much like I said in said article. Hehe, welcome Falk on "Le Grand Forum" of "Focus Numerique / Les Numeriques". Post whenever you want. As you said, we already found some interesting prices for K5. Some people also found good prices for the D7000 earlier. And finally, it appears that Pentax has no choice than to follow Nikon's prices to remain competitive. Good for pentaxians! One more time, thanks again for all your work Falk.

10-06-2010, 04:56 PM - 1 Like	#49
falconeye Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Munich, Alps, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,871 Original Poster	Does anybody have ideas how to seriously test the K-5 new AF system? I thought of something like this: D300/1D2 AF test - FM Forums It looks like a serious test (where the D300 seemed to outperform some Canons). And delivers some stunning photos too. Any idea how to standardize the setup? Are there any ISO dogs around?

10-06-2010, 07:37 PM	#50
JoepLX3 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 518	Originally posted by falconeye Does anybody have ideas how to seriously test the K-5 new AF system? I thought of something like this: D300/1D2 AF test - FM Forums It looks like a serious test (where the D300 seemed to outperform some Canons). And delivers some stunning photos too. Any idea how to standardize the setup? Are there any ISO dogs around? You have those machines that can "throw" tennis balls in the exact same way, but als gravity of ball rolling / bouncing down from a referenced height is a possibility. The dog can be a replaced by a dark teddy-bear.

10-06-2010, 08:20 PM	#51
ogl Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sankt Peterburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,382	Originally posted by falconeye Does anybody have ideas how to seriously test the K-5 new AF system? I thought of something like this: D300/1D2 AF test - FM Forums It looks like a serious test (where the D300 seemed to outperform some Canons). And delivers some stunning photos too. Any idea how to standardize the setup? Are there any ISO dogs around? Do you think if it's real to make such photos with K-5? K-5 has no 3D tracking mode.

10-06-2010, 09:33 PM	#52
Jyrkira Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Finland Posts: 215	Originally posted by ogl Do you think if it's real to make such photos with K-5? K-5 has no 3D tracking mode. No one has 3D tracking mode in DSLR. The camera does one dimensional tracking and it is the photographer that does the rest of the dimensions.

10-06-2010, 11:03 PM	#53
Asahiflex Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,795	Originally posted by Jyrkira No one has 3D tracking mode in DSLR. The camera does one dimensional tracking and it is the photographer that does the rest of the dimensions. That's a good one and very true! "3D Tracking" is only a marketing term.

10-06-2010, 11:05 PM	#54
Eruditass Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,207	Nikon's "3D Tracking" mode is not meant for action photography. It's meant for focus-recomposing.

10-06-2010, 11:21 PM	#55
ogl Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sankt Peterburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,382	Originally posted by Jyrkira No one has 3D tracking mode in DSLR. The camera does one dimensional tracking and it is the photographer that does the rest of the dimensions. I don't understand what you mean - no one has 3D tracking mode in DSLR.. Can Pentax the same? Truly shocked by my D300's AF... [Page 1]: Nikon D300 - D100 Forum: Digital Photography Review I know english very bad...Maybe it has another name. By the author says Yes, 3D tracking, normal lock-on. And it seems to me Nikon D300 has 3D tracking. 3D Focus Tracking from Nikon and new D7000 has it http://www.dpreview.com/previews/nikond7000/page2.asp Autofocus • 39 area (9 cross type) TTL phase detection with AF fine tuning • Nikon Multi-CAM 4800DX focus module • Detection range: EV -1 to +19 (ISO 100 equivalent, at normal temperature) • Manual focus [M], Electronic range finding supported AF Area mode • Single Point AF • Dynamic Area AF (9, 21 or 39-point) • Auto Area AF • 3D Tracking (39 points)

10-06-2010, 11:26 PM	#56
ogl Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sankt Peterburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,382	Originally posted by Eruditass Nikon's "3D Tracking" mode is not meant for action photography. It's meant for focus-recomposing. Really? An invaluable feature for sports, action and wildlife photography, 3D focus tracking, available in select Nikon D-SLRs, automatically shifts the focus point to follow the movement of the subject. With the shutter release pressed halfway, you'll see in the viewfinder the lens continuously maintain focus as the subject moves.

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10-06-2010, 11:28 PM - 1 Like	#57
KungPOW Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Vancouver, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,699	Originally posted by Eruditass Nikon's "3D Tracking" mode is not meant for action photography. It's meant for focus-recomposing. What are you talking about? 3D predictive tracking has everything to do with action photography.

10-06-2010, 11:28 PM	#58
ogl Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sankt Peterburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,382	Originally posted by Asahiflex That's a good one and very true! "3D Tracking" is only a marketing term. Strange...I think Pentaxian has good knowledge and competent in another systems too...Do you really think that photos from D300 with baseball ball are fake? I also see a very cool action photos of birds and sport from Canon Mark III with technology similiar to 3D tracking from Nikon.

10-07-2010, 12:03 AM	#59
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	If x is height, y is width and z is depth, '3D' tracking would involve the AF assessing all those three xyz variables/dimensions in hunting for something contrasty to focus on in a scene. That indeed sounds like normal AF to me. The 'tracking' bit is the novel element, particularly the 'predictive' tracking some of these systems claim to implement, which attempts to predict the speed and direction of movement of the focus subject across the image plane. So they should really call this '4D' AF tracking, where the 4th dimension/ variable is time. So then you are calculating xyzt.

10-07-2010, 02:36 AM	#60
zackspeed Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 527	To make these dogpics,nobody needs Nikons 3D AF. You need a good eye and a fast and save af.You can make these pictures with one AF point. K-7 is very hard to use in this case,biggest problem is the lensdrive. I will try dogactionpics with K-5 and my 2,8 80-200 soon. Hope the af points are more agressive than K-7.