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Forum: Pentax K-3 III
14 Hours Ago
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If it's a secondary body and you don't need the improved autofocus I would get a less expensive model. I would get a used K-3 or KP personally. If you want better autofocus then the K-3iii is the obvious choice.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 III
14 Hours Ago
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I often just leave it in AF-C for this reason. It is very accurate. However when the image will have a very shallow depth of field and my subject is stationary, I will use AF-S. It is simply more precise and you are more likely to nail focus that way. AF-S can also be handy for nailing focus when there are lots of distractions for the camera, like wildlife through branches or a small, stationary, bird far away.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 III
04-02-2024, 07:46 AM
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Good points from you and Uncle Vaya. I think it's more about comfort and ease of use. I'm not sure I buy the interaction aspect because you're looking down away from the other person, bad form in a conversation. But everyone is different, maybe not having the face covered is more inviting for people, I don't know. I'm just skeptical lol.
I'm not a mirrorless hater either, and I too own them. I totally get their advantages. I am definitely biased towards DSLRs and OVFs though. I think you're half right about someone who doesn't like EVFs will never like them. I think I could really enjoy using a good one as I am well aware of their advantages. I have the Pentax 50mm classic "rainbow" lens and I feel like that would be much more enjoyable to use through a (good) EVF. Naturally on the K-3iii I'm using it with liveview when trying to get flares. Anyway, I think you're right that someone like me will probably always prefer an OVF.
What got us talking about this anyway? I think it was it a comment about wanting the next iteration of K-3 to have better live view? I'd be all for that. It's actually pretty good right now! The face detect is great and it focuses fast most of the time. Sometimes it will search when I feel like it should have easily found focus but it's much better than previous cameras, and I've found sometimes that's user error anyway (too small focus area or something like that). What I wish live view had was good AF-C/tracking capability. As much as I love using the OVF, for me it's as Uncle Vaya said, it can be much more comfortable to use live view in certain shooting situations. And then I also wish for a tilting screen, but alas...
---------- Post added 04-02-2024 at 10:54 AM ----------
Back on the original topic, I just discovered a new K-3iii feature I really like. It must have been added through firmware and somehow slipped my attention. You can reassign a button to "User AF" which means if I press and hold that button the AF settings change to whatever I have assigned that button to. Very useful feature!
I usually use AF-C + SEL4 even when shooting static subjects, and like to focus recompose while letting the camera track my focus point. Then if I move a bit or the subject does it tends to stay in focus. But sometimes AF-S and a single point is still the ticket, so now I have the new (another firmware addition) extra small single point + AF-S assigned to a button. One press and I can focus with extreme accuracy on an exceedingly small point. Release and I'm back to AF-C and tracking. Awesome!
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Forum: Pentax K-3 III
04-01-2024, 10:32 AM
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I notice it also. I think cell phone use is a likely cause. But I also think part of it also is how bad EVFs are, with only very recent models being quite good (supposedly). To have your whole world become those crappy little screens in there? No thanks. Obviously people who extol the virtues of EVFs don't want that or they would have those cameras up to their face more. I'd like to see how often those "Pentax Traitor" goofballs on Facebook that love to make fun of us all here are even using their EVFs.
So with that said, I get why you'd prefer the back LCD. That's what my wife does with her Olympus E-M10ii and that's how I use my Lumix GX7. It doesn't feel right, and it's not as satisfying as a nice, big, clear OVF. But when using those cameras it is a lot better than the EVF.
Maybe the best EVF I've used is the Fujifilm X-T2. That one I would sometimes use. But panning with it at all was disorienting and discomforting. I've never seen anyone complain about that EVF so I'm assuming it was regarded as nice at one time even if it is outclassed now. But I wonder if they could have improved much since then? They would have to be a *lot* better to be worthwhile in my opinion.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 III
03-29-2024, 12:59 PM
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Thank you. :)
Here are some with the 50-135 I recently acquired. Second two are of the same plant but with a Raynox 150 attached. I'm really enjoying this lens so far, super sharp and superb rendering. Plus the size and weight seem tiny for what you get, and the internal zoom feels luxurious to me. Side note, this lens while not the fastest focusing can track a dog running straight toward me and keep his face in focus until he gets to within ~8 feet, where any camera would struggle with that. Same with the 60-250. Both are slow SDM motors. Just goes to show the camera matters more than lens speed for tracking.
I think the camera has improved a lot since launch with firmware updates. Makes me sad to see people on Facebook still denigrate it based on its performance from back then. Or perhaps it always was very good (I've only had mine for a year) and they just didn't know how to use the thing, even the so-called professionals. But I digress.
 IMGP9150 by JBP_Mobusaki, on Flickr
 IMGP9216 by JBP_Mobusaki, on Flickr
 IMGP9273 by JBP_Mobusaki, on Flickr
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Forum: Pentax K-3 III
03-27-2024, 06:41 AM
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
03-26-2024, 01:37 PM
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Edit: My apologies, I missed the word "aperture" in your post. Very important distinction!
