5 Axis SR

Barrington · 04-21-2020, 02:17 AM

I have a K-70 and see no reason to change to a KP but since I've just bought a DA*300mm lens I wondering if the better shake reduction of the KP would make the switch worthwhile as there is no way I can keep the lens steady for hand held shots .

**ramseybuckeye** · 04-21-2020, 04:56 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by Barrington

I have a K-70 and see no reason to change to a KP but since I've just bought a DA*300mm lens I wondering if the better shake reduction of the KP would make the switch worthwhile as there is no way I can keep the lens steady for hand held shots .

It would be very hard to answer that question for someone else, but I don't see a lot of difference in holding the lens with the KP as there was with the K-50 or K-30. I would try different techniques on holding the camera before buying a new one, because I see a lot of people holding cameras in different ways. I shoot with the left hand under the barrel or holding the tripod foot, and both elbows tight against the torso. I shoot left eyed, I don't think that makes any difference, it's just more natural for me.

northcoastgreg · 04-21-2020, 05:17 AM - **1 Like**

I bought the KP for the 5-axis stabilization, and unlike the previous post, I do find a very significant difference between the SR in the KP and what I experienced with the K-5 series of cameras. However, the difference is mostly with wide to normal lenses, especially at longer distances (i.e., landscape photography). For a lens like the DA* 300, the differences are much smaller. My suspicion is that the 3-axis stabilization is optimized for moderate distances, and therefore works better for portraits shooting, still life, critters and much inferior for landscape.

bertwert · 04-21-2020, 06:49 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by Barrington

I have a K-70 and see no reason to change to a KP but since I've just bought a DA*300mm lens I wondering if the better shake reduction of the KP would make the switch worthwhile as there is no way I can keep the lens steady for hand held shots .

First up you should work on your technique. I find I can handhold my A 400/5.6 quite comfortably on my K-50 (which according to the review index is the same weight as the DA*300 with hood and tripod foot). With good technique, and SR, I can get a sharp photo at 1/10s kneeling down handheld... I always refer people to this excellent guide to improve steadiness handheld: Shooting Long Exposures Hand-Held - Articles and Tips | PentaxForums.com

If you really cannot use the lens handheld, I would then recommend trying a monopod, however I find I prefer to shoot the A 400 handheld than with a monopod.

kypfer · 04-21-2020, 08:12 AM - **1 Like**

I find no noticeable difference between my K-70 and my KP with regards to shake reduction, however the KP's autofocus is more capable at tracking a moving subject, so this might be causing you some blurred shots. That's the reason I bought my KP and I'm pleased I did

panonski · 04-23-2020, 04:10 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Barrington

I have a K-70 and see no reason to change to a KP but since I've just bought a DA*300mm lens I wondering if the better shake reduction of the KP would make the switch worthwhile as there is no way I can keep the lens steady for hand held shots .

Dont switch camera because of that...

-
Besides, you will hardly see any benefit, on such a long lens. Pentax have not IS well prepared for shaky hands at 300 mm . You always must follow the rule of the speed according to your focal length, because at 300 mm, IS is weak .

-
Maybe I'm wrong, but K-70 is a new camera, so it's KP - and IS in both of them is good ( enough, not excellent ),

If you don't exaggerate things, hoping the IS will fix the thing at 300 mm, shaky hands, and shutter speed slower than 1/80 - both cameras will have almost same capabilities in correcting the blur

**Lowell Goudge** · 04-23-2020, 04:28 AM - **4 Likes**

The biggest benefit of the “5 axis” SR, and you need to use that term very carefully as it really means degrees of freedom, is it offers protection of movement around the axis of the lens.

There is a natural tendency to rotate the camera as you press the shutter release.

But this can be countered with technique, specifically keeping the elbow in contact with your body.

I managed, from time to time, 1/40th of a second shutter speed, using a lens +TC that worked out to 510mm on a cropped sensor. The golden rule suggests I should be shooting at 1/750 That’s about 4 1/2 stops,

I doubt I would be better with a 5 axis system. There is no substitute for technique.

panonski · 04-23-2020, 05:15 AM

Originally posted by Lowell Goudge

The biggest benefit of the “5 axis” SR, and you need to use that term very carefully as it really means degrees of freedom, is it offers protection of movement around the axis of the lens.

