K-3 and low-light shooting

Col · 10-26-2013, 03:19 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Pheo

While we are here, is anyone able to explain to me exactly what autofocus to -3EV actually means.

I'm struggling with the concept of how dark this is?

Exposure value - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Say a landscape lit by a full moon

rawr · 10-26-2013, 05:17 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by Col

Say a landscape lit by a full moon

Or, as the wikipedia article highlights, an outdoors scene illuminated by a 'bright' Aurora borealis or Aurora australis.

Indoors -3 EV happens a lot when you are shooting live music in dim pubs or venues, for example. Being able to meter down into shadowy darkness, and get focus, will be extremely useful, especially as a lot of venues don't allow flash use.

It also means K-3 users won't have to use the annoying AF assist lamp to help us get focus. I hate the AF assist light, and always have it turned off.

lister6520 · 10-27-2013, 05:36 AM

If I calculate right ev-3 is somewhat lower than is possible to shoot handheld unless you go to extreme ISO.

At ISO 6400 you will need 1/4 second at F1.4. For a half decent shutter speed of 1/15 you need to go all the way up to 25,600.

So I would say the AF covers practically any situation where you would think of shooting handheld without flash. The extra sensitivity will still help to achieve quicker and more accurate focus as well as better tolerance of low contrast subjects.

I will no doubt find it useful even for tripod shots as I like low light shooting and focus is often quite a tedious excercise. In some extreme cases I cannot even see the subject so I doubt even the K-3 will help there but in less extreme cases any situation where AF works is going to be a great advantage.

Oddly I have at times managed to focus my K-30 in moonlight, not 100% reliable maybe but quite unexpectedly good. I guess with the K-3 being actually specified to be capable of that it will be as reliable as shooting in daylight.

JinDesu · 10-27-2013, 05:43 AM

Originally posted by lister6520

Oddly I have at times managed to focus my K-3 in moonlight, not 100% reliable maybe but quite unexpectedly good. I guess with the K-3 being actually specified to be capable of that it will be as reliable as shooting in daylight.

You have a k-3

?

Pheo · 10-27-2013, 05:55 AM

Thanks, didn't spot that table in Wikipedia when I was looking, must've got distracted and not scrolled down enough!

10-27-2013, 05:36 AM	#18
lister6520 Veteran Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 733	If I calculate right ev-3 is somewhat lower than is possible to shoot handheld unless you go to extreme ISO. At ISO 6400 you will need 1/4 second at F1.4. For a half decent shutter speed of 1/15 you need to go all the way up to 25,600. So I would say the AF covers practically any situation where you would think of shooting handheld without flash. The extra sensitivity will still help to achieve quicker and more accurate focus as well as better tolerance of low contrast subjects. I will no doubt find it useful even for tripod shots as I like low light shooting and focus is often quite a tedious excercise. In some extreme cases I cannot even see the subject so I doubt even the K-3 will help there but in less extreme cases any situation where AF works is going to be a great advantage. Oddly I have at times managed to focus my K-30 in moonlight, not 100% reliable maybe but quite unexpectedly good. I guess with the K-3 being actually specified to be capable of that it will be as reliable as shooting in daylight. Last edited by lister6520; 10-27-2013 at 06:51 AM. Reason: Oops - I meant K-30.

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10-26-2013, 03:19 PM - 1 Like	#16
Col Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Stansted Essex Photos: Gallery Posts: 614	Originally posted by Pheo While we are here, is anyone able to explain to me exactly what autofocus to -3EV actually means. I'm struggling with the concept of how dark this is? Exposure value - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Say a landscape lit by a full moon

10-26-2013, 05:17 PM - 2 Likes	#17
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913 Original Poster	Originally posted by Col Say a landscape lit by a full moon Or, as the wikipedia article highlights, an outdoors scene illuminated by a 'bright' Aurora borealis or Aurora australis. Indoors -3 EV happens a lot when you are shooting live music in dim pubs or venues, for example. Being able to meter down into shadowy darkness, and get focus, will be extremely useful, especially as a lot of venues don't allow flash use. It also means K-3 users won't have to use the annoying AF assist lamp to help us get focus. I hate the AF assist light, and always have it turned off.

10-27-2013, 05:43 AM	#19
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	Originally posted by lister6520 Oddly I have at times managed to focus my K-3 in moonlight, not 100% reliable maybe but quite unexpectedly good. I guess with the K-3 being actually specified to be capable of that it will be as reliable as shooting in daylight. You have a k-3 ?

10-27-2013, 05:55 AM	#20
Pheo Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Brighton, United Kingdom Photos: Gallery Posts: 311	Thanks, didn't spot that table in Wikipedia when I was looking, must've got distracted and not scrolled down enough!

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