[aleonx3]

No that's one of the quirks. The cameras only use FL for shake rduction

@Lowell Goudge, you are correct, no matter what I set for the focal length of the MF lens, it does not change to default of 1/125. However, in another thread someone suggested changing the auto-iso increment from 'slow' to 'fast' or 'medium' does affect the behaviour of the camera to default at a higher shutter speed; i.e. for slow - 1/60, for medium -125 and for fast-250, which is good.

[sterretje]

I understand in low light, it was just selecting that iso in mornings or when in a bit of a shadow.

I always find it surprising how 'bad' light is when you don't expect it Plenty of light, I think, and the next moment I have to crank up the iso

[cxdoo]

In common low light situations where the subject(s) is/are people (which is mostly indoors in the evening), I find TAv mode indispensable. Most of my (older) photos in such situations are blurry not because of too high ISO but too low shutter speed. So I choose the shutter speed I don't want to go below (50-200 depending on the agility of the subject ) and let the camera choose the ISO. I don't use shutter priority mode as it forces the lens wide open and most of the time I don't want that.

[C_Jones]

I use TAV mode with my K5IIs almost all of the time, unless I am indoors where I may switch to manual mode with a flash head to be effective in lower light. If you are indoors in somewhat lower light using green mode, you are right, the camera may use the 3200 iso. If you use the built in flash in some cases that may help a bit, but a flash like the AF360fgz, AF540fgz, or their newer counterparts will give you decisively excellent results if utilized correctly in manual mode.The TAV mode allows you to test with different f-stop (aperture) and shutter speed combinations to achieve an iso result you may find the most helpful. When I am outdoors I have used TAV mode a majority of the time, with my K20D, K5, and K5IIs, and it is a very helpful tool.

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Last edited by C_Jones; 02-21-2015 at 01:27 PM. Reason: Edit

[Trenton]

Thanks for the tips, I shoot manual most of the time, will try out TAV mode. I haven't picked up a flash yet, was looking at Pentax AF201FG Flash when it comes out.

[C_Jones]

I have two of the AF360FGZ model flash. They work well on the camera, and off the camera on a stand using the wireless flash mode. They are priced at approximately 50 dollars more than the AF201FG presently. Good luck whichever you may choose.