Experiences with the new K-7 Camera (lots of imgs)

Edvinas · 06-15-2009, 03:26 PM

Originally posted by frank

AF.C is so much better and consistent. Here is a sample of 14 shots w/ AF.C in 5 seconds of a wake boarder, all pretty much spot on (K-7 + F*300/4.5 wide open):

14 shots in 5 seconds makes less than 3fps.

Was your K-7 set to low speed mode or it suffers from the same thing as previous Pentax DSLRS were suffering: they deliver full speed continuous shooting only when AF is off.

creampuff · 06-15-2009, 05:25 PM

Originally posted by Yohan Pamudji

Happy to hear the reports of improved tracking, but if I'm understanding this sequence correctly it shouldn't have been a challenging scenario, right? I mean, this is movement mostly parallel to the sensor plane, moving left to right. That's easy. The real challenge is when the subject distance to the camera changes significantly from frame to frame, i.e. movement toward or away from camera. Got any sequences like that, or at least impressions from shooting such a sequence?

Talk is easy on the internet...
FYI, the circuit is elliptical and the wake boarders grab onto a cable system. It would be challenging enough to shoot if they were moving left to right parallel in front of the camera, but they are also traveling at an angle in order to build up speed. You can't even pre-focus manually at a spot as every wake boarder's entry and exit spot is different, and they are going at some speed. Plus getting a spot on exposure isn't that easy.

AM2 · 06-15-2009, 06:16 PM

You're killing me Frank, this post (and the one by creampuff) makes the wait so much harder. Thanks for the nice images and impression, though!

-AM

frank · 06-15-2009, 06:47 PM

Originally posted by Edvinas

14 shots in 5 seconds makes less than 3fps.

Was your K-7 set to low speed mode or it suffers from the same thing as previous Pentax DSLRS were suffering: they deliver full speed continuous shooting only when AF is off.

Well, I was shooting in AF.C, but not in 5.2fps burst mode

Otherwise I'd end up w/ over 25 shots in 5 seconds. And believe me, K-7 really bursts when set to 5.2fps

frank · 06-15-2009, 06:49 PM

Originally posted by AM2

You're killing me Frank, this post (and the one by creampuff) makes the wait so much harder. Thanks for the nice images and impression, though!

-AM

Yeah, just sharing my feeling about the new camera. It's still an early beta version, I'm sure the final one would be even better

frank · 06-15-2009, 06:51 PM

Originally posted by Yohan Pamudji

Happy to hear the reports of improved tracking, but if I'm understanding this sequence correctly it shouldn't have been a challenging scenario, right? I mean, this is movement mostly parallel to the sensor plane, moving left to right. That's easy. The real challenge is when the subject distance to the camera changes significantly from frame to frame, i.e. movement toward or away from camera. Got any sequences like that, or at least impressions from shooting such a sequence?

As creampuff said above, the wake boarders came from an angle, the jump stage was the closest point where you can see the frame is really too tight to fill in one person. But I know it's more challenging if the subject is moving towards or away from the camera

vizjerei · 06-15-2009, 06:52 PM

btw Pentax Japan has set the offical date for K-7, start selling on June 27th.

**lawsonstone** · 06-15-2009, 07:19 PM

What is the source for this date?

Originally posted by vizjerei

btw Pentax Japan has set the offical date for K-7, start selling on June 27th.

Yohan Pamudji · 06-15-2009, 07:23 PM

Originally posted by creampuff

Talk is easy on the internet...
FYI, the circuit is elliptical and the wake boarders grab onto a cable system. It would be challenging enough to shoot if they were moving left to right parallel in front of the camera, but they are also traveling at an angle in order to build up speed. You can't even pre-focus manually at a spot as every wake boarder's entry and exit spot is different, and they are going at some speed. Plus getting a spot on exposure isn't that easy.

Hey, if left-to-right movement is difficult to you, then maybe you should use a real camera that can autofocus continuously

Just givin' ya a hard time, man.

Thanks for the explanation. If you look at the posted sequence though there's not terribly much change in subject size, which indicates that any change in subject distance to the camera was minimal during the sequence. Maybe I'm spoiled, but I would expect just about any current DSLR to track that kind of movement satisfactorily.

Yeah, talk is easy. But I've shot enough sports to know what's challenging for AF to deal with and what isn't. Regardless, it's definitely encouraging to hear so many positive reports on the AF.

vizjerei · 06-15-2009, 07:25 PM

Originally posted by lawsonstone

What is the source for this date?

