Not happy with Pentax K-3 III

sindbad1 · 06-16-2021, 02:23 PM - **1 Like**

I am currently testing a Pentax K-3 III. I took an ISO series to see the level up to which the images can be used. For me all settings above ISO 51.200 are useless. Why do they offer the higher values up to 1.6 million?

When photographing negatives (film), I see a lot of bright dots in the viewfinder screen, as if there are many tiny bubbles in the material. I've never seen anything like it on a DSLR.The issue must be in the viewfinder because the dots don't move when I move the film that is being photographed.

Photos with ISO 100 and 200 from a reprostand (camera is pointed downwards) are not quite sharp. This doesn't happen with my K-3 II and K70. I don't seem to be the only one experiencing this at those ISO-levels. Dpreview reports:

„Worth mentioning at this stage, however, is the slight (relative) softness of the K-3 Mark III at the shutter speeds used for ISO 100 and 200 in our daylight mode in particular. Despite repeated attempts using LiveView, the optical viewfinder, mirror lock-up, shake reduction (which isn't recommended for tripod shooting) and of course a self-timer, we were unable to produce a sharp image using the mechanical shutter at these particular settings due to shutter shock.“

See: Pentax K-3 Mark III added to studio test scene: Digital Photography Review

The Pentax K-3 III warms up faster than my other DSLRs.

Have you had similar experiences?

Last edited by sindbad1; 06-18-2021 at 03:21 AM.

**Pål Jensen** · 06-16-2021, 02:30 PM - **1 Like**

No. Only fuzzy images while using 2s self timer and horizon correction at some medium shutter speeds. It's a bug.
Why should shutter shock be restricted to 100 and 200 ISO? Makes no sense....

slartibartfast01 · 06-16-2021, 02:32 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Pål Jensen

No. Only fuzzy images while using 2s self timer and horizon correction at some medium shutter speeds. It's a bug.
Why should shutter shock be restricted to 100 and 200 ISO? Makes no sense....

He must have exactly the same lighting conditions as DPreview

sindbad1 · 06-16-2021, 02:34 PM - **2 Likes**

I also don't think that that's a problem with the shutter. Perhaps due to a mistake, there is minimal sensor movement that makes no sense.

The images were taken after mirror-up with an infrared remote control. The camera was on a sturdy copy stand. This doesn't happen with my Pentax K70 and Pentax K-3 II.

Attached Images

Last edited by sindbad1; 06-16-2021 at 02:54 PM.

Kjbecker79 · 06-16-2021, 02:39 PM - **1 Like**

Hopefully a firmware fix can help, and not a mechanical defect in the shutter mechanism.

**Pål Jensen** · 06-16-2021, 03:22 PM

Do you have horizon correction engaged?

hongman · 06-16-2021, 08:08 PM - **1 Like**

I hope Pentax gets this resolved before i plunk down some cold hard plastic..!

Batman_ · 06-16-2021, 08:28 PM

Also, what firmware are you using on the K3 III?

**StigVidar** · 06-16-2021, 11:38 PM

Originally posted by sindbad1

The camera was on a sturdy copy stand.

Is the camera pointing downwards?

**Larrymc** · 06-17-2021, 05:05 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by hongman

I hope Pentax gets this resolved before i plunk down some cold hard plastic..!

It may not be a Pentax problem but operator error, just plunk down your plastic and start enjoying the best Pentax and possibly the best APS-C DSLR ever produced. Or, you can sit there and do "I Hopes" all day every day.

house · 06-17-2021, 05:16 AM

Originally posted by sindbad1

I also don't think that that's a problem with the shutter. Perhaps due to a mistake, there is minimal sensor movement that makes no sense.

The images were taken after mirror-up with an infrared remote control. The camera was on a sturdy copy stand. This doesn't happen with my Pentax K70 and Pentax K-3 II.

The blur on the left is very obviously vertical not radial as the horizon correction samples.

selfnoise · 06-17-2021, 05:16 AM - **1 Like**

Pentax has always offered really high, unusable ISO levels. It's what it is, you can't beat physics. You won't find cameras with the same sensor size and better ISO performance at the equivalent ISO, whether 1600, 6400 or whatever.

Is it smart for them to offer such high levels of gain? Maybe not but it doesn't make the camera worse.

In terms of the viewfinder, it either sounds like a flaw in your copy or maybe you're seeing the AF points grid somehow?

**c.a.m** · 06-17-2021, 05:22 AM

Originally posted by sindbad1

Photos with ISO 100 and 200 from a tripod are not quite sharp.

Originally posted by sindbad1

Have you had similar experiences?

