SR in K-5 Movie Mode

The manual does it's usual job (Pentax no different to others) of telling you what, not why. So, I know that I can have SR on or off in movie mode, but does anyone know what the criteria are for selecting? There's no exposure time as such, so what factors drive the choice? Anyone know the answer or done any testing? Any help will be greatly received!

Tony

I've been doing a lot of work with a 7D and my personal opinion:

- use SR

- Shutter speed 1/30 for "movie" feel and a little blur, faster for crisper pics (I don't see the need for what I do, but that's another story)

- set exposure and ISO to suit, test with a pic so you don't get blown highlights.

That's it.
Oh, and practice your manual focussing.......and a video NEEDS a story, unlike a photo. It's a very different world.

Bret

I should imagine the criteria for selecting use of SR is the same as that for shooting stills, ie turn it off when using a tripod.

The most logical way for the SR to work during video is for it to just try and keep the sensor level regardless of whether a frame is being captured or not.

I disagree, because the tripod will also move. You'll also need it every single time you touch the lens to focus, so leave it on. Don't believe it? try it.
An 055 with 501HD head isn't really heavy or stable enough.

I've already said it once and I'll expand it here: video is a completely different world.

- more contact points needed - handheld is truly awful
- focussing while video is running needs a *lot* of skill and excellent eyesight (hence the zacuto z-finders of this world)
- HDMI out that works while filming eases this issue mildly but not really
- HD vids are stupidly large
- a video clip says nothing. You then need to process it and cut it and show a background to the story; where a still will show the action on stage, the video needs the setup and breakdown to make sense or it's just a clip
- lighting is just as important as on stills - shadows disturb if you want professional-looking results.
- processing is a nightmare due to the file sizes and computing power required to make it look good. Colour correction? ha

you essentially have two choices in video: Gonzo or Pro. There's nothing in between.

Bret

The SR in proper movie cameras actually crops each frame so
the subject doesn't bob up and down. Some software can also
do this, but it means a smaller final frame.

I'm surprised no one has not complained about this being
absent from the Pentax cameras

I would love to have used a K5 professionally for the last shoots and I would be able to tell you, but since there are essentially none in the country and rental was not possible, I have a 7D behind my desk.

The IS on the EF-S 17-55 works well to damp movement, which is what I was looking for. It's not perfect, but then neither is SR

Bret

Thanks for your comments chaps - SR is now engaged!

Tony

Focal length might be one of them.
With wide angle lenses you don't see the camera shale that much but if you use longer focal length you will see it.
If you do it out of the hand the filming it might be better to just have it on, it makes the video look smoother.