Using P/K zoom lenses on K-5

ankurbbhatt · 02-02-2014, 03:48 PM

Originally posted by sterretje

You can try the formula in this post by m42man for zoom lenses: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/6-pentax-dslr-discussion/142638-manual-fo...ml#post2256550

Thank you for that link..Now, it's much clearer that putting the smallest focal length or somewhat more than the smaller focal length is much advised than feeding the high focal length for the manual zoom lenses on K-5.

I now see two advantages here:

1) The Lower focal lengths are mostly used while shooting free hand so the chances of shake are much higher. I anyway intend to use tripod for the higher focal lengths above 100-135 mm. So, setting the focal length at say 50 for a 35-200 mm zoom manual lens should work well for most handheld situations.

2) Too much of a SR will not let me develop as a photographer with a firm hand. So, probably turning off the SR is a good thing and next good thing is to keep is small.

@Keith,

Did you post process the attached underexposed photo in Pentax utility software supplied from Pentax or some professional software like Lightroom/ Photoshop? Thanks for the explanation...

That would help me cuz I would be mostly shooting at low ISOs in RAW+. I am new to post processing but would love to read and know more on it..

Thanks you all again,

Ankur..

**Canada_Rockies** · 02-02-2014, 08:54 PM - **1 Like**

For avoiding the necessity of shake reduction as much as possible, have a search for Heie's video on how to hold the camera steady.

meeverett · 02-02-2014, 09:39 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Canada_Rockies

have a search for Heie's video on how to hold the camera steady.

I'm not sure about the video, but his article is here: Making the Most of Long Exposure Handhelds - Introduction - PentaxForums.com.

Originally posted by sterretje

You can try the formula in this post by m42man for zoom lenses: Manual Focal lens length setting

Very interesting thread. I'll have to play with this formula.

**Canada_Rockies** · 02-02-2014, 11:19 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by meeverett

I'm not sure about the video, but his article is here: Making the Most of Long Exposure Handhelds - Introduction - PentaxForums.com.

Very interesting thread. I'll have to play with this formula.

Thanks for finding the post. He also has a video I have seen somewhere. I just cannot find it right now. I'll keep looking.

royden · 02-03-2014, 07:40 PM

Originally posted by kkoether

What I found when using my old manual zoom was I would get much sharper pictures turning off SR and keeping the shutter speed 1/500 or higher. If you set the focal length for anything other than the ACTUAL focal length you are shooting you won't get as sharp a picture. The SR will actually blur the picture. SR and panning also don't always play together well in my experience.

Thanks kkoether, Will certainly try turning off SR. I use primes ...... 28, 50, 135 and 200. I was gonna put my 2 cents in about not having to turn camera off to input focal length but Stone G beat me to it. Great thread and replies.

kkoether · 02-03-2014, 09:14 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by ankurbbhatt

Thank you for that link..Now, it's much clearer that putting the smallest focal length or somewhat more than the smaller focal length is much advised than feeding the high focal length for the manual zoom lenses on K-5.

I now see two advantages here:

1) The Lower focal lengths are mostly used while shooting free hand so the chances of shake are much higher. I anyway intend to use tripod for the higher focal lengths above 100-135 mm. So, setting the focal length at say 50 for a 35-200 mm zoom manual lens should work well for most handheld situations.

2) Too much of a SR will not let me develop as a photographer with a firm hand. So, probably turning off the SR is a good thing and next good thing is to keep is small.

@Keith,

Did you post process the attached underexposed photo in Pentax utility software supplied from Pentax or some professional software like Lightroom/ Photoshop? Thanks for the explanation...

That would help me cuz I would be mostly shooting at low ISOs in RAW+. I am new to post processing but would love to read and know more on it..

Thanks you all again,

Ankur..

Ankur,

Actually it was just a quick "Levels" adjustment in FastStone Image Viewer. FastStone Image Viewer - Powerful and Intuitive Photo Viewer, Editor and Batch Converter It's free for home users.

I usually use Corel PaintShop Pro X6 for most of my stuff. The ultimate photo editor ? Corel PaintShop Pro X6 Ultimate

I also use FastStone to batch resize and add my watermarks to my shots that I watermark.

Both have served me well.