I have conducted several well-controlled tests at various shutter speeds, but have not seen any blurred images, except in conditions where the Horizon Correction is ON and using the timer. Similarly, I have not observed any blurring in my real-world shots, but I haven't used the camera extensively yet.

Originally posted by sindbad1

I also don't think that that's a problem with the shutter. Perhaps due to a mistake, there is minimal sensor movement that makes no sense.

Your image definitely shows movement; it would be great to determine the cause of the problem. It would be useful to know more details of your test, for example:

- Which lens did you use?
- What were the exposure settings?
- Was the Horizon Correction ON or OFF?
- Distance from camera to target?
- Did you get blurred images consistently at the same camera settings? i.e., was the problem repeatable?

Thanks.

- Craig

slartibartfast01 · 06-17-2021, 05:23 AM

Originally posted by selfnoise

Pentax has always offered really high, unusable ISO levels. It's what it is, you can't beat physics. You won't find cameras with the same sensor size and better ISO performance at the equivalent ISO, whether 1600, 6400 or whatever.

Is it smart for them to offer such high levels of gain? Maybe not but it doesn't make the camera worse.

In terms of the viewfinder, it either sounds like a flaw in your copy or maybe you're seeing the AF points grid somehow?

The noise at maximum ISO on the K-3 iii seems to be a lot worse than at maximum ISO on a K-50. If there was any logic behind the choice of the highest selectable ISO you would expect equally bad results from both cameras. This is purely based on the scene comparison tool at DPreview.

selfnoise · 06-17-2021, 05:37 AM

Originally posted by slartibartfast01

The noise at maximum ISO on the K-3 iii seems to be a lot worse than at maximum ISO on a K-50. If there was any logic behind the choice of the highest selectable ISO you would expect equally bad results from both cameras. This is purely based on the scene comparison tool at DPreview.

Are you comparing 51200 to 51200 in Raw? The K50 doesn't go any higher than that. At that level the K3-III has significantly better detail retained. See attached.

I'm really not sure why you would compare the K3-IIIs much higher max ISO to the K-50s. I agree that it's silly for Pentax to offer this mode, but as I said like-for-like you won't find lower noise at a given ISO on another crop sensor camera.

06-16-2021, 02:23 PM - 1 Like	#1
sindbad1 Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Germany Posts: 89	Not entirely happy with Pentax K-3 III I am currently testing a Pentax K-3 III. I took an ISO series to see the level up to which the images can be used. For me all settings above ISO 51.200 are useless. Why do they offer the higher values up to 1.6 million? When photographing negatives (film), I see a lot of bright dots in the viewfinder screen, as if there are many tiny bubbles in the material. I've never seen anything like it on a DSLR.The issue must be in the viewfinder because the dots don't move when I move the film that is being photographed. Photos with ISO 100 and 200 from a reprostand (camera is pointed downwards) are not quite sharp. This doesn't happen with my K-3 II and K70. I don't seem to be the only one experiencing this at those ISO-levels. Dpreview reports: „Worth mentioning at this stage, however, is the slight (relative) softness of the K-3 Mark III at the shutter speeds used for ISO 100 and 200 in our daylight mode in particular. Despite repeated attempts using LiveView, the optical viewfinder, mirror lock-up, shake reduction (which isn't recommended for tripod shooting) and of course a self-timer, we were unable to produce a sharp image using the mechanical shutter at these particular settings due to shutter shock.“ See: Pentax K-3 Mark III added to studio test scene: Digital Photography Review The Pentax K-3 III warms up faster than my other DSLRs. Have you had similar experiences? Last edited by sindbad1; 06-18-2021 at 03:21 AM.

06-17-2021, 05:22 AM	#13
c.a.m Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Ottawa, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,189	Originally posted by sindbad1 Photos with ISO 100 and 200 from a tripod are not quite sharp. Originally posted by sindbad1 Have you had similar experiences? I have conducted several well-controlled tests at various shutter speeds, but have not seen any blurred images, except in conditions where the Horizon Correction is ON and using the timer. Similarly, I have not observed any blurring in my real-world shots, but I haven't used the camera extensively yet. Originally posted by sindbad1 I also don't think that that's a problem with the shutter. Perhaps due to a mistake, there is minimal sensor movement that makes no sense. Your image definitely shows movement; it would be great to determine the cause of the problem. It would be useful to know more details of your test, for example: - Which lens did you use? - What were the exposure settings? - Was the Horizon Correction ON or OFF? - Distance from camera to target? - Did you get blurred images consistently at the same camera settings? i.e., was the problem repeatable? Thanks. - Craig Last edited by c.a.m; 06-17-2021 at 07:49 AM.

