K-3 II Initial settings

sarge · 02-25-2016, 01:40 PM

Well, the big brown truck just delivered my K-3 II along with HD DA Limited 20-40, 15, and 70 lenses.

Waiting on battery to charge.
Other than obvious settings such as language, etc. What are the common setting you guys typically use with this camera. I will be shooting RAW and plan on using DNG format.
Thanks for any input.

stevebrot · 02-25-2016, 02:55 PM - **2 Likes**

The PF recommended settings should be essentially the same as for the K-3. See the link below from the K-3 detailed review:

Pentax K-3 Review - Recommended Settings | PentaxForums.com Reviews

I use most of these, but as with anything you may wish to revisit your choices after using the camera for a couple of days/weeks.

Steve

**microlight** · 02-25-2016, 05:06 PM - **1 Like**

Congratulations, sarge, you'll love the combo - I do. Apart from the customization settings (back button focus, the RAW/Fx button etc) the only real departure from those settings for me is High ISO NR in screen 2, which I have set to 'off' up to ISO 3200. I read somewhere that the high ISO NR was too aggressive in the K-3 series and reduced the IQ, so have turned it off up to the maximum level that I normally use ISO - didn't go beyond 3200 with the K-5 either. At this setting, noise is not intrusive at all, especially at low ISO of course. I have a couple of AF settings in the different user modes depending on what I'm trying to do. For best tracking, I have AF set on SEL3 (max points with tracking enabled), and Hold AF status (C menu, item 18) turned off.

I'm having fun with pixel shift mode in the K-3II, both on the tripod and using a hand-held technique for blending-out any movement artefact in a PSR TIFF processed in DCU5, using an in-camera non-PSR TIFF layered together in Photoshop. Then, using the eraser tool, you can selectively either a) remove the unwanted artefact to reveal the non-PSR picture underneath in select areas (which may be how the K-1 operates its enhanced PSR mode) or b) with the non-SR TIFF on top, erase select areas to provide extra sharpness and colour rendition in specific areas. Who knows, this might be included in a future firmware update; there haven't been any for the K-3II yet, which is unusual. I'll upload a picture taken with manual PSR technique a) - if I can figure out how to do it.

Enjoy!

sarge · 02-25-2016, 06:48 PM

Originally posted by microlight

Congratulations, sarge, you'll love the combo - I do. Apart from the customization settings (back button focus, the RAW/Fx button etc) the only real departure from those settings for me is High ISO NR in screen 2, which I have set to 'off' up to ISO 3200. I read somewhere that the high ISO NR was too aggressive in the K-3 series and reduced the IQ, so have turned it off up to the maximum level that I normally use ISO - didn't go beyond 3200 with the K-5 either. At this setting, noise is not intrusive at all, especially at low ISO of course. I have a couple of AF settings in the different user modes depending on what I'm trying to do. For best tracking, I have AF set on SEL3 (max points with tracking enabled), and Hold AF status (C menu, item 18) turned off.

I'm having fun with pixel shift mode in the K-3II, both on the tripod and using a hand-held technique for blending-out any movement artefact in a PSR TIFF processed in DCU5, using an in-camera non-PSR TIFF layered together in Photoshop. Then, using the eraser tool, you can selectively either a) remove the unwanted artefact to reveal the non-PSR picture underneath in select areas (which may be how the K-1 operates its enhanced PSR mode) or b) with the non-SR TIFF on top, erase select areas to provide extra sharpness and colour rendition in specific areas. Who knows, this might be included in a future firmware update; there haven't been any for the K-3II yet, which is unusual. I'll upload a picture taken with manual PSR technique a) - if I can figure out how to do it.

Enjoy!

I really look forward to putting this camera through it's paces.

I am very impressed with the physical aspects of both the camera and all the lenses. They all seem very solid and though not heavy they do inspire confidence from a ergonomic standpoint. It is really cool to see DOF scales on lenses. It has been a long time since I have seen that.

These lenses remind me of the old SMC-A lenses I had way back in High School when I had an ME Super.
I just spent a little while going through the menus and setting things up the way I think I will want them. Can't wait till the weekend to be able to do some shooting.

Unregistered User 8 · 02-25-2016, 10:34 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by sarge

I really look forward to putting this camera through it's paces. I am very impressed with the physical aspects of both the camera and all the lenses. They all seem very solid and though not heavy they do inspire confidence from a ergonomic standpoint.

Hi sarge. Congratulations on the purchase. Now you have it all in front of you, which lens goes first????

Good luck and good shooting.

UserAccessDenied · 03-01-2016, 07:04 AM

Just got my K-3ii yesterday from the UPS pickup location!

It was too dark by the time I got home to really test it out... A few shots in the kitchen under horrible lighting, but man does this camera feel good!
It's a huge improvement over the K-30, I can already tell.

Can't wait to click my DA*300 on this weekend!
I'll be trying out the tips mentioned above, thanks guys!