Right on Pentax Japan website, under News, the first item:
2009.06.16
[お知らせ] 高画質デジタル一眼レフカメラ「PENTAX　K-7」発売日6月27日（土）に決定

See Link: Pentax Japan

and also, http://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/20090616_294154.html

Jonson PL · 06-15-2009, 09:33 PM

Dangerous reading and seeing the pictures. Wanting the K7 even more now

Dr_who · 06-15-2009, 11:35 PM

hey Frank I have a question I havn't seen asked yet of the beta testers for the K7. Quite possible I missed it, either way how is the battery life from what you've noticed.

Unlocker · 06-16-2009, 01:21 AM

Originally posted by Dr_who

hey Frank I have a question I havn't seen asked yet of the beta testers for the K7. Quite possible I missed it, either way how is the battery life from what you've noticed.

We got over 550 shots and just 2.5GB of video with one bar left on the battery. Though when we got home, it did say 2 bars left. Either way, I think that was very good!

falconeye · 06-16-2009, 03:15 AM

Originally posted by Edvinas

14 shots in 5 seconds makes less than 3fps.

Was your K-7 set to low speed mode or it suffers from the same thing as previous Pentax DSLRS were suffering: they deliver full speed continuous shooting only when AF is off.

I started reporting about my K-7 findings in a parallel thread and you could be interested to see my AF.C, part I posting here:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/635256-post19.html

(as the test was rather long, there is additional info linked from there)

From this background experience, I say this: Even if Frank did shoot in hi burst, 14 images in 5 seconds isn't bad. In hi burst, a Nikon D300 could do 15 images in 3.6 seconds in an equivalent test where the K-7 did 14 (cf. above). This is 70% of full speed for the Nikon and 75% for the Pentax. Not bad at all.

Independently from this (and yet to be posted by me), the K-7 AF.C burst rate can drop to less than 2 images/s if you really, really challenge the AF

I expect no difference with other vendors if the AF is supposed to do anything at all ...

As a side note ... The K-7 can only sustain full hi burst for 5 sec if you select JPG and 2/3 star quality. Otherwise, the buffer fills after 3s.

dopeytree · 06-16-2009, 03:42 AM

Are you using sandisk extreme III's?

06-15-2009, 06:16 PM	#108
AM2 Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 87	damn You're killing me Frank, this post (and the one by creampuff) makes the wait so much harder. Thanks for the nice images and impression, though! -AM

06-15-2009, 07:19 PM	#113
lawsonstone Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wilmore, KY Posts: 376	Source? What is the source for this date? Originally posted by vizjerei btw Pentax Japan has set the offical date for K-7, start selling on June 27th.

06-15-2009, 11:35 PM	#117
Dr_who Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 777	Battery Life hey Frank I have a question I havn't seen asked yet of the beta testers for the K7. Quite possible I missed it, either way how is the battery life from what you've noticed.

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06-15-2009, 03:26 PM	#106
Edvinas Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kaunas Posts: 1,458	Originally posted by frank AF.C is so much better and consistent. Here is a sample of 14 shots w/ AF.C in 5 seconds of a wake boarder, all pretty much spot on (K-7 + F*300/4.5 wide open): 14 shots in 5 seconds makes less than 3fps. Was your K-7 set to low speed mode or it suffers from the same thing as previous Pentax DSLRS were suffering: they deliver full speed continuous shooting only when AF is off.

06-15-2009, 05:25 PM	#107
creampuff Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,953	Originally posted by Yohan Pamudji Happy to hear the reports of improved tracking, but if I'm understanding this sequence correctly it shouldn't have been a challenging scenario, right? I mean, this is movement mostly parallel to the sensor plane, moving left to right. That's easy. The real challenge is when the subject distance to the camera changes significantly from frame to frame, i.e. movement toward or away from camera. Got any sequences like that, or at least impressions from shooting such a sequence? Talk is easy on the internet... FYI, the circuit is elliptical and the wake boarders grab onto a cable system. It would be challenging enough to shoot if they were moving left to right parallel in front of the camera, but they are also traveling at an angle in order to build up speed. You can't even pre-focus manually at a spot as every wake boarder's entry and exit spot is different, and they are going at some speed. Plus getting a spot on exposure isn't that easy.

