birding

enyaw · 03-28-2017, 05:56 PM

Hi, I have a K-50 and a D7000, I just went out today and did some shooting by a local pond with the nikon. Question is, can I use the same settings from my Nikon and use them on the K50? auto focus continuous. Centre point focus expanded area. Raw, continuous mode low? I think I can expand the k50 from 1 point to 5, and people say to use single point auto focus? Is it because of the tracking? The D7000 came out in 2010. The K50 2013? I don't want people to make this thread long, I just wanted to know if I can mimic the results I got with the k50. Shot raw iso 1-1600. Shutter 500/sec F9

lens 70-300mm f4-5.6mm old push pull zoom metal glass construction. Results were pretty good, even got a pair of mallards in flight. Pentax equiv continuous low.

ps overcast today. That's why I'm thinking of using this camera for birding. Picked up bigma 150-500mm, and a tokina 80-400mm both autofocus

I also want to know if I can upload the nikon pics here? as a sample I'm going to be donating this wknd.

thx,

Last edited by enyaw; 03-28-2017 at 06:05 PM.

**boriscleto** · 03-28-2017, 06:09 PM

Pentax AF before the K-5II wasn't really all that good at tracking AF (some would say it still isn't). The K-50 does not do expanded area AF AFAIK. That was added with the K-5 II.

C_Jones · 03-28-2017, 06:17 PM

I use the K-3II/Sigma 150-500 setup. I use AF.C (autofocus continuous mode), and Spot AF Area mode. You can select "Expanded Area AF" from the Focusing Area selections in your camera menu to select the selected point, and if the subject moves out of the focusing area 8 peripheral points are used as back up points.

---------- Post added 03-28-17 at 09:24 PM ----------

Refer to page 104 of the K-50 manual.

enyaw · 03-28-2017, 06:26 PM

thanks c_jones et al. But a K3II is a bit above my camera's grade, meaning the k50 in years, price, features you name it. I think I'm comparing an apple to an orange. The D7000 was/is semipro dslr. while the K50 is a midrange. As I said I would like to keep this one short but sweet. aka use the D7000 for birding and the K50 for everything else

thx again

**Miguel** · 03-28-2017, 06:27 PM

Originally posted by enyaw

I just wanted to know if I can mimic the results I got with the k50. . .

thx,

You can mimic the configuration, but the results are going to be an independent outcome. Nikon and Pentax use different subsystems for AF including tracking AF. Conceptually I think you are on the right track, but you will most likely need to test and tweak. I'd also recommend using the fastest frame rate offered by your camera. I shoot lots of BIFs with my Canon system and the configuration I favor is quite similar to yours. Center cluster. AF only. I'd also experiment with shooting raw vs. jpeg; the camera processes the latter quicker (more shots in the buffer) so you can run off more shots which can matter. I don't recall if your Pentax has setting that has focus or shooting priority on the first shot, but I always choose shooting priority as I don't like fighting the camera. In a sequence of say 7 shots, often numbers 3-4 are sharp as it takes a bit to steady a heavy lens anyway (I only handhold).

I'd also advise going with as wide-open an aperture as possible for both subject separation and highest shutter speed. In general (depends on the type of bird) I favor shooting birds at 1/2000-1/3000 but 1/1000 can work. ISO I crank up to support fast shutter speeds if I have to. I shoot in M or AV mode. I only shoot birds and sports using AF.
Hope this helps.

M

enyaw · 03-28-2017, 06:35 PM

Miguel what is your weapon of choice? aka cam? In k mount that is. I only have focus priority for release and I prefer raw. More lee way in pp if I get a keeper or 2. I'm not really chasing rare birds, chasing run of the mill birds lol

and thanks,

C_Jones · 03-28-2017, 06:35 PM

Originally posted by enyaw

thanks c_jones et al. But a K3II is a bit above my camera's grade, meaning the k50 in years, price, features you name it. I think I'm comparing an apple to an orange. The D7000 was/is semipro dslr. while the K50 is a midrange. As I said I would like to keep this one short but sweet. aka use the D7000 for birding and the K50 for everything else

thx again

I admit I did refer to the K-3II feature. Supposedly the K-50 does not have the selection I referred to. I thought it possibly had something similar.

---------- Post added 03-28-17 at 09:40 PM ----------

As I mentioned, I just use "Spot" (center point) mode. It is very effective for me.

