Pentax lack of scene mode

splurf · 11-18-2009, 09:09 PM

Went into my two local dealers interested in the K7 because of its weather sealing, sturdy construction and small size. I mainly take family photos of the kids at home, at play, and on holiday. Both dealers tried to steer me to Canon or Nikon product because of the scene modes - portrait, sport, landscape. While I have not had a DSLR in a while, I would rate my photographic skills as average. Is NOT having the scene modes with the Pentax K7 a big drawback?

MSM · 11-18-2009, 10:51 PM

In a word, I would say 'No.'

The K7 is an advanced camera. While having scene modes are not a bad thing, understanding exposure and control of DOF, etc. is more valuable. You can use any mode on the K7 to mimic the scene modes. I would say scene modes are great if you don't want to learn more about photography. I am sure that it will get you close most of the time. Others may disagree, but I don't think you can say the lacking scene modes is a draw back. Just Ask the dealers to see the new Nikon D3 or Canon 7D, then ask where are the scene modes.

knoxploration · 11-18-2009, 10:55 PM

Originally posted by MSM

In a word, I would say 'No.'

The K7 is an advanced camera. While having scene modes are not a bad thing, understanding exposure and control of DOF, etc. is more valuable. You can use any mode on the K7 to mimic the scene modes. I would say scene modes are great if you don't want to learn more about photography. I am sure that it will get you close most of the time. Others may disagree, but I don't think you can say the lacking scene modes is a draw back. Just Ask the dealers to see the new Nikon D3 or Canon 7D, then ask where are the scene modes.

Seconded. If you understand the basics of digital photography, the scene modes will seldom be touched because you'll just end up finding them limiting.

K McCall · 11-18-2009, 11:03 PM

Thirded. While both my DSLRs have had scene modes, I haven't used them once. Av mode gets me by a solid 75% of the time, and manual works for all the rest. It might take a little bit of playing around, especially at first, but for me, that's half the fun.

kev.pride · 11-19-2009, 01:50 AM

Originally posted by K McCall

Thirded. While both my DSLRs have had scene modes, I haven't used them once. Av mode gets me by a solid 75% of the time, and manual works for all the rest. It might take a little bit of playing around, especially at first, but for me, that's half the fun.

I totally agree with all 3 posters, I had scene mode in the K100d and used them for the 1st month till I got my confidence up & never used them again. Have not missed them in my K10d. You can always use Green or P mode until you get used to the camera.

I use AV mode almost all the time.

bergmania · 11-19-2009, 02:09 AM

My K200D have Scene modes.. but I almost never use them.. AV or Manual mode 99.8% of the time..

res3567 · 11-19-2009, 02:58 AM

Scene modes are ususlly designed to help beginners with photography. The K2000 and the K-x both have them. The "Pro" K7 does not as well as the K10D and the K20D. The top of the line DSLRs from Canon and Nikon are also lacking this feature.

Last edited by res3567; 11-19-2009 at 08:57 PM.

flyer · 11-19-2009, 03:11 AM

If you want to cheat, you can use "pseudo" scene mode with the K-7 (and to a lesser extent) with the K10/20D by going into the menu and changing the priorities of the program mode, i.e. prioritizing DOF, shutter speed...

pschlute · 11-19-2009, 03:15 AM

I am pleased it does not have a scene mode. Scene modes are useful for beginners coming to SLR photography for the first time, but if you are serious about your photography you will want to move away from the scene/program modes quite quickly.

The whole point about having a complex tool like an SLR is to be able to use the "triangle" of ISO/aperture/shutter speed to produce the picture you want, not what the camera "thinks" you want.

I am not belittling the scene mode/program modes. But here we are talking about the top of the range Pentax DSLR, the K7. It is not aimed at users who will want to use scene modes.

splurf · 11-19-2009, 04:45 AM

Great and thanks for the advice. To paraphrase - if I am willing to take some time to learn and understand the camera and some photography basics then the scene modes will not be missed. I did notice that in my brief time with the K7 that it seemed to give good feedback if you selected settings that did not work. I had to wonder though as I went to the two largest camera stores in a major city how many sales Pentax is losing as every salesman I talked to tried to steer me away from Pentax for a variety of reasons. But my very first camera was a Pentax and I have to say that when you pick up the K7 it feels so much better than other cameras. Thank you for clarifying this issue.

