No AF in K-7 for video

Unfortunately I can't afford to be interested even if k7 was a worthwhile development,..which it is'nt!

Presumably pentax thinks because it now offeres two cameas in one body that it can ask twice the price...!

Twelve hundered quid for an amateur camera that is not even a complete system is WAY over the odds for me!

If I look at my several other areas of interest (read; spending!) twelve hundred smackers buys me much more than another black plastic blob with doubtful features.....

Ah, now, you can't use that phrase with the K-7, it's all metal.

And, you'll be delighted to know, it has a proper mirror lock-up. Surely worth a few hundred to you, because I know that's something you really wanted.

Just out of interest, what do you video that you need these very long continuous shots?

Dan

'That said, the Pentax K7's video recording introduces some capabilities we've not seen in prior SLR models from competing manufacturers, and firmly establishes Pentax's credentials as a leading-edge purveyor of video-capable SLRs.'

Taken from what must be the most exhaustive preview I've seen yet on the K-7 on imaging-resource.com

"...meeting the needs of a wide range of photographers who don't even know they need what the K7 offers"....like it...that's what innovation and marketing is all about.

And this on auto focus in video mode...."Contrast detection autofocus is possible during video shooting, but is not continuous; rather the user must trigger the autofocus to operate when required, with the lens likely to briefly seek around the focus point before locking."...HHHMMMM!

Furthermore, the menus sound like a mine field...too sophisticated to the point of being spoilt? Or just what the technophile/professional wants?

I'll stick with my K20D for now.

Rob

I'm afraid your lack of knowledge about video should shame you. There is not on professional video camera by any manufacturer that has auto focus, go work it out

Exactly, Autofocus is one of the most terrible features of video cameras but the problem is that most consumer cameras don't have a decent focus ring. I want a manual focus ring and a manual operated zoom lens if I would start with video shooting.

Manners please!

Don't think I implied that. And always indicated that I am an amateur.

I only have a JVC 3ccd GZ MC 500EK....it has auto-focus and a manual ring.

In context, many state that Pentax is not in the top end professional stills DSLR category.

I would still like auto-focus...for so many of those occasions when you just want to slip into video to capture a special moment when your cam-corder is not with you and set up.

Sony HVR-V1U HDV a professional HDV camcorder with auto-focus link

I have also been wondering whether the apparent sophistication of the K7 and its ilk would be better controlled, in certain circumstances, by a laptop.....or am I really shaming myself now?



Rob

K7 Can't be a proper Video Camera if it hasn't got a
500X Digital Zoom..... Can It?

shim

Sorry to pull it out of context Shim
But are DSLR with video trying to be proper a video camera:
I think we are comparing mountain gorillas with chimpanzees now.

I think gartmore means more pro then that, more like people that are using midframe cameras for example. Around that class but then with video.

Thanks Stefan, the link says, 'This camcorder is packed with a host of features designed for serious amateurs and budding professionals'.

Actually I can think on a number of occasions when I might use what the K7 appears to offer, rather than hire a £12000 camera as I did on Saturday or a £60000 camera as I often do. I'd imagine it might be very appealing for a lot of low-end applications, we'll just have to wait and see what the snaps and sound actually turn out like. No balanced mike input might be a problem but that is the price you pay for convenience.

The motion picture industry outside Hollywood is being turned on its head by a new breed of modular cameras that can shoot stills and video in any format you like using pretty much any lenses you like link

Just pointing out how ridiculous it's getting. Nobody's seen
any video from the camera yet and Ken's talking about shooting
Holywood Blockbusters with it or saying he might struggle
shooting Holywood Blockbusters with it, not sure which. Also
wants a Pro level line input with a Canon connector.

I already have a separate Camcorder I don't want a camera with
Video.

The next thing will be lists comparing the video facilities
offered by Pentax -v- Nikon -v- Canon

shim

I've heared some being very happy with the video function of the Canon 5D.
They were doing video shoots inside the studio and because the ability you've with the different lenses made it very suitable for that.

Shim I alrady said it in another topic but I believe that the video DSLR isn't their to take over the simplicity of a camcorder. It should be able to handle that though but I see it as a far more creative way of shooting then what you can do with a normal camcorder.

I already see myself playing with dof, angles and diffrent lenses.

Ah well, that gives the pixel peepers something to do in the next couple of years

If that is so then you'll also need to factor in the cost of Adobe Premiere, and most probably a new workstation with a fancy motherboard, quad-core processor and 64-bit operating system so you can run at least 16-32 Gb of Ram to make it usable.

Now I happen to have the latter but I certainly don't have the time to fiddle around learning a new adobe application or generally undertaking video editing.

I'd also wager that the potential market for a video capable Pentax dslr interested in shooting the next Palm D'Or winner is outnumbered at least 100 to 1 by people who want to shoot informal videos of friends and family, or everyday occurrences worthy of documenting for some reason; if I had even the slightest suspicion Pentax were gearing the K7 to the former segment, I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole.

So people are knocking the Pentax K-7 before it's even been reviewed? On the basis of its VIDEO capability? And something which isn't a 'flaw' unique to Pentax? Wow!