K5 vs K7 AF speed
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Posted 19/05/2012 - 17:17
I would say the K-5 is about 20% faster than the K-7 with regard to AF speed.
However the K-5 is about the same percentage (probably more actually) slower than my Canon 50D which was originally released a good 2/3 years beforehand.
The DA* 50-135mm is a very slow lens though .. the Sigma 50-150mm HSM would be quite a bit faster.
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However the K-5 is about the same percentage (probably more actually) slower than my Canon 50D which was originally released a good 2/3 years beforehand.
The DA* 50-135mm is a very slow lens though .. the Sigma 50-150mm HSM would be quite a bit faster.
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Posted 19/05/2012 - 17:22
Thanks Mike - so better but still nowhere near as good as either canon or nikon.
I don't have a problem with the 50-135 on AF-S it's just that it does seem slow when on AF-C and tracking a moving subject.
Mark
My Flickr - Mark B Images
I don't have a problem with the 50-135 on AF-S it's just that it does seem slow when on AF-C and tracking a moving subject.
Mark
My Flickr - Mark B Images
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Posted 19/05/2012 - 17:34
Mark-B wrote:
I don't have a problem with the 50-135 on AF-S it's just that it does seem slow when on AF-C and tracking a moving subject.
I don't have a problem with the 50-135 on AF-S it's just that it does seem slow when on AF-C and tracking a moving subject.
IMO that is Pentax's only real weakness (apart from a decent 100-400mm lens) The K-5 really is a great camera but the tracking is nowhere near as accurate as Canikons (especially their newer bodies)
Have to say though that a D3/K-7 or K-5 comparison really isn't fair
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Posted 19/05/2012 - 17:48
yes - I appreciate you can't compare the two but it was very interesting to see how the other half shoot and what we may be missing out on. The D3 with 70-200 2.8 was a blast! 
Mark
My Flickr - Mark B Images
Mark
My Flickr - Mark B Images
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Posted 19/05/2012 - 17:57
How does AF-speed and tracking compare on the K-x to K5?
I'd planned on an upgrade this year (passing the K-x to my other half)
Although that said, the K30 is looking like more of an upgrade option than a K5 and if Pentax do announce a FF I'll just hold back another year and save like blazes!
........................................................................
Digital:
Pentax K5- Vivitar 19mm 3.8; FA35mm f2; D-Xenon 100mm macro f2.8; DA50-200mm WR...
Flash:
Yongnuo YN-560; Vivitar 285HV; Cactus V4 triggers...
Film:
Pentax-MX & M50mm f1.4; Spottie & 55mm f1.8; MG & M40mm 2.8...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/daveholmesphotos/
I'd planned on an upgrade this year (passing the K-x to my other half)
Although that said, the K30 is looking like more of an upgrade option than a K5 and if Pentax do announce a FF I'll just hold back another year and save like blazes!
........................................................................
Digital:
Pentax K5- Vivitar 19mm 3.8; FA35mm f2; D-Xenon 100mm macro f2.8; DA50-200mm WR...
Flash:
Yongnuo YN-560; Vivitar 285HV; Cactus V4 triggers...
Film:
Pentax-MX & M50mm f1.4; Spottie & 55mm f1.8; MG & M40mm 2.8...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/daveholmesphotos/
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Posted 19/05/2012 - 18:04
Just too many ifs and whens - before I get too deep into Pentax I might just have to consider changing systems if I want to continue down the sports route.
Think I'll hold off on the 60-250 for now then
Mark
My Flickr - Mark B Images
Think I'll hold off on the 60-250 for now then
Mark
My Flickr - Mark B Images
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Posted 19/05/2012 - 22:05
If you compare AF... pentax is out of the league of Canon 1 marks and D3/D4, but if you are close enough(which is far more important).
Pentax confirmation is way better than canon 7d for example and D7000.
Canon just confirms and after the first shot there is no confirmation at all.
Pentax one just keeps beeping and you are in focus... and if you picked nice light and distance of the subject there is just no way you will miss AF in the series. Distance and contrast is the most important for af to be accurate and fast.
And when I say distance i mean no more than 5 meters away from relatively average sized duck, with a 300mm lens.
AF gets better when your technique gets better, it will surprise you. Pentax cameras have so much juice to sqeeze.
K7 is a wonderful camera, K5 is in my opinion the best crop camera out there.
I personally loved my K7, switched from K200 and really really loved it. K200 too was an amazing camera.
Now happy owner of K5 which is outstanding.
K7vsK5 af speed and accuracy improvement... not so much... maybe just a little.
I would wait though, because in a few months a replacement may be available.
Btw when you track subjects the best speed and accuracy is achieved by the center point, auto af points is crap. It predicts and when the subjects enters a busy area it gives up.
Planning your location and shots is the key. Knowing the behavior of the subject too.
here's an example... in 5 or 10 seconds i made 6 or 8 shots of this grey heron in flight. All of them in focus, these are just the ones that are worth showing.
http://bhristov.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMGP0043-Edit.jpg
http://bhristov.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMGP0047-Edit.jpg
http://bhristov.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMGP0042-Edit.jpg
http://bhristov.com
K-3 with FA 100/2.8 Macro, DA* 300/4 SDM, Sigma 150-500/5-6.3 APO HSM, Tamron 17-50/2.8 Di II, Sigma 17-70/2.8-4.5, DA 50/1.8, M 50/1.7 and Cobra 2X TC
Pentax confirmation is way better than canon 7d for example and D7000.
Canon just confirms and after the first shot there is no confirmation at all.
Pentax one just keeps beeping and you are in focus... and if you picked nice light and distance of the subject there is just no way you will miss AF in the series. Distance and contrast is the most important for af to be accurate and fast.
