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Forum: Pentax K-3 III 07-19-2023, 12:25 PM  
Help troubleshooting chronic soft focus and view idiosynchronies
Posted By cls
Replies: 22
Views: 1,554
Yes, I suspected this was the artifact of the jpg processing I was seeing - even though I have NO settings saved for custom image. You're right that 1/1000 was probably overkill for this particular scene. I would have gone down to as low at 1/400. I have a bit of a hard time adjusting settings in the moment efficiently, and so I just tend to set a shutter time and occasionally check in on the ISO and adjust but it is tricky in the forest to be sure. I might try playing around more with Av priority and adjusting ISO to give an appropriate speed range. You are right about zooming in a little, in this particular case this is the composition I was going for. I had the focus on the dog (intentionally). I was using TAv and intentionally set speed and aperture for what I was trying to achieve and the movement of the dog.

---------- Post added 07-19-23 at 12:28 PM ----------



Hello - thank you for your thoughts! I actually had focus intentionally on the dog. You're right there is a challenge of low contrast here. I could have increased exposure compensation a little. My 70-200 is the AP EX version, doesn't seem to have OIS ... does it!?!? I really hope it does because that would SOLVE THIS, but sadly I do not think so. The camera is set to focus priority. I am using DNG.

---------- Post added 07-19-23 at 12:31 PM ----------



Exactly. This is the training I have had as well. I intentionally set this shutter speed and aperture knowing that it would result in what I considered a very acceptable ISO if 2000 - but was disappointed with the results, which has not always been the case with this camera.

---------- Post added 07-19-23 at 12:33 PM ----------


Thank you - that is helpful to hear, not just for my ego! I was overall very frustrated and disappointed with this photo session!

---------- Post added 07-19-23 at 12:35 PM ----------


Thanks, I will think about this and see if I can come up with some samples that help illustrate my concerns more articulately ...
Forum: Pentax K-3 III 07-19-2023, 11:26 AM  
Help troubleshooting chronic soft focus and view idiosynchronies
Posted By cls
Replies: 22
Views: 1,554
Thank you for your thoughts! I have been pretty happy with ISO up to 6400 or more, on this camera, at times, oddly more noise than I would expect at others. I generally use TAv priority, selecting the aperture and speed according to what I need. I hear what you are saying about off camera lighting - it is not a skill I have currently, but an area I plan to learn more about in future; I really appreciate your insights. I do feel this camera ought to be able to handle ISO 2000 adequately, however, which makes me think the Sigma 70-200 (APO EX) in particular might be the problem, or a bad sensor, or both.

---------- Post added 07-19-23 at 11:29 AM ----------



Thank you for this reply. I certainly do have a critical eye and am striving to constantly improve. Maybe I am being too exacting. Thank you for your grounding comments!
Forum: Pentax K-3 III 07-19-2023, 08:31 AM  
Help troubleshooting chronic soft focus and view idiosynchronies
Posted By cls
Replies: 22
Views: 1,554
While this is true, I have experienced the issues stopped down. I will have a look back at images and see if I can find some good representative ones. Any parameters that would help?
Forum: Pentax K-3 III 07-18-2023, 04:32 PM  
Help troubleshooting chronic soft focus and view idiosynchronies
Posted By cls
Replies: 22
Views: 1,554
Yes. I am a bit at a loss as to what/type of images to share as I see this rather globally and inconsistently across most photos, various settings. Here is from a recent photo session in this case using the Sigma 70-200 f2.8. I had set AF fine adjustment, yet *in some cases* it seemed to be front focusing and others back. In this case it got the focus plane correct but the image is not as sharp as I might expect and more noisy that I would expect for this ISO. The screenshot of the black dog is an example of focus on the right plane, yet dog still "fuzzy". Screenshot of hairy faced dog is sharper, but still a little noisy, jpg of person and black dog is an example of no apparent focus (yet was in same sequence, did not lose focus, using expanded area small, I think, looks like motion blur, but was using shake reduction (auto) and 1/1000s. If there are other kinds of images that would help, I can find plenty! I sometimes view omages in Picasa viewer but process photos in Lightroom/Photoshop, latest versions.
Forum: Pentax Full Frame 07-18-2023, 03:32 PM  
Does the K1 Mark II still make sense to buy today? Is there an Mark III in the works?
Posted By cls
Replies: 161
Views: 18,227
I'm curious - how long from announcement of new model to release (how long was K3iii?) I think I would want word of intent in the next 6 months (announcement) to prevent me from buying into another system within then next 12-24 months if I thought a new FF was more than 1.5-2 years out.
Forum: Pentax K-3 III 07-18-2023, 03:22 PM  
Help troubleshooting chronic soft focus and view idiosynchronies
Posted By cls
Replies: 22
Views: 1,554
Hello,

I have had the K3iii for a little over a year. I use it for dog action and portrait photography as well as a smattering of landscape/macro/family photos. I have a Sigma 17-70, Pentax 50mm 1.7, Pentax 200 f2.8, Sigma 70-200 f2.8. I shoot in RAW. I often shoot with largest possible aperture for the lens I am using (this has never previously been a problem - I would get sharp images out of my K20D with kit lens, so I have an expectation that this camera and some higher end lenses should perform as good or (much) better).


