Will there ever be a three wheeled Pentax?

Newtophotos · 12-08-2013, 07:33 AM

One of the many reasons I choose Pentax was for the dual wheels on my k-30. Being able to adjust shutter and aperture speed quickly is very important to me. That being said, why doesn't Pentax (or seemingly any other brand) make a camera with three wheels, the third allowing you to more easily adjust ISO more quickly than the menu? During a recent vacation, ducking in and out of ancient not well lit buildings, having an ISO wheel would have been useful.

JinDesu · 12-08-2013, 07:35 AM

When you say menu, you mean via the ISO button, correct? Not actually diving into the menu to find the ISO button?

**PPPPPP42** · 12-08-2013, 07:44 AM

Wheels take up a ton of room in the body and small sells these days so they can't afford it.
I was under the impression that the ISO button on cameras newer than mine was either pressed or held down to turn one of the wheels temporarily into an ISO wheel. But I have no idea. If not that is the best use of space, buttons that temporarily change the function of the wheels.

Na Horuk · 12-08-2013, 07:45 AM

I think its because ISO was traditionally (on film cameras) fixed by the medium. These days with digital, they allow you an auto-ISO range or a fixed value, so a wheel wouldn't work with this system, I guess.
What i would like to see instead of a wheel is a slider where you slide two bits and the space between them is the ISO range. But I am not sure that could be implemented without hassle, either. Such changes require major redesign of the camera

Apapukas · 12-08-2013, 08:04 AM - **1 Like**

Who needs 3rd wheel?

Front wheel for shutter speed, rear for aperture and ISO.

Heie · 12-08-2013, 08:07 AM - **4 Likes**

I've been the third wheel a few times.

It's never welcome...

JinDesu · 12-08-2013, 08:08 AM

Admittedly I wouldn't mind a third wheel - if only to perform as ISO or exposure compensation. In auto-iso mode, it becomes exposure compensation. In normal mode, it is either ISO or exposure comp via toggle button select. As for location, dunno - could be on top above the standard rear wheel like how several of the mirrorless cams do their exposure comp dial.

Dan · 12-08-2013, 08:15 AM

Originally posted by Newtophotos

One of the many reasons I choose Pentax was for the dual wheels on my K-30. Being able to adjust shutter and aperture speed quickly is very important to me. That being said, why doesn't Pentax (or seemingly any other brand) make a camera with three wheels, the third allowing you to more easily adjust ISO more quickly than the menu? During a recent vacation, ducking in and out of ancient not well lit buildings, having an ISO wheel would have been useful.

Are you saying that you have to use the menu to change the ISO on the K-30? If so, that's really bad!! Ever since the K10D, the higher-end Pentax bodies have allowed you to change the ISO without moving your eye from the viewfinder. With the K10D and K20D you hold down the OK button (in the center of the 4-way controller) and spin the front dial to change the ISO. The ISO is displayed in the viewfinder, and on the top screen. With the K-3 you press the ISO button (which is just behind shutter release button) and spin the rear dial. Again, the ISO is displayed in the viewfinder. It should never be necessary to move your eye from the viewfinder to change the ISO setting.

I find it hard to believe that Pentax makes a camera that requires you to go into the menu to change the ISO setting. Perhaps they remove that functionality with lower-end bodies so as to create another reason to buy the higher-end cameras, but they shouldn't do this with something as basic as the ISO setting. This seems unlike Pentax.

Dan

Apapukas · 12-08-2013, 08:17 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by JinDesu

Admittedly I wouldn't mind a third wheel - if only to perform as ISO or exposure compensation. In auto-iso mode, it becomes exposure compensation. In normal mode, it is either ISO or exposure comp via toggle button select. As for location, dunno - could be on top above the standard rear wheel like how several of the mirrorless cams do their exposure comp dial.

But is it really necessary? When there is ISO and EXP. comp. buttons, that IMO are very well placed?

dcBear78 · 12-08-2013, 08:18 AM

Originally posted by JinDesu

When you say menu, you mean via the ISO button, correct? Not actually diving into the menu to find the ISO button?

No... Newtophotos means the menu. The K-30 does not have an ISO button.

And the answer is the higher spec camera have a solution for this. There is an ISO button (just behind shutter button on K-3 not sure on K-5) and when you press it and simultaneously turn the back wheel you can change the ISO or press ISO button and the green button turn ISO to auto (if supported in that mode). These extra ergonomic functions are why you pay more for the camera. Other handy additions are a exposure metering button and exposure lock button

JinDesu · 12-08-2013, 08:43 AM

Originally posted by dcBear78

No... Newtophotos means the menu. The K-30 does not have an ISO button.

And the answer is the higher spec camera have a solution for this. There is an ISO button (just behind shutter button on K-3 not sure on K-5) and when you press it and simultaneously turn the back wheel you can change the ISO or press ISO button and the green button turn ISO to auto (if supported in that mode). These extra ergonomic functions are why you pay more for the camera. Other handy additions are a exposure metering button and exposure lock button

...? No ISO button?

Originally posted by Apapukas

But is it really necessary? When there is ISO and EXP. comp. buttons, that IMO are very well placed?