And when I say distance i mean no more than 5 meters away from relatively average sized duck, with a 300mm lens.
AF gets better when your technique gets better, it will surprise you. Pentax cameras have so much juice to sqeeze.
K7 is a wonderful camera, K5 is in my opinion the best crop camera out there.
I personally loved my K7, switched from K200 and really really loved it. K200 too was an amazing camera.
Now happy owner of K5 which is outstanding.
K7vsK5 af speed and accuracy improvement... not so much... maybe just a little.
I would wait though, because in a few months a replacement may be available.
Btw when you track subjects the best speed and accuracy is achieved by the center point, auto af points is crap. It predicts and when the subjects enters a busy area it gives up.
Planning your location and shots is the key. Knowing the behavior of the subject too.
here's an example... in 5 or 10 seconds i made 6 or 8 shots of this grey heron in flight. All of them in focus, these are just the ones that are worth showing.
http://bhristov.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMGP0043-Edit.jpg
http://bhristov.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMGP0047-Edit.jpg
http://bhristov.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMGP0042-Edit.jpg
http://bhristov.com
K-3 with FA 100/2.8 Macro, DA* 300/4 SDM, Sigma 150-500/5-6.3 APO HSM, Tamron 17-50/2.8 Di II, Sigma 17-70/2.8-4.5, DA 50/1.8, M 50/1.7 and Cobra 2X TC
Last Edited by amplified on 19/05/2012 - 22:29
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Posted 19/05/2012 - 22:31
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Posted 19/05/2012 - 22:44
Well... i'm comfortable with it 
http://www.bhristov.com/uploads/l.jpg
http://bhristov.com
K-3 with FA 100/2.8 Macro, DA* 300/4 SDM, Sigma 150-500/5-6.3 APO HSM, Tamron 17-50/2.8 Di II, Sigma 17-70/2.8-4.5, DA 50/1.8, M 50/1.7 and Cobra 2X TC
http://www.bhristov.com/uploads/l.jpg
http://bhristov.com
K-3 with FA 100/2.8 Macro, DA* 300/4 SDM, Sigma 150-500/5-6.3 APO HSM, Tamron 17-50/2.8 Di II, Sigma 17-70/2.8-4.5, DA 50/1.8, M 50/1.7 and Cobra 2X TC
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Posted 19/05/2012 - 22:56
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Posted 19/05/2012 - 23:20
Tracking a swallow is a pain... It may take days for a decent focused shot
One of the most frustrating birds to photograph. Maybe the best technique for swallows is focus trap and MF. Which again leads to my previous post when i mentioned knowing the subject's behavior, preparing the shot 2-3 days before and so on...which i know, but i am full with enthusiasm and ... just can't wait.
Pentax has room for a lot of improvement on AF though. I gave up auto af point, because I really suck at it.
Thanks.
Mark-B, in your profile it says you are in Hampshire, if you are close to Southampton I will be happy to meet and you can try my K5 and decide. Touching and feeling the camera is better than reading reviews on the Internet.
http://bhristov.com
K-3 with FA 100/2.8 Macro, DA* 300/4 SDM, Sigma 150-500/5-6.3 APO HSM, Tamron 17-50/2.8 Di II, Sigma 17-70/2.8-4.5, DA 50/1.8, M 50/1.7 and Cobra 2X TC
One of the most frustrating birds to photograph. Maybe the best technique for swallows is focus trap and MF. Which again leads to my previous post when i mentioned knowing the subject's behavior, preparing the shot 2-3 days before and so on...which i know, but i am full with enthusiasm and ... just can't wait.
Pentax has room for a lot of improvement on AF though. I gave up auto af point, because I really suck at it.
Thanks.
Mark-B, in your profile it says you are in Hampshire, if you are close to Southampton I will be happy to meet and you can try my K5 and decide. Touching and feeling the camera is better than reading reviews on the Internet.
http://bhristov.com
K-3 with FA 100/2.8 Macro, DA* 300/4 SDM, Sigma 150-500/5-6.3 APO HSM, Tamron 17-50/2.8 Di II, Sigma 17-70/2.8-4.5, DA 50/1.8, M 50/1.7 and Cobra 2X TC
Last Edited by amplified on 19/05/2012 - 23:22
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Posted 19/05/2012 - 23:29
amplified wrote:
here's an example... in 5 or 10 seconds i made 6 or 8 shots of this grey heron in flight. All of them in focus, these are just the ones that are worth showing.
here's an example... in 5 or 10 seconds i made 6 or 8 shots of this grey heron in flight. All of them in focus, these are just the ones that are worth showing.
Whilst I agree that it's not AF accuracy that's the issue, the problem is that the speed of AF-C just can't keep up with a rapidly moving subject.
AF-C really affects the fps rate on my K7 - it is no way near the maximim 5fps as the AF just can't adjust fast enough. I have been trying to capture horses doing dressage and that really needs rapid AF-C and maximum fps in order to capture the right moment in the gait.
I know I can't compare the K7 with the D3 I tried but it did highlight the differences in AF speed between Pentax and other brands.
Mark
My Flickr - Mark B Images
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Mark-B
Member
Hampshire
I had an opportunity to try out a Nikon D3 whilst shooting with an equine event photographer and was astounded by the AF speed on AF-C and coupled with the 11fps it was very easy to track the horses and get just the right shot.
He was very impressed with the quality of my shots with my K7 and DA*50-135 but it did struggle to maintain focus and at only 5fps it wasn't so easy to get the perfect shot.
So - just how much better is the AF on the K5 and should I think about upgrading? Otherwise I might just be tempted to the dark side .........Hmmm......can I hear the sound of a D300 or D700 calling?
Mark
My Flickr - Mark B Images