K-7 Video Questions

JCPentax · 06-02-2009, 09:18 AM

Hi all,

There were several video question threads out there, and I was a little behind, so I thought I would start another thread specifically for these questions that I can track a little more closely.

I can't promise I can answer all the questions (since I am not a video expert), but hopefully can shed some light on some of the questions.

and · 06-02-2009, 09:33 AM

Well, can you really answer? I ask because it seems the firmware is not finished and we hear different things about movie mode based on what firmware the person who wrote it had tried.

If they have made up their minds, then what if the final word on AF in the movie mode. Only at the beginning, or can be activated with AF button during shooting? (as it seems was possible at least in one version of the firmware)

danny09 · 06-02-2009, 12:09 PM

Originally posted by JCPentax

Hi all,

There were several video question threads out there, and I was a little behind, so I thought I would start another thread specifically for these questions that I can track a little more closely.

I can't promise I can answer all the questions (since I am not a video expert), but hopefully can shed some light on some of the questions.

What is the Maximum length of video on K-7? 30 mins?4GB? :-)
Does video shooting slow down if we use slower USB cards?
How long will it take at 720p for an 8GB Extreme III card to fill up? Inversely how long can I shoot at lowest quality using an empty 8GB card?

I am mighty delighted that a Pentax employee is fielding this huge barrage of questions :-)
Much appreciated!

pixel r0n1n · 06-02-2009, 01:11 PM

thanks for taking the time to answer questions before i place my pre-order

How does video recording affect the sensor in terms of its lifespan?
K20D is said to last 100K actuations.
will this accelerate K-7's degradation for photo/video taking?

inferno10 · 06-02-2009, 01:18 PM

Hi John:

Is there a way to disable shake reduction for the crazy ones that may want shake in their video?

- Jason

JCPentax · 06-02-2009, 02:13 PM

Originally posted by and

Well, can you really answer? I ask because it seems the firmware is not finished and we hear different things about movie mode based on what firmware the person who wrote it had tried.

If they have made up their minds, then what if the final word on AF in the movie mode. Only at the beginning, or can be activated with AF button during shooting? (as it seems was possible at least in one version of the firmware)

Well, I have firmware version 0.37 which was sent from Japan this morning. All answers will be based on that.

Plus the only big change in video was from FW 0.20 to 0.33.

JCPentax · 06-02-2009, 02:18 PM

Originally posted by danny09

What is the Maximum length of video on K-7? 30 mins?4GB? :-)
Does video shooting slow down if we use slower USB cards?
How long will it take at 720p for an 8GB Extreme III card to fill up? Inversely how long can I shoot at lowest quality using an empty 8GB card?

I am mighty delighted that a Pentax employee is fielding this huge barrage of questions :-)
Much appreciated!

1) 4GB (due to FAT32) or 25 minutes due to EU tarrifs on "video" equipment, whichever comes first depending on your resolution and quality settings.

2) Slower cards can effect video recording, but I never got a clear explanation how (lost in translation).

3) With 720p, and the maximum 4GB file size, you are looking at a 9 minute, 26 second file (at the highest quality setting). Lowest quality setting at 720p, 18 minutes, 37 seconds. Lowest quality overall - 25 minutes.

JCPentax · 06-02-2009, 02:23 PM

Originally posted by pixel r0n1n

thanks for taking the time to answer questions before i place my pre-order

How does video recording affect the sensor in terms of its lifespan?
K20D is said to last 100K actuations.
will this accelerate K-7's degradation for photo/video taking?

The 100K actuations is the life of the shutter unit, not the sensor. I am sure the senser is longer. One movie = One shutter actuation.

I am sure the engineers took movie recording into account when the new sensor was designed.

JCPentax · 06-02-2009, 02:24 PM

Originally posted by inferno10

Hi John:

Is there a way to disable shake reduction for the crazy ones that may want shake in their video?

- Jason

Of course. Either through the menus or the quick menu through the INFO button.

deadwolfbones · 06-02-2009, 03:41 PM

Hi John,

Has anyone at Pentax/have you/have you heard of anyone using the video function with manual K-mount or M42 glass? Can you change the aperture on the fly using a lens with an aperture ring (I don't see how this could be prevented)?

Thanks!

raz · 06-02-2009, 04:12 PM

Ok I have a tough question

How is the K7 making a video ? Each frame is taken at full sensor resolution(~4600x3100 pixels) then the internal processor is re-sizing to 1280x720 ?

Or the sensor only records one in every 6 pixels or something similar to this ?