It's not alleged. The thing is amazing. I think few know how to use it properly, given the lack of fast AF tracking in the past. I picked up the lens in question, 50-135, last week and even though it is SDM it can track a dog running straight toward the camera without issue. Focus is on the face until the dog is very, very close, where all cameras struggle. The K-3iii can do this with the DA*300, the DA*60-250, and now my DA*50-135. All slow SDM motors, particularly the 60-250! More lens motor speed is nice, but it was always the camera bodies that needed updated most. And they have, finally. :)
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Forum: General Photography
03-25-2024, 05:42 AM
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This is why Pentax should always have something like the KP in their lineup. Variety is good! K-3iii is my favorite camera of all time, by a large margin, but I can see why it might not be the ticket for others. E.g., the fixed screen could be a deal-breaker. I want a KP for the tilt screen, compact size, and cool aesthetics. But ~$600 used I am not willing to bite. A new one with K-3iii autofocus, though? Goodness, I'd have a hard time choosing between that and the K-1iii. I'd eventually end up with both, I'm sure. haha
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Forum: Pentax K-3 III
03-09-2024, 02:27 PM
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Forum: Pentax K-3 III
02-18-2024, 06:41 AM
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Forum: Pentax K-3 III
02-07-2024, 11:43 PM
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Just wanted to update this with a video Youtube decided to show me tonight. Someone did the exact same thing back in 2021 with firmware 1.0. So that confirms it, the K-3iii has been able to do this since day one. Pretty surprised this is not in the user manual.
You Tube
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src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4JXgQReFZds?controls=1" allowfullscreen>
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Forum: Pentax K-3 III
01-30-2024, 09:42 AM
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Forum: Pentax K-3 III
01-29-2024, 04:39 PM
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Do you have the time in the video where he talks about that? It's rather long, but I am interested. I haven't really noticed a discrepancy, but I would be surprised if there was agreement between my camera screen and my computer screen because my computer screen hasn't even been calibrated. Did you calibrate yours? I have thought about doing it but never got around to it. That would be the first step for me before adjusting the camera display.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 III
01-22-2024, 11:25 AM
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There should be weathersealing in that area, the cover would just protect the contacts from getting dirty. See post #23 here: Hot Shoe Cover how important is it and why ? - Page 2 - PentaxForums.com
I wasn't able to find a parts diagram of the K-3iii, but hopefully Pentax has not made it less weather resistant than the K-7... In any case, certainly no harm in leaving it on.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 III
01-22-2024, 11:16 AM
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Wow! What a perspective, and so much detail! Well done.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
01-22-2024, 06:57 AM
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If they got the view autofocus anywhere near as good as through the viewfinder that would be amazing. I massively prefer looking through the OVF but there are times when it's just a million times easier to use live view, because I am not a contortionist. But even on the K-3iii the LV AF is not great. Accurate, but slow and no AF-C. You can already take photos fast w/little to no blackout in live view on the K-3iii by putting it in silent shutter mode - it just needs better AF.
IMO that's the biggest thing lacking vs mirrorless. Aside from wildlife, I'm not seeing many mirrorless shooters put the camera to their face... Imagine a camera with the luxury of a Pentax OVF but also modern mirrorless live view performance. That would be something and worth waiting for.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 III
01-18-2024, 01:53 PM
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Forum: Pentax K-3 III
01-18-2024, 01:50 PM
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Congrats! A year later I still smile every time I pick it up. :)
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Forum: Pentax K-3 III
01-12-2024, 12:22 PM
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
01-11-2024, 02:25 PM
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That's one of my favorite lenses. I had the 40mm XS and loved it. I felt it paired perfectly with my K-5. You know how some lens + camera combinations just seem like a match made in heaven? That was the 40mm XS and my K-5. Later I picked up the SMC 40mm LTD because I wanted a hood and to complete my SMC Limited collection, which I haven't used on my K-5 yet. Both are great but I prefer the Limited for the build quality and quick-shift focus capability, and of course the hood (thought I didn't often feel I needed one with the XS). IQ they seem identical to me.
If I had to choose one prime, though, it would be the 35mm macro. While the 40mm is my favorite to use, the 35mm is more versatile (macro) and sharper too. It's a great "walkabout" lens, better than the 40 except for size.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 III
01-08-2024, 06:32 AM
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Yes, if you're shooting a static subject that is how I use the "focus recompose" technique. Press AF button until the camera achieves focus (the beep or symbol in the viewfinder), then release button, recompose, take photo.
If I am photographing people or animals that are moving (but not running around...) then I'll use AF-C, Tracking Type 1, subject recognition on, SEL-4, and tracking sensitivity at 1-3.
If it's action photography then my settings are the same as above but with sensitivity set to 3-5, and sometimes I'll use fewer AF points depending on the scenario, and sometimes with tracking type 3.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
01-08-2024, 06:13 AM
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Very nice! I love the K-5 JPEGs also. Just something special about the colors and "pop" to them. As for a WR prime, one to consider is the HD 20-40 f/2.8-4. Not a prime, yes, but it is often treated as one.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 III
01-06-2024, 05:25 PM
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That behavior in AF-C isn't surprising. The camera is expecting movement and trying to track that movement. It is surprising in AF-S, but I think I've noticed this as well and not just at wide angles. If you're in AF-S and sit there and hit focus again and again it won't always focus at the same distance. Light levels and subject contrast have the biggest impact on this. I always took it as normal DSLR behavior. Now I know in what conditions to expect it and will make sure I've nailed focus before moving on from the shot.
I am not much of a wide angle shooter but I am starting to use my 15mm ltd more, so I will be on the lookout for this. If it's bad even in good light with high contrast subjects then that could be quite annoying. So far though I've found focus is nailed easier with wide angle because the depth of field tends to be larger.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 III
01-05-2024, 11:37 AM
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Wow! I'm surprised at the detail with the 1.4x. I've never tried putting the teleconverter on my 55-300 but now I think I will.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 III
01-04-2024, 02:42 PM
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