Not necessary, but it's something that I would like. Just a personal preference, that's all.

dcBear78 · 12-08-2013, 08:57 AM

Oops.... That's right. I forget these things quickly huh? Still it doesn't work the same. You press it, the screen changes and then you change your ISO. My K-3 is much much quicker. But personally I rarely have a need to change ISO in a hurry. That is usually one of the first thoughts I have in my mind when preparing my shot.

JinDesu · 12-08-2013, 09:02 AM

You don't need to look at the screen, if it's anything like my k-x (which it should be...). You press it, you can change it in your viewfinder. It shows the ISO - no need to take the eyes away to look at the LCD.

Not really taking away from the k-5/k-3 ISO implementation - I do prefer that. It's just that Pentax wasn't slouches when designing for their lower end cameras. So much easier to use than say - CaNikon...

Dan · 12-08-2013, 09:04 AM

Originally posted by dcBear78

Oops.... That's right. I forget these things quickly huh? Still it doesn't work the same. You press it, the screen changes and then you change your ISO. My K-3 is much much quicker. ...

It's not just a question of it being quicker. As I understand it, with the K-30 the ISO is only displayed on the rear screen--not in the viewfinder. So you have to move your eye from the viewfinder. I would find that a bit annoying, and not just because it takes longer. On the other hand it doesn't seem as bad as I thought, based on some of the comments. Having a dedicated button that brings up the ISO settings is better than having to go into the menus.

EDIT: Whoops, I just saw JinDesu's post! Apparently you do NOT have to move your eye from the viewfinder, assuming the K-30 works the same as the K-x. Can anyone confirm?

Dan

JinDesu · 12-08-2013, 09:06 AM

Originally posted by Dan

It's not just a question of it being quicker. As I understand it, with the K-30 the ISO is only displayed on the rear screen--not in the viewfinder. So you have to move your eye from the viewfinder. I would find that a bit annoying, and not just because it takes longer. On the other hand it doesn't seem as bad as I thought, based on some of the comments. Having a dedicated button that brings up the ISO settings is better than having to go into the menus.

Dan

I'm not so sure - because I don't have a k-30 - but on my k-x, pressing ISO shows the ISO in the viewfinder. I can then use the rear wheel or the right/left button to change the ISO. I would be extremely surprised if this isn't true on the k-30... as the k-x is the bare basics camera from Pentax.

12-08-2013, 07:33 AM	#1
Newtophotos Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 439	Will there ever be a three wheeled Pentax? One of the many reasons I choose Pentax was for the dual wheels on my k-30. Being able to adjust shutter and aperture speed quickly is very important to me. That being said, why doesn't Pentax (or seemingly any other brand) make a camera with three wheels, the third allowing you to more easily adjust ISO more quickly than the menu? During a recent vacation, ducking in and out of ancient not well lit buildings, having an ISO wheel would have been useful.

12-08-2013, 08:15 AM	#8
Dan Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 325	Say what?!? Originally posted by Newtophotos One of the many reasons I choose Pentax was for the dual wheels on my K-30. Being able to adjust shutter and aperture speed quickly is very important to me. That being said, why doesn't Pentax (or seemingly any other brand) make a camera with three wheels, the third allowing you to more easily adjust ISO more quickly than the menu? During a recent vacation, ducking in and out of ancient not well lit buildings, having an ISO wheel would have been useful. Are you saying that you have to use the menu to change the ISO on the K-30? If so, that's really bad!! Ever since the K10D, the higher-end Pentax bodies have allowed you to change the ISO without moving your eye from the viewfinder. With the K10D and K20D you hold down the OK button (in the center of the 4-way controller) and spin the front dial to change the ISO. The ISO is displayed in the viewfinder, and on the top screen. With the K-3 you press the ISO button (which is just behind shutter release button) and spin the rear dial. Again, the ISO is displayed in the viewfinder. It should never be necessary to move your eye from the viewfinder to change the ISO setting. I find it hard to believe that Pentax makes a camera that requires you to go into the menu to change the ISO setting. Perhaps they remove that functionality with lower-end bodies so as to create another reason to buy the higher-end cameras, but they shouldn't do this with something as basic as the ISO setting. This seems unlike Pentax. Dan

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12-08-2013, 07:35 AM	#2
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	When you say menu, you mean via the ISO button, correct? Not actually diving into the menu to find the ISO button?

12-08-2013, 07:44 AM	#3
PPPPPP42 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Wisconsin Photos: Albums Posts: 947	Wheels take up a ton of room in the body and small sells these days so they can't afford it. I was under the impression that the ISO button on cameras newer than mine was either pressed or held down to turn one of the wheels temporarily into an ISO wheel. But I have no idea. If not that is the best use of space, buttons that temporarily change the function of the wheels.