If I can sort out the issues I am having, I will upgrade to a Pentax 70-200, and would like to add a 85 f1.4 and maybe a 24-70 2.8 minimally, and will wait *some amount of time* to see if an updated FF model is announced. There is a lot I love about the K3iii. BUT. An observation I have made it it gets really inconsistent autofocus across lenses, but especially with the Pentax 50 mm and the Sigma 70-200. It looks sharp in camera, but when I upload the images they are a lot noisier than expected and have missed focus. I have tried: Fine Focus adjustment, different AFC and AFS Area modes, cleaning sensor and AF sensor, upgrading to newest firmware, turning noise reduction and shake reduction on and off, fine tuning my own skills.

The other thing I notice is when I upload images (to computer) and then view them, they initially load and flash an image which is bright and sharp, and then it seems like secondary image data loads and the image becomes darker, grainier, and softer. I have no custom settings saved, and as I say, shoot in RAW.


I would love some help troubleshooting to figure out what might be the problem systematically so I can determine if it is an operator error (skills or settings), a camera error (malfunction or settings), or lens issues, or a combination.

Thank you kindly!
Forum: Pentax K-3 III 06-30-2023, 11:06 AM  
Sequence of a burst testing the highest tracking mode with Firmware 2.0
Posted By cls
Replies: 77
Views: 5,955
Ahhhhh - thank you! I will have a look!
Forum: Pentax K-3 III 06-29-2023, 08:52 PM  
Sequence of a burst testing the highest tracking mode with Firmware 2.0
Posted By cls
Replies: 77
Views: 5,955
That's good news - I have chronically less-than-expected-sharpness and realized cleaning the sensor might be a good step. Did that. By AF sensor do you mean the contacts, or how would I go about cleaning the AF sensor?
Forum: Pentax K-3 III 08-03-2022, 06:59 PM  
K3III owner, and now I've bought a D500 too. So....
Posted By cls
Replies: 138
Views: 16,601
Would you humour me by sharing your setting tweaks? I read Kobie's post and have messed around with settings a bit but haven't found anything magic, yet. I continue to experiment, but definitely appreciate others' insights as well: I take Kobie's general point that the camera does best when settings are used intentionally for the shooting/subject conditions. I need to have a quick reference card!
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 06-28-2022, 09:44 AM  
New firmware for K3 III and K-1 introduced season specific shooting modes
Posted By cls
Replies: 114
Views: 11,904
This.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 05-18-2022, 06:41 PM  
Advice for upgrade - K3 or K3iii?
Posted By cls
Replies: 61
Views: 7,578
Hello Jeff. Thank you for asking! I have been mulling this for a while. Overall, I am happy with it. As others have surmised, just about anything would be an improvement over the K20D (not to knock my old friend, but, technology has advanced). In sum, it has impressive dynamic range, it is fast, autofocus is quiet and fast on lenses that were slow and loud on the K20D (I can't explain that). Twelve FPS and these other features are wonderful for the kind of photography I do (challenging light conditions, fast moving subjects). The ergonomics, build quality, and menu systems are pleasing and a smooth transition from the K20D. I have noted some annoying accidental pushing of buttons which results in things I didn't expect, and some required shifting of the settings I use (whereas I used TAv a lot before, I am favoring Av about half the time now with the auto ISO button/adjust ISO manually and exploring full M mode as well. Not sure where I will land, but more in the exploratory phase. I think it is a powerful machine with a lot of potential, but I feel like I haven't mastered it yet. I will admit that I have been frustrated by the inconsistent autofocus, and I will say that I have not felt that I have resolved that yet, despite doing AF Fine Tuning with two lenses so far (though it did improve the AF after this exercise, it is still not consistent). I will also say that I have the impression that Pentax lenses work better than my Sigma lenses on this camera. This AF issue is frustrating and disappointing, and I have not determined if I am just missing something or if this is a failing of this model. I have decided to give it a year, and if I have not resolved my feelings or overcome this issue with skill building or knowledge, I will move on from the K3iii.I am going to go back to my original question(s) to see what my answers are now. In conclusion, no camera is perfect and no camera is going to overcome a skill gap of there is one (which is the case to some degree for me - I am working on this actively!)
Forum: Pentax K-3 III 04-04-2022, 05:38 PM  
Anyone tested the improved AF in firmware v1.41?
Posted By cls
Replies: 140
Views: 9,708
Thank you!
Forum: Pentax K-3 III 04-04-2022, 09:21 AM  
Anyone tested the improved AF in firmware v1.41?
Posted By cls
Replies: 140
Views: 9,708
It would be really really awesome if this knowledge was compiled in one spot. Is it?
Forum: Pentax K-3 III 03-05-2022, 04:39 PM  
K3 III Firmware 1.41 adds Astrotracer Type 3 officially
Posted By cls
Replies: 79
Views: 9,736