02-02-2014, 03:48 PM	#16
ankurbbhatt Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Blacktown Photos: Albums Posts: 34 Original Poster	Thank you Sterretje... Originally posted by sterretje You can try the formula in this post by m42man for zoom lenses: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/6-pentax-dslr-discussion/142638-manual-fo...ml#post2256550 Thank you for that link..Now, it's much clearer that putting the smallest focal length or somewhat more than the smaller focal length is much advised than feeding the high focal length for the manual zoom lenses on K-5. I now see two advantages here: 1) The Lower focal lengths are mostly used while shooting free hand so the chances of shake are much higher. I anyway intend to use tripod for the higher focal lengths above 100-135 mm. So, setting the focal length at say 50 for a 35-200 mm zoom manual lens should work well for most handheld situations. 2) Too much of a SR will not let me develop as a photographer with a firm hand. So, probably turning off the SR is a good thing and next good thing is to keep is small. @Keith, Did you post process the attached underexposed photo in Pentax utility software supplied from Pentax or some professional software like Lightroom/ Photoshop? Thanks for the explanation... That would help me cuz I would be mostly shooting at low ISOs in RAW+. I am new to post processing but would love to read and know more on it.. Thanks you all again, Ankur..

02-03-2014, 07:40 PM	#20
royden Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Atlanta, Ga Photos: Gallery Posts: 297	Using manual zooms on Modern DSLRs Originally posted by kkoether What I found when using my old manual zoom was I would get much sharper pictures turning off SR and keeping the shutter speed 1/500 or higher. If you set the focal length for anything other than the ACTUAL focal length you are shooting you won't get as sharp a picture. The SR will actually blur the picture. SR and panning also don't always play together well in my experience. Thanks kkoether, Will certainly try turning off SR. I use primes ...... 28, 50, 135 and 200. I was gonna put my 2 cents in about not having to turn camera off to input focal length but Stone G beat me to it. Great thread and replies.

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02-02-2014, 08:54 PM - 1 Like	#17
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	For avoiding the necessity of shake reduction as much as possible, have a search for Heie's video on how to hold the camera steady.

02-02-2014, 09:39 PM - 1 Like	#18
meeverett Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Maryville, TN Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 128	Originally posted by Canada_Rockies have a search for Heie's video on how to hold the camera steady. I'm not sure about the video, but his article is here: Making the Most of Long Exposure Handhelds - Introduction - PentaxForums.com. Originally posted by sterretje You can try the formula in this post by m42man for zoom lenses: Manual Focal lens length setting Very interesting thread. I'll have to play with this formula.

02-02-2014, 11:19 PM - 1 Like	#19
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	Originally posted by meeverett I'm not sure about the video, but his article is here: Making the Most of Long Exposure Handhelds - Introduction - PentaxForums.com. Very interesting thread. I'll have to play with this formula. Thanks for finding the post. He also has a video I have seen somewhere. I just cannot find it right now. I'll keep looking.

02-03-2014, 09:14 PM - 1 Like	#21
kkoether Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Huber Heights, OH, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 731	Originally posted by ankurbbhatt Thank you for that link..Now, it's much clearer that putting the smallest focal length or somewhat more than the smaller focal length is much advised than feeding the high focal length for the manual zoom lenses on K-5. I now see two advantages here: 1) The Lower focal lengths are mostly used while shooting free hand so the chances of shake are much higher. I anyway intend to use tripod for the higher focal lengths above 100-135 mm. So, setting the focal length at say 50 for a 35-200 mm zoom manual lens should work well for most handheld situations. 2) Too much of a SR will not let me develop as a photographer with a firm hand. So, probably turning off the SR is a good thing and next good thing is to keep is small. @Keith, Did you post process the attached underexposed photo in Pentax utility software supplied from Pentax or some professional software like Lightroom/ Photoshop? Thanks for the explanation... That would help me cuz I would be mostly shooting at low ISOs in RAW+. I am new to post processing but would love to read and know more on it.. Thanks you all again, Ankur.. Ankur, Actually it was just a quick "Levels" adjustment in FastStone Image Viewer. FastStone Image Viewer - Powerful and Intuitive Photo Viewer, Editor and Batch Converter It's free for home users. I usually use Corel PaintShop Pro X6 for most of my stuff. The ultimate photo editor ? Corel PaintShop Pro X6 Ultimate I also use FastStone to batch resize and add my watermarks to my shots that I watermark. Both have served me well.