**Rondec** · 11-19-2009, 05:45 AM

The problem with a scene mode is that you are letting the camera "decide" for you what settings you are using and giving up complete control. I would put your camera in program mode or Av mode and shoot that way. Once you understand what aperture does to your photos, you will understand how to get the kind of photos you want.

The last camera I had that had scene modes on it, I never used them. I think there was a time when I did try to use them, but I found that I forgot and would leave it on landscape when I was shooting a portrait, etc. and so I stopped. Better to think through each shot on your own.

Wheatfield · 11-19-2009, 06:20 AM

Not having scene modes is a bonus.
The K-7 is an advanced user camera, not a beginners camera.

Nowhere Matt · 11-19-2009, 07:22 AM

Originally posted by splurf

Went into my two local dealers interested in the K7 because of its weather sealing, sturdy construction and small size. I mainly take family photos of the kids at home, at play, and on holiday. Both dealers tried to steer me to Canon or Nikon product because of the scene modes - portrait, sport, landscape. While I have not had a DSLR in a while, I would rate my photographic skills as average. Is NOT having the scene modes with the Pentax K7 a big drawback?

Yes in this case, the saleperson may have been trying to help sell you a product for your needs. Though there is nothing wrong with having some simple and basic automatic and guided controls on a camera as some here have suggested all you are really doing is composing your shot and pressing the shutter release at your given moment. Some of the creativity is decided by the camera. I was guilty of this when I first got my ZX-50 however many years ago.
Once you have a better understanding of photography and your camera, the program modes are a little like using cruise control for a sports car; it will get you from point A to point B but taking control of the drive yourself is so much more interesting.

legacyb4 · 11-19-2009, 07:26 AM

"P" mode is fine (for when you want to let someone who might not know the ins and outs of a DSLR use your camera), but the traditional "Scene" modes are a waste of an extra notch on the Program dial and programming resources that might be better spent elsewhere developing or improving camera features.

vizjerei · 11-19-2009, 07:58 AM

scene modes are for newbies.. ask the salesperson if Canon and Nikon's Top line has scene modes or not..

11-18-2009, 09:09 PM	#1
splurf Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Coffs Harbour NSW Posts: 10	Pentax lack of scene mode Went into my two local dealers interested in the K7 because of its weather sealing, sturdy construction and small size. I mainly take family photos of the kids at home, at play, and on holiday. Both dealers tried to steer me to Canon or Nikon product because of the scene modes - portrait, sport, landscape. While I have not had a DSLR in a while, I would rate my photographic skills as average. Is NOT having the scene modes with the Pentax K7 a big drawback?

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11-18-2009, 10:51 PM	#2
MSM Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Alabama Photos: Gallery Posts: 994	In a word, I would say 'No.' The K7 is an advanced camera. While having scene modes are not a bad thing, understanding exposure and control of DOF, etc. is more valuable. You can use any mode on the K7 to mimic the scene modes. I would say scene modes are great if you don't want to learn more about photography. I am sure that it will get you close most of the time. Others may disagree, but I don't think you can say the lacking scene modes is a draw back. Just Ask the dealers to see the new Nikon D3 or Canon 7D, then ask where are the scene modes.

11-18-2009, 10:55 PM	#3
knoxploration Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Knoxville, Tennessee Posts: 846	Originally posted by MSM In a word, I would say 'No.' The K7 is an advanced camera. While having scene modes are not a bad thing, understanding exposure and control of DOF, etc. is more valuable. You can use any mode on the K7 to mimic the scene modes. I would say scene modes are great if you don't want to learn more about photography. I am sure that it will get you close most of the time. Others may disagree, but I don't think you can say the lacking scene modes is a draw back. Just Ask the dealers to see the new Nikon D3 or Canon 7D, then ask where are the scene modes. Seconded. If you understand the basics of digital photography, the scene modes will seldom be touched because you'll just end up finding them limiting.

11-18-2009, 11:03 PM	#4
K McCall Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Dallas, TX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 808	Thirded. While both my DSLRs have had scene modes, I haven't used them once. Av mode gets me by a solid 75% of the time, and manual works for all the rest. It might take a little bit of playing around, especially at first, but for me, that's half the fun.

11-19-2009, 01:50 AM	#5
kev.pride Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Modbury North, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 351	Originally posted by K McCall Thirded. While both my DSLRs have had scene modes, I haven't used them once. Av mode gets me by a solid 75% of the time, and manual works for all the rest. It might take a little bit of playing around, especially at first, but for me, that's half the fun. I totally agree with all 3 posters, I had scene mode in the K100d and used them for the 1st month till I got my confidence up & never used them again. Have not missed them in my K10d. You can always use Green or P mode until you get used to the camera. I use AV mode almost all the time.

