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Prepare for an onslaught of K5 questions

McGregNi
Posted 15/09/2012 - 14:53 Link
Just to clarify, I'm asking about the manual adjustment of horizon by moving the sensor, available through the menus at the time of shooting - (not the auto horizon correction which is applied after the shot).
My Guides to the Pentax Digital Camera Flash Lighting System : Download here from the PentaxForums Homepage Article .... link
Pentax K7 with BG-4 Grip / Samyang 14mm f2.8 ED AS IF UMC / DA18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL WR / SMC A28mm f2.8 / D FA 28-105mm / SMC F35-70 f3.5-4.5 / SMC A50mm f1.7 / Tamron AF70-300mm f4-5.6 Di LD macro / SMC M75-150mm f4.0 / Tamron Adaptall (CT-135) 135mm f2.8 / Asahi Takumar-A 2X tele-converter / Pentax AF-540FGZ (I & II) Flashes / Cactus RF60/X Flashes & V6/V6II Transceiver
Frankie
Posted 15/09/2012 - 17:20 Link
I gave up on the level thing too. I always open my photos in photoshop and almost the first thing I do is adjust the level. I don't crop though till I'm sure I'm not losing anything I may want. Not the cameras fault since hubby is always telling me he can see I'm not holding the camera level. (I don't have the problem with any other camera though.)I've never worked out why yet, just go with the workaround.
K5 + 18-135mm kit lens
johnriley
Posted 15/09/2012 - 17:23 Link
When I used a camera with a horizon indicator, it didn't take long before I switched it off. The reason was that it was very distracting, in the same way that computerised readouts of mpg are in the car, and it distracts from the image.

I'd much rather have an unfettered view of the subject and concentrate on that.
Best regards, John
Algernon
Posted 15/09/2012 - 18:11 Link
I normally just balance a book on my head!
Half Man... Half Pentax ... Half Cucumber

Pentax K-1 + K-5 and some other stuff

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McGregNi
Posted 16/09/2012 - 12:33 Link
So no-one actually uses the sensor shift horizon adjustment when shooting on a tripod? I presume this is also available on the K5 and the new K5 updates? Strange if no-one chooses to use it.
My Guides to the Pentax Digital Camera Flash Lighting System : Download here from the PentaxForums Homepage Article .... link
Pentax K7 with BG-4 Grip / Samyang 14mm f2.8 ED AS IF UMC / DA18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL WR / SMC A28mm f2.8 / D FA 28-105mm / SMC F35-70 f3.5-4.5 / SMC A50mm f1.7 / Tamron AF70-300mm f4-5.6 Di LD macro / SMC M75-150mm f4.0 / Tamron Adaptall (CT-135) 135mm f2.8 / Asahi Takumar-A 2X tele-converter / Pentax AF-540FGZ (I & II) Flashes / Cactus RF60/X Flashes & V6/V6II Transceiver
fatspider
Posted 16/09/2012 - 12:51 Link
That's the problem with modern cameras, manufacturers are trying to achieve the ultimate "point it, press the shutter and let the camera do the rest model" Nikons capturing images before you press the shutter is a typical example.

They're slowly taking user input out of the image making process and I suppose that's been going on since cameras were invented, one of the most hated quotes for a photographer is the old "these are good pictures, you must have a good camera" and we are now at the stage where the choice of camera model IS making a difference to the quality of our image.
My Names Alan, and I'm a lensaholic.
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judderman62
Posted 16/09/2012 - 12:59 Link
never use the level indicator thingy. I judge (very badly) by eye and then adjust (again very badly) in Lightroom. I also have one of those spirit level jobbies that slips into the hotshoe... I use this probably about once in 40 shoots

I either forget or can't be bothered.
- -
Mike

Pentax K5 / Pentax K5 11/ Pentax K200D / Canon Rebel T1 i / Canon 650D / Pentax MX-1 / Fuji XF1 /Fuji X 10 / Canon EOS-M / Canon G10/ Pentax Mz-7 x 2
davidstorm
Posted 16/09/2012 - 16:20 Link
McGregNi wrote:
So no-one actually uses the sensor shift horizon adjustment when shooting on a tripod?

Regarding the Electronic Level and Horizon Adjustment on the K-5, it is unreliable - i.e. working one day and way off the next. I too never really used it very much either, but the point I was making earlier (don't think I explained very well) is that it was making my images come out lop-sided. I didn't even realise I had the Horizon Correction turned on in the menu, and couldn't understand why all my pictures were 10% tilted to the left! So even if you don't use it, it can still affect the images!

Having said this, if it is a designed feature of the camera it should work. Pentax, why have you not sorted this out? Surely a firmware upgrade could fix it, or at the very least could provide the user with a way of re-calibrating if it went off.

