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Forum: Pentax K-r
03-30-2012, 07:27 PM
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By the by... I'm not a troll, just a very frustrated (previous) Pentax user. I've actually recently migrated over to Sony and while the low-light performance isn't nearly as good as the Pentax was, the over-all image quality and focusing abilities are far superior. I am happy to at least have something besides 'canikon' :P I guess you people here probably think I'm some monstrous troll
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Forum: Pentax K-r
03-17-2012, 11:52 AM
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Any word yet on what camera will replace the K-r? I'm still very unhappy with the results of...well any camera using the current Safox system.
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Forum: Pentax K-01
03-15-2012, 12:36 PM
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Adam - I'm going back to a K-r for now (have one on the way) in hopes it doesn't suffer the FF issues like my previous ones did... I did have a K-5 for a short while too, but it's focusing was WAY too inconsistent. I'd say 80% of my photos were blurry. Even same subject/location, the outcome would be inconsistent.
ogl - Yeah, I knew it would struggle but within most people's normal range, the camera performs admirably. Aside from some low-light issues, I was extremely pleased with it's focusing abilities
ibkc - That's a neat lil thing there. If low light did a bit better, I"d probably consider it. I just know the K-r is a pretty comfy camera though. Fingers crossed the new one works...
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Forum: Pentax K-01
03-14-2012, 09:49 PM
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Disappointing find... This camera was almost certainly a winner in my books... Image quality was steller! Even in low light it did exceptionally well. Focusing was MUCH faster than I expected. The first lens I tried was my 70-300 and it did very well under about 150mm. Performance dropped dramatically beyond that, and was practically unusable at 300mm, but this camera wasn't really designed for these kinds of zoom levels. Using my DA 40mm, I was able to focus on most things I wanted to, having a few problems with low-light situations. A few objects simply wouldn't focus, even using the focal assist. A bit disappointing but I could live with it...
The main drawback, however, would be the ergonomics... At first, it was fine. I typically don't use the "green" button so it's placement didn't bother me. For basic usage, button layout was fine (though the wheel was a bit of a stretch). The problem came after using the camera for a few minutes. I have large hands, and how I had to hold the camera cause my wrist to cramp up. I think it's because there's no real grip on the camera so I was really holding it with my finger tips... Regardless, there's no way I could hold the camera for an extended period of time without my hands cramping up.
Perhaps the K-02 (or whatever follows) will have a more pronounced grip. The sensor in this camera is fantastic, focusing is better than expected, but the fancy design leaves much to be desired. I wouldn't say mark it off just because of me, though. I believe people with smaller hands would probably be perfectly fine using the camera...
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Forum: Pentax K-01
03-14-2012, 09:41 PM
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Well for me it's simply where I take most of my photos (personal/family/etc). So I need a camera that does well in low/artificial light. As we know, Pentax has some of the lowest noise at higher ISOs, VERY good tungsten white balance correction, and decent stabilization which is good on any lens. IMO, these cameras are some of the best suited for indoors. On top of which, since I began taking photos of abandoned places (well, I've not in a while, but beside the point) I learned how much better capturing the room's lighting rather than using a flash makes a much better picture. So, at least on paper, Pentax fits the bill for me.
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Forum: Pentax K-01
03-14-2012, 03:39 PM
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Problem is some of us primarily use the camera in artificial lighting. The same can be said regarding me and my attempts with the K-r and K-5. Both probably performed superbly outdoors, but my primary use will be indoors, no flash, using standard house-hold lighting.
From the little bit I've tried the K-01, it seems to focus exceptionally well under about 100mm. I could tell it gradually slowed the motor down as I zoomed my 70-300 and hunted a tremendous amount. Once the battery charges I'll try it some more and see if it's a keeper or not...
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
03-07-2012, 01:50 AM
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Let me get something straight before I go and bash my head against a wall... Very simply put, contrast detection focuses based on what the image appears like through the camera. The actual focal setting has no implication on the picture. Phase Detection uses sensors to determine distance and set the lens accordingly. Therefore, a mis-calbrated lens could focus fine within contrast detection but not phase detection...
Currently my only other lens is my 70-300 but I'm going to test a few things and determine what's what.... I'm beginning to think/realize the 40mm has been the issue the whole time...
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
03-05-2012, 11:10 PM
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After having troubles with my K-r, I decided to upgrade to a K-5 in hopes these focusing issues have been resolved. However, now that I've gotten a chance to fully test the camera, I'm seeing almost identical results as I saw with my K-r... So people can see what I'm talking about and confirm I am getting the affected issues, I've cropped some pictures for viewing here.
All pictures were taken using a tripod and my remote. SR was automatically disabled. Lighting was fairly dim (single incontinence lamp). Using latest firmware (1.13). Aperature Priority mode, ISO-400. Spot focus was used and the lens was set to infinity then allowed to refocus before each picture. Matrix meetering. Focal poaint was the center of the quarter.
First couple are from my Pentax 35-70mm lens. Results are pretty similar but the liveview tends to be consistently sharper to some extent.
Now onto the next lens, my 40mm pancake. Very clear difference between the two. These results are consistent too.
I really don't know what to do. These results are nearly identical to the K-r. I really don't want to sell all my lenses and such but I'm seriously fed up with Pentax now. Please, tell me I'm doing something wrong and how I can resolve this with either camera!
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
03-04-2012, 08:34 AM
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Interesting... OK, I've had such a hard time with the K-r I'm just being very picky with the K-5. Putting it through it's paces while I can still return it :lol:
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
03-03-2012, 10:42 PM
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OK, just got my K-5 and thus far I think it's a winner... However, screwing around, I figured I'd run the dust removal. Going from the K-r, that thing would shake pretty violently and was very audible when you selected the option. On the K-5, I can't hear or feel anything unless I practically press my ear against it when. Normal or not?
