Is K3 Auto focus really that bad?

stevebrot · 07-23-2015, 09:30 AM

Originally posted by audiobomber

The K-3 turns off SR when it senses panning, which is a clear indication to me that Pentax believes panning and SR don't mix.

It depends on how fast you pan and how smooth you are. I have sharp results panning with SR on, but have not tested extensively. The situation is analogous to shooting inside a moving vehicle.

Steve

audiobomber · 07-23-2015, 10:02 AM

Originally posted by stevebrot

It depends on how fast you pan and how smooth you are. I have sharp results panning with SR on, but have not tested extensively. The situation is analogous to shooting inside a moving vehicle.

Steve

Put the viewfinder to your eye and focus with SR ON. Watch the little SR hand turn off and on as you pan and halt. It's almost instantaneous.

I don't believe this is like shooting from a moving vehicle. I haven't tested this in a car, but I expect it's relative motion turns SR off, not the fact that is moving in space. If it's a rough ride and you're joggling, it may turn off SR.

**hjoseph7** · 07-23-2015, 03:34 PM

You have to know how to take crisp action shots. It's not just about the camera AF system although that helps...

audiobomber · 07-23-2015, 05:21 PM

Originally posted by hjoseph7

You have to know how to take crisp action shots. It's not just about the camera AF system although that helps...

Very true. And SR hurts.

kkoether · 07-23-2015, 11:30 PM

A couple of my Favorite Pans.

Caught this one a couple of years ago at Barber Motorsports Park with my K200D with a DA-L 55-300.

Caught this on last year on my first weekend out with my K-3 with the same DA-L 55-300.

Panning just takes practice but once you get it it's like riding a bike.

Yes I usually try to remember to turn SR off. I've always gotten better results with it off.

audiobomber · 07-24-2015, 04:44 AM

Very nice kkoether, especially the car. Do you mind sharing how you choose a shutter speed?

kkoether · 07-24-2015, 08:23 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by audiobomber

Very nice kkoether, especially the car. Do you mind sharing how you choose a shutter speed?

Thanks Dan! I usually try for a shutter speed 1/200th or slower. The Indycar was at 1/90th and the Hydro was 1/640th which really didn't give as much blur as I really like. The Indycar was probably traveling 145 to 160 mph as was the Hydroplane also. Here are a couple from back in 2009 at 1/25th using an old manual focus 75-300mm zoom on my K200D as you can see the boat isn't quite as sharp as it could be. This was really pushing the limit.

Follow through is one thing I find that really helps. Keep panning even after you release the shutter.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Is K5 Low Light AF Really that "Bad?"	Biff	Pentax K-5 & K-5 II	16	05-10-2013 03:28 PM
Pentax: Is it really that bad for moving objects?	TimonW	Pentax DSLR Discussion	132	04-10-2013 11:20 AM
K7 High ISO is really that bad?	minahasa	Pentax DSLR Discussion	27	01-16-2013 07:16 PM
Is the DA 18-135 really that bad?	Rich7333	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	22	09-17-2012 10:18 AM
Is the SDM failure rate really that bad	coreyhkh	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	108	07-21-2012 07:33 PM

07-23-2015, 09:30 AM	#61
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by audiobomber The K-3 turns off SR when it senses panning, which is a clear indication to me that Pentax believes panning and SR don't mix. It depends on how fast you pan and how smooth you are. I have sharp results panning with SR on, but have not tested extensively. The situation is analogous to shooting inside a moving vehicle. Steve

07-23-2015, 10:02 AM	#62
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by stevebrot It depends on how fast you pan and how smooth you are. I have sharp results panning with SR on, but have not tested extensively. The situation is analogous to shooting inside a moving vehicle. Steve Put the viewfinder to your eye and focus with SR ON. Watch the little SR hand turn off and on as you pan and halt. It's almost instantaneous. I don't believe this is like shooting from a moving vehicle. I haven't tested this in a car, but I expect it's relative motion turns SR off, not the fact that is moving in space. If it's a rough ride and you're joggling, it may turn off SR.

07-23-2015, 03:34 PM	#63
hjoseph7 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2014 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,048	You have to know how to take crisp action shots. It's not just about the camera AF system although that helps...

07-23-2015, 05:21 PM	#64
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by hjoseph7 You have to know how to take crisp action shots. It's not just about the camera AF system although that helps... Very true. And SR hurts.

07-23-2015, 11:30 PM	#65
kkoether Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Huber Heights, OH, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 731	A couple of my Favorite Pans. Caught this one a couple of years ago at Barber Motorsports Park with my K200D with a DA-L 55-300. Caught this on last year on my first weekend out with my K-3 with the same DA-L 55-300. Panning just takes practice but once you get it it's like riding a bike. Yes I usually try to remember to turn SR off. I've always gotten better results with it off.

07-24-2015, 04:44 AM	#66
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Very nice kkoether, especially the car. Do you mind sharing how you choose a shutter speed?

07-24-2015, 08:23 PM - 1 Like	#67
kkoether Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Huber Heights, OH, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 731	Originally posted by audiobomber Very nice kkoether, especially the car. Do you mind sharing how you choose a shutter speed? Thanks Dan! I usually try for a shutter speed 1/200th or slower. The Indycar was at 1/90th and the Hydro was 1/640th which really didn't give as much blur as I really like. The Indycar was probably traveling 145 to 160 mph as was the Hydroplane also. Here are a couple from back in 2009 at 1/25th using an old manual focus 75-300mm zoom on my K200D as you can see the boat isn't quite as sharp as it could be. This was really pushing the limit. Follow through is one thing I find that really helps. Keep panning even after you release the shutter.