From the other video thread on "news and rumours", we think the camera is actually shooting at lower resolution like 1024x768 then is upsampling to 1280x720 or 1536x1024. Is it true ?

If so do you think you can compare a frame from a video at 1280x720, with a still image (made on the same subject) that you take at full resolution - rescaled in Photoshop at 1280x720, and look for differences in details, sharpens, anti aliasing ? Just a subjective opinion would help

Thanks

JCPentax · 06-02-2009, 07:34 PM

Originally posted by deadwolfbones

Hi John,

Has anyone at Pentax/have you/have you heard of anyone using the video function with manual K-mount or M42 glass? Can you change the aperture on the fly using a lens with an aperture ring (I don't see how this could be prevented)?

Thanks!

I tried it with an FA lens with the aperture off the A position. It worked fine, and when I changed the aperture it effected the exposure.

JCPentax · 06-02-2009, 07:37 PM

Originally posted by raz

Ok I have a tough question

How is the K7 making a video ? Each frame is taken at full sensor resolution(~4600x3100 pixels) then the internal processor is re-sizing to 1280x720 ?

Or the sensor only records one in every 6 pixels or something similar to this ?

From the other video thread on "news and rumours", we think the camera is actually shooting at lower resolution like 1024x768 then is upsampling to 1280x720 or 1536x1024. Is it true ?

If so do you think you can compare a frame from a video at 1280x720, with a still image (made on the same subject) that you take at full resolution - rescaled in Photoshop at 1280x720, and look for differences in details, sharpens, anti aliasing ? Just a subjective opinion would help

Thanks

The full video resolution is 1536x1024. All video is recorded at this resolution then down sampled to the selected resolution.

shutterpuppy · 06-02-2009, 07:39 PM

I would love to see time lapse movies in HD taken from sunrise to sundown along a beach,seems like it would be an awesome test.

JCPentax · 06-02-2009, 08:08 PM

Originally posted by shutterpuppy

I would love to see time lapse movies in HD taken from sunrise to sundown along a beach,seems like it would be an awesome test.

I am not sure what that would involve.

However, we do have the interval shooting mode where you can preset the time between images (up to 99 shots) then tie them all together with software (which I know is possible).

06-02-2009, 09:18 AM	#1
JCPentax Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 146	K-7 Video Questions Hi all, There were several video question threads out there, and I was a little behind, so I thought I would start another thread specifically for these questions that I can track a little more closely. I can't promise I can answer all the questions (since I am not a video expert), but hopefully can shed some light on some of the questions.

06-02-2009, 12:09 PM	#3
danny09 Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 417	Originally posted by JCPentax Hi all, There were several video question threads out there, and I was a little behind, so I thought I would start another thread specifically for these questions that I can track a little more closely. I can't promise I can answer all the questions (since I am not a video expert), but hopefully can shed some light on some of the questions. What is the Maximum length of video on K-7? 30 mins?4GB? :-) Does video shooting slow down if we use slower USB cards? How long will it take at 720p for an 8GB Extreme III card to fill up? Inversely how long can I shoot at lowest quality using an empty 8GB card? I am mighty delighted that a Pentax employee is fielding this huge barrage of questions :-) Much appreciated!

06-02-2009, 02:18 PM	#7
JCPentax Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 146 Original Poster	Originally posted by danny09 What is the Maximum length of video on K-7? 30 mins?4GB? :-) Does video shooting slow down if we use slower USB cards? How long will it take at 720p for an 8GB Extreme III card to fill up? Inversely how long can I shoot at lowest quality using an empty 8GB card? I am mighty delighted that a Pentax employee is fielding this huge barrage of questions :-) Much appreciated! 1) 4GB (due to FAT32) or 25 minutes due to EU tarrifs on "video" equipment, whichever comes first depending on your resolution and quality settings. 2) Slower cards can effect video recording, but I never got a clear explanation how (lost in translation). 3) With 720p, and the maximum 4GB file size, you are looking at a 9 minute, 26 second file (at the highest quality setting). Lowest quality setting at 720p, 18 minutes, 37 seconds. Lowest quality overall - 25 minutes.

06-02-2009, 07:39 PM	#14
shutterpuppy Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Dallas Texas Posts: 319	Time Lapse Movies On K 7 Possible? I would love to see time lapse movies in HD taken from sunrise to sundown along a beach,seems like it would be an awesome test.

