Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
12-22-2020, 09:20 AM   #1
New Member




Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Herriman utah
Posts: 14
K5 II astrotracer activation

Hi All this might be a dumb question but we have K5 II and want to do celestial pictures. the problem we are having is on our camera the astrotracer mode is not turned on. any body have an idea on how to activate it? thanks so much for your help.

12-22-2020, 09:37 AM - 1 Like   #2
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
microlight's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Hampshire, UK
Posts: 2,127
For the K-5II you will need the add-on O-GPS unit which enables the feature. The only cameras to have it natively are the K-3II (APSc) and K-1/K-1II (35mm format).
12-22-2020, 09:49 AM   #3
New Member




Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Herriman utah
Posts: 14
Original Poster
QuoteOriginally posted by microlight Quote
For the K-5II you will need the add-on O-GPS unit which enables the feature. The only cameras to have it natively are the K-3II (APSc) and K-1/K-1II (35mm format).
Microlight, thank you for the reply. we will go get the O-GPS unit.
12-22-2020, 09:59 AM   #4
Seeker of Knowledge
Loyal Site Supporter
aslyfox's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Topeka, Kansas
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 24,563
here is the in depth review for it

QuoteQuote:
Pentax O-GPS1 GPS Unit
Introduction
The Pentax O-GPS1 unit is a small accessory unit that attaches to any K-01, K-5, K-r or 645D (or newer) camera flash hotshoe and provides geotagging of images (latitude, longitude, elevation), an electronic compass, and a simple navigator function. The GPS function also has the option of keeping the camera clock up-to-date. It was announced in June, 2011 and made available shortly thereafter.

On the K-5 & K-r, the unit also provides an Astrotracer function that allows the camera sensor to act as a simple equatorial mount for astrophotography. This allows for exposures of up to five minutes without incurring star trails on the photo.

Read more at: Pentax O-GPS1 GPS Unit Review - Introduction | PentaxForums.com Reviews

______________________________________

this in depth review comparison has a useful chart
QuoteQuote:
Before we discuss specific features, and to help you budget your astrophotography, let's take a look at what features are supported by each camera model.
Read more at: O-GPS1 vs Built-in GPS Guide - Feature Comparison - In-Depth Articles

12-22-2020, 12:45 PM   #5
Loyal Site Supporter
Loyal Site Supporter
MossyRocks's Avatar

Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Minnesota
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 2,978
Others have the basics covered in that you need the O-GPS1 unit.

As a long time user it takes some practice and getting use to so don't expect great shots on your first attempt. It took me a good while until I figured it out and started getting good results. that said with practice and a great lens you can get some outstanding shots with it.
12-22-2020, 12:58 PM   #6
Pentaxian
ecostigny's Avatar

Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Branford, CT
Posts: 560
QuoteOriginally posted by MossyRocks Quote
Others have the basics covered in that you need the O-GPS1 unit.

As a long time user it takes some practice and getting use to so don't expect great shots on your first attempt. It took me a good while until I figured it out and started getting good results. that said with practice and a great lens you can get some outstanding shots with it.
Thanks for nothing, MossyRocks! I just had to click on your link and see your photo of the Great Nebula of Orion. Now I want an O-GPS1 for Christmas--on the afternoon of December 22!
12-22-2020, 08:16 PM   #7
Site Supporter
Site Supporter




Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Arkansas, USA
Posts: 1,169
QuoteOriginally posted by MossyRocks Quote
Others have the basics covered in that you need the O-GPS1 unit.

As a long time user it takes some practice and getting use to so don't expect great shots on your first attempt. It took me a good while until I figured it out and started getting good results. that said with practice and a great lens you can get some outstanding shots with it.
I actually got pretty good results on my first use, thanks to all the great info found here on Pentax Forums.

12-23-2020, 04:20 PM   #8
Loyal Site Supporter
Loyal Site Supporter
MossyRocks's Avatar

Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Minnesota
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 2,978
QuoteOriginally posted by ecostigny Quote
Thanks for nothing, MossyRocks! I just had to click on your link and see your photo of the Great Nebula of Orion. Now I want an O-GPS1 for Christmas--on the afternoon of December 22!
Well I'm here to help others spend money, the only problem is I spend a lot of my money too. And yes I am looking to upgrade my capabilities and get a big equatorial with an autoguiding setup, so in other words spend about 12 to 15 the cost of the O-GPS1. A lot of practice, learning, and failure went into that shot, also a lot of credit goes to the legend of a lens the SMC A * 400mm f/2.8 ED [IF]. My first shots with astrotracer and in astrophotography in general are rather embarrassing but they can be found over in the astro group. However with effort one can get a shot like that.
12-24-2020, 12:52 PM   #9
Pentaxian
ecostigny's Avatar

Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Branford, CT
Posts: 560
QuoteOriginally posted by MossyRocks Quote
Well I'm here to help others spend money, the only problem is I spend a lot of my money too. And yes I am looking to upgrade my capabilities and get a big equatorial with an autoguiding setup, so in other words spend about 12 to 15 the cost of the O-GPS1. A lot of practice, learning, and failure went into that shot, also a lot of credit goes to the legend of a lens the SMC A * 400mm f/2.8 ED [IF]. My first shots with astrotracer and in astrophotography in general are rather embarrassing but they can be found over in the astro group. However with effort one can get a shot like that.
I'm not afraid of repeated attempts to get a picture right. I'm still working on obtaining a satisfactory Milky Way picture; something that's not easy to do amidst the light pollution that's rampant on the Connecticut shoreline!
Reply

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook
  • Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter
  • Submit Thread to Digg Digg
Tags - Make this thread easier to find by adding keywords to it!
astrotracer, camera, ii, k5, k5 ii astrotracer, pentax help, photography, troubleshooting
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Question Account activation via mail ehrwien Site Suggestions and Help 4 06-24-2016 04:13 PM
Corel Aftershot Pro 2 Activation Card - $19.99 nabwong Pentax Price Watch 3 02-25-2016 01:08 PM
K5 mirror self activation bm75 Pentax K-5 & K-5 II 3 08-10-2015 03:07 PM
K-5 Shutter No Activation With Manual Focus Septrain Pentax K-5 & K-5 II 9 04-02-2011 09:00 PM
K-7 SR Activation Switch Absence Poll kcmadr Pentax DSLR Discussion 56 06-11-2009 12:11 PM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 12:06 AM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top