06-15-2009, 06:47 PM	#109
frank Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,202 Original Poster	Originally posted by Edvinas 14 shots in 5 seconds makes less than 3fps. Was your K-7 set to low speed mode or it suffers from the same thing as previous Pentax DSLRS were suffering: they deliver full speed continuous shooting only when AF is off. Well, I was shooting in AF.C, but not in 5.2fps burst mode Otherwise I'd end up w/ over 25 shots in 5 seconds. And believe me, K-7 really bursts when set to 5.2fps

06-15-2009, 06:49 PM	#110
frank Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,202 Original Poster	Originally posted by AM2 You're killing me Frank, this post (and the one by creampuff) makes the wait so much harder. Thanks for the nice images and impression, though! -AM Yeah, just sharing my feeling about the new camera. It's still an early beta version, I'm sure the final one would be even better

06-15-2009, 06:51 PM	#111
frank Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,202 Original Poster	Originally posted by Yohan Pamudji Happy to hear the reports of improved tracking, but if I'm understanding this sequence correctly it shouldn't have been a challenging scenario, right? I mean, this is movement mostly parallel to the sensor plane, moving left to right. That's easy. The real challenge is when the subject distance to the camera changes significantly from frame to frame, i.e. movement toward or away from camera. Got any sequences like that, or at least impressions from shooting such a sequence? As creampuff said above, the wake boarders came from an angle, the jump stage was the closest point where you can see the frame is really too tight to fill in one person. But I know it's more challenging if the subject is moving towards or away from the camera

06-15-2009, 06:52 PM	#112
vizjerei Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,418	btw Pentax Japan has set the offical date for K-7, start selling on June 27th.

06-15-2009, 07:23 PM	#114
Yohan Pamudji Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Mississippi Posts: 184	Originally posted by creampuff Talk is easy on the internet... FYI, the circuit is elliptical and the wake boarders grab onto a cable system. It would be challenging enough to shoot if they were moving left to right parallel in front of the camera, but they are also traveling at an angle in order to build up speed. You can't even pre-focus manually at a spot as every wake boarder's entry and exit spot is different, and they are going at some speed. Plus getting a spot on exposure isn't that easy. Hey, if left-to-right movement is difficult to you, then maybe you should use a real camera that can autofocus continuously Just givin' ya a hard time, man. Thanks for the explanation. If you look at the posted sequence though there's not terribly much change in subject size, which indicates that any change in subject distance to the camera was minimal during the sequence. Maybe I'm spoiled, but I would expect just about any current DSLR to track that kind of movement satisfactorily. Yeah, talk is easy. But I've shot enough sports to know what's challenging for AF to deal with and what isn't. Regardless, it's definitely encouraging to hear so many positive reports on the AF.

06-15-2009, 07:25 PM	#115
vizjerei Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,418	Originally posted by lawsonstone What is the source for this date? Right on Pentax Japan website, under News, the first item: 2009.06.16 [お知らせ] 高画質デジタル一眼レフカメラ「PENTAX　K-7」発売日6月27日（土）に決定 See Link: Pentax Japan and also, http://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/20090616_294154.html

06-15-2009, 09:33 PM	#116
Jonson PL Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Copenhagen Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,842	Dangerous reading and seeing the pictures. Wanting the K7 even more now

06-16-2009, 01:21 AM	#118
Unlocker Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: UK Posts: 169	Originally posted by Dr_who hey Frank I have a question I havn't seen asked yet of the beta testers for the K7. Quite possible I missed it, either way how is the battery life from what you've noticed. We got over 550 shots and just 2.5GB of video with one bar left on the battery. Though when we got home, it did say 2 bars left. Either way, I think that was very good!

06-16-2009, 03:15 AM	#119
falconeye Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Munich, Alps, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,871	Originally posted by Edvinas 14 shots in 5 seconds makes less than 3fps. Was your K-7 set to low speed mode or it suffers from the same thing as previous Pentax DSLRS were suffering: they deliver full speed continuous shooting only when AF is off. I started reporting about my K-7 findings in a parallel thread and you could be interested to see my AF.C, part I posting here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/635256-post19.html (as the test was rather long, there is additional info linked from there) From this background experience, I say this: Even if Frank did shoot in hi burst, 14 images in 5 seconds isn't bad. In hi burst, a Nikon D300 could do 15 images in 3.6 seconds in an equivalent test where the K-7 did 14 (cf. above). This is 70% of full speed for the Nikon and 75% for the Pentax. Not bad at all. Independently from this (and yet to be posted by me), the K-7 AF.C burst rate can drop to less than 2 images/s if you really, really challenge the AF I expect no difference with other vendors if the AF is supposed to do anything at all ... As a side note ... The K-7 can only sustain full hi burst for 5 sec if you select JPG and 2/3 star quality. Otherwise, the buffer fills after 3s.

06-16-2009, 03:42 AM	#120
dopeytree Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Somerset, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 619	Are you using sandisk extreme III's?