Image stabalization on Pentax

I was thinking about getting the new K-7 but the image stabalization is in the menu, there is no switch for it like there is on the K-10 or K-20. I usually forget to turn off the stabalization when I use my tri-pod. How important is it to turn off the I.S. when using the tri-pod? with the K-7, I wouldn't bother going into the menu each time I use my tri-pod, but if it damages the camera, then Pentax should have put the switch on the camera and not in the menu.

yes i dont like the fact it wont have the switch on the back, the one major minus for me,

It takes literally 2 seconds to do it in the menu, to be honest, less of a hassle than that bloody switch, especially if you shoot landscapes in the cold and use gloves!

To be honest, after half an hours use, I don't think anyone will really notice!

I don't think it is a damage issue, just an image degradation problem if the shake reduction is on when using a tripod.

I've not had the problem as whenever I use a tripod I'm using a remote, and the shake reduction is turned off automatically when the remote receive is turned on.

Hope this is coherent, it's been a long day .

Robert.

As with the K10/K20D I think you will find it turn's itself off, i.e it senses when on a monopod or tripod like it does for panning shots.

I saw this covered on another forum, but re the K-m, which has the same issue:

Does SR really damage the camera when mounted on a tripod? I thought it was about shots becoming blurred.

Thought this might help.




This main screen on the back of the camera is accessed by just pressing the INFO button. If SR was the last option used just press info, and turn the rear dial, done.

Whilst here you can also set other options up quickly, like a favourites screen. From top left to right bottom

Auto ISO
OFF (dunno just there, guess it's a saved space for final firmware)
Highlight correction
Shadow correction
Distortion Correction
Extended Bracketing
Digital Filter
HDR Capture
Lateral Chromatic Aberration Adjustment
File Format (JPEG, RAW, RAW + JPEG)
JPEG Recorded Pixels
JPEG Quality
Shake Reduction.

Once you get used to it, it is very useful!

Edit: forgot to put the photo in it!

Huh?!

Nah - it's about the SR being overly active in a static environment with long exposure time and producing a blurred image unnecessarily. (Quantisation errors, and accumulated errors over time.)

EDIT: Awww! The K7 menu looks very intuitive!

Matt

Yeah, that's what I thought - I was responding to the OP!

Yes the menu system looks great, better than the FN button system. Why couldn't they have done it like that in the first place!!!

can you create a shortcut to swith the sr on and off, i just find it a pain on the k200d and its just quicker on the k20d for birds,

That is the shortcut!

Just leave it as the last option used, and you can change very quickly, 1-2 secs.

If your going to shoot off a tripod you can also add Distortion Correction and Extended Bracketing very quickly as well.

Personally, I'm just not gonna miss that switch!

sorry danny, ok sounding better, but i will have to handle one and see it first, anyway i will still buy one regardless for the fps and the video, and i also remember starting a thread asking people if they would buy a pentax dslr with hd video and i remember alot of people hating the idea,

I wouldn't miss the switch either - very often mine seems to knocked accidentally, so SR is off when it should be on.

I'm glad you explained what all those off buttons mean Danny!

Does it turn off on the K10D/K20D for panning shots?
You learn something new every day ....

As someone who has used a tripod once in over 12 months of having my K10D I have to say I wont miss the switch.

Thanks for the input. the owner's manual doesn't explain everything very well. I usually use my remote with my tri-pod. I guess when I get my new Pentax, I will just leave the SR on since using the remote diables it anyway.