There is a natural tendency to rotate the camera as you press the shutter release.

But this can be countered with technique, specifically keeping the elbow in contact with your body.

I managed, from time to time, 1/40th of a second shutter speed, using a lens +TC that worked out to 510mm on a cropped sensor. The golden rule suggests I should be shooting at 1/750 That’s about 4 1/2 stops,

I doubt I would be better with a 5 axis system. There is no substitute for technique.

steady hand and good techinque are always good stabilisation

Loadoftripe · 04-30-2020, 04:48 AM

Barrington,
I have a KP and a new (12 weeks? old) DA* 300mm, and for hand held I need at least shutter speed of 1000th when shooting birds.
By the way, yesterday I left the tripod mount on and it felt easier to grip while out shooting.

Slightly off topic, but I have noticed slight movement/play in the focus barrel, not sure if I'm worrying uneccessarly though.

Have you any sideways play on the 300 lens barrel?

Barrington · 04-30-2020, 01:20 PM

Originally posted by Loadoftripe

Have you any sideways play on the 300 lens barrel?

Never noticed it but yes mine is the same .
Not used anything near 1000th , I usually have it set to 1/320 up to 1/640 max .
Did you see the Robin I shot here : Robin - PentaxForums.com

Loadoftripe · 05-01-2020, 08:59 AM

Nice to hear your lens is the same re. slight movement on the focus barrel, I didn't really expect it on a quality Pentax Lens, but hey ho.

Yes saw your picture of the Robin, brilliant, nice picture.

I maybe able to reduce my shutter speed as I have purchased a Trecking/monopod pole that accepts a screw mount for the camera lens,
much lighter than a tripod, carbon fibre I believe.

04-21-2020, 02:17 AM	#1
Barrington Forum Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Cheshire Posts: 77	5 Axis SR I have a K-70 and see no reason to change to a KP but since I've just bought a DA*300mm lens I wondering if the better shake reduction of the KP would make the switch worthwhile as there is no way I can keep the lens steady for hand held shots .

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04-21-2020, 04:56 AM - 2 Likes	#2
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,291	Originally posted by Barrington I have a K-70 and see no reason to change to a KP but since I've just bought a DA*300mm lens I wondering if the better shake reduction of the KP would make the switch worthwhile as there is no way I can keep the lens steady for hand held shots . It would be very hard to answer that question for someone else, but I don't see a lot of difference in holding the lens with the KP as there was with the K-50 or K-30. I would try different techniques on holding the camera before buying a new one, because I see a lot of people holding cameras in different ways. I shoot with the left hand under the barrel or holding the tripod foot, and both elbows tight against the torso. I shoot left eyed, I don't think that makes any difference, it's just more natural for me.

04-21-2020, 05:17 AM - 1 Like	#3
northcoastgreg Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Northern Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,173	I bought the KP for the 5-axis stabilization, and unlike the previous post, I do find a very significant difference between the SR in the KP and what I experienced with the K-5 series of cameras. However, the difference is mostly with wide to normal lenses, especially at longer distances (i.e., landscape photography). For a lens like the DA* 300, the differences are much smaller. My suspicion is that the 3-axis stabilization is optimized for moderate distances, and therefore works better for portraits shooting, still life, critters and much inferior for landscape.

04-21-2020, 06:49 AM - 2 Likes	#4
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,173	Originally posted by Barrington I have a K-70 and see no reason to change to a KP but since I've just bought a DA300mm lens I wondering if the better shake reduction of the KP would make the switch worthwhile as there is no way I can keep the lens steady for hand held shots . First up you should work on your technique. I find I can handhold my A 400/5.6 quite comfortably on my K-50 (which according to the review index is the same weight as the DA300 with hood and tripod foot). With good technique, and SR, I can get a sharp photo at 1/10s kneeling down handheld... I always refer people to this excellent guide to improve steadiness handheld: Shooting Long Exposures Hand-Held - Articles and Tips \| PentaxForums.com If you really cannot use the lens handheld, I would then recommend trying a monopod, however I find I prefer to shoot the A 400 handheld than with a monopod.