Regards
David
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McGregNi
Posted 16/09/2012 - 17:43 Link
Well, yes, it should work. But I'm guessing its also a very new or unintuitive way for tradional photographers to compose their shots. I'm just curious to know if any Pentax user uses it - it is after all a specific unique Pentax feature! (because it uses the moving sensor).

I've just bought a new ball head because I felt frustrated with my old 3-way lever type head, and I was spending too much time tightening and untightening each lever to make fine adjustments. My first thought was to change to a ball head. It didn't occur to me to try the sensor shift horizon correction! Maybe I should? Or is this too very fiddly and time comsuming?
My Guides to the Pentax Digital Camera Flash Lighting System : Download here from the PentaxForums Homepage Article .... link
Pentax K7 with BG-4 Grip / Samyang 14mm f2.8 ED AS IF UMC / DA18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL WR / SMC A28mm f2.8 / D FA 28-105mm / SMC F35-70 f3.5-4.5 / SMC A50mm f1.7 / Tamron AF70-300mm f4-5.6 Di LD macro / SMC M75-150mm f4.0 / Tamron Adaptall (CT-135) 135mm f2.8 / Asahi Takumar-A 2X tele-converter / Pentax AF-540FGZ (I & II) Flashes / Cactus RF60/X Flashes & V6/V6II Transceiver
judderman62
Posted 16/09/2012 - 17:49 Link
intriguing I have always imagined I'd find it more difficult making fine adjustments with a ball head - one of the reasons I've never though of getting one.
- -
Mike

Pentax K5 / Pentax K5 11/ Pentax K200D / Canon Rebel T1 i / Canon 650D / Pentax MX-1 / Fuji XF1 /Fuji X 10 / Canon EOS-M / Canon G10/ Pentax Mz-7 x 2
Smeggypants
Posted 16/09/2012 - 20:43 Link
I just use my eyes
[i]Bodies: 1x K-5IIs, 2x K-5, Sony TX-5, Nokia 808
Lenses: Pentax DA 10-17mm ED(IF) Fish Eye, Pentax DA 14mm f/2.8, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8, Pentax-A 28mm f/2.8, Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.2, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.7, Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8, Sigma 135-400mm APO DG, and more ..
Flash: AF-540FGZ, Vivitar 283
johnriley
Posted 16/09/2012 - 21:43 Link
Quote:
I just use my eyes

Quite. There are plenty of situations where a technically straight image actually looks wrong, so in the end using our eyes can actually be the best solution.
Best regards, John
McGregNi
Posted 16/09/2012 - 21:54 Link
With a ball head you can instantly adjust the camera on every plane in one go - for my uses, mainly landscapes or portraits, I think this will help me get set up ready to shoot more efficiently. For studio and more controlled situations the finer adjustments on individual planes offered by a lever type head is more ideal I guess.

As for finer control, well lets see. I think John, you're right, what we see as a natural horizon is not always actually a perfectly level line with the earths surface. I'm thinking this is what the auto horizon correction will be detecting, and may explain the problems David referred to?
My Guides to the Pentax Digital Camera Flash Lighting System : Download here from the PentaxForums Homepage Article .... link
Pentax K7 with BG-4 Grip / Samyang 14mm f2.8 ED AS IF UMC / DA18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL WR / SMC A28mm f2.8 / D FA 28-105mm / SMC F35-70 f3.5-4.5 / SMC A50mm f1.7 / Tamron AF70-300mm f4-5.6 Di LD macro / SMC M75-150mm f4.0 / Tamron Adaptall (CT-135) 135mm f2.8 / Asahi Takumar-A 2X tele-converter / Pentax AF-540FGZ (I & II) Flashes / Cactus RF60/X Flashes & V6/V6II Transceiver
ajp8422
Posted 17/09/2012 - 09:47 Link
I have found that using my K7 on a tripod can throw up a level problem if the shake reduction isn't switched off. Switching it off cured the problem.








K7 with 18-55mm WR kit, 50-135 zoom, 35mm prime
DaveHolmes
Posted 17/09/2012 - 15:45 Link
Well...

My K5 arrived this morning... It feels a bit luxurious (not that the K-x build quallity is bad... It isn't!) in comparrison to the K-x...

Only had a chance to take a couple of 'snaps' as yet but it appears to give a fair bit more in terms of detail...

My only gripes as yet are down to me, not knowing the camera layout (keep hitting the ISO button instead of the Green and the 'right-arrow' doesn't change the ISO anymore...) or menu system...

In the gallery tomorrow and doing more 'Leap' pictures with Yan Wang - This time with members of the public/students; so should get a proper workout then...

Only have one battery at the moment though... How long do these things last?
A spare battery and a D-BG4 (or chinese copy) are on my wishlist but at the moment I'm totally brassic!!
........................................................................
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...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/daveholmesphotos/

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