Setting up my KP

TerryL · 03-31-2019, 02:20 PM

Originally posted by jlstrawman

Pentax KP Review - Recommended Settings | PentaxForums.com Reviews

Wow! That is extremely helpful. Saved it to my desktop.
Thank you,
Terry

---------- Post added 03-31-19 at 02:23 PM ----------

Originally posted by monochrome

In TAv you choose the maximum ISO and camera adjusts it when you change the aperture or shutter speed using the edials. If you shoot fixed ISO in Tv or Av the camera adjusts the alternate setting to what you changed. Your primary concern should be shutter speed since you want to freeze motion; you also want enough DoF so your subject is sharp throughout the depth of the body. Use a DoF calculator to get a sense of what DoF will be at various settings using a 200mm lens at the distance you will shoot from (it will be deeper than you think).

On the KP - since it has the Accelerator Chip - at 6400 ISO (IMO) noise is not offensive. 3200 is completely clean. I gain a clean stop with my KP versus K-1.You might start at 3200 MAX ISO in TAv and see what shutter speed the camera gives you at f/8. Again, I recommend doing test shots and deciding what the light allows you to do with shutter speed at your desired aperture..

That is exactly what I will try. Thanks, Paul
Terry

**mikesbike** · 03-31-2019, 05:37 PM

If this will be an indoor event, the lighting used will have a lot to do with the ISO range you will need to get the shutter speed of around 1/500 sec or close to it. If it is an outdoor even in daylight, the weather will determine your options.

As to aperture and DOF, the shooting distance you are working from will have a lot to do with that also. The distance for a full body shot in the frame with some extra surroundings as well to give context, with your DA* 200mm on APS-C will be a considerable distance. Therefore, you may not need f/11 or even f/8 to provide adequate DOF. Of course, the exact aperture also depends on the effect you are looking for, but most often having your subject at least somewhat sharper than the background or even other contestants, would be the usual effect desired. If there are other competitions taking place in the same event, this might allow you to take some test shots before your son's event to determine your actual needs in terms of distance, lighting, and corresponding setup choices.

Another thing about shutter speed and action. Judicious selection of a lower shutter speed than that needed to freeze action entirely can be very effective, as depiction of motion rather than freezing it. If you train focus on the face, for example, at a slightly slower shutter speed, the arms and legs all show some blur while the head is relatively sharp, giving a sense of the activity and the effort behind it.

TerryL · 04-01-2019, 03:54 PM

Originally posted by mikesbike

If this will be an indoor event, the lighting used will have a lot to do with the ISO range you will need to get the shutter speed of around 1/500 sec or close to it. If it is an outdoor even in daylight, the weather will determine your options.

As to aperture and DOF, the shooting distance you are working from will have a lot to do with that also. The distance for a full body shot in the frame with some extra surroundings as well to give context, with your DA* 200mm on APS-C will be a considerable distance. Therefore, you may not need f/11 or even f/8 to provide adequate DOF. Of course, the exact aperture also depends on the effect you are looking for, but most often having your subject at least somewhat sharper than the background or even other contestants, would be the usual effect desired. If there are other competitions taking place in the same event, this might allow you to take some test shots before your son's event to determine your actual needs in terms of distance, lighting, and corresponding setup choices.

Another thing about shutter speed and action. Judicious selection of a lower shutter speed than that needed to freeze action entirely can be very effective, as depiction of motion rather than freezing it. If you train focus on the face, for example, at a slightly slower shutter speed, the arms and legs all show some blur while the head is relatively sharp, giving a sense of the activity and the effort behind it.

Thank you, Mike.
I'm definitely going to try that slower shutter speed technique.
Regards,
Terry

Martin KP · 04-06-2019, 05:28 PM

Terry, the KP has a really useful User Save feature (page 108 manual). When you find your favourite setup, its a good idea to assign it to U4 (empty on default). So to retrieve the set up, just turn the dial

Further, the rotary setting dial changes function (C1 C2 etc.) These can be changed also. I have C1 set to change ISO across all settings, so it is there for quick ISO adjustments (P.105 manual). Have a look at the E-dial programming. The little green dot button can do different things. Try a few, find what works best for you. Remember to save them though, as they will reset when the camera is turned off.

Last edited by Martin KP; 04-06-2019 at 05:33 PM.