04-21-2020, 08:12 AM - 1 Like	#5
kypfer Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Jersey C.I. Posts: 3,592	I find no noticeable difference between my K-70 and my KP with regards to shake reduction, however the KP's autofocus is more capable at tracking a moving subject, so this might be causing you some blurred shots. That's the reason I bought my KP and I'm pleased I did

04-23-2020, 04:10 AM - 1 Like	#6
panonski Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Zagreb Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 624	Originally posted by Barrington I have a K-70 and see no reason to change to a KP but since I've just bought a DA*300mm lens I wondering if the better shake reduction of the KP would make the switch worthwhile as there is no way I can keep the lens steady for hand held shots . Dont switch camera because of that... - Besides, you will hardly see any benefit, on such a long lens. Pentax have not IS well prepared for shaky hands at 300 mm . You always must follow the rule of the speed according to your focal length, because at 300 mm, IS is weak . - Maybe I'm wrong, but K-70 is a new camera, so it's KP - and IS in both of them is good ( enough, not excellent ), If you don't exaggerate things, hoping the IS will fix the thing at 300 mm, shaky hands, and shutter speed slower than 1/80 - both cameras will have almost same capabilities in correcting the blur

04-23-2020, 04:28 AM - 4 Likes	#7
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,886	The biggest benefit of the “5 axis” SR, and you need to use that term very carefully as it really means degrees of freedom, is it offers protection of movement around the axis of the lens. There is a natural tendency to rotate the camera as you press the shutter release. But this can be countered with technique, specifically keeping the elbow in contact with your body. I managed, from time to time, 1/40th of a second shutter speed, using a lens +TC that worked out to 510mm on a cropped sensor. The golden rule suggests I should be shooting at 1/750 That’s about 4 1/2 stops, I doubt I would be better with a 5 axis system. There is no substitute for technique.

04-23-2020, 05:15 AM	#8
panonski Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Zagreb Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 624	Originally posted by Lowell Goudge The biggest benefit of the “5 axis” SR, and you need to use that term very carefully as it really means degrees of freedom, is it offers protection of movement around the axis of the lens. There is a natural tendency to rotate the camera as you press the shutter release. But this can be countered with technique, specifically keeping the elbow in contact with your body. I managed, from time to time, 1/40th of a second shutter speed, using a lens +TC that worked out to 510mm on a cropped sensor. The golden rule suggests I should be shooting at 1/750 That’s about 4 1/2 stops, I doubt I would be better with a 5 axis system. There is no substitute for technique. steady hand and good techinque are always good stabilisation

04-30-2020, 04:48 AM	#9
Loadoftripe New Member Join Date: Feb 2020 Posts: 9	Barrington, I have a KP and a new (12 weeks? old) DA* 300mm, and for hand held I need at least shutter speed of 1000th when shooting birds. By the way, yesterday I left the tripod mount on and it felt easier to grip while out shooting. Slightly off topic, but I have noticed slight movement/play in the focus barrel, not sure if I'm worrying uneccessarly though. Have you any sideways play on the 300 lens barrel?

04-30-2020, 01:20 PM	#10
Barrington Forum Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Cheshire Posts: 77 Original Poster	Originally posted by Loadoftripe Have you any sideways play on the 300 lens barrel? Never noticed it but yes mine is the same . Not used anything near 1000th , I usually have it set to 1/320 up to 1/640 max . Did you see the Robin I shot here : Robin - PentaxForums.com

05-01-2020, 08:59 AM	#11
Loadoftripe New Member Join Date: Feb 2020 Posts: 9	Nice to hear your lens is the same re. slight movement on the focus barrel, I didn't really expect it on a quality Pentax Lens, but hey ho. Yes saw your picture of the Robin, brilliant, nice picture. I maybe able to reduce my shutter speed as I have purchased a Trecking/monopod pole that accepts a screw mount for the camera lens, much lighter than a tripod, carbon fibre I believe.