**Miguel** · 03-28-2017, 06:41 PM

Originally posted by enyaw

Miguel what is your weapon of choice? aka cam? In k mount that is. I only have focus priority for release and I prefer raw. More lee way in pp if I get a keeper or 2. I'm not really chasing rare birds, chasing run of the mill birds lol

and thanks,

I don't use Pentax for capturing any action these days. I will rent the 150-450mm and play with my K-1, but it's just to play. I had a K-3 a few years ago (and four other Pentax bodies prior) but it couldn't compete with the 7D I had at the time so I sold it after a couple of months.

M

enyaw · 03-28-2017, 06:42 PM

sorry my bad, should have really followed my thread a bit more tightly. In response to Miguel. No AF wars here there are other theads that are holding down that fort. Thanks all

I just wanted to say thanks. and I will give the k50 a shot if it can't keep up so be it.

C_Jones · 03-28-2017, 06:46 PM - **1 Like**

Look at page 108, it refers to sizing and positioning of the AF area.

enyaw · 03-28-2017, 06:49 PM

will do mon capitan. But deep down in my heart. I think the K50 is a lesser camera than the D7000

C_Jones · 03-28-2017, 06:49 PM

I've completed a lot of action shooting with my Pentax cameras.

enyaw · 03-28-2017, 06:51 PM

I can't I have a K50 : (

C_Jones · 03-28-2017, 06:53 PM

If you had a K-5IIs, K-3, or K-3II you would not have a performance issue. I really never had a K-50, so I cannot say what it can do from experience.

---------- Post added 03-28-17 at 09:55 PM ----------

I would think you would have some possibility though.

---------- Post added 03-28-17 at 10:08 PM ----------

You can use "Spot" Metering (page 97) and you do have the Continuous Shooting choices of Hi (6 fps) or Lo (3 fps) referred to on page 123.

**aslyfox** · 09-28-2017, 03:19 AM

Originally posted by enyaw

. . .

I also want to know if I can upload the nikon pics here? as a sample I'm going to be donating this wknd.

thx,

the original poster asked if it is possible to post non Pentax photos here at the forum

as far as I know yes unless the person who has started the thread specifies otherwise

in my experience, many who do so " confess " and list the non Pentax equipment

03-28-2017, 05:56 PM	#1
enyaw Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 276	birding Hi, I have a K-50 and a D7000, I just went out today and did some shooting by a local pond with the nikon. Question is, can I use the same settings from my Nikon and use them on the K50? auto focus continuous. Centre point focus expanded area. Raw, continuous mode low? I think I can expand the k50 from 1 point to 5, and people say to use single point auto focus? Is it because of the tracking? The D7000 came out in 2010. The K50 2013? I don't want people to make this thread long, I just wanted to know if I can mimic the results I got with the k50. Shot raw iso 1-1600. Shutter 500/sec F9 lens 70-300mm f4-5.6mm old push pull zoom metal glass construction. Results were pretty good, even got a pair of mallards in flight. Pentax equiv continuous low. ps overcast today. That's why I'm thinking of using this camera for birding. Picked up bigma 150-500mm, and a tokina 80-400mm both autofocus I also want to know if I can upload the nikon pics here? as a sample I'm going to be donating this wknd. thx, Last edited by enyaw; 03-28-2017 at 06:05 PM.

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03-28-2017, 06:09 PM	#2
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Pentax AF before the K-5II wasn't really all that good at tracking AF (some would say it still isn't). The K-50 does not do expanded area AF AFAIK. That was added with the K-5 II.

03-28-2017, 06:17 PM	#3
C_Jones Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,084	I use the K-3II/Sigma 150-500 setup. I use AF.C (autofocus continuous mode), and Spot AF Area mode. You can select "Expanded Area AF" from the Focusing Area selections in your camera menu to select the selected point, and if the subject moves out of the focusing area 8 peripheral points are used as back up points. ---------- Post added 03-28-17 at 09:24 PM ---------- Refer to page 104 of the K-50 manual.