I had noticed some inconsistent focusing issues as others have but am still very much in the learning phase for this camera, and had not embarked yet on fine tuning focus for any lenses. Would it be reasonable to think that AF should be better without fine tuning with this update or might I expect to need to do fine tuning still? Is there a good reference how-to to test focus adjustment? Thank you in advance!
Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands 02-21-2022, 02:43 PM  
Nikon Z6 for legacy glass?
Posted By cls
Replies: 136
Views: 10,846
I did! I wish I could have the K3iii and the Z6ii side by side. It would be a fascinating experiment controlling for subject, settings and skill. Alas. Still figuring out the menu and settings, having only done some test images. I'm hoping to get it outside with some wildlife in the next week or so once I wrap my head around it. It is a major leap from the K20D! My first impressions are it is a solid machine, it has a dense menu and options that could really effect the outcome of image capturing, but is quite capable if you know what you are doing. I have some learning to do!
Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands 02-18-2022, 12:48 PM  
Nikon Z6 for legacy glass?
Posted By cls
Replies: 136
Views: 10,846
Well, now you are all making me second guess my decision to wait for the K1iii and buy the K3iii! It truly came down to that or the Z6ii. (I'm still learning how to use the K3iii, and waiting for new SD cards, so no images yet).
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 02-11-2022, 03:16 PM  
Contengency plan for my Pentax K1s
Posted By cls
Replies: 90
Views: 4,348
Precisely the calculation I just made. It's all compromises, and seeing some of the images coming from some Pentax users [edited to clarify - there are some stunning and impressive photos from users using old gear], for me, the gap between is made up by skill. The decision making process was agonizing, however, so I empathize greatly.
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 02-11-2022, 11:13 AM  
Pentax Meeting on Nov 27: K-3 III evolution (firmware and model variants)
Posted By cls
Replies: 261
Views: 19,283
My position and feelings, exactly.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 02-11-2022, 09:30 AM  
Advice for upgrade - K3 or K3iii?
Posted By cls
Replies: 61
Views: 7,578
All points that match my reasoning. Thanks for this.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 02-11-2022, 09:27 AM  
Contengency plan for my Pentax K1s
Posted By cls
Replies: 90
Views: 4,348
For my recent whirlwind research project regarding what move to make with my camera gear, part of the consideration was resolution - and greater than 36 got a red flag in my file, the consequences of dealing with that file size at high fps seemed overwhelming for my current hardware. I actually costed out the purchase of a several different new systems with minimal lenses, and, it's true, in either case, it costs me, but the price tag was less staying with Pentax than any other option (so I bought an extra lens!). The frustration was I felt like I was make a compromise - my "unicorn" camera actually didn't exist - but was much closer in another system, not Pentax, but the cost of moving was too steep both monetarily and risk of unpredictable factors like ergonomics and menu system that I could not test as I have no rental options here. But I made a decision that if the fast FF Pentax doesn't appear in a couple of years, I am going to have to revisit the decision. Maybe Pentax/Ricoh has something REALLY exciting in the works ... a ~840g fast FF body!!!
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 02-09-2022, 10:09 AM  
Advice for upgrade - K3 or K3iii?
Posted By cls
Replies: 61
Views: 7,578
The pressure is ON!
Forum: Pentax K-3 III 02-08-2022, 08:19 AM  
Post your K3 iii pictures.
Posted By cls
Replies: 3,710
Views: 278,208
This photo is mesmerizing! Great catch!
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 02-08-2022, 08:09 AM  
Advice for upgrade - K3 or K3iii?
Posted By cls
Replies: 61
Views: 7,578
Yes, indeed. That's why it tool me SO LONG to decide what direction to go. You should see the excel file. ;)

---------- Post added 02-08-22 at 08:31 AM ----------

Thanks, Mikesbike - I am scanning the markets for a used 50mm, for sure. I have a M 50 mm f2.0 but it has suffered from a slipping focus ring and has undergone a repair following the article here on the forums, but when I just tried again to repair it, I cannot get it to stay fixed, sadly.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 02-07-2022, 01:25 PM  
Advice for upgrade - K3 or K3iii?
Posted By cls
Replies: 61
Views: 7,578
Well. For a lot of reasons, and after MUCH research, I have settled o the K3iii! The order has been placed, and now I just must wait for it to get here, along with a used DA*200 f2.8 that I couldn't pass up (though I am watching for a 70-200 f2.8!). Thank you everyone, for the input. I am super excited to see where this can take me, while I wait for the K1iii! I'll have to clear off the shelf and hopefully find a home for my K1000 and a few lenses in the near future.
Forum: Pentax K-3 III 02-06-2022, 03:06 PM  
Post your K3 iii pictures.
Posted By cls
Replies: 3,710
Views: 278,208
Ooh, please do! I have this lens and would love to know how it does with the K3iii!
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