03-31-2019, 05:37 PM	#17
mikesbike Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 4,549	If this will be an indoor event, the lighting used will have a lot to do with the ISO range you will need to get the shutter speed of around 1/500 sec or close to it. If it is an outdoor even in daylight, the weather will determine your options. As to aperture and DOF, the shooting distance you are working from will have a lot to do with that also. The distance for a full body shot in the frame with some extra surroundings as well to give context, with your DA* 200mm on APS-C will be a considerable distance. Therefore, you may not need f/11 or even f/8 to provide adequate DOF. Of course, the exact aperture also depends on the effect you are looking for, but most often having your subject at least somewhat sharper than the background or even other contestants, would be the usual effect desired. If there are other competitions taking place in the same event, this might allow you to take some test shots before your son's event to determine your actual needs in terms of distance, lighting, and corresponding setup choices. Another thing about shutter speed and action. Judicious selection of a lower shutter speed than that needed to freeze action entirely can be very effective, as depiction of motion rather than freezing it. If you train focus on the face, for example, at a slightly slower shutter speed, the arms and legs all show some blur while the head is relatively sharp, giving a sense of the activity and the effort behind it. Last edited by mikesbike; 03-31-2019 at 05:49 PM.

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03-31-2019, 02:20 PM	#16
TerryL Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Virginia, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 850 Original Poster	Originally posted by jlstrawman Pentax KP Review - Recommended Settings \| PentaxForums.com Reviews Wow! That is extremely helpful. Saved it to my desktop. Thank you, Terry ---------- Post added 03-31-19 at 02:23 PM ---------- Originally posted by monochrome In TAv you choose the maximum ISO and camera adjusts it when you change the aperture or shutter speed using the edials. If you shoot fixed ISO in Tv or Av the camera adjusts the alternate setting to what you changed. Your primary concern should be shutter speed since you want to freeze motion; you also want enough DoF so your subject is sharp throughout the depth of the body. Use a DoF calculator to get a sense of what DoF will be at various settings using a 200mm lens at the distance you will shoot from (it will be deeper than you think). On the KP - since it has the Accelerator Chip - at 6400 ISO (IMO) noise is not offensive. 3200 is completely clean. I gain a clean stop with my KP versus K-1.You might start at 3200 MAX ISO in TAv and see what shutter speed the camera gives you at f/8. Again, I recommend doing test shots and deciding what the light allows you to do with shutter speed at your desired aperture.. That is exactly what I will try. Thanks, Paul Terry

04-01-2019, 03:54 PM	#18
TerryL Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Virginia, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 850 Original Poster	Originally posted by mikesbike If this will be an indoor event, the lighting used will have a lot to do with the ISO range you will need to get the shutter speed of around 1/500 sec or close to it. If it is an outdoor even in daylight, the weather will determine your options. As to aperture and DOF, the shooting distance you are working from will have a lot to do with that also. The distance for a full body shot in the frame with some extra surroundings as well to give context, with your DA* 200mm on APS-C will be a considerable distance. Therefore, you may not need f/11 or even f/8 to provide adequate DOF. Of course, the exact aperture also depends on the effect you are looking for, but most often having your subject at least somewhat sharper than the background or even other contestants, would be the usual effect desired. If there are other competitions taking place in the same event, this might allow you to take some test shots before your son's event to determine your actual needs in terms of distance, lighting, and corresponding setup choices. Another thing about shutter speed and action. Judicious selection of a lower shutter speed than that needed to freeze action entirely can be very effective, as depiction of motion rather than freezing it. If you train focus on the face, for example, at a slightly slower shutter speed, the arms and legs all show some blur while the head is relatively sharp, giving a sense of the activity and the effort behind it. Thank you, Mike. I'm definitely going to try that slower shutter speed technique. Regards, Terry

04-06-2019, 05:28 PM	#19
Martin KP Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 240	Terry, the KP has a really useful User Save feature (page 108 manual). When you find your favourite setup, its a good idea to assign it to U4 (empty on default). So to retrieve the set up, just turn the dial Further, the rotary setting dial changes function (C1 C2 etc.) These can be changed also. I have C1 set to change ISO across all settings, so it is there for quick ISO adjustments (P.105 manual). Have a look at the E-dial programming. The little green dot button can do different things. Try a few, find what works best for you. Remember to save them though, as they will reset when the camera is turned off. Last edited by Martin KP; 04-06-2019 at 05:33 PM.