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06-02-2009, 09:33 AM	#2
and Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,476	Well, can you really answer? I ask because it seems the firmware is not finished and we hear different things about movie mode based on what firmware the person who wrote it had tried. If they have made up their minds, then what if the final word on AF in the movie mode. Only at the beginning, or can be activated with AF button during shooting? (as it seems was possible at least in one version of the firmware)

06-02-2009, 01:11 PM	#4
pixel r0n1n Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: 514 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 123	thanks for taking the time to answer questions before i place my pre-order How does video recording affect the sensor in terms of its lifespan? K20D is said to last 100K actuations. will this accelerate K-7's degradation for photo/video taking?

06-02-2009, 01:18 PM	#5
inferno10 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: San Francisco, California Posts: 342	Hi John: Is there a way to disable shake reduction for the crazy ones that may want shake in their video? - Jason

06-02-2009, 02:13 PM	#6
JCPentax Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 146 Original Poster	Originally posted by and Well, can you really answer? I ask because it seems the firmware is not finished and we hear different things about movie mode based on what firmware the person who wrote it had tried. If they have made up their minds, then what if the final word on AF in the movie mode. Only at the beginning, or can be activated with AF button during shooting? (as it seems was possible at least in one version of the firmware) Well, I have firmware version 0.37 which was sent from Japan this morning. All answers will be based on that. Plus the only big change in video was from FW 0.20 to 0.33.

06-02-2009, 02:23 PM	#8
JCPentax Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 146 Original Poster	Originally posted by pixel r0n1n thanks for taking the time to answer questions before i place my pre-order How does video recording affect the sensor in terms of its lifespan? K20D is said to last 100K actuations. will this accelerate K-7's degradation for photo/video taking? The 100K actuations is the life of the shutter unit, not the sensor. I am sure the senser is longer. One movie = One shutter actuation. I am sure the engineers took movie recording into account when the new sensor was designed.

06-02-2009, 02:24 PM	#9
JCPentax Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 146 Original Poster	Originally posted by inferno10 Hi John: Is there a way to disable shake reduction for the crazy ones that may want shake in their video? - Jason Of course. Either through the menus or the quick menu through the INFO button.

06-02-2009, 03:41 PM	#10
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	Hi John, Has anyone at Pentax/have you/have you heard of anyone using the video function with manual K-mount or M42 glass? Can you change the aperture on the fly using a lens with an aperture ring (I don't see how this could be prevented)? Thanks!

06-02-2009, 04:12 PM	#11
raz Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Timisoara, Romania Posts: 248	Ok I have a tough question How is the K7 making a video ? Each frame is taken at full sensor resolution(~4600x3100 pixels) then the internal processor is re-sizing to 1280x720 ? Or the sensor only records one in every 6 pixels or something similar to this ? From the other video thread on "news and rumours", we think the camera is actually shooting at lower resolution like 1024x768 then is upsampling to 1280x720 or 1536x1024. Is it true ? If so do you think you can compare a frame from a video at 1280x720, with a still image (made on the same subject) that you take at full resolution - rescaled in Photoshop at 1280x720, and look for differences in details, sharpens, anti aliasing ? Just a subjective opinion would help Thanks

06-02-2009, 07:34 PM	#12
JCPentax Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 146 Original Poster	Originally posted by deadwolfbones Hi John, Has anyone at Pentax/have you/have you heard of anyone using the video function with manual K-mount or M42 glass? Can you change the aperture on the fly using a lens with an aperture ring (I don't see how this could be prevented)? Thanks! I tried it with an FA lens with the aperture off the A position. It worked fine, and when I changed the aperture it effected the exposure.

06-02-2009, 07:37 PM	#13
JCPentax Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 146 Original Poster	Originally posted by raz Ok I have a tough question How is the K7 making a video ? Each frame is taken at full sensor resolution(~4600x3100 pixels) then the internal processor is re-sizing to 1280x720 ? Or the sensor only records one in every 6 pixels or something similar to this ? From the other video thread on "news and rumours", we think the camera is actually shooting at lower resolution like 1024x768 then is upsampling to 1280x720 or 1536x1024. Is it true ? If so do you think you can compare a frame from a video at 1280x720, with a still image (made on the same subject) that you take at full resolution - rescaled in Photoshop at 1280x720, and look for differences in details, sharpens, anti aliasing ? Just a subjective opinion would help Thanks The full video resolution is 1536x1024. All video is recorded at this resolution then down sampled to the selected resolution.

06-02-2009, 08:08 PM	#15
JCPentax Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 146 Original Poster	Originally posted by shutterpuppy I would love to see time lapse movies in HD taken from sunrise to sundown along a beach,seems like it would be an awesome test. I am not sure what that would involve. However, we do have the interval shooting mode where you can preset the time between images (up to 99 shots) then tie them all together with software (which I know is possible).