[jpzk]

Hi everyone.

Just received my K3 and proceeded to set it up.
I am now at the decision(s) based on:

Custom Menu 3 .....
Item 16, 17, 18, and 19.
Not quite sure what to use in there given that I will use the K3 especially for the following:

Birding, including lots of BIF.

Also, in the "Recommended Settings" suggested when the K3 became available, it is said that it is better to NOT use the AF.S in continuous mode (in my case it is on "High" on the K5) unless necessary because it is "difficult" to use that when taking only one shot at a time.
I often fire the shutter only once, likely to be followed with a burst .... so what's so difficult about that?
Is it because the shutter is more sensitive than that of the K5 ?

One last thing (I think): I presently have PDCU 4 and using it quite a bit.
Now, with the K3, I have to install DCU 5. Will it be OK to delete the DCU 4 once DCU 5 is installed ?

Thanks for any help here, folks!

JP

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Last edited by jpzk; 02-15-2016 at 01:16 PM.

[bertwert]

Custom Menu 3 .....
Item 16, 17, 18, and 19.

I don't own a K-3, so what are those options?

BTW, your signature tag is impossible to read

[jpzk]

I don't own a K-3, so what are those options?

BTW, your signature tag is impossible to read

Yeah ... That is what happened when I tried to change it !! See here: posts no. 215 and 218 ... https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/6-pentax-dslr-discussion/67605-pentax-pro...ml#post3529651
I'll just go and delete everything from that signature.
Thanks for the hint. I hadn't seen that.

[Adam]

Luckily we have screenshots of everything



16 is just a little optimization setting, in case you want to set the first frame to have a different focusing priority than the rest. If you don't shoot moving objects much, the default is fine. 17 is focus or release priority. 18 controls how quickly the camera will re-acquire focus in AF-C mode if the subjects moves out of the frame (off= instantly, high=slowest, I believe). 19 is pretty simple, it just controls whether or not the AF will operate prior to shutter release with the IR remote control.

Hope this helps!

Adam
PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide | Site Help | My Photography)



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[jpzk]

Luckily we have screenshots of everything



16 is just a little optimization setting, in case you want to set the first frame to have a different focusing priority than the rest. If you don't shoot moving objects much, the default is fine. 17 is focus or release priority. 18 controls how quickly the camera will re-acquire focus in AF-C mode if the subjects moves out of the frame (off= instantly, high=slowest, I believe). 19 is pretty simple, it just controls whether or not the AF will operate prior to shutter release with the IR remote control.

Hope this helps!

Yep that helped. And thanks for reply !
But I did set the priority for AF.C to "focus priority"
Any suggestion(s) about the other two items?

JP

Forgot this: BIF (Birds in flight) - or any other fast moving subjects - .... better to use which AF area? 9 points ? 27 points, spot?

[csa]

I'd also suggest getting the E-Book for your K3. I'm not affiliated whatsoever, just a happy purchaser. It goes beyond the manual that comes with the K3.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/24-photographic-equipment-sale/295303-sal...tax-dslrs.html

[jpzk]

I'd also suggest getting the E-Book for your K3. I'm not affiliated whatsoever, just a happy purchaser. It goes beyond the manual that comes with the K3.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/24-photographic-equipment-sale/295303-sal...tax-dslrs.html

Thanks !!
I had forgotten about this ... very timely!

[Des]

BIF (Birds in flight) - or any other fast moving subjects - .... better to use which AF area? 9 points ? 27 points, spot?

I've tended to use spot in the past coupled with spot AE metering, but against the sky multiple AF points ought to be better. But I'm no expert. Listen to these guys:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/58-troubleshooting-beginner-help/282974-s...ing-birds.html
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/293580-bif-...-50-500-a.html

[jpzk]

I've tended to use spot in the past coupled with spot AE metering, but against the sky multiple AF points ought to be better. But I'm no expert. Listen to these guys:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/58-troubleshooting-beginner-help/282974-s...ing-birds.html
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/293580-bif-...-50-500-a.html

Thanks for the lead.
Interesting read.
I am more concerned with the usage of the K3 based on specific parameters.
For instance, do people use the 27 points while following a BIF ? Is 9 points better? Why use a spot AF and under which circumstances? .... etc.

JP

[biz-engineer]

Use AFA, it does all for you: initially bring the lens in focus with selected point as if it is AFS (focus priority, does not take shots unless the subject is in focus), then the AF switches to AFC and tracks the subject. It's the best.
AFC only is not good at getting in focus for the first frame.

[jpzk]

Use AFA, it does all for you: initially bring the lens in focus with selected point as if it is AFS (focus priority, does not take shots unless the subject is in focus), then the AF switches to AFC and tracks the subject. It's the best.
AFC only is not good at getting in focus for the first frame.

Thanks for the reply !

I never thought of that because it is new to me.
Are there any other parameters which could also be useful in my set up?
.... such as Custom menu items 16 to 19, etc...AF area: spot, 9 or 27 points ?

Mind you, there aren't many BIF occasions these days because of the cold season as most birds are gone .... I can always try tofind some crows and gulls and practice with them !

Cheers!