03-28-2017, 06:26 PM	#4
enyaw Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 276 Original Poster	thanks c_jones et al. But a K3II is a bit above my camera's grade, meaning the k50 in years, price, features you name it. I think I'm comparing an apple to an orange. The D7000 was/is semipro dslr. while the K50 is a midrange. As I said I would like to keep this one short but sweet. aka use the D7000 for birding and the K50 for everything else thx again

03-28-2017, 06:27 PM	#5
Miguel Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Near Seattle Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,743	Originally posted by enyaw I just wanted to know if I can mimic the results I got with the k50. . . thx, You can mimic the configuration, but the results are going to be an independent outcome. Nikon and Pentax use different subsystems for AF including tracking AF. Conceptually I think you are on the right track, but you will most likely need to test and tweak. I'd also recommend using the fastest frame rate offered by your camera. I shoot lots of BIFs with my Canon system and the configuration I favor is quite similar to yours. Center cluster. AF only. I'd also experiment with shooting raw vs. jpeg; the camera processes the latter quicker (more shots in the buffer) so you can run off more shots which can matter. I don't recall if your Pentax has setting that has focus or shooting priority on the first shot, but I always choose shooting priority as I don't like fighting the camera. In a sequence of say 7 shots, often numbers 3-4 are sharp as it takes a bit to steady a heavy lens anyway (I only handhold). I'd also advise going with as wide-open an aperture as possible for both subject separation and highest shutter speed. In general (depends on the type of bird) I favor shooting birds at 1/2000-1/3000 but 1/1000 can work. ISO I crank up to support fast shutter speeds if I have to. I shoot in M or AV mode. I only shoot birds and sports using AF. Hope this helps. M

03-28-2017, 06:35 PM	#6
enyaw Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 276 Original Poster	Miguel what is your weapon of choice? aka cam? In k mount that is. I only have focus priority for release and I prefer raw. More lee way in pp if I get a keeper or 2. I'm not really chasing rare birds, chasing run of the mill birds lol and thanks,

03-28-2017, 06:35 PM	#7
C_Jones Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,084	Originally posted by enyaw thanks c_jones et al. But a K3II is a bit above my camera's grade, meaning the k50 in years, price, features you name it. I think I'm comparing an apple to an orange. The D7000 was/is semipro dslr. while the K50 is a midrange. As I said I would like to keep this one short but sweet. aka use the D7000 for birding and the K50 for everything else thx again I admit I did refer to the K-3II feature. Supposedly the K-50 does not have the selection I referred to. I thought it possibly had something similar. ---------- Post added 03-28-17 at 09:40 PM ---------- As I mentioned, I just use "Spot" (center point) mode. It is very effective for me.

03-28-2017, 06:41 PM	#8
Miguel Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Near Seattle Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,743	Originally posted by enyaw Miguel what is your weapon of choice? aka cam? In k mount that is. I only have focus priority for release and I prefer raw. More lee way in pp if I get a keeper or 2. I'm not really chasing rare birds, chasing run of the mill birds lol and thanks, I don't use Pentax for capturing any action these days. I will rent the 150-450mm and play with my K-1, but it's just to play. I had a K-3 a few years ago (and four other Pentax bodies prior) but it couldn't compete with the 7D I had at the time so I sold it after a couple of months. M

03-28-2017, 06:42 PM	#9
enyaw Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 276 Original Poster	sorry my bad, should have really followed my thread a bit more tightly. In response to Miguel. No AF wars here there are other theads that are holding down that fort. Thanks all I just wanted to say thanks. and I will give the k50 a shot if it can't keep up so be it.

03-28-2017, 06:46 PM - 1 Like	#10
C_Jones Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,084	Look at page 108, it refers to sizing and positioning of the AF area.

03-28-2017, 06:49 PM	#11
enyaw Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 276 Original Poster	will do mon capitan. But deep down in my heart. I think the K50 is a lesser camera than the D7000

03-28-2017, 06:49 PM	#12
C_Jones Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,084	I've completed a lot of action shooting with my Pentax cameras.

03-28-2017, 06:51 PM	#13
enyaw Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 276 Original Poster	I can't I have a K50 : (

03-28-2017, 06:53 PM	#14
C_Jones Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,084	If you had a K-5IIs, K-3, or K-3II you would not have a performance issue. I really never had a K-50, so I cannot say what it can do from experience. ---------- Post added 03-28-17 at 09:55 PM ---------- I would think you would have some possibility though. ---------- Post added 03-28-17 at 10:08 PM ---------- You can use "Spot" Metering (page 97) and you do have the Continuous Shooting choices of Hi (6 fps) or Lo (3 fps) referred to on page 123.

09-28-2017, 03:19 AM	#15
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,581	Originally posted by enyaw . . . I also want to know if I can upload the nikon pics here? as a sample I'm going to be donating this wknd. thx, the original poster asked if it is possible to post non Pentax photos here at the forum as far as I know yes unless the person who has started the thread specifies otherwise in my experience, many who do so " confess " and list the non Pentax equipment