02-25-2016, 01:40 PM	#1
sarge Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Illinois Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 460	K-3 II Initial settings Well, the big brown truck just delivered my K-3 II along with HD DA Limited 20-40, 15, and 70 lenses. Waiting on battery to charge. Other than obvious settings such as language, etc. What are the common setting you guys typically use with this camera. I will be shooting RAW and plan on using DNG format. Thanks for any input.

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02-25-2016, 02:55 PM - 2 Likes	#2
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	The PF recommended settings should be essentially the same as for the K-3. See the link below from the K-3 detailed review: Pentax K-3 Review - Recommended Settings \| PentaxForums.com Reviews I use most of these, but as with anything you may wish to revisit your choices after using the camera for a couple of days/weeks. Steve

02-25-2016, 05:06 PM - 1 Like	#3
microlight Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 2,129	Congratulations, sarge, you'll love the combo - I do. Apart from the customization settings (back button focus, the RAW/Fx button etc) the only real departure from those settings for me is High ISO NR in screen 2, which I have set to 'off' up to ISO 3200. I read somewhere that the high ISO NR was too aggressive in the K-3 series and reduced the IQ, so have turned it off up to the maximum level that I normally use ISO - didn't go beyond 3200 with the K-5 either. At this setting, noise is not intrusive at all, especially at low ISO of course. I have a couple of AF settings in the different user modes depending on what I'm trying to do. For best tracking, I have AF set on SEL3 (max points with tracking enabled), and Hold AF status (C menu, item 18) turned off. I'm having fun with pixel shift mode in the K-3II, both on the tripod and using a hand-held technique for blending-out any movement artefact in a PSR TIFF processed in DCU5, using an in-camera non-PSR TIFF layered together in Photoshop. Then, using the eraser tool, you can selectively either a) remove the unwanted artefact to reveal the non-PSR picture underneath in select areas (which may be how the K-1 operates its enhanced PSR mode) or b) with the non-SR TIFF on top, erase select areas to provide extra sharpness and colour rendition in specific areas. Who knows, this might be included in a future firmware update; there haven't been any for the K-3II yet, which is unusual. I'll upload a picture taken with manual PSR technique a) - if I can figure out how to do it. Enjoy!

02-25-2016, 06:48 PM	#4
sarge Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Illinois Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 460 Original Poster	Originally posted by microlight Congratulations, sarge, you'll love the combo - I do. Apart from the customization settings (back button focus, the RAW/Fx button etc) the only real departure from those settings for me is High ISO NR in screen 2, which I have set to 'off' up to ISO 3200. I read somewhere that the high ISO NR was too aggressive in the K-3 series and reduced the IQ, so have turned it off up to the maximum level that I normally use ISO - didn't go beyond 3200 with the K-5 either. At this setting, noise is not intrusive at all, especially at low ISO of course. I have a couple of AF settings in the different user modes depending on what I'm trying to do. For best tracking, I have AF set on SEL3 (max points with tracking enabled), and Hold AF status (C menu, item 18) turned off. I'm having fun with pixel shift mode in the K-3II, both on the tripod and using a hand-held technique for blending-out any movement artefact in a PSR TIFF processed in DCU5, using an in-camera non-PSR TIFF layered together in Photoshop. Then, using the eraser tool, you can selectively either a) remove the unwanted artefact to reveal the non-PSR picture underneath in select areas (which may be how the K-1 operates its enhanced PSR mode) or b) with the non-SR TIFF on top, erase select areas to provide extra sharpness and colour rendition in specific areas. Who knows, this might be included in a future firmware update; there haven't been any for the K-3II yet, which is unusual. I'll upload a picture taken with manual PSR technique a) - if I can figure out how to do it. Enjoy! I really look forward to putting this camera through it's paces. I am very impressed with the physical aspects of both the camera and all the lenses. They all seem very solid and though not heavy they do inspire confidence from a ergonomic standpoint. It is really cool to see DOF scales on lenses. It has been a long time since I have seen that. These lenses remind me of the old SMC-A lenses I had way back in High School when I had an ME Super. I just spent a little while going through the menus and setting things up the way I think I will want them. Can't wait till the weekend to be able to do some shooting.

02-25-2016, 10:34 PM - 1 Like	#5
Unregistered User 8 Closed Account Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,694	Originally posted by sarge I really look forward to putting this camera through it's paces. I am very impressed with the physical aspects of both the camera and all the lenses. They all seem very solid and though not heavy they do inspire confidence from a ergonomic standpoint. Hi sarge. Congratulations on the purchase. Now you have it all in front of you, which lens goes first???? Good luck and good shooting.

03-01-2016, 07:04 AM	#6
UserAccessDenied Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Maryland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,677	Just got my K-3ii yesterday from the UPS pickup location! It was too dark by the time I got home to really test it out... A few shots in the kitchen under horrible lighting, but man does this camera feel good! It's a huge improvement over the K-30, I can already tell. Can't wait to click my DA*300 on this weekend! I'll be trying out the tips mentioned above, thanks guys!