06-17-2021, 05:37 AM	#15
selfnoise Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Westbrook, ME, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 288	Originally posted by slartibartfast01 The noise at maximum ISO on the K-3 iii seems to be a lot worse than at maximum ISO on a K-50. If there was any logic behind the choice of the highest selectable ISO you would expect equally bad results from both cameras. This is purely based on the scene comparison tool at DPreview. Are you comparing 51200 to 51200 in Raw? The K50 doesn't go any higher than that. At that level the K3-III has significantly better detail retained. See attached. I'm really not sure why you would compare the K3-IIIs much higher max ISO to the K-50s. I agree that it's silly for Pentax to offer this mode, but as I said like-for-like you won't find lower noise at a given ISO on another crop sensor camera. Attached Images

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06-16-2021, 02:30 PM - 1 Like	#2
Pål Jensen Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Norway Photos: Albums Posts: 4,371	No. Only fuzzy images while using 2s self timer and horizon correction at some medium shutter speeds. It's a bug. Why should shutter shock be restricted to 100 and 200 ISO? Makes no sense....

06-16-2021, 02:32 PM - 1 Like	#3
slartibartfast01 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,931	Originally posted by Pål Jensen No. Only fuzzy images while using 2s self timer and horizon correction at some medium shutter speeds. It's a bug. Why should shutter shock be restricted to 100 and 200 ISO? Makes no sense.... He must have exactly the same lighting conditions as DPreview

06-16-2021, 02:34 PM - 2 Likes	#4
sindbad1 Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Germany Posts: 89 Original Poster	I also don't think that that's a problem with the shutter. Perhaps due to a mistake, there is minimal sensor movement that makes no sense. The images were taken after mirror-up with an infrared remote control. The camera was on a sturdy copy stand. This doesn't happen with my Pentax K70 and Pentax K-3 II. Attached Images Last edited by sindbad1; 06-16-2021 at 02:54 PM.

06-16-2021, 02:39 PM - 1 Like	#5
Kjbecker79 New Member Join Date: Oct 2020 Posts: 15	Hopefully a firmware fix can help, and not a mechanical defect in the shutter mechanism.

06-16-2021, 03:22 PM	#6
Pål Jensen Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Norway Photos: Albums Posts: 4,371	Do you have horizon correction engaged?

06-16-2021, 08:08 PM - 1 Like	#7
hongman Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 300	I hope Pentax gets this resolved before i plunk down some cold hard plastic..!

06-16-2021, 08:28 PM	#8
Batman_ Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 85	Also, what firmware are you using on the K3 III?

06-16-2021, 11:38 PM	#9
StigVidar Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Norway Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 705	Originally posted by sindbad1 The camera was on a sturdy copy stand. Is the camera pointing downwards?

06-17-2021, 05:05 AM - 1 Like	#10
Larrymc Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Mississippi, USA Posts: 5,251	Originally posted by hongman I hope Pentax gets this resolved before i plunk down some cold hard plastic..! It may not be a Pentax problem but operator error, just plunk down your plastic and start enjoying the best Pentax and possibly the best APS-C DSLR ever produced. Or, you can sit there and do "I Hopes" all day every day.

06-17-2021, 05:16 AM	#11
house Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 3,306	Originally posted by sindbad1 I also don't think that that's a problem with the shutter. Perhaps due to a mistake, there is minimal sensor movement that makes no sense. The images were taken after mirror-up with an infrared remote control. The camera was on a sturdy copy stand. This doesn't happen with my Pentax K70 and Pentax K-3 II. The blur on the left is very obviously vertical not radial as the horizon correction samples.

06-17-2021, 05:16 AM - 1 Like	#12
selfnoise Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Westbrook, ME, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 288	Pentax has always offered really high, unusable ISO levels. It's what it is, you can't beat physics. You won't find cameras with the same sensor size and better ISO performance at the equivalent ISO, whether 1600, 6400 or whatever. Is it smart for them to offer such high levels of gain? Maybe not but it doesn't make the camera worse. In terms of the viewfinder, it either sounds like a flaw in your copy or maybe you're seeing the AF points grid somehow?

06-17-2021, 05:23 AM	#14
slartibartfast01 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,931	Originally posted by selfnoise Pentax has always offered really high, unusable ISO levels. It's what it is, you can't beat physics. You won't find cameras with the same sensor size and better ISO performance at the equivalent ISO, whether 1600, 6400 or whatever. Is it smart for them to offer such high levels of gain? Maybe not but it doesn't make the camera worse. In terms of the viewfinder, it either sounds like a flaw in your copy or maybe you're seeing the AF points grid somehow? The noise at maximum ISO on the K-3 iii seems to be a lot worse than at maximum ISO on a K-50. If there was any logic behind the choice of the highest selectable ISO you would expect equally bad results from both cameras. This is purely based on the scene comparison tool at DPreview.