Any other K-3 owners feel like a tri-pod is the only way to get crisp photos?

**HomeMadeSin** · 12-07-2014, 09:05 PM

Just curious if others are experiencing what I am - image blur whenever I take hand held pictures with the K-3. It's slight, but enough to be annoying and doesn't matter if it's the 18-55 kit lens, 43mm ltd or 40XS. Also, it doesn't seem to matter if it is with SR on or off.

I hesitated on pulling the trigger on the K-3 over the K-5IIs but did. As much as I felt the K-01 was an odd duck, I'm starting to feel it takes as good if not better pics (hand held anyway). Am I crazy? Maybe I'm expecting too much...

Z

Wolfeye · 12-07-2014, 09:09 PM

I have many issues with my K-3 but sharpness isn't one of them. Do you have the anti-aliasing filter enabled?

r0ckstarr · 12-07-2014, 09:10 PM

Can you post some examples? Perhaps maybe it's not the camera, but the user or the technique?

derekkite · 12-07-2014, 09:11 PM

Are they out of focus soft, or movement blur soft? Are they soft when cropped or pixel peeping, or soft when looking at the full frame?

I'm getting very sharp shots, and I noticed it right away when I started using it compared to the k5. But if something isn't right it shows.

kkoether · 12-07-2014, 09:21 PM

No problems here. Shot with my DA-L 55-300.

rawr · 12-07-2014, 09:29 PM - **1 Like**

Perhaps download and have a read of this:

Nikon D800 technical Guide [PDF, 2MB)

It was designed for people upgrading from lower megapixel cameras like the 12MP D700 to the 36 MP D800, and who were encountering some of the issues you have raised.

"While its groundbreaking 36 megapixels give the D800/D800E resolution unrivalled by previous digital SLR cameras, a side
effect of such high resolution is that blur, whether the result of imprecise focus or camera shake, becomes that much more noticeable. Realizing the full potential of a camera with over 30-million pixels involves a thorough understanding of the
causes and characteristics of blur, careful selection of settings and tools (lenses, tripods, etc.), and working with the best
possible subjects."

The technical guide talks Nikon, but the techniques and technology apply to the K-3 too.

stevebrot · 12-07-2014, 09:30 PM

Originally posted by HomeMadeSin

Just curious if others are experiencing what I am - image blur whenever I take hand held pictures with the K-3. It's slight, but enough to be annoying and doesn't matter if it's the 18-55 kit lens, 43mm ltd or 40XS. Also, it doesn't seem to matter if it is with SR on or off.

Yes, several of us have noticed that best results are had with the camera on-tripod. Monochrome mentioned it within the first week after he got his K-3 and I noticed it soon after I got mine. Of course, the same was true with my K10D, but it is much more noticeable when pixel-peeping with the K-3...more pixels to peep at.

Steve

aleonx3 · 12-07-2014, 09:31 PM

Not me... my photos are sharp and crisp...

Gray · 12-07-2014, 09:36 PM

Could this be the problem, as described by Ed at Photo Universe?

You Tube

mikeSF · 12-07-2014, 09:57 PM

let's see some pics as it is most likely technique related. You should be getting even sharper images vs your K01.

**NZ_Ross** · 12-07-2014, 09:58 PM

Mine are good handheld - no issues at all.

Examples DA15 Limited and Zeiss ZK 35/2 both on the day I brought the K3 in New York. Using TAV Mode with the AA filter simulation off, IS on

skyer · 12-07-2014, 10:38 PM

Almost always I shoot with fast primes, no problems with sharpness at all.

HYS · 12-07-2014, 10:48 PM

Originally posted by rawr

Perhaps download and have a read of this:

Nikon D800 technical Guide [PDF, 2MB)

It was designed for people upgrading from lower megapixel cameras like the 12MP D700 to the 36 MP D800, and who were encountering some of the issues you have raised.

"While its groundbreaking 36 megapixels give the D800/D800E resolution unrivalled by previous digital SLR cameras, a side
effect of such high resolution is that blur, whether the result of imprecise focus or camera shake, becomes that much more noticeable. Realizing the full potential of a camera with over 30-million pixels involves a thorough understanding of the
causes and characteristics of blur, careful selection of settings and tools (lenses, tripods, etc.), and working with the best
possible subjects."

The technical guide talks Nikon, but the techniques and technology apply to the K-3 too.

Starting with K-3 I faced similar problems. It needs to analyze every shot why it happened. The camera is fine.

danny09 · 12-08-2014, 12:32 AM

Handheld shots,all the way up until 1/10th sec @ 120 mm indoors. No problem at all. Subject blur is the biggest concern. Image Stabilization in K3 is much better than my K10D.

ukhozi · 12-08-2014, 12:44 AM

After upgrading from K5 to K3 I must say – yes, it is more difficult to get sharp, handheld pictures with the K3, even with SR on. I “blame” it on the higher resolution. More pixels also means smaller pixels on the same sensor size, which makes motion blur harder to control. You need to practice!