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Forum: Pentax K-r
03-03-2012, 10:34 PM
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Oh geeze...sorry my previous post was so jumbled. I guess it wanted HTML?
Anyway, I got the K-5 recently. First impressions were pretty poor, but once I upgraded from 1.01 to 1.13 the focus is spot on! I took the camera to work and used my 30-70 lens and had no issues. Focus was spot on, clearity and noise were about what I expected (decent lighting, ISO3200. freehanding) I really wasn't wanting to spend this kind of money on a camera, but honestly if I were to switch brands, I'd probably spend about the same after getting the camera and new lenses...
On to the other questions (and I'll confirm the spacing is better ^^; )
morpho - I'm not a supreme expert, but I have been into photography all my life and it is more than a hobby. Plus I didn't have the issues until I switched to the K-r... Focusing was always off, freehanding or using tripods. The Sigma lens is OK; a bit blurry at 300mm but I rarely ever use/need it. I've never gone without that focus indicator as I find it very useful, personally. I always set my cameras to point/spot focusing so I can pick exactly what it focuses on. And I'm certainly up for being proven wrong but I feel quite sure I'm using the camera correctly.
garyk - I may go back to Nikon if the K-5 gives me any issues, but I've been pleased with it today.
Philoslothical - I definitely see it more with the faster lens, but all the lenses seem to suffer to some extent. Even using the K-5, my 35-70 lens seems to focus much better. As for the tripod/SR pictures, I think you read it wrong or I typed it wrong. Yes, I have SR enabled normally, but when using the tripod I either use my remote or the self timer (as you know, disables SR). Now I very well could have had miscalbrated K-r's...
-- edit --
Just a little update. After this post I grabbed my pancake lens and started testing it. It does front focus ever so slightly. However, I tuned it to -2 and it seems to be spot on. My Weekend is on Tuesday and Wednesday so I suspect I'll do some "official" testing then. ;)
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Forum: Pentax K-r
03-01-2012, 09:28 PM
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Geeze this forum's more popular than I was expecting... Alllright... kaiserz - Done... It should be here tomorrow, but I could still return it and stick with the K-r if I so desired. Mostly though, I couldn't find the body cap so I was going to use the one from the K-5 then send back the K-r :P mpmetro - Not yet. I'd tried in the past but didn't find how to access it until last night. I actually was going to poke around with it last night but couldn't find a cable that fit the K-r. If I think about it, I might grab one from work or bring the camera to work tomorrow to tinker during lunch... Philoslothical - Haha, yes, I did this using a tripod too. Besides, a portion of the image is in focus, just typically the wrong area! I certain can try and get some images posted at some point, but it's very typical front focus issues... IE, focus on an angled object and the area below/closer to the camera is in focus. Na Horuk - Not tried the latest 1.12 but I do currently have 1.11 foto guy - As far as I can tell it's indoors. However, I'd say 90% of my photos are indoors... sameagle - I'll hold you to this ;) I do plan on doing some very though testing once it arrives. altopiet - Yeah... I wasn't planning on spending this kind of money on the camera, nor did I care to get a black on, but I suppose I'll be more happy in the end...assuming it works :P screwdriver222 - I currently have 4 lenses; the kit 18-55, the DA 40mm 2.8, an older 35-70, and a Sigma 70-300. Results are quite similar among them. I have noticed some seem to focus a bit better; the 35-70 is pretty bad unless in macro and the 40mm is useless wide open... lammie200 - I have considered sending off the K-r...but the idea of spending any money (even for shipping) on a new item to be repaired is just not something I can agree with. If it's not right out of the box, I want a new one that is right. If I could get another K-r now and know it won't have focusing issues, I might do so. However, from what I've heard, the problem was never really dealt with. Penumbra - I know every camera's going to have its issues... I guess what infuriates me more than anything is my "upgrade" actually ended up giving me worse results than my K-x. gp1806 - I've had it for a while...but Amazon's working with me and will let me return it. If this weren't the case I might just send it to Pentax... rawr - I had some test pics at one point with all the settings and such noted but I've since removed them... But generally, my pictures are taken in Aperture mode (typically wide open to 5.6), Matrix exposure, center spot AF. All my lenses have multi-coated UV filters on them. Stabilizer is on. Shutter speed makes no difference. And I think you've got the same worry as myself... I'm afraid if I compensate for the focus indoors, I'll screw focus elsewhere...
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Forum: Pentax K-r
02-29-2012, 09:53 PM
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To the point where I'm about to send it back and upgrade to a K-5... here's hoping it doesn't suffer from similar/the common problems -.- But there is a reason for this post... I'm curious what people think I should do, if people have any suggestions, etc etc... Basically, I started with a K-x. Loved it aside from the color (dull looking red) and lack of the AF light. "Upgraded" to a K-r but have been dissatisfied the entire time I owned it. I frequently use it indoors without a flash and could never dial in the focus. I actually tried exchanging with another one, which ended up being an older S/N and had an even worse front-focusing problem! So back to the original... Currently, if I set the fine tuning to -10 I can get maybe 50/50 results. I've contacted Amazon and can return the camera even (they are really working with me this time!) Do I try another K-r? I REALLY wanted the red... Or do I step up to the K-5 (assuming the FF and stains have been resolved) or perhaps wait for the K-01? Honestly, after this entire fiasco I'd probably go back to Nikon if I hadn't purchased a few lenses for my current Pentax... I want to love these cameras but they've been nothing but trouble.
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