11-19-2009, 02:09 AM	#6
bergmania Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Helsingborg, Sweden Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 74	My K200D have Scene modes.. but I almost never use them.. AV or Manual mode 99.8% of the time..

11-19-2009, 02:58 AM	#7
res3567 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Houston Tx. Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,876	Scene modes are ususlly designed to help beginners with photography. The K2000 and the K-x both have them. The "Pro" K7 does not as well as the K10D and the K20D. The top of the line DSLRs from Canon and Nikon are also lacking this feature. Last edited by res3567; 11-19-2009 at 08:57 PM.

11-19-2009, 03:11 AM	#8
flyer Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ste-Anne des Plaines, Qc., Canada Posts: 2,013	If you want to cheat, you can use "pseudo" scene mode with the K-7 (and to a lesser extent) with the K10/20D by going into the menu and changing the priorities of the program mode, i.e. prioritizing DOF, shutter speed...

11-19-2009, 03:15 AM	#9
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,202	I am pleased it does not have a scene mode. Scene modes are useful for beginners coming to SLR photography for the first time, but if you are serious about your photography you will want to move away from the scene/program modes quite quickly. The whole point about having a complex tool like an SLR is to be able to use the "triangle" of ISO/aperture/shutter speed to produce the picture you want, not what the camera "thinks" you want. I am not belittling the scene mode/program modes. But here we are talking about the top of the range Pentax DSLR, the K7. It is not aimed at users who will want to use scene modes.

11-19-2009, 04:45 AM	#10
splurf Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Coffs Harbour NSW Posts: 10 Original Poster	Great and thanks for the advice. To paraphrase - if I am willing to take some time to learn and understand the camera and some photography basics then the scene modes will not be missed. I did notice that in my brief time with the K7 that it seemed to give good feedback if you selected settings that did not work. I had to wonder though as I went to the two largest camera stores in a major city how many sales Pentax is losing as every salesman I talked to tried to steer me away from Pentax for a variety of reasons. But my very first camera was a Pentax and I have to say that when you pick up the K7 it feels so much better than other cameras. Thank you for clarifying this issue.

11-19-2009, 05:45 AM	#11
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	The problem with a scene mode is that you are letting the camera "decide" for you what settings you are using and giving up complete control. I would put your camera in program mode or Av mode and shoot that way. Once you understand what aperture does to your photos, you will understand how to get the kind of photos you want. The last camera I had that had scene modes on it, I never used them. I think there was a time when I did try to use them, but I found that I forgot and would leave it on landscape when I was shooting a portrait, etc. and so I stopped. Better to think through each shot on your own.

11-19-2009, 06:20 AM	#12
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	Not having scene modes is a bonus. The K-7 is an advanced user camera, not a beginners camera.

11-19-2009, 07:22 AM	#13
Nowhere Matt Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Nowhere Land Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,362	Originally posted by splurf Went into my two local dealers interested in the K7 because of its weather sealing, sturdy construction and small size. I mainly take family photos of the kids at home, at play, and on holiday. Both dealers tried to steer me to Canon or Nikon product because of the scene modes - portrait, sport, landscape. While I have not had a DSLR in a while, I would rate my photographic skills as average. Is NOT having the scene modes with the Pentax K7 a big drawback? Yes in this case, the saleperson may have been trying to help sell you a product for your needs. Though there is nothing wrong with having some simple and basic automatic and guided controls on a camera as some here have suggested all you are really doing is composing your shot and pressing the shutter release at your given moment. Some of the creativity is decided by the camera. I was guilty of this when I first got my ZX-50 however many years ago. Once you have a better understanding of photography and your camera, the program modes are a little like using cruise control for a sports car; it will get you from point A to point B but taking control of the drive yourself is so much more interesting.

11-19-2009, 07:26 AM	#14
legacyb4 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Tri-Cities, British Columbia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,784	"P" mode is fine (for when you want to let someone who might not know the ins and outs of a DSLR use your camera), but the traditional "Scene" modes are a waste of an extra notch on the Program dial and programming resources that might be better spent elsewhere developing or improving camera features.

11-19-2009, 07:58 AM	#15
vizjerei Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,418	scene modes are for newbies.. ask the salesperson if Canon and Nikon's Top line has scene modes or not..