12-08-2013, 07:45 AM	#4
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	I think its because ISO was traditionally (on film cameras) fixed by the medium. These days with digital, they allow you an auto-ISO range or a fixed value, so a wheel wouldn't work with this system, I guess. What i would like to see instead of a wheel is a slider where you slide two bits and the space between them is the ISO range. But I am not sure that could be implemented without hassle, either. Such changes require major redesign of the camera

12-08-2013, 08:04 AM - 1 Like	#5
Apapukas Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Lietuva, Vilnius Posts: 627	Who needs 3rd wheel? Front wheel for shutter speed, rear for aperture and ISO.

12-08-2013, 08:07 AM - 4 Likes	#6
Heie Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 968	I've been the third wheel a few times. It's never welcome...

12-08-2013, 08:08 AM	#7
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	Admittedly I wouldn't mind a third wheel - if only to perform as ISO or exposure compensation. In auto-iso mode, it becomes exposure compensation. In normal mode, it is either ISO or exposure comp via toggle button select. As for location, dunno - could be on top above the standard rear wheel like how several of the mirrorless cams do their exposure comp dial.

12-08-2013, 08:17 AM - 1 Like	#9
Apapukas Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Lietuva, Vilnius Posts: 627	Originally posted by JinDesu Admittedly I wouldn't mind a third wheel - if only to perform as ISO or exposure compensation. In auto-iso mode, it becomes exposure compensation. In normal mode, it is either ISO or exposure comp via toggle button select. As for location, dunno - could be on top above the standard rear wheel like how several of the mirrorless cams do their exposure comp dial. But is it really necessary? When there is ISO and EXP. comp. buttons, that IMO are very well placed?

12-08-2013, 08:18 AM	#10
dcBear78 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Gladstone, QLD Photos: Gallery Posts: 823	Originally posted by JinDesu When you say menu, you mean via the ISO button, correct? Not actually diving into the menu to find the ISO button? No... Newtophotos means the menu. The K-30 does not have an ISO button. And the answer is the higher spec camera have a solution for this. There is an ISO button (just behind shutter button on K-3 not sure on K-5) and when you press it and simultaneously turn the back wheel you can change the ISO or press ISO button and the green button turn ISO to auto (if supported in that mode). These extra ergonomic functions are why you pay more for the camera. Other handy additions are a exposure metering button and exposure lock button

12-08-2013, 08:43 AM	#11
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	Originally posted by dcBear78 No... Newtophotos means the menu. The K-30 does not have an ISO button. And the answer is the higher spec camera have a solution for this. There is an ISO button (just behind shutter button on K-3 not sure on K-5) and when you press it and simultaneously turn the back wheel you can change the ISO or press ISO button and the green button turn ISO to auto (if supported in that mode). These extra ergonomic functions are why you pay more for the camera. Other handy additions are a exposure metering button and exposure lock button ...? No ISO button? Originally posted by Apapukas But is it really necessary? When there is ISO and EXP. comp. buttons, that IMO are very well placed? Not necessary, but it's something that I would like. Just a personal preference, that's all.

12-08-2013, 08:57 AM	#12
dcBear78 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Gladstone, QLD Photos: Gallery Posts: 823	Oops.... That's right. I forget these things quickly huh? Still it doesn't work the same. You press it, the screen changes and then you change your ISO. My K-3 is much much quicker. But personally I rarely have a need to change ISO in a hurry. That is usually one of the first thoughts I have in my mind when preparing my shot.

12-08-2013, 09:02 AM	#13
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	You don't need to look at the screen, if it's anything like my k-x (which it should be...). You press it, you can change it in your viewfinder. It shows the ISO - no need to take the eyes away to look at the LCD. Not really taking away from the k-5/k-3 ISO implementation - I do prefer that. It's just that Pentax wasn't slouches when designing for their lower end cameras. So much easier to use than say - CaNikon...

12-08-2013, 09:04 AM	#14
Dan Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 325	Originally posted by dcBear78 Oops.... That's right. I forget these things quickly huh? Still it doesn't work the same. You press it, the screen changes and then you change your ISO. My K-3 is much much quicker. ... It's not just a question of it being quicker. As I understand it, with the K-30 the ISO is only displayed on the rear screen--not in the viewfinder. So you have to move your eye from the viewfinder. I would find that a bit annoying, and not just because it takes longer. On the other hand it doesn't seem as bad as I thought, based on some of the comments. Having a dedicated button that brings up the ISO settings is better than having to go into the menus. EDIT: Whoops, I just saw JinDesu's post! Apparently you do NOT have to move your eye from the viewfinder, assuming the K-30 works the same as the K-x. Can anyone confirm? Dan

12-08-2013, 09:06 AM	#15
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	Originally posted by Dan It's not just a question of it being quicker. As I understand it, with the K-30 the ISO is only displayed on the rear screen--not in the viewfinder. So you have to move your eye from the viewfinder. I would find that a bit annoying, and not just because it takes longer. On the other hand it doesn't seem as bad as I thought, based on some of the comments. Having a dedicated button that brings up the ISO settings is better than having to go into the menus. Dan I'm not so sure - because I don't have a k-30 - but on my k-x, pressing ISO shows the ISO in the viewfinder. I can then use the rear wheel or the right/left button to change the ISO. I would be extremely surprised if this isn't true on the k-30... as the k-x is the bare basics camera from Pentax.