12-07-2014, 09:05 PM	#1
HomeMadeSin Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Savannah, GA Photos: Gallery Posts: 156	Any other K-3 owners feel like a tri-pod is the only way to get crisp photos? Just curious if others are experiencing what I am - image blur whenever I take hand held pictures with the K-3. It's slight, but enough to be annoying and doesn't matter if it's the 18-55 kit lens, 43mm ltd or 40XS. Also, it doesn't seem to matter if it is with SR on or off. I hesitated on pulling the trigger on the K-3 over the K-5IIs but did. As much as I felt the K-01 was an odd duck, I'm starting to feel it takes as good if not better pics (hand held anyway). Am I crazy? Maybe I'm expecting too much... Z

12-07-2014, 09:58 PM	#11
NZ_Ross Kiwi Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Timaru Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,225	Mine are good handheld - no issues at all. Examples DA15 Limited and Zeiss ZK 35/2 both on the day I brought the K3 in New York. Using TAV Mode with the AA filter simulation off, IS on Last edited by NZ_Ross; 12-08-2014 at 12:40 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Any K-3 owners use the DA 17-70?	IchabodCrane	Pentax K-3 & K-3 II	6	11-08-2014 05:48 PM
Any NYC-area K-3 owners want to come out and play?	frogoutofwater	Pentax K-3 & K-3 II	11	12-03-2013 06:30 PM
Ever feel like you were born too late to get the good shots?	PPPPPP42	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	22	07-22-2012 10:11 PM
Wanted to know if their is any way to get back the deleted photos?	caedmon	General Talk	4	01-25-2012 08:50 AM
Is there any way to convert K-7 movie to a series of jpgs?	raider	Digital Processing, Software, and Printing	21	04-15-2010 08:18 PM

12-07-2014, 09:09 PM	#2
Wolfeye Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 782	I have many issues with my K-3 but sharpness isn't one of them. Do you have the anti-aliasing filter enabled?

12-07-2014, 09:10 PM	#3
r0ckstarr Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,507	Can you post some examples? Perhaps maybe it's not the camera, but the user or the technique?

12-07-2014, 09:11 PM	#4
derekkite Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Nelson B.C. Posts: 3,782	Are they out of focus soft, or movement blur soft? Are they soft when cropped or pixel peeping, or soft when looking at the full frame? I'm getting very sharp shots, and I noticed it right away when I started using it compared to the k5. But if something isn't right it shows.

12-07-2014, 09:21 PM	#5
kkoether Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Huber Heights, OH, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 731	No problems here. Shot with my DA-L 55-300.

12-07-2014, 09:29 PM - 1 Like	#6
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Perhaps download and have a read of this: Nikon D800 technical Guide [PDF, 2MB) It was designed for people upgrading from lower megapixel cameras like the 12MP D700 to the 36 MP D800, and who were encountering some of the issues you have raised. "While its groundbreaking 36 megapixels give the D800/D800E resolution unrivalled by previous digital SLR cameras, a side effect of such high resolution is that blur, whether the result of imprecise focus or camera shake, becomes that much more noticeable. Realizing the full potential of a camera with over 30-million pixels involves a thorough understanding of the causes and characteristics of blur, careful selection of settings and tools (lenses, tripods, etc.), and working with the best possible subjects." The technical guide talks Nikon, but the techniques and technology apply to the K-3 too.

12-07-2014, 09:30 PM	#7
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by HomeMadeSin Just curious if others are experiencing what I am - image blur whenever I take hand held pictures with the K-3. It's slight, but enough to be annoying and doesn't matter if it's the 18-55 kit lens, 43mm ltd or 40XS. Also, it doesn't seem to matter if it is with SR on or off. Yes, several of us have noticed that best results are had with the camera on-tripod. Monochrome mentioned it within the first week after he got his K-3 and I noticed it soon after I got mine. Of course, the same was true with my K10D, but it is much more noticeable when pixel-peeping with the K-3...more pixels to peep at. Steve

12-07-2014, 09:31 PM	#8
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	Not me... my photos are sharp and crisp...

12-07-2014, 09:57 PM	#10
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,620	let's see some pics as it is most likely technique related. You should be getting even sharper images vs your K01.

12-07-2014, 10:38 PM	#12
skyer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Orel, Russia Posts: 251	Almost always I shoot with fast primes, no problems with sharpness at all.

12-07-2014, 10:48 PM	#13
HYS Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 377	Originally posted by rawr Perhaps download and have a read of this: Nikon D800 technical Guide [PDF, 2MB) It was designed for people upgrading from lower megapixel cameras like the 12MP D700 to the 36 MP D800, and who were encountering some of the issues you have raised. "While its groundbreaking 36 megapixels give the D800/D800E resolution unrivalled by previous digital SLR cameras, a side effect of such high resolution is that blur, whether the result of imprecise focus or camera shake, becomes that much more noticeable. Realizing the full potential of a camera with over 30-million pixels involves a thorough understanding of the causes and characteristics of blur, careful selection of settings and tools (lenses, tripods, etc.), and working with the best possible subjects." The technical guide talks Nikon, but the techniques and technology apply to the K-3 too. Starting with K-3 I faced similar problems. It needs to analyze every shot why it happened. The camera is fine.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

12-08-2014, 12:32 AM	#14
danny09 Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 417	Handheld shots,all the way up until 1/10th sec @ 120 mm indoors. No problem at all. Subject blur is the biggest concern. Image Stabilization in K3 is much better than my K10D.

12-08-2014, 12:44 AM	#15
ukhozi Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 79	After upgrading from K5 to K3 I must say – yes, it is more difficult to get sharp, handheld pictures with the K3, even with SR on. I “blame” it on the higher resolution. More pixels also means smaller pixels on the same sensor size, which makes motion blur harder to control. You need to practice!